Chapter: 5548

The man called Zhao Lao Si immediately waved his hand. "No need to discuss this, Zhang Erma. When you left, we agreed that you wouldn't come back to Antique Street again. So the stall is mine now. Men are like trees, they can't be bent and straightened back into shape."

Zhang Erma chuckled. "Old Si, you think I've lost my sense of direction? It's not that Hong Wu kicked me out; it's because I, Zhang Erma, want to leave."

"Bullsh*t!" Zhao Lao Si snorted. "We've known each other for so many years, and yet you still don't trust me? When you left your stall to follow Hong Wu, didn't you know how excited and thrilled you were at the time? And now you say you're leaving Hong Wu on your own accord? I just can't believe it."

Zhang Erma smiled. "Tell you the truth, Old Si. In the past, I was a good friend, involved in all sorts of nonsense on Antique Street. But now, I've changed and become a well-known merchant in the harbor area. Hong Wu is letting me help him with his antique business, which is not just about playing around like we used to. It's about selling valuable antiques to tycoons who are worth tens or even hundreds of millions. Maybe one deal can earn me tens or even hundreds of thousands. That's my goal for the next two years, and then I'll retire. Isn't that stronger than following Hong Wu?"

As soon as everyone heard this, their eyes widened in surprise.

Zhao Lao Si exchanged glances with others and took a step forward, laughing awkwardly. "Second Master, it seems you've found a new path to wealth and look down on working for Hong Wu now!"

"Hmph!" Zhang Erma raised one hand solemnly, palm facing the crowd, saying, "This isn't that I, Zhang Erma, look down on Hong Wu. As ancient people said, good birds choose trees to perch on. It's just that Hong Wu's tree is too big for me, Zhang Erma. I've been involved in antiques for so many years; it's the most natural thing for me."

The other man stepped forward, gently poking Zhang Erma with his arm, smiling cheerfully. "Second Master, if you have such a path to wealth, can't you bring your brothers along? Look at us, we've been messing around on Antique Street for so long, and haven't caught even one big fish yet. We're struggling to make ends meet year after year; with your good fortune, why not take us along?"

As he spoke, he pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, lit one, and handed it to Zhang Erma, saying sincerely, "Come on, Second Master, have a smoke!"

Zhang Erma took the cigarette, put it in his mouth, smiling merrily. "Little Tong, if you're really willing to work with me to make money, I'm not unwilling to consider it, but I just don't know if you're genuinely committed or not..."

The man known as Little Tong quickly pulled out a lighter and lit the cigarette for Zhang Erma while nodding sincerely. "Second Master, as long as you're willing to take me along, I'll do anything, no questions asked!"

Zhao Lao Si also chimed in, saying, "Second Master, why not bring me along too? I don't have any other good qualities except being obedient! As long as you take me along, I'll follow your orders without question!"

The others were all eager to express their enthusiasm for Zhang Erma, thinking that since he was willing to give up his position near Hong Wu, he must have definitely found a bigger path to wealth, and that this new path had something to do with antiques, not just benefiting Zhang Erma himself; so everyone wanted to join in on the fun.

Zhang Erma said calmly, "Everyone, I've just returned here, and my new business isn't fully settled yet. I won't need too many people for now, so let Zhao Lao Si and Little Tong help me get started first. The rest of you will have to wait until I get everything sorted out before everyone can participate!"

The others were a bit disappointed, but Zhao Lao Si and Little Tong were overjoyed.

They quickly pulled Zhang Erma to an empty spot, with Zhao Lao Si flattering him and saying, "Second Uncle, you can use my stall's goods anytime you need them. If it's not enough, I'll even lend you a piece of mine. What do you want me and Little Tong to do for you? Just tell us."

Zhang Erma took out his cigarette and asked them, "What's the real deal? How much can you make in a month?"

Zhao Lao Si raised his hand and said, "Second Uncle, I'll say it first. My situation is what you know - I don't have your silver tongue or your ability to charm people. In good times, I can make around 10-20 thousand yuan a month. Sometimes, I might not even break even, and the stall fee is a loss too..."

Little Tong also chimed in, "Yeah, yeah, Second Uncle! My situation is similar to Old Four's. By the end of August, this month hasn't even broken even, let alone made a profit of 3,000 yuan. And right now, the antique market is super competitive... These newbies come and go, selling one fake five-emperor coin for 10-20 yuan. When I encounter a tough customer, I might have to give in to them for 30-50 yuan too. But these newbies, even they can sell something for 3-5 yuan..."

Zhang Erma smiled and told the two of them, "That's okay, don't worry about Second Uncle not taking care of you. My old man will introduce some Hong Kong businesspeople to us starting from now, so you two don't need to set up your stalls anymore. One of you goes to the airport, and the other goes to the high-speed rail station to hold up signs and greet people for me!"

"What about greeting?" Zhao Lao Si and Little Tong looked at each other and then asked in unison, "Second Uncle, this kind of task doesn't require much skill, does it? What's the pay like?"

Zhang Erma smiled mysteriously and said, "I'll send you two to greet all these big clients. Sometimes they might not be too easy to deal with, so they'll send their representatives instead. You two just hold up your signs at the airport and high-speed rail stations, and my old man has already arranged for them to meet you when they arrive. And don't worry about this task not requiring much skill - I'll give each of you 3,000 yuan a day!"

"Three thousand each?"

Both of them listened with their jaws dropped and couldn't help but get excited at the thought of earning that kind of income.

Zhang Erma then said, "However, let me warn you ahead of time - I'm not sure when these big clients will arrive, so you two must go to the airport and high-speed rail stations every day. You'll have to leave early in the morning and stay until the flights and trains stop running. If anyone misses a client, I won't forgive him - do you understand?" JrNovels.com