Chapter 147: Chapter 138 Settling at the Antique Store
On Sunday, at the invitation of Lu Jiaxin, Lu Jiaguang brought over the three siblings including Lu An for dinner. Wang Xiaojie, who had worked the night shift the day before, was now catching up on sleep at home, while Lu Ping, busy with his studies, hadn’t returned.
Seeing them making dumplings, Lu Jiaguang washed his hands, rolled up his sleeves, and prepared to join in.
Lu Jiaxin said, “Big brother, don’t bother with that, I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”
From her words, he knew this matter wasn’t for the children to hear, so he stopped rolling up his sleeves and followed Lu Jiaxin into the study. He had been here before, but now it was greatly changed. There was a new shelf for displaying curiosities, loaded with many books; a painting of court ladies hung on the wall to the right of the desk; and a tripod incense burner sat on the table by the window. On the desk itself, the brush holder, brush pot, and brush washer – all the items one needed – were Yuan blue-and-white porcelain.
Lu Jiaguang asked, “Did you find all these at the antique market?”
Lu Jiaxin responded with a hum, “Yes, I bought them because I found them pretty. Big brother, do you think my arrangement looks nice?”
Currently short on working capital, she planned to replace everything with genuine pieces and swap the furniture for rosewood or red sandalwood for an authentic antique charm, once she had the funds in the future.
Lu Jiaguang found it very elegant and, taking a seat, asked, “Are you planning to source all the goods for the clothing store from Yangcheng City and then ship them back to the Forty-nine City to sell?”
Lu Jiaxin shook her head, “No. You are at a critical time in your career; how could I possibly hold you back?”
Lu Jiaguang was relieved and touched, “Jiajie said that sourcing directly from Yangcheng City could at least double the profit margin, is that true?”
Lu Jiaxin nodded, “It’s not just that. If chosen well, a two to three times profit margin isn’t out of the question. Big brother, I know there are many people who exploit their position for personal gain. For those with backers or no desire for promotion, it doesn’t matter, but you’re young and can still climb higher. You shouldn’t risk the important for the unimportant.”
Lu Jiaguang laughed wryly, “You’re making it sound more serious than it is. As long as you observe the shipping regulations for train transport and pay the full freight charges, it won’t affect me.”
Lu Jiaguang affirmed, “Of course, I wouldn’t gamble with my future. Don’t go ahead with it for now, wait until that issue has been settled.”
With the Enjoy reading on NovelHub - your free online novel platform. He didn’t want to provoke any complications, hence he had turned down Lu Jiajie’s request.
Given the previous two incidents with Jiaxin, Lu Jiaguang also feared that his brother’s loose lips might spill his own matters, so he opted not to divulge the reasons to him.
Lu Jiaxin expressed her understanding, then said, “Big brother, I’m thinking of opening an antique store in the Ancient Capital. But I don’t have many connections there and I’m afraid the store might get squeezed out by others.”
Lu Jiaguang hadn’t expected her to have such a plan and said, “It takes a lot of money to open an antique store. Do you have enough funds?”
Lu Jiaxin said with a smile, “I have the capital. Once the store is running with goods coming and going, there shouldn’t be a problem. If there’s an exceptionally rare treasure that I can’t afford, I can still introduce buyers and take a commission. However, this is just my initial plan. Whether it works out still depends on luck.”
When it comes to making big money in business, one needs the right timing, location and human relations.
Lu Jiaguang knew her temperament; once she had her mind set, dissuasion was futile, “I’ll give Old Li a heads-up when the time comes. But whether you can succeed will still depend on the shopkeeper’s abilities.”
Lu Jiaxin acknowledged his point, “Big brother, I’ll give you a thirty percent stake in the antique store. But there’s a saying with antiques: ‘three years without a sale, but one sale feeds you for three years.’ Profits have to be made before dividends can be distributed.”
Lu Jiaguang said with a stern face, “If I take shares of your store, what kind of person does that make our elder brother?”
Lu Jiaxin replied, “Big brother, siblings should settle accounts clearly. If the store encounters any trouble, we still need Old Li’s help. It’s not right to ask for help without giving something in return. It shouldn’t be that I benefit and you become indebted to someone. Even if you don’t mind, over time, our sister-in-law might have her own opinions.”
Lu Jiaguang paused slightly, his tone low as he asked, “Where did you learn all these things?”
Lu Jiaxin lowered her head and said softly, “During my time in the Ancient Capital for more than a month, I’ve come to understand a lot. The fact that you indulge and protect me is my fortune, but I cannot continue to take without giving back. Affection is mutual, I should consider your perspective just as you consider mine.”
“Lu Ping is about to graduate from college, and who knows, he might want to pursue a graduate degree; Lu An will be taking the college entrance exams next year, and considering his grades, it will be difficult for him to get into a university. Whether it’s working or starting a business, we’ll need money; Lu Zhang and Zhenzhen’s education expenses are also not small. Third Uncle and Big Aunt are getting on in years and their health is declining, with Third Uncle having spent over three hundred just on medical bills last year. Money is needed everywhere, and you and sister-in-law are under such pressure, I want to help alleviate some of it.”
Lu Jiaguang said helplessly, “You shouldn’t have to worry about these things.”
Lu Jiaxin always felt that affection should be mutual, especially between siblings, “I actually considered giving you a thirty percent share in my clothing store. But since it’s in the Forty-nine City, I was worried that if people found out, those with ulterior motives would spread rumors that you were taking over my property. Since the antique store is located in the Ancient Capital and unrelated to your work, you don’t have to worry about that.”
Lu Jiaguang fell silent then said, “Thirty percent is too much, just make it twenty percent.”
One share for himself, and another share for Old Li, to keep his sister from involving herself. This was a legitimate business that wouldn’t encounter problems unless the policies changed.
Having obtained his promise, Lu Jiaxin had Master Qian go find someone. Qian Xiaoxiao knew her grandfather was managing affairs for Lu Jiaxin and wasn’t worried, but reminded Master Qian to come back early when he left.
Master Qian became impatient with the nagging, “How have you become as nagging as an old lady after not seeing each other for a few months? I haven’t even enjoyed your blessings yet, why would I want to die?”
Lu Jiaxin felt that the grandfather and granddaughter duo truly had no taboos.
That night, Lu Jiaguang told his wife about the matter, “That girl has a knack for business. If the person she found is reliable, the antique store will definitely make money.”
Wang Xiaojie was overjoyed, “Jiaxin has such good fortune with money, and we get to benefit from it too.”
Lu Jiaguang specifically told her about this after noticing she had become restless and envious recently, always talking about who had bought a big house, worried that she might be tempted to stray, “I know the husbands of some of your colleagues have made money, but we can’t accept dirty money. If it’s not investigated, it’s fine, but once it is, at best you’re looking at demotion or dismissal, and at worst prison. If I fall, how will you and the four children manage?”
Wang Xiaojie felt a pang of guilt, “Sorry, I won’t do it again.”
Without comparison, there would be no discontent. Her colleagues and subordinates, many of whom were less well-off than her before, were now not only fashionable but also living in big houses. Even Lu Jiajie used to live in his mother-in-law’s house, but now he too had moved into a big house. Meanwhile, their family of six was still cramped in an apartment of just over fifty square meters, and they would never be able to afford a big house on their two salaries alone.
Lu Jiaguang said, “It’s enough that you know about this. Don’t tell anyone.”
“Why would you worry about that, I couldn’t possibly tell such a big secret to anyone else,” she replied.