Chapter 62: Chapter 62 Picking Up a Bargain Chapter 62: Chapter 62 Picking Up a Bargain Although Luo Qiao didn’t know what kind of wood these pieces of furniture were made from, the craftsmanship was particularly exquisite. From this, it was clear that they must have come from a well-off household.
However, it was unclear why they were so well preserved and had been able to stay here for such a long time.
As Luo Qiao thought about how to discuss the furniture with the people outside, she moved on to the next room, which was full of scrap metal and didn’t yield anything useful.
After making the rounds in the other storehouses, she returned to the one with books and newspapers to search for some books, before shouldering her basket and heading out.
Wondering whether the furniture already had an owner, she weighed her goods, paid the account at the entrance, and then asked, “Auntie, I was wondering if those two chairs and the small table against the wall in the storeroom inside are for sale?”
The auntie did not expect this young girl to take an interest in those items, which had been instructed to be kept aside by the people from the Revolutionary Committee. But ever since the person in charge had been imprisoned earlier in the year, the furniture was left untouched due to its relatively high price and had just been discarded there.
Luo Qiao, fearing they would think she was just asking casually and not take her seriously, said, “My family is from the countryside outside the city, and my brother is getting married these days, but we don’t have much money to buy furniture.
So I was wondering if those chairs and table are for sale? If the price is right, we’d like to buy them to add some splendor to my brother’s wedding.”
The workers at the entrance looked at each other, and the auntie from before said, “How about we ask for her and see what the higher-ups say?”
Consequently, a middle-aged man from behind her went into the office. A few minutes later, the uncle came out and said, “I’ve asked, and the furniture can be sold, but the price is not low.
Of course, it’s cheaper than making new ones, but you’ve also seen that except for one chair with a broken leg, a new coat of paint would make the rest look nearly new.
For those two tables and three chairs, it would be thirty-five bucks.” Luo Qiao, upon hearing the price of thirty-five bucks, felt a sharp pain.
Remembering the uncle’s words, she asked, “Uncle, you said there were two tables and three chairs inside, but I clearly saw only one table and two chairs.”
The middle-aged uncle gave a smile and said, “We’re using them in our office. If you want them, we’ll move them out.”
Luo Qiao, feeling troubled, said, “Uncle, could you make it a little cheaper? We really don’t have that much money.”
The uncle probably felt that this young girl wouldn’t be able to afford the asking price and didn’t want to waste more words: “The lowest is thirty bucks, I can’t go any lower. If you can buy it, buy it; if not, let’s forget about this.”
Luo Qiao put on a pitiful face and begged, “Uncle, can’t it be a little less? That stuff is just gathering dust there. Take a little off, and we’ll take it.”
The uncle replied, “I can’t go any lower. I’m really not asking too much for that furniture—you don’t believe me, but there’s nothing I can do.”
After mulling it over for a while, Luo Qiao looked up to the uncle again, “Uncle, could you help me deliver it to the site just around the corner up front? Some of my family will come to pick me up later, and they won’t have to come here then, otherwise we’ll be late getting home, is that okay?”
After discussing among themselves, they helped move out what was being used in the office, and realizing the amount was quite substantial, they preferred to get rid of it sooner to prevent it from affecting their closing time.
The auntie who had directed Luo Qiao before said, “Girl, this isn’t a small amount of stuff. Are you sure you can haul it all?”