Chapter 116: Chapter 116: Exchange Chapter 116: Chapter 116: Exchange Although thirty kilograms might not seem like a large amount, anyone who could produce these resources or gold in one go must have solid channels and methods.
So naturally, the real mastermind behind the second-hand dealer also wanted to make acquaintance with such people for the sake of more cooperation in the future. That’s just smart business.
Gu Pan nodded after listening to the second-hand dealer’s words. “Okay, we have that amount.” After speaking, she stretched out two fingers, indicating two hundred kilograms.
The second-hand dealer’s eyes lit up even more. “Where are your goods? When can we trade?”
Gu Pan replied, “They are nearby, we can do it anytime. When are you available to contact your boss?”
The second-hand dealer said directly, “I’ll go now. Are you coming with me, or will you wait here for news?” He feared that they might be poached by someone else since he didn’t hold much status in the area, and he had been undercut a few times before, hence his eagerness to stick with them.
But Gu Pan couldn’t possibly go with him; they couldn’t step onto someone else’s turf, nor could they let themselves be controlled, and even if it was for a trade, they would choose an open area.
So she said, “We’ll just wait here.”
The second-hand dealer was very uneasy. “Um, um, I’ll be honest, the competition here is fierce, I’ve had deals snatched away before…”
After saying that, the second-hand dealer regretted it instantly because revealing that might make him appear incompetent, making the other party seek others instead? He didn’t finish his sentence and didn’t know if he should continue.
Gu Pan saw through his thoughts, smiled and said, “Don’t worry, we’re not without principles. Since we’re dealing with you, we won’t switch halfway. Go ahead, we guarantee we’ll wait for you.”
Gu Pan and her companion didn’t really care about this little second-hand dealer. All they needed was to establish contact with someone higher up, and since this man appeared rather decent, there was no need for them to switch partners.
Relieved by Gu Pan’s words, the second-hand dealer finally felt assured and said to them, “I’m Luo Sheng. I’ll be off then.”
After saying that, he left with the five kilograms of grain they had just traded with him and went to find his boss.
Gu Pan took out two folding stools from the Space and sat by the roadside with Lu Ruisheng, waiting.
Soon, a middle-aged man with a little beard came over, smiling amiably as he approached them, “Are you two here to exchange resources?”
This time Gu Pan didn’t speak; Lu Ruisheng spoke first, “Yes.”
The little-bearded man moved closer to Lu Ruisheng, “You two look distinguished, rich and honorable indeed.”
Lu Ruisheng nodded, “I know.”
This left the little-bearded man at a loss for words. Is this how awkward conversations are? Isn’t communication supposed to be mutual? How could he continue?
But this man wasn’t simple either; he had already noticed their strong and well-nourished statures, clearly people who were well-fed and thus wealthy. This was a new client he had to secure.
So he gritted his teeth, took out a cigarette from his pocket, a luxury in these times, and offered it earnestly to Lu Ruisheng, “Brother, have a cigarette.”
Lu Ruisheng waved his hand, “I don’t.”
This left the little-bearded man even more awkward. Even if he didn’t smoke, he could have accepted it to foster a closer relationship.
The man retracted his cigarette and instead pulled out two pieces of candy, offering them to Lu Ruisheng, “Not smoking is good. Have some candy instead of smoking.”
Lu Ruisheng still refused, “I don’t eat candy, it hurts my teeth.”
The little-bearded man cursed Lu Ruisheng inwardly hundreds of times but still kept a smile on his face, “You two clearly don’t lack food and drink. You must be here for some big business, right?”
Lu Ruisheng replied, “Yes.”
Yes, yes, what does that mean? Does this person not want to talk to him, or is it just his personality?
Seeing that Lu Ruisheng was hard to talk to, he turned to Gu Pan, “Your man is the cool type, huh.”
Gu Pan thought it was funny inside, but to match her companion, she also nodded, “Yes.”
Yes, yes, yes, can’t you two talk? The little beard was confident in his conversation skills, having overturned many people’s deals in the area. What was wrong today?
Now he wasn’t just trying to secure the business, but to prove his charm, no, his ability.
With a strained smile on his face, he said, “You two are really well-matched, sparing with words. I won’t waste more of your time. What do you want to exchange? I guarantee I can offer the highest price in this area. I’m on good terms with our boss, and if we establish a long-term cooperation, I can secure the best prices for you. Would you consider my offer?”
Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng shook their heads together without speaking, their intent was clear, but they no longer engaged with him.
Despite the apocalypse, Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng were still principled people. They had already agreed with Luo Sheng earlier, so it was impossible to negotiate with someone else now. Frankly, they neither liked nor trusted someone who so blatantly poached other’s deals. If he could betray his teammates, he could definitely betray his clients.
The little-bearded man, completely worn out by their responses, wasn’t willing to give up just yet, “Did you hear something from someone? That Xiao Luo is the shadiest of them all, don’t trust him. You seem worldly people, surely you can see through these matters better than I can?”
Gu Pan thought to herself, well, this person really knows how to stir trouble; looking a bit shady, yet playing such an excellent game at it.
But the best way to deal with someone like that was like how Lu Ruisheng handled it—they continued to nod, “Yes.”
Yes, yes, yes, what is that even supposed to mean? The little beard was internally exhausted; such reticence was beyond his experience, and it really baffled him.
At this moment, Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng closed their eyes to rest.
The little beard, full of resentment but not daring to offend such big shots, had no choice but to leave awkwardly.
In a little while, Luo Sheng came back with a middle-aged man in tow. The man wore short sleeves and dress pants with keys hanging around his waist and was slightly balding. His look was somewhat reminiscent of a middle-level government official before the apocalypse.
The man was quite polite; he came over and shook hands with the pair.
Gu Pan and Lu Ruisheng rose to their feet and shook hands with the man in greeting.
The middle-aged man cordially said, “You can just call me Old Hu. I heard from Xiao Luo that you have grain to exchange. You’re people with connections too. Inevitably, there will be more cooperation in the future. So I’d like to invite you two over for a simple meal at my place. How about we eat and chat?”
Still, it was Gu Pan who dealt with him. In the three years before the apocalypse, she had more experience in gauging people’s intentions in the apocalypse than Lu Ruisheng. Talking here wasn’t the same as making deals in the past life, giving her the edge.
She replied to the middle-aged man, “Boss Hu, I’m allergic to alcohol, so eating without drinking isn’t much fun for me. Plus, we’re in a hurry, so if possible, we’d like to trade quickly. We might be able to bring in more resources in the coming days; our boss’s side has plenty of resources.”
Everyone understood what these resources were; they were either pillaged or scavenged, but no one could ask for specifics—that was the rule.