Chapter 617: Chapter 617: Accidental Encounter with a Beautiful Woman
At this moment, Britney was holding a Jade Buddha that was over a foot tall. The quality of the jade was quite good, but that was it; there was nothing particularly remarkable about it.
What really annoyed Lin Kuang was the asking price: a staggering eighty million. To make matters worse, Britney, the poor sucker, actually looked tempted, which left him feeling exasperated. Although the two of them hadn’t had much interaction, he felt it wasn’t right for this woman to be swindled so easily. After all, he couldn’t just stand by and watch a beautiful woman get scammed; it didn’t sit right with him.
With that thought, Lin Kuang walked into the shop.
Seeing a customer arrive, a staff member immediately came forward. "Sir, is there anything you’re looking for?"
Lin Kuang shook his head with a smile. "Not at the moment. I’m just here to find my friend." He gestured toward Britney.
The employee smiled, nodded, and stepped aside to let him pass.
"Hey, Britney," Lin Kuang said with a smile as he walked over to her.
Britney was so focused on the Jade Buddha that she didn’t expect anyone to call out to her, especially since she had few friends in East Sea. The voice sounded somewhat familiar, though, so she turned around.
"Hey, Lin Kuang." Britney was a little surprised to see him but greeted him with a smile nonetheless.
"What’s this? You like this Jade Buddha?" Lin Kuang asked with a smile, glancing at the statue in her hands.
"Yes, it’s really nice," Britney said, clearly enchanted. "I’ve always admired and been fascinated by the ancient craftsmanship of Hua Country."
Lin Kuang almost choked. Fascinated is one thing, but she’s willing to pay this price? Is she that foolish?
"Hmm, it is a nice piece," Lin Kuang said with a smile. "How much is it?"
"Just eighty million," Britney replied casually, as if it were pocket change to her.
Hearing this, the store owner was inwardly ecstatic, and a smile crept onto his face.
"May I take a look?" Lin Kuang asked Britney with a smile.
"Of course," Britney replied, carefully handing the Jade Buddha to him.
Lin Kuang took it and examined it closely. It was indeed a Jade Buddha made from top-grade material, but a price of eighty million was exorbitant.
"It’s not bad, definitely a real Jade Buddha," Lin Kuang said, glancing at Britney with a smile. "If the owner is willing to sell, a price of ten million would be reasonable."
At these words, the owner’s expression soured. He stood to make a killing at eighty million. While ten million was still acceptable, his profit would be drastically lower.
"Sir, you must be joking," the owner retorted quickly. "Ten million is unacceptable. That’s far too low."
Lin Kuang ignored him, looking at Britney with a serious expression. "Trust me. Ten million is more than enough."
His deep, earnest gaze told her he was serious.
Britney had actually been prepared to pay the eighty million. Money wasn’t really an issue for her; she liked the Jade Buddha and would have paid any price to have it. But of course, if I can save seventy million, why wouldn’t I? After all, I’m not a spendthrift, and seventy million is still a significant sum.
"Alright, I trust you," Britney said, turning to the owner with a smile. "I’ll take it for ten million."
Hearing this, the owner couldn’t help but give a wry smile. After so many years in business, he was a good judge of character. Seeing Britney’s determined expression, it was clear she would only spend ten million. If I don’t sell it now, I probably won’t even get that much.
The owner let out another wry smile. "Your boyfriend is one hell of a bargainer. I’m sure you two will be very happy together. Ten million, sold!" he announced, sealing the deal.
Smiles appeared on both Lin Kuang’s and Britney’s faces. They both seemed to instinctively ignore the "boyfriend" comment.
"Great, it’s a deal," Britney said with a smile. "Please wrap it up for me."
The owner nodded and took the Jade Buddha to be packaged.
"Lin Kuang, thank you for your help," Britney said with a glance at him, clearly in a very good mood.
Of course, who wouldn’t be in a good mood after saving seventy million?
"Don’t mention it," Lin Kuang said with a grin. "’If everyone gives a little love, the world will become a beautiful place.’"
Britney burst out laughing, almost losing her composure. "You’re a really interesting person. Those lyrics sound familiar."
"That’s not important," Lin Kuang said seriously. "What’s important is who’s saying them right now."
Britney paused for a moment, then laughed. "Good point. You really are an interesting person. If you don’t mind, would you like to have lunch together?"
Lin Kuang considered for a moment before replying with a smile, "Is this a beautiful woman asking me out?"
"Of course," Britney said with a smile and a shrug. "Unless you don’t think I’m beautiful."
"I see. In that case, it would be rude to refuse," Lin Kuang said. "It’s my honor to have lunch with a beautiful woman."
They both laughed.
Just then, the owner returned with the packaged Jade Buddha and handed it to Britney, who transferred the ten million to his account.
"Take care, you two. I hope to see you again," the owner said with a smile.
"Of course. If we need anything, we’ll be back," Britney said, turning back with a smile. "But maybe don’t start with such a high price next time, okay?"
Addressed that way by such a stunning woman, the owner laughed a little awkwardly. "Alright, next time you come, I’ll be sure to give you a fair price."
"Great. Goodbye," Britney said, turning to leave.
Lin Kuang fell into step beside her, his eyes curiously sizing up the Western beauty.
"It’s rather rude to stare at a woman like that, you know," Britney said with a smile, glancing at him.
"It is, but I’m curious," Lin Kuang said with a grin. "The last time I saw you, I thought you were a street racer. You seem very gentle now, which doesn’t quite match your fiery outfit."
"And what should I be like?" Britney asked with a smile, her eyes widening playfully. "Do I really look like some kind of violent vixen?"
"No, not at all. If I had to say, I’d call you a gentle, sexy beauty," Lin Kuang said appraisingly. Their conversation flowed with surprising ease, as if they were old friends catching up after years apart.
