48 Hours a Day

Chapter 978: Negotiation And Reward

Gold Digger’s eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open, oblivious as to what sort of expression he should be putting on. At that moment, he looked like a mime.

Old Man Geng sighed when he saw his friend’s expression. “I told you from the beginning that your strategy is useless against him. It’s better to come clean as soon as you meet.”

“Didn’t you say that he is just a bodyguard? What was his previous job? A detective?”

Gold Digger looked incredulous.

“Something like that,” replied Zhang Heng. He then diverted to the earlier topic. “So one hundred credits. Can we set this price in stone?”

Gold Digger immediately deflated when he heard what Zhang Heng said. “That... That... is too low of a price. Though most of my things are from the dumpsite, do you know how much garbage is waiting to be recycled? What’s more, I have to take great risks to smuggle those things out. To be honest, I can only smuggle a few things out at most every week. If I bring those shellac records with me, I can’t smuggle other things out. And they will scan me when I leave my workplace. I have to put those things in my self-made backpack that can block the scanning signal.”

“So, if I report you to the garbage disposal site, you will never be able to make that extra money anymore,” Zhang Heng said.

Gold Digger’s face darkened the moment he heard Zhang Heng’s threats. However, he figured that this wasn’t the time for him to take a step back. Zhang Heng would’ve continued taking advantage of him, otherwise. So, he gritted his teeth and said, “As long as I stop doing it, you won’t have any evidence that can be used against me.”

“Who told you that? I recorded what you said.” Zhang Heng then raised the bracelet and clicked play. Immediately, Gold Digger heard their conversation when they met for the first time just now.

“What is going on?! How can you do this kind of thing to me?!” Gold Digger was so angry that he rendered completely speechless.

In the end, Old Man Geng had to stand up to calm them down, “Everyone! Calm Down! Let’s communicate properly.”

“How do you expect me to do that?” Gold Digger said angrily, “So, this is the big customer that you wanted to introduce me to? He started recording our conversation as soon as he sat down. Clearly, he is here to mess with me!”

“I’m just trying to protect myself by preventing you from overcharging,” Zhang Heng said calmly, “especially considering that your friend did the same to me.”

Old Man Geng looked a little embarrassed, “Uh, four thousand credits for one shellac record is indeed too expensive. On the other hand, one hundred credits for one shellac record is outrageous as well... For my sake, please renegotiate.”

“I think one hundred credits for one shellac record is good enough.”

Before Zhang Heng finished speaking, he saw Gold Digger stood up from the dinner table in anger. It seemed like he wanted to leave the restaurant right now. Then, suddenly, he heard Zhang Heng adding, “I can pay you a handsome amount of bonus.”

“Bonus? What kind of bonus?” Old Man Geng then pulled Gold Digger back.

“Every time you find me twenty shellac records, I will pay you twice the price,” Zhang Heng offered. “For example, for the first twenty records, I will pay one hundred credits for each. From the twenty-first to the fortieth, I will pay you two hundred credits each. From forty-first to sixtieth, four hundred credits each... and so on. When you reach one hundred and twenty shellac records, you will receive 3,600 credits for each one you sell me. This price is very close to what you initially offered.”

“But where can I find you so many shellac records?” Having said that, Gold Digger stopped and added, “And, how do I know this is not one of your tricks? After you pay for all the cheap shellac records, you might stop buying them from me after I sold sixty to eighty shellac records to you.”

“I can assure you that no matter how many shellac records you have, I will buy all of them. My purpose in coming to New Shanghai 0297 is to buy as many shellac records as possible. In order to avoid an infinite price increase, I will set a limit to the shellac records’ price. Starting from the hundred and sixtieth record, I will buy it at a price of ten thousand credits,” Zhang Heng said.

Earlier, Zhang Heng had come up with this price tag in his mind. He could always threaten Gold Digger. However, the price tag of one hundred credits for each shellac record would indeed discourage Gold Digger’s enthusiasm to look for more shellac. Hence, a reward had to be offered to motivate Gold Digger to work harder to find those shellac records.

“I will stay in New Shanghai 0297 for about eight months,” Zhang Heng continued afterward, “As long as you manage to find those shellac records during this period, you can sell them to me.”

“Eight months,” Gold Digger frowned. He was calculating how much money he could make in those eight months. After that, he looked at Zhang Heng with skepticism. “If I manage to find one-hundred shellac records during this time, how much can you pay me?”

“I can vouch for him,” Old Man Geng chimed in. “I’ve seen Zhang Heng’s combat skills, and he can make a lot of money if he is willing to work hard. Moreover, Mr. G and Miss F admire him very much. He can always work for Mr. G.”

Gold Digger hesitated for a moment before finally sitting down again.

“Can Mr. G be his guarantor?” he asked.

“That’s impossible,” Zhang Heng shook his head and said. “You don’t want our transaction to be known to others. And I will do the same. It’s better if we keep this matter among the three of us.” Zhang Heng then took a look at Old Man Geng again.

The latter raised his hand.

“Don’t worry. You don’t have to worry about me. I am not leaving New Shanghai 0297 anytime soon.”

He then said to Gold Digger, “Zhang Heng’s proposal might not be pleasing to the ear, but he is the kind that lets you know in advance if there are any problems. The way the two of you worked is quite similar. As long as he makes the promise, he will do this best to fulfill it. That is something that I can guarantee you.”

“He promised to be my bodyguard a few days ago. Unfortunately, we encountered a group of violent bikers. They outnumbered us, and they all had all sorts of weapons in their hands. Still, he didn’t leave my side. He fulfilled his responsibilities as a bodyguard as agreed. So, you don’t need to worry about the money. He will definitely pay you well.

“All right.”

Gold Digger seemed persuaded. He picked up the pair of chopsticks that he slapped on earlier, gritted his teeth, and said, “Then, I shall trust you again.”

“Thank you.”

After finalizing the reward, Zhang Heng returned to his amiable demeanor. Gold Digger, however, no longer dared underestimate him anymore. When the two parties negotiated, Zhang Heng’s imposing manner caused Gold Digger to tremble slightly. Even if Old Man Geng had not pulled him back then, he probably would not be able to leave this place.