Chapter 120 - 119: Store Manager Wanyan
Chapter 120: Chapter 119: Store Manager Wanyan
The sales associate clattered up the stairs to the second floor.
She shouted as she ran, "Manager! Manager! Come take a look at this!"
She called out several times.
Soon, a woman with a refined air came downstairs.
She looked to be about thirty years old.
Her makeup was exquisite, her jewelry tasteful and neat.
"What is it? I’m with a client right now."
"I’ll take care of your client. You need to go see that customer over there. She wants to sell Super-Improved Silk Stockings."
The manager was puzzled. "Then why don’t you just handle it? Why do you need me?"
The sales associate said, "Oh, it’s different! The Attributes are different—they’re really good. You have to go see for yourself."
Their reaction made Zhao Chi hesitate.
’Are the Attributes on these Silk Stockings too outrageous?’
’Should I just leave right now?’
But then he had another thought. ’I’m not the only one who uses special materials to craft cosmetic gear.’
’Many famous shops have their own special techniques.’
’For example, Weapons with special Materials, special armor, or special Medicine.’
’Of course, cosmetic gear is just as varied.’
’Each has its own exclusive techniques.’
’Zhao Chi was just one among many.’
Besides, he was currently using Gu Qing’s Identity, which made things even safer.
With that thought, Zhao Chi relaxed.
The manager had already hurried over, a professional smile plastered on her face.
"Ma’am, you wish to sell a piece of Super-Improved cosmetic gear? May I take a look? I can appraise it for you."
Zhao Chi handed it over.
The manager looked down at it.
"Holy shit!"
The two words blurted out of her mouth.
Hearing those two words come from such a refined woman was somewhat comical.
But she immediately realized her loss of composure, quickly covering her mouth to explain, "My apologies, ma’am. I meant to say, ’Wow!’"
Inside, Gu Qing was roaring with laughter.
Zhao Chi said, "It’s fine. What’s your offer?"
The manager seemed a bit dazed. "One moment, please. Let me just confirm."
She quickly pulled up the Super-Improved Silk Stockings sold in her shop and carefully compared them.
[Super Smooth Silk Stockings] Movement Speed +10%, Defense +30%, Durability 5
[Ultra-Thin and Super Smooth Silk Stockings] Movement Speed +15%, Defense +75%, Durability 37.5
Seeing this data, she confirmed that she hadn’t remembered the Attributes incorrectly.
It was Zhao Chi’s item that had Attributes that were simply too high.
The manager frowned, looking somewhat troubled.
"Ma’am, the Attributes on these special Material Silk Stockings are indeed excellent. Even though they’re of Rough Quality, I can still offer you a price of 2 Gold Coins. Is that acceptable to you?"
’*Holy shit!*’
This time, it was Zhao Chi’s turn to curse inwardly.
Gu Qing laughed even harder.
Zhao Chi had expected it to be valuable, but not *this* valuable.
If Rough Quality could sell for 2 Gold Coins, then Standard Quality would be close to 3 Gold Coins.
But for now, Zhao Chi had no intention of selling the Standard Quality ones. After all, he wanted to keep the best items for himself.
He would sell off the ones with slightly lower quality.
However, he would have to see how things went and could adjust his plans at any time.
The manager watched him expectantly.
Zhao Chi said directly, "I’m going to compare prices at other shops. I’ll sell to whoever gives me the highest offer."
The manager smiled. "No problem. Rest assured, ma’am, our shop specializes in women’s apparel, so this price is definitely fair. Besides, we have connections to the VIP area. If you sell to me, I can buy as many as you have."
Zhao Chi nodded. "Alright. If your price is the best, I’ll definitely be back."
After leaving, Zhao Chi went out of his way to check other women’s apparel shops, and the prices were indeed all about the same.
They were all around 2 Gold Coins.
Still, the first manager seemed the most trustworthy.
Zhao Chi returned to the shop.
The manager had already been watching for him at the entrance. The moment she saw Zhao Chi, she greeted him enthusiastically and welcomed him inside.
"Ma’am, thank you for choosing our shop."
"No need for pleasantries. Is it a cash payment?"
"Of course. It will be paid in full, in cash. I can transfer the payment to you right now."
Soon, 10 Gold Coins were in his hand.
Zhao Chi was very happy.
The manager was very happy too.
Gold Coins was the purchase price, not the selling price.
The manager would be able to sell them for much more.
But that was fine. Although Zhao Chi could probably sell them for more by listing them on the Exchange himself, it was less predictable.
This manager could buy in bulk, which meant she was a reliable channel.
He could sell large batches to her in the future.
It saved him a lot of time and effort.
The manager said with a smile, "Ma’am, my name is Wanyan. And how should I address you?"
’Wanyan?’
’I can tell that’s a fake name, too.’
Zhao Chi said, "...Zhao Si."
Wanyan said, "So it’s Miss Zhao. Will you have more of this cosmetic gear to sell in the future?"
Zhao Chi replied, "Yes. I’ll be back tomorrow."
Wanyan said, "Excellent. I’ll be sure to have the cash ready for you."
He still had seven pairs back in his territory.
’Now I have enough money to pay the taxes.’
’Wait, isn’t this black market supposed to be tax-free? So how do you get the tax exemption?’
Zhao Chi voiced his question.
Wanyan asked, "Are you new to our Strong Fragrance Food Street?"
Zhao Chi nodded.
Wanyan pointed to the second floor. "Miss Zhao, shall we speak upstairs? I’ll brew you some tea."
Zhao Chi refused her offer.
"No, thank you. I have other things to do. I need to leave right after I get my answer."
Wanyan nodded.
"Alright, then I’ll give you a simple explanation so I don’t take up your time.
"You must pay taxes on any Supplies transported out of your territory. There’s nothing we can do about that part.
"However, for items you purchase here and take back with you, we can help you make an adjustment.
"For example, if you buy Super-Improved Silk Stockings, you’d have to pay a lot of tax.
"But we can temporarily change its category. When you teleport, the system will certify these stockings as just Ordinary Silk Stockings.
"Not cosmetic gear, but just an ordinary piece of clothing. You should only have to pay a tax of 1 Copper Coin.
"That’s how we achieve our ’tax-free’ purpose."
’So that’s how it works.’
Zhao Chi then asked, "How long does the temporary category change last?"
"The duration is flexible, anywhere from one to twenty-four hours. As long as you teleport within that time frame, you’ll only pay a very small tax. If the time runs out, you can just come back, and we can change it for you again."
"And once you modify the category, it can’t be traced afterward, right?"
"It can be traced during the modification’s duration. But once that duration expires, there’s no way to trace it at all. That’s why I suggest you request a duration based on your own time needs."
"Okay, thank you. I’ll come back tomorrow."
"You’re welcome back anytime."
Since these Silk Stockings could sell for 2 Gold Coins, the tax for bringing them out of his territory didn’t seem too high by comparison.
But that was only the current situation.
The system was also identifying this type of stocking as just an ordinary pair of Super-Improved Silk Stockings.
If the people in the Central District found out about Silk Stockings made with this new material, they would add new settings, and the tax on them would likely increase severalfold.
Besides, Zhao Chi wasn’t willing to pay even 1 Copper Coin of such an unreasonable tax.
’I’ll have to figure out a way around it.’
’Since bringing items out of the territory is taxed, why not just produce them directly here in the Great World instead?’
’Finish production, sell them directly.’
’There’s no problem with bringing Gold Coins back.’
In the Great World, there were many workshops for rent.
Of course, there were tailor shops as well.
His own village had one.
He could rent one for the time being.
Once he had money, he could buy a Sewing Table and produce them in his own little house.
The house was small, so he could just throw out the bed, wardrobe, and everything else, and convert it into a dedicated workshop.
When he got tired, he could just return to his territory to rest.
The only downside was that he would have less time to see Gu Qing and the others.
Gu Qing could hear Zhao Chi’s thoughts.
She advised him, *My lord, business comes first. I’d love to be with you every day, too, but you’ll be coming back to the territory to rest daily. We’ll still be able to see each other every day, so don’t let it interfere with what’s important.*
Zhao Chi replied, *You’re right.*