Short, Light, Free

Chapter 190: Ghost Market (Part 2) I

Pang Guang bent down and inspected the pocket watch closely, his gaze admiring.

“What is it, Brother Guang?”

He laughed. “I’m surprised that your family has such good stuff.”

“You know about watches?” I asked.

“Everyone in Pang family knows a little about everything. How do you think we established this market? This is some interesting stuff that you’ve got here.”

“This watch is passed down from my ancestors as well. Put your enemy’s photo inside and he or she will die when the clock strikes 12.”

“This is real and good. It might be worth even more if the needles are still there. Why are the needles missing?”

“Because it’s too powerful, it was removed to prevent harm. Just get a repairman and it will be good to go.”

Fondling it adoringly, Pang Guang stated, “I’m liking it more and more. How much are you planning to sell it for?”

“It’s evil so I never thought about selling it at a high price. You can take it since you like it so much.”

“Really?” he asked in disbelief.

His expression made me feel like a fool.

Was the watch really a good item?

I’ve already given him the offer so I could only nod.

“I feel rather sorry. This must be worth quite a bit if I melt it and sell it,” he said.

“Take it. As long as it’s of any help, I’m happy to give it to you.”

Pang Guang fished out a stack of bills from his pocket and shoved it to me.

“I only brought this much out, otherwise, I’d give you more. It’s an heirloom so I can’t take it for free. Consider this as a token of appreciation.”

Who knew that I would still earn money in the end? “If you insist, Brother Guang, I’ll take it. Thank you.”

Pang Guang stood up and patted my shoulder. “Just mention my name if you get into trouble in the future.”

I smiled and nodded. The watch must be much more valuable than the money he just gave me.

He left together with the lady.

When they disappeared from view, I counted the stack.

1,300. I am absolutely satisfied.

I packed up and left the market. It was 20 minutes to 5 AM, but I feel that I’ve already earned enough. In fact, it’s the first time that I really felt like I’m earning decently. It felt good to sell something for over a thousand.

Every Thursday, after I leave the market, I would go home to sleep. Everyone who worked in the market probably does the same since we really had to wake up early to prepare.

The next day, Dahai and I met for dinner and started discussing the factory.

He’s always wanted to open one and hire people to work for him since simply overseeing everything would earn him buckets of money.

He’s been mentioning how packaging factories earned the most, but no matter how he explained it, it still sounded like a small workshop to me.

An apple costs two dollars at most but you can get it wrapped at a few cents and sell it for more than five dollars.

Logically, selling 10 apples would get you 20 dollars, but wrapping them before selling will fetch you 60 or 70.

Simply speaking, packaging makes everything more valuable.

Why do people visit the market? Packaging.

I only trust half of the things he says, but even if he’s absolutely right, it would still cost a lot to open a factory. It wasn’t as if he and I had money to spare.

I’m part of the moonlight clan, i.e., I spend whatever I earn.

Dahai, on the other hand, was a saver. I believe that he could succeed but his partner would not be me.

We chatted for a long time and whenever he talks about the factory, I would just change the topic.

A week passed and Thursday arrived again. Dahai was usually at the market by the time I arrive. He does leave early at times but he’s never late to start work since it was essential to book a spot before it gets snatched.

Today, however, he was nowhere to be seen.

I gave him a call.

“What’s up, Lu Qiao?”

“Why aren’t you here?”

“Oh sorry, I haven’t had the chance to tell you since I only found out yesterday.”

“What is it? Are you already the boss of a factory?”

“No. I’m in charge of the market now.”

“In charge? What do you mean?”

“You won’t believe what I’m about to say. They’re all dead. Dead. I’m the only one left in the family.”

“Only you?” I asked in shock.

“Over 20 buildings, four companies, and the market… it’s all mine.”

“What?” I was at a loss.

“There’s a lot of legal procedures to go through for the official companies. I’m taking over the market first since it’s hassle-free. I won’t be going to the market anymore to sell coins, though. You don’t need to as well. Give me a few days and I can make you the chief executive.”

I didn’t know what to say so I stayed silent.

Dahai continued, “Isn’t this an extermination of an entire clan? Pang Guang’s been killed in a car crash. The following day is the seventh day of his death. I was left an estimated of 1.4 billion dollars!”

“1.4… are you dreaming? Or am I?”

“It’s all true. About 170 people in the family… all dead. I only found out yesterday. It’s just me now.”

“What happened?” I questioned.

“No idea. All within and outside of the country is dead.”

“How?”

“In strange ways.”

“Where are you?” I asked.

“Home. Don’t worry, I won’t forget you. For every mouthful of meat I get, I’ll make sure you get a spoonful of soup,” he assured me.

“I’m coming to you.”

“No, no. Pang Guang’s house is my house now. I have to settle the funeral arrangements but I won’t be living here after that,” he mentioned.

The pocket watch came to mind.

Pang Guang’s dead? His whole family’s dead? Even those overseas?

How?

I have to find out.