Chapter 17 Scarface's Ruthless Price Cut in Half
Xu Zhili captured that fleeting moment of stunning beauty.
really……
She stepped forward, a perfectly timed, slightly shrewd smile plastered on her face.
"Scarface, take a look! This is a genuine gem! Look at the design, simple and elegant, it's not flashy but shows off your status! And the timekeeping is impeccable!"
Look at the condition! It's brand new! On the market? Hey, I'm not bragging, you absolutely won't find another one exactly like it! Wearing it is a symbol of status!
As she spoke, she very naturally reached out and "took" the watch back from Scarface's hand, and Scarface subconsciously let go.
She smoothly put it on her slender wrist, and even raised her hand to wave it in front of Scarface to show the effect.
A fair wrist paired with an exquisite watch is indeed a pleasing sight.
Scarface's gaze lingered on Xu Zhili's wrist for a moment, and his Adam's apple seemed to bob almost imperceptibly.
But he quickly looked away, leaned back in his chair, and tapped his fingers lightly on the armrests, making a dull "tap-tap" sound that created an invisible pressure.
"This thing... is rather interesting."
Scarface finally spoke again, his voice still flat and emotionless, revealing neither joy nor anger.
"but."
He abruptly changed the subject, his tone dripping with disdain, "Just a women's watch? Nothing special. Does it even deserve to be called a 'rare item'? Is it even worth my personal inspection?"
He slightly raised his chin, his eyes looking down at her as if he were watching an ignorant country girl showing off a glass bead.
Scarface held out his hand, and a quick-thinking henchman immediately and respectfully handed the watch back to him.
This time he examined it more carefully, his rough fingers stroking the smooth case, repeatedly checking the dial and movement against the light, and even listening to the ticking sound.
Every movement was extremely slow, filled with a critical eye.
"Snap!"
Suddenly, without warning, Scarface slammed the watch shut with a sharp, jarring sound! The noise was particularly jarring in the quiet courtyard.
He casually tossed the watch back to Xu Zhili, his gesture carrying the dismissive air of someone dismissing a beggar.
Name your price.
His eyelids drooped, as if he had completely lost interest in the watch.
Xu Zhili sneered inwardly: Here it comes! The classic prelude to price-cutting!
Her face instantly changed to a timid, somewhat naive fear, and she clutched the watch tightly in her hands, as if it were her lifeline.
She swallowed hard, her voice trembling slightly, yet she seemed to be trying hard to muster her courage:
“Scar…Scarface, I…I’ve looked into the market price before. A watch of this quality and brand would cost at least 150 dollars on the black market!”
The price she quoted was much lower than the market price (around 200), which was both a test and to leave room for further price reduction.
"Oh!"
Scarface let out a short, mocking laugh, like an icicle piercing the air.
Almost at the same time he sneered, the several burly men who had been scattered around the courtyard instantly and silently surrounded him, as if receiving a silent command.
Their eyes were fierce, their arms crossed or their hands on their hips, forming a very imposing human wall that surrounded Xu Zhili and Scarface in the center.
The air in the courtyard froze instantly, filled with the smell of gunpowder.
Can't we force them to buy it?
"One hundred and fifty?" Scarface slowly stood up, his burly figure casting a huge shadow over Xu Zhili.
He crossed his arms, looking down at her with blatant disdain and threat in his eyes, his voice icy and chilling.
"You little brat, do you think you can just take advantage of me? You piece of junk?"
He pointed at the watch in Xu Zhili's hand, his tone utterly contemptuous, "Eighty yuan! That's the most! Anything more is a bonus because I'm in a good mood today!"
Decisive and unquestionable.
Xu Zhili's anger surged: Eighty? What's the difference between this and outright robbery! This Scarface is blacker than the bottom of a pot.
Her face, however, showed an even more anxious and aggrieved expression, and she leaned forward slightly, as if trying to argue her point:
“Scar…Scarface! You…you take a closer look! This is truly a fine watch! A genuine brand-name product! It keeps perfect time! Look at the condition, the workmanship, eighty dollars…eighty dollars can't even buy a regular domestic watch! This…this is too…”
Her voice was choked with sobs, and her body trembled slightly, perfectly portraying the image of a young girl who was being bullied by powerful figures, feeling both angry and afraid.
But deep within those lowered eyes lay a cold, icy pool.
Scarface seemed to be getting a little impatient with her "insistence," his brows furrowing into a deep "川" shape.
He suddenly reached out and almost violently snatched the watch from Xu Zhili's hand again.
This time, he moved even closer, almost pressing the watch against his hideous scar, examining it with extreme "seriousness" in the daylight, his fingers rubbing the watch case hard, as if trying to find some flaw.
Time passed by, and the air in the courtyard was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.
The only sounds were Scarface's heavy breathing and the faint rustling of his watch.
Finally, Scarface straightened up, a look of regret on his face as if he had "discovered a major flaw." He weighed his watch in his hand, his tone softening somewhat, but still carrying a hint of condescension.
"Tsk... Little girl, you're a new face and don't know the rules, how about this..."
He seemed to have made a huge decision. "I'm in a good mood today, so let's make a friend. One hundred yuan! You won't find another price like this in the entire black market of the provincial capital!"
He stared into Xu Zhili's eyes, his gaze forceful and brooking no argument. "This is the final price. If you agree, the deal is done. If not..."
He drew out his words, glancing at his menacing subordinates around him, the threat clear: "The door's over there. Take your 'rare find' and get out of here."
Xu Zhili's inward sneer deepened: One hundred yuan? Still a huge loss!
This Scarface has an extremely unsightly way of eating!
Her face looked as if she had gone through a fierce internal struggle; her small face was deathly pale, and her lips were bitten until they turned white.
She kept her head down, her shoulders trembling slightly, as if she was trying to suppress her grievances and resentment.
After a good ten seconds, she suddenly raised her head, as if she had used all her strength, her voice carrying a hint of desperate resolve.
"...Okay! One hundred yuan it is!"
She took a deep breath, as if to calm herself, then abruptly changed the subject, rapidly making her demands.
"But Scarface, I don't want cash! Please, exchange this hundred dollars for something!"
Scarface raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised: "Exchange something? What do you want to exchange?"
Xu Zhili immediately recited the list fluently, as if she were reciting a menu.
"Thick cotton-padded clothes and trousers, padded thoroughly, and thick fur-lined cotton shoes, the thicker the better."
Dog-skin hats, the kind that cover the ears, thick scarves, thick gloves—I need as many as you can.
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