Chapter 7: First Bucket of Gold

Wang Xiu walked down the bustling street with the cloth-wrapped gold ingot in his pocket, feeling as if he were carrying a bomb.

He felt everyone on the street was staring at him, as if they all knew he hid a huge secret in his pocket.

His back had unknowingly become soaked with sweat, and his heart kept pounding abnormally.

He didn't dare go to those gaudy, big gold shops, feeling they had many cameras and the staff interrogated customers strictly.

Relying on memory, he took many turns and entered a relatively secluded old street.

On this street were many antique shops and jade stores, plus a few small shops with signs reading "High‑price gold and watch recycling."

Wang Xiu's target was exactly such an inconspicuous little shop.

He lingered a long time at the doorway of the shop that looked the oldest and whose owner seemed the most listless, taking several deep breaths before finally summoning the courage to go inside.

The shop's lighting was somewhat dim, and the air was filled with an old, stale smell.

An elderly man with spectacles and thinning hair was dozing, slumped over the counter.

Hearing someone enter, he lazily lifted his head and pushed up his glasses.

"Boss, do you buy gold?" Wang Xiu tried to keep his voice calm, but as he spoke he realized his throat was terribly dry.

"We do," the boss replied listlessly, gesturing to the counter, "Take it out and let me have a look."

Wang Xiu steeled himself, pulled the cloth bundle from his pocket, carefully placed it on the counter, and unfolded it layer by layer.

When the reddish‑yellow, antiquely shaped gold ingot appeared on the counter, the formerly sleepy boss's eyes suddenly brightened.

He immediately sat up straight, picked up the ingot, and his gaze turned professional in an instant.

First he hefted it in his hand to feel its weight, then he took a high‑power magnifying glass from the drawer and examined the ingot's surface closely.

Wang Xiu's heart rose to his throat; he didn't dare breathe.

"Kid, where did this… come from?" the boss asked, seeming casual while he kept looking.

Here it comes! The interrogation session!

Wang Xiu's heart skipped a beat, but he kept a straight face, reciting the story he'd prepared: "It's something the elders left at home; they said it was melted down from old jewelry, kept at the bottom of a chest, and I'm selling it now because I'm short on cash."

That excuse was half‑true, half‑false, and not easy to expose.

The boss lifted his eyelids, glanced at him through his reading glasses, and didn't press further.

Having seen a lot in his line of work, he knew some things shouldn't be probed too deeply; as long as the source was legitimate—not stolen or robbed—they'd accept it.

He then brought out a professional electronic scale and placed the ingot on it.

The screen displayed a number: 42.13 grams.

This almost exactly matched the weight of a Tang‑dynasty tael, which is about 42 grams.

Next, the boss produced a small torch and a black slate—this was for testing the gold.

He scratched the ingot across the slate, leaving a gold streak, then applied the torch's flame to it.

Wang Xiu watched his actions nervously.

The gold streak showed no change in color under the flame's heat; it remained brightly golden.

The boss nodded, his expression showing he understood.

"The purity is good, it's solid gold." He set down the torch, looked at Wang Xiu, and finally gave a quote: "Today's international gold price is 1039 per gram; yours is scrap gold, no paperwork, so the recycle price should be a bit lower. I'll give you 1000 per gram—how does that sound?"

Wang Xiu quickly did the math in his head.

42.13 grams times 1000 equals … yuan.

Over forty‑two thousand one hundred!

His monthly wage goal was only 3500; this one transaction earned him a year's salary!

Wang Xiu's heart raced, but he remembered the online guide he'd checked before coming—he mustn't seem too eager; he needed to learn to haggle.

He feigned hesitation, furrowing his brows: "Boss, 1000 is too low, isn't it? I saw the market price online is over 1012…"

The boss smiled, wearing a "you're still too young" expression.

"Kid, running this shop has costs too. I take your gold back, then I have to refine and process it before reselling—there's loss in between. 1000 per gram is already a fair price on this old street; if you don't believe me, ask elsewhere—you'll find no one offers more."

Wang Xiu knew the boss was telling the truth; such recycling shops definitely press the price down.

But he still wanted to try for a bit more.

"Boss, this is also my first time selling; maybe I'll have more later. Could you add a little, for luck?"

The boss narrowed his eyes, thinking it over, as if weighing the options.

After a few seconds, he extended a finger.

"Alright, seeing you're a straightforward person. Flat rate 1005 per gram—can't go higher. If you sell, I'll transfer the money now."

1005!

42.13 times 1005 equals 42,340.65 yuan!

That's over two hundred more!

"Deal!" Wang Xiu decided instantly.

Haggling further would annoy the boss and ruin the deal—not worth it.

"Okay, take out your ID for registration, and I'll transfer the money."

Wang Xiu did as told, producing his ID; the boss made a simple entry in a notebook, then took out his phone and processed the transfer in front of him.

In less than a minute, Wang Xiu's phone received a bank SMS.

【Your savings card ending in xxxx received RMB. 65 on xx/xx xx: xx; current balance. 75.】

Looking at that number in the message, Wang Xiu felt as if he were dreaming.

He checked it over and over before finally believing the money had really arrived.

"All square, money and goods cleared." The boss returned his ID.

"Thank you, boss."

Wang Xiu put away his phone, turned around, and walked out of the shop.

When he stood again in the sunlight, he felt that the whole world had changed.

The street was still the same street, the pedestrians still the same pedestrians, but his mindset had undergone a complete transformation.

He was no longer the graduate with an uncertain future, worrying about making a living.

In his pocket, his phone held his first fortune!

Although it was only over forty thousand, this was just the beginning!

In the game, there were still ninety-nine taels of gold waiting for him to materialize!

Perhaps because of the game, the gold he cashed out lacked that historical depth; otherwise, he wouldn't even dare imagine Tang Dynasty gold…

There were also ten bolts of Shu brocade! Although not as valuable as gold nowadays, it would still boost his income considerably!

Wang Xiu clenched his fists excitedly.

He didn't go home right away; instead, he went straight to the nearest large mall.

First, he rushed into a phone shop and exchanged his phone for the latest flagship model.

Then he went to a brand clothing store and replaced his outfit from head to toe with a completely new set.

When he wore the new clothes, held the new phone, and stood before the mall's mirror, he felt completely renewed.

Finally, he entered a high-end restaurant and ordered a steak set he previously wouldn't dare even look at the price of.

As the tender, juicy steak melted in his mouth, Wang Xiu's eye sockets actually grew hot.

Is this what it feels like to be rich?

Damn, that's good!

After finishing his meal, he took a taxi back to his rented apartment.

Looking at this cramped, dim room, he felt a strong aversion for the first time.

He could no longer live here.

He wanted to change his residence, to a place befitting his current status.

His gaze finally fell on the quiet, ancient game console sitting on the table.

His eyes burned with intense fervor.

This was no longer just a game machine.

This was his god, his faith, the foundation of his entire future!

All he had to do was serve this god well and make good use of it.

Wang Xiu walked over, and with the softest cloth, carefully wiped the game console clean, as if treating a rare treasure.

"Old buddy, our journey has just begun!"