Chapter 474: How to Make Up for It

The driver drove the car, carrying Fu Manshu and the Assistant.

Li Zhiyuan called two apprentices, and the six of them went straight to Xiguan in two cars.

It was not far, about three kilometers, and they arrived in a moment.

The Manager was waiting at the shop entrance; seeing the cars pull up, she walked over quickly: "Boss, Master Li."

"Where are the people?"

"They have already left, about half an hour ago!"

Fu Manshu nodded and entered the shop: "Which piece were they looking at?"

The Manager led the way in front: "Boss, it is the three-piece Acid Branch Wood set!"

As they spoke, the group arrived before it. After examining it carefully, Fu Manshu and Li Zhiyuan frowned in unison.

There were quite a few complete sets of furniture in the shop, but those that were originally a set, not mixed together, and relatively intact without later additions, were not many. Those with some history were even fewer, and those originating from famous noble families were fewer still. Therefore, both of them had an impression of this table and two chairs, and a deep one at that. They remembered very clearly: at the time, the Expert from Beijing had praised it endlessly after seeing it, saying that such items originating from the homes of high-ranking officials of the third rank or above were becoming increasingly rare. What was rare was that these three pieces had been preserved so well.

Since the Expert had said so, there was certainly no problem with these three pieces.

As for Li Zhiyuan: he and the Old Chairman had acquired the items, and he had appraised them several times at the time; when they were placed into the Treasury, he was afraid of them being swapped, so he appraised them again. When they were taken out of the Treasury, he was afraid of accidental nicks during transport, so he appraised them once more.

Afterwards, fearing that the subordinates might have sticky fingers and secretly dismantle parts to take out and exchange for money, he had to perform a re-appraisal for items like this basically every three months.

Bit by bit, these three items had passed through his hands at least seven or eight times; whether they were genuine or fake, who would know better than him?

Thinking about it this way, Chairman Yao's friend seemed more like he was looking for trouble...

While pondering secretly, Li Zhiyuan looked at the Manager: "What kind of guests were they?"

"Besides Chairman Yao and a few people who looked like Appraisers, most were young people, the oldest being only twenty-seven or twenty-eight." The Manager recalled carefully, "The one who said these three pieces had problems was the youngest one, only about twenty!"

Only twenty years old? That made it look even more like they were looking for trouble...

Fu Manshu was thoughtful: "Was Chairman Yao quite respectful toward him?"

The Manager thought for a moment: "After they came in, they didn't really talk much!"

Fu Manshu shook her head: not talking did not mean a lack of respect.

On the contrary, the more distinguished the guest's status, the less the accompanying people would speak.

She sighed: "Go to the surveillance room and pull up the footage!"

The Manager responded and hurriedly called the security guards.

It was the most advanced surveillance system, and the picture and sound were very clear.

The Captain of the security guards clicked on the video playback, and Fu Manshu said to herself that it was as expected: they were indeed all very young?

There were eleven people in total, and there were seven young people in their twenties. Looking at their positioning as they walked over, it seemed chaotic, but there was actually great significance to it. One only needed to be a little careful to discover: the core ones were those four, two men and two women. If one were to break it down further: those two young men walking at the very back.

Because everyone was intentionally or unintentionally accommodating these two: if they walked slowly, the others would slow down; if they walked fast, the others would speed up.

Especially when they reached the shop entrance, the moment they stopped, the remaining nine people also stopped in unison.

Fu Manshu pinched the bridge of her nose: having followed her for nearly ten years, Yang Lan's (the Manager's) eye for detail still hadn't improved at all.

If she had just glanced at the entrance or paid a little attention, she would have been able to see: Chairman Yao and his female partner were at most just guides. One could imagine, what was the status of these young people?

Sighing, Fu Manshu continued to watch the surveillance: the group stopped at the entrance, and the two young men stood below the steps, staring at the plaque on the lintel. At the same time, a clear voice came from the speakers: "Quite a big ego, huh?"

The one speaking was the slightly older young man, and then the youngest one nodded: "Indeed quite big!"

"Sicheng, shall we not look then?"

"Look!"

As the words fell, the two took the lead and entered the showroom.

Then, a shop assistant went up to them: "What would you like to look at?"

"Just looking around!"

"Alright, please feel free!"

After speaking, the group dispersed, but none went far, basically staying within a very small circle. They walked and looked, discussing as they went. The volume was not high, and it could be seen that most were laymen. But it could also be seen that these people were extremely well-bred.

After watching for a while, there didn't seem to be anything unusual, but Fu Manshu and Li Zhiyuan discovered something wrong: the showroom was so big and there were so many items, why didn't they look separately?

Because the remaining nine people were still accommodating those two young men.

And between the two, the slightly older one was accommodating the youngest one. Basically, his opinion was the priority; wherever he walked, the others followed.

Listening to the tone of their conversation: the older one was like the host, and the younger one was like the guest.

Outsiders?

But they were all speaking Mandarin, so it was hard to tell for now.

Just as she was guessing, the youngest one pointed to the middle: "Second Brother, look, Huanghuali wood!"

Before the words were finished, everyone had gathered around.

Then, the scene that caused the dispute occurred: although the shop assistant's words were polite, the expression was very impolite: first curling the lip, then raising an eyebrow, looking like "buy it if you can, leave if you can't."

And then, there was that sentence: "Please call the Manager, and at the same time tell him: these three pieces of yours are all new and old parts spliced together, with added weight and later-applied color..."

The words were very blunt: these three antiques of yours are all fakes.

Afterwards, Yang Lan arrived.

It was still the same three-pronged approach, no different from the previous shop assistant: provoke, provoke, and provoke again...

But the strange thing was, except for one relatively young female guest, the rest of them remained very calm throughout.

Especially that youngest one, the one who said the Acid Branch Wood three-piece set had problems, was smiling and gentle the whole time.

Even when they left, they all walked out of the shop door smiling.

On the contrary, Chairman Yao and his partner had serious expressions and looked nervous.

But at most, it was just a bit of verbal provocation, what were you nervous about?

It couldn't be that he was afraid someone would blame him: you were asked to be a guide, and you couldn't even do that well...

Just as she was guessing wildly, the screen froze: it was still the two young men walking at the back. At the very last moment before leaving the surveillance area, the two turned their heads in unison and took one last look at the plaque.

The older one was expressionless, while the youngest one had a playful look on his face.

What does that mean?

Fu Manshu's heart stirred as she recalled the words spoken in Li Zhiyuan's office: "Those who are veteran collectors are either wealthy or noble; the tricks you use to swindle the nouveau riche are nothing but a joke in front of them."

"Even if you provoke them further, even if you goad them, and even if they get angrier, they won't argue, let alone make a scene; they will simply turn around and leave. Because they have upbringing and, more importantly, cultivation; they won't act like a street shrew."

But that does not mean they don't hold a grudge...

And was that final glance the meaning of holding a grudge?

The more she looked, the more it seemed so; the more she looked, the more it seemed so. Fu Manshu turned her head and looked at Li Zhiyuan.

Li Zhiyuan sighed despondently: "Have you realized it now? Do you know you've offended someone?"

"But this is not the first time. The week before last, last month, and during the National Day holiday, I have already had to drag this old face of mine to clean up your mess three times. Having suffered losses so many times, why do you just refuse to change?"

"Forget it, this is the last time; consider it repaying the kindness of my old employer for recognizing my talent..."

"I will find someone to first sound out Yao Qiming, you prepare a gift..." After giving these instructions, Li Zhiyuan looked at Yang Lan and the shop assistant again, "You two, get ready to apologize!"

The two stood there blankly, not moving, as if to say: Why should we? We didn't do anything wrong.

Fu Manshu sighed again: They were indeed not wrong; the method was not wrong, and the procedure was not wrong.

Whether it was the shop assistant or Yang Lan, they were strictly executing the A Cold Treatment Rule (Hermès sales training system).

But there is a prerequisite: you must keep your eyes peeled.

At a boutique counter, nine out of ten customers are members, so their backgrounds are naturally known. There are strict procedures for how to receive every single person. But in an antique shop, everyone is a stranger, so one can only rely on one's own judgment.

Even so, Fu Manshu had still done a lot of preparatory work: if it were major leaders from local or relevant departments, members of the Chamber of Commerce, or even key figures in relevant Industry Associations, they would certainly have given notice in advance.

Ordinary customers don't need to be bothered with; if those from the middle tier come, or if they don't want to owe favors, or are just passing by with someone, they generally won't give a heads-up. But these people had all been trained by Yang Lan and the others.

Others might not recognize them, but whether it was the shop assistant or Yang Lan, they certainly knew Yao Qiming.

Indeed, Chairman Yao can at most manage the Ceramics Association; his reach cannot extend here, so there is no need to be too deliberate. The problem is, why didn't you notice that Yao Qiming was just an attendant?

Then what would be the status of the guest he brought?

But since the mistake was already made, what is the point of saying so much? Moreover, standing from their perspective, they were indeed not wrong: because from beginning to end, they were executing according to the wishes of their own boss.

"Uncle Li, don't let them go; seeing them might make the guest even more repulsed. I will go instead."

Li Zhiyuan was indifferent: If the boss apologizes in person, that is naturally for the best.

He went to the side to make a phone call, and Fu Manshu looked at the Assistant, "Xiao Qu, starting next week, you come down personally and tighten up the training again!" "Yes, Boss!"

"Also, adjust the reception method: there are more male customers coming to buy antiques, so keep your expressions and language more restrained!"

The Assistant was covered in sweat: "Boss, I understand!"

Although she is called the General Manager's Assistant, she is actually the Vice President; she has always been responsible for customer reception and marketing.

And the marketing strategy has only been on trial for three months, yet this is already the fourth major complaint. If it were in the past, she would have resigned in disgrace long ago.

The problem is, when they were at the boutique counter, these methods were always effective. Almost every day there would be customers arguing and scolding them for being snobbish. But in no more than two weeks, at least seven out of ten customers who lost their temper would come back. Some would even make a second or third repeat purchase. Why is it that with the same luxury goods and the same collectibles, these tactics suddenly don't work in an antique shop?

Is it just because there are more male customers?

Fu Manshu sighed: "That is not the only reason."

Actually, when it comes down to it, it is still that sentence Li Zhiyuan said: those who buy bags and watches and those who buy antiques are simply not in the same class. Your trick can, at most, goad the nouveau riche.

Of course, not everyone who sells luxury goods is nouveau riche; there are also some cultured, wealthy people. But this group can at most be considered petty bourgeoisie. Most of them are white-collar workers; when it comes down to it, they are still employees, not even counting as middle class.

And Fu Manshu's target customers are truly wealthy people: those with status, position, and power.

And these people are not people you can attract just because you want to. Without a better way, one can only find another path.

Bad publicity is still publicity; get famous first, then we'll see...

Just as she was feeling emotional, Li Zhiyuan finished his call and walked over.

But with just one look, Fu Manshu stopped abruptly, her heart skipping a beat.

Those who work in antiques are in the business of observing expressions; Li Zhiyuan's shrewdness is not shallow. Fu Manshu rarely sees him show his emotions on his face. But this time it was different: his face was gloomy, his brows were tightly furrowed, and his eyes revealed a few traces of shock and suspicion.

It couldn't be that they kicked an iron plate, could it?

Just as she was feeling suspicious, Li Zhiyuan shook his head: "I'm afraid this won't be easy to handle this time!"

"I entrusted someone, a long-time client of Yao Qiming, and the two have a very good relationship. But as soon as I explained the intention, Yao Qiming refused directly, saying that he cannot bridge this connection."

"Yao Qiming even warned the person I entrusted: Nanmu Wood Wood Studio has its eyes fixed on the top of its head; sooner or later there would be such a hurdle, if not this time then next time, and told him it's best not to get involved!"

Fu Manshu's face changed: A hurdle?

"Does that mean that just because of such a small matter, the other party wants revenge?"

Li Zhiyuan sighed: "How could it be considered a small matter?"

A person lives for their face, just as a tree lives for its bark. I came to spend money, yet you treated me like a beggar?

If I don't show you a thing or two, you won't know how many eyes the Horse King has.

If Lin Sicheng were here, he would definitely give a like:

Have you ever seen someone go to get a perm, and the shop assistant just offered a suggestion: "Sister, your hair is too dry, it's best not to perm it," and then the person wanted to have the shop sealed up?

The shop assistant was gentle and smiling the whole time, calling her "Sister" this and "Sister" that, but this "sister" still felt she had lost face: just because the other person said, "Sister, your hair is too dry..." Compare that to today's shop assistant and manager, who were both acting with the attitude of "You are a poor loser, you can't afford this" the entire time.

Just imagine, who could swallow this anger?

I don't know if others can swallow it, but Ye Anqi definitely cannot.

Seeing him force a smile, Lin Sicheng teased him: "Second Brother is in a bad mood!"

Ye Anqi was stunned and looked at him strangely: "Aren't you angry?"

Lin Sicheng nodded honestly: "I am!"

Being angry is right.

Ye Anqi said with a cold face: "You wait, Second Brother will vent your anger for you!"

"Second Brother, I don't think we need to wait!"

Lin Sicheng propped up his chin: Yao Qiming was waiting ahead, as if he wanted to speak with them. He was holding a mobile phone in his hand, likely having just finished a call. After a brief thought, Ye Anqi let out a "Ha": "Quite quick to react!"

Lin Sicheng nodded: If he weren't quick to react, he couldn't play this game.

At the very least, one must know how to make amends in case a mess is made.