Chapter 23: Opening a Shop

“No, I absolutely cannot take this money…”

No matter what the Old Taoist and Liao Haode said, Ye Dongping refused to accept that bag of money.

Although Ye Dongping was poor, he would never gamble with his son’s future. If Ye Tian were labeled with spreading Feudal Superstition, it would be a stain that would never wash off.

“You really are a stubborn kid…”

The Old Taoist glanced at the unyielding Ye Dongping and said, “Alright, Xiao Liao. Consider this money a donation to my Taoist Temple. I’ll take it. You have no objections, right?”

According to Jianghu Rules, when performing Geomancy and Feng Shui for someone, payment was always required. The amount varied depending on the difficulty of the task.

You have to understand, people in their line of work were acting against the natural order and could face the consequences of Qi Backlash at any time. Without money, no one would do this job. Of course, those deceitful charlatans did not count.

Back when the Old Taoist wandered the Jianghu, the powerful and wealthy who sought his Fortune-Telling and Physiognomy always paid with real gold and silver. A bagful of money like this meant nothing in his eyes.

Hearing the Old Taoist’s words, Liao Haode quickly said, “Old Immortal, since you are Ye Tian’s Master, it’s perfectly appropriate. That is the best solution indeed.”

Liao Haode did not care who took the money. As long as it was given, his inner conflict would be resolved. Otherwise, owing such a big favor to a child would probably make him uneasy for the rest of his life.

“Old sir, this…”

“This what? I said it’s a donation to my Taoist Temple. It’s none of your business…”

Ye Dongping tried to object, but the Old Taoist cut him off. Upon further thought, if the Old Taoist took the money, it really had nothing to do with Ye Tian. Besides, the state allowed private donations to Taoist Temples.

With the matter settled, Liao Haode was in high spirits. He glanced at his nephew beside him, thought for a moment, then looked at the Old Taoist and said, “Old Immortal, there’s one more thing I’d like to trouble you with…”

“If it’s trouble, then there’s no need to say it.”

Before Liao Haode could finish, the Old Taoist interrupted him. He had just taken a bag of money from the man but showed no consideration for his face. To an outsider, the Old Taoist’s temperament was quite infuriating.

“Ahem… ahem, Old Immortal, could you at least let me finish?” Liao Haode’s face flushed red from being cut off, but he had to continue since he’d already started.

Li Shanyuan’s gaze swept over Feng Kuang standing behind Liao Haode, and he said irritably, “I’m old now and just want to live a peaceful life. Don’t bring those messy affairs to my doorstep…”

“You already know, Old Immortal?”

Liao Haode was shocked. He had thought this old priest was just older in age and his real skills might not even match Ye Tian’s. Who knew that before he could even speak, the other already understood his intention.

“Take any matters to him. It’s time for me to enjoy my life.” The Old Taoist waved his hand irresponsibly, pushing the matter onto Ye Tian.

Actually, Li Shanyuan hadn’t figured out what Liao Haode wanted from him. However, seeing the yellowish glow around the nose of the young man behind him—a sign of impending wealth—it was likely some dirty business about making money. He wanted no part in it.

“Hehe, asking Little Yezi is the same.”

Hearing the Old Taoist, Liao Haode chuckled and continued, “My nephew here wants to open an Antique Shop to collect Antiques and cultural relics. But he knows nothing about them. When you have time, Old Immortal, please help him judge the items.”

Liao Haode had seen the Old Taoist’s collection, which consisted entirely of masterpieces from renowned artists. He must have considerable expertise in Calligraphy and Painting and cultural relics, which was why Liao Haode hoped for his help.

Moreover, in Liao Haode’s mind, the Old Taoist and Ye Tian, this master and disciple pair, were rare and extraordinary talents. Using the Antique Shop as a connection to maintain contact with them was also one of his main goals.

“Ah, Mr. Liao, Ye Tian… Ye Tian is still in elementary school. This isn’t appropriate.”

Ye Dongping became anxious again upon hearing this. These days, Self-Employed Businesspersons were usually ex-convicts or idle people. Not to mention Ye Tian’s young age, even when he grew up, Ye Dongping would never let his son enter such a line of work.

“Hehe, Mr. Ye, we aren’t asking Ye Tian to work. It’s just that if Feng Kuang has any items he’s unsure about, he can let the Old Immortal and Ye Tian take a look. It won’t interfere with his studies.”

Liao Haode smiled like an old fox. He had set his mind on this master and disciple duo and would find any way to build a connection with them.

Hearing the discussion turn to his own affairs, even though Feng Kuang was far more composed than most young people, he couldn’t hold back any longer and asked quietly, “Uncle, how… how much money needs to be invested for the shop?”

Liao Haode thought for a moment and said, “Alright, I’ll give you thirty thousand initially. We’ll decide on more based on development later. However, you will only own thirty percent of the shares. Another thirty percent belongs to me. As for the remaining forty percent, that belongs to Ye Tian and the Old Immortal. In the future, any items acquired must first be shown to them…”

Liao Haode was a businessman with great foresight. He had entered the Mainland from Hong Kong this time. From the development in Shenzhen, he could see that the Mainland would experience rapid growth in the next decade.

As the saying goes, Antiques thrive in peaceful times, Gold in chaotic ones. Liao Haode believed that once people’s basic needs were met, their perspectives and interests would change. The Antique business might not be profitable now, but in a few years, it would surely bring him overflowing wealth.

“Ah, what is all this?”

Upon hearing Liao Haode’s words, Ye Dongping no longer had the energy to argue. He realized this fake old man from the United States had firmly latched onto his son. If he were willing, Liao Haode would probably adopt Ye Tian as a godson on the spot.

“Hey, Uncle, don’t worry. I will definitely manage the shop well…”

Compared to Ye Dongping’s helplessness, Feng Kuang was overjoyed. He had already calculated in his mind: thirty percent of thirty thousand was a full nine thousand. If he could earn a bit more, wouldn’t he become a ten-thousand-yuan household?

Although Feng Kuang grew up in the countryside, was young, and had little formal education, his vision and mindset were far broader than many city folks.

Feng Kuang understood that he knew nothing about Antiques and would often need to rely on Ye Tian and his master. Therefore, he harbored no jealousy towards the father, son, and master over the remaining forty percent of the shares.

“Xiao Liao, opening an Antique Shop is fine. But if I find out you’re selling national treasures abroad, beware of your family’s Ancestral Grave…” The Old Taoist, who had been silently sipping his wine, suddenly spoke up.

“Old Immortal, how could I? I, Liao Haode, am not the kind of person who sells our ancestors’ legacy…”

Hearing the Old Taoist’s words, Liao Haode was startled and quickly thumped his chest in assurance. Actually, he had initially harbored some thoughts in that direction, but the Old Taoist’s warning immediately extinguished that idea.