As Zachary reminisced, his thoughts swirled within “Back when I got swindled on Antique Street, none of you looked
down on me. Who was the one constantly shouting and gossiping about Zachary? But now, with Don Albert, you
suddenly call me Brother.”
Amused by these memories, Zachary smirked and addressed the crowd, “To be honest, I’m no longer associated
with Don Albert.”
“What?” They had just cheerfully called him brother.
One man quickly inquired, “Zachary, you were doing well with Don Albert. Why the sudden change of heart?”
“That’s right,” chimed another man. “I’m talking about Zachary. Isn’t it better for you to enjoy spicy food and drinks
with Don Albert instead of dealing with these things in Antique Street?”
A woman selling counterfeit copper coins grinned and asked, “Zachary, did you mess up and get kicked out by Don
Albert?”
Zachary waved his hand nonchalantly. “Don’t mention those things. I’m planning to come back and set up my stall
again.” Then, he gazed at the man who had greeted him earlier and said, “Ladden Harrow, when I left, I let you use
my old stall for free. Look, I’ve returned now and you’re still occupying my spot. Give it back to me.”
Ladden Harrow hastily waved his hand and replied, “Hey, don’t say that, Zachary. When you left, you made a
promise not to return to Antique Street. So, that stall was relinquished forever. I took it over. You’re a person of
great influence. You can’t go back on your word.”
Zachary smiled and said, “Ladden, you think I’m a coward, don’t you? Well, let me tell you, I got my freedom from
Don Albert. Leaving wasn’t his decision, it was mine, Zachary’s.”
“Blow it out your mouth and be gone,” Ladden retorted with a sneer. “We’ve known each other for so many years,
don’t I know you? Do you think I don’t know how thrilled you were when you left the stall to follow Don Albert? Now
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtyou claim to have left him voluntarily. Why should I believe you?”
Zachary grinned. “I’ll tell you the truth, Mr. Harrow. I used to have a close friend who specialized in creating
exquisite antiques. Now, he has become a renowned businessman in Hong Kong. He wants me to collaborate with
him in creating antiques, targeting those wealthy Hong Kong bosses worth billions. Perhaps we could earn millions
from a single order. Isn’t that better?”
The listeners widened their eyes in disbelief.
Ladden exchanged glances with the others, stepped forward and offered an apologetic smile. “Brother Zachary, I
dare say you’ve discovered a new avenue for making money. We can’t underestimate the opportunity to work with
Don Albert!”
“Hey!” Zachary raised his hand solemnly, pointing his palm at the crowd. “It’s not that I, Zachary, underestimate
Don Albert. The ancients said that good birds choose good trees. I can only say that Don Albert’s towering tree
doesn’t suit my growth. After all, I’ve been in the antique business for so many years, and it’s the craft I excel at the
most.”
Another man stepped forward, gently tugging at Zachary’s arm. “Brother Zachary, since you’ve found such a
lucrative path, can’t you take me along? Look at your brother here, I’ve been hanging around Antique Street for
years, but I haven’t landed a big catch. I can barely make ends meet throughout the year. If you have a good
income source, can you lend a hand, please?”
He pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, extracted one and courteously extended it to Zachary “Come
on, Brother Zachary, have a smoke!”
Zachary accepted the cigarette, placed it between his lips and smiled. “Tommy, if you genuinely want to make
money with me, it won’t be easy. Consider it carefully. But I don’t know if you’re reliable or if you’ll
be committed…”
Tommy hastily retrieved his lighter and while lighting Zachary’s cigarette, spoke respectfully, “Zachary, Brother, as
long as you’re willing to take me with you, I’ll work hard without complaints!”
Ladden on the side quickly added, “Brother Zachary, take me along too! I might not have any outstanding qualities,
but I’m obedient! As long as I’m by your side, I’ll follow your lead and fight wherever you point!”
Others also expressed their sincerity towards Zachary at that moment. Their conviction was evident, Zachary had
undoubtedly discovered a lucrative income source, directly linked to antiques. Not only was Zachary skilled in this
field, but everyone was also familiar with it. They all desired a taste of Zachary’s success.
At this juncture, Zachary spoke indifferently, “Everyone, I’ve just returned, and my new business hasn’t settled
completely. I don’t need so many people initially. So, for now, let Ladden and Tommy join me. Don’t worry if others
don’t get their turn. Once things stabilize, everyone will have a share!”
Disappointment flickered in the other’s eyes, but Ladden Harrow and Tommy Swarley were brimming with
excitement.
Excitedly, the two friends pulled Zachary away to a secluded area where they could speak privately. Ladden spoke
obsequiously, “Brother Zachary, you can use your booth anytime you want. If it’s not enough, you can even use
mine.”
Zachary took a drag from his cigarette and inquired, “Tell me the truth, how much money do you two make in a
month now?”
Ladden raised his hand and said, “Brother Zachary, let me go first. You know my situation. I’m not as smooth-
tongued as you, and I’m not as skilled in the art of deception. In a good month, I can only earn 10,000 to 20,000.
Sometimes, I barely make enough to cover the booth fee…”
Tommy chimed in as well, echoing Brother Zachary’s sentiments. “Indeed, Brother Zachary, my situation isn’t much
better. We’re already at the end of August, and this month I’ve barely managed to make a net profit of $3,000. The
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmcompetition on Antique Street is fierce, and those scammers are selling everything. I used to sell counterfeit five-
emperor coins, and I could easily get ten or twenty dollars for each. But now, those new fools are selling them for
just a dollar. Can you believe it? The cost price for a single string is 80 cents, and yet they sell it for a dollar. I’m at
my wit’s end with this relentless onslaught of challenges I’m facing!”
Zachary smiled and turned to the two of them “Well, let’s not say that Zachary doesn’t take care of you. In the next
couple of days, my connections will bring several influential Hong Kong businessmen here. You two won’t need to
set up a stall. One of you will go to the airport and the other will head to the high- speed rail station. Hold up a sign
for me to pick them up!”
“Pick them up?” Ladden and Tommy exchanged glances and the latter asked, “Brother Zachary, isn’t picking people
up an unskilled job? How much will we get paid for it?”
Zachary smiled mysteriously and replied, “Let me tell you, the people you’ll be picking up are wealthy clients who
spend a fortune. Sometimes, they’re unable to show up in person, so they send representatives. When they see you
upon arrival, they’ll come forward willingly. Don’t underestimate this job, it has its perks. I’ll pay each of you
3,000per day!”
“3,000 per person a day?” The two were momentarily speechless but couldn’t contain their excitement. Three
thousand a day, this income far surpassed what they earned from their stalls.
Zachary continued, “However, I can’t guarantee when the big clients will arrive, so you’ll have to be at the airport
and high-speed rail station every day, keeping watch. You’ll have to go early in the morning and only return home
after the flights and trains have ceased for the day. During this time, you mustn’t miss a single arrival. If any of you
successfully receives a client, I’ll reward an extra 10,000. But if any of you miss a client, I won’t forgive you.
Understand?”
Read The Charismatic Charlie Wade -