Chapter Eleven: Step Onto the Scales
Wei Heping finally sent a WeChat message to Qin Jing. In his mind, since Qin Jing was inside the house, he must already know about the matter, so this was just a formality. Qin Jing certainly wouldn’t buy back Hu Chaoyang’s car, and even if he wanted to, he probably wouldn’t have the financial means.
To Wei Heping’s surprise, Qin Jing soon replied: “Let them name a price. If it’s low, I’ll take it.”
Mercedes-Benz S320
Year of Manufacture: October 2017
Years Used: About 1 year
Original Price: About 1.1 million
Current Value: About 880,000
Activate Recycle Appraisal?
Prompt: First-time use of “Recycle Mastery” skill for item appraisal—no appraisal fee.
The moment Qin Jing saw the car, he knew it was a trap. But times had changed; not only did he not refuse, he directly activated the recycling skill.
After leveling up recycling to “mastery,” like sales mastery, he got one free use—previously triggered RMB information didn’t count.
“Use recycle appraisal.”
With Qin Jing’s command, the phone screen, previously dark, lit up with lines of text:
Original Owner: Zheng Chamber of Commerce, Zheng Qiu Yin
Current Status: ...
Recommended Buyback Price: 500,000
Notes: This is a stolen vehicle. Reclaiming this car carries a level-three risk.
In the current status column was a video, apparently edited, with a specific timestamp in the upper left corner: 12:23 p.m.
At that time, Qin Jing had already completed the transaction with Zheng Qiu Ying, who was no longer in the car. Inside was Wang Keng, who suddenly shuddered, as if breaking free from invisible shackles, then jumped into the driver’s seat and sped away.
The time skipped to 2:12 p.m.
Wang Keng said to Hu Chaoyang, “I know you and Qin Jing are sworn enemies. That guy tricked me, and I won’t let him off. This car is stolen property—get him to buy it back, then I’ll have my own way to deal with him!”
After watching the video, Qin Jing broke out in a cold sweat. He hadn’t expected Zheng Qiu Ying to let Wang Keng escape, and Wang Keng was already investigating him, even teaming up with his nemesis, Hu Chaoyang!
“Fortunately, Zheng Qiu Ying is looking for me, seemingly eager to complete the waste paper deal. As for Wang Keng, I can handle him through Zheng Qiu Ying. And Hu Chaoyang…”
Looking at Hu Chaoyang outside, Qin Jing showed a cold smile.
“Hu Chaoyang, why are you always stirring up trouble? What did Qin Jing ever do to offend you?”
Just then, two women arrived outside, and to Qin Jing’s surprise, one of them was Chen Hua!
She seemed to have just heard the news and stormed in, immediately pointing at Hu Chaoyang and interrogating him.
Hu Chaoyang was caught off guard. When he saw Chen Hua, he broke into a smile and hurried forward to ingratiate himself, “Hua’er, didn’t you break up with Qin Jing? Why are you suddenly concerned about him? I’m just bringing some business to Qin Jing.”
Chen Hua sneered, “What sort of business is this? Mercedes-Benz S320—even as a second-hand, can Qin Jing afford it? I broke up with him amicably, and I may still need his help someday, so don’t try to trick him again.”
Qin Jing was both amused and exasperated: So Chen Hua just wants to keep me as her long-term meal ticket?
He didn’t want to waste any more time, so he pushed open the door and walked out of the workshop.
“Well, Old Wei, what a lively day—you’ve got all sorts of riffraff showing up.”
Hu Chaoyang and Chen Hua’s faces darkened; the moment Qin Jing appeared, he insulted them both.
Chen Hua snapped, “Qin Jing, don’t speak without thinking. I warn you, you can’t afford Hu Chaoyang’s car.”
Qin Jing raised his eyebrows, sensing something was off: Since when did Chen Hua care about anyone? Even when they slept together, she never showed any concern for his pleasure.
Her words reminded Qin Jing of a common sales tactic. “Can’t afford it” usually triggers a buyer’s competitive spirit, making them impulsively spend a fortune on a low-value item, achieving the seller’s aim.
He’d used similar tricks when he first met Wang Keng.
“Chen Hua, don’t say that. Don’t underestimate the poor—you never know, maybe after breaking up, Qin Jing suddenly struck it rich.”
If Qin Jing had doubts before, hearing Hu Chaoyang now brought clarity: the two were colluding!
On the GDP screen, Hu Chaoyang had contact with Wang Keng, who had been in the Mercedes the whole time and certainly knew the details of Qin Jing and Zheng Qiu Ying’s transaction.
This spiteful woman, claiming an amicable breakup, must have heard from Hu Chaoyang about my sudden windfall and came to test me!
Qin Jing clenched his fists. In the past, even if he knew they were colluding, he’d have endured it, lacking the power to resist.
But now...
“Hu Chaoyang, don’t try to provoke me. The Mercedes S320 really is out of my reach.” Qin Jing spoke with a lazy smile, cutting straight in.
“Uh, aren’t you...”
Hu Chaoyang hesitated, about to say “didn’t you just make money?” but quickly shifted, “Qin Jing, this is a used Mercedes. It’s cheap.”
“How cheap?”
“Well...”
Hu Chaoyang glanced covertly at Chen Hua, who immediately chimed in, “Qin Jing, take my advice. It’s a Mercedes—even used, you can’t afford it.”
Now any man should be furious! Hu Chaoyang watched Qin Jing with interest, feeling a thrill: he hadn’t actually conspired with Chen Hua, but before coming, he’d had a sudden inspiration. Chen Hua had just broken up with Qin Jing, and knowing her temperament, she couldn’t stand seeing her ex do well. Turned out, he’d played a clever move.
Qin Jing pointed at Hu Chaoyang, displeased: “This isn’t fair. If you’re sincere about selling, name your price.”
Why isn’t this guy taking the bait? Still, selling low doesn’t matter—after all, Wang Keng’s instructions were to sell it to him.
“Five hundred thousand. The car is yours.”
Hearing Hu Chaoyang’s offer, Old Wei was stunned: “Five hundred thousand?”
Chen Hua was surprised, too: “Only five hundred thousand?”
Hu Chaoyang was pleased with their reactions. He laughed, “That’s right. The Mercedes S320 was over a million brand new, only used for a year, now selling at half price—just five hundred thousand, Qin Jing. Surely you can afford it?”
According to Wang Keng, when Qin Jing left the bank, he carried a custom cash box with about five hundred thousand inside. Hu Chaoyang calculated, feeling confident—he’d complete Wang Keng’s task and make a tidy profit.
“No, too high.”
But Qin Jing shook his head like a rattle drum. “You always call me a junk dealer, so whether it’s a Mercedes or BMW, my buyback price is no different from scrap metal. If you want to sell, put it on the scale.”