"Tsk, you sure have a sweet tongue, kid."
Barnett chuckled heartily, but her hands didn't stop working, meticulously examining the materials inch by inch under the light.
"Sister Barnett, with the quality of this batch, you won't regret buying it."
Julius Goodman pitched in from the side, "Just these four bracelets, any random one would go for at least six figures. Considering we're old pals, we're not asking much, just 600,000."
"Cough cough..."
Ava Kent's estimate was between 450,000 and 500,000, and she didn't expect Julius to make such a bold offer.
But it's normal, you need to leave room for haggling.
Julius thought she was startled by such a scene for the first time, so he reassuredly patted Ava's head, "It's okay, just wait and see."
"Okay." Ava showed a naive and especially obedient look.
Barnett clicked her tongue twice, "Cheeky brat, doing business with your sister Barnett and you dare to ask for a lion's share? Why don't you just rob me."
"How could I, Sister Barnett, look."
Julius directly used an oil pen to mark bracelet positions and some pendant placements on the materials, "These few materials are of old and fine texture, with a clean and refreshing base. Just making these few bracelets will recoup your cost, let alone the rest that can be used to make so many pendants. It's a win-win."
Julius made his case convincingly, and it wasn't long before he settled the price with Barnett.
Ava also got to witness her mentor's knack for negotiating, which could make people want to cry because this guy had mastered the art of haggling with sharp words.
Finally, the batch was sold for 500,000. Barnett was a straightforward person and immediately asked, "Who should I transfer the money to?"
Julius pointed to Ava, who was quietly sipping tea nearby, and chuckled lightly, "Transfer it to her."
Ava looked up, blinking in confusion, with a look of being out of sorts, "Is it done?"
"It's done."
Julius patted her head, "Go ahead."
"Don't mess it up, my hair is all messed up now."
She had just tidied her hair, but it got ruffled again by his touch, and Ava glared at him angrily.
Julius merely gave a light chuckle, his eyes filled with affection.
Noticing their interaction, Barnett raised an eyebrow, "Little Goodman, seems like something's going on with you..."
"Cough cough..." Julius almost choked on his own saliva and rushed Ava, "Quick, go collect the payment."
An assistant came over to take Ava to another office to find the finance department. Barnett shot Julius a mischievous look, "Cheeky brat, come clean now, is this little girl your girlfriend?"
"Of course not, don't talk nonsense."
Julius glanced in the direction Ava left, afraid she'd overhear, "The little girl is shy, don't scare her off."
"So you haven't won her over yet?" Barnett laughed instantly, "I was wondering why you'd bring such a young girl to a business deal, so you're interested in her, huh."
When Ava came out, she saw Julius with flushed cheeks, sipping tea with his head down, and his ears as red as if someone had wrung them.
She walked over to Julius and asked in puzzlement, "Julius, are you hot? Why is your face so red?"
Barnett chuckled on the side, "Isn't it? Young people are full of energy, drink more tea to cool off."
Cool off...?
Ava instinctively glanced down at Julius, is that what she thought it meant?
He was fine just a moment ago, how did he suddenly get so worked up?
Could it be that Barnett did something to him after she left?
Noticing her scrutinizing gaze shifting between him and Barnett, Julius realized she must've misunderstood.
He cleared his throat and quickly changed the subject, "Did the money come through?"
Ava nodded, shook her phone, "It's been transferred."
"Then let's go."
To prevent Barnett from saying anything outrageous again, Julius quickly pulled Ava away.
"Julius, are you in a hurry?" Ava asked.
"Why?"
"You've helped me a lot today, I want to properly thank you."
Ava looked at him with a smile, "Let me treat you to dinner."
"Sure."
Julius glanced at the time, "Can I choose the place?"
"Uh-huh!" Ava smugly raised her eyebrows, "I'm now a little rich lady, you can order whatever you want, it's on me."
"Alright, let's see if I can eat until you're broke."
Julius raised his hand to hail a cab, and Ava followed with a secret laugh, "Even if I feed you into a fat pig, it won't bankrupt me."
"Hmm? What did you say?"
Ava's previous voice was a bit low, and Julius didn't catch it.
"Nothing." Ava quickly waved her hand, "I didn't say anything."
Julius: Do you think I believe that?
But since she didn't want to say, Julius didn't press further.
A taxi stopped in front of them, and Julius quickly stepped forward to open the car door, letting Ava get in first before following in.
After giving the address, he started messaging on his phone.
He didn't forget to remind Ava, "From now on you're not allowed to come to these gambling stone places anymore. If I catch you again, I'll definitely report it to Mrs. Von."
"Weren't we supposed to be on the same boat?" Ava couldn't help but wail, "I turned 3,000 into 200 times today, and you still don't acknowledge my skills?"
"Ava, it's not that I don't trust you, it's that I don't want you to go down a path you can't come back from. At your age, you should focus on studying."
"You sound just like my mom."
"..."
Julius was a bit helpless, wanting to pat her head, but Ava turned away, dodging him.
"What do you think I am, a cat to be pet?"
"You look just like a cat throwing a tantrum right now."
Julius feared most when Ava ignored him, so he compromised, "How about this, if you still want to come by this place in the future, just call me?"
With him around, at least he could make sure she wouldn't get deceived.
"Alright, whatever you say."
Anyway, he wouldn't know when she'd come, better keep him content for now.
When the car stopped, Ava found out the address he had given was to a Sichuan noodle shop.
"You mean to say you want to bankrupt me here?"
She thought he was going for lobsters and abalone.
"This place's beef noodles are delicious, very authentic."
Julius had already walked in first.
It was clear that this shop was indeed popular, not only were the seats inside full, but there were also more than a dozen people waiting outside.
Ava sneakily followed behind Julius, tiptoeing to get a look, "But with so many people here, how long do we have to wait before we can eat?"
"Are you in a hurry to go back?" Julius asked.
Ava shook her head, "Nope."
"There you go then."
Julius glanced around and pointed to a milk tea shop across the street, "How about you wait in line here, and I'll go buy you a milk tea?"
"No no no."
Ava quickly tugged him, "Didn't I say I was treating you? How can I let you buy things? Is it milk tea you want? I'll go buy it!"