Chapter 71: Taken for a Fool
It was Xu Youyou’s first time visiting the flower and bird market.
Although it was called a market, it was actually just a long street. Large stone spheres were placed at the entrance, preventing cars from driving in.
Shops lined both sides of the street, mostly selling potted plants, flowers, birds, fish, and small animals. There weren’t many customers at the moment, and the chirping of birds was even louder than human voices.
“Wish you prosperity! Wish you prosperity!”
Xu Youyou had only taken a few steps following the system’s guidance when she heard a sharp voice. Looking up, she realized it wasn’t a person speaking but a brightly colored green-feathered parrot.
The parrot was hanging in a cage at the entrance of a store that primarily sold flowers and plants. It hopped around energetically, its beady green eyes darting toward Xu Youyou.
The shop owner, embarrassed by his pet’s antics, scolded it, “You little rascal! Every time you see a pretty woman, you get overly excited. I feed you well every day, but you never wish me prosperity!”
Xu Youyou told her four bodyguards to wait outside and entered the store with Xu Fang.
“Miss, are you looking to buy some plants? We just got a new batch of orchids, and they’re absolutely stunning. You should take a look,” the shop owner said enthusiastically.
Xu Youyou glanced around the store before finally fixing her gaze on a blooming Jian orchid beneath the parrot’s cage.
She casually looked at the dark red flowerpot underneath it before raising her gaze again, pretending to admire the orchid.
“This flower is blooming so beautifully, and it smells wonderful. It must be an expensive variety,” she said in an innocent and naive tone, like a college student who had yet to graduate.
The shop owner saw how young she was, and his eyes flickered with cunning as he casually said, “You’re absolutely right! Since you like it, I’ll give you a good deal—1,000 yuan.”
Xu Youyou agreed immediately. “Okay.”
The shop owner was momentarily taken aback and instantly regretted it. He had assumed she was easy to deceive due to her young age. The orchid was only worth a few dozen yuan, yet he had quoted an outrageous price, thinking she would bargain. But instead, she agreed right away—had he set the price too low? If he had known, he would’ve asked for 10,000!
Xu Youyou added, “Then I’ll take both the flower and the pot.”
The shop owner was about to agree when a thought struck him. He quickly changed his mind and said, “That won’t work. This flowerpot is a family heirloom. If you want it, you’ll have to pay extra.”
Technically, he wasn’t lying. The flowerpot was indeed passed down from his father.
Years ago, during a time of chaos, his father had been a burglar who stole a rare and expensive potted plant from a wealthy household. Unfortunately, before he could sell it, the plant died, leaving behind only the flowerpot.
Xu Youyou frowned slightly. “Won’t repotting the orchid harm it? This is the healthiest-looking plant in the shop. What if it dies?”
Seeing the shop owner hesitate, Xu Fang scolded, “What kind of flower shop doesn’t include the pot?”
The shop owner casually picked up a cheap plastic flowerpot. “This is the one we provide for free!”
Xu Youyou frowned. “I don’t want a lousy plastic pot. I’m worried my precious orchid won’t survive the transfer. Just name a price—I’ll buy the pot too.”
Greed flashed in the shop owner’s eyes. “This flowerpot is a family heirloom. I can’t sell it for less than 30,000 yuan.”
“There are plenty of pots like this on the market! How dare you ask for that much? Just give us a fair price, or we won’t buy the orchid either!” Xu Fang threatened.
Xu Youyou played along. After all, she hadn’t paid for the orchid yet.
The shop owner panicked. “You two have such bad tempers! I’m not lying—this really is an old piece. It’s been in my family for at least 40 years.”
“Forty years isn’t that old! Look at all the dirt on it—it’s filthy!” Xu Fang scoffed.
The shop owner sighed. “Fine. 10,000 yuan, take it or leave it.”
“200 yuan, and not a cent more! Our money doesn’t grow on trees!”
The shop owner’s confidence wavered for a moment. The pot had always been covered in dirt, making it hard to see its true value. He never thought it was worth much. No matter what price he sold it for, it was pure profit.
But as a businessman, he knew the boldest ones made the most money. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Too low—5,000.”
“300, final offer!”
His resolve crumbled, but he put on a pained expression. “At least 1,000!”
Xu Fang was about to counter, but Xu Youyou beamed. “Deal!”
Xu Fang looked at her in surprise.
Xu Youyou feigned innocence. “A flowerpot that was originally 30,000, and we got it for just 1,000? My parents will be so proud of me!”
Xu Fang was confused by her act, but she didn’t call her out. The shop owner, however, smirked and shot Xu Fang a sympathetic glance, as if she had an idiot for a teammate.
After paying, Xu Youyou said, “Please write me a receipt—I’ll need it to get reimbursed by my parents.”
The shop owner assumed she was a clueless rich girl and happily wrote a receipt, listing “Jian Orchid” as the item.
Xu Youyou insisted, “Include the flowerpot too.”
Annoyed but eager to seal the deal, the shop owner complied.
“Do you need plant nutrients? Only 59.90 yuan per bottle—very cost-effective,” he offered, marking up a 5-yuan bottle tenfold.
Xu Youyou hesitated. “Two bottles for 100 yuan… Am I bargaining too much?”
The shop owner, amused by her naivety, quickly agreed. “Since I like you, I’ll take the loss and sell them for 100.”
Xu Youyou beamed with joy. “Thank you! Oh, and please include this on the receipt too. I need to prove to my parents that I’m not just throwing money around.”
By now, the shop owner was convinced she was a gullible rich girl. Seeing how easily she was persuaded, he decided to milk the opportunity. “Would you like a small gardening shovel? A spray bottle? Everything here is top quality—everyone raves about my products!”
Xu Youyou played along enthusiastically, buying an entire gardening set. Then, her eyes landed on the parrot.
“Is the parrot for sale?”
