Chen Lin took the list anyway.
He read it from top to bottom, his heart stirring despite himself, then looked at the fat man across from him.
"You're Shopkeeper Wei from the Number One Pawnshop, correct? Are you certain you have everything on this list?"
"Of course."
Wei Xinan patted his fleshy chest.
"Our reputation speaks for itself. You must have arrived only recently, Fellow Daoist Chen. If you'd lived here for a year or so, you wouldn't be asking that."
"Good."
Chen Lin nodded.
"Since you're so sincere, Shopkeeper Wei, let's discuss this in your shop. I wouldn't claim to be the wealthiest man in the city, but I do have quite a few fine things. This is a perfect opportunity to have you appraise them."
"Hahaha."
"This way, please!"
Beaming, Wei Xinan led Chen Lin to the pawnshop.
Chen Lin glanced at the signboard and raised an eyebrow. There was no white cloud emblem on it, which meant it wasn't one of the city's "native" shops. That made the man's financial resources worthy of a fresh appraisal.
"No need to worry, Fellow Daoist."
Noticing Chen Lin's reaction, Wei Xinan spoke calmly as he opened the shop door.
"Although this is a private shop, it's been in business for ten thousand years. We've never had a dispute over a transaction. Besides, a pawnshop exchanges payment and goods on the spot. There's no room for trickery."
As he spoke,
the two entered the shop.
Without stopping, they went straight upstairs and entered a room marked "VIP room."
"How should I address you, Fellow Daoist?"
Wei Xinan asked with a smile after inviting Chen Lin to sit.
"Chen Lin."
"So you're Fellow Daoist Chen. Your name has thundered in my ears. Seeing you today, you truly do have an extraordinary bearing."