1990, Reborn as a Beachcomber, From Rascal to Brilliant Guy

"How about 100 yuan per snail? Look at these snails of mine, each one is a high-quality product with thick and plump meat. Even the smallest one can yield two or three pounds of snail meat. If it weren't for the fact that you're having a wedding, I would have sent them to a big restaurant in the city."

Zhao Laogen hesitated for a moment, then pretended to feel a little sorry for the price and quoted a price.

After saying that, he stared intently at Lin Shuisheng, his fists clenched slightly, as if afraid that this fat sheep that had come to his door would be scared away.

"Uncle, are you trying to take advantage of me? You said it's a big restaurant in the city, and I just wanted to buy it to give to my mother-in-law. Since you're not serious about selling it, then forget it!"

Lin Shuisheng's face darkened, and after uttering a single sentence, he turned around and made as if to leave.

But after walking only a few steps, Zhao Laogen's somewhat anxious voice came from behind.

"Wait, if you think the price is too high, you can try to negotiate!"

"Okay, but I need to check the goods first."

Lin Shuisheng stopped and pointed to the basket of coconut snails in the cabin.

"Um... okay!"

Zhao Laogen was slightly taken aback, then quickly nodded in agreement.

After all, it's only natural for people to inspect goods before buying them, and he has no reason to object to that.

However, instead of striking himself, he kicked the little girl next to him, his face full of disgust.

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and show the goods to people!"

The little girl stumbled, lowered her head and didn't say a word, but silently picked up the basket of coconut snails.

Seeing her step onto the pedal and wobble a little, Lin Shuisheng couldn't help but feel anxious.

Fortunately, she soon jumped onto the dock and placed the basket of coconut snails in front of Lin Shuisheng.

Lin Shuisheng looked down and saw that there were about seven or eight coconut snails in the basket.

He squatted down, rummaged around with his hands, and found that the largest one had a shell as long as a child's arm, about 30 centimeters long, and weighed a little over 20 pounds.

There was one more, but it was a little smaller.

As for the remaining five or six, they were more than half the size of the largest one, only fifteen or sixteen centimeters long and weighing a little over three kilograms.

Based on current market prices, the two larger ones should sell for 30 yuan each, while the others would only fetch a maximum of 10 yuan each.

"How about it? I risked my life to go out to sea and collect these snails. If the price is too low, I won't do it."

Seeing that Lin Shuisheng didn't react in any particular way, Zhao Laogen hurriedly spoke up to emphasize it.

"It's alright! Everything's pretty fresh!"

Lin Shuisheng nodded, stood up, looked at Zhao Laogen, and said softly:

"Let's not count them one by one, let's put them all together and make it a flat price of 100 yuan."

"100 yuan? No way, at least 300 yuan."

Zhao Laogen glared at him, then shook his head vigorously, like a rattle drum.

Seeing his expression, Lin Shuisheng raised an eyebrow and calmly retorted:

"Uncle, don't think I don't know what I'm talking about! These conches aren't necessarily more valuable the bigger they are. Those two bigger ones, the meat inside is fishy and tough. In big restaurants in the city, they'd be unwanted, worthless stuff."

"I'm already being very fair by offering you this price."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Laogen's expression stiffened slightly, then he hurriedly spoke in a serious tone:

"What you're talking about are all ordinary goods, but these snails are ones I brought back from the open sea with great difficulty. How can they be the same?"

Anyway, no matter what, you'll have to add something more, more or less.

"Then how much will you say?"

Lin Shuisheng frowned, looking somewhat displeased.

"150, minimum 150."

Seeing Lin Shuisheng's reaction, Zhao Laogen didn't dare to ask for too high a price, for fear of ruining the deal.

After all, selling it to Lin Shuisheng now would allow them to get some money to recoup their losses, which is better than letting Wang Jin take it for nothing.

Upon hearing the price, Lin Shuisheng frowned, glanced at the coconut shells in the basket, and then reluctantly nodded in agreement:

"Alright! It's getting late, and I'm too lazy to look for anything else. I'll just go with your 150 yuan."

After saying that, he took out some money from his pocket, counted out 150 yuan, and handed it to the little girl.

The little girl glanced at him quickly, then reached out and grabbed the money, turning around and jumping back into the sampan.

"Give me!"

Zhao Laogen grabbed the little girl's arm and snatched all the money away.

Seeing this, Wang Jin, who was standing aside watching the show, suddenly couldn't stay still any longer.

He ran to the dock, gripped the rope tightly, and a smile spread across his face.

"Uncle Zhao, now that you've made money, it's time to pay off your debts!"

Upon hearing this, the joy on Zhao Laogen's face instantly froze. Then, while discreetly pressing his hand into his pocket, he bent down with a shameless smile and said to Wang Jin:

"Mr. Jin, please give me one more day. I promise I will pay you back the 1000 yuan by tomorrow."

"Fine! If you want me to wait until tomorrow, give me 100 yuan as a tip, and I'll turn around and leave immediately."

Wang Jin nodded, his face full of a kind smile.

"100 yuan? Why don't you go..."

Zhao Laogen glared, and was about to curse when Wang Jin's fierce look silenced him.

"Stop talking nonsense. You either give me 100 yuan as a tip, or you settle the bill. Otherwise, you're not leaving today."

"I'll give it to you, I'll give it to you!"

Zhao Laogen's expression changed drastically, but in the end he didn't dare to fall out with Wang Jin and obediently took out the money.

Don't be fooled by the fact that Wang Jin is just one person now; behind him stands Tiger, the biggest gangster boss at Yunlan Town's docks.

He had witnessed it firsthand: Tiger Brother simply waved his hand, and several of his men dragged out a debtor who refused to pay his debts and beat him half to death.

"That's more like it!"

Wang Jin accepted the hundred yuan, patted Zhao Laogen on the shoulder with an appreciative look, then glanced at the little girl standing motionless with her head down in the cabin, a wicked smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Take care, Mr. Jin!"

Zhao Laogen bowed and scraped to Wang Jin, clutching the remaining 50 yuan tightly in his hand.

Whether they can turn their lives around depends on this 50 yuan.

"Um!"

Wang Jin nodded with satisfaction, then turned around, put his hands behind his back, and swayed away, completely ignoring Lin Shuisheng who was still standing next to him.

In his opinion, Lin Shuisheng, who spent so much money to buy that basket of coconut snails, was a complete fool.

With that money, he could go to the fish market and buy several large baskets of fish in no time.

In comparison, he only needs to make one more trip tomorrow to earn 100 yuan, which is absolutely fantastic.

We absolutely have to celebrate!

Soon, his figure disappeared behind the row of sheds by the dock.

"You stay here and guard this place. You're not allowed to leave until I'm back, understand?"

When Zhao Laogen saw Wang Jinzhen leave, he immediately stood up, grabbed the little girl's ear, and said in a deep voice, "Tell me something."

Then, without waiting for the girl's consent, he jumped onto the dock and ran off in a hurry.

Seeing this, Lin Shuisheng frowned and slowly walked forward.