Chapter 1783: Chapter 1185: Going to the Market

Even in a legitimate specialty store, they also point with their hands.

“Which ones? I didn’t see clearly.”

Five bags, at a 30% discount.

But the shop owner, an older lady, was quite happy, smiling obsequiously as she saw the guests out, “Welcome to come again.”

Though it was cheap, it still cost Boss Jiang nearly two thousand RMB in total.

One person couldn’t carry it all, two guards had to help.

“Do you need to buy this many?”

Who just now said to pick whatever they wanted with such swagger?

Now you feel the pinch?

“This many?”

Pei Yunxi simply said.

Alright then.

Indeed, it’s not that many.

For women, bags aren’t everyday items, practicality isn’t the issue; they’re in the category of decorations.

Whether you carry them or not doesn’t matter much, often they’re just for display, akin to ornaments.

Especially since Pei Yunxi is a celebrity.

If your wardrobe isn’t filled with luxury items, can you really call yourself a big shot?

“You don’t even need them.”

Jiang Chen said tactfully.

It’s definitely not about the money.

It’s just that waste is shameful.

Let alone putting them in cabinets, these bags might not even get a chance to return to the country, who knows, they might just end up gathering dust in the secluded villa, waiting to be tossed out like trash.

“Why wouldn’t I need them?”

Don’t say it.

She seems to like asking questions a lot recently.

Truly it’s a hundred thousand whys.

“You even carry counterfeits?”

A trace of helplessness appeared on Jiang Chen’s lips, so she really knew they were fake.

“Is there a difference?”

Pei Yunxi unexpectedly said, “The quality is about the same.”

Jiang Chen was astonished.

He didn’t quite understand the quality, but the value of these things isn’t in the quality, it’s in the brand.

Even if it’s an old rag, as long as it has a logo, it can attract a flock of fans.

“If Pei Yunxi was recognized for carrying counterfeit goods, haha…”

Jiang Chen joked with a smile.

Pei Yunxi glanced over, offering another succinct question.

“Would anyone laugh if you carried counterfeits?”

Jiang Chen’s smile froze, and then he was speechless.

Indeed.

Just like a former richest man once said, the very one who claimed he would make East Sea Disney unprofitable for twenty years — clothes, bags, cosmetics, what’s luxurious about them? Hotels, private jets, luxury yachts are true luxury.

In fact, his words could be elevated further.

The most expensive luxury in the world will always be people.

For ordinary people to carry counterfeits is just pretending when broke, indeed inviting ridicule, but what about truly powerful figures?

Luxuries are meant to bolster status, yet certain classes in this world don’t need external objects to enhance their status; on the contrary, if they choose to use certain brands, it’s an honor for those brands.

Or more precisely, for such people even carrying counterfeits, the counterfeits become more luxurious than the authentic items.

The main consumer market for luxury goods is undoubtedly the middle class and the nouveau riche.

But oddly enough, more and more ordinary people are joining in, leading to the rapid rise of the counterfeit market.

The founder of a luxury brand once voiced his puzzling dilemma, stating he couldn’t understand why the products he designed for the rich were being sought after by the poor.

Comparatively.

Buying counterfeits is just vanity.

While those employees in shopping malls with monthly salaries of thousands scrimp and save to queue up to buy canvas bags with big logos, it’s not only vanity, it’s also a loud declaration of their own poverty and foolishness.

No matter whether an ordinary person carries authentic goods or counterfeits, it’s always inappropriate; after all, even the founder stated it wasn’t meant for lower tiers. But for someone like Pei Yunxi, it always makes sense whether they carry authentic goods or counterfeits.

Carrying authentic goods is as expected.

Carrying counterfeits shows they are down-to-earth and relatable.

So.

Do we need to distinguish between real and fake or right and wrong? The real task is to strive to improve oneself.

Once I cross the border, a great scholar will debate for me.

Pei Yunxi wasn’t much of a talker before, the typical goddess persona, just slightly better than Tanki Liuli, but since arriving in Myanmar, entering a “world of two”, she seems to have opened up a lot more.

It was at this point Jiang Chen realized, her speech is quite articulate, even sharp!

Good thing there’s no sight of K.E replicas here, or who knows how she’d react.

“Buy something for your parents too.”

Jiang Chen, left speechless, could only change the subject.

The largest marketplace in Karuzi truly lives up to its reputation, offering a vast array of items for sale.

For instance, the most popular item here is jade stone.

Xia Wanqing’s brother was lured here because of this, wasn’t he?

Gold has a price, jade is priceless.

There was a time when jade stone was highly sought after domestically—a tiny rock could sell for a fortune. Although it’s gotten better, the market remains massive.

Just like luxury goods.

A few pieces of handcrafted leather sewn together—is it really worth hundreds of thousands?

It doesn’t matter.

It’s priceless if I want it.

As long as the buyer thinks it’s worth it, then it’s worth it.

Though chaotic, this market is at least basically organized, with areas divided so those buying accessories are together, and those buying jade and stones are together.

Jiang Chen quickly noticed that many Shen Zhou people were here, especially in the Jadeite District, where every stall was surrounded by crowds.

The visitors aren’t just customers but also profit-seekers and speculators. For instance, with jade, with a stroke of luck, items here might flip outside for a multiple or even dozens of times the price, possibly leading to instant success.

“Wanna try one?”

Jiang Chen and his group stopped at a stall, which was not that crowded.

Without Jiang Chen’s command, even the guards didn’t dare arbitrarily clear the space.

Jade stone is sold all over domestically; it’s not surprising, but there’s a particular way to play that’s rare to experience at home.

That’s stone gambling.

Simply put, it’s like opening a blind box: Pay a price far below the finished product, buy an entire rough stone—that is, the raw material. No one knows what’s inside, it’s a gamble. It might turn out to be nothing but a worthless rock or might reveal Imperial Green.

That’s why stone gambling is said to be a blade of heaven or hell.

“Have you tried it?”

“Nah, whether you’ve played this or not doesn’t matter, it’s all about luck. If luck’s on our side, we won’t need to spend any more on gifts for your parents.”

Truly, worthy of a capitalist.

Indeed knows how to calculate.

Stone gambling requires courage and capital; many ask, but few dare to actually do it. After all, rough stones aren’t cheap, with the top grade reaching hundreds of thousands.

That’s right.

Rough stones also have grades. Professionals can estimate the probability of uncovering quality goods through their surface color, texture, patterns, and even feel—akin to picking watermelons.

“Let’s try.”

Pei Yunxi seemed utterly unbothered by courtesy, or perhaps had great confidence in her luck.

And since they’re here, experiencing the local specialty game is a must.

“How do you gamble on stones?”

Jiang Chen raised his voice in inquiry.

The stall owner, a middle-aged man with a dark complexion and fierce look, immediately seemed like a wrongdoer at first glance.

Of course.

Judging by appearance is inadvisable.

“Choose the rough stone yourself; different stones have different prices.”

“Can you cut here?”

Upon hearing that, the stall owner seemed to take it seriously, motioning others aside, looking at Jiang Chen in the back.

“Yes, but there’s a 10% cutting fee; take whatever it turns out to be.”

Jiang Chen nodded.

Business should be conducted transparently.

“Playing?”

He asked Pei Yunxi.

“Brought enough money?”

Pei Yunxi replied.

Brought enough money?

What kind of talk is that!

Jiang Chen chuckled, and said to the fierce-looking stall owner, “Bring out your most expensive stone.”

The stall owner’s eyes flickered, realizing a big client might be here, immediately stopped minding other customers, and fetched several large stones from behind the display case.

“These are my best rough stones here, ten thousand per kilo.”

“RMB?”

“RMB.”

The stall owner nodded, clearly recognizing Jiang Chen’s origin.

Shen Zhou people in Myanmar are too common to be surprising.

Looking at the large rough stones fetched, estimated to weigh tens of kilos combined, Boss Jiang maintained the same air of wealth as in the luxury store earlier.

“Can’t a bulk purchase get a discount?”