Chapter 211 - Black Card

Wang Ming had a few gift ideas in mind. The classic gifts when you meet your girlfriend's parents are antiques, flowers and wine. He wasn't about to blow out his bank. But the gift had to be substantial enough. He didn't want them to think that he's a prodigal Young Master. But he also couldn't be stingy. As it could make her parents believe that he's not capable enough to take care of her.

FengShong market had a few antique stores, but most of them sold overpriced goods. Paintings and jades he could buy for 50 thousand yuan they sold for double the price. So Wang Ming drove with Ming Ming to another market, one specialized in selling antiques. It's the same street where he stone gambled last time. Thinking about when he bought the did it, Wang Ming realized he was just plain stupid for gambling with all his money.

But at the time, he felt like he couldn't lose. The feeling was almost like he knew which stones held jades and which didn't. He didn't know if the artifact played a role in this or if he just had stupid luck.

It was still early, so there weren't many people out on the streets. Yet the street stalls had started their business. Most stalls sold goods they had found or bought. Wang Ming was sure that many even sold stolen goods, but they would never admit to it.

As they say, the early bird gets the worm. People who's looking for great opportunities had already started purchasing items, the most serious people go in the mornings as there're fewer disturbances.

Ming Ming loved every second of their trip, she had never been to an antique street before. She ran around to look at the goods from various stalls. But most stalls sent her away as they sell antiques if she damages them, then they would lose money. These stalls don't have cameras, so even if they wanted compensation there had to be witnesses.

"Ming Ming, you can pick one item whatever you want I'll buy it okay?" Seeing her sad face, Wang Ming would let her buy one item to cheer her up. It didn't matter too much, except if the item cost too much.

"Mmm, thank you Daddy." Ming Ming cheered up, at least she could get something. Wang Ming didn't understand why they were being rude, he's accompanying Ming Ming, if they're being rude to her, then why would he buy from them?

They went through stall after stall, but nothing caught their eyes. He didn't think that Ming Ming would be so picky. There were multiple shops selling cute toys, but she didn't even care about them.

In only twenty minutes, they had gone through the entire street. And yet they hadn't bought a single item yet. What deterred Wang Ming the most is that every stall sells so many fake items. Even though he's a complete beginner at examining antiques, he could see almost 95% of the items sold in the stalls are fake.

Seeing the so-called pros advise their clients to buy fake items made him sigh. He wouldn't be a busybody and tell them that, though. He could only be sad for their losses. Even though his eyesight isn't as good as a microscope, Wang Ming found out that if he holds an object and concentrates enough, he could see even the tiniest crack on an object.

He had never learnt how to spot a fake material from a real one. But how could an old antique have a smooth texture like something made in the 20th century? It just isn't possible. Even how well a fake is, it can never fool a well-trained eye.

There was a specific shop on the street which was bustling with business. Wang Ming didn't know exactly, but at least half the street had visited the shop. Only one word could describe the shop, majestic. The sun shone on the shops' wall, which made the shops' golden walls look incredible. Even the steps to the shop had a golden paint. The shop's exterior looked exactly like something you would find in the forbidden city. Somewhere only an emperor would frequent. On top of the shop hung a golden banner which said Golden Antique Shop.

What a fitting name Wang Ming thought.

Ming Ming's eyes shone seeing the shop, with hurried steps, she dragged Wang Ming towards the shop. But at the door stood Two menacing guards with concealed pistols stared them down, frightening her. "Stop! Only members can enter."

"Daddy!" Ming Ming jumped into Wang Ming's embrace. Seeing her frightened made him mad, but he didn't blame as they're guards and only doing their job. Calming himself down, Wang Ming said. "Sorry, we didn't know. How do I become a member?"

The guard who had warned them earlier. Answered with a nicer tone. "Sir, if you want to become a member. You need a net worth of 3 million yuan. You can then talk with our manager to sign up. If you have the qualifications, then I'll call the manager."

The other guard just scoffed at his colleague and said loudly for them all to hear. "Why even bother, look at that guy. He probably has 3 thousand yuan to his name, he just wants to use the girl for compassion. Don't waste your time Luo Bohai."

Luo Bohai couldn't argue with Lai Chang, his superior. So he could only flash a wry smile and say. "Sorry, Sir if you don't have the requirements then you need to leave."

Wang Ming appreciated Luo Bohai's attitude, he was just doing his job. But the other guard's horrible attitude triggered him. Does he have to wear rich man's clothing for people to give him some decency? "Is this proof enough?" Wang Ming pulled out a black card. Which he received in the mail yesterday. The bank reserve these cards only for people who use at least 10 million yuan a year.

He had qualified for this when he paid 10 million yuan to buy the flower shop. People like him who transfer colossal sums often. Are the customers the banks like the most.

Both guards felt their jaw drop when they saw Wang Ming's card, they had seen this card multiple times. Lai Chang grabbed the card with trembling hands. Examining it. He felt weak, which almost made him drop the card. "It's real…" Luo Bohai had done nothing wrong, so he only felt surprise and admiration. He had only wanted to help Wang Ming all along.

Lai Chang had to rectify his mistake. With a pleasant tone, he tried to plead with Wang Ming. "Mister Wang, please excuse my earlier behavior. My wife just left me. I didn't mean what I said my frustration got the better of me. I'll get the manager now."

Usually they just use their intercom to call the manager. But Lai Chang ran like his life was on the line, which it truly is. If his wife knows he lost his job, then she would leave him for real. The only thing that makes their relationship survive is the money he earns.

It only took a minute for Lai Chang to back. He ran with a middle-aged man.

Seeing the manager's stature and clothing made Wang Ming think that this shop had to pay well. The man wore expensive clothing and had a massive belly. "Manager Lai, this is the man. Please let him sign up."

Manager Lai had never seen Lai Chang so polite before, the only reason he even hired him. Is because they are cousins. Else he would never have hired him. He has a horrible attitude. Lai Chang had probably offended this man somehow.

Shaking Wang Ming's hand Manager Lai said. "Hello, Sir. I'm Manager Lai, might I have your name and information?"

Seeing Manager Lai's professional attitude made Wang Ming feel better. He thought the manager would also be a condescending bastard like the guard. "I'm Wang Ming."

Being a manager of this shop, Lai Ye is always up to date with the news. The name Wang Ming sounded so familiar. He just couldn't remember specifically why it did. "What's your current job?"

Wang Ming smiled and said. "I'm unemployed." His words made the guards surprised. How could a person like Wang Ming be unemployed? If an unemployed person could have a black card, then wouldn't everyone have a black card? The manager eyed the guards. Why would they call for him if he's unemployed? He still had a lot of work to do.

"Manager Lai, this is his card." Lai Chang gave him Wang Ming's card. Seeing the card made his eyes bulge. With a friendly tone, Manager Lai said. "Mr. Wang you jest. How could someone who can spend 10 million yuan in a year, be unemployed? Then wouldn't I be a beggar?"

Seeing the card, Manager Lai had no more doubts about Wang Ming's economic situation. He then recorded some basic information about Wang Ming. Then gave him the membership card and his black card back. Manager Lai hurriedly showed Wang Ming and Ming Ming in.

Lai Chang, still with a white face. Could only hope that Wang Ming wouldn't pursue his fault.