I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

Pei Xiang smiled and packed the books for George Rexa, and at the same time silently recited in his heart the well-known truth that "customers who are rich and generous and don't bargain are worthy of extra consideration and tolerance".

"Professor Rexxar, welcome to come next time."

"Goodbye, Miss Hoffman, I hope to drink tea with you next time."

"Next time...we can appreciate Mr. G's new work while drinking tea. I hope Professor Rexar will continue to love this great cause of collecting."

"I am also looking forward to Mr. G's new works, and...Miss Hoffman's wonderful story."

"goodbye!"

Watching the gentle and elegant professor walk out of the store and board the carriage, Pei Xiang finally put away the standard smile on his face.

She and the ginger-colored short-legged cat lazily passing by outside the window looked at each other, and suddenly sighed sincerely, feeling that the previous offer of ten pounds was still a bit low.

—If I had known that Mr. Rexxar "loved" the collection of books so much, I should have increased the total price by another pound or two.

That night, after dinner, Pei Xiang and his elder brother Edward talked about their work during the day.After discussing for a while the quotations of several OEM factories in Liverpool and Manchester, they talked about the turnover of "House of Thorns" that day.

"Mr. G's work has been sold?"

After Edward heard the news, he couldn't help but feel happy for the friend he had never met, and he asked happily:

"Lucy, did that gentleman really admire Mr. G's paintings so much? Do you know his name? Thirty pounds, he paid in one lump sum?"

"Yes, Mr. Rexa likes G's works very much," Pei Xiang said with a smile after taking a bite of the fruit cut into small pieces, "He not only bought the "Sky Fire", but also bought Mr. G's works. The other two imitations and seven second-hand books were all paid in one lump sum. He is a generous gentleman."

"Mr. Rexxar?" Edward tried to remember if he had heard the gentleman's name before.

Pei Xiang reminded: "He came with Professor Daniel, listening to their conversation, it should be a relationship between colleagues and friends. Moreover, Professor Daniel called Mr. Rexxar 'Professor'."

Edward let out an "ah" and suddenly said:

"Professor Daniel works in a research institute near the Albert Dock... I remembered that when I applied for a preferential license for Captain Butler, I heard a professor George Rexar mentioned.

"It is said that he is smart and gentle, obsessed with research and has made a lot of achievements. Many investors in large shipyards wanted to hire him as a consultant. Even the military asked him to buy out some patented inventions, but he rejected them all. Many people have commented that Professor Rexar is a very pure scholar."

"It sounds like, well, Mr. Rexxar has outstanding talent and good character." Pei Xiang blinked and sighed softly.

Edward nodded in agreement, with a hint of admiration in his brows.

He didn't read much, but he respected learned people very much, so he naturally had a good impression of a gentleman like Rexxar.

But his sister doesn't think so.

After getting along for a short time during the day, Pei Xiang already had his own judgment.She absolutely did not believe that George Rexar was a purely scientific researcher, and at the same time, she always had doubts about why he bought those second-hand books.

If there was no vigilance from her intuition, during the day, she would never have actively promoted sales like that.Because she knew very well that if there were some unknown secrets, the more keen she was on trading to make money, the less she would arouse special suspicion.

At this time, Edward's exclamation interrupted Pei Xiang's thoughts.

"Lucy, did you really sell those books for ten pounds?"

"Yes, Edward."

"But the cost of those books is not more than one pound, and the profit is ten times the profit... God, your little shop looks ordinary, but the profit is so high! If you look at this alone, even Bart Captain Le's business looks eclipsed."

Pei Xiang smiled and said: "Brother, if Mr. G didn't master so many languages ​​and related subject knowledge, he would definitely not be able to pick up the leaks at the second-hand bookstore. Therefore, the cost of this business can't just look at the cost of buying books, but also the cost of buying books." Count the cost of learning."

"It's true. You really can't just look at the surface," Edward nodded slightly, and then warned in a gentle voice, "Lucy, if Mr. G is willing to continue teaching you some knowledge, you must cherish the opportunity."

"Well, I understand," Pei Xiang frowned, "By the way, Edward, do you still remember the commission I mentioned to you before? That is, um, if I sell Mr. G's paintings, I will You can get a certain percentage of the bonus."

"Of course I do. I'm glad for you, Lucy."

"Edward, I now have an income of three pounds a month, and I get some more or less commissions from time to time, but I don't have much to spend on my own. In this way, my income is completely accumulated. Brother, I want to use this money to improve the living conditions of the Hoffman family."

Edward was slightly startled, then shook his head and said:

"Lucy, you can save the money you earn first, and deposit it in the bank regularly to increase the interest. When you get married, the money will be part of your dowry."

"No, Edward, I don't want to deposit all my income in the bank." Pei Xiang rejected his brother's proposal aloud.

Edward looked puzzled.

Pei Xiang explained: "Brother, I want to make some small investments."

"Investment?" Edward pondered, "What? If it's investing in a factory, the money is too little."

"Of course not investing now. The generous Mr. Rexa liked G's painting very much. Before he left today, he ordered G's next work from me. At the same time, he also likes several other landscape paintings in the store. Make an appointment with those painters.

"Brother, these are all commissioned. If that Mr. Rexxar can really do what he says, I will get a very rich income in the near future."

This made Edward frown.

He knew a little about the "House of Thorns", and he knew that none of the consigned paintings there were works by famous painters, and there had never been a market for them.

——It is not enough for this Mr. Reixa to buy one or two paintings, but he wants to buy more unknown works?

——If G’s work moved him and made him not stingy with money because of a pure love, then it is still reasonable.However, if Mr. G's works are not the only ones that are favored...

——somewhat strange.It's like sending money on purpose.

Edward thinks that he doesn't know much about the quality of artworks, but because of his work, he has come into contact with wealthy and high-ranking gentlemen. It's rare that someone spends so much money on a work by an unknown artist.

——Unless, Professor Rexxar has another purpose.

Thinking of this, a flash of inspiration flashed in Edward's mind, he subconsciously leaned forward, and looked seriously at his sister who was sitting not far away.

In the eyes of the elder brother, the younger sister, who is under 20 years old, is already slim and graceful, and she looks absolutely beautiful and charming. The long curly golden chestnut hair and the misty blue bright eyes match surprisingly.When she smiled, there wasn't a more attractive girl on the block.

——To be honest, there are actually several reasons why a man spends money recklessly...

"Lucy, does Professor Rexxar know that you can get a commission from the income from selling paintings?" Edward asked the question in a calm tone, thinking that he did it quietly.

Pei Xiang paused slightly while eating the fruit.

As soon as she thought about it, she came up with a new idea.

So, she didn't seem to care much and replied:

"I haven't mentioned this to him. After all, I just met him and I'm not very familiar with it. But I seem to have mentioned this to Professor Daniel before. I don't know if he told Professor Rexxar."

"That's it," Edward rubbed his chin, and asked again, "Since Professor Rexa and Professor Daniel are friends, they should be about the same age, right? I don't know how many children there are in Professor Rexa's family. Is it also like Professor Daniel, who has a son and a daughter at home?"

"I don't know much about this either," Pei Xiang said with a slight smile, "That professor seems to be five or six years younger than Professor Daniel. Listening to their conversation, Professor Rexa seems to be single. Brother, you ask so much to do What? Didn't we just discuss investment? Why are you gossip about a strange man you met on the first day?"

Edward cleared his throat in embarrassment, and explained calmly:

"Just asking casually, after all, he is a big customer in the store. If he has children at home, we can prepare some small gifts that the children like and send them over at Christmas, thanking him for his trust in 'House of Thorns' and support."

"Hey, brother, you have a good idea!"

Pei Xiang's eyes lit up, and he said happily:

"I will sort out the list of regular customers of the store tomorrow, and I will send some small gifts from time to time in the future. As for Professor Rexxar's family situation, I will gradually get familiar with it later, and I will find a time that is not offensive. Bar.

"Hey, a gentleman as gentle and educated as Professor Rexar will definitely marry a beautiful wife from a good family. Therefore, the small gifts in our store should be novel and unique, so as not to arouse disgust and self-defeating."

These words were like a heavy hammer, knocking away certain thoughts in Edward's mind in time.

The young Mr. Hoffman's heart sank suddenly, and then he thought to himself mockingly:

"I'm really confused, I only think that Professor Rexxar has a good reputation and talent, and maybe he will be a good match for Lucy, but I ignore the unequal social status between men and women.

"Well, in my eyes, Lucy is good everywhere, absolutely worthy of any man in the world, but in the eyes of the world... After all, the Hoffman family is too poor.

"If Lucy could have a better background, even if she became the daughter of a factory owner or an upstart, she could still get the love and commitment of a decent gentleman. But now... the sister of a poor boy and a promising young man Professor? The gap is too big."

Pei Xiang lowered his eyebrows and secretly apologized to Edward in his heart.

She doesn't want to play tricks with her closest relatives if she can.But her elder brother was too insistent on some things, and she didn't want him to bear too many hardships in life alone.Therefore, some strategies must be adopted sometimes.

For example, in the conversation tonight, after she noticed some of Edward's pink thoughts, she decided to seize this opportunity to use it a little bit, and find another way to persuade her brother to make some changes and choices.

——I'm not worried about my marriage, but this guy Edward, he can't be a bachelor all the time, can he?

——However, in this era, if a man does not have a lot of property, he will definitely miss many good girls with excellent conditions.

——I have to make the Hoffman family rich quickly, so as to ensure that Edward will not miss the opportunity to obtain happiness due to economic reasons.Who knows the identity and background of his Destiny's Child.

Thinking of this, Pei Xiang softly said:

"Brother, by this time next year, I should be able to save a small sum of money. Then, I will borrow a sum of money from Mr. G to invest in Captain Butler's business together. What do you think?"

Edward fell silent.

If it was before tonight, when he heard that his sister wanted to borrow money from Mr. G to invest in this plan, his first reaction would definitely be to disapprove, let alone help her consider the investment issue.

However, just now he felt sad because his sister was doomed to miss a gentleman like Rexxar, and at this moment he immediately discovered an opportunity that was very likely to change the status quo of the family.This refusal... I can't say it.

"Brother, let's discuss this matter carefully."

Pei Xiang pretended not to be aware of his brother's rich inner activities, and said enthusiastically:

"When we borrow money from G, we must pay interest. It's not taking advantage. And, brother, Captain Butler said when he came to the house for dinner last time. He is very willing to add a few reliable business partners to share the risk. If you If you propose a joint venture to him, he will definitely welcome it.

"What's more, if we want to invest, we can also include G. Brother, G has some spare money, but he, um, to be honest, he doesn't like business and making money. The prodigal son has a personality and refuses to do property planning at all, so we can help him with investment and financial management. This is a win-win situation for all three parties."

Edward had to admit that he was somewhat persuaded by his sister.

To be honest, facing a good opportunity to make money, how could he not be tempted?He is not a naive person who doesn't know how expensive he is when he is not in charge of his family.

He didn't allow his younger sister to accept too many favors from Mr. G, because he was afraid that his younger sister would be looked down upon, despised, and tricked.

But now my younger sister helps that Mr. G manage the "House of Thorns", and has become a shrewd girl who can take care of herself.There are some things that he doesn't have to guard against so strictly.

What's more, he witnessed and felt his sister's growth and transformation with his own eyes, and gained a deeper understanding of her personality and temper.Day by day, he has gained a kind of self-confidence, that is, there are not many people who can make this girl suffer and be fooled.

"Borrowing money... What if we lose money? We don't have equivalent collateral."

"But we can still make money with our labor. At that time, after a few years of hard work and frugality, we can always return the money to G with interest. Brother, are you afraid? Do you think you don't have the ability to get ahead? ?Would you be willing to spend your whole life on the run without fear of losing your chance for adventure?"

Enraged by the young sister's counter-question, Edward felt a surge of pride in his chest.He took a deep breath, nodded slowly, and said in a deep voice:

"Okay, I promise this."

——Since I have the help of a noble person like Mr. G, I should seize the opportunity and repay it twice in the future.

Seeing that Edward finally let go of his promise, Pei Xiang's brows were filled with joy.

—George Rexar is such a nice guy, so useful...