The He’er secondhand shop in the north part of the city was bustling. Being a new store, drums and gongs marked the opening, attracting a crowd.
Shu Rui pushed in, noticing paper remnants from firecrackers littering the floor. The shop had hired a lion dance team; the yellow lion leapt atop a tall platform, lively and vivid.
Shu Rui soon moved inside. The shop was enormous—already wide on the first floor, and three stories high—the largest secondhand store in the east city.
According to the assistant, the first floor sold furniture, the second floor utensils, and the third floor clothing. Everything was organized by floor; shoppers could go to the relevant floor. If undecided, one could leisurely browse all three floors.
Shu Rui stayed on the first floor, having the assistant show him the furniture. There was plenty—beds, couches, cabinets, tables, and smaller items like basins, tubs, stools, and chairs. High-quality materials like rosewood, huanghuali, and zitan were available, alongside ordinary pieces.
Although labeled “secondhand,” the items were refurbished, some freshly lacquered, appearing hardly used. Many were of excellent quality.
Shu Rui pointed at an elm couch and asked the price. The assistant said about two hundred coins. Shu Rui calculated that a new one on the market would cost over four hundred.
Even accounting for Tong’s carpentry quote, the refurbished couch was nearly four hundred coins. Shu Rui knew old and new items couldn’t be directly compared; he only considered value.
He asked about two bedframes—one pine, one huanghuali. The assistant replied: “High-quality beds. Pine costs two guan three qian; huanghuali is ten guan. You have a good eye; these two are the best we have. All items were inspected by veteran carpenters.”
Shu Rui paused. The beds were solid and well-made, though pricey.
As he continued browsing, asking prices and calculating, he found the secondhand furniture was roughly 60% of the price of comparable new items—still reasonable.
Prices varied with condition, but it also indicated room for negotiation.
“You have such a large shop, yet only these two beds? Do you have other styles?”
“The furniture takes up space, so only two are on display. There’s plenty more in the back warehouse. If you don’t mind, I can take you to see them.”
Shu Rui immediately followed him to the back. Indeed, the shop had a sizable storeroom. Unlike the carefully arranged display in front, most of the furniture was stacked together tightly to save space. It didn’t look as elegant as the front, but it was easier to judge the actual quality.
Shu Rui dove in, examining the pieces. He ended up choosing two elm bedframes, a couch, and a dressing table. Unfortunately, the matching cabinet for the dressing table wasn’t available.
He asked the price: the beds were two guan each; the couch was about the same as those displayed in front.
In his mind, beds and couches were just wooden frames—solid and durable was what mattered. As long as the mattress or padding was clean and comfortable, it didn’t matter if someone had used the furniture before.
He thought it best to place the old furniture in the east room first, using it himself and with Lu Ling. This would save money compared to ordering new pieces, and he wouldn’t have to wait for construction.
Deciding this, Shu Rui said to the assistant, “Honestly, I like these beds. I’ll take both. Can you give me a good price?”
The assistant quickly calculated on his abacus. “You have a good eye for quality. Our shop is newly opened and wants to build a reputation, so we haven’t priced things randomly. Two beds would be four guan, but with our opening discount, you pay only 3 guan 2 qian. Where else would you get such a deal?”
Shu Rui realized he had forgotten about the shop’s promotional opening. That made the price even better.
He wasn’t one to buy cheap without quality.
“I am sincere in my purchase. Besides the beds, I’d like a cabinet and some smaller furniture for the rooms. Since I came all the way from the south city, make it a good deal. That basin stand and small flower table look fine—can they be included?”
“Those smaller items may cost a few dozen coins. It’s hard to give them away!”
Shu Rui saw the assistant was firm and shook his head lightly. “Alright, I’ll think about it. Several guan isn’t a small sum.”
The assistant said, “You’re really formidable, sir.” Then added, “If it were up to me, I’d set any price you want. But I’m just a helper. Why don’t you sit in the hall with some tea while I ask the manager and come back with an answer?”
Shu Rui smiled and replied, “Thanks, then.”
After a while, he felt thirsty from all the talking, so he drank several bowls of tea in the hall. The assistant soon returned.
“Our manager thanks you for visiting. If you really like the two beds, the basin stands, and two flower tables, we can do half-sell, half-give—five discounts—four items for 100 coins.”
Shu Rui’s eyes lit up. A good deal like that was too good to pass up.
“Alright. But first, confirm: does your shop deliver and set up furniture?”
The assistant said, “In town, yes; outside the city, extra transport fees apply. Small items are simple, but for these bedframes, a veteran carpenter must come to inspect and deliver. That’ll cost fifty coins.”
Shu Rui understood the rules for secondhand goods; some included delivery, others required extra payment. This was reasonable, so he didn’t argue.
After securing the furniture, Shu Rui hurried back, stopping by Qing’er’s alley to call him to the shop to help move the old small couch and Lu Ling’s floor bedding for the carpenter to set up.
By afternoon, the furniture had been delivered and assembled. Yang Chunhua came over, curious. Once the beds were set up, the three of them shook and tested them thoroughly.
“They’re really good—and not expensive. Do you have chests? I’d like two for storing clothes and fabric.”
Seeing Shu Rui’s purchases were worthwhile, Yang Chunhua wanted a bargain too.
“There are plenty of styles,” Shu Rui said. “If you buy now during the shop’s opening, you can get a better deal than usual.”
Yang Chunhua’s excitement grew. The young deliveryman suggested riding her donkey cart to the shop to save effort. Seeing no customers in the afternoon, Shu Rui agreed to look after the shop briefly, so she went along.
Qing’er liked the beds but felt a little envious watching Yang Chunhua go. He had wanted a cabinet and chests too, but with few clothes, everything had to be stored in bundles hung on the wall or behind the door. Only his mother had proper furniture from when she married his father.
Shu Rui noticed Qing’er’s longing. “We’re not busy here. Do you want to come along? They have not just furniture, but clothing too.”
Qing’er shook his head. “Better not. I want a cabinet, but I can’t afford it yet. Buying something I can’t pay for would only make me unhappy.”
Even small chests cost a hundred or so coins; cabinets cost several hundred. Qing’er had little income from odd jobs, so spending freely was impossible.
Shu Rui understood and cut two pieces of melon, giving one to Qing’er.
“Since you’re here, I’ll tell you. We’re setting up the inn, and there’s a lot to do. Can you come by to help? I’m busy with procurement and overseeing the business and need an extra hand.”
Qing’er, eating the sweet, cold melon, immediately set it down.
“So soon?! You mean I can start working here in the next few days?”
Shu Rui nodded. “Exactly.”
“I’ll make time!” Qing’er quickly agreed. He had been waiting for Shu Rui’s invitation, expecting to wait until the end of the year, but now it was sooner.
Shu Rui discussed wages and days off. Currently, servers and assistants in inns earned 800 coins to 1 guan 5 qian per month. Qing’er’s previous employer only gave 800 coins.
Shu Rui offered 1 guan 2 qian—not because of familiarity, but because he valued Qing’er’s work appropriately.
As for days off, he set four per month.
Qing’er’s eyes brightened. “Really 1 guan 2 qian and four days off?!”
Being honest, he remarked, “Usually girls only get 1 guan; boys get more.”
Shu Rui smiled. “I know the market. I’ll pay a fair middle rate. Once the inn is running and business improves, we can raise your wage. Just work diligently.”
“I’ll work hard. If I don’t, I’d feel guilty taking this pay.”
“Even if you only got 800 coins a month, I’d still want you here. I won’t treat you like that cruel couple before.”
Shu Rui patted Qing’er’s hand. “If you’re free, you can start tomorrow.”
Qing’er eagerly agreed.
They finalized a written contract, each signing and sealing it. Even with familiarity, a formal contract ensured clarity and recourse if needed.
With Qing’er’s work settled, Shu Rui went shopping for some vegetables on the street before heading to Lu Ling’s house.
Lu Ling had returned unusually early.
“When did you get all this done?”
Lu Ling, sweating from a morning of martial practice, rushed inside to shower and change, knowing Shu Rui preferred cleanliness. He quickly changed and went to handle the financial matters.
“Before, the room was empty. How did you get it all set up?”
The room had been bare in the morning; now it had beds, curtains, tables, and a cabinet—fully furnished and comfortable.
Shu Rui said, “How is it? The carpenter just finished.”
“Very nice!” Lu Ling said joyfully. “I don’t even want to go back tonight to check it out.”
Then he wanted to peek into Shu Rui’s room: “Did you get new furniture there too?”
“I’ve set them all up—over here I added a bedframe, two small flower tables, and a basin stand.”
Shu Rui said, “A new secondhand shop just opened in the north of the city. What I bought are refurbished items, very reasonably priced. The rooms in the inn won’t need old furniture, but for the rooms we’ll be staying in, it doesn’t matter.”
Lu Ling knew Shu Rui was always careful with money; he didn’t mind using old furniture, only worried it might inconvenience him.
“I don’t mind at all. You don’t realize, using these old pieces in our two rooms might save four or five guan that would’ve gone into new furniture. That’s more than a month of your wages. I’m only happy about it.”
Shu Rui pressed his lips, eyes briefly glancing elsewhere. “I’m fond of good things, but for now we make do. Once we earn more, we can buy a new house and proper furniture of quality materials for us. Life is long—we won’t always have to use old items.”
Lu Ling’s words gave Shu Rui hope for the future, lifting his spirits. He smiled, amazed that old furniture could bring such joy.
“Zhong Dayang says the west city houses are the best. We can settle there later.”
Shu Rui felt a little embarrassed at talking so long about future plans and urged, “Let’s not worry about that now. Earning money comes first. Go take your bath—if you dawdle, the pawnshop will be closing.”
Lu Ling nodded and asked Shu Rui to wash his clothes, saying they were made by Mrs. Liu.
“Got it. I’ll wash them—you even reminded me.”