Chapter 1119: Chapter 419: Eye-Opening Trading Market (Part 2)
Additionally, there was another particularly intriguing spot that caught Zhou Wang’s attention.
In the opposite corner of the hall from the small stage, there was a corridor entrance labeled “VIP Passage,” guarded by security personnel, though it was unclear where it led to.
“Is this a place for group midnight snack gatherings?”
Zhou Wang knew there was likely more to it than met the eye, but he couldn’t resist making a playful remark.
“The midnight snacks here are indeed great. They’re made from fresh ingredients, prepared by top chefs on the spot, and the flavors range from south to north, from domestic to international. There’s almost everything you could want. You both should give it a try.”
Qiu Yao responded with a coy smile, then took two masks from the waiter standing at the entrance and handed them to Zhou Wang and Guo Bing.
Seeing their puzzled expressions, Qiu Yao explained with a laugh, “Usually, members who come here prefer to wear masks for convenience.”
“It’s not necessary.”
Zhou Wang didn’t bother to delve into the deeper meaning behind this. He figured it was probably for privacy reasons, so, to be cautious, he nodded toward the booths on either side.
“But we’d still like to have a booth, please.”
“Sure.”
Qiu Yao immediately led them to a booth at the corner, probably the best vantage point in the whole hall. From here, they could overlook the entire place and had a direct view of the small stage, right next to the corridor marked “VIP Passage.”
Zhou Wang found it puzzling. If privacy was a concern, why not have enclosed private rooms? Why use these semi-open booths?
After settling down with Guo Bing, Qiu Yao beckoned a waiter to bring over the current menu for Zhou Wang.
Zhou Wang flipped through it and noted that even for a midnight snack, the variety was incredibly extensive, just as Qiu Yao had implied. The eight major Chinese cuisines were all represented, with over a dozen dishes to choose from in each. The simpler Western cuisine offered even more variety, from appetizers to desserts, each with at least five or six choices.
“For appetizers, I’ll have the Hokkaido sea urchin with caviar and cucumber jelly, along with the black truffle cream mushroom soup. For the main course, a Kobe beef steak, please. No dessert, and a bottle of Dom Pérignon P3 vintage.”
Zhou Wang glanced briefly and made his choices without hesitation.
Western food was quicker, and after two to three hours of physical exertion, his hunger was intense.
As for Guo Bing, he didn’t even bother looking. After Zhou Wang made his order, he simply said, “Same for me.”
“You’re making it easy for yourself.”
Zhou Wang said with a bemused look at Guo Bing.
“Anyway, Yaoyao said everything here is delicious, so everything’s the same, isn’t it?”
Guo Bing shrugged with a nonchalant smile and then curiously looked at Qiu Yao. “Are you sure this isn’t a restaurant? No matter how I look at it, it doesn’t seem like the ‘Trading Market’ you mentioned.”
At this point, Qiu Yao picked up the tablet on the table, unlocked it with a password, and handed it to Zhou Wang and Guo Bing.
“Here, the Trading Market is right here.”
Zhou Wang had already noticed that this tablet wasn’t for ordering food. Almost all the guests in the hall were browsing the tablets, indicating that there must be something captivating on them.
Looking down at the screen, Zhou Wang saw that it resembled a HaiDiLao ordering system, showing various products with pictures and categorized navigation on the left.
However, the first few “items” listed caught Zhou Wang off guard.
“A luxurious private island near Indonesia’s Bawah Reserve, 8.2 acres in size, price: 48 million RMB.”
“Monaco Yacht Club (Yacht Club de Monaco) membership resale, price: 3 million RMB.”
“Southern Song Longquan Kiln, Green Glaze Folded Edge String Bottle, price: negotiable.”
…
Islands, club memberships, antiques…
The items displayed on the homepage alone prompted Zhou Wang to mentally scoff.
Do you really call these goods?
Fixing his gaze on the intricately beautiful green-glazed antique vase in the picture, Zhou Wang clicked on its details.
He wasn’t knowledgeable about these things, but surely it wasn’t a relic, right?
If it were a relic, selling it like this would be illegal, wouldn’t it?
“Mr. Zhou, are you interested in antiques? You have a good eye. This Green Glaze Folded Edge String Bottle produced by the Southern Song official kiln is a popular transaction item recently. Many members have shown an interest in purchasing it, but the seller’s price may be a bit high, which is why it hasn’t been sold yet…”
Qiu Yao commented with a timely smile from the side.
Zhou Wang neither confirmed nor denied, nor did he question the legality, as he wasn’t planning on buying anyway. Upon realizing that this so-called “Trading Market” wasn’t dealing with ordinary items, Zhou Wang picked up the tablet and continued browsing with interest.
Indeed, the “products” on this platform were quite vast and well-categorized.
Antiques and cultural goods, islands and estates, membership qualifications (immigration), luxury cars and mansions, luxury watches and bags, planes and yachts, custom phones…
All rare items circulating within the so-called luxury circles could be found on this small tablet.
Most items had clear price tags, though some were labeled as “negotiable.”
The club essentially served as a mediator platform. The boss backed every transaction with their reputation, ensuring both parties’ interests were protected.
“This platform wasn’t built by our boss alone, but with support from high-end club owners in Peng City, Hong Kong, Ao Island, and even Malaysia and Singapore, to dispel any doubts from all member clients.”
Qiu Yao chuckled, “So Mr. Zhou, if you and Mr. Guo have seen anything you’re interested in, there’s no need to worry about its authenticity or to get involved personally. Just sit here, and you can complete transactions effortlessly. The club will charge a fee based on membership level.”
That fee, I guess you get a share of it too?
Zhou Wang glanced at her, sensing that she was eager for them to make a purchase.
He wasn’t sure how the compensation worked for these one-on-one servicing female public relations, but clearly, it must be linked directly to the clients they serve.
However, Zhou Wang didn’t reveal her intentions. Instead, he refocused on the tablet.
At that moment, Zhou Wang suddenly noticed an intriguing “category.”
This category was named “Celebrity Pets.”
But these were clearly not ordinary pets.
Clicking on the category, Zhou Wang was immediately greeted with an array of small wild cats and big dogs, making him raise an eyebrow. As Guo Bing curiously leaned in, Zhou Wang quickly swiped his finger to “X” out of the category.
“Uncle, what interesting stuff? Let me have a look too!”
Guo Bing, not having seen the contents, exclaimed urgently.
“Kids shouldn’t mess with these things. Your father wouldn’t approve.”
Zhou Wang replied sternly, and as Guo Bing sheepishly drew back, Qiu Yao covered her mouth in laughter.
She obviously realized which category Zhou Wang had clicked into. Even when she first encountered it, she had been equally shocked.
There was even an idol in there that Qiu Yao used to be a fan of…
“Mr. Zhou doesn’t want to buy anything?”
However, Qiu Yao hadn’t forgotten her sales pitch, taking the opportunity since Zhou Wang’s female companion wasn’t around. If a deal could be initiated, the significant commission was solely hers.
“I do see something I’m interested in, but…”
Zhou Wang tapped his fingers, about to speak, when a sudden commotion came from the corridor marked “VIP Passage.”
“Old Qi, it’s not that I don’t want to help you this time, but your limit is overdrawn. You need to fill the previous gap first!”
Zhou Wang turned his head in surprise, seeing an anxious middle-aged man being half-carried out of the corridor by security. Speaking was another man, following closely behind, who looked like a manager.
“Manager Chen, we’ve known each other for a long time. Can’t you make an exception? Just let me in one more time. I have a feeling this time I’ll turn things around…”
The middle-aged man, dressed sharply in a suit, was resisting while turning to plead.
Zhou Wang was somewhat surprised because the middle-aged man called “Old Qi” spoke with a noticeable Yunnan Province accent in his less-than-perfect Mandarin, suggesting he was from Zhou Wang’s hometown.
“What is that VIP Passage for?”
But Zhou Wang didn’t know the man, so he just glanced at him before turning his attention back, driven by curiosity, and asked Qiu Yao.
With a slightly dismissive glance at the pleading man, Qiu Yao softly replied:
“That passage leads directly to Ao Island…”