Chapter 62: Salvaging

Although she didn’t know what kind of wood the furniture was made of, Luo Qiao could tell from the exquisite craftsmanship that these pieces must have come from wealthy households.

She wondered why they were preserved so well and had remained here for such a long time.

Luo Qiao pondered how she would discuss these pieces with the people outside later. After exploring a room full of junk without finding anything useful, she circled through several other storage rooms before returning to the one with books and newspapers to gather some items. Then, she slung her storage bag over her shoulder and headed outside.

She wondered if the furniture had an owner. When she reached the gate, she weighed and settled her bill.

Luo Qiao asked, “Ma’am, may I inquire about purchasing the two chairs and small table leaning against the wall in the storage room inside?”

The woman didn’t expect the young girl to be interested in those items. They were left behind by someone from the Revolutionary Committee before, but that person had gotten into trouble before the New Year and was imprisoned. Because the items were a bit pricey and no one wanted them, they were just left there.

Luo Qiao was afraid they might think she was just casually asking, so she said seriously, “My family is from the countryside outside of the city. My brother is getting married soon, but we don’t have much money to buy furniture. So I wanted to ask if those chairs and the table inside are for sale. If the price is right, we’d like to buy them to make my brother’s wedding more presentable.”

The workers at the gate glanced at each other. The woman from earlier said, “Why don’t we ask and see what they say?”

So a middle-aged man behind her walked into the office behind him. A few minutes later, the man came out and said, “I asked. The furniture can be sold, but the price isn’t low.

Of course, they’re definitely cheaper than new ones. But as you can see, aside from one chair with a broken leg, the rest just need a fresh coat of paint to look like new.

For those two tables and three chairs, it’s thirty-five yuan,” Luo Qiao heard thirty-five yuan and felt a pang.

But recalling what the older man had said earlier, she asked, “Sir, you mentioned there were two tables and three chairs inside, but I clearly saw only one table and two chairs.”

The middle-aged man smiled and said, “We’re using one set in our office. If you want them, we’ll bring them out.”

Luo Qiao was hesitant. “Sir, could you lower the price a bit more? We really don’t have that much money.”

The man perhaps sensed that the young girl before him might not afford the higher amount, so he said, “The lowest is thirty yuan. I can’t go any lower. Take it if you want, otherwise, forget about it.”

Luo Qiao put on a pitiful look and asked, “Sir, really can’t lower the price a bit more? Those things are just gathering dust there. If you can reduce it a bit more, we’ll take them.”

The man replied, “I can’t go any lower. We really don’t need those furniture pieces. If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing more I can do.”

Luo Qiao pondered for a while, then looked up at the man again, “Sir, could you help me deliver them to the back alley? My family will come to pick me up there shortly, so they won’t have to come here again. Otherwise, we’ll be late getting home. Is that okay?”

After discussing among themselves, they also brought out the set used in the office. Seeing the amount of furniture, they thought it would be better to help deliver them now to avoid affecting their departure after work.

The older woman who had advised Luo Qiao earlier spoke up, “Young lady, there’s quite a bit of stuff here. Can you handle it?”