Linda spoke in a hushed tone, "Nan, this store is so strange, there's no staff?"

Nancy blinked, "Maybe the jade industry here is not doing well."

Feeling sorry for the old man sunbathing at the door, Linda suggested, "Nan, shall we buy something if we like it? That grandpa looks so pitiful."

"Sure."

Nancy turned to Charlie with a sweet smile, "It's okay, my husband is rich!"

"Umm, sure."

Linda was fed up with being force-fed this display of affection.

She grumbled but soon was happily browsing with Nancy.

After a short while, Linda pouted, "No wonder there are no customers! This is practically a rip-off store! The cheapest jade bracelet is thirty thousand! That's outrageous!"

Nancy, looking through the glass counter, disagreed, "Although a bit expensive, Linda, the jade quality here is high. It's not a rip-off."

"Really?"

Linda scrutinized the items in the counter, finding many to her liking.

"Since you say the quality is good, I’ll pick my favorite one to buy."

Nancy didn't lack jewelry, having received many from Charlie's relatives, including several priceless sets.

She preferred not to wear such items, finding them cumbersome.

"I'll pick some small pendants or something. You look for yours."

Nancy walked deeper into the shop and finally stopped where there were jade pendants and trinkets.

Charlie, following her, whispered, "Nan, feel free to buy what you like. You’re a little rich woman now."

"I know."

Nancy chuckled. "But I can't just buy everything; that would be wasteful."

"Okay."

Charlie laughed softly, continuing to browse with her.

Suddenly, Nancy spotted a counter with a large tray filled with colorful ropes, some even unfinished knots.

Intrigued, she asked, "Oh, can these ropes be DIY-ed?"

Charlie wasn’t sure, so he called out to the elderly man at the door, "Sir, can we make our own knots with these ropes?"

As he spoke, Nancy shushed him, "He's sleeping..."

Before she could finish, the old man sprang up from the chair with agility that belied his age.

He glanced at Nancy and approached, saying, "You can DIY the knots, but you must pair them with our store's jade beads or pendants. You can't just play with the ropes for free."

"Ha," Nancy laughed happily. "Not for free, then. Show me your jade beads."

The old man brought out a tray of jade beads, lustrous and of fine quality.

He laid them before Nancy, almost showing off, "Let's make it clear first, five thousand per bead. Whatever you knot, you must buy, at least ten at a time, and no backing out."

Just then, Linda arrived and heard his terms. She nearly jumped, "Five thousand a bead! Why don't you just rob us!"