August 1, 2023. Shuangqing City.
Today was Army Day, and Cai Xinzhi's model shop was unusually lively. Military models sold one after another almost without pause. Models of the Liaoning, the Chongqing, and even paratrooper figurines were snapped up as soon as they appeared on display. Every item related to the military was selling exceptionally well.
Cai Xinzhi's face was full of smiles as he counted the money piling up in front of him.
Just as he finished sorting another stack of bills, the shop door opened. He instinctively prepared to greet the customer, but the moment he looked up, he saw that it was his old friend, Li Daoxuan.
His smile widened.
"Daoxuan, what brings you here today?" Cai Xinzhi asked casually. "Are you here to pick up your Hakka Walled House model? Don't worry. It still needs about ten more days before it's finished."
Li Daoxuan smiled faintly, his expression carrying a hint of mystery.
"I'm not here to pick something up today," he said. "I'm here to deliver something."
Cai Xinzhi narrowed his eyes slightly.
"What now? Trying to trick me again?"
Li Daoxuan shrugged.
"I'm trying to help you make money, and you call it tricking you? That hurts. Are we even friends anymore?"
As he spoke, he reached into his pocket and carefully took out a tiny figure. It was barely one centimeter tall. He placed it gently on the counter.
The figure was so small that Cai Xinzhi did not pay much attention at first. His eyes merely glanced over it.
"A Supreme Treasure Sun Wukong model?" he said dismissively. "Where did you find something this tiny? Is it plastic? This thing is worth five yuan at most."
Li Daoxuan chuckled.
"It's made of solid wood."
Cai Xinzhi blinked in surprise.
Solid wood?
That immediately caught his interest. Wooden carvings were far more valuable than plastic models. Still, something this small seemed impractical. What was the point of carving it at such a microscopic scale?
Li Daoxuan spoke calmly.
"Why don't you take a closer look with a magnifying glass?"
Cai Xinzhi sensed that something was unusual. He put aside his money for the moment and allowed his employees to continue serving the customers. Then he took out a magnifying glass and leaned forward, focusing on the tiny wooden figure.
The moment he saw it clearly, his entire body froze.
His eyes widened.
The craftsmanship was unbelievable.
Despite being only one centimeter tall, every detail had been carved with astonishing precision. The facial features were perfectly shaped, identical to Supreme Treasure. Even the fine strands of monkey fur on the face had been faithfully recreated. The armor covering Sun Wukong's body was even more shocking. Every individual scale had been carved and painted with incredible care.
This was no longer a toy.
This was a true work of art.
A genuine masterpiece of micro carving.
Cai Xinzhi inhaled sharply.
"Where did you get this?"
Li Daoxuan smiled.
"That's a secret."
Cai Xinzhi frowned.
"Don't tell me you stole it and want me to sell it for you. Damn it."
Li Daoxuan rolled his eyes.
"You've known me for years. Do I look like someone who would do something illegal?"
Cai Xinzhi paused and thought about it carefully.
He had to admit that Li Daoxuan was not that kind of person. Not only was he honest, he actively despised wrongdoing. If someone shouted that a thief was running away, Li Daoxuan would probably be the first person to chase after them.
Selling stolen goods was completely out of character for him.
"Fine," Cai Xinzhi said. "I believe you."
Li Daoxuan nodded.
"I want to sell it, but I don't have any proper sales channels. You run a model shop, so I thought of you. Help me sell it here. You can take a commission."
Cai Xinzhi waved his hand dismissively.
"What commission? We're friends. I'll just help you sell it."
Li Daoxuan shook his head.
"No. You must take a commission."
His tone was serious.
"This isn't a one time deal. This is long term business."
Cai Xinzhi immediately understood.
"So you found a micro carving master," he said. "He carves them, and you handle the sales. You earn a cut in the middle."
Li Daoxuan simply smiled.
"In that case," Cai Xinzhi continued, "I won't be polite. I'll take ten percent."
"Deal."
Li Daoxuan agreed immediately.
"I don't know the true value anyway, and neither do you. Let's test the market first."
Cai Xinzhi nodded.
"I've never sold micro carvings before. If I sell it too cheaply, don't blame me."
"Relax," Li Daoxuan replied. "Sell it boldly. I won't blame you."
With that, the matter was settled.
Li Daoxuan left the shop and called a ride share car. While he was still on the way home, his phone suddenly showed a new WeChat Moments update from Cai Xinzhi.
"New rare treasure just arrived. One centimeter micro carved Supreme Treasure. The details are breathtaking under magnification. Only one available. First come, first served. Exclusive friend price. 888 yuan."
Several high resolution macro photos accompanied the post. One photo showed the carving resting on a fingertip, clearly demonstrating its tiny size.
Li Daoxuan chuckled.
He really knows how to market it.
He reached out to press the like button.
But a notification suddenly appeared.
Operation Failed.
He frowned.
He refreshed the page.
The post had already disappeared.
Before he could think further, a message from Cai Xinzhi arrived.
"Holy crap. Your micro carving sold instantly. The moment I posted it, one of my old customers bought it."
Li Daoxuan replied.
"That fast?"
"That guy knows his stuff," Cai Xinzhi said. "He saw the price and immediately transferred 888 yuan without hesitation. Damn it. I priced it too low. We both lost money."
Li Daoxuan laughed.
"It's fine. 888 yuan is already great profit. I'm satisfied."
Cai Xinzhi quickly sent another message.
"You have more, right? That customer is coming soon. I can talk to him and set proper prices next time."
"No stock right now," Li Daoxuan replied. "It needs to be carved."
"So custom orders are possible?"
"Yes. Any custom order."
Cai Xinzhi sent a laughing emoji.
"Just wait for my good news."
Li Daoxuan replied calmly.
"Don't push the price too high. Let others earn profit too. That's how we build long term relationships."
Cai Xinzhi snorted.
"You don't need to teach me business. I'm far more professional than you."
A notification appeared.
[Cai Xinzhi transferred 800 yuan to you]
Li Daoxuan accepted the transfer and smiled.
He had finally started making money.
For over half a month, he had spent money taking care of the tiny people inside the box. Now, he was finally earning money because of them.
Talent truly was valuable.
The more talented individuals he had inside the box, the more opportunities he would have to profit.
His mood became excellent.
Soon, he arrived at his apartment complex. He stopped by the supermarket near the entrance and bought a pork loin. Humming happily, he returned home.
Inside the box, evening had already fallen.
The tiny villagers were cooking, and thin trails of smoke rose gently into the sky.
Li Daoxuan cut off a small piece of pork loin and carefully placed it in the open space at the center of the village.
The villagers immediately erupted in shock.
"Meat!"
"Such a huge piece of pork!"
Li Daoxuan smiled faintly.
"Yiye," he said, "tell everyone that tonight each person will receive two liang of meat."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"As for the two sculptors, let them receive their portions last. Whatever remains will belong entirely to them."
"This is their reward for carving the Victorious Fighting Buddha statue."