Gambling on Stones
"But you know about Antiques, I understand, but Gambling on Stones requires a unique eye and a lot of luck." Cheng Dongxue wasn't stupid; she had some basic knowledge and remembered what she heard.
"Don't worry, having you by my side will bring me a lot of luck. As for Gambling on Stones, I've actually participated before, but... you know, I don't have any money," Zhang Yang said with a chuckle and a shrug.
"Then it's good to go and take a look," Cheng Dongxue forced a smile, treating it as a way to clear her mind.
At dinner, Cheng Hai was still in low spirits. He still hadn't figured out the reason for dealing with Yang Su. The meal was quite quiet, with only Yang Su mocking Zhang Yang. Zhang Yang didn't bring up the trouble with Cheng Hai and silently endured it.
After dinner, while resting, Zhang Yang received a message.
"Come out, I'll be waiting for you outside."
The message came from Ling Junsheng. Zhang Yang had arranged to go to participate in Gambling on Stones with him, and Zhang Yang had naturally learned about this from Ling Junsheng.
As for Gambling on Stones sites, Zhang Yang had thoroughly figured them out during his thousand years of confinement and had even participated in them.
"Let's go for a walk," Zhang Yang suggested to Cheng Dongxue.
Cheng Dongxue was very clever and knew it was time to leave, so she grabbed her bag and went out the door.
Lin Xiaofei was still in class tonight, so she was one less tagalong.
Zhang Yang and Cheng Dongxue were dressed appropriately when they went out, which did not look like they were taking a walk after dinner at all, but no one questioned it. Cheng Hai was too busy to care, Yang Su was too preoccupied to care.
"Boss Ling?" Cheng Dongxue asked in surprise after getting into the unfamiliar car.
"Mr. Zhang, Mrs. Zhang, let's go together tonight." Ling Junsheng's car drove away from the Cheng Family Villa.
At the exit of the villa resort, Zhang Yang encountered a new BMW 7 Series. He then got a clearer look at the person in the car: Xu Mingxian had arrived.
"Why is he here again?" Cheng Dongxue couldn't help but feel anxious. Xu Mingxian, that man, was still not giving up and Cheng Family again.
Cheng Dongxue took out her phone, intending to turn it off. She knew Yang Su would definitely call her soon, asking her to go home and entertain Xu Mingxian, which she didn't want to do.
However, I figured I needed a seemingly reasonable explanation, otherwise I'd have a hard time getting past this hurdle.
"Mr. Zhang, you've gambled on stones before." Ling Junsheng met Zhang Yang at Yang Su's birthday banquet. He acknowledged that Zhang Yang had a certain level of expertise in Antiques, but Gambling on Stones was a different story.
"I've played the small stakes a couple of times before, and I was pretty lucky, winning every time," Zhang Yang said casually.
Ling Junsheng was shocked; this was clearly the result he wanted. If it didn't work, what was the point of having Zhang Yang with him?
The car arrived at a hotel, and it was a fairly high-class hotel.
"This time, the Gambling on Stones is different from the past. This time, it will be done through an auction. So, once we enter the hotel, we can see and identify the stones. There will be catalogs distributed, and we can bid on the stones we like based on the pictures," Ling Junsheng explained as he opened the car door.
Once Ling Junsheng explained the rules, Zhang Yang understood.
"Then let's go look at the stones first," Zhang Yang replied with a grin, raising his arm.
Cheng Dongxue was stunned for a moment, then took Zhang Yang's arm, making him quite smug.
The Gambling on Stones session was held on the fifth floor of the hotel, in a large conference hall where the stones were displayed for people to identify and evaluate.
Those present today are all wealthy and influential, dressed impeccably, and clearly have money; otherwise, who would bother with this entertainment activity of Gambling on Stones?
However, Zhang Yang does not view Gambling on Stones as a form of entertainment, but rather as an investment opportunity.
Tonight's event is solely about Gambling on Stones, so there are over twenty stones on display, varying in size, and some even have already been cut open.
Groups of Jadeite enthusiasts, speculators, and jewelry dealers gathered, shining powerful flashlights on the stones, whispering among themselves, and sharing their opinions.
Each stone is marked with a number, giving each seemingly ordinary stone its own name.
"Number 1, that should be the stone that everyone's fighting over tonight. Look, they've even opened windows." The three of them arrived at Stone No. 1. Ling Junsheng patted the stone and then shone a powerful flashlight on it.
Under strong light, the stone is opaque, and it's impossible to see any green. However, the area with the window is dazzlingly green, like a fake Jadeite.
"It's too thick to be seen through." Ling Junsheng patted the stone and looked closely through the window. The stone skin was indeed quite thick, so it was understandable that it was not transparent.
Zhang Yang scoffed, shaking his head and laughing, "This stone isn't worth buying. You'd definitely lose money if you did, and you wouldn't even know what to make with it. So, it's just a stone."
Zhang Yang did not hide it and told Ling Junsheng in public.
Ling Junsheng was shocked and looked at Zhang Yang with suspicion. Could Zhang Yang be an idiot? The stone had already been cut open, clearly indicating that there would be Jadeite inside, yet he didn't even know the price, so how could he be so sure it would be a loss?
Before Ling Junsheng could even comment, those who heard Zhang Yang's words pointed at Zhang Yang and couldn't help but laugh.
"Do you even know anything about Gambling on Stones? If you don't, don't embarrass yourself, okay?"
"That's blatant lying. The window's open, it's bound to turn green. To say you lost money depends on the price. If it's over a billion, of course you lost money."
"Young man, what do you know?"
There were many conflicting opinions, but no one believed Zhang Yang.
"Hey, isn't this the Cheng Family's live-in son-in-law? Looking bad here? Go home and cook!"
The crowd laughed, Zhang Yang shook his head and sighed, offering no further comment.
Ling Junsheng was also embarrassed, feeling ashamed to stand next to Zhang Yang. He stood silently to the side, not intending to look at the other stones with Zhang Yang.
Stone No. 1 is very large, weighing at least ten kilograms. If such a large stone were to be cut open and reveal a full green color, even Zhang Yang couldn't say exactly how much it would be worth.
The Stone No. 1, which Zhang Yang had deemed worthless, now attracted even more onlookers and commentators.
"Zhang Yang, how could you say such nonsense?" Cheng Dongxue complained to Zhang Yang, whose outburst made it inconvenient to continue looking at the other stones.
"Different people have different opinions. Before the stone is opened, any discussion is free and allowed. Don't be afraid, you can express whatever you want to say, I'm listening."
Zhang Yang turned his head and smiled at Cheng Dongxue.
Zhang Yang continued to show Cheng Dongxue the stones. There were a total of twenty-four stones, of varying sizes, laid out for people to appreciate. After looking at them, Zhang Yang understood and had a target in mind.
Large stones are expensive and therefore not suitable for Zhang Yang. Smaller stones, on the other hand, are perfect for Zhang Yang without attracting too much attention, while still allowing you to profit.
"Which one have you taken a fancy to?" Zhang Yang asked Cheng Dongxue in a low voice after looking at the stone.
"Ah..." Cheng Dongxue was taken aback. Zhang Yang had embarrassed himself in front of Stone No. 1, which made her unable to concentrate on looking at the stone. Suddenly being asked about it, she didn't know how to answer.
"You've taken a liking to that stone?" Zhang Yang repeated, his smile natural.