Chapter 56

After taking care of the matters in Jin City, there was less than a week left before the Ruili public auction. Zhong Qi had been spending his days indulging in the pleasures of love, and he was getting a bit tired of it. He decided to leave early and spend a couple of days in Spring City. So, he made plans with Wu Di to leave the next day. Wu Di also invited his second master brother, Song Hongyan. Unexpectedly, Qian Pangzi, who had somehow heard about it, insisted on joining them, crying and making a fuss. Thus, a jade gambling gang centered around Wu Di was formed.

At the airport, Zhong Qi was very active. As soon as the plane landed, he became even more animated:

"Coming to Spring City in August is the best choice. We can avoid the heat, gamble on jade, and even see beautiful women, like that one over there."

Chang Linlin gave Zhong Qi a gentle smile, while Wu Di covered his face with both hands, thinking, "Adulterers! They reveal their true colors as soon as they leave the Chang family's house!" He wondered if they were misunderstanding something. Behind Chang Linlin, a slender figure in a light summer outfit had just flashed by.

Zhong Qi, being a quick-witted person, realized he had almost exposed himself in his excitement. He quickly changed the subject:

"Let's go. Luo Quan is waiting for us outside. We'll drop off our luggage at the hotel and then head straight to the flower and bird market! I want glass-type jade! I want imperial green! I want beautiful women... who will all lose to my Linlin!"

Everyone else on the plane avoided him, and Wu Di calculated that it had been nearly a month since he returned home. Could Zhong Qi have been staying with the Chang family all this time? Why else would he be so pent up?

Luo Quan was a friend Zhong Qi had met in Myanmar, the kind who drinks and parties together. He was a bit of a socialite, specializing in brokering deals, connecting people, and leading them to private homes to see jade. He would accompany them all the way to Ruili.

Luo Quan's nickname had nothing to do with his legs. He was called Luo Quan because his real name was Luo Quan. One can imagine the pressure he faced with such a name when he was young. So, although Luo Quan was quite strong, he had a slight hunchback.

Their meeting started with a hug and ended with one of them turning pale from the bear hug. They patted each other's backs with their bear paws, making thumping sounds, which made Chang Linlin turn pale first.

After dropping off their luggage at the hotel, Luo Quan drove his GL8 through the city, the roads getting narrower and narrower until they stopped at the entrance of an alley. Luo Quan gestured for everyone to get out.

The alley was narrow, old, but very clean, clearly swept daily with care. Luo Quan's round face was beaming with confidence:

"Today, I'm treating you to a feast I only get to enjoy once every six months."

At the end of the alley was a small courtyard with newly renovated bungalows. Wu Di could even smell the scent of construction materials.

The door was opened by an elderly woman in a homespun dress, simple but clean.

"Old Lady Luo, thank you for your trouble today."

Old Lady Luo smiled:

"Trouble? You trouble me all the time. Everyone, please come in and sit down. It'll be ready soon. Oh, what a pretty young lady."

Chang Linlin smiled so widely her eyes were almost invisible. She found the old lady very kind and honest.

In the living room, Luo Quan set up a table in the courtyard. There weren't many dishes, and the main dishes were only a steamed chicken and a steamed bighead fish, which didn't seem to meet the standard of a feast. However, when everyone saw the look in Luo Quan's eyes as he looked at the dishes, they couldn't help but feel excited.

The food was indeed delicious, especially the home-cooked dishes like shredded cabbage, garlic藤藤菜 (garlic sprouts), and braised pig liver, which had a unique flavor. None of them were food critics, but they felt that even a food critic might not have tasted such delicious food.

All the dishes were eaten clean, and Zhong Qi, patting his big belly, was still not satisfied. Chang Linlin helped the old lady clear the table, and Luo Quan washed the dishes. They all said their goodbyes and left.

"Old Lady Luo's ancestors were imperial chefs during the Qianlong era. The dishes today not only have strict ingredient requirements but also secret recipes and special spices. How was it? The taste was good, right?"

"It's much better than those big hotels. There's a home-cooked yet not quite home-cooked flavor, really hard to describe."

Song Hongyan didn't know how to express it either, but everyone agreed.

"Next up, the flower and bird market for jade gambling! Let's go!"

The jade gambling market in Spring City wasn't very prosperous because of the presence of Tengchong, Ruili, and Yingjiang. People thought the jade in Spring City was just leftovers. But for a jade gambler, every market had its opportunities; the key was whether there was someone who could seize them.

The raw jade in the flower and bird market was scattered on the ground outside the shops, enclosed by red ropes. Customers could enter and choose freely, which was very convenient. In the group, everyone except Chang Linlin was ready to make a purchase, so they looked at the raw jade quickly. One person looked at a section, and a shop could be finished in a short time. Whether they could find good raw jade was up to fate.

After visiting three shops, they didn't buy a single piece of raw jade. Wu Di only patted each piece with his hand and then stood with Chang Linlin to watch.

They came to a larger shop, and Wu Di seemed to have lost interest in patting the stones. Zhong Qi asked curiously:

"Are you here to gamble on jade or to pat stones?"

"Of course, I'm here to gamble on jade! My method is different from yours. Do you know, stones can actually speak."

"Really? What are they saying?"

Chang Linlin was like a curious child.

"When I pat them, I talk to them in my heart, saying, 'Be good, tell Uncle who has jade inside, and I'll give you candy.' If they don't answer me, there's a problem, and I'll take a closer look."

"Ha, you're fooling around!"

Just as Wu Di finished speaking, a sinister voice said:

"Little girl, don't listen to that liar. With your pretty face, I can find you a good job that can earn you several pieces of jade a day. We can take them home and open them slowly!"

Luo Quan's face darkened as if a storm was coming. He picked up a piece of raw jade and was about to go over, but Wu Di held him back and laughed:

"In the flower and bird market, it's normal for bird droppings to fall on your head. We'll wash it off when we get back."

The man on the other side wasn't satisfied. Five more people, dressed in a somewhat unconventional manner, stood up. The oldest looked no more than thirty.

"Luo Quan, are these your friends? They're quite aggressive! Don't say I'm not giving you face. If this guy doesn't kneel down and take back his words, none of you will leave!"

Luo Quan stepped in front of Wu Di and cursed:

"Your mother, don't think you can leave. If you have the guts, come at me! Come on!"

Zhong Qi and the others protected Chang Linlin in the middle and gathered behind Wu Di.

Wu Di patted Luo Quan's shoulder and smiled:

"Brother Luo, don't get so angry. It's not worth it. Those guys, since you're also jade gamblers, how about this: let's have a match. Each side picks one person to choose a piece of jade from this market. The one with the highest value wins. What do you say?"

"Ha ha ha ha, this guy wants to compete with us in jade gambling? Is he blind? Doesn't he know that our Brother Qiang is the newly crowned king of northern jade from this year's Myanmar public auction? Ha ha ha, go ahead and set the terms!"

A young man with a refined face and a proud expression stepped forward from the group. He had been looking at the raw jade in the market for an hour and had several good pieces in mind. At this moment, someone wanted to challenge him. As long as he manipulated the time a bit, he could easily make the other side lose!

"I'm a law-abiding citizen and don't like violence. Let's just play a game. How about we bet ten million? Brother Si, please write a check."

Da Long's face turned pale, then red. He felt like he couldn't breathe. This was a blatant slap in the face! He was just a small-time thug. Even ten thousand was not something he could easily come up with, let alone ten million.

Brother Qiang, the so-called king of northern jade, looked serious and said:

"Friend, isn't that a bit too much?"

"Too much? I think your words earlier were even more excessive. If you don't want to gamble, then kneel down and take back your words."

Wu Di was always gentle and respectful, a trait honed from his business dealings. But he had his limits. If anyone disrespected his friends and family, he would stand his ground, even if it meant a bloody fight.

Brother Qiang took out a checkbook, wrote a ten million check, tore it out, and waved it:

"I accept your challenge. Since someone is eager to give money away, why not? Boss, you be the witness! However, since you set the rules and the stakes, I have the right to set a time limit. Otherwise, you could take all day to choose a piece of jade, and we'd be waiting forever."

Da Long and the others laughed in agreement. Wu Di didn't even bother to speak, just gestured for them to go ahead.

"Ten minutes, starting now!"

Wu Di nodded and began looking at the raw jade. There were over two hundred pieces in the market, all numbered and neatly arranged. Patting each one shouldn't take too long.

Brother Qiang, as soon as he said "start," quickly walked toward the pieces he had in mind. In his mind, if Wu Di was skilled and chose one of those pieces, he would compete for it, ensuring at least a tie and saving his entire fortune.

Wu Di didn't stop, patting each piece of raw jade, almost like a game. He quickly went through all the pieces, including the ones Brother Qiang had in mind. His brow furrowed. He had to admit that Brother Qiang was skilled; those pieces did have something inside. But there was no piece in the market that could guarantee a decisive victory. Wu Di didn't want to end up in a dispute, turning the match into a farce.

He scanned the market. If necessary, he would choose one of those pieces. As for the insult to Chang Linlin, he would find another way to retaliate.

"Hey, that won't work. Stop daydreaming and choose quickly. Your friend's money is money too."

A clear, anxious voice rang out, and Wu Di turned around, feeling a sudden brightness. He was completely stunned.