Chapter 32

When Li Lao offered to buy the map from Zhang Tianyuan for one million, Jia Zhengjing was stunned, and Xu Gang jumped up in excitement. However, Zhang Tianyuan's expression remained calm.

One million was indeed a significant amount, and Zhang Tianyuan's heart was also churning deep down. But he had already been intrigued by the map, and even if it were two million or three million, he might not sell it.

The key was that he wasn't in urgent need of money. With the four million from yesterday, his family was well provided for, and he could even open another branch of the jade and antique shops. But if he sold the map, he believed he would never sleep well again.

Looking at Li Lao, Zhang Tianyuan sighed helplessly and said, "I'm really sorry, Li Lao, but I want to keep this map." He couldn't sell the map just because he was afraid of offending Li Lao; that would be without principle. Even if he wanted to make friends, he couldn't do it without any principles, or he would end up suffering in the end.

Li Lao also sighed. He wasn't angry but instead gave Zhang Tianyuan a thumbs up and said, "You have guts! To resist the temptation of a million at such a young age, you have a bright future ahead! Alright, I'll give up, but if you find what's on the map, let me be the first to see it!"

"Of course, no problem!" Zhang Tianyuan nodded and said, "You are all my benefactors. Whatever I find, I will definitely let you see it first."

"Great, we'll wait for your good news. I hope you can find treasures worth a fortune, and then we can all benefit from it, ha ha." Dong Lao laughed heartily.

"Thank you for your good wishes!"

"Alright, now that we have a conclusion about Tianyuan's 'Shangyangtai Tie,' though there are still doubts, it's not something we can figure out right away. Why don't we move on to the last event of the day?" Xiao Lao smiled and said.

"Yes, that's right. Please, Miss Xiao Liu, bring out the raw stones for everyone to see. I'm sure the Liu family, who deal in jewelry, won't disappoint us." Murong Lao also nodded and said.

Liu Mengxun smiled and said, "I'm afraid I might disappoint everyone. Today's stones are unknown even to my father. They might just be ordinary rocks, or they could be very valuable. Once cut, they would lose their value. So, let's take this opportunity to have the experts here help us identify them!"

As she spoke, she took out twelve raw stones of various sizes from a large box behind her. These had been carried up by the porters downstairs and were quite heavy.

"Ha ha ha, today is finally my chance to show off! To be honest, I'm not very interested in antiques and paintings, but I'm obsessed with gambling on stones. In our circle, I'm even known as the 'Stone Gambler Prince.'" Jia Zhengjing became excited as soon as he saw the twelve stones, feeling that his moment to shine had arrived.

"Ha, what a 'Stone Gambler Prince,' more like a fraud." Xu Gang secretly cursed in his heart but didn't say it out loud. After all, he had never been involved in the stone gambling business. Although he dealt in jade, he never gambled on stones because the risk was too high.

"The outer layer of the raw stones is covered with a thin or thick layer of natural stone skin. The colors of the stones vary, including red, yellow, white, and black, as well as mixed colors. Gambling on stones is the most profitable and tempting, but also the riskiest in the jade trade. There's a saying in the jewelry industry: 'Gambling on stones is like gambling with your life.' If you win, you can earn ten or a hundred times your investment and become a millionaire overnight. If you lose, you lose everything. Compared to gambling on stones, stock and real estate investments are much gentler and less risky." Jia Zhengjing continued proudly, "So, if you don't have money, don't try to gamble on stones, or you might end up losing everything."

"You're too arrogant, who are you talking about?" Xu Gang couldn't stand the taunting and stood up to ask.

"Xu Gang, don't get so worked up. We indeed don't have as much money as Mr. Jia, but I wonder if Mr. Jia dares to take a double bet with us?" Zhang Tianyuan smiled and said, "I don't have much money, but I still have some pride and can't be humiliated by you like this!"

If someone didn't know Zhang Tianyuan, they would think he was acting rashly out of anger. But Xu Gang, hearing Zhang Tianyuan's words, smiled coldly. He knew his friend was about to play a trick, so he deliberately acted indignant, like a child.

Jia Zhengjing wanted to immediately agree to Zhang Tianyuan's challenge because he was indeed an expert in stone gambling and had even earned the title of 'Stone Gambler Prince' among his peers. With his wealth, he could afford to lose. He thought that even if he had lost face in the earlier antique appraisal, he could now make up for it.

However, he was afraid Liu Mengxun would think he was bullying someone, so he pretended to be very considerate and said, "Zhang Tianyuan, think carefully. You worked hard to earn that money. If you lose it all today, you'll have nothing left. Don't act out of anger. Losing a little face is better than losing your life! I've heard that many stone gamblers have jumped to their deaths after losing everything. The third floor of this shop is quite high, and jumping from here would definitely be fatal."

"Hmph, no need for your fake concern. If I lose, I'll do it willingly!" Zhang Tianyuan continued to act angry and foolish.

His performance fooled everyone present. Liu Mengxun even tried to dissuade him, saying, "Don't act on impulse. If it's just stone gambling, I won't ask for your money, but if you lose the double bet to Jia Zhengjing, I can't help you."

Mou Ying also said, "Old classmate, calm down."

Dong Lao, Xiao Lao, and Murong Lao all shook their heads and smiled wryly.

Young people are too impulsive. Just a moment ago, they were saying he was steady, but now he's acting like this?

The only two people who weren't worried were Xu Gang and Li Lao.

Li Lao couldn't see Zhang Tianyuan's expression, so he listened to his heartbeat. He found it strange that Zhang Tianyuan's voice sounded angry and agitated, but his heartbeat remained steady. Is this kid just pretending?

But he didn't expose him. After all, Jia Zhengjing had nothing to do with him, and he even disliked the guy. If Zhang Tianyuan could teach him a lesson, he would be happy.

Jia Zhengjing continued to pretend to be considerate and said, "Zhang Tianyuan, let me give you one last piece of advice. This isn't something you can afford to play with. It's better to give up now. Otherwise, I won't hold back. You can try your luck with antiques and paintings, but stone gambling is not for you. You can't afford it, and you're not worthy of it."

Although he seemed to be giving advice, every word was filled with provocation, as if deliberately trying to incite Zhang Tianyuan to gamble on the stones.

Zhang Tianyuan played along and said angrily, "Jia Zhengjing, don't get too cocky. So what if you have money? Even the rich can lose everything. You should worry about yourself. Don't end up crying and jumping from here, disrupting Murong Lao's business."

"Arrogant and ignorant! Since you like to gamble so much, I'll play with you. Tell me, what's this double bet you're talking about? Let me hear it!" Jia Zhengjing couldn't pretend anymore. He decided to teach this ignorant country bumpkin a lesson in front of Liu Mengxun, showing him that some people are not to be offended.