84 Fast Reversal
As she spoke, Zhou Xiaoli stepped forward and picked up the stone. She looked at it and pointed at a spot for the stone-cutting master to see.
Seeing this, the stone-cutting master was a little surprised. “Miss, are you sure?”
Seeing that Zhou Xiaoli was dressed in plain clothes, he knew that she was from a poor family, so he kindly advised her, “Miss, you can’t go crazy. I don’t think there’s any result even if you cut this stone. You might as well resell it to get some capital back.”
“If you slash it in this place you mentioned, it will be completely destroyed if it doesn’t produce jade. You won’t be able to get anything back.”
Zhou Xiaoli naturally appreciated the stone-cutter’s good intentions, but she insisted on going ahead. “Thank you, master. I know what to do. Let’s make another cut here.”
“Why don’t you listen to me?”
Seeing how stubborn Zhou Xiaoli was, the stone-cutting master shook his head and could only sit back down helplessly. However, he reminded her in the end, “It’ll be too late for regrets after this slash.”
Zhou Xiaoli nodded again. “Go ahead.”
Many people around shook their heads.
“She’s a newbie after all. She gets carried away easily.”
“I’ve already said that this girl is young and very stubborn. She doesn’t listen to advice at all.”
“I already said that she’s a jinx. There’s probably nothing much to see next. Let’s go, let’s go.”
…
They sighed and prepared to leave.
At this moment, an exclamation suddenly exploded!
“Aiya, it’s out!”
The person who exclaimed was the stone-cutting master.
When the people who had already dispersed heard this, they surrounded the shop again.
They all looked at the stone cutter and saw that the stone was indeed green on the inside.
Many people who knew their stuff widened their eyes and rushed forward, wanting to take a closer look at the jade within the stone.
“Oh my god, there’s really jade in the stone! However, it’s cut out in the middle. It’s a little small, but it should fetch a tidy sum to recover her capital.”
“She’s a newbie. Newbies usually would have such good luck.”
…
Stone gambling was a probability event. The probability of getting rich in one go was pitifully low. Sometimes, the stone-cutting master might not even see one jade from the stones cut in a day.
At this moment, when they heard that someone had opened a stone, more and more people gathered and discussed. Many of them wanted to get lucky.
Zhou Xiaoli had already taken the stone and looked around.
Seeing that there was really jade inside, Zheng Yongyan’s eyes widened in surprise and joy. He subconsciously leaned over to take a look.
Seeing him come over to take a look, Zhou Xiaoli couldn’t help but shake the stone in her hand and smile a little smugly. “How is it? Now you don’t have to worry about being punished with me.”
Zheng Yongyan, who was watching seriously, saw Zhou Xiaoli turn around and look at him, and the surprised expression on his face disappeared.
He deliberately pulled a long face and snorted. “You’re just lucky this time. Who can guarantee that you’ll be lucky every time? I still stick to my principles. Gambling is very deep. You can’t get involved even if you’re beaten to death!”
Zhou Xiaoli nodded and agreed with him seriously. “Yes, you’re right. Ordinary people should not be involved with gambling.”
Zheng Yongyan was a little embarrassed by Zhou Xiaoli’s sudden approval. He snorted and turned his head away.
The master who had just cut the stone suggested that Zhou Xiaoli sell the jade directly.
Many jade shops nearby would buy these raw jade materials.
Zhou Xiaoli had the same plan. After all, she was in dire need of money.
However, although she could see that the stone emitted spiritual energy, she did not understand the different textures of these jade stones.
Naturally, she did not know how much her stone was worth.
Just as she was in a dilemma, Xue Min suddenly walked over with a warm smile on his face. “Aiya, isn’t this Little Li? Why didn’t you come home after entering the city? Did you come to play with your aunt and cousin?”
Hearing this voice, Zhou Xiaoli frowned and revealed a trace of displeasure on her face.
He had just avoided her like a snake and said that she was a jinx. Now, he suddenly came close to her? He definitely had ill intentions.
Sure enough, before Zhou Xiaoli could reply, Xue Min’s eyes were fixed on the stone in Zhou Xiaoli’s hand.
He continued, “Aiya, did you open this stone? Have you not found a buyer yet? Why don’t you sell it to me? As your uncle-in-law, I will definitely give you a good price for it.”
“Yes, it’s just that this jade stone looks a little small. However, seeing that you’re my niece, I can take a loss and give you 30 taels of silver.”
“Come, let me see this stone.” As he spoke, he extended his hand to grab the stone.
Of course, Zhou Xiaoli would not give it to him. She took two steps back and quickly dodged Xue Min’s outstretched hand.
At the same time, a distant expression appeared on her face. “There’s no need to trouble yourself, Shopkeeper Xue. You probably don’t know yet, right? Madam Lai has cut ties with our family, so you have nothing to do with me anymore.”
“Although you’re no longer my uncle-in-law, the most important thing in life is honesty. How can I let you suffer a loss? I’ll sell this stone to someone else.”
Xue Min was fat. With his big belly, he was knocked away by Wei Chiyu when he tried to pounce onto the stone in Zhou Xiaoli’s hand. He staggered and almost flew out.
His expression immediately turned ugly. His narrowed eyes were filled with displeasure. Just as he was about to say something, a voice suddenly rang out from the side.
“Miss, can I take a look at your raw jade stone?”
Zhou Xiaoli looked in the direction of the voice and saw a skinny middle-aged man wearing a rough shirt. He was staring at the stone in her hand in a daze.
Although this man was so thin that he was a little out of shape, there was no greed in his eyes when he looked at her stone. There was only passion.
Zhou Xiaoli nodded. “Of course.”
As she spoke, she handed it over.
The man did not reach out to take the stone. Instead, he gestured for Zhou Xiaoli to place it on the table.
Then, he took out a magnifying glass from his pocket and leaned on the table to study it.
The surrounding people also began to whisper.
“Isn’t that who?”
“Who is it?”
“The previous shopkeeper of Zhenyu Workshop, Luo Zhongbao. He’s known for having a sharp eye!”
“Ah, him? I haven’t seen him in a long time since Zhenyu Workshop closed down. Why is he so thin? I didn’t recognize him at all.”
“He must have offended someone he shouldn’t have. He must have been revenged on. It’s lucky that his family is still alive.”
“True.”
…
Listening to the discussions around her, Zhou Xiaoli had an idea. If Luo Zhongbao could help her see what kind of jade it was, it would likely fetch a good price.
At this moment, Luo Zhongbao finally spoke. His voice was a little low, but it was clear enough. “If I’m not wrong, the jade should be ice jade quality.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the surroundings turned into an uproar.
“Ice jade? Oh my god, that’s considered a high-grade jade!”
“Ice jade is like ice. It has a strong luster and high transparency. It’s just that this kind of jade is prone to impurity and has a cotton-like structure within. It can be considered a top-grade jade.”
“I look at the cut surface of this stone. It has a very strong luster and there are few impurities. Although it’s a little small, it’s probably worth a lot of money.”
…
Many people discussed among themselves. Some were envious, some were jealous, and some were regretful.
