"Now we start bidding for lot number 132. Please look at the large screen. This rough stone comes from the Hpakant mining area. It weighs 3.2 tons, with a reserve price of sixty million Euros, and each bid must be no less than one million Euros. Bidding starts now." said a host on stage.
"Sixty-five million."
"Seventy-two million."
...
"Eighty-six million."
"Any more? Any higher bids? Eighty-six million once, eighty-six million twice, eighty-six million thrice. Alright, sold. This gentleman, please proceed to the transaction window shortly to provide your information to the staff and complete the transfer." the host announced.
"Next, we begin bidding for lot number 133. Please look at the large screen..."
Guo Xuyang saw that they were all projected photos, making it impossible to see the actual rough stones or cheat. He could only get up and leave.
He still wanted to use these three days to look at more rough stones and accumulate more.
Just as he was about to leave, he saw Li Ziwen and Wang Wenxin, along with four others, enter.
"Mr. Guo, are you heading back? Not staying for a bit longer?" Li Ziwen asked.
"Yes. They are all too expensive. Tens of millions of Euros with no effort, this is not something we common folk can afford."
"Mr. Guo, you are too humble. Who doesn't know you are skilled in jade gambling? Why not play for a while longer?"
"Thank you. I have other matters to attend to. You all enjoy yourselves, see you around."
"Why are you always avoiding us? Do you have a problem with us?" Wang Shiming said.
"Why don't we have a bet?"
He was extremely displeased with this Guo Xuyang.
Ever since Guo Xuyang had embarrassed him at the Yushun Jade store in Kyoto for the first time, he had been meticulously investigating Guo Xuyang's affairs.
He learned that Guo Xuyang was merely a small real estate agent with some minor abilities, who had partnered with others to open a jade store in Kyoto, which was still awaiting successful registration.
Meeting him again today, he wanted to teach Guo Xuyang a lesson.
"Heh, why would I avoid you? I haven't done anything I need to hide. How do you want to bet?"
Guo Xuyang was simply unable to resist a challenge; once provoked, he would fall into the trap.
"Let's each bid for a rough stone, and gamble on the value of the jade inside. Don't worry, these are all pictures, no one can cheat." Wang Shiming said.
"And then?"
"Whoever loses will give their stone to the other."
"But what if you bid a hundred million, and I can only bid sixty million? How do we compare?"
"Let's keep it between sixty and seventy million Euros. How about it? Do you dare to bet?"
"Alright. Then let's have a gamble."
As Guo Xuyang spoke, he released his senses fully, focusing his gaze on the screen.
The screen was now displaying lot number 136 for bidding. The rough stone came from the Mu Na mining area, weighing 1.3 tons, with a reserve price of forty-five million Euros, and each bid must be no less than one million Euros.
He quickly sensed the location of rough stone 136 and looked over.
Rough stone 136 had two small windows opened on its front and back, emitting green light, showing excellent surface quality.
However, the inside was full of spiderweb-like cracks. Anyone who bought it would lose their pants.
"Fifty million."
"Fifty-two million."
...
"Old Wang, what do you think of this rough stone?" Li Ziwen asked.
"The surface looks very good, but we don't know what the inside is like. If it's all like the opened window, eighty million could be a good price. I'm just afraid of cracks inside."
"What is your recommendation then?"
"I suggest that if it doesn't exceed sixty million, it's worth a try. After all, the surface performance is too good. With this weight, it should at least yield three hundred kilograms of material."
While the two were speaking, the bid had already reached sixty million.
"Sixty million once, sixty million twice..."
Li Ziwen raised his paddle: "Sixty-one million."
"Sixty-two million."
"Sixty-three million." Li Ziwen raised his paddle again.
The other party looked at Li Ziwen, then at the picture, and did not bid any higher.
"Sixty-three million once, sixty-three million twice, sixty-three million thrice. Sold.
This gentleman, please proceed to the transaction window shortly to provide your information to the staff and complete the transfer." the host announced.
"Next, we begin bidding for lot number 137. Please look at the large screen..."
For seven consecutive lots, Guo Xuyang did not make a bid. He was waiting for lots 145 and 146, as these two rough stones contained a large amount of high-ice and even glass-grade jade.
"Now we begin bidding for lot number 145. Please look at the large screen.
This rough stone comes from the Hwaseong mining area. It weighs 780 kilograms, with a reserve price of forty million Euros, and each bid must be no less than one million Euros.
Bidding starts now." said the host on stage.
"Forty-two million."
"Forty-five million."
...
"Sixty-one million." Li Ziwen raised his paddle again.
"Sixty-three million." Guo Xuyang also started to raise his paddle.
"Sixty-four million." Li Ziwen continued to bid.
"Sixty-six million." Guo Xuyang raised his paddle again.
Li Ziwen glanced at Wang Shiming, who subtly shook his head. Li Ziwen then gave up.
"Sixty-six million once, sixty-six million twice, sixty-six million thrice. Sold.
This gentleman, please proceed to the transaction window shortly to provide your information to the staff and complete the transfer." the host announced.
"Next, we begin bidding for lot number 146. Please look at the large screen.
This rough stone comes from the Da Ma Kan mining area. It weighs 110 kilograms, with a reserve price of eight million Euros, and each bid must be no less than two hundred thousand Euros.
Bidding starts now." said the host on stage.
"Eight point two million."
"Eight point six million."
"Nine million."
"Nine point six million." Guo Xuyang raised his paddle.
Although the opened window displayed ice-grade imperial green jade, he knew that inside was hidden a football-sized piece of glass-grade imperial green jade.
"Nine point six million once, nine point six million twice, nine point six million thrice. Sold.
This gentleman, please proceed to the transaction window shortly to provide your information to the staff and complete the transfer." the host announced.
Guo Xuyang looked at Li Ziwen, then at Wang Shiming, and asked, "Are you gentlemen going to wait or proceed with the cutting now?"
Li Ziwen looked at Wang Shiming and said, "Let's go now."
So, after completing the procedures, they found a forklift to transport the rough stones to the cutting area.
Within the public auction site, there was a dedicated cutting area for the convenience of successful bidders.
A row of huge band saws was set up, separated by sheet metal, with overhead cranes for loading and unloading the rough stones.
"How do you want to cut it?" a staff member asked.
"Cut it in half through the middle." Guo Xuyang said.
He was very confident, knowing that the material was too large, and this was the only way to display the jade inside to the greatest extent.
Wang Shiming was still observing. The more he looked, the more he was shocked. Rough stones with such excellent surface performance turned out to be full of spiderweb cracks.
He wondered if he could salvage some material for bracelets to recoup his losses, perhaps Guo Xuyang's stone was even worse than his?
Finally, he asked the staff to cut directly along the opened window, slicing it in half.
He turned to look at the rough stone lot 145 that Guo Xuyang had purchased, and the bitterness in his heart was indescribable.