The display was excellent, top-grade glass-like jadeite with red inclusions, absolutely stunning. m..oΓg
If it weren't for the public auction, Wang Shimin would have even wanted Li Ziwen to find someone to snatch this piece of jadeite.
Unfortunately, due to his slight shake of the head, this rough stone eventually went to Guo Xuyang.
In fact, even if he hadn't shaken his head, Li Ziwen would not have continued to compete.
After all, how much jadeite could be extracted from a rough stone less than a ton, even if it was fully cut?
Neither of them expected that half of this rough stone would be jadeite.
It was no wonder Guo Xuyang asked the stone cutter to slice it in half from the middle.
Seeing that glass-like red jadeite had been cut out, people around rushed forward to make offers.
"Boss, sell it to me for ten billion."
"Twelve billion, boss."
...
While frantic bidding was going on here, Wang Shimin's rough stone was also cut open.
It was densely covered with spiderweb cracks, making it difficult to even cut out plaques, let alone bracelets.
Even though it reached high ice grade, it wasn't of much use.
People around took a look and all said it was a pity for such a good opening.
This was truly a case of one cut to poverty, one cut to wealth, and one cut to rags.
It all tested one's eyesight.
Finally, the jadeite rough stone from Guo Xuyang was bought by someone for 2.6 billion euros.
Meanwhile, Wang Shimin's rough stone attracted no attention.
"I concede defeat, I lost. All of this is yours," Wang Shimin said.
"This wouldn't even sell for ten million," Guo Xuyang said deliberately.
"It's like chicken ribs – tasteless to eat and a pity to discard. It's not even enough for the cutting fee. Since you are so generous, I will reluctantly accept it."
He asked the staff to help store the two halves of the rough stone.
After all, it was only the first day of the public auction, and it would be another ten days until it ended.
He planned to buy a lot during these ten days to fill his King's Villa.
Lu Liang and Jelena quietly left when Guo Xuyang started bidding for rough stones with Wang Shimin.
Lu Liang was afraid that Wang Wenxin would recognize him. Although they had only met once, and he had only glanced at him from afar, he couldn't be sure if Wang Wenxin would remember him.
The two went out to meet Wu Youzhi, and then waited for Guo Xuyang to come out.
Guo Xuyang finished storing the jadeite rough stone and strolled out leisurely.
He was overjoyed, having already earned 2.6 billion euros on the very first day.
He hadn't expected the quality of jadeite at the public auction to be so good.
It further strengthened his resolve to sweep through the market.
He thought that since he had won against Wang Shimin today, it was possible that Wang Shimin might bid against him in the sealed bid section.
He needed to plan carefully to ensure that the rough stone containing the top-grade glass-like imperial green jadeite fell into his hands.
He rejoined the group and they went out for lunch.
"Today's earnings are good, just made twenty-six billion. Let's go for a big meal."
"What? How much? Brother," Pi Xiaoqian exclaimed in surprise and quickly ran over to ask.
"Twenty-six billion."
"Heavens. That's more than the money we invested. Brother, you are my real brother, teach me, okay?"
Pi Xiaoqian said in that overly affectionate tone.
"Fatty, stop being disgusting. You're giving me goosebumps," Li Minxi said, hugging her arms.
"That's money. Xiao Xi, if I had that much money, would your sister agree to marry me if I pursued her?"
"No. My sister isn't that materialistic."
"Alas. You've hurt my heart. I can only let my brother's jadeite warm my wounded heart."
"Alright, alright, stop being silly. I have a major task for you when we get back," Guo Xuyang said.
"Brother, tell me. As long as I can make money, I'll do anything," Pi Xiaoqian immediately stated.
"We'll talk about it tonight when we get back. It's too crowded and gossipy here, be careful of eavesdroppers," Guo Xuyang said.
He had to be extremely careful to ensure that the rough stone containing the glass-like imperial green jadeite was successfully acquired.
The group found a place to have a big meal, and after drinking tea for a while, the public auction reopened.
"Everyone, from now on I will distance myself from you. Only Xiao Xi will accompany me.
If you see any suitable jadeite, write it down, and I will check them tomorrow or the day after.
Today I met Li Ziwen and his master Wang Shimin. Wang Shimin's skill is no less than mine.
I'm afraid he might cause trouble for our sealed bids, so let's not stay together for the next three to five days.
We will regroup tonight when we get back," Guo Xuyang said.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
The public bidding continued in the afternoon.
Guo Xuyang no longer paid attention to it, focusing all his attention on the sealed bids.
He noted down all the jadeite rough stones that performed well and were not too expensive on his bidding sheets.
He intended to sweep the public auction.
"Mr. Li, I will compensate you for your losses," Wang Shimin said to Li Ziwen.
"Old Wang, what are you saying? You must not say that. If it weren't for you, how would I know what jadeite is?"
"A spade is a spade. I helped you choose jadeite, but I also received my due compensation. This matter is settled." Wang Shimin said.
"You really don't need to. If you can help me choose more top-grade jadeite, that would be everything. Really, please don't mind it."
Hearing Li Ziwen's firm refusal, Wang Shimin didn't press the matter further.
Jelina's reconnaissance attempts had not been very successful. Wu Min was too cautious and simply wouldn't come out.
There was no way to get close to him, even if they thought of poisoning him.
They could only find a way on his way back.
"Jelina, do you know Ilena?" Lu Liang asked.
"Ilena? I don't know. Who is she?" Jelina replied.
"A friend of mine. She looks very much like you." Lu Liang said.
"Is that so?" Jelina smiled playfully.
"Do all men use such excuses to strike up conversations?"
"Don't misunderstand. If you were to visit my country, I would introduce you to her."
As Lu Liang spoke, he took out his phone and opened a photo.
"Take a look, do you recognize her?"
Upon seeing Ilena's photo, Jelina's eyes widened. Wasn't this her own photo?
However, her eyes were different from hers; they were brown.
Could she really be her sister? But she couldn't even remember what her parents looked like.
She only knew that she had been trained in combat since childhood, which eventually led her to become a professional assassin. She had never considered having siblings.
"She looks very much like me, but I really don't know her," Jelina said, handing the phone back to Lu Liang.
"I wish I had a sister like that."
"Can we chat about you?"
"What? You've fallen for me?"
"Just chatting? You and I don't know what these jadeites look like."
"I'm sorry, I don't like idle chat. It's better to look around during this time; perhaps I can find a good rough stone."
"Let's go. I'll accompany you."
Jelina didn't commit but didn't refuse either.
The two walked towards the public bidding venue.
When they returned at night, Guo Xuyang and Li Minxi had over a hundred bidding sheets.
Wu Youzhi and Pi Xiaoqian each had several dozen.
Only Lu Liang and Jelina had no bidding sheets.
However, the two each held a piece of rough stone, weighing about ten kilograms.
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