The stones were piled high against the north wall.
She remembered it clearly: before the surveillance was shut down, the stones in the storeroom hadn't even filled half the space.
But now, the entire storeroom was full, with stones even stacked behind the security door on the east side.
And these stones were unnumbered. Yes, unnumbered.
She looked up at Guo Xuyang in astonishment, not knowing what to say.
"Manager Guo, these stones?"
"Don't ask too many questions. Just record the invoices Mr. Wu gave you in the ledger.
You can keep a separate record for these, but you must meticulously document the destination of each stone.
Especially record the prices in detail. All income will be treated as profit and included in future dividends."
"Understood, Manager Guo."
"Has the stone-cutting master arrived today?"
"Yes, they arrived early this morning. Mr. Wu specifically arranged it."
"Good. Take me to see them."
Guo Xuyang followed Xia Li to the villa courtyard on the west side.
The first checkpoint upon entering the storeroom was security. The guard scanned both of them.
The second checkpoint was the security gate, an airport-grade metal detector personally procured by Manager Cheng.
It was designed to prevent anyone entering the warehouse from carrying explosive items. Manager Cheng's foresight was truly commendable.
The third checkpoint was the elevator access control. Xia Li scanned her work card to activate the elevator.
The fourth checkpoint was the elevator exit on the first basement level. Security confirmed their identities before granting passage.
The fifth checkpoint was the access control to the stone-cutting room. Xia Li had to scan her work card again for them to enter.
"Xia Li, weren't there fewer access controls when we visited yesterday?"
"Manager Guo, there were no items in the storeroom at that time, so the access control measures were not activated.
Since the raw stones entered the storeroom yesterday afternoon, all surveillance systems have been fully operational, and all personnel are in place."
"I see. I thought such strict measures were unnecessary. They're just stones, after all."
"Manager Guo, Manager Cheng has his reasons for designing it this way.
Furthermore, every stone here is extremely valuable.
Wealth attracts desire; caution prevents disaster."
"Mhm. You are absolutely right.
If, and I mean if.
You were taken hostage, or if your work card was stolen, could they still gain entry?"
"Impossible. Even if my work card were stolen, they wouldn't get past security during the confirmation process.
Kidnapping me would be equally useless. Entry requires a joint confirmation of person and card."
"Is it even more stringent entering the second basement level?"
"Yes. Currently, no one besides me can access the second basement level.
I've set all access controls to deny passage to everyone.
Moreover, the second basement level requires both fingerprint and iris recognition.
In the future, the second basement level will be entirely dedicated to storing premium jade."
"Hmm, excellent."
As they spoke, the two entered the stone-cutting room.
Inside, two stone-cutting masters were diligently examining stones, marking lines, and cutting.
The room was two meters high, five meters wide, and ten meters long.
Two stone-cutting machines were in operation.
Although the space was not large, the ventilation system was exceptionally well-designed, with dust being directly drawn away through pipes.
Guo Xuyang observed that the stones were not large, and both craftsmen were very focused, their markings relatively precise.
"Thank you for your hard work, masters!" Guo Xuyang approached them and greeted them.
"Hello, supervisor. No trouble at all," the two stone-cutting masters replied after glancing at them.
"I see the stones aren't very large. Are the bigger ones not being cut yet?" Guo Xuyang asked.
"These have undergone rough processing upstairs. We are now doing the fine work, removing the outer shell to expose the jade."
"And are there only two of you?"
"Yes. Just the two of us at the moment. However, two others haven't arrived yet; they are specifically responsible for carving."
"How does Mr. Wu calculate your wages?"
"Fifty thousand a month. Plus a commission based on the quantity of jade cut. It's much more than what we earned at the shops."
"Mhm, very good. If you have any requests, speak directly with Manager Xia."
"Understood, supervisor."
Guo Xuyang found them to be pleasant and skilled craftsmen. After a brief chat, he headed upstairs.
He couldn't afford to be careless; this was his base of operations, after all.
"Manager Guo, these are Mr. Wu's instructions. He requires the two of you to cut ten raw stones today. He will come to inspect them this afternoon."
Xia Li said, looking at Guo Xuyang.
"Oh? What's the story?"
"As you mentioned yesterday, every stone must have its origin documented.
Mr. Wu intends to acquire these ten stones and wants the stone-cutting masters to select and cut them.
He also mentioned that this serves as a test for the stone-cutting masters."
"Mhm. Then we'll wait for him. Did you finish what I asked about the east villa yesterday?"
"It's completed.
I've set all entry and exit points from the warehouse to the east villa to deny passage.
You'll need to verify your fingerprint and iris scans."
"Let's go. We'll verify them first."
"Alright, Manager Guo, please follow me."
Xia Li led Guo Xuyang to the second basement level.
The second basement level was brightly lit.
After exiting the elevator, they first underwent fingerprint and iris verification before entering a passageway.
Every five meters, there was a security door, some requiring a work card, others fingerprint verification, and still others iris verification.
After passing through twenty security doors, they finally arrived at an elevator.
"Manager Guo, please place your finger on the switch. I will now record your fingerprint," Xia Li said.
Guo Xuyang followed Xia Li's instructions, recording his fingerprints and irises. Then, they took the elevator directly to the ground level.
Security at the elevator exit confirmed their identities before allowing them to pass.
"Excellent. I didn't expect Manager Cheng to be so talented. His design is truly seamless.
Xia Li, you will now bear the important responsibility of guarding these raw stones.
Unless there are special circumstances, you should reside here from now on."
"Thank you for your trust, Manager Guo," Xia Li replied. She then moved her lips slightly, but no words came out.
Guo Xuyang sensed that Xia Li had something more to say, so he said, "If you have anything, just say it directly. I'll help you with anything I can."
"Manager Guo, my father is visiting tomorrow. I'd like to go pick him up, but I can't leave here."
"Ah, that's a small matter. Go ahead and don't worry.
From now on, stones will only be released from the warehouse in the mornings. You can attend to your personal matters in the afternoon.
When you return, leave the phone numbers of Mr. Wu, Mr. Pi, and the others.
If they need stones, have them call you in advance so you can prepare."
"Thank you, Manager Guo."
Xia Li jumped for joy and, overcome with emotion, hugged Guo Xuyang.
"Alright, alright, look how happy you are."
Guo Xuyang gently held Xia Li's arms.
Only then did Xia Li realize she had gotten carried away and her face turned bright red.