Chapter 29: Without You in the VIP Lounge, the Old Lady Won’t Survive!

I gestured for Hu San to follow me, walked up to the stall, and casually picked out a stone. I asked the vendor, “How much is this stone?”

The vendor was a scrawny old man with shrewd eyes. He sized me up before quoting a price that was anything but cheap.

I pretended to hesitate, then eventually put the stone back.

Clearing my throat, I remarked, “A stone like this—and you really think it’s worth something!”

Hu San, listening to me, found my behavior a bit odd.

But no sooner had I finished speaking than someone darted out from the crowd behind us, pressed a hand down on that very stone, and declared, “I’ll take it!”

The old man hadn’t even had a chance to haggle before the newcomer handed over the cash without hesitation.

I saw the old man’s brows knot with regret. Clearly, he thought he’d set the price too low.

With a calm air, I walked away from the crowd, Hu San trailing behind me, asking what exactly had just happened.

I smiled, “The Immortal’s Hint... It’s not about the stone itself. Just pay attention to my last two words.”

Hu San’s eyes lit with sudden understanding. “If you said it doesn’t look like much... that means it’s good! And if you say ‘you really think it’s worth something’... that means it actually is!”

I smiled approvingly. “You catch on quick!”

Ten minutes later, on the market’s transaction board, Gao Yude’s stall was already far ahead of the competition. With just two stones, he had made over six hundred thousand!

With my hands behind my back, I strolled slowly through the crowd. All at once, I felt a chill in my palm—a voice whispered, “Boss Gao wants you to take a gamble. Take him to the VIP lounge, and you’re to go there as well.”

I laughed. “I doubt my skills are enough to be invited up there yet.”

The man leaned close, his tone icy. “Boss Gao says, if time’s up and you’re not there, that old woman’s life is forfeit.”

A cold sweat broke out on my palm. I turned to glance at Hu San. He was already trembling with anger, fists clenched, eyes blazing.

I quickly gripped his shoulder and whispered, “Don’t be rash. This man’s just a goon. The real problem is Gao Yude.”

Hu San’s breathing was heavy, his rage undiminished, but he understood my point. Slowly, he relaxed his fists.

I turned to the man and sneered, “Tell Boss Gao I’ll be in the VIP lounge, but he’d better be ready for me.”

He snorted and walked off. Hu San and I exchanged a look, already formulating a plan. We continued pacing the market, observing the commotion.

“That sly old fox Gao Yude, using such dirty tricks,” Hu San muttered under his breath.

“He was prepared for this the moment he took Auntie away. There’s no point overthinking it now. As he wishes, let’s enter the VIP lounge early.”

Suddenly, a burst of noise erupted nearby. We saw a crowd gathering around Gao Yude’s stall—someone was hawking loudly.

I furrowed my brow and motioned for Hu San to follow. We moved toward the source of the commotion.

When we arrived, we saw Gao Yude standing proudly beside a massive stone, preparing to cut it open. His gaze swept the crowd and finally landed on me, a sly grin curling on his lips.

He raised his arm to his lackey. “Help me roll up my sleeves!”

I understood the hidden meaning in his words. Clearly, there was a big fish in this crowd, just waiting to be fleeced.

Sure enough, a middle-aged man stepped forward and said to Gao Yude, “Boss, how much do you estimate this stone is worth?”

Out of the corner of my eye, I felt Hu San nudge my back. I turned—sure enough, it was Lu Yier.

But, as we’d planned, I kept my expression unchanged when I saw him.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is a top-quality stone personally selected by yours truly!” Gao Yude announced, drawing more attention.

I watched coldly, calculating my next move. Gao Yude was clearly using this stone to demonstrate his prowess, making a big sale and leaving his competitors in the dust.

“You want a price? Let me tell you—this is fresh material from a new mine!” Gao Yude hoisted the stone higher, confidence shining in his eyes as though he held a mountain of gold.

He cleared his throat and declared, “Everyone, this is a new-mine stone of exceptional quality. The treasure inside will not disappoint!”

A stir ran through the crowd as they debated the stone’s value.

Seeing this, Gao Yude smirked and continued, “I’ve been in the jade business for years, then retired. Today marks my return, and this stone was handpicked by me—absolutely genuine. Starting price: five hundred thousand!”

As his words faded, Lu Yier immediately raised his hand. “Six hundred thousand!”

The bid instantly sparked more interest. Some in the crowd murmured, “Is this stone really worth that much?” Others were more skeptical: “Gao Yude was always a fox, and he still is. He loves to exaggerate. Be careful, everyone.”

Gao Yude’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction at Lu Yier’s bid. “A man of discernment! Six hundred thousand—do I hear more?”

A new hand shot up: “Six hundred and fifty thousand!”

“Seven hundred thousand!” Lu Yier bid again, voice unwavering.

Gao Yude’s smile widened. He knew he’d caught their attention. The higher the competition, the more the crowd’s appetite grew.

“Seven hundred and fifty thousand!” called another voice.

“Eight hundred thousand!” Lu Yier refused to yield.

I watched, a silent observer in the throng.

“Nine hundred thousand!” A flamboyantly dressed middle-aged man joined in.

“Nine hundred and fifty thousand!” Lu Yier countered yet again, eyes blazing with resolve.

Gao Yude was secretly delighted. His plan was already half-accomplished; with just one more bid, the final price would soar far above the stone’s true value.

The difference between cost and price would be his ticket to the VIP lounge.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this stone is worth far more than that!” Gao Yude proclaimed, inciting the crowd further.

“One million!” The middle-aged man raised his hand again—he wasn’t about to give up easily.

“One million, one hundred thousand!” Lu Yier pressed on, his face set with determination, as though this stone held a meaning beyond mere value.