Chapter Forty-Five: The First Hand, Bought All!

Old Leopard Chen and Gao Youde were the last to step forward, each presenting their funds: eight million and, in Gao Youde’s case, eight million and one yuan. Deliberately, Gao Youde held that extra yuan high above his head, sneering as he declared, “I, Gao Youde, won’t leave today until I’ve had my fill!”

At once, the atmosphere in the room grew tense and oppressive.

Once the funds were verified, Lu Yier nodded with a satisfied smile. He swept his gaze around the room and announced, “Now that everyone’s finances have been confirmed, let’s officially begin today’s stone gambling event!”

“Next, please examine the stones!”

Our group followed Lu Yier to one end of the table. Before us, the rough jade stones were more than double what we’d seen the day before—over five hundred pieces in all.

Gao Youde looked over the selection, stroking his chin as he glanced at Chen, saying, “Old Leopard, with this many stones to play with, I hope your eight million won’t run out too soon!”

Chen Old Leopard said nothing in reply.

Two young men stood beside the rough stones, neatly dressed and gloved—clearly prepared to load the stones onto the mountain railway in a moment.

After everyone made a circuit around the rough stones, they nodded in satisfaction, then moved to a nearby table.

“Now for the second step: let’s test the mountain railway!” Lu Yier said.

The little tin train wound its way across the landscape table before us, its carriages rattling and clattering. My heart fluttered with excitement. The metallic sound of the tin carriages scraping and knocking against the rough stones was pronounced—especially useful for someone like me who had studied “Blood-Eyed Jade Identification.” The louder the sound, the more resonant the jade marrow hidden within—a telltale sign that made judging the stones much easier.

Lu Yier watched our expressions, smiling faintly, evidently pleased by our reactions. He waved his hand, signaling the two young men to begin.

They deftly placed the rough stones onto the little railway. The tin train started up, circling the landscape table. Each stone, as it rubbed against the metal carriage, produced a distinct sound—some crisp, some muffled.

Gao Youde, evidently confident in this method, listened intently, nodding as if he had already marked out several targets in his mind. Chen Old Leopard, on the other hand, was more cautious. He fixed his gaze on each stone, brow furrowed in deep thought.

I dared not relax, listening carefully to every sound that emerged from the rocks. Suddenly, one stone gave off an especially clear and bright tone, like a mountain spring striking a rock.

My heart skipped a beat. I noted its position carefully.

“Everyone, the mountain railway has checked out fine, so we can officially begin the competition!” Lu Yier announced, smiling.

The five of us responded in unison, “Let’s begin!”

Lu Yier nodded in satisfaction and went on, “Good. Next, we’ll draw lots to determine the order. Please come forward.”

One by one, we stepped to the table and drew our numbers. I drew third place; Gao Youde drew first, and Chen Old Leopard drew fifth. The other two received second and fourth, respectively.

Upon seeing he was first, Gao Youde’s lips curled with pride. He looked at Chen Old Leopard and taunted, “Old Leopard, let me set the tone for the first round!”

Chen Old Leopard remained silent, casting a cold, sharp glance at Gao Youde—a flash of something dangerous in his eyes.

Honestly, I hadn’t expected Gao Youde to be so lucky, drawing first on the very first round. That meant he’d have the first pick with every piece—if he claimed a stone, the rest of us would just have to pay up!

Lu Yier clapped his hands to quiet us. “Since the order is set, let’s begin. Xiao Li, Xiao Wang, bring the little train around and load the stones!”

We were underway.

Lu Yier started the little train, which trundled along the landscape table back to the starting point. Xiao Li and Xiao Wang each picked up some rough stones and placed them in the carriage behind the train, then set it rolling toward us.

The tin train moved slowly, the stones in the carriage glimmering faintly under the lights.

Gao Youde, in first position, stared unblinkingly at the train, studying every stone within the carriage. This time, Xiao Li and Xiao Wang had placed five stones in the little train.

Suddenly, Gao Youde’s gaze settled on one particularly rough but resonant piece. He reached out, took it, and tapped it gently—a clear, powerful sound echoed through the room.

“I’ll take all five!” Gao Youde declared confidently, a smug smile on his lips.

At his words, we all froze. Wasn’t this a little too blatant?

If he took them all, and even one turned out to be of middling value, the four of us behind him would have to pay him!

But then again, it was his luck to have drawn first, and with his capital, he had the confidence to do so.

Lu Yier did not stop him, simply smiling and saying, “Since Mr. Gao wishes to claim all five stones, let’s proceed by the rules.” He gestured for Xiao Li and Xiao Wang to record the numbers of the five stones.

The rest of us exchanged glances, dissatisfied but resigned to the outcome. The rules were open and clear—no one received special treatment.

Thus, the first round ended.

The five of us returned to our seats and waited for the results.

A few skilled jade craftsmen approached and, in our presence, began to cut open the stones. At the same time, they asked Gao Youde to submit his valuation for each piece in a sealed box.

To make sure he profited, Gao Youde requested another look at each of the five stones, then wrote down his prices.

The first stone was quickly cut open.

Worthless rubble—nothing more than construction waste.

All eyes turned to Gao Youde, whose face suddenly darkened.

Su Li, however, sneered. “Gao Youde, surely you didn’t set a price for this one? Fifty thousand, a hundred thousand, or maybe two hundred thousand?”

“If you did, the four of us will each owe you twenty, forty, or eighty thousand!”

Gao Youde retorted coldly, glaring at Su Li. “Relax, girl. If you’d been a bit nicer last night, I wouldn’t have minded giving it to you for free!”

Su Li’s expression soured.

At that moment, the staff opened Gao Youde’s sealed box for the first stone and read aloud, “Mr. Gao has valued the first stone at zero—waste material!”

“Right on! Ha!” Gao Youde sneered, then turned to Su Li. “When I was gambling on jade, little girl, you weren’t even a glimmer in your old man’s eye. Who are you trying to fool here?”