Chapter Fifty-Two: Su Li Is Merely a Tool

Only three stones remain.

If none of them contain quality jade, I’ll lose my place at the top. And the number of raw stones will jump to twenty! If my opponent has even half the luck of Gao Youde, I’ll be dragged under by their capital. Unless, of course, they lack the strength.

I don’t know what the eighth stone holds, but worrying now is pointless; I can only watch as it slowly emerges from the miniature train carriage. My eyes remain fixed on the stone.

Unfortunately, it’s nothing but a common rock—utterly worthless.

As the eighth stone vanishes, I’m left with only two chances.

Just then, Su Li shoots me a cold glance. “Cousin, do you really intend to cling to that position forever? Don’t you know what gentlemanly conduct is?”

“I’ve let you see eight out of ten stones. For the last two, I’d like to choose. Any objections?”

Su Li’s sudden interruption leaves me speechless. Once again, I have no idea how she entered the world of stone gambling, and as for her blood-eye jade appraisal, I don’t know how far she’s mastered it. Regardless, I’m determined not to let her participate.

I smile faintly, striving to appear calm. “Su Li, stone gambling requires experience and luck. I think I should continue.” My tone is gentle, but unwavering.

Su Li snorts, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes. “Cousin, are you afraid? Or do you simply lack confidence?”

Her words sting like a needle, yet I know I cannot let emotion sway me. I coolly inform her, “I believe I can do it. As for confidence, I have it—mainly concerning you.”

Taking a deep breath, I prepare to start the miniature train.

But in the next moment, Su Li’s words send a jolt through me.

“Fine, cousin. We’re squabbling here for everyone to see—a real embarrassment. But I’m not ignorant of social graces. If you let me choose, I’ll tell you right away about Xiao Mi’s situation!”

Never did I expect Su Li to bring up Xiao Mi’s disappearance at such a moment.

Before meeting Hu San, Xiao Mi was the one closest to me—aside from my mother, the most important person in my life!

I’ve searched for her for so long—

So long that I sometimes feel she might no longer exist.

The only reason I gamble on stones is to bolster myself, to earn more resources to find her.

Su Li’s words strike like lightning, splitting the fog in my heart and leaving me at a loss.

Xiao Mi—she knows about Xiao Mi?

A surge of conflicting emotions rises within me: hope, anger.

I stare hard at Su Li, trying to glean something from her eyes.

“Su Li, you know about Xiao Mi?”

I lower my voice, attempting calm, though my inner turmoil is impossible to hide.

Su Li smiles lightly, a hint of triumph in her eyes. “Of course I know, cousin. But if you want to find out, you’ll need to let me choose these last two stones.”

I struggle internally—her offer is hard to refuse, yet I can’t easily let go of this final chance.

Stone gambling is not just my profession; it’s my only hope of finding Xiao Mi. I inhale deeply, striving for composure.

“Su Li, if you truly know about Xiao Mi, you must understand how much this means to me.”

I look into her eyes, hoping my sincerity might move her. “We can cooperate, but not like this.”

Su Li’s smile fades, replaced by a calm, resolute expression. “Cousin, this is not a negotiation—it’s a transaction. You let me open the stones, and I’ll tell you about Xiao Mi.”

Gao Youde, hearing our exchange, calls out loudly, “Enough, you two—this isn’t a place for family chit-chat. If you’re going to play, play; if not, step aside! Now you’re making other deals?”

I know that words are useless now; Su Li is clearly set on her course.

I sigh helplessly and nod. “Very well, Su Li, you may proceed.”

Su Li nods with satisfaction, steps to the table, and begins operating the miniature train.

I stand by, emotions in turmoil: worry for Xiao Mi, distrust for Su Li.

The train starts slowly; the first stone is revealed, and my heartbeat quickens.

Su Li examines the stone closely, her fingers tracing its surface as if sensing hidden secrets.

Her movements exude confidence and familiarity. After a moment, she suddenly pauses, a flash of excitement in her eyes.

“This stone has potential!” Su Li’s voice carries a note of excitement.

The moment I see the stone, I’m utterly speechless.

It’s nothing more than an exceptionally ordinary rock.

In that instant, I fully understand—Su Li is nothing but a tool, a complete novice in jade. Her excitement and confidence are mere acts; she has no real judgement.

My heart turns cold. So her so-called “deal” is just a ploy, using news of Xiao Mi to manipulate me, to make me abandon my own judgement.

But I can’t let her lead me around anymore.

“Su Li, you don’t understand stone gambling!” I say coldly, unable to hide my anger and disappointment. “This stone shouldn’t be cut!”

Su Li’s expression changes momentarily, but she quickly recovers, chuckling lightly. “Cousin, are you doubting me?”

“It’s not doubt—it’s fact,” I reply firmly. “You don’t know the value of this stone. You’re just toying with me.”

Her gaze turns icy; she knows I’ve seen through her game, yet she shows no sign of retreat.

She strokes the stone lightly, saying, “Cousin, do you really think you’re so amusing?”

I’m taken aback.

The next moment, Su Li bursts out laughing. “That’s right, cousin—you really are amusing, so amusing! I came here today just to play with you!”

“Su Li, what do you really want?” I inhale deeply, striving for calm.

“What do you care? I’m standing here now, and they can only listen to me!”

“Hurry up and cut this stone!”

“Are you all blind? Didn’t you hear?”

Su Li snorts coldly at the staff.

Then, as if nothing is amiss, she picks up a tag and begins writing a price.

This fiend actually writes one million!

“What does this mean? A worthless stone, marked at such a high price, will create a huge deficit!”

“This round, I may be doomed to lose everything.”