Chapter 27: Buying a Car

Chapter 27: Buying a Car

"We naturally trust what the Chairwoman says, but the current situation of the company is not something a jade-gambling consultant can resolve. Furthermore, please forgive my ignorance, but I have never heard of this Mr. Yang," a capable-looking middle-aged man spoke up suddenly.

"Indeed, Manager Liu has hit the nail on the head."

"That’s right. The company’s current predicament isn't something a mere consultant can fix."

"What kind of expertise could a twenty-something-year-old jade-gambling consultant possibly have?"

Following the middle-aged man’s lead, others began voicing their own doubts.

If this had happened right after their previous consultant was poached, finding a replacement would have been a good thing. But now, with Liu’s Jewelry actively suppressing Shen’s Jewelry, the situation had far surpassed what a single consultant could handle.

"Your concerns are not an issue at all. I have already requested the involvement of Elder Huang, and he has agreed to represent Shen’s at the Summer Public Auction in Diannan," Shen Yuxuan said with a smile, as if she had anticipated this.

"Elder Huang is coming out of retirement?"

"If Elder Huang is involved, then there is indeed nothing to worry about."

"The Chairwoman is truly impressive to have convinced Elder Huang to step back into the scene."

Elder Huang clearly held immense weight in everyone’s hearts. Just hearing that Shen Yuxuan had secured his participation caused the expressions of worry on their faces to fade significantly.

"Who is this Elder Huang?" Yang Qi wondered to himself. For a single name to steady the nerves of an endangered company like Shen’s Jewelry, this man was definitely no ordinary person.

With Shen Yuxuan’s assurance and the addition of both Elder Huang and Yang Qi, the group felt at ease and began to excuse themselves from the conference room.

"Phew," Shen Yuxuan let out a long breath as she watched them leave.

Human nature is a strange thing. Sometimes it is inconsequential, but at other times, it is the straw that breaks the camel's back. Although Shen Yuxuan was highly capable, she hadn't been entirely certain she could stabilize the company's morale amidst the relentless pressure.

"Sister Shen, it seems the company's situation is quite grim," Yang Qi said as he looked at her.

"Don't sugarcoat it. The company is besieged from within and without. One misstep, and we might not even make it to the Summer Public Auction in Diannan," Shen Yuxuan replied with a bitter smile.

The Diannan Summer Public Auction was her only chance. If they could hold out until then, with Elder Huang’s involvement, Shen’s might be able to make a comeback. If they couldn't even last until then, Shen’s Jewelry would truly vanish from Qingchuan Province.

"No wonder you were so eager for me to come over," Yang Qi nodded, then asked, "Who is this Elder Huang that his name alone can put these store managers at ease?"

"You don't even know Elder Huang?" Shen Yuxuan looked at him in surprise, then gave a wry smile. "If I hadn't seen you gamble on jade with my own eyes, I would have doubted whether you truly understood the craft at all, given that you don't even know the basic common knowledge of the circle."

Yang Qi shrugged. He truly didn't know jade-gambling—at least not the conventional methods. He had spent his spare time over the past few days reading books on the subject to understand raw stones, or else he wouldn't even know the basic terminology.

"Elder Huang is a long-renowned master of jade-gambling in Qingchuan Province. Even the four current masters in the province were mentored by him in their youth. His skill level is currently the highest in all of Qingchuan," Shen Yuxuan explained.

So that was it.

Yang Qi nodded slightly. No wonder the store managers had calmed down immediately upon hearing that Elder Huang was coming out of retirement.

"Elder Huang retired from official positions a long time ago. When I went to the antique market, I was actually there to invite him out of retirement," Shen Yuxuan said in a low voice. "My father did him a favor years ago; otherwise, it would have been very difficult to convince him to help me."

In fact, Yang Qi had always found it strange. With Shen’s Jewelry facing internal and external crises, Shen Yuxuan should have had plenty to handle; why would she suddenly appear at an antique street? The jewelry companies that had handed him business cards back then were small-time operations, incomparable to a large-scale enterprise like Shen’s, which was worth over a billion.

Even if Shen’s Jewelry were desperate for jadeite, it wouldn't have reached the point where the Chairwoman had to personally visit raw stone shops to try her luck. It turned out she had just happened to be there.

"But favors are things that disappear once used," Shen Yuxuan shook her head slightly. Although Elder Huang owed her father, that debt was finite. If Shen’s Jewelry didn't solve the consultant issue, high-end jadeite would remain their Achilles' heel.

"So, in three days, you will accompany me to the raw stone market in Yuedong to get more practice," Shen Yuxuan said.

Jade-gambling, like martial arts, was not something one could master just by reading books. It required a vast amount of practice. In her view, Yang Qi was just a college student, so his opportunities for practice must have been limited. Even so, his level of skill was already impressive; with extensive hands-on experience, he would surely become even stronger. Once he stepped into the ranks of a true jade-gambling master, Shen’s Jewelry would not have to worry about high-end jadeite for a long time.

Yang Qi nodded. This was his duty as a consultant, and besides, he needed a large amount of origin crystals for his cultivation. Regardless of the reason, he needed to visit places with more raw stones.

"By the way, you don't have a car yet, which is a bit inconvenient. Should I have the company provide you with one?" Shen Yuxuan asked.

"No need. I have a driver’s license, and I was planning to buy one in the next two days," Yang Qi declined. While a company car was free, it wouldn't be his own. Besides, as a consultant, he was often away from the office, so having his own vehicle would be more convenient.

"That works too. I have some connections with managers at several 4S dealerships. I can accompany you so you can get a discount," Shen Yuxuan said with a smile.

"Then thank you, Sister Shen," Yang Qi said.

"You are our company’s lifesaver right now; helping you is the least I can do," Shen Yuxuan smiled.

She immediately notified Xu Jiajia to drive them to a nearby dealership. Over the past few days, between the attacks, A-Biao’s funeral, and the internal issues at the company, Shen Yuxuan had been under immense mental strain. Only now, with the company’s morale stabilized, did she feel she could finally relax.

Soon, led by Xu Jiajia, they arrived at a 4S dealership. As they entered, Yang Qi spotted two familiar figures in the distance.

"Luo Rong?" Seeing the two people picking out a car, Yang Qi’s brows furrowed slightly.

"What’s wrong?" Shen Yuxuan asked upon noticing his reaction.

"Nothing, just ran into two acquaintances," Yang Qi replied indifferently, looking away.

"Acquaintances?" Shen Yuxuan looked at the man and woman in the distance with a thoughtful expression but said nothing. With her sharpness, she could easily guess that something—and likely something unpleasant—had happened between Yang Qi and that pair.