Chapter 43: Investigation Results

Liu Xiangnan was in a good mood. Having come to Guangdong, he had confirmed that the Li family would not step in to assist the Shen family, which was excellent news for his upcoming maneuvers. As long as the Li family stayed out of it, his ultimate plan would be viable. Under the pressure of internal strife and external threats, he was certain he could swallow up the Shen family.

Although Yang Qi’s appearance had come as a surprise, he was just a man in his early twenties; how good could his jade-gambling skills really be? He posed no significant threat to the plan, though out of caution, Liu Xiangnan decided to keep an eye on him.

Liu Xiangnan was a jade-gambling expert himself. He had selected a few rough stones today but chose not to cut them open on the spot, preferring to take them back to Guangdong. As the manager of Liu’s Jewelry, there was no need for him to seek such attention.

Just as he stepped out of a shop, Liu Xiangnan saw a crowd of people surging forward.

"My friend, what’s happening?" Liu Xiangnan stopped a man and asked.

In the rough stone market, such a scene usually meant someone had struck gold—a major find.

"Someone at the Li family’s shop hit the jackpot. They say it’s blood jade," the man replied, glancing at Liu Xiangnan. Seeing the bodyguards nearby, he quickly answered honestly, despite his initial annoyance.

"Blood jade?" Liu Xiangnan was momentarily stunned.

Blood jade was top-tier material, comparable to glassy jadeite in value. Because of its extreme rarity, it was practically priceless and rarely seen. Even as the chairman of Liu’s Jewelry, Liu Xiangnan had only seen it once in his life.

"I can't talk anymore, I have to hurry and see that blood jade," the man muttered, rushing off to follow the crowd.

"Go find out what’s going on," Liu Xiangnan ordered his bodyguard.

The bodyguard obeyed and returned within two or three minutes with a clear report.

"Well?" Liu Xiangnan asked.

"Young Master Liu, it’s Shen’s Jewelry," the bodyguard said in a low voice.

Shen’s Jewelry?

Liu Xiangnan’s expression shifted. "Tell me exactly what happened."

"They say their jade-gambling consultant had three consecutive wins at the Li family’s shop, and he cut out blood jade. Li Yun himself praised Yang Qi, and people are already calling him a jade-gambling master," the bodyguard reported.

Three consecutive wins? Blood jade?

Liu Xiangnan’s face darkened. According to their intelligence, Yang Qi had also cut jade in the Qingzhou antique market—four consecutive wins, including emeralds. Now, three wins and blood jade!

"A jade-gambling master?" Liu Xiangnan’s expression was grim. He was skeptical, but even if Yang Qi hadn't reached the level of a master, he was surely close. His skills had to be at least on par with his own; otherwise, such a streak would be impossible.

*Pop! Pop! Pop!*

At that moment, the sound of firecrackers erupted in the distance. It was the industry custom to celebrate a major jade-gambling win with firecrackers.

"Young Master Liu, shall we go over?" the bodyguard asked quietly.

"No," Liu Xiangnan replied after a moment of hesitation, shaking his head. The jade had already been cut; going there would be pointless. Why should he go and watch the Shen family gloat?

...

Escorted by Zhou Hai and Chen Meng, Yang Qi and his group finally broke through the crowd and arrived at the Li family’s hotel. As the owners of the largest shop in the rough stone market, the Li family’s businesses were extensive, and this hotel was one of them.

"A hero among youths; Mr. Yang is truly remarkable," Li Yun said in the private room, filled with emotion.

He considered his own talent in jade-gambling to be exceptional—his grandfather believed he would reach the master level before thirty. Yet, Yang Qi was even younger and already surpassed him. Even if he hadn't reached the master level, he was surely close.

"You are too kind, Mr. Li. It was just luck," Yang Qi replied quickly.

Neither Li Yun nor Shen Yuxuan believed him. It was no wonder; everyone present had been certain that the final rough stone contained nothing, let alone a treasure like blood jade. To have the nerve to insist on cutting it open without changing his expression—if that wasn't confidence, what was?

Perhaps luck played a part, but Yang Qi’s skill was undeniable. Otherwise, Li Yun wouldn't have personally helped elevate his reputation. While helping Shen’s Jewelry was a factor, it was primarily due to Yang Qi’s own ability. As the heir to the largest rough stone supplier in Guangdong, Li Yun wouldn't have staked his reputation on someone incompetent.

"Mr. Li’s own skills are impressive. I am very fond of the stone you chose for Sister Shen," Yang Qi said suddenly.

"Uh..." Li Yun paused. He recalled the question Yang Qi had asked him earlier and suddenly realized that Yang Qi had seen through the Li family’s intentions all along.

"To be honest, that stone was left behind by my elder sister," Li Yun admitted.

Although he didn't spell it out, the implication was clear: the Li family had intentionally sold the stone to Shen’s Jewelry at a low price.

Shen Yuxuan, sitting nearby, felt deeply moved. She was already satisfied that the Li family hadn't boycotted her business; helping them would have gone against the Li family’s long-standing principles, so she hadn't blamed them at all.

"Please thank Sister Yunxi for me," Shen Yuxuan said.

"Given the relationship between you and my sister, there is no need for such formalities," Li Yun said with a smile.

Just then, Yang Qi’s phone rang. It was Zhao Yixin. Her colleagues had left, and since she was alone in Guangdong, she naturally thought of Yang Qi. She asked for his location, intending to come over.

"Mr. Li, I apologize, a friend is coming over," Yang Qi said after hanging up.

"It’s no problem. Your friends are my friends," Li Yun laughed.

"Excuse me, I'll go meet her," Yang Qi said as he stood up.

"Xiao Yang, this friend... she isn't the one from the plane yesterday, is she?" Shen Yuxuan asked suddenly.

Yang Qi nodded and left the room to wait at the hotel entrance.

...

In a hotel room near the stone market, a bodyguard approached Liu Xiangnan.

"Young Master Liu, we’ve obtained the information you wanted."

"Speak," Liu Xiangnan said, pausing with his wine glass in hand.

"Yang Qi, twenty-three years old, a senior student at Qing University's School of Economics and Trade..." The bodyguard recited the details.

"This is all the information you have on Yang Qi?" Liu Xiangnan set the glass down and looked at the bodyguard.

"Yes," the bodyguard replied, keeping his head down. Even he knew this report was clearly flawed. Where did Yang Qi get his jade-gambling skills? Was a talent of this caliber just born that way, or did it fall from the sky?