Sister Xiang stood close to me, her special perfume insidiously filling my nostrils.
The machine's sound finally stopped, and Wen Siqiang quickly retrieved it.
I took the stone. Master Zhang opened a small window where he had previously polished, about the size of a one-yuan coin.
My eyes immediately lit up. Green, goddamn green!
There was no need for a lamp; the cut surface emitted a vibrant green glow that made one's mouth water.
If this color continued, it would undoubtedly be a piece of Imperial Green rough.
Brother Qing walked over, smiling, and said to me, "You guessed right. This color is impeccable."
I replied, "Brother Qing, you spoke too soon. We've only opened a small window. If it's broken inside, it's still worthless."
Brother Qing said, "This small piece is enough. It's enough for your sister-in-law to have one cabochon. Give it to the master, and we'll go look at other areas."
I said, "That won't do. I promised sister-in-law a pendant and a bracelet. Just seeing green isn't enough. Give it to the master to peel. I'm betting it's a full piece. If not, I'll pay the ten thousand cash reward."
Brother Qing remarked, "You truly are stubborn. Alright, let's peel it then. We'll go tour first."
I handed the stone to Wen Siqiang and then went with Brother Qing and Brother Bao to look at other warehouses.
Sister Xiang was reluctant to leave and stayed behind to await the results.
Just then, a young man hurried over and whispered in my ear, "Young Master Tai suddenly announced the opening of the rough stone trading fair today. Many of our invited guests were picked up by him from the airport." DAFENG NOVEL NETWORK
That bastard Young Master Tai is indeed untrustworthy. Not only did he break his promise, but he opened a day early. Most of our merchants from other regions arrived today, and if he intercepts them for transactions, it will greatly impact us.
I said to Brother Qing, "Brother Qing, you and Brother Bao go ahead and look. I need to handle something."
Brother Bao asked what was happening. I told him Young Master Tai opened the market early and intercepted our guests.
Brother Bao asked, "Something like this? How do you plan to handle it?"
I replied, "How else? Go smash it!"
Brother Bao advised, "Smashing also requires strategy. Smashing in front of guests would reflect poorly on us. Our opening is tomorrow, and if word gets out, who would dare to come?"
As soon as I heard that, my mind cleared. I had been too consumed by anger and hadn't considered this aspect.
Brother Bao suggested, "Brother Qing, you should return to the hotel to rest. We'll go handle this."
Brother Qing stated, "That's being too polite. Since I've encountered this, I must intervene. Here's what we'll do: I'll call some people from across the street. Causing a bit of trouble should be enough."
Brother Qing's idea was excellent. His people were all unfamiliar faces, and there was no need to smash anything; causing a dispute would suffice.
I said, "Then I'll trouble Brother Qing. However, since there's a bet, I'll be there at the scene today. I'm curious to see how Young Master Tai explains himself to me."
Brother Qing responded, "Alright, you just wait and watch the show there. I don't believe this little brat dares to stir up such a storm."
After saying that, he picked up his satellite phone, dialed a number, and spoke a string of words in Burmese. Hanging up, he said, "They should arrive in about two hours. You go pick them up at the port. Discuss your plan and then act separately."
I replied, "Okay, then we'll continue looking. After we're done, you go back to the hotel to rest. We'll handle Young Master Tai's matter."
Brother Qing said, "No need to look anymore. You're doing great. Ah Bao and I are going to the office. You go accompany sister-in-law. She's already set her sights on your Imperial Green rough. If it doesn't turn out, you handle it."
I assured him, "Don't worry. I have quite a few stones here myself. If it truly doesn't turn out, I'll cut all my stones to meet sister-in-law's requirements."
Brother Qing smiled, tapped me with his finger, and then followed Brother Bao back to the office building.
I watched them leave, then went to the warehouse to see Master Zhang cutting the stone.
This piece of rough had an old, hard texture and was difficult to cut.
Sister Xiang stood by the machine, watching motionlessly. The sharp cutting sound seemed like beautiful music to her, and she admired it with great interest.
Everyone has desires, especially strong ones, which can make them disregard everything discordant or even detestable. Because at that moment, their hearts are filled only with the beauty of their desires!
Sister Xiang's mind was now completely occupied with the jade pendant and bracelet. No matter how unpleasant or sharp the sound, it was all beautiful music.
I walked over. Sister Xiang quickly smiled at me, her eyes sending a jolt through me. I immediately stopped in my tracks, afraid she might come over to kiss me again.
If my intimacy with Jing Lei and others was driven by affection, then with Sister Xiang, it was purely the work of hormones. For some reason, I never felt such an impulse towards any other beautiful girl.
I couldn't explain it myself.
I dared not look at her again, fearing that evil thoughts might arise in my mind.
Master Zhang had already cut off one side. He rinsed the dust from the cut surface with water and told me, "This side is not broken. There's a crack in the middle, but it won't affect the extraction of the piece."
I nodded and told him to continue cutting.
Muna rough rarely has cracks. Even with one, I wasn't worried; it wouldn't shatter.
Even with the best texture and water, if there are fine cracks, it becomes waste material, worthless.
I remember mentioning earlier that cracks are like shattered tempered glass; it looks like a whole piece, but it's actually completely broken.
There was basically no suspense with this stone. I asked Wen Siqiang to guard it and hand it over to Sister Xiang once it was finished. I went to look around elsewhere.
Jing Lei and Lan Ya were very busy today. Da Kui was in charge of security. Fortunately, Wen Siqiang had returned and could assist me.
The workers began setting up the venue. Tables and chairs were already in place. Some workers were hanging banners and streamers, making the arrangements festive, like a holiday.
This was indeed a holiday, our own festival.
At this moment, Lan Ya called me and said that Bo Gang and the minister from Myanmar had arrived and were on their way to the hotel.
Although they came from abroad, it was actually more convenient than coming from inland. It was difficult for people from Beijing and Shanghai to make the trip, usually requiring a transfer in Kunming. Sometimes, due to weather, planes would fly in circles and return to Kunming, making the journey back arduous.
The weather on the plateau is unpredictable, changing from clear to cloudy in an instant. The most difficult thing is the weather forecast. It can be sunny three times and cloudy five times a day; what do you report, sunny or cloudy? Clouds gather, it rains for a bit, then the sky is clear. Do you report a shower today, or sunny?
Therefore, it's normal for flights to circle in the air and divert to other airports.
Today, fortunately, it was a bright, sunny day, and all flights were on time. This also provided an opportunity for Young Master Tai's men to intercept people directly at the airport.