Chapter 42
Stella was waiting in front of the Lexus, dressed in a simple professional suit, her hair tied neatly in a ponytail. Bai Xia introduced them.
"This is Stella, my assistant for our new business."
The way Bai Xia said business, Bai Xuan felt a chill—this didn't feel like an ordinary business at all. She hesitated, but Bai Xuan shook hands with Stella.
"It's nice to meet you," Bai Xuan said politely.
"The pleasure is all mine," Stella replied with a soft smile.
Bai Xia and Bai Xuan got into the passenger seat. As the car pulled out of the villa, Bai Xuan caught sight of An Yu teaching Bai Yang and Bai Xin to ride bicycles in the playground. It was a peaceful scene, almost domestic, but Bai Xuan's heart was uneasy.
The car drove for a while, winding through streets until they reached a more remote district. Bai Xuan, fidgeting in her seat, finally asked,
"Xia'er… where are we going?"
All she received in return was silence. Bai Xuan's stomach twisted nervously, but she could only sit tight.
Soon, they arrived. The entrance of the jade gambling street was a spectacle. Red lanterns swayed gently above narrow alleyways, each inscribed with golden Chinese characters. The faint scent of incense mixed with polished stone, filling the air. Banners boasted: "Heavenly Jade," "Pure Green Jade," "Guaranteed Fortune." Stalls crowded every inch, trays of stones gleaming under the sunlight, some shimmering faintly in shadow. The air buzzed with haggling voices and the occasional shout, announcing stone grades, origins, and prices.
Bai Xuan's eyes widened. Bai Xia is here to buy jade… or gamble? She trusted her sister, but a small thrill of fear ran down her spine.
They stepped out of the car, drawing curious glances. Stella carried Bai Xia's bag as they entered the market. Bai Xia, calm and deliberate, bought three shopping carts to hold the stones.
When Bai Xuan saw the carts, she realized just how serious her sister was.
"Xia… isn't this a little risky?"
"Just stay calm and trust me," Bai Xia said, her eyes sharp and unyielding. Bai Xuan flinched slightly—when Bai Xia's gaze became serious like that, it was almost frightening.
The market was alive with energy. Vendors, noticing Bai Xia's elegant clothes, called out eagerly:
"Little lady, pure green jade! Top quality!"
"Golden yellow jade, rare and priceless!"
"White jade, flawless and perfect for display!"
Bai Xia moved calmly, selecting stones with her crystal eyes. She scanned them carefully: a flash of bright green, a hint of yellow, a shimmer of white—she picked and placed them in the carts.
Watching her, Bai Xuan's jaw dropped. She's picking at random… but she knows exactly what she's doing.
By the time they walked out, the first cart was brimming with stones ranging from the size of a baby's fist to the size of a pumpkin. Bai Xia had spent 10,000 yen on this cart alone. Seeing the amount, Bai Xuan's heart ached.
They entered larger shops. Observers, noticing their casual manner and stylish clothes, assumed they were just showing off. The thought of wealth so casually wielded made them sigh in envy. Bai Xia continued, cart after cart, until all three were filled with stones of every color. Green was most common, but hints of yellow, white, pink, and purple shimmered through. The total spent was 100,000 yen.
Bai Xia directed the carts to the cutting tables. A crowd had gathered by now, murmuring in curiosity and envy.
"She's here to waste money!" one whispered.
"Who spends like that?" another scoffed.
"She must be from a hidden rich family!"
Bai Xia ignored them. Bai Xuan blushed, regretting her fancy outfit. I shouldn't have dressed up…
At the cutting tables, Bai Xia grabbed three stones, marked them with chalk, and instructed the cutters. She could see through each stone: one green, one yellow, and one white—a waste. Still, she remained calm.
The cutters started. Soon, the first stone revealed its inner color.
"It's green! It's green!"
The crowd erupted. Some approached Bai Xia, offering:
"Sell this to me! 20,000 yen, it certain if it's all green!"
Bai Xia shook her head, waiting for the cuts to finish. The cutter grew more animated, clearly impressed. The second stone glimmered yellow.
"It's yellow! It's yellow!"
Excitement grew. Businessmen began debating, even squabbling over who would bid first. The third stone was a waste, but no one cared—the crowd's attention was captured entirely by the precious green and yellow.
Bai Xia calmly selected another stone from the cart, marked it, and handed it to the cutter. The reveal showed:
Imperial Green Jade – deep emerald, size of two apples, flawless and translucent.
Golden Sun Jade – honey-gold yellow, size of a football, polished naturally.
The next stone, revealed as another green, sent whispers of awe through the crowd.
"She's incredible… can she really see the quality at a glance?"
"Such luck… or skill?"
"She must be from a jade loving family!"
Bai Xia continued systematically. Under the crowd's gaze, she cut the entire cart: 30 stones in total. Five were waste, the remaining 25 were precious jades. Among them:
1. Imperial Green Jade – deep green, two apples in size.
2. Golden Sun Jade – honey-gold, football size.
3. White Lotus Jade – milky, small pumpkin in size.
4. Rose Jade – soft pink, fist-sized.
5. Royal Purple Jade – violet, large mango in size.
6. Imperial Green Jade – lighter green, fist-sized.
7. Celestial Blue Jade – sky blue, fist-sized.
8. Golden Sun Jade – bright yellow, small melon in size.
9. White Lotus Jade – milky white, fist-sized.
10. Imperial Green Jade – dark green, large mango in size.
11. Rose Jade – pink, small pumpkin in size.
12. Royal Purple Jade – violet, fist-sized.
13. Emerald Dragon – flawless green, size of a watermelon.
14. Golden Phoenix – golden-yellow, large melon.
15. Blood red Jade– bloody red in color, fist-sized.
The remaining ten repeated some colors: green, yellow, white, rose, and purple.
The crowd went wild. Vendors at the back shouted:
"She bought these from our shops!"
Those without the money to compete rushed to observe the stones. Only wealthy families and business owners stayed, ready to bid.
Bai Xia heard a soft noise behind her. When she turned…
Bai Xuan had fainted.