An Ning earnestly spun a yarn about a family maxim. Across from her, Xiao Zi's face went stiff. She was clutching an emerald in her palm—a genuine one, a veteran prop in their long history of scams.
"Your family has some great maxims!"
An Ning agreed wholeheartedly. "Of course. My family has several more. Let me tell you about them."
"No, no, no, that's not necessary."
The scammer, Xiao Zi, quickly stopped An Ning, her eyes turning to the ink-black jadeite that was now more than halfway revealed.
'It's been cut this far already. There shouldn't be any risk now.'
Based on its market value, a piece of ink-black jadeite like this could be traded for three emeralds like the one in her palm.
The surrounding crowd watched Xiao Zi with predatory eyes, hoping she would give up on the trade.
Xiao Zi quickly exchanged glances with her two companions and received their approval.
"Alright, let's trade."
Xiao Zi handed the emerald stone from her palm to An Ning.
