Chapter 96: Imperial Green II
The massive jadeite boulder pushed by Fu Pearl Treasure’s employees dwarfed the others.
An Xuliang, previously sweating nervously, stopped sweating and jumped out from behind He Jingkun and An Jiayan.
“She’s betting with this scrap?” An Xuliang sneered, his eyes full of disdain. “Uncle, isn’t this ridiculous?”
He Jingkun’s subtly upturned lips and crow’s feet betrayed his amusement.
“No one’s going to advise your Gu Dong?”
“The other stones aren’t bad.”
“Change it. This one’s been here for years, unsold.”
“Did she give up and choose randomly?”
…
Some offered well-meaning advice; others remembered the stone’s history, all expressing doubt.
“Miss Gu, who goes first?” Amidst the murmurs, An Jiayan politely asked.
Gu Wanrong noticed the certainty in his seemingly calm eyes.
Before he finished, An Xuliang interrupted, “The big one goes first!”
His malicious smile showed his eagerness to witness Gu Wanrong’s humiliation.
Most present were veterans of the Nandian Jadeite Auction. They all remembered the boulder. Initially, it attracted attention, but closer inspection revealed numerous cracks, blemishes, and pits.
The risk of getting quality jade from it was incredibly high. Even if it yielded jade, the cracks might render much of it unusable. The numerous pits suggested substantial cotton (inclusions), detracting from the value, especially given its aged texture. The extensive blemishes, often associated with jadeite, might lead to uneven, unattractive coloring.
For years, it remained unsold.
Gu Wanrong ignored An Xuliang.
“You go first,” she calmly replied to An Jiayan, unaffected by the pessimism.
She observed their chosen stone—a high-quality piece. Their confidence was evident.
Gu Wanrong thought: Since I promised a thorough defeat, I must deliver! Let them enjoy their win first. My stone’s reveal will be a resounding slap in the face.
“She’s not giving up. Let’s see our good stone,” An Xuliang rolled his eyes, looking at their stone on the cutting machine.
The cutter carefully began polishing, revealing watery green.
Murmurs arose.
“They’re going to win! Two experts chose it, and it’s already showing green. The chance of failure is minimal.”
One of the selectors drew two lines on the stone, instructing the cutter.
The first cut revealed even brighter green. The jade’s skin was thin, the texture fine, the entire piece a beautiful green.
Eyes lit up. Someone exclaimed, “At least five million!”
The bet was on value, and cuts could yield either significant increases or losses.
Gu Wanrong noted the selectors’ calm demeanor, as well as He Jingkun and An Jiayan’s. Only An Xuliang was overtly excited. Perhaps experience bred composure, she thought.
The cutter carefully made a second, final cut.
Gasps filled the room. Even experienced merchants rarely saw such quality.
The cutter rinsed the cut surface, wiped it clean, and presented the halves to He Jingkun and An Jiayan.
Under the flashlight, both halves were flawlessly vibrant, high-quality, intense emerald green glass jade.
Glass jade, intense emerald green, is rare, but a broccoli-sized piece completely flawless and vividly green was exceptionally rare in the market.
Ninety million, perhaps even over one hundred million, was a realistic price.
Cheers erupted. Some were excited by the escalating value, others tried to poach the selectors, and merchants inquired about purchasing.
Others already congratulated He Jingkun and An Jiayan, praising their continued dominance in the domestic jade market and their effortless acquisition of Fu Pearl Treasure.
Gu Wanrong thought, it’s too early to celebrate.
An Xuliang beamed triumphantly.
“Miss Gu, your turn,” An Jiayan gave his half to a subordinate, maintaining his composure.
His calmness stood out among the jubilant An family members.
He suppressed his joy, knowing An Runliang’s loyal subordinate would report his performance.
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