83 Color!
Seeing that another customer had arrived, the boss immediately put on a smile. When he took a closer look, he realized that it was a young lady. He was stunned for a moment before smiling. âAiya, young lady, I can tell that you know your stuff. This is a top-notch raw stoneâ¦â
Zhou Xiaoli imitated the others who held the stone up and turned it over and over again. However, she did not listen to the shop ownerâs string of lies.
She had not seen it wrongly just now. This stone indeed emitted spiritual energy. Although it was only gathered in a small area, it was dense and concentrated.
Hence, she asked, âBoss, how much is this piece? I want it.â
The owner stayed at the entrance of the stone gambling den all day, and his eyes were very sharp. When Zhou Xiaoli walked over, he realized that Zhou Xiaoli was a newbie.
He immediately smiled and said, âMiss, you have good taste. This stone is a high-quality product from San Mio. Itâs priced at 10 taels of silver.â
Zhou Xiaoli pursed her lips and was about to speak.
At this moment, the big brother who was looking at the stone just now, turned back and happened to see that Zhou Xiaoli was about to buy the stone he had taken a fancy to. He immediately walked over and asked, âMiss, are you new here?â
Zhou Xiaoli was stunned for a moment before nodding. âYes.â
âMiss, this stone is not very good. It most likely wonât produce any green color.â The big brother smiled and kindly reminded her.
When the boss heard this, he was a little angry. âHey, you. Gambling stones depend on luck. You said itâs not easy to get. Who knows, maybe the girl is lucky and got it with one cut of the stone?â
Zhou Xiaoli smiled and said, âYouâre right, Boss. It depends on affinity. I think this stone is very suitable.â
Seeing that Zhou Xiaoli refused to listen to his advice and insisted on buying it, the big brother shook his head. âSigh, newbies are hot-headed. Itâs inevitable. When you suffer a few losses, you have to thank me for persuading you today.â
âThank you,â Zhou Xiaoli thanked him with a smile. âI just like this stone.â
Seeing that Zhou Xiaoli was so insistent, the big brother shook his head and did not say anything else.
On the other hand, Zhou Xiaoli had already taken out 10 taels of silver and handed it to the boss.
At this moment, Zheng Yongyanâs brows were furrowed so tightly that they could kill a fly. He tried his best to pull on Zhou Xiaoliâs clothes, wanting to stop her.
However, Zhou Xiaoli had already handed over the 10 taels of silver to the boss.
âSigh, Miss, hold the stone well. I can tell that youâre blessed with good luck. One slash of the knife will definitely bring good things to you.â The boss handed the stone to Zhou Xiaoli and pointed to a side. âMiss, you can go over there to open the stone. It only costs one copper coin to do so.â
âAlright, thank you for your kind words, Boss.â
Zhou Xiaoli took the stone and thanked him. Then, she walked toward the stone-cutting shop.
The big brother from before followed after her and was prepared to watch what would come out of it.
Zheng Yongyan was a little dissatisfied with Zhou Xiaoliâs stone gambling behavior, especially since she was using the money from selling sugar today.
After leaving the stall, he frowned and whispered, âZhou Xiaoli, are you crazy? How can you be involved in gambling?â
âFurthermore, the money you used was the money we earned from selling sugar. If you donât get anything from this stone, how are we going to explain it to our families when we go back?â
Zhou Xiaoli understood Zheng Yongyanâs feelings very well. After all, she had the Heavenly Eye, so she was very confident. However, Zheng Yongyan did not know about it.
Hence, she smiled and comforted him. âDonât worry. Didnât you hear the boss just say that Iâm lucky? Iâll definitely be lucky.â
Not only did these words not comfort Zheng Yongyan, but they also made him even more anxious.
âNo, you canât do this. Since I came with you today, I have to be responsible for you. Come, follow me back to the stall and weâll return the stone!â
âThe money has already been paid, how can we return it? The boss wonât agree to it.â Zhou Xiaoli said helplessly.
Zheng Yongyan was very anxious. He glared at Wei Chiyu, who was completely calm, and reprimanded him. âItâs all because of you. Why did you bring us to such a place for no reason? Zhou Xiaoli has been led astray by you, yet youâre still so calm about it.â
Wei Chiyu pursed his lips and took out a money bag from his pocket. He said softly, âItâs fine. Let her play. Iâll take responsibility for it.â
Zheng Yongyan: â¦
Zhou Xiaoliâs heart warmed. She patted Wei Chiyuâs shoulder and said, âHaving you as my Junior is good.â
With that, the three of them arrived at the stone-cutting shops.
There were two jade shops here. Both of them had stonecutters placed in them. They were the kind that were operated manually by stepping on the mechanism. One of the jade shops was slightly larger and belonged to Xue Minâs family.
Therefore, Zhou Xiaoli chose the other shop without hesitation.
When they entered, one of the stones had just been sliced open in the shop. There was no jade within. The customer carried the stone and ran out of the shop in a crazy manner.
There were many onlookers around who sigh at that.
âHe had lost everything! He spent 30 taels of silver on that stone and even used the money he saved for marriage to gamble! Now, he lost so badly that he didnât have anything left.â
âItâs true that one slash of the knife can make you rich or make you poor!â
â¦
Zheng Yongyan heard the discussions of the surrounding onlookers. His gaze swept across the crazy person, and the worry on his face deepened.
At this moment, when the surrounding onlookers saw that someone else had brought a stone in, many people who had come to watch the show surrounded them. They all guessed whether Zhou Xiaoliâs stone would produce jade.
Xue Min, who was next door, had seen Zhou Xiaoli and the other two.
He walked over to join in the fun and laughed when he heard the discussions around him.
âI donât think thereâs much to guess about this ending. I know this person. Sheâs famous for being a jinx. Sheâs very unlucky. If she buys a stone, thereâs an 80% chance that it wonât produce jade.â
The big brother who had followed up to see the results shook his head when he heard that. âSheâs a newbie. I just saw that stone. Itâs not very good. I persuaded her not to buy it too, but that girl was very stubborn and insisted on buying it.â
â¦
When the people around them heard their conversation, they immediately lost interest in Zhou Xiaoliâs stone.
On the other side, while everyone was discussing, Zhou Xiaoli had already handed the stone to the stone-cutting master.
With a buzzing sound, the workers stepped on the machine and it began to operate.
âItâs on, itâs on.â
With a cry of surprise, the stone was cut open, followed by a sigh.
...
âHey, thereâs really nothing.â
âThereâs nothing more to see. Letâs go.â
â¦
The big brother seemed to have predicted the outcome and said proudly, âMiss, look, you did not listen to my advice. Iâve already told you not to buy it. Youâll suffer if you donât listen to the old. No matter what, Iâve crossed more bridges than you have.â
Zhou Xiaoli turned around and glanced at him, but didnât say anything.
Zheng Yongyan looked at the stone and frowned. His mind was already racing.
Finally, he looked at Zhou Xiaoli. âI told you, nine out of ten gamblers would lose. Itâs not a good thing. You just wonât listen.â
âForget it, forget it. Who asked me to be responsible? Donât be too afraid. When you go back, take the initiative to admit your mistake to the elders. Iâll take the punishment with you.â
Zhou Xiaoliâs gaze fell on the rock again. She was sure that she had not seen it wrongly.
At this moment, the stone-cutting master was about to stand up. Zhou Xiaoli stepped forward and said, âMaster, help me cut the stone again. From here.â
...