The Crazy Son-In-Law

Song Ling’er was attending an auction for raw stones for the first time, and everything fascinated her. She kept asking Xiao Shun about this and that. Faced with such an inquisitive disciple, Xiao Shun could only show a helpless expression. After all, it was also his first time at such an auction.

Song Ling’er brought the conversation back on track and said to Xiao Shun, “Master, the driver uncle just now said that the raw stones this time are all premium products from the Meadowfolk. Let’s bid on a few pieces; we might find some treasures!”

Xiao Shun nodded indifferently. “You pick the ones you like, and I’ll help you bid.”

Although he wasn’t sure of the price range of these raw stones, he felt confident that with his financial resources, buying a few wouldn’t be an issue.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Meanwhile, a host in a suit holding a microphone stepped onto the stage. “Welcome to our annual ‘Sundown Bazaar.’ As for what we’re auctioning today, I’m sure you’re all aware, so I won’t elaborate further. Let’s introduce the first raw stone!”

Without further ado, the host got straight to the point. Two high-wattage spotlights immediately focused on the stage. The crowd watched intently as four staff members carefully carried a black stone about the size of a basin onto the stage. The lights followed their steps, and everyone’s eyes were fixed on the black raw stone.

After a moment, the stone was placed on a display stand. The host walked over with the microphone and began introducing it. “This is the first raw stone up for auction tonight, provided by the Silvermeadows clan. It is said to be mined from a jade quarry in Emberpeak Mountains. We can’t know what kind of jade it contains until it’s cut open, but given its source, its quality is likely high. The starting bid is one million dollars!”

As soon as he finished speaking, someone immediately started bidding. Due to auction rules requiring each bid to be no less than one hundred thousand dollars higher than the last, it didn’t take long for the price to reach 1. 5 million dollars.

Seeing the enthusiastic bidders around her, Song Ling’er couldn’t help but pout. “They don’t even know what’s inside; what if it’s just worthless material? They’d have nowhere to cry.”

Xiao Shun smiled slightly. “These businessmen aren’t fools. Didn’t you hear what the host said? Anything from Silvermeadows has a certain reputation in Heaverpool.”

Indeed, in Heaverpool, any raw stones provided by Silvermeadows were generally valuable if sold on the market, especially those from Silvermeadows’ clan.

“Master, why don’t you check what’s inside? If it’s good, we can bid and win it!” Song Ling’er playfully winked at Xiao Shun with a mischievous smile.

Not long ago, Xiao Shun had mentioned his ability to see through raw stones to her, sparking her interest now. Xiao Shun glanced at the raw stone on stage, his eyes flashing with insight. He then smiled at Song Ling’er.

“This raw stone contains a fist-sized piece of bloodstone. Its quality is decent but not outstanding; let’s wait for better ones.”

Song Ling’er put down her number card and laughed happily. “Hehe, Master’s ability is really something! If we hadn’t started ‘Starline Health,’ we could have made a fortune with this skill alone.”

Xiao Shun shook his head helplessly; this girl was becoming more and more like a little money-grubber.

During their conversation, someone had already won the first auction item for two million dollars-a reasonable price in stone gambling.

The winner was a portly middle-aged man who immediately handed the stone to a professional cutter on stage to cut it open per Sundown Bazaar’s rules.

Soon enough, under the cutter’s skilled hands, a fist-sized piece of bloodstone gradually emerged.

“Wow! Such a large piece of bloodstone! Old Wang hit the jackpot this time!”

“With that quality and size, if made into an ornament, its value could double or triple!”

“Damn it! If only I had bid one more round!”

The crowd below buzzed with chatter-some congratulating Old Wang, others envious or regretful.

Amidst this commotion, staff brought out the second auction item-a much smaller raw stone about the size of a tennis ball.

Unlike before, this time the host was much more animated in his introduction before announcing the starting bid: “Two million dollars! Each bid must increase by at least two hundred thousand dollars!”

“Master, what’s inside this one?” Song Ling’er’s eyes were filled with confusion; after all, how could such a small stone start at twice the price of the previous larger one?

Xiao Shun didn’t answer immediately but instead explained some principles about raw stone values to his disciple.

“The value of raw stones isn’t determined by size but by what kind of jade they contain. Even a fingernail-sized piece of bloodstone can be worth more than a fist-sized piece of Hetian jade!”

He paused briefly before smiling at Song Ling’er who was listening intently. “This one contains glassy jade; you can bid for it.”

Song Ling’er had been waiting for those words and immediately raised her number card to bid three million dollars.

However, that price wasn’t enough to deter those sharp-eyed big shots; within moments her bid was surpassed.

Soon enough, bids reached 3. 6 million dollars. Frustrated by being outbid so quickly again, Song Ling’er gritted her teeth and raised her fist determinedly.

“Darn it! I won’t lose to them!” She raised her card once more and bid four million dollars.

But again her bid was quickly overshadowed by others’, showing just how fierce the competition was.

Seeing this unfold made Xiao Shun chuckle lightly. “Looks like there are many experts here today!”