Chapter 41: Full Green

Silas Ruan said, "I'm not sure yet. I want to open another window to take a look."

As soon as he finished speaking, the young man standing next to Danton Yang couldn't help but speak up: "Stone gambling is a gamble; the emphasis is on the word 'gamble.'

"Our shop usually only allows one window to be opened. You're about to open a third. Why don't you just take the stone and cut it open to see if there's green inside before deciding whether to buy it?"

The man's words were somewhat harsh, and Silas couldn't help but frown.

However, before he could speak, Danton Yang scolded the man first: "Xiao Qian, how can you talk like that?

"Silas is a friend of Hunter's, which makes him my friend. When a friend comes to the shop to buy things, let alone opening a few more windows, it would be only right even if I gave him a few raw stones for free."

Hearing Danton Yang's words, Silas's heart couldn't help but warm up.

His Uncle Danton was indeed a good man.

Opening two windows in succession was indeed a bit much; other shopkeepers might have been unhappy, but his Uncle Danton actually spoke up for him.

For such a good person, Seren Thorne was actually spreading rumors about his chaotic private life—it was simply sensationalism.

"Thank you for your kindness, Uncle, but I was indeed out of line. I'm already prepared to buy these two stones. Just let me know the price, and I'll swipe my card to pay now."

Since both windows had revealed green, he was actually 90% sure that there was definitely something inside these raw stones. He had wanted to open another one just to be more certain, but it was perfectly fine not to.

Just as he finished thanking Danton Yang, the familiar inner voice rang out in his ears again: {Tsk, being sold and still helping the seller count the money.}

{That male employee was just in the next room a moment ago; Danton obviously called him over on purpose. One plays the bad cop while the other plays the good cop. Danton not only makes the money but also avoids offending anyone. I have to say, this old fox has some skill.}

Silas tried his best to ignore Seren Thorne's inner thoughts while waiting for Danton Yang's quote.

Danton Yang said, "You and Hunter have been friends since you were kids, and I’ve always seen you as my own child. For this, I’ll just charge you the cost price. Just give me 1.1 million."

Silas nodded and took out his bank card, preparing to pay.

The voice of Seren Thorne in his ear continued: {Cost price, my foot. His cost wasn't even 100,000, and he’s making a pure profit of a million with a flick of his wrist. This money is so easy to earn.}

{No wonder those profiteers love swindling acquaintances. They really are easy to fool; play the emotional card, and the deal is done.}

{Luckily, Old Mr. Vane had a conflict with Danton Yang, and this swindler is worried about Alaric Vane causing him trouble, so the price he gave me is actually quite fair.}

Silas was distracted and irritated by Seren Thorne's inner voice, wishing he could just reach over and cover her brain. But obviously, that was impossible, so he could only continue listening to her mutterings.

{The raw stone Silas picked doesn't have much spiritual energy. It looks like there's only a thin layer of green on the surface; the inside should be full of 'cotton' and black spots. Looks like he's going to lose big this time.}

Hearing this, Silas sneered in his heart.

He had opened two windows and both were green; the probability of it being a "rogue window" was very small. Even if the quality inside wasn't top-tier, he wouldn't lose money.

"Uncle Danton, I've paid. Go ahead and cut the stones for me right here."

Seren Thorne didn't believe in his eye for quality? He was determined to win once in front of her to take that arrogant, cynical woman down a peg!

Danton Yang nodded in agreement. "Sure, there's an empty machine next door. I'll have someone take your stones to be cut right now."

Silas watched his stones enter the machine, then turned to look at Seren Thorne. He tilted his chin up and asked, "How are your stones doing? Finished cutting?"

Seren Thorne's tone was indifferent: "Almost done. A few more minutes."

Silas felt an inexplicable surge of anger seeing her calm and composed manner, as if she had everything under control. "Still acting calm, huh? Just wait until you open those up and find nothing but scrap; you'll be crying then."

Arthur Vane gave a light snort and said, "It’s only 4.2 million. Alaric makes that back in a few minutes. If it’s lost, it’s lost. Does she need to 'act' calm?

"It seems the Eldest Young Master Ruan doesn't have much status at home, to be so concerned about a mere 4.2 million."

Silas was choked for words, feeling resentful but unable to refute.

The Ruan family was still headed by his father. Although the brothers didn't lack spending money, they couldn't pull out vast sums at once. 4.2 million was indeed a significant amount to him.

Furthermore, the Vane family was not only wealthier than the Ruans, but all the power and assets were concentrated in Alaric Vane's hands. As his wife, Seren Thorne losing a few million was indeed no big deal.

Seeing him speechless, Arthur Vane snorted again and pulled Seren Thorne aside to whisper, ignoring Silas further.

Silas kept a close eye on them, holding his breath, waiting for Seren Thorne to lose her gamble so he could mock her and win back some dignity.

However, the result ultimately disappointed him.

The employee opened the finished cutting machine and cried out in surprise at the raw stone inside: "Full... full green! A massive hit!"

Silas walked over in disbelief. "How is that possible? The stone she picked was grey and rough, with nasty 'python bands' on the surface. How could it produce green?"

And full green at that!

However, someone was a step faster than him.

Danton Yang rushed to the machine and looked inside, his eyes filled with disbelief. All the stones in his shop had been bought at low prices, and the results for previous customers hadn't been good—not one out of a dozen had made a profit. How did Seren Thorne happen to pick this specific stone?

Although this stone had faint cracks, its clarity was already excellent. Selling it for over 5 million wouldn't be a problem.

Seren Thorne spent 4.2 million on 8 stones, and she had already broken even on just the first one. How could people not be green with envy?

Danton Yang gnashed his teeth. If he had known his shop had such good material, he would have kept it for himself. Watching someone else make money felt even worse than losing his own!

Mabel Ruan’s eyes were equally full of jealousy. She hadn't expected this little wretch Seren Thorne to have such good luck, picking a green stone at random.

But it was just luck. Seren Thorne bought so many stones today; the rest will definitely be failures!

However, this time, the wishes of everyone hoping for Seren Thorne’s failure were completely crushed.

Seren Thorne's second raw stone not only produced green again, but the color was incredibly vibrant and uniform—it was pure Imperial Green.

Just this one piece alone was worth over ten million.

Mabel Ruan’s teeth were almost crushed from jealousy.

On their end, the two stones Silas had picked had jade "meat" that didn't run deep. The good quality was only on the skin; underneath was nothing but black spots, "cotton," and cracks. Out of that 1.1 million, at least 1.05 million was a total loss. Mabel Ruan was so angry she was on the verge of a heart attack.