Chapter 120: Young Master Chen

"Believe me."

Jiangnan suddenly spoke.

"This Raw Stone can definitely yield Exquisite Jadeite."

He pointed at that grayish Raw Stone, his tone firm.

"Hahaha…"

Chen Haonan burst into laughter.

"Kid, do you understand Stone Gambling?"

"Just this broken stone, and you claim Exquisite Jadeite?"

"I think you've gone crazy for money, right?"

"Young Master Chen is right."

Li Mubai also agreed.

"This Raw Stone has a rough surface, cracks running everywhere; it could never produce green."

"Miss Xia, you must not be fooled by him."

"I didn't deceive her."

Jiangnan replied lightly.

"This Raw Stone is indeed a good piece of material."

"It's just that you lack discernment and can't see it."

"What did you say?"

Chen Haonan's face darkened.

"Kid, do you dare say it again?"

"And if I say it again, what then?"

Jiangnan was unafraid.

"This Raw Stone is simply better than the one you chose."

At that moment, Master Li pointed at the Raw Stone in Chen Haonan's hand and spoke.

"Young man, selecting Raw Stones isn't as easy as you think. Young Master Chen's piece is the true Exquisite one."

"This Raw Stone is top-grade Red Jadeite Crown Red, priceless."

"Young Master Chen has a discerning eye."

"This Raw Stone has vivid color, fine texture, truly a rare good material."

"As for that grayish Raw Stone…"

He shook his head, his eyes full of contempt.

"Rough surface, cracks everywhere, it could never produce green."

"Miss Xia, you must not be fooled by that kid."

"He's just a showy Clown, knows nothing about Stone Gambling."

Xia Yurou frowned; although she knows little about Stone Gambling, she also knows Li Mubai's reputation.

He is the industry's recognized Jade Eye Golden Pupil; Raw Stones he appraises have never erred.

Could it be that Jiangnan truly misjudged?

"Jiangnan…"

She looked at Jiangnan, her eyes full of worry.

Jiangnan, with a confident face, retorted to Chen Haonan:

"Do you dare to gamble a round?"

Chen Haonan flared his nostrils, a smirk of contempt.

"What are we betting on?"

He glanced sideways at Jiangnan, his gaze like that of a lamb awaiting slaughter.

Jiangnan's gaze remained calm, his fingertip lightly tapping the grayish Raw Stone beside him.

"We bet on whose Raw Stone quality is better."

Chen Haonan, hearing this, threw his head back and laughed, as if hearing the funniest joke in the world.

The Raw Stone beside him had been appraised by Li Mubai, vivid in color, fine in texture, clearly a rare good material.

The one Jiangnan chose, with a rough surface and cracks everywhere, in Chen Haonan's eyes was no different from a roadside stone.

"Fine!"

Chen Haonan's laughter abruptly stopped, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes.

"Betting is allowed."

He paused, then his voice rose sharply.

"But if anyone loses, they must publicly admit they are a Clown and never appear before the other again. Do you dare?"

Chen Haonan pressed forward step by step, intending to crush Jiangnan completely, wiping his face clean before Xia Yurou.

The surrounding crowd fell silent instantly, eyes all flashing onto Jiangnan.

Xia Yurou's heart raced, fine beads of sweat seeping from her palms.

She bit her lower lip, looking at Jiangnan with worry.

Jiangnan merely gave a faint smile, as if Chen Haonan's provocation meant nothing to him.

"No problem."

His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable firmness.

Chen Haonan was startled; he hadn't expected Jiangnan to agree so decisively.

He had originally thought Jiangnan would hesitate, would shrink back, even beg him for mercy.

But now Jiangnan's reaction completely defied his expectations.

This caused an inexplicable unease to rise in Chen Haonan's heart.

"Hum, no tears until I see the coffin!"

Chen Haonan let out a cold snort, suppressing the unease within him.

"Then let's begin!"

"Begin?"

Xia Yurou's dark brows furrowed slightly, and her pearl teeth lightly bit her red lips.

Inside, she wrestled like an ant on a hot pan, restless and uneasy.

The Chen Family is deeply rooted in Yun Province, its power massive, like a towering mountain that leaves people breathless.

She didn't want to offend Chen Haonan; that would be like striking stone with an egg, courting her own ruin.

Yet she also refused to distance herself from Jiangnan; this mysterious man seemed shrouded in a veil, making her unable to resist drawing near, yearning to explore.

"Young Master Chen, perhaps we should just drop it?"

Xia Yurou's voice was gentle, carrying a hint of pleading, trying to ease the tense atmosphere.

"We're all friends; why make it so strained?"

She forced a faint smile, hoping to settle the matter.

"Friends?"

Chen Haonan sneered, his gaze like a blade, scanning Jiangnan and Xia Yurou back and forth.

"Miss Xia, since when have you become friends with people like that?"

His tone carried a trace of mockery, a hint of contempt.

"My friends, Chen Haonan's friends, are all people of standing and reputation."

"Such a Jumping Clown, how could he be worthy of calling me brother?"

He flared his nostrils to the sky, adopting a haughty stance, as if granting a favor.

"Miss Xia, you'd better sharpen your eyes and not be blinded by certain people."

"Today's gamble must go ahead!"

Chen Haonan's attitude was resolute, leaving no room for doubt.

He wanted Jiangnan to understand that some people are beings he could never provoke.

"This…"

Xia Yurou's complexion turned pale, her lips trembling, and for a moment she didn't know how to respond.

She felt as if she were sinking in mud; the more she struggled, the deeper she sank.

At that moment, the Cutting Machine in the market's center emitted a harsh roar, drawing everyone's gaze.

"Open Window!"

A gasp erupted from the crowd.

"Young Master Chen, that Raw Stone has begun to Open Window!"

People swarmed around, eager to get a glimpse.

Xia Yurou instinctively looked over, a strange anticipation rising within her.

Perhaps Chen Haonan's Raw Stone could indeed yield good material; then Jiangnan wouldn't have to lose, and this farce could end here.

The cutting master operated the machine cautiously, the grinding wheel whirring rapidly, rubbing against the Raw Stone and emitting a sharp sound.

Stone dust splattered, lingering in the air, forming a thin veil.

Everyone held their breath, eyes fixed on the cut Raw Stone.

As the wheel dug deeper, a vivid red hue gradually emerged.

"Red's out!"

"It's red!"

Another gasp burst from the crowd.

"My god, this red, so rich!"

"Could this be the legendary Crown Red?"

"Look at the luster, look at the hue, it's definitely a masterpiece!"

"Young Master Chen, this time you're making a huge profit!"

People around muttered, their eyes full of envy and jealousy.

Chen Haonan's face broke into a smug grin, his mouth corners lifted almost to his ears.

He glanced at Jiangnan, his gaze full of provocation and contempt.

"Kid, see?"

Chen Haonan's voice rang loudly, with a hint of bragging.

"This is strength!"

"What do you have to compare with me?"

"Surrender now, there's still time."

He deliberately paused, his gaze sweeping over Xia Yurou.

"I can consider, give you a chance."

"As long as you kneel obediently, admit you're a Clown, and I'll let you go."

"How about it?"

He spoke with a hint of mockery, as if everything were already under his control.

Xia Yurou's complexion grew even more sullen; she clenched her fist tightly, her nails nearly digging into her palm.

She felt a wave of humiliation, as if someone had slapped her hard.

She turned to look at Jiangnan, only to find his expression still calm, like a still ancient well.

It seemed as if everything around him had nothing to do with him.

"You..."

Xia Yurou was just about to speak, but Jiangnan cut her off.

"Not over yet, what's the hurry?"

Jiangnan's voice was low, yet it carried an undeniable force.

"You still talk tough?"

Chen Haonan sneered.

"Do you think that broken stone of yours could still turn the tide?"

"I tell you, it's impossible!"