When Zhao Hanxuan heard that Zhuang Rui was going to Changhua, he shook his head. Although he admired Zhuang Rui's ability to appraise antiques, no one in this world is perfect, and he did not believe that Zhuang Rui could be an expert in chicken blood stone.
"Xiao Zhuang, you can gamble on chicken-blood stone too. Some people find the material in the mountains but don't cut it open. Instead, they judge whether there's chicken-blood stone inside by whether the outside of the stone is stained red. If you really want to try your luck, Uncle De will take you around for a while..."
Unlike Zhao Hanxuan, Uncle De knew that Zhuang Rui made his fortune through jade gambling. His eyes were beyond "poisonous"; in the current jade gambling circle, some even called Zhuang Rui "Golden Eyes," comparing him to the "Jade King" of Yunnan!
They are known as the two kings of jade from the North and South.
In Nanjing, he gambled big with small stakes, helping Liu Chuan win tens of millions from a few thousand yuan. In Pingzhou, he gambled on a piece of icy jadeite worth hundreds of millions. The Myanmar jadeite auction was Zhuang Rui's battle for fame. That piece of icy red jadeite made jadeite merchants from all over the world remember the ordinary Chinese name "Zhuang Rui".
Although Uncle De didn't gamble on stones, he still knew about these things. He never doubted Zhuang Rui, because some things really depend on intuition. Some people just can't learn something no matter how you teach them, but others can grasp it instantly. Maybe Zhuang Rui has a talent for gambling on stones.
"Uncle De, it seems I really do have to go. Let me know when there's a deal in Changhua..."
When Uncle De mentioned that bloodstone could be gambled on, Zhuang Rui immediately became interested. He was now more interested in collecting rare and precious antiques, unlike his trip to Myanmar, which was purely for hoarding and cashing out.
"You little brat, you've been ignoring Uncle De's warnings. I told you not to get too caught up in jade gambling, but look at you, it's not right!"
Seeing Zhuang Rui's anxious state, Uncle De half-jokingly gave him a lecture.
"Hehe, Uncle De, don't you know me? I won't make a move unless I'm sure of success. Besides, gambling on bloodstone and jadeite are pretty much the same; it all comes down to having a good eye. I, Zhuang Rui, have never lost money gambling on stones in this circle..."
Although Zhuang Rui's words sounded arrogant, they were also undeniable facts. Zhuang Rui was intentionally putting on this act; after all, he was an expert. Even if he made some good bets in the future, others could only say that Zhuang Rui had excellent judgment.
In today's society, the winner takes all. No matter what you do, the final result matters. If you can win the gamble, you'll naturally be surrounded by praise.
Of course, if you lose everything in one bet, then sorry, there will be quite a few people who will kick you when you're down.
"Mr. Zhuang... Mr. Zhuang, you used to be into this kind of thing?"
Zhao Hanxuan, who was standing to the side, was dumbfounded. No wonder Zhuang Rui said he was going to Changhua to buy goods. It turned out that he was a jade gambler. He had just said too much.
There's a jade gambling circle in Beijing too, where a single rough stone can be worth tens of millions. Although Zhao Hanxuan couldn't afford to play the game, he had seen it before and knew that the big shots who gambled on jade were incredibly wealthy.
"Hehe, I have a lot more to play with..."
Zhuang Rui didn't explain much. After looking around the shop, he said to Zhao Hanxuan, "Old Zhao, I'm here to bring you people today. I'll leave those two to you. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now. I'll come back to the shop in a few days if I have some free time..."
Actually, staying in this antique shop is quite nice. Brew a pot of tea, meet up with three or five antique shop owners from Panjiayuan, and chat while watching the bustling crowd. It's quite a pleasant way to live.
"Okay, don't worry, I'll definitely take good care of this shop..."
Zhao Hanxuan now felt that working for Zhuang Rui wasn't so bad; at least it was good to have someone powerful under your wing. ...
"What? The day after tomorrow..."
Zhuang Rui, who was about to open the car door of the Audi, stopped and looked at Qin Xuanbing when he heard Uncle De say that there would be a chicken blood stone trade fair in Changhua the day after tomorrow.
It's really inappropriate for me to run off right after getting engaged. Even if my fiancée agrees, I won't be able to get past my mother.
Uncle De nodded and said, "Yes, it's around this time every year. This trade fair also has the largest transaction volume. If you really want to get involved in this industry, you'd better participate..."
"Uncle De, let's forget about it. There are still many things to take care of in Beijing. Let's talk about it next year when there's a chance..."
After considering it for a while, Zhuang Rui gave up the idea of going to Zhejiang. Although he really wanted to go, the chicken-blood stone was not as important as his mother and wife. There would be plenty of opportunities in the future.
"Rui, why don't we go together?"
Qin Xuanbing could tell that Zhuang Rui really wanted to go, so she gave him an idea.
"Oh, why didn't I think of that? Xuanbing, we've never gone on a trip before, why don't we go to Zhejiang for a look..."
Zhuang Rui's eyes lit up. Wasn't he just afraid of neglecting his wife? This was a good idea. Even if his mother found out, she wouldn't say anything.
"You guys, forget it. Uncle De will accompany you this time. Xiao Zhuang, book your tickets for tomorrow, let's go back to Zhonghai together..."
Uncle De shook his head. "Tourism? That godforsaken place is nothing but rocks, what scenery is there to see?"
"Okay, Uncle De, let's skip the hotel tonight and stay at my place..."
Zhuang Rui nodded in agreement. With Qin Xuanbing speaking up, his mother wouldn't blame him. He immediately drove to the hotel where Uncle De was staying, checked out, and took Uncle De's simple luggage back to the courtyard house.
"Going on a trip?"
After dinner, Uncle De went to rest first, and Zhuang Rui mentioned to his mother that he was going to Zhejiang.
“Yes, it’s perfect to go with Uncle De. Mom, why don’t you go out for a walk too? I still have an apartment in Zhonghai…”
Zhuang Rui was speaking from the heart. His mother had only been to Zhonghai once in her life, when he went there after injuring his eye. At that time, his mother was so worried about him that she didn't have time to enjoy herself at all.
"Alright, Mom won't go. You and Xuanbing have fun. Remember, don't make Xuanbing angry..."
Ouyang Wan shook her head and declined her son's suggestion. She wanted to spend more time with her parents when she had free time. They were already over ninety years old, and she didn't know how much longer she could fulfill her filial duties as their child.
"Mom, no, Zhuang Rui is very good to me..."
Qin Xuanbing shyly called out "Mom," which immediately made Ouyang Wan beam with joy. She promptly kicked Zhuang Rui out of the room, took Qin Xuanbing's hand, and started whispering privately. Without even listening, Zhuang Rui knew that his mother was definitely revealing his shortcomings.
As soon as Zhuang Rui stepped into the courtyard, the white lion came up to him and nuzzled him with its large head. Zhuang Rui wrapped his arms around the lion's thick neck and said with some guilt, "White Lion, I have to go out again tomorrow, and I can't take you with me this time. I'm so sorry..."
"Waaaaah..."
The white lion seemed to understand Zhuang Rui's words, letting out a few whimpers and forcefully pushing Zhuang Rui to the ground.
Zhuang Rui grabbed the white lion by the neck, and the two of them started rolling around on the ground. This was a trick that Zhuang Rui and the white lion often played. When Peng Fei first saw it, he was almost scared out of his wits. He had never seen anyone dare to be so affectionate with a Tibetan Mastiff.
After playing with the white lion for more than half an hour, Qin Xuanbing finally came out of Zhuang's mother's room with a flushed face. Zhuang Rui hurriedly went to greet her, followed by the clueless white lion. Seeing Zhuang Rui's disheveled appearance with a blade of grass on his head, Qin Xuanbing couldn't help but laugh.
Back in the backyard, Zhuang Rui ruthlessly kicked Bai Shi out, dragged Qin Xuanbing into the bathroom, and under duress, forced her to reveal the private things her mother had just said. After that, her voice became softer, while her breathing became heavier, making Bai Shi outside the door's ears perk up.
The two of them were making a ruckus in the room, which kept the white lion on edge for a long time. After an hour or two, the white lion finally slumped down and crawled into its bed to sleep. Whether the dog was blaming Zhuang Rui or not, we don't know.
The next morning, Hao Long drove Zhuang Rui and the others to the airport. Peng Fei also accompanied them. Zhuang Rui himself didn't care, but since Qin Xuanbing was with them, he had to pay attention to safety. Therefore, Peng Fei also went along this time.
"Youngest brother, why haven't you grown up yet? You've only been in Beijing for a short time, and you're already running around causing trouble again..."
Upon arriving in Zhonghai, Wei Ge naturally greeted them. He had received a call from Zhuang Rui early in the morning and was waiting at the airport.
Chapter 572 Changhua
"Xiao Zhuang, we're going to Changhua first thing tomorrow morning. Uncle De won't be with you today..."
When Yang Wei came to pick up Zhuang Rui, Uncle De gave Zhuang Rui some instructions.
Having been away from Zhonghai for almost a week, Uncle De had many things to take care of. He grabbed his belongings and prepared to take a taxi to leave.
"Uncle De, let Wei Ge give you a ride..."
"No need, we're not traveling together. You young people go have fun. Come pick me up from my house tomorrow morning, remember to be early, Changhua isn't close to Zhonghai..."
Uncle De waved his hand, declining Zhuang Rui's offer. After the group walked out of the airport hall, Uncle De hailed a taxi and left first.
"Hey, Wei Ge, you've upgraded from a slingshot to a cannon! Where's your Volkswagen Santana?"
When Zhuang Rui arrived at where Yang Wei had parked, he discovered that Wei had changed to a new car, a white BMW 320. Although the car wasn't very expensive, only worth around 300,000 yuan, with Wei's driving skills, it would probably be in the repair shop in less than a month.
"My brother is getting married soon, how can he be so shabby..."
Wei Ge proudly took out his car keys and waved them around. He had taken Song Xingjun home to meet his parents a while ago, and they were all quite satisfied. They had also loosened their financial restrictions on him a lot. After all, the Yang family was a well-known entrepreneur in Zhonghai, and driving a BMW was nothing unusual for them.
"Hey, that's my car..."
Just as Wei Ge was showing off, Zhuang Rui suddenly snatched the car keys from his hand, saying, "Brother, you're driving, and my heart is in my throat. Peng Fei, here you go..."
Zhuang Rui tossed the car keys to Peng Fei, opened the car door, and sat in the back with Qin Xuanbing. He rolled down the window and called out, "Brother Wei, if you're not leaving now, you'll have to take a taxi home yourself..."
"You little brat, my driving skills have clearly improved. I've been driving for over a week now and haven't had any accidents..."
Wei Ge cursed angrily, then sat in the passenger seat. After giving Peng Fei the name of Zhuang Rui's residential complex, Peng Fei started the car and drove towards the house Zhuang Rui had bought in Zhonghai, following the car's satellite navigation system. ...
Although Zhuang Rui hadn't been to Zhonghai for more than half a year, he handed the house keys to Wei Ge and had a housekeeping company come to clean the house once a week. Of course, whether Wei Ge brought Nurse Song here for a fling was something Zhuang Rui couldn't know.
Now that they're here, they don't need to stay in a hotel anymore; they can just stay at home. However, all the cooking oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar were obviously expired. The group ate out before returning to the house.
Wei Ge handed the car to Zhuang Rui and took a taxi home. However, he said he would bring another car tomorrow to take Song Xingjun to Changhua for a trip. Zhuang Rui knew that he was rich and had plenty of free time, so he immediately agreed.
Zhonghai is the city where Zhuang Rui has spent the most time besides Pengcheng. Lighting a cigarette, Zhuang Rui stood on the balcony, looking at the endless stream of cars and dense crowds on the Bund. He was a little lost in thought. Even when he bought the house last year, Zhuang Rui did not expect that he would change so much.
Back then, Zhuang Rui was just an ordinary person content with a modest fortune, thinking he could make some money gambling on stones, go home and live with his mother. Zhuang Rui never imagined that he would end up settling down in Beijing. Moreover, he had the money, but time seemed to have slipped away. It was as if an invisible hand was pushing him forward.
"Rui, what are you thinking about?"
Qin Xuanbing saw a hint of realization and hesitation on Zhuang Rui's face, so she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Zhuang Rui's waist from behind.
"I'm wondering, when we met last year, you were like an ethereal fairy from the ice, so how did you end up marrying a mere mortal like me?"
Zhuang Rui pulled Qin Xuanbing close and started joking with her.
"You jerk, I haven't even married you yet..."
Qin Xuanbing playfully slapped Zhuang Rui and peeked into the living room. Peng Fei, however, had already gone into his room to call his girlfriend, leaving the outside to Zhuang Rui and Qin Xuanbing.
"Xuanbing, what do you think about us traveling around the world after we're done with this busy period?"
For some reason, Zhuang Rui suddenly felt a little tired. Perhaps it was because he had made too much money and had lost his motivation to make more. His purpose in coming to acquire chicken-blood stone was actually to relax and clear his head.
“Great! We can join a world cruise and spend a few days in each place…”
Qin Xuanbing smiled and agreed, her eyes full of longing. Traveling around the world with her lover is probably a common dream for all men and women on this earth, right? Of course, very few people can actually do it.
The two embraced, watching the lights of the Bund gradually illuminate the city that never sleeps, feeling an immense sense of warmth in their hearts.
The next morning, Wei Ge brought Song Xingjun to the outside of Zhuang Rui's residential area. To Zhuang Rui's surprise, Yang Wei drove a Hummer from somewhere. But it was fine, because including Uncle De, there were a total of six people going to Changhua this time, and one car really couldn't fit them all.
"Brother Wei, we're going on a long trip, so let Peng Fei drive your car..."
Zhuang Rui's words left Yang Wei feeling quite frustrated. However, this guy knew that his driving skills weren't very good, so he gave the driver's seat to Peng Fei and went to sit in the back with Song Xingjun to be all lovey-dovey.
Zhuang Rui's BMW was in front; they needed to pick up Uncle De first before heading to Changhua.
"Xiao Zhuang, your car is no good. It might break down when we get there..."
Uncle De had been waiting at the door for a while, and shook his head when he saw Zhuang Rui's BMW.
"What's wrong? Uncle De, is there still a mountain road?"
Zhuang Rui was stunned. He wasn't going up the mountain to collect chicken-blood stone. Could it be that the trading of chicken-blood stone was done on the mountain?
"Yes, it's still several dozen kilometers from Changhua Town to Yuyan Mountain, and your car won't be able to travel that far..."
Uncle De saw the Hummer parked behind and said, "That car is alright. Let's go to Changhua first. Let Yang Wei stay in town if he doesn't have to..."
After Uncle De got into the car, the group found a restaurant, ate something, and then got on the highway, heading towards Changhua.
Although China Overseas borders Zhejiang, it is still several hundred kilometers away from Changhua. However, the entire route is a highway, which is very convenient. After about four or five hours, around 1 p.m., the two cars drove off the Hanghui Highway.