Jiang Shu took a pencil from the glass drawer and circled the auction prices, purity, and dimensions of Blue Luster over the years.
“This sapphire is completely natural, unheated, and has a blue hue with a slight purple tone—a highly graded Royal Blue. It’s just a pity we couldn’t view the collection in advance, so we’re unsure if it has been swapped out.”
High-end auctions often attract professional swindlers; there was once an incident where a diamond necklace was replaced by the organizers.
“Yes, that’s right. Most people here are for Blue Luster. Since no one can see the collection beforehand, no one knows its authenticity. In a way, everyone is on the same starting line. This time, it’s a test of the appraiser’s ability to identify treasures from a distance without any tools.”
Bai Shuxi flashed a confident smile. “Shu Xi, are you confident?”
“With your abilities, Senior Brother, success is naturally assured.”
But why is Cheng Xiyu here? Is it also for Blue Luster? Although this item is precious, how could it be worth him coming in person? Could it be for that foreign girl?
Room 301 on the third floor offered the best view of the auction stage, allowing a clear sight of every minute detail of the items up for bid.
Mr. Smith and Cheng Xiyu walked side by side down the corridor and entered Room 301.
The staff guiding them on both sides remained respectful and cautious throughout. “This way, please.”
Once seated, the staff brought over a pot of tea—premium Lao Tong Xing black tea, emitting a light, fragrant aroma.
“Xiyu, my friend, come, have some tea,” Mr. Smith switched to English, finding Cantonese quite strenuous to speak. “Today, whatever catches Xiyu’s eye, I’ll cover the bill!”
“Smith, actually, I came this time to discuss a collaboration with you.” He picked up the freshly poured, steaming black tea and took a small sip.
“Ah, well, I, Smith, am a man who values loyalty. If I were really looking for a partner, I’d definitely put Shengjing first!”
His words sounded magnanimous and, at first listen, seemed flawless. But upon closer consideration, it was clear he currently had no intention of seeking a partner and preferred to go it alone—a polite refusal of Cheng Xiyu’s collaboration proposal.
“That Royal Blue sapphire mine in Myanmar—your company alone may not be able to secure it.”
Aside from deliberate exclusion by some companies, Smith wouldn’t be able to handle the local powers and dark forces in Myanmar. Without collaborating with Shengjing, he’d be left guarding such a massive mineral source with no way to mine it.
In the face of profit, even the closest friendships must take a back seat.
Cheng Xiyu laid out these stakes plainly. Smith was a smart man; if Cheng Xiyu could see it clearly, so could Smith.
His reluctance to agree now was merely an attempt to gain more leverage.
“Mr. Smith, rest assured. Although Shengjing is influential, we would never resort to exploitative tactics. We are willing to split the profits fifty-fifty with your company.” He said this casually while watching the latter part of the auction unfolding below.
Having his little scheme exposed, Smith felt somewhat embarrassed and a bit guilty.
After all, Cheng Xiyu had helped him tremendously in the past, yet here he was, calculating and disregarding their friendship.
“Ahahaha—Xiyu, that’s not really what I meant. Ah, with profits on the line, I suppose my perspective was too narrow this time.”He offered an apologetic smile. The burly foreign man now appeared somewhat flustered, holding the teacup as if it were a wine glass: “I… I’d like to toast to Xiyu as an apology!”
Once certain matters became clear, one’s entire perspective could become more enlightened. Partnering with Shengjing meant not having to worry about being targeted by competitors. No matter what happened in the future, profits were practically guaranteed.
Cheng Xiyu watched the shifting expressions on the man’s face without any emotional fluctuation—everything was proceeding exactly as he had anticipated.
Raising the teacup in his right hand, he took a symbolic sip: “Pleasure working with you.”
“Hahaha, pleasure’s all mine! The pleasure is mine!” Smith, with his rough-hewn features, imitated the gesture and took a delicate sip.
With his purpose for attending achieved and the auction nearing its conclusion, the final highlight item was brought forward by two beautiful Russian women dressed in cyan qipaos.
The item was completely concealed under a black velvet cloth, but everyone knew this was the highly collectible—Blue Luster.
“The final item of today’s auction was once acquired by the British royal family. All its previous owners have been distinguished figures. Its value requires no further explanation—you all understand. No reserve price. The bidding—begins now!”
Room 506—
“What price do you think we’ll secure it for, junior sister?” As the host slowly unveiled the black cloth on stage, Bai Shuxi kept his gaze fixed on the gem emitting a subtle blue glow while asking Jiang Shu.
“……” Jiang Shu mentally estimated a rough price and wrote a number on the back of the auction catalog.
When Blue Luster was revealed, everyone’s eyes flashed with admiration. Society ladies wanted to purchase it for expensive jewelry, while jewelry stores and appraisal houses sought to acquire it as a centerpiece treasure.
One person called out a price, immediately followed by another.
“100,000!”
“I bid 500,000!”
“Hmph, I bid 5 million!” Whoa! Normally bids increased gradually, but this tenfold jump made everyone wonder: which brainless nouveau riche was this?
Not all auction attendees were established elites—some were wealthy individuals who had recently made fortunes through small businesses.
Lacking inherent taste, these newcomers desperately sought acceptance into high society after entering privileged circles. However, the upper class maintained strict hierarchies where mere wealth was looked down upon—only those with heritage, power, and money could truly thrive in these circles.
To assert their status and climb social ladders, these “coal tycoons” naturally had to make splashes at various events.
“5 million! Mr. Zhu from Room 460 bids 5 million! Any higher offers?”
The coal tycoon surnamed Zhu opened his window and smiled triumphantly.
“Junior sister, you make the bid. It’s our turn now.” Bai Shuxi handed her the bidding paddle.
Jiang Shu’s budget was 15 million.
When someone else raised to “7 million,” she lifted her paddle and countered: “10 million.”
The girl’s voice rang through the venue, clear as mountain spring water.
In Room 301, Cheng Xiyu leaned back into the soft seat, narrowing his eyes with displeasure. The girl’s presence here made it obvious who she had accompanied.
She had quietly followed another man to Hong Kong without even mentioning it to him.
Hah, she was becoming increasingly disobedient.
It seemed he had been too lenient with her lately, making her forget her place.
At this price point, some people had already started to hesitate.
After all, it was just a diamond, no matter how exceptional.
Bai Shuxi curled the corners of his lips into a faint smile, but then he heard the coal boss from the fourth floor, who had opened the window, raise the bid again: “I’ll offer—I’ll offer 12 million! Let’s see who dares to outbid me now!”
Boss Zhu gritted his teeth and made an offer that pained him deeply. He had already made a public appearance today, with so many people watching. If he failed to secure the item, who knew what rumors would spread behind his back!
Shu Treasure: “Unexpectedly running into a sugar daddy in a foreign land—what should I do? Waiting online, urgent!”