Lucious didn't know what to expect when Mr. Weng called him at 6 a.m. with an invite to a jade stone market. But judging by the man's excitement, it wasn't just a casual trip.
"Bring yourself," Harrison Weng had said over the phone. "I've got a good feeling."
A good feeling, Lucious learned, usually meant someone else's money getting thrown around.
The jade stone market was bustling. Rows of uncut stones—dull, crusted, hiding their value—lined the stalls like forgotten treasures. Rich men strolled with practiced indifference, flanked by assistants and 'experts' with sharp eyes and sharper tongues.
Lucious wore the same beat-up sneakers he always did. A few curious stares followed him, especially when Harrison gestured him forward like an old friend.
At Harrison's side was a man in a charcoal suit and thin gold glasses. He gave Lucious a once-over like he was scoping a discount bin.
"This is Lin. He's one of the best evaluators I know," Harrison said proudly.
Lin barely nodded. "Hmph."
Lucious nodded back. "Nice to meet you."
The day started calmly—Lin giving commentary on stone after stone. He'd squint, hum, and make vague proclamations about texture and energy.
Lucious, meanwhile, wandered. Not aimlessly. He had a secret weapon.
The Fortune System hovered quietly in his vision, faint flickers of data running over the stones.
Potential yield: 63%.
Unlikely return: 12%.
Hidden flaw: Color gradient breach. Skip.
To everyone else, Lucious looked like a guy randomly touching rocks and pretending he knew things.
Until he started… disagreeing.
"Not that one," Lucious said when Lin recommended a thick gray-green boulder.
Lin raised an eyebrow. "You disagree?"
Lucious shrugged. "Just doesn't feel like a winner."
Lin's eyes narrowed. "And what makes you say that?"
"I've got good luck," Lucious said, smirking.
That was the moment it shifted.
Lin, clearly offended, puffed up like a rooster.
Lin scoffed. "You always this eager to shoot your mouth off?"
Lucious didn't flinch. "Just saying what I see. That a problem?"
Lin's expression tightened. "It is when you talk like you know what you're doing."
Lucious gave a casual shrug. "Maybe I do."
That one hit.
Lin stood a little taller, voice sharpening as a few nearby shoppers glanced over. "You really think some street kid like you has better instincts than someone who's done this for years?"
Lucious raised an eyebrow. "You said it, not me."
"Fine. Let's test that 'luck' of yours, shall we?"
Lucious raised an eyebrow. "Test?"
"We'll each pick five stones," Lin said, stepping forward. "Once they're cut, we compare value. Winner takes the glory."
Lucious nodded slowly. "Alright."
"But let's make it interesting." Lin's lip curled. "If I win, you drop to your knees, apologize for your disrespect—and kiss my shoes."
There was a pause. A few chuckles in the crowd.
Lucious blinked at him. Then laughed. "You got some twisted fantasies, man."
"Then decline," Lin snapped, smirking like he'd already won.
Lucious looked over at Harrison, who had his arms folded and an amused look on his face.
"You good covering the stone costs?" Lucious asked casually.
Harrison raised a brow, then grinned. "Absolutely. I like chaos in the morning."
Lucious turned back to Lin and gave a nod. "Bet."
Lin smirked, dusting off his sleeves with theatrical flair. "Perfect."
Around them, whispers sparked like dry grass to flame. Phones came out. Onlookers circled, curious. Some called friends over.
Lucious moved slowly through the rows, hands in his pockets as his system pulsed faintly behind his eyes. No one else could see it, but for him, it was like scanning hidden gold veins beneath the earth.
He stopped beside a dull, slightly cracked stone most buyers would overlook.
Estimated reveal quality: High-Grade Lavender. Estimated market value: $500k.
He nodded. "This one."
Some nearby onlookers exchanged glances. Lin gave a small laugh under his breath.
"Bold choice," he muttered.
Lucious kept going. Four more selections followed—all just as unimpressive on the surface. Scratched, oddly shaped, low luster. They looked like rejects.
Meanwhile, Lin took his time too—confident, composed. He selected stones with crisp texture, good weight, and solid mineral veins. They didn't scream money, but any trained eye would've said they were safe bets.
"He's playing it smart," someone whispered. "That one's textbook quality."
Lin even gave brief explanations as he picked. "Old mine cut. That pressure ring's clean—see that? Could be blue ice inside." The crowd nodded. It was hard to argue with his logic.
Once both sets were placed on the table, the cutters got to work.
Lin's first stone was up. The operator worked fast—skilled hands, polished tools. When the stone split, a faint green sheen emerged.
"Hmm… flawed center," the appraiser muttered. "Estimated value: 80k."
Lin didn't flinch.
Next up: a translucent white-green. A little better.
"120k."
Then his third: a deeper green, smooth texture, but not perfect.
"180k."
Fourth: another modest hit—solid, nothing special.
The fifth gave hope. Rich tone. Balanced structure.
"Estimated market value: 250k."
Lin nodded. "Not my best pull, but respectable."
"Total: 790k," the appraiser announced.
He turned to Lucious. "You're up."
A hush fell as the first rock was placed on the cutter's wheel. The machine buzzed, slicing through the stone like butter. A glint of purple caught the light—subtle at first, then undeniable.
"Wait…"
"Lavender jade!"
"High clarity, no fractures—this is premium cut."
"Estimated value: $500k," the announcer said, blinking.
Lin shifted in his stance.
Second stone—another surprise.
"Icy green. Excellent composition. $300k."
Third?
Emerald veins, deep and vibrant.
"Uncut, this could fetch $1.2 million in the right market."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Lucious stayed quiet, hands in his pockets.
Fourth stone? Blue-laced jade, rare in this district.
"$600k," someone called.
And the final?
It cracked open to reveal swirling violet lines inside a pearl white base—one of the rarest natural formations.
"Nearly flawless. That's an auction piece," the lead cutter whispered. "$800k minimum."
Final tally: $3.4 million.
The silence broke into scattered applause. A few people even cheered.
Lin stood frozen, lips slightly parted.
Lucious tilted his head. "You picked well. Just… not quite enough."
From the back, someone yelled, "Better start kissing those shoes!"
The crowd laughed.
Lucious just waved it off. "Nah. He's not wrong about the craft. Just needs a little more intuition."
Lin exhaled through his nose, nodded stiffly, and stepped back.
Harrison Weng clapped Lucious on the back, beaming. "Kid, you're something else ."
The last stone's appraisal barely finished echoing through the crowd when the murmurs began.
Whispers turned into excited chatter.
"That's a serious haul."
"Think he's gonna sell?"
"He'd be crazy not to."
Jason barely had time to glance at Harrison before a hand shot up from the back.
"Three hundred thousand!"
Then another.
"Five-fifty!"
The auction had begun—unofficial but immediate.
Bidders circled in, phones out, numbers flying faster than Lucious could track.
Harrison grinned. "Looks like you've drawn a crowd."
Lucious nodded slowly, still watching the cutters polish the fifth stone.
The price climbed—700k, 900k, 1.2 million. One of the emeralds nearly sparked a bidding war between two rival jewelers.
Then, just as the shouting reached its peak, a calm, luxurious voice cut through the noise like velvet over glass.
"Eight million."
Silence. Immediate and sharp.
All heads turned.
She walked in like she owned the place. Tall, statuesque, and commanding. Long legs, swaying hips, and a gold tailored pantsuit that shimmered with understated power. Her heels clicked with intention. The sunglasses didn't hide her confidence—if anything, they amplified it.
Even Harrison's smile faltered.
Lucious didn't blink—but his throat went dry.
She stopped just short of the front row and removed her glasses.
Eyes sharp. Burgundy lips curved slightly. Not quite a smile—more like a challenge.
"I'll take all five," she said, gaze fixed on Lucious. "You've got good instincts, young man."
Before anyone could speak, a notification buzzed on Lucious' phone.
Transfer received: $8,000,000.00
The crowd turned from her… to him.
Lucious stared at the number.
Lin, meanwhile, looked ready to combust.
"This—this is theft!" he exploded. "I paid for those stones! You can't just—this is my profit!"
He surged forward, fury overtaking logic.
That's when a tree-trunk of a man in black stepped in.
A massive hand gripped Lin by the collar and lifted him half off the ground.
"Who said you could approach the lady?" the bodyguard asked, voice deep enough to rattle teeth.
Another guard appeared beside him, arms folded like stone pillars.
"Wait," the woman said, casually.
She pulled a few crisp bills from her designer clutch and flicked them toward Lin's face. They fluttered down like ash.
"That's what you paid, isn't it?"
Lin sputtered. "Ma'am—!"
Her gaze sharpened. "Don't call me that."
She turned toward her guards. "Toss him. Ban him from every market under our control."
They didn't hesitate.
Lin's protests were cut off mid-sentence as he was dragged toward the exit, limbs flailing.
"Unhand me! This is ridiculous! I'll sue you!"
"No, you won't," one guard muttered, unimpressed.
The woman watched with a bored expression, then turned back to Lucious, her demeanor shifting back to flirtatious ease.
"You're cute," she said. "Rough in the polish, but that can be adjusted."
Lucious blinked. "Uh… thanks?"
Without asking, she plucked the phone from his hand, entered her contact, and returned it.
Sabrina - 😉