Rachel Liu was trembling with excitement.
It wasn't that she had never seen tens of millions before—but she had never seen money multiply like that.
Just 4 million invested…less than one hour later…and the stone's price shot up to 60 million—more than ten-fold profit.
And most importantly:
This was real, liquid cash.
"Sell it! Hurry! We'll be rich!" Rachel urged, voice shaking.
Alex Lin remained calm, hands behind his back.
"No rush."
He had wished for the stone price to increase 20-fold.Right now, they were only at roughly 15-fold.There was still room to grow.
Just then, a deep voice cut through the crowd:
"I'll pay 80 million."
Everyone turned.
An elderly man in a Tang-style jacket approached slowly, leaning on a dragon-head cane.White hair, steady posture, regal presence.A young man followed behind him respectfully.
When the crowd saw him, they hurriedly made way.
"Elder Huang!""Elder Huang has come!""Welcome, Elder Huang!"
Alex immediately recognized him: Huang Jinbai, head of Mo Hai's most established jade and jewelry family.
Their Huang family had run gold, jewelry, and jade for generations—hundreds of stores nationwide, over a century of history.
Even Alex's father respected him greatly.
Alex greeted politely, "Hello, Elder Huang."
Elder Huang studied Alex, then smiled.
"You look familiar."
"My father is Lin Nanshan. I'm his son, Alex Lin."
Elder Huang laughed warmly."No wonder. You do resemble him. How is your father?"
"In good health, handling business overseas."
"Health is life's greatest treasure," Elder Huang chuckled, then looked at the jade.
His eyes trembled with excitement.
"This is a magnificent stone. Rare beyond words. It could even be carved into a Buddha statue. I originally offered 80 million—"
He paused—then added:"But since you are the son of an old friend, add ten million."
Gasps spread across the crowd.
"Another ten million!""Ninety million? That's outrageous!""It's worth at most eighty!""He's clearly giving face!"
Ethan Ye's expression turned pitch-black again.His blood pressure nearly exploded.
"N-no need," Alex said immediately. "Eighty is already enough."
"It's just a small gift!" Elder Huang insisted cheerfully."Transfer the funds, and I'll take this stone home."
His assistant quickly requested Alex's bank details.
A minute later—90 million arrived in Alex's account.
Rachel Liu pinched herself.She nearly squealed.
"Is this a dream?"
Alex rolled his eyes."Of course not. We invested 4 million and earned 90 million. Over 20 times profit."
Rachel nodded dumbly, dazzled.
Alex leaned toward her."Rachel, I want to request something."
"What?"
"Give me approval for more funds. I want to buy another stone."
Normally, she would have rejected him immediately.
But after earning 90 million…
"You may. But the limit is 10 million."
"Deal!"
Alex turned to pick again.
He spotted Ethan Ye—face pale, soul dead—and waved him over.
"Brother Ethan, come here."
Ethan snapped back from despair.
"Yes, Boss Lin?"
Alex clapped his shoulder warmly.
"Brother Ethan, I made this profit today because of you.You suggested stone-gambling. If not for you, I wouldn't have earned 90 million!"
Ethan felt as if lightning struck him.
Yes… I helped him earn ninety million…
He wanted to slap himself.
Why did I talk? Why did I give advice? Am I stupid?
Then Alex added, smiling brightly:
"So, for the next stone…help me pick one!"
Ethan Ye: "…Huh?"
He stared numbly, brain crashing.
Me? Choose another one?
Heaven… please take me away.