Chapter 29 – The Auction House Crematorium

On the phone came Leng Xiao’s deep, magnetic voice:
“Miss Su, are you free this morning?”

From his tone, it seemed he had something in mind for her. Su Rong thought, If a benefactor invites me, even if I’m not free, I must make time.

“I don’t have any plans. What is it?”

Leng Xiao replied, “If it’s convenient, come over to Bihai Bay. There’s a raw stone auction being held here. You can come and have some fun.”

“Alright, I’ll be there shortly.” Su Rong agreed without hesitation.

Participating in raw stone auctions was one of Sheng Qiye’s favorite hobbies. Most importantly, he wanted to find something good for his grandfather. His eye for jade was sharp, and he rarely made mistakes. But the last time he picked up that starlight pigeon’s blood ruby—it had been a first. No one would’ve bid on such a stone if Su Rong hadn’t reminded him.

Sheng Qiye was quite curious just how good Su Rong’s ability really was. She had even managed to pick up an imperial green stone in the black market. He wanted to see if she could still spot treasures this time.

After slipping her phone into her handbag, Su Rong heard Su Xue’er’s excited voice outside her door.
“Brother, I’m ready. Is Sister going?”

“She’s not.” Su Heng glanced gloomily at the closed door, then left with Su Xue’er.

Su Rong called Liu Xu along and headed for a private clubhouse in Bihai Bay.

The moment Su Heng and Su Xue’er arrived, Su Xue’er paused in her steps.
“Sister, didn’t you say you weren’t coming? So it turns out—you just didn’t want to come with us?”

Su Heng’s expression darkened. It seemed his face wasn’t big enough to move Su Rong. Honestly, even if she brought Liu Xu along, he wouldn’t have minded. But being outright rejected stung his pride.

Liu Xu, who often visited the Su household to play with Su Rong, greeted politely, “Brother Su Heng.”

Su Heng gave a brief nod in response, then walked inside with Su Xue’er.

This was the most luxurious raw stone auction in the capital, drawing many high-society figures. On the white jade display table sat over a dozen imposing raw stones. Beside them stood a large crate, filled with dozens of stones of poor quality—clearly meant for bargain hunters.

Su Rong walked around the display, carefully inspecting each stone.

Qin Chufeng and Qin Yu arrived. Su Xue’er immediately let go of Su Heng’s arm to latch onto Qin Chufeng’s, and couldn’t resist mocking Su Rong:
“Sister, you’re examining them so carefully—do you even understand these things?”

Su Rong had never revealed her abilities in front of the Su family. She had, however, discussed some professional knowledge about raw stone appraisal with Qin Chufeng, but he hadn’t taken her seriously.

Liu Xu cursed silently, Shameless pair.

“You mean—you do understand them?”

Su Xue’er looked at Qin Chufeng with open adoration.
“I don’t, but my Brother Chufeng is an expert! Brother Chufeng, you must win a gemstone today and blind them with envy!”

Qin Yu quickly flattered, “Don’t worry, sister-in-law. My brother will definitely get you a gem today.”

Already without certainty, Su Xue’er began to boast,
“Perfect! I’ll have it made into a gemstone necklace. Better yet, I’ll craft a jade bracelet too—and wear them every day.”

Qin Yu shot Su Rong a sidelong glance, full of disdain.
“Su Rong, this is a high-end auction. Everyone here is a social elite. The starting bid for these stones is at least a million. Do you even have the money? How dare you come?”

Su Rong smiled lightly.
“I don’t have money, just came to join the fun. But you do—so make sure to bid more. After all, Xue’er is waiting for her jade bracelet and gemstone necklace. Don’t disappoint her.”

Su Xue’er smirked triumphantly.
“Brother Chufeng will never let me down.”

Qin Chufeng did want to show Su Rong his ability. He knew he and Su Rong were impossible, yet he still hadn’t let go. Especially now, seeing Su Rong walk over to Leng Xiao and Sheng Qiye, he felt an unexpected surge of jealousy.

Su Heng suddenly remembered—Su Rong had answered a call earlier, and the caller ID looked like it was Leng Xiao. He invited her, and she refused. But with just one phone call from Leng Xiao, she came immediately.

A sour weight pressed down in his chest. He had doted on her for so many years, yet in her heart, he was still less than an outsider. His weekend, meant for relaxation, was ruined by Su Rong.

Su Rong walked up to Leng Xiao and Sheng Qiye.
“President Sheng, have you seen anything you like?”

Sheng Qiye had already looked them over.
“What do you think?”

Su Rong replied, “I think Stone No. 2 is worth a try. But if the price goes above four million, it’s not worth it anymore. As for the others—I didn’t see much. Maybe my ability is limited.”

Sheng Qiye, however, thought Stone No. 5 was worth trying. He remembered a similar piece had yielded imperial green glass jade before. This little girl could very well make mistakes.
“So according to you, none of these stones are worth bidding on?”

Su Rong didn’t have x-ray eyes and couldn’t see through raw stones.
“They don’t seem to hold much value.”

Qin Yu had been right. This was a high-end auction, attended by elite figures. The president of the Jade Association himself had handpicked these raw stones.

The auction began. Everyone took their seats.

Su Rong and Liu Xu sat behind Sheng Qiye, while Qin Chufeng and Su Xue’er sat on the opposite side. Su Xue’er turned her head, stuck out her middle finger at Su Rong, eyes full of provocation.

Su Rong gave a cold laugh, too lazy to bother.

Su Heng sat behind Su Xue’er, separated from Su Rong by a few seats. Years ago, he had even specially bid on jade for her. Unfortunately, he didn’t know enough and had failed to get anything worthwhile. Thinking back now, it had all been one-sided affection.

The auctioneer signaled for quiet. The first lot appeared on the big screen, starting at one million, with a minimum raise of a hundred thousand.

Bidding began, and the price quickly climbed.

Su Xue’er grew anxious, nudging Qin Chufeng.
“Why aren’t you bidding yet?”

Qin Chufeng, thinking himself knowledgeable, said,
“I don’t think much of this stone. Let’s wait.”

By the second lot, with a starting price of three million, Qin Chufeng raised his paddle at five million straight away. Su Heng didn’t move.

The bids kept climbing. The more people competed, the more excited Qin Chufeng became.

When the price reached fifteen million, the bidders dwindled. Qin Chufeng looked around uneasily, considering whether to stop.

Su Rong leaned close to Sheng Qiye’s ear.
“President Sheng, could you do me a favor? Call twenty million.”

He whispered, “Didn’t you say it wasn’t worth more than three million?”

Su Rong replied, “Just help me out. I checked—the big crate beside the display has treasures. Later, I’ll pick one for you.”

Just as Qin Chufeng was about to give up, Sheng Qiye suddenly raised his paddle.
“Twenty-five million!”

Five million higher than Su Rong had suggested.

The audience gasped. Everyone knew Sheng Qiye had never made a mistake in this field. But the price was too steep—few dared to continue.

Sheng Qiye understood Su Rong was using him to provoke Qin Chufeng. But it didn’t matter. A few tens of millions—he could play along.

Su Xue’er panicked.
“Sheng Qiye never said a word, and now he bids so high. This stone must be a treasure!”

The sky-high price made Qin Chufeng hesitate. He turned, only to see Su Rong staring at him with contempt. His heart wavered.