An uncut jade was an unfinished one, but there were exceptions. And this small greed jade pearl was one of them.
“Royal green relic!”
Yu Boyan cried out then stamped his feet.
“Such a pity, what a pity! The cut ruined it.”
The pearl was a perfect sphere but after cutting, it became ruined on one side, marring its perfection.
Yu Boyan said, “This jade is as pure as water. If not for the faulty cut, it would be worth ten million!”
“Wow!”
The crowd and Bo Jiesheng were shocked.
Boss Wei hurried before Yu Boyan and peered at the jade pearl in confusion.
‘This doesn’t make any sense! The Wei appraiser is as great as Yu Boyan and Zhang Jingshen. How did such a priceless gem slip through?’
“I see, I see!” Yu Boyan watched the two rock halves with understanding.
The halves only had that small jade pearl inside, with no other traces of jade. From an outside view, it was the same as looking at a dud.
“This makes no sense…”
“How baffling.”
Yu Boyan cried.
Li Mo said, “Old Yu, did you say the perfect pearl was worth 10 million?”
Boss Wei shuddered at those words, he thought Li Mo was clueless of this business, but it didn’t seem like now.
Li Mo paid for the stone to be cut, and the responsibility for a ruined jade fell on the one who did the cut.
Yu Boyan’s voice was crisp, “At the minimum!”
Yu Boyan was a famous appraiser. His greatest trait was being outspoken, not afraid of offending people.
“A natural jade isn’t odd, but the perfect sphere is. This pearl is naturally polished, radiating light all around – a natural antique. This is what makes it so valuable, if…”
Boss Wei cut him off, “Old Yu is exaggerating. The pearl is precious, but now it is ruined because of us. The Wei Ji’s Jade Stall’s motto is being fair to all ages. We will compensate for the worth of this jade pearl!”
“Good!”
“Wei Ji’s Jade Stall is honorable!”
The crowd approved.
Boss Wei cupped his hands before Li Mo, “Young friend, I will pay you 10 million for this jade pearl.”
Li Mo said, “Boss Wei, but I just heard Old Yu mention that was only the base value!”
Boss Wei jerked. This was what he was desperately trying to avoid when he cut Yu Boyan off, yet this kid was not at all moved when he rushed to shout he’ll pay the 10 million. Taking a common man for example, he’d be so thrilled he’d lose reason, accepting on the fly.
Li Mo asked Yang, “Old Yu, please tell me it’s true value.”
Yu Boyan mused, “30 million!”
Li Mo smiled, “Boss Wei, did you hear?”
The stall owner was quiet before grumbling, “Old Yu is famous in this business, his appraising is fair. We will pay you!”
The crowd was speechless.
Before they were laughing at him, but now they saw Li Mo was a true appraiser.
‘That’s 30 million!’
Li Mo took the money, called Bo Jiesheng over and transferred 6 million.
Bo Jiesheng was so moved he fell to his knees.
“No need to thank me, thank my disciple instead.”
Bo Jiesheng was perplexed, having no clue where Li Mo was going with this.
“I don’t need you to repay me, just do one simple thing.”
“Please tell me, benefactor, I will do everything to accomplish it.”
Li Mo fished out a blue spiritual qi orb and handed it to Bo Jiesheng.
“Take this pearl to your daughter for her to carry it with her at all times.”
Bo Jiesheng jumped, “How did you know I have a daughter?”
“You only need to do what I ask. Don’t pry any further.”
Bai Jiesheng didn’t mule too much over it, since Bai Feifei was only nine years old, a little girl.
‘This great man saved my life and only asked me a simple request of me. I don’t need to think much about what to do.’
Bai Jiesheng received the spiritual qi pearl, gave his thanks again, and left in a storm. Coming back from death’s door, his only thought was to see his family.
Li Mo said, “Boss Wei, cut again!”
Of the three ‘balls’, two were left uncut.
“Yea, there’s two more left.”
“Cut, cut!”
“This little bro is a master!”
“A true man doesn’t brag.”
“Awesome!”
With Li Mo’s reminder, Boss Wei ordered, “Scrape.”
Li Mo said, “My time is precious. Do them both at the same time.”
“Alright!”
The stones were opened at the same time!
The first stone was empty, the second also, however, there was a slight difference. Yu Boyan and Boss Wei’s faces were grave. None spoke up, if the rare jade pearl popped up, who knew what would come out this time.
“There’s a green hue!” Someone shouted, having noticed a half.
“Royal green!”
The master cutter shook and paid extra attention to his work.
After an hour, the jade was in the open.
Seven inches long, thick as a rolling pin, rough all over, yet circular in shape.
“This…”
“That…”
“Royal green!” Yu Boyan’s crisp voice echoed.
Another high-grade jade, but not even the master cutter found any trace of jade inside until he started cutting.
Of the three rocks, the first had a royal green jade pearl, the second a royal green jade, and the third nothing.
Li Mo lost one bet in order to not be too eye-catching.
Yu Boyan said, “The color is fabulous, of average size, and can be turned into an ornament. Based on market value, it should go between 10-20 million!”
More millions!
The crowd’s eyes were filled with envy.
“Kid, your luck is insane.”
“Outrageously so…”
“Why don’t I have such luck?”
“People, don’t you see? It isn’t the kid’s luck great, but that Mister Bai’s luck rotten to the core. If he only had 200,000 more, this amount would be his.”
“Exactly!”
“His luck is atrocious.”
As the crowd gossiped, Boss Wei ponied up. Li Mo and him settled for 15 million.
After cutting three rocks, Li Mo was now a millionaire.
Yu Boyan smiled, “Young friend, what do you think of that jade king?”
The crowd thought it was luck and Yu Boyan was no different. But after witnessing two high-grade jade coming out, it made him suspicious that this kid had real skills.
In both cases there were no outside signs the stones held any jade at all. In other words, appraising failed in this cases.
‘One time is fine, but twice? Is that still luck?’
Li Mo turned to the jade king, then walked away with a smile and a shake of his head.
Yu Boyan frowned.
Li Mo didn’t linger anymore on the antique street, and quickened his step. He threw off the ill sort of people following him then called a cab.
On the road home, Huang Yao rang.
“I’m at Exquisite Wine Club. Come over…”
