C18 Five Hundred Million(2)

Unfortunately, there's no such thing as a pill for regret in this world.

Once the cashier's check was in his hands, Su Hao breathed a sigh of relief.

Five hundred million yuan was more than enough for Bai Wenling to keep Butterfly Loving Flower Company afloat.

Reflecting on this, he couldn't help but feel sentimental. Before he had acquired the show-off system, he couldn't have even dreamed of having such an ability to make money.

But now, it seemed like a piece of cake, and he didn't even feel a flicker of excitement.

After all, with the show-off system, money was just an arm's reach away.

"Ding dong, congratulations to the host for pulling off a 'see-through-don't-tell' act. You've been awarded 40 show-off points. Just as lotuses bloom from clear water, the art of showing off varies. The journey is long and arduous, so why not master the art of showing off? It's a skill not to be abandoned lightly. Miss out on showing off, and you miss out on life. Host, may you be as frantic as a crazed rabbit when active, and as still as a dead pig when quiet. Only by aiming higher in your pretense can you push the boundaries further!"

"System, we both went through nine years of compulsory education, so why are you so exceptional? Is it because I got the 'compulsory' and you got the 'education'?"

"Good grief, this town, I'm just a shepherd getting dirty in the soil here..."

Su Hao: "..."

Hey, is there any 999 Cold Remedy around? We've got a system that's overheating here!

Without paying further attention to the delirious system, Su Hao pocketed the cashier's check and turned to Zeng Ziyuv, raising an eyebrow, "Ziyuv, I told you it was authentic, yet you doubted me."

"You've got some luck on your side," Zeng Ziyuv admitted, his hands spread in a gesture to mask his discomfort.

"Indeed, but honestly, if I had listened to you and not bought that painting, I would've missed out big time."

"Well... one must have their own convictions. Don't always follow others' advice. My words are meant to guide, not dictate what's right," Zeng Ziyuv said with a dry cough and an awkward smile.

"Enough about that. You've just made five hundred million yuan. Isn't it about time you treated me to a lavish meal?"

"Alright, alright, we'll feast tonight," Su Hao said, caught between laughter and tears.

Zeng Ziyuv gave a dry cough and a smile, a look of satisfaction spreading across his face.

"By the way, what brought you here?" Su Hao suddenly remembered to ask.

Knowing Zeng Ziyuv, he wouldn't visit the Antique Market to hunt for treasures alone.

"My dad's jade shop hasn't been doing well lately. There's a jade stone trade fair at the Antique Market today, and I've brought in an expert jade appraiser to help me bet on some stones. Hopefully, we'll strike it rich with some quality jade to boost the shop's business," Zeng Ziyuv explained, pulling out a cigarette from a pack in his pocket and lighting up.

As the economy has grown rapidly with the reforms, people's overall financial status has improved. An increasing number of individuals are seeking luxury, with jade accessories becoming a favorite among the wealthy elite.

The sales at his father's three jade stores had taken a nosedive in recent months due to a jade shortage, which was a constant source of worry.

To turn things around, he had invested heavily in hiring a renowned jade appraiser from Quanzhou to gamble on stones, aiming to secure a supply of top-notch jade to revive the plummeting sales.

"Gambling on stones?" Su Hao paused, furrowing his brow.

The gamble involved betting on jade stones that were still encased in their weathered crust, making it impossible to judge their quality without cutting them open.

It was a high-stakes, high-reward industry. Some had struck it rich from a single bet, while others had lost fortunes and gone bankrupt overnight.

Gambling on stones was akin to staking one's life!

Win, and you could earn tenfold, even a hundredfold, becoming a wealthy man overnight.

Lose, and you could face ruinous losses, wiping out everything you had.

In comparison, stone gambling made trading in stocks or real estate seem tame.

"How experienced is the stone appraiser you've brought in?"

"He's pretty well-known in Quanzhou. You just made a cool half a billion, so why not join me in betting on raw stones?" Zeng Ziyuv suggested with a sly smile and a suggestive raise of his eyebrows.

Su Hao glanced at the time and noticed he had half an hour left of his Treasure Appraisal Eye's effectiveness. After a brief contemplation, he nodded, "Sure, let's do it!"

His agreement stemmed from a concern that the gemstone appraiser Zeng Ziyuv had in mind might lack genuine expertise. If Zeng Ziyuv ended up losing a significant amount due to this, it would be a regrettable loss.

After all, in his past life, Zeng Ziyuv was both his first genuine friend in Quanzhou and his last.

Having said goodbye to Hsu Hongfei, Su Hao promptly set off with Zeng Ziyuv towards the Jadeite Raw Stone Trade Fair.

Once they had departed, Hsu Hongfei's secretary emerged from the crowd and murmured into his ear, "Director Hsu, I've heard that Bai Wenling's fiancé, Su Hao, is nothing but trouble. Are you certain that the painting you acquired is authentic?"

"Are you doubting my discernment?" Hsu Hongfei narrowed his eyes, fixing his secretary with a look of mild annoyance.

The secretary quickly bowed his head, "Not at all, sir!"

"I've told you time and again not to judge a book by its cover. Su Hao is extraordinary. There's much hidden behind his gaze, almost as if he's lived two lifetimes. We may not be able to befriend him, but we'd be wise not to cross him," Hsu Hongfei advised, his voice grave as he watched Su Hao's retreating figure.

His knack for reading people was uncanny, and it was precisely for this reason that Picturesque Company had repeatedly weathered storms and emerged as the largest art dealership in Quanzhou.

The secretary fell silent, then spoke up, "Director Hsu, today the Butterfly Loving Flower Company's assets were stolen, leaving them on the brink of bankruptcy. Many firms have already severed ties with them. We have some dealings with them as well..."

"Expand our cooperation with them, offer unconditional support to Butterfly Loving Flower Company!" Hsu Hongfei commanded after a moment's thought.

The secretary's eyes went wide. She had meant to inquire whether Hsu Hongfei intended to cancel the contract with Butterfly Loving Flower Company, but she never anticipated his response.

"Director Hsu, there's a high chance that Butterfly Loving Flower Company could go under. Aren't we taking a big gamble by doing this?"

"Bankruptcy? That's not going to happen. I believe Su Hao's visit to the Antique Market today is primarily about Butterfly Loving Flower Company. With half a billion at his disposal, he's more than capable of keeping the company afloat," Hsu Hongfei dismissed with a shake of his head.

"I have this premonition that Su Hao is destined for greatness. By lending a hand to Butterfly Loving Flower Company during their rough patch, we stand to gain significantly if they succeed. And even if they remain mediocre, it won't affect us in the slightest."

"Now I get it!" The secretary had an epiphany.

Hsu Hongfei was clearly gambling on the future of Butterfly Loving Flower Company. If they shone brightly down the line, he'd win the bet and share in their success. If they faded away, he'd lose nothing. It was a wager with all upside and no downside!

Once the crowd dispersed, Hsu Hongfei and his secretary also took their leave.

Little did Hsu Hongfei know, the decision he made that day would bring him benefits beyond his wildest dreams. Years later, he would still take pride in that choice, for he had witnessed the ascent of a titan of the times.

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