Snail Senior Brother

Chapter 17 A Single Stone Stuns

I have completed the phase of understanding the situation. I recognized the situation and found the schemer.

What I need to do next is to lay out a plan. I need certain means to break this situation. Therefore, tonight I must snatch a fake raw stone from Qin Sisi's hands. If I don't have proof of their forgery, I won't even have the capital to lay out my plan.

...

When I returned to the venue, the auction had already begun.

Qin Sisi was still sitting on that high chair, looking like she was in control. She and her "ghosts" perfectly controlled the scene. Last time, I helped Brother Shun buy a fake red jade, relying on the cooperation of Brother Shun, Li Dazhi, and myself. Now, I am alone. Trying to use the rules to get a gemstone at the Qiang San auction is like a fool's dream.

What to do?

Lots 1, 4, 9, 11. Time is ticking away. Problematic items are being auctioned one by one. There aren't many left. Lots 18, 24, 35, 44. Only half of the problematic items remain. If this continues, I will end up with nothing. What to do? What to do? Just as I was at a loss, someone suddenly approached me. He wore a peacock mask, was very thin, and his hair was somewhat gray, suggesting he was not young.

"Child, you are truly different."

"I don't think I'm any different."

"Everyone here is wearing a mask, yet you show your true face."

Indeed, many people were wearing masks, but there were also those who showed their true faces. Based on this alone, I felt he had ulterior motives in calling me different. This gray-haired man was wearing casual clothes, as plain as an old man buying groceries in the market. If he wasn't with these wealthy patrons, I would have a hard time believing he was rich.

"It's not just me, so it's not a big deal?"

"But you are young."

"Old man, what exactly are you trying to say?"

"Lot 18 has been taken by someone else."

The old man's words were like a sudden enlightenment, waking me from a dream. This person, like me, knew that lot 18 was problematic. I looked at the old man carefully and confirmed that our lives had no intersection.

"Which lot do you think is good?"

The old man pointed to his name tag and did not answer my question, instead speaking as if in a riddle, "I think this number is quite auspicious."

I glanced at his name tag. It was number 8. Was I overthinking things?

"What should I call you?"

The old man pointed to his mask, "If you hadn't asked, I really wouldn't want to say."

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked."

"It's alright. Since you asked, I'll tell you. My surname is Gao."

Gao?

The appearance of Old Gao disrupted all my plans.

Last time, when Old Ghost saved me, he said something to those people, "Thank Old Gao for me."

Could it be Old Ghost?

Now is the time to make a decision. Instead of risking everything to fight back and letting those who secretly oppose Kong Wu help me, it's better to trust this Old Gao once. This is risky, but which method isn't? I have long been standing on the edge of a knife, fighting against enemies.

Number 8?

If this number 8 holds a secret, then it might be a combination of numbers. Two fours are eight, so lot 24? That's right, lot 24 is a fake raw stone. Could it be that at lot 24, someone will help me?

Soon, it was lot 24. I raised my hand without hesitation.

"Guest number 3, 300,000."

Qin Sisi was professional, her expression and words unchanged. Her eyes were not large, but I seemed to see a hint of mockery in them. It was as if my decision made her feel childish.

"500,000!"

Someone bid. I glanced over. That person had a 'Ghost' character on his chest. Qin Sisi's people. They had blocked my path.

At this moment, I cannot bid. If I dare to bid 1,000,000, I will be 'eliminated' immediately. At this moment, I can only prepare. If someone helps me bid, I will eliminate them. I was hoping Old Gao would make a move, but he sat in the corner, as calm as ever, showing no intention of bidding on lot twenty-four.

"1,000,000!"

"Eliminate!" I shouted as quickly as possible, but I heard the emphasis. Someone almost shouted "eliminate" with me, because I heard his voice and felt he wasn't as fast as me. However, Qin Sisi said with a slightly humorous tone, "I'm sorry, guest number 3, you may have been only 0.001 seconds late. This right should be given to guest number 19."

"I called out first."

"Are you questioning my professionalism?"

I smiled generously and spread my hands, "Next time, perhaps. I still have a chance tonight, right?"

...

This auction has given me some insights. First, I want to point out that lot 24 was not good in terms of appearance. Those wealthy patrons with experts never paid attention to lot 24. I bid 300,000. The person on the opposite side would most likely be Qin Sisi. Her "ghost" bid 500,000, giving her the advantage. There was no need for the "ghost" to continue bidding. Therefore, the identity of the patron who bid 1,000,000 has led me to some speculation.

My arrogant attitude towards Yu Xiaoluo, even my wild boasting, was simply to leverage the opposition to Kong Wu. Kong Wu has been under investigation. I believe that as long as I show hostility towards Kong Wu, the police will help me. This is what Old Ghost taught me: everything can be used for my benefit.

However, this help was minimal, suppressed by Qin Sisi using the rules.

I can understand all of this. If Old Gao is one of Old Ghost's people, then he should know that Qin Sisi would not let me get the problematic items. In that case, 8 might be deciphered using 2 and 4, perhaps 2 + 6 = 8, so lot 26?

Is this theory correct?

If this deciphering method is correct, then lots 35 and 44 are also possibilities.

Speaking of lots 35 and 44, I even laughed at myself. These two items are also fake raw stones. Judging by the current situation, lot 26 is a special existence. Now, only one question remains. Lot 26 did not appear in the information Yu Xiaoluo gave me. If this is a worthless raw stone, then I will pay the price for my scheming and lose miserably.

Should I gamble?

While I hesitated, lot 26 had already begun.

"300,000, bid!"

In the end, I chose to act. After bidding, I widened my eyes and observed everything that happened.

"Guest number 3, 300,000. Are there any other bids? Good. Guest number 29, 500,000. Good, I see you, guest number 8. You want 1,000,000, correct?"

Three people: me, Old Gao, and a stranger. None of us were "ghosts." Finally, I raised my hand and shouted, "Eliminate, I eliminate!"

"It seems lot 26 belongs to guest number 3."

Qin Sisi's tone was as usual, but I saw a hint of disdain in her eyes, as if she were saying, Tang Nan, I really overestimated you.

I think my challenge, like an oath, must have reached Qin Sisi's ears. Qin Sisi was waiting for me, wanting to see if I could challenge the rules she had set. However, after a brief confrontation with her over lot 24, I gave up on lot 26.

She must have thought so, but I don't. I believe lot 26 will be the key to my comeback.

Opening the stone on the spot, my usual shallow cut was equivalent to a large window. After cutting it open, even the experienced cutting master gasped. This piece of jade gave off a cold and chilling feeling. Although not polished, it seemed to possess an imperial coldness.

Dragon's Breath Jade. Even in Myanmar, it is a rare and excellent quality.

Legend has it that this kind of jade is warm in winter and cool in summer, its surface as smooth and delicate as silk, emitting a radiant glow.

At this moment, I could feel many envious gazes, but I only directed my challenging eyes at Qin Sisi's face. Her calm face finally changed, and I understood a fact: no matter how beautiful a face is, it becomes unpleasant once it contorts.

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