Lin Chang lay on her bed, deep in thought, feeling perplexed about how to test her new mental abilities.
She rose from her bed and descended the stairs to the living room, only to find the living room deserted. The clock had struck ten, and her mother had already retired for the night.
As she surveyed her surroundings, her eyes fell upon the dilapidated house that she called home. It was only thanks to her mother, Lin Lisha, that the house was still habitable.
During dinner, Lin Chang had gained a surface understanding of her family's situation. Her mother ran a small food stall on the side of the road, while her uncle helped out and took on odd jobs at the local supermarket. However, he had been let go just yesterday. Despite their hard work, they struggled to make ends meet.
Lin Chang longed to support her family and improve their living conditions, but she was at a loss as to how. In her past life, she had been a doctor and medical researcher, but the medical field in this era was far behind her own. She needed to understand the limits of medicine in this era before she could make any meaningful contributions.
As she sat there, lost in thought, her eyes fell upon a Jadeite stone on the table. Suddenly, an idea struck her.
With the jadeite rock clenched tightly in her hand, Lin Chang dashed towards her uncle's room, her heart pounding with excitement. She rapped softly on the door, her voice barely above a whisper. "Uncle, are you in there?" After a few moments of muffled sounds from within, the door creaked open.
Lin Bao peered out at her with a frown, his tone half-hearted. "What do you want, little girl?"
A sly smile crept across Lin Chang's face as she held up the jadetite. "Wanna join in some fun?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Lin Bao looked at her in confusion. "What?"
"I'm heading to the stone gambling street downtown," Lin Chang explained, turning to leave. "If you're interested, come with me and bring some money."
But Lin Bao was stubborn. "You can go on your own. I'm not following you," he said, watching as Lin Chang walked away.
Undeterred, Lin Chang continued on her way. As she walked down the street, she felt a presence behind her and smirked to herself. She knew her uncle would follow her eventually.
"I'm not doing this for you," Lin Bao stubbornly declared, "it's for my sister. And the street is not safe at this hour."
Lin Chang remained silent, her determined steps leading them towards the bustling stone gambling street downtown. They had boarded a late night bus, the only mode of transportation available at this hour.
Observing Lin Chang, Lin Bao checked to see if she was comfortable during the bus ride, but was surprised to see her smiling in awe at the sights outside. Her black, silky hair swayed in the cool night breeze, and the neon city lights illuminated her already delicate features, making her appear even more exquisite.
Lin Bao blushed and looked around, realizing that his niece was truly stunning, even more so than the actresses on television. He subconsciously vowed to protect his little niece at all costs.
As the clock struck midnight, the stone gambling street in Qingdao city was alive with a vibrant energy that refused to die down. Despite its relatively modest size compared to the bustling markets near the Burma borders, the street boasted an impressive lineup of nearly 30 stores, each beckoning visitors with its own unique charm.
The air was thick with the heady scent of excitement and possibility, as a diverse crowd of people thronged the street. Some were here to try their luck at the stone gambling, their eyes alight with the thrill of the game. Others were here to bid on precious jadeite, their hearts racing with the prospect of owning a rare and valuable gem.
Tourists mingled with locals, soaking in the sights and sounds of this vibrant street, while a few shady characters lurked in the shadows, ready to pounce on unsuspecting victims. Despite the late hour, the street was alive with activity, a testament to the enduring allure of the gambling street in Qingdao city.
As the pair of uncle and niece strolled towards the first store, their eyes were drawn to the glittering piles of jadeite rocks scattered across the ground.
The shop owner had already handpicked the finest specimens and arranged them in meticulous order, each one marked with a price tag. The raw materials on the ground were of a lower quality.
It wasn't just the weight of the rocks that determined their value, but the quality of the outer material. A skilled eye could discern the green emerald rate of the jadetite, and if it was high, the rock would be marked as a higher level and fetch a higher price.
The duo marveled at the beauty of the raw materials, each one a potential masterpiece waiting to be cut into something extraordinary. They knew that with the right skill and vision, these rocks could be transformed into something truly magnificent.
Jadeite, a gemstone of many hues, is a true marvel of nature. Its kaleidoscope of colors includes green, lavender, white, yellow, orange, red, black, and gray, each shade a testament to the trace elements that imbue its crystal structure. But among all the colors, Imperial green reigns supreme, a highly coveted and prized hue that exudes a rich, even saturation.
But jadeite is not just about color. It also boasts a variety of patterns and textures that make it truly unique. From the delicate Moss-in-snow jadeite to the striking Ying Yu and fei cui, each type of jadeite is a work of art in its own right.
When it comes to quality, three factors reign supreme: type, color, and transparency. The type of jadeite is determined by its variety, with the most valuable types being those that are hard and durable. From old pit glass to gold, each type has its own unique characteristics that make it special.
Color is another key factor in determining the value of jadeite. While there are many colors to choose from, bright green is considered the cream of the crop. Other colors, such as red, yellow, and purple, are also prized, but it is the combination of color and transparency that truly sets jadeite apart.
Transparency, or the ability of jadeite to let visible light pass through, is the final piece of the puzzle. A truly priceless piece of jadeite must be both highly transparent and free of cracks, a rare and precious gemstone that is truly one of a kind.
With a bunch of knowledge at her fingertips, Lin Chang strode confidently into the store. Her uncle, Lin Bao, trailed behind her, his voice laced with doubt. "Little girl, are you sure you can do it? I only have 1000 yuan left, please go easy on my wallet."
"Uncle, don't worry," she replied, her eyes scanning the materials spread out before her. With practiced ease, she picked up each stone, examining it with a keen eye. It took her no more than a few seconds to assess each one, but she knew that this was just the beginning. She had to start with the low-quality stones, as her uncle's budget was limited.
As she sifted through the stones, Lin Bao and the other onlookers watched with skepticism. They thought she was just a novice, trying to make a quick buck. Even Lin Bao had his doubts about his niece's abilities.
But then, a voice rang out. "Brother Bao!" Lin Bao turned to see who was calling him, but before he could respond, another voice cut through the air. "I got it!" Lin Chang's voice was filled with excitement as she held up a Jadeite stone.