"Boss, I have a feeling that today is the day we'll finally be able to cut the imperial green. I'm practically bursting with excitement to get there," Wang Hai chattered away as they made their way downtown. The group consisted of four people - Wang Hai, Lin Bao, Lin Chang, and Lin Hao.
Initially, Lin Hao had no interest in joining them, but after dinner, they found themselves in Lin Bao's bedroom where Wang Hai couldn't stop raving about how impressive Lin Chang was. Intrigued, Lin Hao decided to tag along. As he looked at Lin Chang, he couldn't help but notice how calm and collected she seemed, as if she had everything under control.
Finally, at around 11:30 PM, they arrived at Gambling Street, which was as lively as ever. Wang Hai led them straight to shop number 12, where they were greeted by his friend, Bai Hong - a middle-aged man with a slight paunch.
"Miss Chang, it's a pleasure to see you again," Bai Hong greeted Lin Chang with utmost respect.
"Good day, Mr. Hong. I have been informed that you have recently acquired a new stock of raw Jadetite. I would be delighted to have a look at them," Lin Chang greeted cordially.
"Certainly, would you prefer to view them here?" Bai Hong responded politely.
"No, I would rather avoid any unnecessary attention," Lin Chang declined.
Lin Bao, who had been listening intently, nodded in agreement. "Last time there was a frenzy on the internet, with netizens even posting videos online. Thank goodness my niece's face wasn't visible, or her safety would have been at risk," he said, his brow furrowing with concern as he looked at Lin Chang.
Wang Hai, who had been standing quietly by, spoke up. "Our boss is a rare treasure, one that we must cherish and protect. Bai Hong, please keep this a secret and allow us to use your storage room," he said, his eyes commanding.
Bai Hong nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Don't worry, I won't leak Miss Chang's identity. You can use my storage room - we have three cutting wheels there. Just let me know when you're done, and I'll send some workers to cut the stone," he said, leading them to the store room just behind the shop.
The store room was attached to the left corner of the shop, and was spacious enough to accommodate their needs. As they entered, Lin Chang's eyes widened in awe at the sight of the raw Jadeite stocked in the dim light. She couldn't wait to get started, even Wang Hai and Lin Bao couldn't contain their excitement. However, Lin Hao remained composed, his gaze fixed on the trio before him. He couldn't help but wonder just how extraordinary his sister was at the art of stone gambling
Meanwhile, Old master Ying, Old master Yun, Ying Aiguo, and even Yun Chun were on a mission to find the elusive goddess of the gambling world. They had asked so many people around but they were only able to see one angle of her face, but no one knew her name or anything else.
As the clock ticked away, Yun Chun's frustration grew. At first, it was the way her grandfather and Old Master Ying fawned over a mere girl who possessed nothing but the ability to slice emeralds. It grated on her nerves, for she knew that she was the true goddess - with unparalleled beauty and hacking skills that rivaled even the most esteemed members of the Silver Club in the darknet. How could this insignificant gem-cutter even begin to compare to her?
There was also Ying Aiguo, he never once cast a glance in her direction since their encounter this morning. She had observed the way his eyes lit up with admiration upon hearing of the wild stone gambler, and it only fueled her disdain for the girl who had mastered the art of stone gambling.
"Is this young lady a ghost?" inquired the Old Master Yun. "It has been two hours, and no one seems to know anything about her. People have only caught a fleeting glimpse of her," he added, walking behind Old Master Ying.
"I am not giving up, Old Man Yun. I will uncover the truth about her today," replied Old Master Ying, resolute in his determination.
As they entered the first store where one of the videos was captured, Old Master Ying politely asked the owner, "Excuse me, are you the proprietor of this establishment?"
"Yes, I am. How may I assist you?" replied the shop owner with a smile.
Old Master Ying then proceeded to show the video and asked, "This video was recorded here. Do you happen to recognize this young lady?"
Upon viewing the video, the shop owner hesitated and looked at the group of people in front of him. "I...I don't know her. I may have forgotten that many people come here every day. Please excuse me, as this is the rush hour," he said, attempting to avoid Old Man Ying's inquiries.
Ying Aiguo detected a hint of hesitation in the owner's voice and immediately sensed that something was amiss. The group of four individuals left the shop with visible disappointment etched on their faces.
"I fear that we may not be able to uncover the identity of this mysterious young girl, Old Man Ying," remarked Old Master Yun, who was beginning to feel a sense of irritation.
"Grandpa, let's return home. I will assist you in locating the young lady," said Ying Aiguo, offering comfort to his grandfather, who was feeling disheartened.
"Very well," replied Grandpa Ying with a melancholic tone, as they departed from the gambling street.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted their exit, and an elderly man in slightly disheveled clothing appeared before them.
"Excuse me, sir," said the man.
Ying Aiguo responded with respect, "yes, how may I be of assistance?"
"I noticed that you were inquiring about the young lady from two weeks ago?," he stated. The moment old master Ying heard this, he immediately brightened up and hurried to the old man's side.
"Excuse me, sir. Do you happen to have any information regarding her?" he asked with enthusiasm.
"Absolutely, without a doubt," replied the old man with a twinkle in his eye. "For it was I who delicately carved her raw jadetite, a rare hibiscus purple gemstone. And as fate would have it, the very next day, a powerful figure on the gambling street issued a decree to keep the young lady's identity shrouded in secrecy, for her own protection."
Old master Ying nodded in agreement, his voice laced with sincerity. "We are not the sort to cause harm, dear sir. You have our word."
The elderly gentleman gazed upon the quartet before him, each exuding an air of nobility and refinement. With a sense of reverence, he spoke, "To be frank, she is the most exquisite maiden I have ever laid eyes on in my sixty years of existence. Her beauty was not of this world, untainted by any artificial enhancements. Words cannot do justice to her ethereal allure, one must witness it firsthand to comprehend its immortality. She was akin to a celestial being, surpassing even the most renowned television actresses," he reminisced, struggling to recall her features.
"Her poise and confidence were unwavering, even in the face of open challenges. It was as if she held the reins of the universe, her composure unbreakable. I have never encountered someone as serene as her, not even after she had cut the emerald. It was as if she was devoid of any earthly desires," the old man continued, painting a vivid picture of the young girl and the incident.
As the two elderly masters listened intently, they couldn't help but feel as though they were uncovering a goddess who had descended from the heavens. However, Yun Chun's anger grew with each passing moment as she observed Ying Aiguo's raised eyebrows. It was the first sign of interest she had seen on his typically cold face, and she knew that he was now more determined than ever to uncover the mysterious figure.
"Did she visit again?" Old Master Ying inquired, his eyes alight with curiosity as he gazed at the old man before him.
The old man hesitated, his gaze flickering with suspicion. "I'll tell you, but you won't cause her any harm, will you?" he asked warily.
Ying Aiguo stepped forward and handed the old man his business card. "We mean no harm, sir. We simply wish to meet this exceptional lady and pay our respects to her talent," he explained.
The old man took the card, his hands trembling as he read the name printed on it. The Ying family was well-known in Qingdao city, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and trepidation.
"I saw her today on the street with three men," the old man continued, his voice hushed. "Two of them were also there last time, and one of them was likely her uncle. They entered shop number 12 over an hour ago."
Without a moment's hesitation, Old Master Ying and Old Man Yun bolted towards shop number 12, their feet pounding against the pavement. Ying Aiguo thanked the old man and offered him some money, which he initially refused but eventually accepted. He then followed his grandpa and Old Master Yun, eager to catch a glimpse of the exceptional lady they had been seeking.