Within the confines of the Store room, Wang Hai was exulting like a bird soaring through the skies, his jubilant cries echoing off the walls. Even Lin Bao, typically reserved, couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement akin to that of a small boy receiving a box of candies. Lin Hao, meanwhile, was rendered speechless by the sight before him - six stunning pieces of Jadeite, each one more breathtaking than the last. His eyes bulged from their sockets as he gazed upon the precious stones, his mind reeling with the possibilities they presented.
"Only two left now," one of the workers announced, his voice tinged with awe. Even these seasoned professionals, with decades of experience under their belts, couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement at the prospect of cutting these rare and valuable gems. It was a moment they would never forget - the first time they had ever worked on so many Jadeite pieces in succession.
The aforementioned Jadeites, namely yellow ice, purple pit glass, Red Hail, golden yellow, apple green, and blood red, have already been cut. The last two stones are yet to be cut.
Wang Hai closed his eyes and whispered a prayer, "Oh, how I wish we could obtain the King's Green Jadeite." His heart raced with excitement at the mere thought of it. The rare and precious stone was the ultimate prize, and he knew that if they could acquire it, their collection would be complete.
"There's green!" exclaimed the two workers in unison, their eyes fixated on the window on the stone before them. With delicate hands, they began to polish the emerald, admiring its lustrous shine.
"It's a yellow hibiscus jadeite," one of the workers announced, his voice filled with awe.
Suddenly, another worker gasped, his eyes widening as he looked towards Lin Chang. "Oh my god," he whispered, unable to contain his excitement.
Perplexed, Lin Bao turned to the worker, eager to understand the commotion. "What happened?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
Wang Hai, however, was already on the move, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Is it Imperial green?" he asked, his heart racing with excitement. This could be his chance to cut Imperial green for the very first time.
"No, mister. It's scarcer than the finest Imperial jade," exclaimed one of the workers with a glint in his eye.
The room was suddenly filled with a palpable sense of confusion as everyone tried to wrap their heads around the rarity of the object in question.
"It's rare Dark blue," breathed Wang Hai, his gaze transfixed on the jadeite cradled in the worker's hands. It was a sight to behold, the rarest of the rare, a gemstone that had been cut with the utmost care and precision. While imperial green was often touted as the most valuable jadeite due to its religious significance, it was not nearly as scarce as this dark blue beauty. Found only in a handful of deposits in Guatemala, Japan, and Myanmar, this gemstone was a true rarity, making greens and purples seem positively commonplace in comparison. Wang Hai couldn't help but feel a sense of awe wash over him as he gazed upon this precious stone, knowing that it was a true treasure to behold.
Lin Chang stood poised, her movements deliberate as she approached the worker. With a steady hand, she took the dark blue jadeite from his hands and turned to face Wang Hai. "We'll be selling all seven of these precious stones, except for this one," she declared, her voice unwavering. And with that, she strode confidently towards the exit.
It wasn't until Lin Chang had left the room that Wang Hai snapped back to reality. "Right away, boss," he muttered.
As Lin Bao watched Lin Chang from his position in administration, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at his niece's unwavering confidence. Meanwhile, Lin Hao's gaze was more complicated, a mix of admiration and envy as he watched his sister's every move.
As the clock struck three in the dead of night, the trio finally arrived near the Lin house in the southern district.
"Boss, fret not, I shall sell off all the precious Jadeites and transfer the funds post-haste," assured Wang Hai, his voice emanating from the driver's seat.
Lin Chang responded with a lackluster "Okay," her tone devoid of any emotion.
"Very well then, Hai. You may take your leave now. Remember, we have to go to the city center tomorrow," Lin Bao said, his voice dismissive.
"Of course," Wang Hai replied before turning his car and disappearing into the night.
As the trio made their way into the house, Lin Chang and Lin Hao's third eye picked up on something peculiar. They both turned their gaze towards the darkness, sensing an eerie presence fixated on them.
Without hesitation, Lin Hao positioned himself behind Lin Chang, shielding her from any potential danger. It was a natural instinct for him to act as her older brother, even if he hadn't consciously acknowledged it before.
Lin Chang couldn't help but find the situation amusing, but deep down she knew she needed the protection. After all, she was just a timid young girl in a world full of unknowns.
In the depths of the inky blackness, Ying Aiguo's eyes abruptly widened. He sat perched in his sleek black phantom, covertly observing Lin Chang. Though he couldn't quite make out her features, he could tell that she possessed a striking beauty. However, it wasn't her physical appearance that piqued his interest. No, it was her talent that his grandfather so fervently admired.
Yet, as he watched her, something unexpected happened. Lin Chang suddenly became acutely aware of her surroundings, sensing the danger that lurked in the shadows. And when she locked eyes with Ying Aiguo, his breath caught in his throat. It was clear that she had experienced more than most, even her brother possessing an uncanny accuracy.
Suddenly, a voice pierced through the silence of the car. It was Wu Zhou, Ying Aiguo's trusted secretary, who sat in the passenger seat. "Sir, we have her information," he said, handing over a sleek tablet to his boss.
Ying Aiguo's eyes lit up as he scanned through the contents of the tablet. A sly smirk crept onto his face as he read the words on the screen. "Fake daughter of Yun Family?" he muttered under his breath.
Wu Zhou confirmed his boss's suspicion. "Yes, sir. According to reports, the real daughter, Yun Chun, was switched with Lin Chang at the hospital. It was only recently that the truth was uncovered. As you can see, Lin Chang's family resides in the slums of the southern district. The Yun Family literally kicked her out of their house. Because, Lin Chang was known as the most unsavory socialite in the upper Qingdao circle, only interested in heavy makeup and pursuing the young master of the Fen family. In essence, she was the most unproductive and useless daughter of the Yun Family," Wu Zhou concluded respectfully, his eyes fixed on his boss.
Ying Aiguo remained silent, his eyes fixed on the tablet as he handed it back to Wu Zhou. The latter dared not disturb his boss, sensing the gravity of the situation. The car was filled with an eerie silence until a shrill ringtone pierced through the air, jolting them both. It was Ying Aiguo's phone, and he answered it promptly, only to be cut off by the other party who spoke without giving him a chance to respond.
"Cera, didn't log in to the darknet today," the voice on the other end said urgently.
Ying Aiguo's gaze drifted off into the distance as he replied with utmost respect, "Let's not hurry. We'll contact her the moment she comes online."
The other party hung up without another word, leaving Ying Aiguo lost in thought. He couldn't help but glance at Lin Chang's house, feeling a strange connection between Lin Chang and Cera. Both of them were shrouded in mystery, and it was this very quality that made them all the more intriguing.