The treasure trove of the Goddess of Luo? The ultimate treasure of the Goddess?
Wu Zhiming chuckled. In his opinion, these were likely stories concocted by jewelers to hype up their jewelry and inflate prices.
The value of a piece of jewelry comprised two parts: the materials themselves and the stories associated with them. For instance, a gemstone ring worn by an ordinary person might be worth a million, but if worn by a queen, it could fetch five million. Therefore, adding legends to jewelry was a common tactic used by jewelers, one that Wu Zhiming didn't believe in.
Seeing Wu Zhiming's smile, Zhou Wenwei knew what he was thinking. "Mr. Wu, this legend wasn't fabricated by a jeweler. It's clearly documented in the 'Chronicles of Celestial Beings'!"
"Oh? The 'Chronicles of Celestial Beings'?" Wu Zhiming raised an eyebrow, suddenly interested. The 'Chronicles of Celestial Beings' was a peculiar book containing many myths and legends.
"Yes, the 'Chronicles of Celestial Beings'! Legend has it that the Three Pieces of the Goddess of Luo were crafted by Emperor Wu for his favorite consort, Luo Ying. However, Luo Ying passed away prematurely... Emperor Wu constructed a vast underground palace filled with countless treasures of gold and silver, intending to be buried alongside Luo Ying. He also made a door for the palace, and these Three Pieces of the Goddess of Luo are said to be the keys to opening that door. It's rumored that when Emperor Wu passed away, he was indeed buried alongside Luo Ying, and all the treasures he had collected throughout his life were also buried in the palace as accompanying items!"
"In that case, why is this necklace only worth a little over four million dollars?" Wu Zhiming asked.
Only a little over four million dollars? Was this person serious?
"That's because the other two pieces have been lost for hundreds of years and have never surfaced. So, no one believes it's possible to assemble the full set. Therefore, the Tears of the Goddess of Luo could only fetch a little over four million dollars," Zhou Wenwei explained.
"That's still hard to believe," Wu Zhiming shook his head. Then he clapped his hands and said with a smile, "Alright, I've presented my token of affection. Let's not dwell on it. Tonight is your classmates' gathering. Let's eat, drink, and make merry! No one goes home sober!"
With Wu Zhiming's words, everyone suddenly remembered that tonight was supposed to be a classmates' reunion.
For a moment, many felt a bit embarrassed. A good class reunion had turned into a comparison of who was doing better and who had married better, losing its original purpose.
Many restrained their comparative attitudes and sincerely interacted with their high school classmates.
Yao Jing was surrounded by many people. At this moment, she had become the center of attention, and no one dared to look down on her or mock her marriage.
Having a husband who could afford a private jet and casually give gifts worth millions was every woman's dream, especially since this husband was also incredibly handsome!
Wu Zhiming stood alone on the side, holding a glass of red wine.
Today's protagonist was Yao Jing, and everything he did was to highlight her. At this moment, she should feel the respect of others, something she hadn't experienced in years. If he stood by her side, Yao Jing might feel uncomfortable.
At this moment, Song Siqing approached Wu Zhiming with a tray in hand.
"Why are you suddenly so wealthy?" Song Siqing asked in confusion.
"I've been sponsored by a rich woman," Wu Zhiming replied.
Song Siqing's eyes widened in shock, seemingly startled by Wu Zhiming's words.
"Really? I thought it was just rumors spread by others!" Song Siqing exclaimed.
Wu Zhiming chuckled, remarking that the rumors about him being kept by a wealthy woman were spreading like wildfire. He didn't mind saying it casually, and if Song Siqing chose to believe it, he didn't mind either.
"So, your necklace and private jet were gifts from this wealthy woman?" Song Siqing asked.
"The necklace was a gift from her, and the private jet belongs to her," Wu Zhiming replied.
Song Siqing suddenly had a realization. Then she whispered, "Does Jingjing know about this?"
"She doesn't," Wu Zhiming shook his head.
"Ah!" Song Siqing sighed and patted Wu Zhiming's shoulder. "I understand you. After being oppressed for so many years, bullied by everyone, finally being noticed by a wealthy woman, it's normal for you to indulge. But, as Jingjing's best friend, I hope you can leave her. Although what you did for Jingjing tonight moved me, Jingjing doesn't need material things like these. She needs a man who truly loves her, cares for her, protects her, and remains faithful to her."
"Do you think I can't do that?" Wu Zhiming asked.
"Forget about anything else, you're being kept by a wealthy woman. How can you be faithful?" Song Siqing asked.
"I'm only physically unfaithful, but mentally, I'm very loyal!" Wu Zhiming laughed.
"Whether it's physical or mental, being unfaithful is not acceptable! If you don't divorce Jingjing, I'll tell her about being kept by the wealthy woman!" Song Siqing said seriously.
"Do you think she'll believe you?" Wu Zhiming asked with a playful expression.
"I'm her best friend. She'll believe what I say!" Song Siqing said earnestly.
Wu Zhiming looked at Song Siqing, smiled, and said, "Siqing, I know everything you've done is for Jingjing's good. But let me tell you solemnly, if you try to degrade and humiliate me publicly again, as you did last time or as you're trying to do today, to make Jingjing leave me, then... I won't be polite to you."
"Ah!" Song Siqing looked at Wu Zhiming in horror, realizing that he had seen through both of her schemes! As Wu Zhiming said, everything she did was indeed aimed at publicly humiliating and degrading him to make Jingjing leave him.
"But... Jingjing doesn't love you," Song Siqing said.
"I don't love her either," Wu Zhiming replied.
Song Siqing was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "Then it's all right, isn't it? If you both don't love each other, why not separate?"
"Because we're both stubborn people," Wu Zhiming smiled.
"Stubborn? What does that have to do with it?" Song Siqing asked puzzled.
"Wait until the day you're forced to marry someone you don't love, and you'll understand," Wu Zhiming said, looking towards Yao Jing not far away. He noticed her looking at him, smiled, raised his glass in her direction, then finished the drink in one gulp.
Yao Jing, in the distance, was momentarily stunned, then smiled and raised her glass, taking a sip.
Watching the interaction between the two from afar, Song Siqing was completely baffled.
She couldn't understand these two at all. Clearly, they didn't love each other, yet they didn't separate.
Could they really be happy like this?
"I'm going to get something to eat," Wu Zhiming said casually, leaving for the barbecue area.
Watching Wu Zhiming's retreating figure, Song Siqing suddenly realized that the weak and incompetent Second Young Master of the Wu family, as everyone described him, had become mysterious and profound.
This kind of mystery and depth wasn't something money could buy; it was a state of being.
"However, I won't let you waste Jingjing's time. It seems I need to change my approach!" Song Siqing nodded to herself.
At the barbecue area, sausages, chicken wings, and steaks were sizzling on the grill. Wu Zhiming, feeling enthusiastic, took over from the chef and started grilling as well.
At that moment, Zhou Wenwei walked over with two glasses of wine.
"Wu Zhiming, I apologize for what my wife said earlier," Zhou Wenwei handed a glass of wine to Wu Zhiming.
Wu Zhiming accepted the drink and said, "You're more interesting than your wife."
"After all, I'm in my forties, I've seen a lot and experienced a lot. Have a drink," Zhou Wenwei offered the glass.
Wu Zhiming clinked glasses with Zhou Wenwei and took a sip.
"I've heard some rumors about you before, but now it seems they were all false," Zhou Wenwei remarked.
"Not necessarily all false," Wu Zhiming smiled.
"Wu Zhiming, I'm straightforward by nature. I won't beat around the bush. What are your thoughts on the treasure of the Luoshen?" Zhou Wenwei asked.
"I don't have any thoughts. It's been hundreds of years since the other two items disappeared. What thoughts could we possibly have?" Wu Zhiming replied.
"But what if I have a clue about the other item?" Zhou Wenwei said in a low voice.
"A clue about the other item?" Wu Zhiming raised an eyebrow.
"According to legend, after the death of Emperor Wu, the Luoshen Three-piece Set fell into the hands of his son, Emperor Wen... Emperor Wen bestowed the three jewels to his three beloved concubines. One of the concubines who received the Luoshen's earring was named Yue, and she was from Haixia City," Zhou Wenwei explained.
"And then?" Wu Zhiming asked.
"Records show that Yue returned to Haixia City to visit her family once and fell seriously ill. She eventually died in her hometown, and because it was midsummer at the time, her body couldn't be transported back to the capital. Therefore, Emperor Wen ordered that Yue be buried in Haixia City. The Luoshen's earring is highly likely to have been in the hands of Yue's relatives at that time!" Zhou Wenwei said seriously.
"If it really was in the hands of Yue's relatives, it wouldn't have disappeared for so many years," Wu Zhiming remarked.
"Originally, it was indeed in the hands of Yue's relatives. However, three years after Yue's death, bandits attacked Yue's family, looting everything! That's why there has been no news of the Luoshen's earring since then!" Zhou Wenwei explained.
"What's your clue then?" Wu Zhiming asked.
"I have found the descendant of the bandit leader!!" Zhou Wenwei squinted his eyes.
"The descendant of the bandit leader?" Wu Zhiming chuckled. "Is that why you came to Haixia City?"
"Wu Zhiming, you're truly clever!" Zhou Wenwei gave a thumbs up. "The descendant of the bandit leader still resides in Haixia City and has become a prominent figure there. Perhaps he holds a clue to the Luoshen's earring. Originally, I intended to find him myself, but now I realize that you might be more suitable than me. After all, you're also from Haixia City, and your abilities are stronger than mine!"
"Who is this prominent figure?" Wu Zhiming asked.
"Smiling Tiger: Yang Sandao."