Chapter Thirty-Two: One Hundred Thousand Becomes Ten Million

Ahu scratched his head, his face full of disbelief. "Brother Qin, how did you do that? It's like a god descended to earth!"

Qin Feng burst out laughing, offering no further explanation.

The commotion had drawn quite a crowd of onlookers. When they overheard the conversation between Qin Feng and Ahu, everyone gasped in astonishment.

Such a massive stone had actually been cracked open by Qin Feng, and inside was such a beautiful piece of jadeite.

At that moment, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, "That was bought from my stall!"

As soon as the words were out, all eyes turned toward the speaker—a burly, bald man whose face was filled with regret as he looked upon the scene.

Qin Feng noticed the man as well. At first, he thought the man would cause trouble, but to his surprise, the man instead shouted out again.

Instantly, Qin Feng’s impression of the man improved; it was clear he harbored no ill intentions. The man’s outburst was simply a way to attract more customers to his stall.

After all, whenever someone struck it rich at a stone vendor’s booth, others would flock over to try their luck as well.

With this in mind, and under the gaze of the crowd, Qin Feng nodded in acknowledgment to the bald man’s claim.

The bald man grew even more excited, rushing toward Qin Feng and babbling incessantly. "Young man, you really have some luck! Remember to come check out my stall later!"

With that, he dashed back to his own booth without a backward glance, no doubt anticipating a flood of business today.

Suddenly, someone in the crowd started making offers.

"Brother, I'll give you fifty million—how about selling it to me?"

But before Qin Feng could refuse, someone else snapped, "If you don't want to buy, then get lost! Young man, I'll offer a hundred million!"

A faint smile played at the corners of Qin Feng’s lips as he glanced at the crowd, all of whom were agitated by the jadeite. A hundred million might be an astronomical figure for an ordinary person, but for him, it was only the beginning.

"Thank you all for your generous offers, but for now, I don't intend to sell this piece of jadeite," Qin Feng announced in a calm yet clear voice that carried through the crowd. The buzzing ceased at once, and all eyes fixed on him in astonishment.

Ahu, standing off to the side, was equally stunned. He hadn't expected Qin Feng to make such a decision.

"A hundred million is real, hard cash. That's enough to keep someone comfortable for a lifetime," Ahu whispered, completely baffled. "Brother Qin, you're not selling?"

Ignoring the chatter and speculation from those around him, Qin Feng turned to the stone cutter. "Master, please have this delivered to the third floor for me."

"Of course, right away!" the craftsman replied, immediately hefting the jadeite and following after him.

Once the cutting was finished and Qin Feng had paid, he and Ahu left the market, leaving behind a group of people staring at one another in disbelief.

Meanwhile, news that Qin Feng had uncovered imperial jade had already reached the third floor.

"Miss Lin, it seems Mr. Qin is truly remarkable," Boss Ma remarked enviously to Lin Wanting. He knew that Qin Feng was currently serving as a consultant at Jade Pavilion, so there was a good chance the newly uncovered jade would be taken back there.

To be honest, anyone able to buy jadeite here was a major player. A hundred million was a lot, but these people could afford it.

The key, however, was that Qin Feng had spent only a hundred thousand on that stone!

A hundred thousand turned into a hundred million! What did that mean?

If a million was considered a windfall, then a hundred million bordered on daylight robbery.

"Truly impressive," Lin Wanting replied with a radiant smile, her eyes shining as she looked at Qin Feng. She trusted him implicitly, and for some reason, hearing others praise him brought her a strange sense of delight.

When Qin Feng came upstairs, he saw Boss Ma greeting him with far more enthusiasm and deference than before.

Qin Feng raised an eyebrow—Boss Ma’s change in attitude was rather sudden.

"Miss Lin, Mr. Qin is here," Boss Ma announced cheerfully as he approached, holding two glasses of red wine. He handed one to Qin Feng, poured himself another, and said, "Mr. Qin, let me toast you."

"Thank you, Boss Ma," Qin Feng replied.

After they had each taken a sip, Boss Ma took the initiative to ask, "Mr. Qin, do you have any plans tonight? How about joining me for dinner?"

Qin Feng waved his hand, declining politely. "I’m afraid I’ll have to pass—I’ve already made plans with a friend."

"Oh?" Boss Ma looked disappointed, but then said, "In that case, perhaps another time. Whenever you’re available, please let me know—I’d love to take you out."

"Perhaps when the opportunity arises," Qin Feng responded vaguely.

"Very well, I won’t intrude further." With that, Boss Ma extended his right hand. "Mr. Qin, welcome. If you ever need anything, just give me a call—here’s my card."

"I see," Qin Feng said, glancing at the card before slipping it into his pocket.

"Safe travels, Mr. Qin. Be sure to visit us again—I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of," Boss Ma added, nodding politely to Lin Wanting before leaving with his entourage.

After Boss Ma departed, Lin Wanting turned to Qin Feng with a teasing smile. "I didn’t expect you to be so popular. Now I’m beginning to worry."

Qin Feng laughed easily. "What’s there to worry about? Are you afraid someone will steal me away?"

She gave him a playful look. "You’re the center of attention now. If someone spirits you off, who will I have to cry to?"

They both burst out laughing, then left the jade market together.

...

Qin Feng drove Lin Wanting swiftly to the hotel they had booked in advance.

"Get some good rest," he said as they got out of the car. "The bidding starts tomorrow. Try to win as many bids as possible—it’ll show these local stone vendors what we’re made of."

Lin Wanting nodded and headed into the hotel, while Qin Feng returned to his own room.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains, pouring into the bedroom.

Qin Feng opened his eyes, slowly sat up, and stretched lazily.

"Ah, that feels good."

He rolled his shoulders, feeling a surge of power coursing through his body—he was brimming with energy, as if he could never tire.

Ever since the spiritual energy had entered his body, his physical strength far surpassed that of ordinary people. Now, he found himself even more coordinated, with greatly enhanced speed and strength.

He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, pushed it open, and breathed in the fresh air.

Just as he did, he caught sight of a graceful figure walking toward him, and for a moment, he found himself lost in thought.