Chapter 53: Didn’t You Also Use Me as a Bargaining Chip When You Sold Me?

The staff moved the ninth stone aside and placed it onto the cutting machine.

As soon as the ninth rough stone was split open, the whole crowd burst into laughter, none louder than Gao Youde, who was clearly delighted. Even the usually stoic Old Leopard Chen could only give a helpless, bitter smile and shake his head.

Only Sister Hong remained expressionless, her gaze cool as she glanced at me. I couldn’t tell if that look was meant as a provocation or something else, but it stirred not the slightest sense of human emotion in me—more like the gaze of a beast of prey.

When the rough stone was cut open, it turned out to be utterly worthless, not a trace of jadeite inside.

Gao Youde grinned from ear to ear. “My boy, looks like luck isn’t on your side this time!”

I lifted my head and looked at Su Li.

She blinked her large eyes and suddenly turned to me, whispering, “Oh dear, a complete miss!”

A staff member came over and revealed the label he’d written.

One million!

Down the drain—one million spent on a useless stone!

A million—just like that! Now, I was the biggest loser here, with nothing left to show for it.

Together, Su Li and I only had six million three hundred and fifty thousand altogether. But now... I was about to lose six million, with only thirty-five thousand left in my hands. I stared at the small pile of cash before me, my expression darkening.

I looked up at Su Li and asked coldly, “Have you had your fun yet?”

Su Li’s face flickered for an instant, but she quickly recovered her air of indifference. She smiled lightly, as if none of this concerned her. “I wouldn’t mind another round, but we’re out of money.”

Gao Youde laughed heartily nearby, clearly taking great pleasure in my predicament. His voice was mocking. “Young man, if you can’t afford to play, don’t take it out on a woman. I’d say Miss Su is quite the beauty—if you don’t want her, I’ll throw in a million for you. Call me ‘cousin-in-law’ and I’ll make it two million, how about that?”

I clenched my fists, anger surging in my chest. I truly wanted to lash out at Su Li. But then I remembered she used to call my mother “aunt.”

I held myself back.

She deserved scorn, perhaps, but not to be thrown to someone as vile as Gao Youde. Outwardly, I forced myself to remain calm.

I couldn’t lose my head now—I had to find a way to turn the situation around.

I looked at Su Li and said, “The tenth stone—I have to choose it.”

Su Li, clearly uninterested now, replied, “Fine, your cousin here is generous. Since I didn’t win just now, I’ll let you have your chance.”

Her tone carried a hint of contempt and utter indifference, as if this entire gambling match was nothing but a game to her. So I was sure—she was just a tool. Winning or losing didn’t matter; someone was backing her up.

She was sent here purely to disgust me.

I took a deep breath, calming my anger, and walked over to the table.

This was my last chance—I had to give it my all.

Gao Youde continued his sneering commentary. “Hey, you’d better pay close attention this time. Don’t bring home another worthless rock.”

I ignored his provocation and approached the table. But before I could speak, the host, Lu Yier, addressed me. “You only have thirty-five thousand left. According to the rules, you don’t have enough to participate in the next round.”

“But you do have one option—sell your priority right!”

“Sell my priority right?” I looked at Lu Yier.

He nodded. “The first gambler always has the right of first judgment over the rough stones—that’s our way of giving hope to those on their last legs. You can choose to sell your first position to those who follow you. That way, at least you’ll have enough funds for the final round. Whether you win or lose, that will depend on your skill. As for the price, that’s up to your negotiations.”

I was momentarily stunned—this rule I’d seen before, but hadn’t paid much attention to. Now I realized, no one expects to lose everything; gamblers rarely want to face the prospect of total defeat.

I looked back at Sister Hong, Gao Youde, and Old Leopard Chen.

The only possible buyers were those three.

Before I could speak, Gao Youde sneered, “Don’t look at me, kid. If your cousin sells to me, maybe I’d consider it. But you? I wouldn’t touch what you’re offering with a ten-foot pole!”

I ignored Gao Youde and turned to Old Leopard Chen. “Mr. Chen... I’d like to sell this opportunity to you.”

At that moment, Sister Hong, who was nearest to me, gave a slight, unreadable glance.

Old Leopard Chen turned to me and smiled. “Young man... and how much do you want for this priority?”

I thought for a moment, then held up three fingers. “Three million!”

Old Leopard Chen shook his head, a touch of mockery on his face. “You think I’d pay that much just for the right to pick the last stone? Your luck’s been terrible—ten stones and you haven’t matched even half the value of what Gao Youde’s picked. However you slice it, this deal makes no sense.”

My heart sank—he was right, but I couldn’t give up. This was my last shot; I had to seize it.

“Mr. Chen,” I said, taking a deep breath to steady myself, “I know I’ve had poor luck, but gambling on jade isn’t just about luck—it takes a sharp eye. You know my skills aren’t bad, I’ve just had an unlucky run. Three million for the chance to pick first—if you get a priceless jadeite out of it, it’s worth it.”

In fact, on the train earlier, I’d already glimpsed half of the tenth stone. I had no intention of selling at all! But I wanted to see if, at this moment, anyone would try to lend me a hand. It was a test of human nature.

Old Leopard Chen smiled, hesitation flickering in his eyes.

Just then, Sister Hong spoke up. “I’ll offer two million for your priority.”

Her words caught me off guard. What was going on? Wasn’t she hoping I’d lose and walk away? Why would she want to help me now?

This woman was becoming more and more unfathomable. Did she really enjoy lending a hand only to push someone down again? Was that entertaining for her?

I kept my tone cold and distant. “Sorry, Sister Hong. If it’s you, I won’t do it for less than five million—and it has to be five million, no strings attached.”

At my words, her expression changed. She looked at me as if I were a stranger. “What do you mean by that?”

I smiled. “Oh, nothing. But when you sold me the chance to open a new branch, didn’t you use me as a bargaining chip?”

At that moment, I saw Sister Hong’s face turn extremely ugly, her eyes suddenly filled with a sharp, piercing hostility—like she wanted to draw blood.