Chapter Seventy-Seven: I Can Guarantee You Won't Win!

I shrugged my shoulders and decided to keep silent, eager to see how this show would unfold.

Su Li drew a deep breath and strode toward the pile of stones, her eyes glittering with determination and confidence. “First round—three stones each!” she announced. She swiftly scanned the stones, then selected several without hesitation and set them aside. A murmur ran through the crowd, clearly surprised by her decisiveness. As I had suspected, her technique bore an uncanny resemblance—almost eighty percent—to that described in "The Blood-Eyed Jade Appraiser."

Old Leopard Chen retained his air of nonchalance, strolling slowly to the pile and scrutinizing each stone as though searching for some hidden secret. At last, he too picked out a few and placed them next to Su Li’s selection.

“Let’s begin,” Su Li said coolly, her tone detached.

The workers began to cut the stones, the shrill screech of the blade against rock slicing through the air. With every pass of the blade, the onlookers held their breath, anticipation heavy in the air.

The first stone was split open, revealing nothing but ordinary rock inside. Su Li’s expression faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. The second stone was also revealed to be unremarkable. The crowd began to whisper among themselves, yet though Su Li’s brow furrowed, she did not falter.

Then, as the third stone was cut, a flash of vibrant green glimmered from within. A gasp erupted from the crowd, and a trace of triumph flickered in Su Li’s eyes.

“It seems luck is on my side,” Su Li taunted, casting a challenging glance at Old Leopard Chen.

He simply smiled, undisturbed, and signaled for the workers to proceed with his stones. The first, too, was ordinary; so was the second. But when the blade bit into the third, a gleaming patch of icy jadeite emerged, crystalline and pure. Another chorus of astonished cries rose from the onlookers, and Su Li’s face darkened.

“It would seem luck is fair, after all,” Old Leopard Chen remarked dryly, a glint in his eyes.

The spectators were taken aback. Who would have thought it possible for both contestants to uncover jadeite of such quality—ending the round in a draw? Their voices buzzed with surprise and confusion.

“This is rare indeed! Both of them managed to find such high-grade jade.”
“Yes, it looks like this contest is far from over.”

Su Li inhaled deeply, a hint of unwillingness flickering in her gaze. She shot Old Leopard Chen a cold look, silently resolving that she would not lose this time. Slowly, she approached the pile again, her movements even more meticulous than before, examining each stone with painstaking care.

Old Leopard Chen maintained his effortless calm, but there was a new wariness in his eyes. He knew Su Li was not without skill, and the outcome of this match was far from certain. He too turned to the pile and began his selection.

“This round, let’s make it five stones each,” Su Li declared with measured resolve.

The workers resumed their task, the screech of metal on stone once again filling the tense silence. The crowd watched breathlessly, captivated by every movement.

The first stone yielded nothing but ordinary rock. Su Li’s expression remained unchanged—she was clearly prepared for this. The second stone, when cut, revealed a faint trace of green, but it was a far cry from top quality. Su Li’s brow knit, but she maintained her composure.

The third stone, though, burst forth with a rich emerald glow, prompting a cheer from the crowd. A hint of smugness touched Su Li’s lips as she cast a provocative look at Old Leopard Chen.

“There are two stones left. I’ll keep them uncut for now. I’d like to see if your five can measure up to mine!” Su Li teased, her gaze playful.

Old Leopard Chen smiled faintly, a look of subtle amusement in his eyes. He paced slowly to the pile and began his search, employing that peculiar habit of sniffing at the stones as if seeking out their secrets by scent. His fingers brushed lightly over the surfaces, as if feeling for some hidden pulse within each one. Unhurried and confident, he selected stone after stone, as if victory were already assured.

At last, he set aside five stones, his gaze resolute. “Let’s begin,” he said, his tone carrying an undeniable authority.

The workers resumed cutting, the harsh rasp of blade on stone ratcheting up the tension. The crowd looked on, rapt and silent.

The first stone revealed only ordinary rock. Disappointment murmured through the onlookers—some doubted Old Leopard Chen’s choices.

Then, someone quietly remarked, “Something’s not right. Whatever stone that woman picks, Old Leopard Chen just happens to open the same kind?”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than those around him looked puzzled. “You’re right! I hadn’t noticed before, but it does seem that way!”

A wave of speculation rippled through the crowd, but I merely watched in silence. I knew exactly what Old Leopard Chen was up to.

The second stone was cut—again, ordinary. Su Li’s victorious smile widened, as though triumph were already hers.

The third stone revealed a slight trace of green, but nothing of value. Another round of whispers rose, and Su Li’s smile grew brighter.

“Looks like your luck isn’t worth much,” Su Li said coolly, her tone laced with provocation. “You’ve cut three stones—nothing but common types, with only a hint of green in one. It means little! You have only two left. Surely you don’t believe those two can defeat me?”

Old Leopard Chen smiled calmly, unruffled. “Don’t be impatient. Whatever you cut, I’ll cut as well. I promise, you won’t win.”

Su Li’s face darkened instantly at his words. “What do you mean, I can’t win? Do you really think you’re a fortune teller, able to predict every stone in advance and force a tie?”

Old Leopard Chen smiled. “What else do you think?”

His words threw the whole crowd into an uproar. Someone shouted from below, “Impossible! Who could control what’s found in a stone in advance?”

“It must be cheating! He’s cheating, for sure!”

Amid the shouts and chaos from the crowd, Old Leopard Chen remained unshaken.

“Miss Su, if you wish to continue, I’m happy to play this game to the end…”

Seeing his composure, I knew he was not bluffing. But Su Li clearly refused to believe it.

She glared at Old Leopard Chen. “Quit the act. Let’s see what’s in your last two stones!”

Old Leopard Chen sneered, shook his head in regret, and waved his hand. Only then did the nearby workers step forward, moving the final two stones to the cutting machine.