Chapter 143: 35 Million
"That’s true," Zhao Liu said with a smile. "Brother Chu’s goal is to make some Jade Boxes, so this raw stone should be the most suitable. Using other types of jade to make Jade Boxes would be a bit difficult, not to mention extravagant."
"Usually, a raw stone this large doesn’t fetch a very high price. Unless someone takes a particular liking to it, it’ll go for ten to twenty million at most," Zhao Liu continued.
Soon, the beautiful auctioneer announced the starting bid.
Six million!
This price was significantly lower than the last few raw stones.
Just as Chu Feng was about to start bidding, Old Jiang walked in, an irrepressible smile on his face.
"Brother Chu, you’re incredible! Absolutely incredible! That raw stone was cut open, and it’s all glass-type jadeite!" Old Jiang said excitedly.
"Sounds like you made quite a profit this time, Old Jiang," Zhao Liu asked with a smile.
"You bet! The value multiplied several times over. It’s just a shame there’s a fracture. Otherwise, the price would have been several times higher still," Old Jiang said happily.
As he spoke, he picked up a bottle of red wine and poured a glass for Chu Feng.
"Brother Chu, this toast is for you. If it weren’t for you, Brother Chu, I never would have won such a great raw stone." Old Jiang raised his wine glass and downed the red wine in one gulp.
Seeing this, Chu Feng smiled faintly and said, "The credit isn’t mine. It was Boss Jiang who had the courage."
Just then, Old Jiang’s eyes fell on the raw stone currently being auctioned on the screen. He asked, "I heard you were going to bid on this stone when I came in, Brother Chu? A piece this big... don’t tell me it could contain top-grade material?"
His eyes widened, clearly showing his interest.
"It won’t yield top-grade jade. It’s just average," Chu Feng said with a smile.
"Sigh. If those useless appraisers of mine had half—no, even one-tenth of your ability, Brother Chu, I’d be waking up from my dreams laughing. That bunch of idiots! When I took that raw stone to be cut just now, they told me it wouldn’t yield any good jade."
"Damn it! A bunch of freeloaders! I pay them such high salaries for nothing. They’re all useless, not a single bit of help."
Old Jiang suddenly burst out cursing, and it was clear he was genuinely furious.
"Hey now, Old Jiang, you should be content. As far as I know, your appraisers are still quite capable. After all, everyone makes mistakes. If you don’t want them, other people would be fighting over them," Zhao Liu said with a smile.
"Forget it. I’ll keep them. They’re still somewhat useful, anyway," Old Jiang said with a look of resignation.
"Brother Chu, how much are you planning to bid this time?" Zhao Liu asked.
The starting bid was six million, and someone had already raised it to eight million.
"Fifteen million!" Chu Feng said.
"Alright," Zhao Liu said with a nod, immediately entering the number and placing the bid.
In truth, at this price, very few people would continue bidding unless they particularly liked the stone or had a specific, important use for it.
However, it seemed Chu Feng had run into a tough opponent today.
"Seventeen million!" Su Miaoke said in surprise, seeing a new bid appear on the screen.
"Twenty million," Chu Feng continued.
Zhao Liu didn’t hesitate, immediately placing the bid as Chu Feng instructed.
"Twenty-five million!" Old Jiang’s eyes widened when he saw the price.
"Who is this blind fool, daring to snatch my brother’s raw stone?! Sixth Master, bid thirty-five million for me, right now!" Old Jiang cursed angrily after seeing the bid.
Zhao Liu glanced at him, then looked at Chu Feng.
Though he said nothing, his meaning was clear: was Chu Feng okay with Old Jiang’s bid?
"Sixth Master, just place the bid! The money’s on me. I just can’t stand the sight of that guy on the other side, daring to drive up the price on us!" Old Jiang declared heroically.
Chu Feng said, "There’s no need to trouble Boss Jiang. I’ll pay for it myself. Let’s go with thirty-five million."
Only then did Zhao Liu enter the number and place the bid.
After that number was announced, no one else made a bid.
Who would be foolish enough to keep bidding? Any further increase would push the price past forty million.
Forty million for a raw stone like this? Not worth it. In many people’s eyes, even thirty-five million was already a bad deal.
Before long, the raw stone was sold to Chu Feng.
"Brother Chu, how about I have Master Mo cut it open for you? I’m a little curious what kind of material this raw stone of yours will yield," Old Jiang said, his face full of curiosity.
"Alright. I won’t be participating in the rest of the auction. Sixth Master, you guys can watch on your own," Chu Feng said.
"Great! I’ll have Master Mo head over right away," Old Jiang said happily.
"Okay, but I’ll draw the cutting lines myself," Chu Feng said.
The reason he wanted to draw the lines himself was because only he knew where the jade was, where the fractures were, and where to cut for the optimal result.
"Alright. Go on, Brother Chu. I’ve already contacted Old Mo. He’s waiting for you in the stone-cutting area," Old Jiang said.
Chu Feng nodded, then led Su Miaoke to the stone-cutting area.
Old Mo was already waiting. The raw stone had also been delivered by dedicated staff.
"Mr. Chu, Boss Jiang instructed that you would be drawing the lines." Upon seeing Chu Feng, Old Mo handed him a marker.
"Master Mo, do you think it will be easy to mark the lines on this stone?" Chu Feng asked.
"That... I can’t say for sure. It’s better for you to decide, Mr. Chu," Master Mo said.
In truth, even if he was confident, he wouldn’t dare say he could draw the lines. After all, this thing cost tens of millions. If he drew the lines wrong and it was cut incorrectly, there would be serious trouble.
After all, the people who came here for stone gambling were all major figures. If one of these big shots had a bad temper and took their anger out on him, he would be finished.
"Alright. I’ll draw, you cut," Chu Feng said with a nod.
He understood Master Mo’s concerns, so he didn’t say anything more, simply taking the marker and beginning to draw.
In no time at all, the lines were drawn.
"There. Just follow these," Chu Feng said.
Seeing how quickly and seemingly casually Chu Feng had drawn the lines, Master Mo couldn’t help but frown and ask, "Mr. Chu, are you certain you’re finished?"
He wanted to double-check. If it turned out Chu Feng hadn’t drawn the lines properly, things could get complicated.
"Yes. Go ahead and cut along these lines with confidence. If it’s ruined, I won’t blame you," Chu Feng said.
"Very well. This raw stone is quite large, so cutting it will take some time. Please go and rest, Mr. Chu. I’ll call you when it’s done," Old Mo said.