The outer area of the Yun City Jade Gambling Festival was less a market and more a massive, open-air jade processing center.
Discarded waste stones, cut open, were scattered everywhere on the ground, their cut surfaces almost uniformly a dull, lifeless greyish-white.
Even the occasional flecks of cheap, mixed colors seemed like a cruel mockery to the gamblers who harbored dreams of getting rich overnight.
"Brother, what kind of dump is this?!"
Lu Xuan pinched her nose in disgust, her beautiful eyebrows furrowed tightly, afraid that her little leather shoes would get even a speck of mud.
"It's so dirty and messy, why did we have to come here?"
"There are no fun toys here!"
She followed behind Lu Cheng, complaining incessantly, her voice full of grievance.
"The main venue inside is so much better, clean and tidy, with air conditioning and snacks to eat."
Bai Zhi followed on the other side, and although she didn't speak, she harbored the same doubts.
She vigilantly observed her surroundings, trying to discern Lu Cheng's true purpose from the noisy crowds and chaotic stalls.
This villain would never come to a place like this without reason.
He had just played a trick on the reborn Xiao Fan last night, and now he was here again today; he must be plotting some new scheme.
Could there be another Son of Destiny hidden here?
Otherwise, what else would be worth this villain doing this... Bai Zhi's heart tightened involuntarily.
Lu Cheng was oblivious to the complaints and wariness of the two girls behind him.
He simply walked leisurely, his gaze casually sweeping over the piles of discarded waste stones.
In his vision, most of the stones appeared a dead, greyish-white, signifying their worthlessness.
But occasionally, a few stones would emit a faint, firefly-like glow, indicating that they might contain a small piece of bean-grade or waxy-grade scrap, of low value, but better than nothing.
"Don't rush, this is the best testing ground for betting small to win big."
Lu Cheng's tone was unhurried, as if he wasn't strolling through a chaotic market, but rather walking in his own backyard.
His gaze swept through the crowd, eventually drawn to a stall in a secluded corner.
It was a stall almost nobody visited, run by a dark-skinned middle-aged man who was idly yawning.
The stall was piled high with failed cuts of waste material, and in front of that pile, a young man was squatting.
The young man wore faded casual clothes and looked quite ordinary, but his eyes were exceptionally sharp, as if he could see through the stone's skin to the essence within.
Beside him stood a gentle and beautiful young woman.
The young woman looked at the young man with an undisguised reliance?
The young man seemed to notice the young woman's gaze, and he turned his head, giving her a gentle smile.
And in Lu Cheng's mind, at that moment, a crisp notification sound quietly rang out.
[Ding! A new Son of Destiny has been discovered!]
A virtual light screen instantly unfolded before Lu Cheng's eyes.
[Name: Hao Jian]
[Identity: Protagonist of "My System Is Acting Up, It Insists I Pamper the Eldest Young Lady"]
[Template: Urban Soldier King, Flower Protector Bodyguard, Treasure-Appraising Divine Eyes]
[Ability: Super Pure Love System]
[System Introduction: By interacting with the designated female lead "Tang Bingyun" and showing affection, gain "Pure Love Points." Pure Love Points can be used to exchange for various abilities and items in the System Mall.]
[Current Status: Relationship bound, and "True Sight Eye" exchanged using Pure Love Points.]
Lu Cheng's gaze then fell upon the young man.
His eyes were intently fixed on an inconspicuous, palm-sized grey stone on the stall.
[Ice-grade Imperial Green Rough (Scrap)]
[Quality: Top-grade]
[Estimated Value: 1.2 million]
Although it was just a piece of scrap, its quality was top-grade Imperial Green, enough to elevate any ordinary person to instant wealth.
"Yunyun, trust me."
Hao Jian stood up, took Tang Bingyun's hand, his eyes filled with confidence.
"Today, I'll show you what I can do!"
"Mm! I believe you!"
Tang Bingyun nodded vigorously, her eyes full of adoring stars as she looked at Hao Jian.
Hao Jian took a deep breath, then turned to the drowsy stall owner and pointed at the grey stone.
"Boss, how much for this stone?"
The stall owner lifted his eyelids, lazily glanced at the stone, and casually said, "Everything in that pile is failed cuts, waste material. If you want it, just give me three to five hundred yuan and take it as an ornament."
Hao Jian's heart rejoiced, but his face remained impassive, feigning difficulty as he began to haggle with the stall owner.
"Boss, look, I'm just a student, I don't have much money. I just think this stone has a nice shape and I want to buy it as a memento for my girlfriend. How about three hundred yuan?"
"Three hundred is too little, add some more, five hundred, not a cent less!"
The stall owner waved his hand, looking impatient.
"Alright! Five hundred it is!"
Hao Jian "gritted his teeth," put on a pained expression, and pulled out his wallet, ready to pay.
He seemed to already envision her surprised and touched look when he unveiled the Imperial Green and personally crafted a unique Imperial Green ring face for Tang Bingyun.
However, just as his hand was about to touch his wallet...
A voice with a slight chuckle, not loud, but clear, interrupted their transaction.
"Boss, this stone looks quite pleasing to the eye."
Lu Cheng, with Lu Xuan and Bai Zhi, slowly walked over.
"I offer one hundred thousand."
This casual remark was like a drop of water thrown into a calm pot of oil.
The entire stall instantly erupted.
The originally drowsy stall owner suddenly sprang from his chair, his eyes wide like copper bells, looking at Lu Cheng in disbelief, wondering if he had misheard.
One hundred thousand?
For this broken stone?
And Hao Jian's smile instantly froze; he abruptly turned his head to look at the uninvited guest.
When he saw Lu Cheng's expensive attire and his innate composed demeanor, a raging inferno of anger instantly ignited in his eyes.
He felt like the duck he was about to get was being snatched away from him by force!
This was not just about money; it was a blatant humiliation in front of the woman he loved!
Hao Jian stood up, frowning, and coldly scrutinized Lu Cheng.
He didn't recognize the man in front of him, but the other party's condescending attitude made him extremely uncomfortable.
"There's always a first come, first served."
Hao Jian's voice was cold, with a hint of arrogance.
"My friend, I saw this stone first. What you're doing isn't according to the rules, is it?"
Lu Cheng, hearing this, didn't even lift an eyelid, as if he hadn't heard him at all.
Sons of Destiny love to talk about rules, but only because they currently have the moral high ground.
When a Son of Destiny no longer has the moral high ground, he will talk about love and justice.
Lu Cheng smiled, pulled out his phone, and scanned a QR code directly, a move that left the stall owner dumbfounded.
"Two hundred thousand."
Lu Cheng's voice remained calm, but that understated manner was more hurtful than any insulting words.
As the transfer sound rang out, Hao Jian's face completely darkened.
What did this mean?
Just throwing money, not even discussing it, assuming he couldn't afford more?
He felt his dignity being mercilessly trampled underfoot by the other party's money, repeatedly crushed.
A surge of anger shot straight to his head!
"Where did this nouveau riche come from?!"
Hao Jian could no longer maintain his composure; he snorted coldly, pointed at Lu Cheng's nose, and directly started to rant.
"Do you think having a few stinking pennies makes you great?"
"I'm telling you, my name is Hao Jian!"
He deliberately emphasized his name, trying to show off his extraordinary status in this way.
Then, he pulled Tang Bingyun, who was beside him, in front of him, a hint of boastful arrogance on his face.
"This is the Eldest Young Lady of the Tang Family from Yun City, Tang Bingyun!"
"If you know what's good for you, take your money and get lost!"