44: Chapter 44 Jade Gambling

The next morning.

Soft sunlight filtered through the light gold curtains, gently spreading across the living room and bedroom of the apartment. The air still held a faint scent of gardenia aromatherapy, quiet and cozy.

Jiang Chen slowly opened his eyes. Beside him, Su Wanqing was still fast asleep.

Her long eyelashes, like butterfly wings, drooped lightly against her fair skin, and her cheeks bore a lazy flush from last night's intimacy.

The cold, intellectual, and dignified aura she usually displayed on the podium was completely gone; at this moment, only the gentle softness unique to a young woman remained, which made his heart soften.

He got up on tiptoe, afraid of disturbing the beauty in his arms. After a simple wash and tidy-up, he walked to the floor-to-ceiling window in the living room.

He took out his phone, and his mind stirred slightly.

"Ding! daily wealth intelligence has been updated."

"Today's intelligence: At stall 12 facing the street on the first floor of Jiangcheng Jade City, there is a piece of semi-revealed jadeite with the number A-19. The owner has priced it at 28,800 yuan. The window on the raw stone is extremely small, and its surface appearance is unremarkable. Both customers and experts in the shop have judged it to be ordinary glutinous-type white-base material, and no one is paying attention to it. In reality, the inside of the raw stone is high-ice variety imperial green jadeite. The texture is extremely delicate and icy, free of cracks and cotton, with pure color and ample moisture, and a rich, uniform hue. It weighs about 1.8 kilograms. According to the current high-end jadeite market, the overall estimated value can reach about 5 million yuan. You can buy it directly with full cash and cut it on the spot with no risk."

A flash of imperceptible brightness instantly crossed Jiang Chen's eyes.

A cost of 28,800 in exchange for a piece of top-tier imperial green jadeite worth 5 million—the profit was nearly two hundred times.

No public auctions, no bidding.

He could just pay the money and take it away; this was a massive opportunity that was truly a guaranteed profit.

He silently noted the stall location and the raw stone number in his memo, deciding to finish handling the antiques on hand before heading to Jade City immediately.

He ended the interaction with the system.

Jiang Chen immediately thought of the treasure lying quietly in the storage box of his car—the Qing Dynasty gilded bronze statue.

This was a rare treasure he had obtained through intelligence in Qingxi County last time. The shape was regular, the gilding was full, and the condition was perfect, but he hadn't found a suitable channel to sell it.

Now, he could take advantage of his free time today to liquidate it, replenish his working capital, and prepare fully to acquire the jadeite raw stone.

He didn't disturb the sleeping Su Wanqing, picked up a sticky note to write a gentle reminder, placed it lightly on the bedside table, then gently closed the door and left the apartment quietly.

After getting into the car, Jiang Chen opened the storage compartment and carefully took out the storage box lined with sponge.

The moment he slowly opened the lid, a Qing Dynasty gilded bronze Buddha statue with exquisite workmanship and a naturally warm patina lay quietly inside.

The statue had a solemn appearance, smooth lines, and a thick, bright layer of gilding. Even after the passage of time, it still possessed an extraordinary demeanor; anyone with a discerning eye would know at a glance that it was a genuine antique.

Jiang Chen didn't just look for any shop; he drove straight to the oldest antique street in Jiangcheng.

He remembered that when he sold the Hetian jade pendant last time, he had visited a shop called Guxin Pavilion.

The owner, Zhou Xin, had a seasoned eye and offered fair prices. Although they had only met once and didn't have a deep impression of each other, it was much more reliable than those unscrupulous shops on the street that would lowball you.

When he arrived at Guxin Pavilion, Zhou Xin was wiping some porcelain ornaments on the counter.

Seeing Jiang Chen walk into the shop, he was stunned for a moment, looked him over carefully twice, and then spoke with a vague impression.

"Young man, I seem to... have some impression. Have you been here once before?"

"Hello, boss. I sold a jade pendant here last time; you might not remember it very clearly."

Jiang Chen's tone was calm, and he smiled as he placed the storage box steadily on the solid wood counter.

"I came today to ask for your help in appraising it. I have an old gilded bronze statue here that I intend to sell."

Zhou Xin nodded in realization. They weren't close, but they were acquaintances.

He immediately composed his expression, adopted a professional and rigorous attitude, first washed his hands, and then solemnly put on white cotton inspection gloves.

He picked up a high-intensity flashlight and examined it inch by inch, meticulously.

He repeatedly examined the statue's facial expression, the craftsmanship of the clothing folds, the state of the gilding preservation, the structure of the base, and the characteristics of the bottom.

He also tapped it gently to listen, confirming there were no hollows or repairs inside; he examined every detail with extreme seriousness.

After a full ten minutes, Zhou Xin slowly put down the flashlight, took off his gloves, and spoke with a tone that was both certain and filled with a touch of admiration.

"Authentic! It's absolutely authentic! Young man, this piece of yours is truly a genuine treasure!"

"It's a Qing Dynasty mid-period imperial gilded bronze Amitayus Buddha statue. The size is standard, the gilding is thick and full, there are no damages or cracks, no later repairs, the base is intact, and the patina is authentically aged. It is a collector-grade piece that is extremely scarce on the market. Even if it were sent to a large auction house, it could fetch a high price. The item is just perfect."

Jiang Chen nodded slightly and got straight to the point. "Boss, I came here by reputation. Just give me a fair purchase price directly."

Zhou Xin pondered for a moment, combined with the current real circulation market of the antique market and auction transaction records, and gave a fair and top-tier price.

"Young man, I won't beat around the bush with you. Although we aren't close, I have always been fair in my business. For this statue, I'll give you a final price of 1.2 million. Large-amount real-time transfer, no dragging or owing. With this price, you definitely won't find a higher one in the entire Jiangcheng antique market."

1.2 million.

It matched the true market value of a Qing Dynasty mid-period imperial gilded bronze statue; the price was reasonable and very sincere.

Jiang Chen didn't hesitate at all and nodded immediately. "Good, deal, Boss Zhou."

"Straightforward." Zhou Xin smiled and took out his phone.

"Young man, let's add each other on WeChat. I'll transfer the money to you directly. In the future, if you have any other old items or good things in your hands, you can prioritize me. I guarantee I'll give you the most honest price."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen took the opportunity to take out his phone, scan the code, and add Zhou Xin as a WeChat friend.

The two weren't close, but this contact method could be considered a reliable channel for future interactions.

Zhou Xin was extremely efficient. After adding him as a friend, he immediately initiated the transfer, using the bank's large-amount fast transfer channel.

In less than two minutes, Jiang Chen's phone rang with a crisp notification sound, and a bank text message popped up on the screen.

[Jiangcheng Bank] Your account ending in 9985 has completed an interbank transfer: 1,200,000.00 yuan. Account balance: 2,650,580.60 yuan.

Looking at the funds on his account steadily breaking through 2.6 million, Jiang Chen couldn't help but sigh.

"My wallet has finally bulged a little."

Putting away his phone, Jiang Chen bid a simple farewell and thanks to Zhou Xin, then turned and walked out of Guxin Pavilion.

The noon sun was bright and dazzling, pouring onto the smooth body of the panamera, reflecting a radiant luster.

Jiang Chen sat in the driver's seat, his fingertips tapping gently on the steering wheel, his thoughts crystal clear.

He gently pressed the start button, and the engine instantly emitted a low, pleasant roar.

The next stop, straight to Jiangcheng Jade City.

Time to take down that peerless stone that no one else recognizes!