131: Chapter 232 Spring City Jade Market

Tang Guo was stunned by his sudden gentleness and "readily" agreeing, nodding blankly. For a moment, she didn't know how to react, only instinctively shrinking closer to Yin Tianxue.

Yu Bo seemed completely unbothered by her evasion; he smiled, stood up, patted the back of her hand, and then turned to Yin Tianxue. In a relaxed tone, he suggested, "Since you're here, don't be in such a rush to leave. It's rare to visit Spring City, and it just happens to be the season with the best weather and most beautiful scenery. Why not stay a few more days before heading back? It will also let Guoguo relax and get some fresh air in a different environment; that's surely better than being locked up in another villa immediately, don't you think?"

Without waiting for Yin Tianxue to answer, Yu Bo continued enthusiastically, "Oh, right, the jade market on the outskirts of Spring City is quite famous, producing high-quality jadeite and jade. Since you're both here, why don't we go take a look tomorrow? I can pick out some nice jade for you to wear for health, and maybe get a peace buckle for the baby in Guoguo's belly to bring good luck."

"Jade market?" Tang Guo seemed drawn in by the term. She lifted her head, a faint, long-lost curiosity flashing in her eyes. She had always been interested in these shiny, spiritual stones.

Yu Bo captured this subtle change, his smile deepening. "Yes, the jade market is huge, and it has all sorts of good things. Not only are there finished products, but there are also many stone gambling stalls, which are quite interesting. If you're lucky, you might even open up something top-tier, which is much more cost-effective than buying directly, and it's exciting too." He looked at Yin Tianxue, his gaze carrying an invitation and a hint of imperceptible provocation. "Tianxue, dare to try your luck? Just consider it a way to relax, and while you're at it, pick out a gift for Guoguo."

"Stone gambling?" Yin Tianxue's brow furrowed even tighter. She had never been interested in gambling-related activities and felt the risk was too high.

"Mhm, it's just buying those uncut raw stones, judging from the skin whether there's jade inside and how good the quality is. It all depends on your eye and luck; one cut makes you poor, one cut makes you rich. It's all about the thrill." Yu Bo explained, his tone relaxed as if he were merely suggesting an ordinary form of entertainment. "Don't worry, we won't play big; it's just a small bet for fun. The main point is to take Guoguo out for a walk; it's not good for her to be cooped up at home all the time."

Yin Tianxue looked at Tang Guo and saw that her eyes indeed revealed a sense of longing and anticipation—perhaps because she had been stifled here for too long, any activity that allowed her to leave this villa and interact with the outside world held an appeal for her; or perhaps she was truly curious about "jade" and "stone gambling."

"Tianxue, how about... we just go take a look?" Tang Guo spoke softly, pleading, "I... I haven't been out shopping in a long time."

Yin Tianxue's heart softened. Looking at Tang Guo's pale face and the faint glimmer in her eyes, she truly couldn't bear to let her down again.

"Alright." Yin Tianxue finally nodded, her tone carrying a hint of compromise, though her eyes remained vigilant. "Then we'll stay two more days and go to the jade market tomorrow. But it's agreed, we're just looking and buying some small items; I won't participate in any stone gambling."

"No problem, I'll listen to you." Yu Bo readily agreed, a warm smile on his face. "Then it's settled. This afternoon, you two rest for a bit, or go for a walk in the nearby park. I'll go book a restaurant with a nice atmosphere, and we'll eat together tonight; it'll be a way to... celebrate your reunion as sisters."

In the afternoon, Yin Tianxue accompanied Tang Guo for a walk in the wetland park near the villa. The warm, humid air of Spring City and the lush greenery indeed allowed Tang Guo's tense nerves to relax slightly, and she spoke a bit more, though most of it was about the flowers, plants, and the weather. Yin Tianxue carefully observed her surroundings and did not discover any obvious anomalies or signs of being followed, but the tension in her heart did not ease.

In the evening, Yu Bo had indeed booked a rather stylish private kitchen restaurant. The environment was elegant, the dishes exquisite, and he was witty and attentive, never mentioning any heavy topics, as if it were truly just an ordinary gathering of friends. With Yin Tianxue by her side, Tang Guo gradually became less nervous, occasionally even chiming in with a few words.

After returning to the villa from dinner, Yu Bo used "still having some work to handle" as an excuse and returned to the study. Yin Tianxue and Tang Guo each returned to their rooms to rest.

Late at night, Yin Tianxue lay in bed, tossing and turning. She took out her phone, wanting to text Uncle Wang to update him on the situation here and tomorrow's itinerary, but after hesitating, she put it down again.

The next morning, the sun was still bright. Yu Bo drove personally, taking Yin Tianxue and Tang Guo to the famous jade market located tens of kilometers outside of Spring City.

The scale of the jade market was even larger than imagined, bustling with noise and excitement. Shops lined both sides of the street, filled with all kinds of finished jade and jadeite products, crystal clear and glowing with color. The air was filled with the scent of stone dust and a certain special oil. There were also many open-air stalls piled high with stones of all sizes, shapes, and colors; these were the stone gambling stalls. The Stall Owners shouted in heavily accented Mandarin, while buyers stood or squatted, holding high-intensity flashlights to examine them carefully, whispering discussions, the atmosphere tense and excited.

As soon as Tang Guo entered the jade market, her eyes lit up; she looked around curiously, temporarily forgetting the shadows in her heart. Yin Tianxue followed closely by her side, vigilantly watching the surroundings. Yu Bo acted like a considerate tour guide, walking and introducing them to the types of jade, their quality, identification methods, and so on, appearing quite the expert.

They first visited several shops selling finished products, and Yu Bo generously let Yin Tianxue and Tang Guo pick whatever they wanted, offering to pay. Yin Tianxue only chose a pair of ordinary-quality white jade peace buckles, one for Tang Guo and one for herself, symbolizing peace and safety. Tang Guo picked a small jadeite pea pod pendant, symbolizing many children and many blessings; she held it in her hand, gently caressing her lower abdomen, her expression complex.

"Just looking at finished products is boring. Come on, let me take you to see some stone gambling; that's what you call exciting." After finishing at the shops, Yu Bo insisted, leading them toward the even noisier stone gambling area.

"Yu Bo, we agreed we wouldn't do stone gambling." Yin Tianxue held him back, her tone serious.

"We won't gamble, just buy three or five small pieces. Whether we gain or lose doesn't matter; just consider it gaining some experience." Yu Bo smiled. "Coming to the jade market without seeing stone gambling is like not coming at all. Look at Guoguo, she's quite curious too."

Tang Guo was indeed attracted to those stone gambling stalls crowded with people and filled with a heated atmosphere, her eyes filled with inquiry.

Yin Tianxue had no choice but to follow, but she made up her mind not to participate at all.

A large crowd had gathered in front of a relatively large stone gambling stall, where the Stall Owner was enthusiastically introducing a basin-sized raw stone with black Wusha skin: "Look at this skin, how tight it is! This pine flower pattern, this python belt! It's definitely going to produce high-quality goods! Miss this chance, and you won't find another!"

Yu Bo squeezed in, putting on an act as he picked up a high-intensity flashlight and shone it on the stone again and again. After looking for a while, he shook his head and put it down. He picked through the items on the stall again, finally picking up a fist-sized, gray-skinned, unremarkable raw stone. He weighed it in his hand and asked the Stall Owner, "What's the price for this one?"

"Boss, you have a good eye! Don't look at its size; the skin quality is good, there might be a surprise inside! One price, 180,000!" The Stall Owner held up his palm.

"80,000." Yu Bo didn't even lift his eyelids.

"Oh, Boss, you're cutting the price too ruthlessly! 150,000, that's the lowest!"

"100,000, if you don't want to sell, forget it." Yu Bo made a move to leave.

"Fine, fine, let's make friends; 100,000 it is!" The Stall Owner looked as if it pained him.

Yu Bo readily paid the money and took the small stone. Someone in the crowd egged him on: "Boss, are you going to cut it? Open it up on the spot and let's see!"

Yu Bo smiled and looked at Yin Tianxue and Tang Guo: "Want to cut it for fun? Just consider it listening to a sound for you, for the sake of amusement. It doesn't matter if we lose or gain."

Yin Tianxue wanted to refuse, but Tang Guo's eyes revealed strong anticipation, and the people around were also egging them on. She didn't want to be a killjoy; just considering it a way to satisfy Tang Guo's curiosity, she reluctantly nodded.

"Then let's cut it!" Yu Bo handed the stone to the Stall Owner.

The Stall Owner skillfully fixed the stone onto a small cutting machine. A harsh cutting sound rang out, and everyone held their breath, staring intently at the flying stone dust.

With one cut, the stone skin separated.

The Stall Owner picked up the cut stone, rinsed the cut surface with water, suddenly widened his eyes, and gasped: "Holy crap! It's green! Ice variety! And it's vibrant green! Huge profit, Boss!"