The auction attendees all understood Ding Fan's intention; even when the salesman from Royal Jewelry had already bid up to 110 million, Ding Fan remained unmoved and eventually sold it for 95 million to soone from Hidden Stone Studio.
At that mont, while people marveled at Ding Fan's profound knowledge and skill in jade gambling, they also filled with respect for his actions.
In today's materially driven world, where money ranks first, how many people like Ding Fan could be found who sacrifice their personal gains, genuinely contributing to their country and future generations?
The Royal Jewelry salesman, at that point, seed like a defeated soldier, slinking away from the crowd.
"Young friend, I admire you greatly," said the elder in the Tang suit, who had bid earlier, as he slowly stood, cupping his hands towards Ding Fan.
Ding Fan responded with a gesture of respect to the elder.
At that ti, the owner of Hidden Stone Studio promptly pulled out a checkbook, writing quickly before handing the check directly to Ding Fan.
Ding Fan briefly checked it, then directly accepted it.
"Boss, such a Dragon Precious Jade should not be wasted; only then would it not let down the young friend's intention," said the elder in the Tang suit to the owner of Hidden Stone Studio.
The owner of Hidden Stone Studio nodded. "Such a beautiful Dragon type jade, I naturally must store it properly. I will definitely find a master carver to personally sculpt this Dragon Precious Jade..."
"Here is my phone number. I happen to know a few friends in the jade carving industry, and I also know Mr. Yu Qingsong. If you need sothing later on, feel free to contact ," offered the elder in the Tang suit.
"Oh? Mr. Yu Qingsong, you know him too?" The eyes of the owner of Hidden Stone Studio lit up.
Mr. Yu Qingsong was a grandmaster in the carving industry, renowned not just in the world of carving, but also in jewelry. His na was well-known far and wide.
Anything associated with Yu Qingsong was sure to increase significantly in value.
Even a regular piece of jade, if crafted by Yu Qingsong, would imdiately appreciate several tis over, ten tis, or even dozens of tis.
"We have so connections…" said the elder in the Tang suit. "If you need anything, feel free to find later."
The owner of Hidden Stone Studio nodded solemnly and carefully took down the elder's phone number.
"Young friend, I feel a kindred spirit with you; may I have the honor of inviting you for a cup of tea?" the elder asked Ding Fan with a smile.
Ding Fan had no objections.
He still rembered the impassioned words that the elder had said to the Royal Jewelry salesman earlier. With such concern for the nation at his age, Ding Fan naturally felt a deeper fondness for him.
"Delighted to…" Ding Fan replied with a smile.
Just as Ding Fan, and Mu Zi were about to follow the elder in the Tang suit, the owner of Hidden Stone Studio presented him with a small pendant carved from Ice variety jade.
Ding Fan knew that this was because Hidden Stone Studio felt they had gotten a bargain with the Dragon Blood Jade for 95 million, so they sent him this pendant to make up for it.
Ding Fan did not want to insult the giver, so he accepted it directly.
Only then did Ding Fan and the elder in the Tang suit get into a nearby car.
At that mont, Ding Fan handed the small object from Hidden Stone Studio to Mu Zi. Ding Fan felt no particular attachnt to these small items, but he thought that the young girl might like it more.
Indeed, as soon as Mu Zi received the jade pendant, she held it joyfully in her hands, continuously rubbing it with her hands.
"That owner of Hidden Stone Studio is quite an interesting person... Young friend, can you discern the value of this jade pendant?" the elder in the Tang suit asked with a smile.
Ding Fan knew that the elder was testing him.
"I don't know," Ding Fan shook his head. While he could detect jade with his Divine Sense, he did not know the specifics about its value.
"I just took a quick look earlier; that small pendant is carved from supre Ice variety jade. Considering its quality, it should be among the superior products in the jade world. Despite its size, this small pendant might be worth two million…" the elder in the Tang suit remarked.
Two million?!
Mu Zi was startled; she had never expected such a small jade pendant to command such a high price.
Ding Fan was also surprised, but since he had already accepted the item, it was no longer appropriate to return it.
"Young friend, you should not return this small pendant, or the owner of Hidden Stone Studio will definitely feel awkward," the elder in the Tang suit guessed Ding Fan's thoughts and said quietly.
Ding Fan understood.
While appraising stones, many had regarded him as a master. If Hidden Stone Studio had given him the jade and he returned it, it would be a complete disgrace to their reputation if word got out!
Along the way, Ding Fan had a deep conversation with Elder Tang. As their conversation advanced, Ding Fan began to perceive that Elder Tang was indeed a widely knowledgeable man.
His speech was refined, and his insights were deeply impressive. This was truly a respectable elder...
Just as the elder instructed the driver to stop the car in front of a teahouse, the elder's phone rang, and upon seeing the caller, his expression turned stern.
After hesitating briefly, he then answered the call.
"Dad... help please, if you don't help now, I'm going to die... Just... just let have one hit, it's too hard to live like this..." As soon as the call connected, a very anxious voice ca from the other end.
The elder's face turned very grim.
"Child, why can't you understand that I am already saving you? Just hold on a little longer, quit that stuff, and you will beco normal again..."
Before the elder could finish speaking, a sharp cry ca from the other end of the phone.
"Ah... I can't take it anymore, I really can't do this, if you don't let have one hit now, I'll just die..."
"Okay, okay... then be good and listen to , I'm coming back now, just wait for , I'm coming back to bring you that stuff..."
"Great! Hurry back, Dad, I really can't take it anymore..."
The elder imdiately hung up the phone from his side.
At that mont, the elder's face turned sowhat pale, and he heaved a deep sigh. Then he turned to Ding Fan beside him and said, "My young friend, I am terribly sorry, there's so issue at ho... I think we should et another day..."
The elder was doing his best to control his emotions, but a look of unrest hid in his expression...
Ding Fan hadn't known the elder for long, but rembering what the elder had said to preserve the Dragon Precious Jade, Ding Fan felt a sudden desire to help him.
"I think I should co with you, perhaps I can be of so help..." Ding Fan spoke in an even tone but revealed an imnse confidence.
The elder was taken aback. Then, realizing that Ding Fan must have heard the phone call, he understood.
The elder shook his head with a wry smile. "It seems you already know, my son is addicted to drugs... It's ironic, I'm quite well-known as a traditional doctor in Xingcheng... I've diagnosed countless patients, yet I can't cure my son's condition... Once you're hooked on drugs, it isn't sothing easily quit..."
From the side, Ding Fan said, "Old sir, why don't you let try? Wouldn't it be good to give yourself a chance?"
The elder pondered for a mont, his brows furrowing as if savoring Ding Fan's words, finally as if making up his mind.
"Very well, then I am in your debt, young friend... Xiao He, drive ho."
The driver, upon hearing the elder's instructions, wasted no ti. He pressed on the accelerator and sped away.
...
The elder's ho was located in a luxury estate in Xingcheng.
Many wealthy people lived within this community.
The entrance of the community featured an antique-style city gate, supervised by security guards on duty 24 hours a day.
Upon entering the main gate, it was like stepping into a forest park.
On either side of the roads within the community were trees of indeterminate species. Rolling down the car window, one could sll the scent of fresh grass and wildflowers.
As the car advanced a little further, the sound of babbling water erged.
Following the sound, Ding Fan saw that in the center of the community, there was in fact a man-made hill with a stream continuously flowing down from atop the hill...
Seeing this, Ding Fan couldn't help but admire it; it truly was a place for the wealthy.
Earth is known for its technology, and as humanity has progressed, the exploitation and developnt have scarred the planet,
Yet within this community, they have utilized human power to transplant trees, construct artificial hills, and create streams...
Money can change everything!
Finally, the elder's car parked inside a villa.
The villa's yard was vast, and near one side of the yard was a swimming pool.
"Master, you're finally back... The second young master, he has started to go mad..." At that mont, a woman who looked like a housemaid ca out, her face filled with urgency as she spoke.
The elder nodded his head. Then he quickly asked, "Where's the drug rehabilitation expert?"
"The rehabilitation expert is inside trying to give the second young master a sedative, but he's been too restless, and it's been impossible to administer the sedative..."
"Let's go inside," Ding Fan said to the elder at that mont.
The elder nodded, then led Ding Fan and Mu Zi into the villa.
The villa was spacious. The housemaid led the way, and eventually, they arrived at a room near the west wing on the ground floor.
At that mont, even though they hadn't reached the room yet, a series of roars could already be heard coming from inside.
"Let out!"
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