Chapter 224: Two Hundred and Fifty Million in January

Maybe it was the string of questions that Zhao Yicheng had been suppressing in his heart that finally provoked Xu Yinsheng, or maybe it was that after being forcefully kissed, Xu Yinsheng was preparing to retaliate.

When they returned to the villa, she transformed once more into a gold-devouring beast, turning her gloom into appetite, eating and eating every day!!!

Diamonds, eat!

Emerald Green, eat!

Pure Gold, eat!

To hell with healthy eating, to hell with maintaining figure, to hell with saving precious metals, I’ll just eat and eat!!

Not only do I eat gemstones, I even gnaw messily on the silver tableware!!!

And so, Zhao Yicheng looked at this month’s bill and fell into deep thought.

One month: 250 million.

If he hadn’t discovered that synthetic diamonds tasted and nourished just the same as natural diamonds in the mouth of the gemstone dragon loli, he would’ve hurriedly placed another bulk order—otherwise, that 250 million would’ve lost a whole point.

If he fed her only artificial diamonds every day, he could at least control the costs to within tens of thousands to a hundred thousand.

But if he really did that, Xu Yinsheng would definitely be the first to make a fuss. To use an analogy, it’s like a person eating plain steamed buns: fine for a day or two, but if you eat them every day for a month straight, you’d probably start coughing up bile.

At that moment, the adorable dragon-loli Xu Yinsheng hugged a jar of Emerald and agate, swaggering past Zhao Yicheng with her plump, wiggling little tail—truly too cute.

She glanced sideways at him.

“Oh my, 250 million, looks like this gem dragon is really quite the eater.”

With that, she popped an agate into her mouth, agate crumbs falling from the corner of her lips onto the man’s palm, and she couldn’t help but toss in a sarcastic comment:

“If you can’t afford to raise me, then don’t! I’m very precious, you know. Believe it or not, I could go seek refuge with the State Government tomorrow, live in the Laboratory, and eat Pure Gold every day to my heart’s content!”

Zhao Yicheng: …

Even though he knew she was just talking in anger, why did his hands itch so much?

After thinking for a moment, he set the bill aside on the table, then scooped Xu Yinsheng up and hoisted her onto his shoulder, striding toward the villa’s rear garage.

“What are you doing?!” At this, Xu Yinsheng panicked, kicking her little short legs desperately, trying to wriggle off the man’s shoulder.

She was just spouting nonsense—she wasn’t ready for any consequences afterward!!!

“I was just joking earlier, calm down, calm down, calm down a bit. If you think I eat too much, I can start dieting today.”

“Diamonds, diamonds! How about diamonds?! I think diamonds are great, especially synthetic ones—they taste better than natural ones. Put me down, from now on I’ll just eat those three times a day…”

Trying to negotiate for her freedom, Xu Yinsheng kicked her two little legs frantically, agates spilling from her jar all over the floor as she struggled, but it was all to no avail.

“Stop moving.” Zhao Yicheng gave her a light pat on the bottom, hoping this would quiet her down.

“I’m taking you to do some Stone Gambling. We need a side hustle. If you keep eating like this, I’ll go bankrupt sooner or later.” Carrying the petite loli, Zhao Yicheng said this.

Tianlin City, old district, in a narrow yet bustling alley.

Stone Gambling shops lined both sides, not exactly crowded but never empty—over a hundred people at least, whether seasoned veterans or curious newcomers.

“Come take a look! Premium Original Stones, freshly dug from the mine, only 500, only 500! Emerald Green and Imperial Green right before your eyes! With skill, one cut saves you ten years of hard work!”

“Green is out! This one might just be Emerald Green, worth a fortune if you flip it!”

“Don’t miss your chance! Take a look at this piece—guaranteed big profits!”

Shouts of peddlers rose and fell in succession, endlessly bustling.

The roar of all kinds of cutting machines made the ground tremble, and from time to time, harrowing wails or shrieks of excitement would burst from the shops.

When jade is mined, it’s wrapped in a weathered skin, concealing its quality until cut—so the stone must be sliced to reveal the grade inside.

Thus, a whole industry was born—one that could make you rich overnight or bankrupt in a flash.

Stone Gambling!

As the saying goes, “One slice makes you poor, one slice makes you rich, one slice leaves you in rags!” Compared to Stone Gambling, stocks and real estate are nothing but child’s play.

In this environment, Zhao Yicheng held Xu Yinsheng’s hand as they entered a Stone Gambling parlor called “Yumanlou”.

Just past the threshold, they saw a small mountain of Original Stones, stacked impressively. Around the Jade Mountain, at least twenty or thirty people were gathered.

Each face was lit with feverish excitement, determined to strike it rich.

When Zhao Yicheng approached the Jade Mountain, a nearby young middle-aged man hurried over with a smile:

“Sir, are you looking to buy Mao Liaozi?”

Mao Liaozi—that is, Original Stone, uncut. Most Stone Gambling parlors carry these rough stones. Eight or nine out of ten are just ordinary rocks or broken jade, but if you’re lucky enough to cut out a complete jade core, you can make a fortune in an instant.

Many people support their families this way, some even get rich overnight, though more end up jumping from the eighteenth floor.

“How many grades are there?” Zhao Yicheng asked casually.

“Our shop offers three grades. If this is your first try and you’re just here for fun, the Mao Liaozi over here is just 200 yuan each. If you’re after some excitement, you might check out the High-Grade Stone Field straight ahead—those Original Stones are 2,000 each, and the quality is higher. Just last time, someone cut out a piece of Imperial Green there.”

This middle-aged man was a slick one, instantly noticing Zhao Yicheng’s refined attire, especially the understated luxury of his watch.

Not like those old-timers who spend ages choosing one or two stones, nor the green newcomers who’re just here for the novelty—this guy was clearly loaded. Even if he didn’t get any green, he was just here for the thrill.

Zhao Yicheng walked to the premium counter, casually picked up a piece of Mao Liaozi—the surface bore half a Snake Pine Flower pattern, and though there was a clear Thunder Strike Crack on the surface, it didn’t diminish the value; if anything, it proved it came from a High-Grade Stone Field.

“Cut it here, cut it all.” He tossed the Mao Liaozi to the burly man manning the stone-cutting machine, then sat down with Xu Yinsheng to wait for the results.

He lifted the loli Xu Yinsheng onto his lap, and those around only saw him lean in to whisper something quietly in her ear.

The bystanders just glanced over, then turned their attention back to the roaring cutting machine.

For seasoned gamblers, no beauty can compare to the lure of jade!

She could be a little sister, a daughter, or even something unspoken, but who cares—everyone’s here for the thrill, for fortune.

Other people’s morals? None of their business.

“Green! Green is out!”

“Look at that variety!”

“Old Liu, what do you think?”

“Good quality, just a little light in quantity. At best, you’ll net fifty thousand.”

Meanwhile, Xu Yinsheng was receiving Zhao Yicheng’s instruction: “Since you can taste the flavor of precious metals and jewels, try sniffing out their aura too.”

“A mere layer of stone skin can’t block your sense of smell.”

“You don’t have to get them all right—just five or six out of ten is enough. However much you cut out, that’s your food for the rest of the month.”

After patiently explaining the rules and taboos of Stone Gambling, Zhao Yicheng let her down from his lap.

The Cutting Master brought over the split Original Stone: the jade color was mature, good texture, deep green, quality was decent, but the volume was a bit lacking—only about half a fist in size.

“Looks like my luck’s pretty good today.”

Zhao Yicheng raised an eyebrow, shaking the half-cut Original Stone in front of Xu Yinsheng. The alluring color made her drool uncontrollably.

He handed her a card, lowering his voice slightly.

“There’s ten thousand in here. This is your principal—let’s see how much you can win.”

“And remember, don’t show off too much—trees that stand out catch the wind.”