NOVPUB
Chapter 661: Chapter 661: Don’t Understand
The town of Mengman in the northern part of Myanmar is not far from the border, nestled among mountains shrouded in clouds and mist.
The mine was located not far from the town deep in the mountains; in the morning, the post-rain sunlight was dazzling, the soft muddy roads were like fermenting, emitting the smell of grass roots and cow dung. On the Ancient Tea Horse Road, the bells from horse caravans chimed, sounding like a team of drunks swinging wine bottles.
In the hollow, the crowing of chickens and barking of dogs carried over several mountains; in between, dazzling white tin roofs, thatched huts, and solitary bamboo buildings were nearly swallowed by the green grass and trees; behind the houses, fields of poppies bloomed fiercely.
The foreign border was fraught with unpredictable danger, not a place to linger for long. They had better make it quick, but this public auction had caught both Bai Xiao and Shao Ming’s attention, although both were clueless about raw stones.
If not for the drug traffickers’ secretive and elusive behavior, only maintaining contact with the ring leaders.
What was Bai Xiao doing getting involved here without any reason.
Bai Mei was truly formidable, managing to secure the position as Sister Mei, which indicated she was a powerful character too, and it seemed there was a reason why he had fallen into her hands in a past life.
When it came to ruthlessness, she still lacked somewhat.
Upon entering, someone immediately led them inside. There were three large tents set up in the open, each representing different grades of raw stones, and correspondingly different amounts of money.
Calling it an auction was somewhat misleading, it actually only applied to the third tent at the very back, where the carefully selected raw stones were placed for the major buyers to scrutinize. That’s where the auction would take place, although it wasn’t mandatory—if nobody competed with you.
Watching Shao Ming examine the stones intently, Bai Xiao asked in a low voice, "Do you recognize these stones?"
"The stones know me but I don’t know them. In my eyes, it’s just a stone," answered Shao Ming with a straightforwardness that almost made Bai Xiao laugh.
The awkwardness that had lingered between them finally began to ease.
Shao Ming held out his arm, "Come on, Doctor Bai, we’re customers here. We should at least pretend to have a look and buy a couple, or there could be trouble. Have you brought enough money?" This place wasn’t for casual browsing.
Bai Xiao shook his head, "How would I know I’d need money for this?"
"I’ll lend you ten thousand, five percent interest," Shao Ming’s eyes lit up.
No money, that was right; otherwise, what business would he be doing here.
Bai Xiao pouted, "Are you still so obsessed with wealth?"
Calling him money-obsessed was a compliment; seeing how his eyes shone with excitement at the mention of money revealed just how intense Shao Ming’s desire for money was. Jiang Shaoqing actually dared to use Shao Ming, not fearing that Shao Ming would betray him for money.
"A gentleman loves money, and takes it in a proper way. I love money as I love my life, nothing wrong with that! Will you borrow or not? Don’t say I didn’t warn you later, if you don’t buy any stones, you might be kicked out."
Shao Ming had come prepared; although he didn’t gamble on stones, he had a general understanding of the business. Considering their line of work, how could they not know a little?
"Why are these people so infatuated with these stones?" Bai Xiao didn’t understand! What was so special about the inconspicuous stones that warranted the attention of so many well-dressed individuals? Don’t think she hadn’t noticed that just like them, many had gotten out of their cars, dressed up as if they were either rich or noble, coming to this rugged wilderness. Could the allure of stone gambling be that strong?
"You don’t understand, the jade business here on the border is booming. The locals consider going to Myanmar’s Jade Market to make a living or quickly selling jade stones back home for cash as their way out when desperate. Thus, the majority of those digging for jade here are impoverished Chinese people."
Shao Ming explained to her.
