The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 398 398

Chapter 398: Chapter 398 Stone Betting 2
If they chose the latter, the stone master used a large saw machine, equipped with a continuous flow of water to ensure smooth cutting and prevent the blade from getting stuck, especially for larger stones.

The stones in this area ranged from $500 to $2,000. For those with a keen eye or exceptional skill in identifying stones with potential jadeite, the rewards could be substantial. If they were fortunate enough to find a rare or high-quality piece, they could potentially earn up to $5,000, depending on the jade’s rarity and size.

The price of jade can increase significantly based on its purity. Despite the slim chances of finding a valuable piece, many are drawn to this form of gambling, often using their family’s savings in hopes of striking it rich.

There was even a case where someone bought a stone for $1,000, only to discover that it contained a high-purity white jade with exceptional luster. Upon seeing its quality, another buyer offered three times the original price.

As with any gamble, even a small win can be exhilarating and lead to a sense of hope that, with a bit of luck, a jackpot might be within reach. Many people are tempted by this possibility. However, the reality is that the small stones available here have a very slim chance of yielding high-quality jadeite, making the prospect more of a wishful thinking than a likely outcome.

For those determined to try their luck, it was essential to seek out the larger stones buried deeper in the pagoda. However, bigger stones don’t always equate to better quality, which is why the process remains a gamble.

Hera frequently heard her grandfather casually mention his trips to Myanmar, where these stones predominantly came from, to explore newly unearthed stones with a high potential for finding quality jade.

Her grandfather also showcased the large stones he had opened in his office, many of which yielded high-quality jade. He even struck it lucky with a piece of purple jade of the highest purity. Given its size, he could have crafted a pair of bracelets, with the excess material potentially used for beads or earrings. The total value of such a set could easily reach several million dollars, with each item individually worth millions.

Traditionally, the Chinese have cherished jade for its believed benefits, including improvements in health, luck, and love, with different colors and types of jade associated with various qualities. Jade is also used to symbolize virtues such as kindness, wisdom, integrity and more. Given its cultural significance, jade has long been a prestigious gift among the upper echelons, representing sincerity and respect.

This is why jade is so expensive, with its prices remaining high. Since Hera was already present, she decided to join in on the excitement. Whenever her grandfather spoke about stone betting, he seemed genuinely thrilled, often expressing that the thrill of feeling lucky was more exhilarating than mere wealth.

He often said that luck is also a part of one’s abilities. So, Hera decided to test her own luck. While she might not have been fortunate in life overall, having ended up as a mere cannon fodder, she wondered if perhaps she might be lucky in this particular endeavor.

Zhane glanced at Hera, noticing her excitement and the sparkle in her eyes. He chuckled and began showing her around. However, Hera wasn’t interested in the smaller stones. “Could you show me where there’s a higher chance of finding rarer jade?” she asked directly.

Zhane seemed to have hoped she would start by buying a smaller stone to experience the thrill of stone betting, but she was clearly focused on something more valuable.

Zhane instantly stopped in his tracks, staring at Hera as if trying to process what she had just said. He wondered if he was overthinking or if she simply didn’t realize how much those higher-value stones actually cost.

Zhane began explaining in a thoughtful and informative manner, not wanting to dismiss or embarrass Hera, but rather to help her better understand stone betting. He started by discussing jade in general, including its significance and the different types, before going into detail about the price differences between stones and the various levels of the pagoda where they could be found.

Currently, they were in the most common area, accessible to everyone, where middle-class buyers typically gathered. Next was the first level of the pagoda, located on the ground floor, where the stones were priced higher, ranging from $3,000 to $10,000.

The second level, located on the second floor, featured stones priced between $30,000 and $100,000. Above that was the invitation-only section, where most stone auctions took place. Here, stones that had already been inspected by experts were sold, with prices starting at $500,000 and reaching into the millions, depending on expert evaluations.

Even though the stones on the third level were already evaluated by experts, there was still a chance that the evaluations could be slightly off, and the jadeite inside might be worth less than estimated. That’s why everyone bidding on these stones brought their own inspector to assess the jadeite’s value. Of course, they were always given time to thoroughly inspect the stones before bidding.

If more than one person was interested in the same stone, a bidding process would begin, with the highest bidder winning the stone. However, if only one person showed interest, they could purchase it at the set price.

As Zhane continued explaining, he had already taken Hera to the first level. There, well-dressed young men and women were browsing, while middle-aged and older individuals were busily inspecting stones displayed on well-arranged tables. This setup was much more refined compared to the common area, where stones were simply stored in crates and people had to dig through them to find what they wanted before making a purchase.

As Hera listened to Zhane’s explanation, she scanned the table where stones of various sizes were laid out. Although there were fewer people here compared to the common area, there were still more than a dozen present early in the morning. With a mischievous smile, Hera looked up at Zhane. Her curiosity piqued by his explanation, she was eager to explore the second and third levels of the pagoda and decided to check them out next.

Zhane quickly understood Hera’s intentions and realized he couldn’t stop her. With a helpless chuckle and a shake of his head, he led her to the elevator. If exploring the second and third levels would make her happy, he was prepared to cover her purchases without a second thought.

With a delighted glint in her eyes, Hera excitedly clung to Zhane’s arm, eager to satisfy her curiosity. This was her first time stone betting, and although she didn’t have high expectations, she was keen to try her luck and experience it. If she won something, she could turn it into an accessory and gift it to either her grandfather or a friend. As a first-timer, she thought ‘Winning something would be like sharing my luck with someone special.’

She smiled giddily, and her enthusiasm was so infectious that Zhane began to relax and get caught up in her excitement. He chatted animatedly with her about jades and stone betting, fully embracing the moment, but he didn’t realize it yet.