novelblue
Chapter 185 - 185 185 The Unexpected Person
Chapter 185 - 185 185 The Unexpected Person
?Chapter 185: Chapter 185: The Unexpected Person Chapter 185: Chapter 185: The Unexpected Person Two more hours passed, and all the rough stone material was auctioned off.
Next, the auction for the carved jade began, and the prices were considerably higher.
Still, as jewelry companies would use them to make accessories, there were profits to be made, often substantial, so the bidding was quite intense.
Feng Yanbai was forced to bid on many high-priced jade pieces and looked quite displeased throughout.
After the auction ended, the organizers offered free stone cutting services.
Luo Ning had bid on several top-grade pieces of jade and didn’t want to attract too much attention.
Especially since the event was still being live-streamed, it wasn’t appropriate to continue.
So, she asked Yu Zihang and learned that his company also had stone cutting masters.
Luo Ning asked him for a favor to take the rough stones back and wait for her to return to the Imperial Capital before picking them up and having them cut.
Yu Zihang readily agreed and they exchanged contact information and became friends.
The broadcast of the jade bidding helped the variety show hit another peak in viewership.
The director walked with a spring in his step, beaming brightly, “Teachers, will you dine back at National Treasure Town or at a nearby restaurant?”
Ji Xinghang could tell what was happening just by looking at him, “Did we break the record for today’s viewership again?”
“Teacher Ji is really sharp, you guessed it right,” the director didn’t hide it.
Ji Xinghang raised an eyebrow, “Seeing you nearly splitting your face with a smile, no guessing needed.”
“And such generosity too, the team inviting us to eat must mean the viewership ratings pleased you.”
Since the director often helped Lu Xinji, he didn’t look kindly upon him.
The director: “…” Why be so blunt?
But he couldn’t afford to offend Top Star Ji.
So he gave an awkward smile, “Well, I thought since the teachers were tired today, we might as well not bother ourselves further.”
Many had lost money today, so he decided to be generous to lessen any resentment.
Ji Xinghang gave him a wry look, “Keep pretending.”
Chai Jing also said, “Exactly, you lure us into gambling over jade and left our pockets empty, but fattened yours.”
He harbored no grudge though, as losing a few hundred thousand was his own doing.
However, griping at the director along with Top Star Ji did make him feel a bit better.
From beaming smiles to awkward smiles, the director said, “Please, spare me.”
Then added, “Today, the production team is paying. Feel free to order anything.”
Only then did everyone laugh and say, “That’s more like it.”
The group then searched for the best nearby restaurant and drove there.
Once seated, everyone targeted the high-end and expensive dishes, determined to make the director pay quite a sum.
Truly, the director’s heart bled as he looked at the menu. These people were ruthless.
But considering the viewership figures, he bore it!
After the meal, everyone returned, and the live broadcast was also turned off.
Lu Xun and Luo Ning were still in one car, and his assistant was now driving.
Lu Xun spoke to Luo Ning, “Yu Zihang wants to buy some jade accessories from you.”
Luo Ning turned her head and smiled at him, “I don’t mind selling, but I recently haven’t had the time to carve many jade accessories. How about you do it?”
Her carving skills were decent, but Lu Xun’s were better.
He was more than willing to help her with the task, “No problem.”
His eyes tenderly expressed his willingness again, “Besides what Yu Zihang wants to buy, I can also carve other jade accessories for you.”
Luo Ning didn’t refuse, “Alright, I’ll leave the jade accessories I want carved to you.”
She paused and then added, “I’ll also make one for you.”
Lu Xun eagerly seized the offer, “The one for me, can you carve it yourself?”
Carving for himself wasn’t fun.
Luo Ning chuckled, “My skills might not be as good as yours, but if you don’t mind, I’m up for it.”
Warmth twinkled in Lu Xun’s eyes, “Of course, I trust your craftsmanship.”
Luo Ning asked, “So what kind of accessory do you want?”
Lu Xun thought for a moment and asked, “Would a ring be okay?”
Luo Ning: “…” Suddenly, she felt like she was being tricked.
She decisively said, “Choose something else.”
Lu Xun, smiling, asked, “How about a jade ring?”
Luo Ning: “…” No wonder Ji Xinghang secretly called Lu Xun a schemer.
“Okay, I’ll try.”
This time she didn’t refuse, after all, the implication between a ring and a jade ring was still different.
The smile in Lu Xun’s eyes deepened, “Thank you, Luoluo.”
Luo Ning laughed, “Consider it your reward, no need to thank me!”
After getting out of the car, everyone entered the inn together.
Ji Xinghang stopped Luo Ning.
“Ningning, I have something I want to talk to you about.”
Luo Ning stopped and went alone with him to the library bar.
She ordered a cup of flower tea and took a sip before asking, “What is it?”
Ji Xinghang replied, “Do you need jade?”
He looked at Luo Ning cautiously and said, “The jade I mined today isn’t of much use to me; I’ll give it all to you.”
Luo Ning observed Ji Xinghang’s cautious demeanor and was momentarily stunned.
It seemed like he had never been like this before; how many times had he spoken so carefully in front of her?
Was he afraid of making her angry?
She sighed internally, wondering why he hadn’t done this earlier?
Although she had decided to maintain a peaceful relationship with Ji Xinghang, she still didn’t want to get too involved.
“No need, the jade I gambled for today is enough; keep it for Aunt Lan and the others to make jewelry.”
Ji Xinghang’s shiny brown eyes dimmed a bit, “Okay, I’ll ask them when I get back if they want it.”
Luo Ning was speechless, “Just make jewelry and give it to them; why ask? It’s your thoughtfulness, they’ll definitely be happy.”
This guy’s emotional intelligence is still so low.
Ji Xinghang obediently nodded, “That’s right, then I won’t ask; I’ll just take it to someone to make it.”
He couldn’t help but say, “You used to always like star pendants, right? I’ll also have someone make a jade star pendant for you.”
After saying this, he looked at Luo Ning with a pitiful expression.
Seeing him like this, Luo Ning couldn’t help but laugh and cry.
In the past, it was always her looking at him with such a pitiful expression, wanting something, and he would reluctantly agree while expressing annoyance.
Remembering their past, Luo Ning also felt somewhat bitter.
Between them lay a lifetime, and though it may seem unfair to the present Ji Xinghang, they really couldn’t go back.
So all she could do was firmly reject him, “But I don’t like stars anymore.”
Since she could not reconcile with Ji Xinghang, she could not give him any hope.
Ji Xinghang looked deeply disappointed, “Then what do you like now?”
Luo Ning was stumped by the question; what did she like now?
Suddenly, she thought of her code name from the special department and blurted out, “I like the moon now.”
“Stars and the moon, aren’t they similar?” Ji Xinghang replied with a tone of grievance.
Luo Ning rolled her eyes at him, “And you had the nerve to boast about being the top scholar on your college entrance exam, can’t even differentiate between stars and the moon, shameful!”
Ji Xinghang: “…” He was left speechless.
He didn’t further insist on giving her a moon pendant, knowing her stubborn nature.
They sat for a while, talked about each other’s mothers, and then returned to their respective rooms.
The next day, the production team continued with the guests and trainees up to National Treasure Mountain.
The third layer was “National Treasure Hospital.”
What Luo Ning didn’t expect was, upon reaching the main entrance, they saw someone who unexpectedly appeared.