A myriad of tenderness originates from a single smile, enough to bewitch the heart.
Shangguan You watched as Ye Sanshao suddenly turned. His eyes, deep as starlit skies, twinkled with a dazzling light. Then, his lips lifted into a flirtatious smile aid directly at her. She halted abruptly, her heart seeming to skip a beat from his enchanting smile. For three full seconds, she stood frozen, gazing at him.
Ye Sanshao was quite pleased with the effect he had created. The corners of his mouth lightly hooked as he turned back around and strode forward once more, his tall figure cutting an imposing path.
As Ye Sanshao departed, leaving only his elegant retreating figure to linger in everyone’s imagination, the surrounding area filled with the sharp intakes of breath from many won. Those who had seen Ye Sanshao’s devilishly charming smile were now blushing, staring dumbfounded at his retreating figure.
Shangguan You cast a cold glance at Ye Sanshao’s back. That demon is doing it on purpose, she thought, more convinced than ever. That look and smile just now were definitely deliberate.
"Girl, this Ye Sanshao is very dangerous," Shangguan Qing said, his face showing a hint of gravity. Did I do the right thing by bringing her along? he wondered. That smile from Ye Sanshao was certainly intentional, and it has put her in a precarious position.
The surrounding won were still imrsed in Ye Sanshao’s smile. Once they snap back to reality, if they discover he was smiling at Shangguan You, her situation will be dire, Shangguan Qing worried. Nothing is more feared by won than jealousy. Once a woman becos jealous, it can be quite terrifying.
"Brother Qing, I know. And I have nothing to do with him, don’t worry," she replied.
Hearing Shangguan You’s affirmative response, Shangguan Qing finally breathed a sigh of relief. Gui Mo, who had also been concerned, relaxed. Ye Sanshao is a formidable rival in love, Gui Mo thought. Fortunately, Youyou isn’t chard by him, and even seems slightly annoyed; otherwise, I would have surely lost miserably.
Gui Luo’s cheeks flushed as her gaze shifted back and forth between Shangguan Qing and Ye Sanshao.
The private room, unlike the spacious banquet hall outside, was composed of several smaller chambers. As the host, Yu Zifeng led the way. Although Yu Zifeng walked at the front, his phoenix eyes occasionally swept over Ye Sanshao beside him. If Ye Sanshao slowed his pace, Yu Zifeng would do the sa.
Although it wasn’t very obvious, Shangguan You noticed this. She couldn’t help but be curious about Ye Sanshao’s identity. Even soone like the Crown Prince of the Yu Family is eager to please him, she mused. What sort of dangerous ’species’ is he?
Yu Zifeng led them into one such chamber. Pushing open the door, they were t with brilliant lights, making the room several tis brighter than the hall outside. The interior was simply furnished, without lavish decorations. However, several large stones in the center imdiately caught everyone’s attention.
Next to each stone was a price tag: five million. Five million for these broken stones? They’re barely worth five hundred bits each! Shangguan You thought, her initial shock turning to scorn for this group of debauched young masters. Are they here for a banquet, or just to burn money?
It seems this isn’t a banquet at all, but a competition to see who can be the most profligate, taking wastefulness to its absolute limits, she continued to muse.
"Young Master Qing, let’s try sothing new this ti: stone gambling. Success or failure lies with the stone. I’m sure you’ve heard plenty about it, so I won’t go into detail. Choose one," Yu Zifeng suggested, his phoenix eyes narrowing as he chuckled lightly. With a clap of his hands, a path naturally cleared for Shangguan Qing. When these scions of prominent families got together, they competed in extravagance, vying to see who could give away a fortune without batting an eye.
Stone gambling was the latest trend for a quick path to wealth—or a fast track to ruin. So people made fortunes from a single stone, while others lost their families because of one. How could these debauched young masters not indulge in such a thrilling ga?
"Let’s see which of us has the best luck," Yu Zifeng laughed softly, arms crossed, looking at Shangguan Qing’s gentle face.
In the middle of the room lay several stones of varying sizes. The largest stood half as tall as a person, while the smallest was rely fist-sized. Every stone was priced the sa. Shangguan You glanced briefly from a distance, a fierce shudder running through her. These profligate sons are willing to pay millions for a few stones! If they reveal jade, that’s one thing, but if not... the consequences will follow them to their graves.
Scions will be scions; one shouldn’t judge their intelligence by common standards, she thought. She glanced at Shangguan Qing beside her, surprised. Even Brother Qing, who usually appears so refined, has such monts of debauchery. Appearances can truly be deceiving. If I hadn’t co here, I would never have guessed he had such a side.
Next to them stood two Stone-cutting Masters, waiting for the two to choose their stones before revealing what lay within in front of everyone.
"Are we really betting on stones, Young Master Yu?" Shangguan Qing asked Yu Zifeng, a light frown creasing his brow. Five million for a single stone! If jade is found, it’s fine, but if we end up with a pile of rocks, Yu Zifeng will surely have the last laugh, he thought. Considering the consequences of losing, both Shangguan Qing and Gui Luo shuddered fiercely.
It appears Yu Zifeng is determined to make us look foolish this ti, Shangguan Qing concluded grimly.
"Of course," Yu Zifeng chuckled lightly, standing aside in a gentlemanly manner to let Shangguan Qing choose first. "You know every banquet features the sa old things; it’s quite dull. Now that we have this fresh ga, naturally, I want Young Master Qing to give it a try." I’m in no hurry, he thought. I have all the ti in the world to wait and watch the drama unfold.
"Young Master Qing, my elder brother is waiting for you to choose before he does," Yu Zijin said, standing beside Yu Zifeng and looking provocatively at Shangguan You. "You’re not scared, are you? If you are, you can choose not to bet and simply concede defeat. But I believe Young Master Qing is well aware of the consequences for the loser." The young woman standing with Yu Zijin was about her age and size; she was Gu Duoduo, the daughter of Beijing’s famous stone gambling magnate, Gu Weixiong. The Gu Family was intricately connected to the Yu Family.
This competition was indeed the idea of Gu Weixiong, Gu Duoduo’s father. Stone gambling ca with high risks but also great rewards—it all relied on luck. And naturally, the stones were supplied by Gu Weixiong.
Therefore, the Yu siblings were confident they would only win, never lose. Since the older generation of their families were deadlocked in their struggles, unable to gain an advantage, it was natural for them to have the younger generation vent so frustration. Hence, Yu Zifeng’s family had devised this crude, extravagant, money-burning sche to humiliate Shangguan Qing in public, thereby releasing so of the bitter resentnt from being constantly suppressed by Shangguan Yu and his brother.
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