The atmosphere of the Gambling Stone Meeting gradually reached its peak. The surrounding audience murmured in low voices, their eyes fixed intently on the gambling table, as if afraid to miss any thrilling moment. Qin Yao stood beside the table, her hands lightly crossed over her chest, her gaze calm and focused. She was not in a hurry to make a choice; instead, she carefully observed the appearance of each stone, mentally rehearsing every step that lay ahead.
“Qin Yao, are you really not going to wait a bit longer? Today’s scene is quite significant; we should be cautious,” Li Haowen approached her, his tone laced with concern but tinged more with tension.
Qin Yao tilted her head slightly, her eyes sweeping over him as she replied coolly, “What are you worried about? If you lack confidence, then don’t stand here.” Her voice was soft yet enough to make Li Haowen’s heart skip a beat. Though her words were brief, they carried an unwavering determination. She understood that this round was not just about the value of the stones; it was about the future of her family.
Li Haowen couldn’t help but sigh softly. Although he didn’t understand Qin Yao’s thoughts, he knew that this girl would never let go of any opportunity to prove herself. With that in mind, he chose to remain silent and stood behind her, staying alert.
Qin Yao slowly approached one of the stones, crouching down to gently touch its rough surface. Her fingers glided over the stone, and while her face showed no excess emotion, a sharp glint flickered in her eyes. This stone appeared unremarkable—somewhat old and even slightly damaged. Yet she sensed a hidden power within it.
“What is this?” Li Haowen couldn’t help but ask in a low voice. The stone before him lacked the stunning allure he had anticipated; it seemed more like an ordinary raw stone with no special features.
“Do you think it’s not worth it?” Qin Yao asked, her tone devoid of emotion, yet her words conveyed a tightening certainty.
Li Haowen hesitated for a moment before a wry smile crept onto his lips. “You know I’ve never been good at these things.” He understood that Qin Yao’s vision often saw depths that others could not perceive, and this ability was one reason she held a place within their family.
Qin Yao did not respond further; she continued to scrutinize the stone intently. Her heartbeat quickened with each touch as if she were conversing with the stone itself, trying to discern any unusual aura within it. Time seemed to stand still at that moment; the clamor of the casino and the discussions of the crowd felt distant and irrelevant to her.
Suddenly, as the stone was further cut, a crisp cracking sound echoed through the air. At that moment, all eyes were drawn to the stone. A spark lit up in Qin Yao’s eyes; she was already prepared for what might come next.
“Are you sure that such a stone can yield jade?” Li Haowen was taken aback by this sudden turn of events; he could hardly believe what he was witnessing.
“Don’t judge by appearances,” Qin Yao said with a slight cold smile playing on her lips. “True value is not always hidden in the most conspicuous places.”
As the cutting continued, the interior of the stone finally revealed itself. In that moment, everyone held their breath, including Qin Hao. The color of the jade slowly emerged; what had initially seemed like an unremarkable stone gradually unveiled a flawless piece of jade, crystal clear and radiating a profound green hue.
"This... how is this possible!" An experienced Gambling Stone enthusiast exclaimed, his eyes filled with astonishment and disbelief.
"Truly unexpected," Li Haowen murmured, a look of admiration shining in his eyes. Although he did not fully grasp the mysteries of jade, at that moment, he felt Qin Yao's extraordinary insight.
Qin Yao stood tall, her gaze unwavering. "The value of this jade far exceeds your imagination." Her words carried no arrogance, yet they left those around her in a state of intense shock.
"However..." Qin Hao's voice suddenly came from behind, a hint of complexity flashing in his eyes. "Qin Yao, how did you discern that this stone contained jade? It doesn't look special."
Qin Yao turned her head and smiled lightly. "It's not something you can comprehend, Qin Hao." Her tone was calm and direct, yet brimming with confidence, as if she had already mastered the situation.
Qin Hao's expression darkened; he clearly had no intention of letting it go. "Hmph, do you think you can succeed with just a bit of cleverness? You know, Gambling Stone is not just about luck. What you're doing is merely coincidental, just like everyone else."
Qin Yao said nothing in response, merely curling her lips slightly. She understood that Qin Hao had never been willing to acknowledge anyone surpassing him, especially in his own domain. And she had clearly surpassed him.
Li Haowen glanced at Qin Hao and then turned to Qin Yao, quietly saying, "Qin Yao, don't mind him; today is your moment." His words conveyed an invisible support, as if telling Qin Yao that she had reached a new height.
At that moment, everyone's attention returned to the jade. Its brilliance intensified, nearly illuminating the entire Gambling Stone Meeting venue. People began to murmur among themselves; some were in awe while others quietly estimated its value. At this moment, Qin Yao knew that this Gambling Stone event was not just about wealth but also about proving herself and her position within the family.
Li Haowen let out a slight sigh of relief and said softly, "Qin Yao, it seems you are not only skilled in Gambling Stone; your intuition exceeds my expectations."
Qin Yao smiled gently, a calm and confident light flashing in her eyes. "None of this is important. What matters is that this stone symbolizes the fate I can control." Her voice was soft yet carried an air of pressure that enveloped those around her.
At that moment, Qin Hao finally fell silent, a flicker of anger and resentment flashing in his eyes. He had never expected that the person he had always underestimated, Qin Yao, could turn the tables in this Gambling Stone contest.
“Qin Yao, today, you won.” He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his inner dissatisfaction, and managed to display a faint smile. Yet, hidden within that smile was a lingering hostility.
Qin Yao observed his expression, raising an eyebrow slightly, a hint of disdain curling at the corners of his mouth. “I never win for others; I only win for myself.”
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