NOVEL NEXT Chapter 382: Girl
"Don't worry, your fortunes will turn today. The one who started this mess must be the one to end it. Since the whole affair began with the rough stone, it shall also end with it."
"End with the rough stone?"
Although he didn't fully understand, Gong Wen figured there must be a chance for a turnaround since Xia Liang had mentioned the rough stone. If he had been any later, his rough stone, which was deemed scrap, would have already been pulverized into dust by his workers.
Gong Wen picked up his phone.
"Hello..."
"Boss, what is it?"
"That piece of scrap rough stone, have you dealt with it yet?"
"It's already on the machine, about to be ground into powder and bagged."
Just in time. Gong Wen broke out in a cold sweat and quickly gave his orders.
"Don't grind it yet! Master Xia said there might still be a chance. Just wait for now; we'll discuss it in a few days."
"Ah... alright then."
After hanging up, Gong Wen knelt before Xia Liang's stall with a look of pure repentance, drawing a crowd of over ten onlookers who began to speculate.
"What's wrong with this guy? Why is he kneeling here?"
"He must be here for a fortune telling. But look how young that fortune-teller is. Can he really be any good?"
「Half an hour later...」
Gong Wen's phone rang again. The caller was a researcher from the Northern Geological Research Institute. He had heard that Gong Wen possessed a fossil from the Cretaceous Period, which would be of immense help in studying the formation of that era. He wanted to buy it from Gong Wen for a high price, and the purpose of the call was to negotiate. In fact, the truck to collect it was already waiting in front of Gong Wen's shop.
"What? You're willing to pay five Yuan and take it right now?"
"Yes, we have confirmed it from the picture you posted online. It is indeed an ancient fossil from the Cretaceous Period."
"Good, good, good."
"I'm on my way. Let's meet then."
Gong Wen was completely stunned. This sudden, delightful surprise was almost too much to handle.
That's how stone gambling is: one cut can make you rich overnight, or it can ruin you in an instant. Without a second thought, Gong Wen pulled a bank card from his wallet and handed it to Xia Liang.
"Master, you're incredible! Without your advice, that rough stone would be nothing but useless powder by now."
As he spoke, Gong Wen kowtowed fervently, his head hitting the ground with loud thuds.
BANG... BANG... BANG...
"Master, this card has one Yuan in it, and the password is six eights. You must accept it."
Xia Liang took it without hesitation, nodding in satisfaction.
"Not bad. You are teachable."
At the same time, the System sent a notification that the task was complete.
As they watched Gong Wen, the people on the roadside cast curious glances.
"This couldn't be a setup, could it?"
However, there were always a few who were willing to give it a try. After their own readings, they were thoroughly won over by Xia Liang.
The sun began to set. Xia Liang had done quite a few readings, but no new tasks were triggered. It was time to pack up, so he tidied his stall and leisurely walked down from the overpass.
Just then, two Land Rovers escorting a red Ferrari screeched to a halt in front of him. A man in a suit scrambled out of one of the Land Rovers and hurried to the Ferrari's door.
"Boss, that's the Xia Liang that Gong Wen was talking about."
The Ferrari's door swung open slowly, revealing an exceptionally beautiful woman with fair skin and a tall, slender figure. She sized Xia Liang up and down, just as he was observing her fortune and physiognomy.
Based on appearance alone, the woman was a rare beauty. But everyone has their days of misfortune. A malevolent aura lingered between her brows, suggesting her career wasn't entirely legitimate. Furthermore, a clash of stars in her Parents' Palace, combined with baleful energy shifting to its center, indicated her parents were likely high-ranking officials currently facing career obstacles.
Putting the pieces together, Xia Liang had a good grasp of her purpose for coming. She approached him with a cold expression and an arrogant air, her eyes filled with a hint of disdain.
"So you're Xia Liang," she said proudly. "Gong Wen recommended you highly, saying you're incredibly insightful and your predictions are never wrong."
Faced with such an attitude, Xia Liang felt no enthusiasm whatsoever. He couldn't even be bothered to spare her a proper glance and dismissed her contemptuously.
"If you're going to ask for help, you should adopt the attitude of someone asking for help. Correct your attitude first, then come find me. Tomorrow, one in the afternoon. Get in line on the overpass."
After speaking, Xia Liang had no desire to waste another word on her. He had genuine skills. While pride, indifference, and imperiousness might be a woman's prerogative, Xia Liang wasn't falling for it. He certainly liked beautiful women, but if one didn't show him a shred of respect, it wouldn't matter if she were a newly descended Fairy Lady—it would be utterly useless.
As Xia Liang turned to leave, the woman grew anxious and hurriedly called out to him.
"Hey! My name is Liu Piaopiao. Wait. Do a reading for me. If it's accurate, I'll give you three Yuan."
Xia Liang's patience was wearing thin. He turned his head and replied coldly, "Tomorrow, one in the afternoon. Get in line on the overpass."
Liu Piaopiao was infuriated. No one had ever dared to be so insolent to her. Her face flushed red with anger as she watched Xia Liang's retreating figure, feeling completely helpless. She was left standing there, stamping her feet in a rage.