My Sexy CEO Wife

"Since starting a company is so troublesome, why did you even start one?" Gao Fei asked.

"Uh... It was only after I started my own company that I really understood the hardships involved..." Shen Caidie sighed softly, "I won't lie to you, in the beginning, I lost sleep for several months in a row, and I lost a lot of weight. There was even a time when I wanted to give up..."

"I know starting a company isn't an easy thing," Gao Fei said with a smile. "But I still want to give it a try! As a man with ambition, I should make my mark! I'll work hard for a better tomorrow!" Ever since he received the Demon God Heritage, Gao Fei's spirit had grown wild. He swore to himself that he would stand out and reach the very top of the pyramid!

"Is there no room for negotiation?" Shen Caidie asked, not willing to give up just yet.

Gao Fei shook his head, "Sorry, I really can't join your company. I hope you can understand."

Shen Caidie fell silent. She had considered many possibilities before speaking with Gao Fei, but she hadn't expected him to refuse so resolutely. She didn't know what to say at the moment.

Unwilling!

Truly unwilling!

Gao Fei was just too important to Shen Caidie! Or rather, it was that Shen Caidie's company desperately needed a gambling stone expert like Gao Fei. If he sincerely joined Shen Caidie's company, it wouldn't take many years for her company to become a top-tier enterprise.

What's most important in the 21st century? Of course, it's talent!

Gao Fei was the kind of super-talent Shen Caidie had been dreaming of!

"How about this, then? You can be the honorary advisor of my company," Shen Caidie thought of a compromise.

"Honorary advisor?" Gao Fei didn't understand, "What is an honorary advisor?"

"It means you hold the title of an advisor in my company. You don't have to come to work regularly, only when the company needs your help," Shen Caidie said, and then added, "Mainly to help me appraise some stones and see how likely they are to contain jade!"

"I made myself very clear just now, I don't want to work for someone else."

"This isn't working for someone! It's a collaboration! You'd just hold a title in my company without getting involved in management, and likewise, the company can't restrict you. Simply put, our relationship would be a transaction. I'd ask you to appraise stones and then pay you a handsome fee for it."

"An appraisal fee?"

"Yes, an appraisal fee! We can discuss the details later, but rest assured, I'll definitely give you a satisfactory price!"

"This..."

"Mr. Gao, if you agree to cooperate with me, I'll process jade materials for you for free," Shen Caidie started to up the stakes.

"Process jade materials?" Gao Fei shook his head, "No need to go through all that trouble. I can just sell the jade materials directly! It's simple and quick money!" What's referred to as jade materials were those pieces of jade that had just been cut from the stone, or, in other words, jade that hadn't been carved into finished products was known as jade materials.

Shen Caidie laughed, "Selling jade materials directly is easy and quick money, but..." She paused deliberately, "Once jade materials are processed, their value can double, or even multiply by much more. For instance, a piece of jade material might sell for ten million, but after carving and processing, it could sell for several tens of millions more. That's the difference."

"Is the difference really that big?" Gao Fei's eyebrows twitched slightly.

Shen Caidie nodded earnestly, "What I'm saying is true! If Mr. Gao doesn't believe it, you can go ask around, or you could simply look it up online. The information is readily available on the internet." Nowadays, the internet is very developed, and you can almost find anything as long as it's not too obscure.

"Is that so..." Gao Fei nodded thoughtfully, "It seems... I thought things were too simple..."

"Mr. Gao, if you cooperate with me, I'll process the jade materials for you for free. You could make a good amount of extra money," Shen Caidie said, "In addition, I'll also pay you a generous appraisal fee. It looks like you'd benefit more from the deal."

"Hehe..." Gao Fei laughed, "Miss Shen, you really know how to talk. You're making it hard for me to refuse."

"Mr. Gao, I promise, you won't lose out by cooperating with me!"

"Miss Shen, could you explain the details of jade material carving and processing to me?"

"Sure!" Shen Caidie nodded, "Jade materials are large and vary in shape. Some areas are a deeper color while others are lighter. This is what people often refer to as uneven color distribution. To bring out the true value of jade, it needs to be finely processed.

A piece of jade is cut open, and the part with the best color and texture is made into bracelets, necklace pendants, ring surfaces, and so on. If the jade material is large enough and the color distribution is fairly uniform, it can be directly carved into figures, animals, plants, and so forth. For example, I once personally carved a Guanyin statue that later sold for a very high price."

Gao Fei sat on the couch, his ears perked up, listening carefully. Since he planned to get involved in the jade industry, he wanted to understand as much as possible about jade.

"There are people who specialize in carving jade, often referred to as 'jade processors.' These individuals are also ranked.

Those with mediocre skills and little fame are called apprentice workers, those with slightly better skills are referred to as masters, and those with superb skills and great fame are known as 'grandmasters.' Grandmasters are extremely selective; they only carve precious jade, and the lesser quality jade simply doesn't pique their interest.

Moreover, the fees they charge to work on jade are very high, starting from hundreds of thousands to millions, so, without a certain financial strength, it's impossible to afford their services."

"Oh..." Gao Fei nodded, "I hadn't realized there was so much involved."

"It's the same in every profession," Shen Caidie said with a smile, "Every industry has its rules! The only difference is... some industries have fewer rules, others have more. The jade industry has many rules, and it's also full of various crises and hidden dangers. A slight oversight can lead to disastrous consequences."

"If you want to get rich, you can't be afraid of danger," Gao Fei remarked.

"You're right," Shen Caidie agreed with Gao Fei's statement, "Fortune comes from taking risks! If you're afraid of risks, just stay at home and don't go out. If you want to stand out, to live a high-class life, you have to work hard and endure hardships beyond what others can imagine."

"Effort brings rewards, but the reward doesn't always correlate with the effort," Gao Fei lifted his coffee and took a sip, "For instance, if I hadn't won money from gambling stones, I wouldn't have the leisure to be enjoying coffee here."

"Mr. Gao, if you entrust me with the raw jade material, it's not only safe, but you can also save a considerable amount of money," Shen Caidie offered, "I've been learning to carve jade for several years now, and even though I'm still a ways from being a grandmaster, the pieces I carve fetch a high price.

Usually, they sell for a lot of money." As she said this, Shen Caidie added another comment, "Besides, I'm working hard every day to improve my carving skills. Who knows, I might become a grandmaster one day! By then, any jade carved by my hand will be even more valuable."

Carving jade is much like painting, the same piece of jade, if carved by a famous grandmaster or by an unknown character, will sell for entirely different prices.

This is the so-called "fame effect."

Many people like to collect "grandmaster pieces" because such work has great potential for appreciation.

"I can agree to your offer, but I have two conditions," Gao Fei pondered for a moment before making a decision.

"Just name them. As long as I can fulfill them, I definitely will," Shen Caidie was overjoyed upon hearing Gao Fei's agreement. Her efforts had finally paid off. She even began to fantasize... With a top-tier talent like Gao Fei joining in, her company was sure to develop rapidly and leap to become a first-class corporation.

Gao Fei held up a finger, "First condition, I'll just hold a title in your company, not involved in its management, and the company cannot restrict me. In other words, I want absolute freedom! One hundred percent freedom!"

"No problem," Shen Caidie agreed without hesitation.

"Second condition," Gao Fei held up another finger, "If I no longer wish to work, I can leave at any time, and you cannot stop me."

"...Okay," Shen Caidie hesitated for a second before agreeing.

"Hmm, I have one additional minor condition."

"Go ahead."

"I'm usually busy, on the one hand preparing to set up my own company, and on the other dealing with other matters, so..."

"I understand," Shen Caidie was quick on the uptake, grasping Gao Fei's intent before he even finished speaking, "Don't worry, I won't bother you too often! My company also employs some appraisers, so ordinary stones can be assessed by them. I'll only ask you to appraise the more valuable stones..." She added, "When I need your appraisal, I'll schedule it with you in advance.

If you happen to be busy, I can wait a few extra days." It could be said that Shen Caidie was showing the greatest sincerity she possibly could.

"Good, that's the best," Gao Fei nodded in satisfaction.

"Are all your conditions laid out?" Shen Caidie asked.

"They are," Gao Fei nodded.

"So, are we officially collaborating now?"

"Yes."

"Mr. Gao, as you know, the company isn't just mine, so there are times... I must consider more..."

"What are you trying to say?"

"Um... I'd like to sign an agreement with you, Mr. Gao..." Shen Caidie said, watching Gao Fei's expressions nervously. She was afraid he might be displeased and then refuse to collaborate with her.