Chapter 28 Judging by Appearances
Doing business in partnership has its advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage is that you can save on the capital investment and not have to face problems alone, but the downside is that during the company's development, it's easy for the two people to have arguments and contradictions, which can lead to a parting of ways if not handled properly.
In reality, there are countless such examples. Originally, two people had a good relationship, but just because they started a company together, it led to the breakdown of their relationship, eventually becoming enemies.
So, unless absolutely necessary, it's best not to start a company with someone else.
"The Wang Wei you just mentioned... does he have quite a background?" Gao Fei asked.
Shen Caidie nodded, "Yes, quite a background! Wang Wei's grandfather is the Jade King!"
"The Jade King?" Gao Fei was stunned, having heard this title for the first time.
"Wang Wei's grandfather is named Wang Changtian, and he is a very impressive Gambling Stone master. No matter what type of stone it is, just one look is all he needs to know if there's jade inside, and even what level of jade it is."
"That skilled?"
"Yes, incredibly skilled! Otherwise, he wouldn't be called the Jade King," Shen Caidie nodded.
After hearing Shen Caidie's words, Gao Fei started to have his doubts: just one look to know if there's jade in a stone? And even to know the level of jade... Could it be that this Wang Changtian also has the 'Clairvoyance' ability? Hmm, I must find an opportunity to meet this Wang Changtian!
"Wang Changtian holds a very high position in the Jade Industry. With a mere stomp of his foot, the whole Jade Industry trembles, and no one engaged in the Jade Industry would dare offend Wang Changtian." Shen Caidie said, "There was once a company that offended Wang Changtian, and he decreed that no one should do business with that company... In less than a month, that company went bankrupt...
You know, the company was very large, with assets of more than a billion, and quite powerful too, but in the end, it was bankrupted by Wang Changtian. After that incident, no one dared to mess with him."
"This Wang Changtian really is quite domineering," Gao Fei muttered to himself.
"Wang Wei is Wang Changtian's only grandson and is very much favored by him. Anyone who dares to bully Wang Wei will definitely not get off easily," Shen Caidie added, "Because of Wang Changtian's excessive doting, Wang Wei has become arrogant and domineering and has done many bad things over the years."
"Is it because of Wang Changtian that you dare not offend Wang Wei too much?" Gao Fei asked.
Shen Caidie nodded, "Yes, just a word from Wang Changtian, and my company would be unable to continue."
"On the flip side, if Wang Changtian was willing to help you, then wouldn't your company instantly prosper?"
"That's one way to put it."
"Given that, haven't you thought about getting on good terms with Wang Changtian?"
"To please Wang Changtian, I would need to become Wang Wei's woman, which I simply cannot do," Shen Caidie said with firm resolve in her voice.
"Is that Wang Wei really so bad that you can't stand him at all?"
"In my eyes, he really is that bad! I would rather stay single for life than marry him!"
"You said just now that Wang Wei is arrogant and presumptuous. By continually rejecting him, aren't you afraid he'll lose patience and resort to underhanded tactics against you?"
"..." Shen Caidie was silent for a moment, then nodded, "Afraid! Of course, I'm afraid he'll resort to underhanded tactics! In fact, I've already thought about it—if Wang Wei pushes me too hard, then I'll just shut down the company, quit! By then, I'd like to see what he can do to me!"
"Shut down the company?" Gao Fei smirked, "Can you bear to do that?"
Shen Caidie shook her head, "Definitely not willing! But what else can I do?"
It's indeed very difficult for a woman to make a name for herself in the business world, especially if she's a beautiful woman.
"Don't worry too much, things will straighten out when they come to a head. I believe you'll certainly be able to get through this difficulty," Gao Fei comforted her.
Shen Caidie nodded lightly, "I hope so."
"By the way, you mentioned the Jade King just now... I wanted to ask you, how does one become the Jade King?" Gao Fei inquired, "Or rather, what are the essential criteria to become the Jade King? And how many Jade Kings are there in Huaxia?"
"Let me answer your last question first," Shen Caidie said, "Up to now, there are a total of three Jade Kings in Huaxia, one in the south and two in the north. The one from the south is Wang Changtian."
Gao Fei sat in the chair, listening quietly.
"As for the criteria to become the Jade King..." Shen Caidie mused, "Becoming the Jade King is not a simple matter. First, you need a very high reputation. Next, you must be very familiar with the Jade Industry. Lastly, you need to personally cut out ten Supreme Grade jades. If you meet these three conditions, you can compete for the title of Jade King."
"Supreme Grade jade?"
"That is, Emperor Green! Emperor Green is the most precious jade. Whenever it appears, it provokes a mad scramble and the price is driven up to an unimaginable level."
"So, just cut out ten pieces of Emperor Green to compete for the Jade King..." Gao Fei nodded thoughtfully.
"Easy to say, hard to do," Shen Caidie remarked, "Why is Emperor Green so precious? On the one hand, it's because of its high transparency, beautiful lines, and dazzling color. It's said to have the power to ward off evil too. On the other hand, it's because it is so rare. To cut out a piece of Emperor Green from countless stones is as hard as ascending to heaven."
Gao Fei smiled. This task might be difficult for others, but it was much easier for him, because he had the 'Clairvoyance.'
"What are you laughing at?" Shen Caidie asked curiously.
"Uh, nothing—I just thought of something interesting," Gao Fei made an excuse to brush it off, "So, has Wang Changtian cut out ten pieces of Emperor Green?"
"Yes," Shen Caidie nodded. "It took Wang Changtian several decades to cut out ten pieces of Emperor Green. He didn't become the Jade King until he was sixty."
"You just said that Wang Changtian is very good at Gambling Stone? Just a glance and he knows whether there's Jade inside the stone? And he can even distinguish the grade of the Jade?"
"Those are legends... surely some are exaggerated, but one thing is certain, Wang Changtian's ability in Gambling Stone is definitely far superior to others."
Gao Fei inwardly said to himself, I must meet this Wang Changtian if I get the chance, to see how incredible he really is.
"Ah, I got so carried away talking to you that I almost forgot the main business," Shen Caidie patted her white forehead. "Didn't you want me to process a few pieces of Jade for you? Have you brought them with you?"
"I've brought them," Gao Fei placed a bag on the table and then took out six pieces of Jade.
"Such beautiful Jade," Shen Caidie stood up and carefully inspected each of the six pieces. "Are you planning to process these Jades into jewelry? Or carve them into objects?"
"You decide," Gao Fei said casually. "However you want to process them is fine."
"OK, just leave these pieces of Jade with me and I'll contact you when they're processed," Shen Caidie said with a smile.
"I'll wait for your call," Gao Fei stood up. "I have some other things to take care of, so I'll take my leave now." After saying this, Gao Fei was ready to leave.
"You're leaving just like that?" Shen Caidie called out.
Gao Fei stopped in his tracks, puzzled, and turned his head. "What's the matter? Is there something else?"
"You just leave these Jades here with such peace of mind? Don't you want a receipt or something?" Shen Caidie pointed her finger at the six pieces of Jade on the table. "Aren't you afraid I might deny the debt?"
Gao Fei grinned, "Not afraid! I have confidence in you!" After saying that, Gao Fei strode off.
"This guy..." A smile graced the corners of Shen Caidie's mouth. "Since you trust me so much, I definitely can't let you down... Hmm, let me think, how should I process these six pieces of Jade? This Icy Jade could be carved into a Guanyin statue, these two red Jades could be made into bracelets, and these three Gold Thread Jades...
could be made into ring surfaces and necklace pendants..." In a flash, Shen Caidie had a plan in her mind.
...
Gao Fei stood on the roadside, looking at the endless stream of cars, feeling slightly downhearted.
He had been standing here for half an hour already and still hadn't managed to hail a taxi. While there were plenty of taxis passing by—visible every few minutes—they all had passengers and none stopped.
It's not rush hour now, so why are taxis so scarce? Gao Fei muttered to himself in annoyance.
"Looks like it's time to buy a car," Gao Fei thought to himself. "Having a car would make traveling so much easier." After nearly an hour of waiting, a taxi finally stopped in front of Gao Fei, who quickly opened the door and got in.
"Where to?" asked the driver.
"I want to buy a car, where do you think I should go?" Gao Fei asked for advice.
"I know a place where there's a car exhibition going on. It has a lot of different types of cars. I'll take you there to have a look," said the driver.
"That sounds good," Gao Fei nodded.
...
An hour later.
Gao Fei arrived at the exhibition. The driver hadn't lied to him; there indeed were many cars, of various types. There were luxury sports cars, high-end sedans, and environmentally friendly electric cars as well.
Which brand of car should I buy?
Gao Fei glanced around at the vehicles while murmuring to himself.
"Huh? This Mercedes looks nice!" Gao Fei hurried over and circled around a black Mercedes, growing fonder of it the more he looked.
At that moment, a female car salesperson approached him: "Sir, are you looking to buy a car?"
"Yes," Gao Fei nodded. "This car seems nice." As he spoke, Gao Fei opened the car door and was about to sit inside to get a feel for it; everyone says that Mercedes seats are made of real leather and are very soft. Also, a Mercedes is supposed to have spacious interiors, so it doesn't feel cramped inside.
Gao Fei wanted to thoroughly experience it for himself today and find out if a Mercedes is really as good as they say.
"Sir," the female salesperson suddenly reached out her hand to stop Gao Fei.
Gao Fei was taken aback: "What are you doing?"
"This car is very expensive," the salesperson said calmly. "If you don't intend to buy it, please don't sit in it. Otherwise, you might dirty the inside of the car."