The crystal-clear and translucent jadeite looked even more stunning and breathtaking under the glow of the lights.
The old mansion was filled with a rustic atmosphere. On the second floor, many lanterns hung from the railings, each with a burning candle inside.
In front of the main hall on the first floor were several single tables. Only those with very high status and close relations to the Fang family could sit in these positions.
For example, Li Yuheng.
Li Yuheng was the most famous jadeite merchant in S Province. It could be said that most people’s raw jadeite stones were purchased from him.
At this moment, the piece of glass-type jadeite on the stage was the skin he had obtained.
Li Yuheng was essentially also someone who was deeply passionate about jadeite. Hearing the praise from Old Master Fang, his face immediately showed a lot of anticipation.
Old Master Fang sat in the main seat below, stroking his beard but smiling silently.
Fang Chen, as the youngest son of Old Master Fang and the legitimate heir of the Fang family, couldn’t even secure a seat in the front row; he could only sit upstairs on the second floor and look down through the railing.
He held a paper fan in his hand, slowly fanning himself, with a smile at the corner of his lips, but his eyes constantly flickered with a cold glint.
When he glanced at Chi Han and Rong Xu sitting opposite, the emotions in his eyes instantly hid away.
Chi Han saw Fang Chen smile and nod at them, politely returning the gesture, while Rong Xu slightly lifted his eyes as a response.
Fang Chen helplessly withdrew his gaze.
This Rong Xu really was an ice block that couldn’t be warmed up!
The next moment, he watched with wide eyes as that unwarming “ice block” picked up chopsticks, took a piece of osmanthus cake, and placed it into Chi Han’s plate beside him, even thoughtfully serving a bowl of tar ball and red date soup.
Fang Chen: “…………”
Downstairs.
Lu Min picked up the carving knife, ready to begin carving.
Fang Jingluo leaned casually against the backrest, twisting a dark green jadeite prayer bead in one hand with his usual indifferent expression.
“Jingluo really is talented to have found someone like this; truly a promising young man!” Li Yuheng complimented with a smile. He had been saying such flattering words for almost his entire life, so naturally that they came off the tongue easily.
“Old Fang, how did you raise him? Tell us! My kid has always been number one in mischief. When should I bring him over to properly learn from Jingluo?”
The people around immediately echoed the sentiment.
“Hahaha…”
Old Master Fang’s face flushed happily. Waving his hand, he deliberately said, “It’s not as good as you say! Jingluo has only recently become skilled at this; he used to be reckless, too.”
Li Yuheng raised a cup of wine and clinked it in the air toward Old Master Fang, then drained it in one gulp. “Stop hiding it. From today on, we all have to call him ‘Young Master’. There are so many things waiting for Jingluo to lead us on!”
Old Master Fang laughed heartily, “He’s not that capable, just has a good eye for talent. Let me tell you, this carver was only convinced after Jingluo asked him three or four times. If you’d seen it, that craftsmanship, truly…”
Before he finished speaking, a crisp “click” sound came from the table in front.
Old Master Fang’s expression instantly froze, then blankly continued, “…absolutely perfect.”
At the same time, Lu Min, looking embarrassed, covered with his hand the part that could barely be recognized as an antler, and whispered, “Could someone… get me some glue?”
Li Yuheng: “…………”
Fang Jingluo: “……”
Everyone: “……”
Chi Han had long known that Lu Min was impersonating him, but he always thought this person must have at least some real skill. He never expected that Lu Min hadn’t even prepared a sketch, but had just directly started cutting and carving.
More importantly, what did he just say?
Asking for glue?!
To stick jadeite???
Old Master Fang’s expression was extremely complex at this moment. The upper half of his face still wore the smile from before, but the lower half twitched in disbelief.
Li Yuheng looked at Lu Min’s serious expression and finally confirmed that this was not some staged skit by the Fang family.
Only after asking three or four times he agreed to come out??
And this is it?!
Fang Jingluo sensed the shocked and mocking looks being cast around him. His face had long lost its calm and ease.
He slammed the table and stood up, gritting his teeth with a forced smile, speaking each word distinctly, “Lu Min… how dare you fool me?!”
Lu Min’s eyes shifted quickly, glancing up at Rong Xu upstairs. After seeing Rong Xu continue to signal, he shrank his body slightly and played the role of a meek, obedient figure to perfection.
“I’m not lying to you, Young Master Fang. I just never carved something this big before!” Lu Min said, releasing his hand with a face full of grievance, “You didn’t tell me in advance either. I didn’t even know what a mystic deer looks like!”
As Lu Min released his grip, a large, thick piece of antler fell onto the red carpeted floor. After rolling once, it broke into two pieces. The shape of the deer’s head was blurred and indistinct. If you didn’t know better, you might think it was a carved monster!
Several people sitting in the front row immediately stretched their necks, their faces full of regret as they looked on.
What a sheer waste of such a treasure!
But what Fang Jingluo cared about most wasn’t this. Although glass-type jadeite was rare, it wasn’t the only piece in the world.
What mattered was being so thoroughly mocked during the succession ceremony!
The veins on Fang Jingluo’s temples bulged fiercely. The jadeite beads wrapped around his wrist snapped apart, and the fine jade beads scattered all over the floor.
Lu Min had originally been brought in by Fang Chen. If Fang Chen hadn’t desperately stopped Fang Jingluo from taking Lu Min away, he wouldn’t have believed so completely!
Recalling everything that had happened before, Fang Jingluo’s breath caught.
He was probably long trapped in the other party’s trap!
No wonder the night talent was recommended, Fang Chen had brought such a mediocre person.
No wonder he withdrew so decisively from the family head competition.
No wonder…
Fang Chen.
Fang Jingluo clenched his teeth tightly, bloodshot eyes glaring. For the first time in his life, he felt such humiliation.
Fang Chen’s eyes held a smile, fearless and unafraid, meeting Fang Jingluo’s gaze directly.
What, feeling uncomfortable already?
A surge of anger rushed through Fang Jingluo’s blood as he rolled up his sleeves, ready to go upstairs.
Old Master Fang’s face darkened almost to black. He slammed his hand on the table with force, and the hall instantly fell silent.
“Jingluo.”
Old Master Fang spoke calmly, “Come here.”
Though Old Master Fang’s expression was calmer than ever, like a still, deep well, Fang Jingluo was precisely most afraid of this look.
He clenched his fists tightly and slowly walked over.
“Do you know where you went wrong?”
Fang Jingluo nodded in humiliation, “Yes, I do.”
He cast a dark, sharp glance at Fang Chen upstairs.
His mistake was not getting rid of that person sooner.
When his gaze landed on the mocking smirk at Rong Xu’s lips, the redness in Fang Jingluo’s eyes deepened.
A cripple dares mock him?!
He slowly lowered his head, murderous intent rising in his heart.
Fang Jingluo didn’t look at Chi Han’s expression; he didn’t want to see the emotions in those eyes right now.
He feared that if he did, he wouldn’t be able to resist destroying them.
Old Master Fang watched him, his aged face filled with coldness and deep anger.
The thing he cared about most in this life was the reputation of the Fang family.
Who would have thought that what took a single morning to build would be completely destroyed today.
Whispers and low sneers kept ringing in his ears.
Old Master Fang closed his eyes briefly, his voice cold to the bone.
“You know you’re wrong? Then kneel down.”
Fang Jingluo looked up in shock, “Grandfather?!”
Those around also couldn’t believe it.
This… in broad daylight, surely not?
Fang Chen, on the second floor, finally laughed, his fox-like eyes lifting happily.
He always knew that the one his father loved most in his heart was only the Fang family.
Old Master Fang’s eyes half-opened, his voice even colder, completely devoid of warmth: “Kneel down!”
Fang Jingluo’s chest heaved violently a few times, but in the end, he slowly lowered his body. His fists at his sides bulged with veins.