C17 Gu Huishi's Thoughts

A million dollars might not be a significant sum for a successful entrepreneur, but it's certainly not pocket change either. Yet, that doesn't mean they'd casually hand out a gift worth a million at a housewarming party. And the elder with the surname Jiang had hinted that this jade pendant could be valued at even more than a million.

What really caught their attention was Jiang's final remark: the pendant was crafted from spiritual jade. They might not be experts in antiques, but they understood the significance of "spiritual jade."

So, what is spiritual jade? It's a type of ore that, over eons, has absorbed the Heaven Earth Spiritual Energy. This ore is exceptionally rich in spiritual energy and is known for its extraordinary effects.

Thousands of years ago, spiritual jade was treasured but not rare. Today, however, with technological advancements and the proliferation of chemicals polluting our planet, the chance of new spiritual jade forming within the Earth's veins is virtually nonexistent. Any existing spiritual jade would be a relic from a millennium ago.

Jiang, a veteran in the antiques trade for decades, had only once stumbled upon a spiritual jade pendant. It weighed a mere two taels and had lost much of its spiritual energy—yet it still held considerable value.

But the piece Faang Yu presented to Old Master Su? The level of spiritual energy it contained was almost beyond belief. A million was merely his cautious appraisal. To someone in need, like Old Master Su who was advanced in years and nearing life's end, the price could skyrocket to five or even ten million if they had the means.

Faang Yu, the young man in question, had given it away as a gift. It was an undeniable display of his lavish generosity.

"It's just a jade pendant, hardly worth mentioning," Faang Yu said with a slight smile, downplaying its significance.

His comment caused a subtle twitch in the corners of the other entrepreneurs' mouths as they silently accused him of showing off. To dismiss a jade pendant valued at over a million as trivial made their own gifts seem paltry by comparison.

"This kid!" many of the business magnates muttered under their breath, shooting a discreet glare at Fann Jianrong. If it hadn't been for his skepticism about Faang Yu's jade pendant, this whole situation might have been avoided, sparing them this awkward embarrassment.

Although Old Master Su's housewarming was a joyous event, the gifts were merely a gesture of goodwill, their value secondary to the sentiment. Yet, the thought of a young man in his twenties outshining a tycoon with a net worth in the hundreds of millions was too much to bear. Pride was at stake, and now it seemed to hang by a thread.

Fann Jianrong stood there, utterly flabbergasted. His plan had been to embarrass Faang Yu and tarnish his image in Su Ruoxue's eyes. Instead, he found himself outplayed, his own reputation smarting from the invisible slap delivered by Faang Yu. A jade pendant worth a million—what was this kid thinking, giving away such a treasure so casually? Damn it, he'd seen show-offs before, but this was on another level!

Fuming, Fann Jianrong bit back his rage, not daring to utter a word. He knew all too well that any objection or petty squabble would not only reflect poorly on him in the eyes of the onlookers but would also incur his father's wrath.

In the crowd, stunned and incredulous faces weren't limited to Fann Jianrong. Gu Huishi, Faang Yu's former girlfriend, was also reeling. She had left Faang Yu because she believed he couldn't provide the lavish lifestyle she sought, despite his talent. Even outside Clear Incense Garden, she had felt Faang Yu couldn't hold a candle to Shen Tai, not even worthy to carry his shoes. Yet here was Faang Yu, gifting a jade pendant worth a fortune without a second thought.

To Old Master Su, such a gift might be trivial, but for her, its value equated to the benefits she'd reaped from Shen Tai over two years. Had she made a mistake in her choice? How much wealth did Faang Yu possess to give away a million-yuan jade pendant so effortlessly? Tens of millions, or perhaps even more? He might not rival Shen Tai's wealth, but the crucial difference was that Shen Tai's fortune was inherited, whereas Faang Yu's was self-made. Such generosity could only come from one's own means—that was the fundamental distinction.

During her two years with Shen Tai, she had indeed savored his affection and the substantial financial gains that came with it. Her bank account now boasted several hundred thousand yuan. But in the face of Faang Yu's unexpected display of wealth, she couldn't help but question her past decisions.

Despite her lingering concerns, Gu Huishi couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Shen Tai had consistently avoided introducing her to his parents, no matter how subtly she hinted at it. His indifference, often masked with flimsy excuses, fueled her suspicion that he had no real plans to marry her.

Gu Huishi was acutely aware that her youth and beauty wouldn't last forever. The thought of aging, particularly after turning thirty-five—a milestone still a decade away—weighed on her. Time, she knew, flowed swiftly like water, and the years would pass before she knew it.

She had to secure her future.

Marriage seemed like the best insurance for her life ahead. Even if love faded and divorce ensued, she'd at least walk away with a substantial settlement. But as a mere girlfriend, a breakup would leave her with nothing.

Before witnessing Faang Yu's lavish display of wealth, Gu Huishi's sole focus was on winning over Shen Tai's heart, hoping he'd eagerly introduce her to his parents—her potential in-laws—and solidify her status as a wife in a wealthy family.

Now, however, she found herself wavering. Perhaps returning to Faang Yu's side would be the wiser choice? After all, he had once doted on her, hanging on her every word with utmost consideration. Their three-year relationship hadn't been for nothing.

Gu Huishi was confident that if she proposed marriage to Faang Yu, he'd say yes without a moment's hesitation, unlike Shen Tai's dragging feet.

The origins of Faang Yu's newfound wealth over the past two years didn't particularly concern her. She was indifferent to the details, as long as his means were legal. And knowing Faang Yu, she was certain he wouldn't engage in anything unlawful.

Meanwhile, Shen Tai, standing next to her, was completely engrossed in whatever was happening on Faang Yu's end. He was oblivious to the shift in Gu Huishi's expression and utterly unaware of the turmoil in her thoughts.