Stone Gambler

Looking at the slumped man in the mirror, Bai Zishi smiled wryly, managed to pull himself together, slapped his face with cold water twice, and walked out of the small bathroom.

This is a house of less than 20 square meters. The walls that should have been clean and white have long been stained with mottled gray over the years, and the walls have peeled off messily. There is no distinction between living room and bedroom in this house. The bed is on the east wall, a desk, a chair and an electric fan are almost all the things in this room. Although it is neat, it is really shabby. Just by looking at this room, you can tell the current situation of the owner's family - really poor.

Bai Zishi pushed open the rusty iron door, and walked out casually, not caring whether it was closed or not—who would come here to steal? In the famous "slum area" in the city.

He walked down the dark-painted stairs, generally thinking about what might happen when he waited. He couldn't apply for a job today. He has been unemployed for 5 months. If he doesn't get a job, even if he saves money by himself, it won't take much time. Now that the prices are rising all the way, he may be really penniless in less than two years.

For the last time, Bai Zishi said to himself, this is the last time to apply for a job in a jewelry store! If you don't succeed, then you should really bid farewell to the emerald industry, just go to work in other stores, and it is enough to survive.

Bai Zishi walked out of Yuehua Jewelry Store with heavy steps, his face full of self-mockery and loneliness, he walked to the trash can, let go of his hands lightly, and the resume he was holding fell down easily, as if it was his heart. , All the way down, there is nothing left except the sound of hitting a wall. Looking up, Bai Zishi took a deep breath -- then, let's forget it and leave this line of work. Anyway, with my already rotten reputation, no jewelry store would dare to ask for it, right? Although he is actually very innocent.

Bai Zishi stepped down the steps. In fact, he was already mentally prepared before coming here. 90% of them were unsuccessful. This kind of thing has happened frequently in the past six months. He has heard all the excessive sarcasm, but his love for jade supports him to suppress his self-esteem again and again to apply for a job—rejected—applied—rejected...

This time it really can't work. Bai Zishi felt that he was exhausted, and he remembered the words of the manager of Yuehua's personnel department: "Mr. Bai, your carving skills are really superb, and the company is very excited, but I'm sorry, Yuehua is just a small jewelry store. We cannot risk using you."

This is already a very friendly refusal attitude. Bai Zishi felt that he should be content. Who told him to be kicked out of Manlu Jewelry because of something like that?

Six months ago, he was a well-paid jadeite carver in Manluli. He was well-known among the high-end clientele in Manluli for his unique 'natural' style. He finally paid off all the debts his father owed for betting on stones eight months ago. Still saved some, his life should have a new start. But suddenly one day, two policemen came to the door, hoping that he would cooperate with the investigation. It turns out that in the past half a month of Manlu, high-end emerald materials have often been stolen. The thieves were very smart and did not take away the whole piece. Instead, they deliberately adopted the most material-intensive design method when designing. But when engraving, I used the most material-saving plan, so that there was no trace of the extra material on the account, so this matter lasted until half a month later, the chief engraver felt that the number of engraved things was not right. Only then was it detected.

Bai Zishi was also listed as a suspect. After all, there are not many engravers who have access to high-end Ming materials. At first, he didn't take this matter to heart. After all, the jade and design drawings he handled can be found. There was indeed someone in Luli who did such a thing, and it was Xu Ran, another engraver with whom he had a good relationship. Xu Ran took the risk because he lost his bet on stones and was in desperate need of money. However, what he never expected was that Xu Ran even confessed that he was also an accomplice, or even the mastermind. The money obtained is divided equally between the two.

When he was taken to the police station for investigation, Bai Zishi was completely surprised. He couldn't believe that such a thing could happen in the world! Although in the end the police station released him because of insufficient evidence, the suspicion could not be cleared away, and it was only natural that he was fired.

This kind of thing spread quickly in the industry. With such a reputation, even if Bai Zishi said that he was innocent, no one would believe him.

Bai Zishi walked aimlessly on the street, his handsome face paired with a generous and elegant suit really attracted a lot of attention. A car slowed down as it passed by him, and the window slowly lowered: "Stone, get in the car!"

Bai Zishi leaned sideways and bent down to look, his expressionless face finally brought a smile: "Yeah." He opened the car door and got in quickly, and after he put his seat belt on, he turned to face the handsome man: " What? Didn't you have your fiancée with you today?"

A trace of complexity flashed in Han Shudong's eyes: "I just sent her back. What about you? Why are you here?"

Bai Zishi smiled wryly: "Don't mention it, I went to Yuehua..."

The result was obvious, Han Shudong didn't ask any more, but just said: "I'm sorry, I couldn't help you."

Bai Zishi waved his hand: "What are you talking about? Your father would agree with my reputation, right? You just joined the company now, so you should take care of yourself."

"Then what are you going to do?" Han Shudong turned a corner and drove the car onto Guo'an Avenue.

Bai Zishi looked out the window: "Just find something to do. In the industry, I probably won't be able to stay." Something flashed in Han Shudong's eyes. He parked the car on the side of the road, then turned his head, and asked seriously: " Did you think about what I told you that day?"

There was a moment of silence in the carriage, and then Bai Zishi sighed: "I have thought about it. It would be a lie to say that I have never thought about it..." He closed his eyes and leaned on the car seat, "But, Shudong, I can't forget that my grandfather still When my father died, and what my elder brother looks like now! Shudong, I can’t do it! I can’t touch rocks!”

Han Shudong's eyes were stained with anxiety: "Zi Shi, you have such a good ability, you can forcefully bury him? You were born to bet on stones! Look at what you are now! You are willing to live like this for the rest of your life." ? You just have the heart to leave the jade industry? Have you forgotten how much you like jade?!"

"I haven't forgotten!" Bai Zishi couldn't help but growl, "Yes, I have an unusual sensitivity to jadeite, and I also admit that it is like a cheating tool for gambling stones. But, Shu Dong, you have seen the results of my grandfather and father! And my brother, who didn’t listen to my father’s last words, you know what he looks like now---I don’t want two lunatics to come out of our Bai family! Stone, I can’t touch it! "

"You also said that those are your grandfather and father, that's not you! Shitou, you are unique in this industry, you are different, you will definitely not end up like Grandpa and Uncle Bai! Shitou, even if you help How am I? The two of us grew up together, and I have never begged you before. This time, let me beg you! Jingya’s recent news has become more and more tense, and our Han family has managed to develop Jingya to this point , if there is not enough information, Jingya will be in danger!"

"Your father-in-law is old Mr. Wang Shengqi. He is a famous stone gambling king and a famous wool merchant in Ruili. How could your family be in danger?" Bai Zishi didn't believe it.

Han Shudong looked at him with complicated eyes, and after a while he said in a low voice: "I don't want to marry Wang Zhuyu! I don't like her!"

Bai Zishi looked at his friend in shock: "You...Shudong, have you thought it through?" He sat up straight and brushed his hair irritably, "Mr. Wang is very famous in this industry. The Lord’s friendship is very deep. If you do this, you will offend him severely! At that time, you will really be unable to eat and walk away! Also, you don’t like people agreeing to their pursuit? You don’t like people still following They are engaged?! Ah?! What are you doing?!"

Han Shudong also became irritable: "I don't want to, but after talking to her, I found out that I don't have feelings for her! I don't want to be with her! Shitou, help me!"

Bai Zishi frowned fiercely, and sighed: "Shudong, it's not a question of whether I can help you now. You just entered the gambling world, so you don't know how deep the water is here. Burmese wool is big. Most of them came from Yunnan. To put it bluntly, your jewelry store is not top-notch. Comparing the two, many people have to give Mr. Wang face. If he wants to trip you up, No matter how capable I am, it’s useless—I guess we won’t even be able to see good wool!”

Han Shudong's face turned pale for a while. He knew that Wang Shengqi was very famous in the stone gambling world, but he didn't expect him to be so famous! What to do, no way, finally figured out his true heart, he can't just give up like this, Han Shudong looked at the people around him, gritted his teeth: "Stone, let's be honest, I have someone I like. I can't Marrying Wang Zhuyu will harm her and ruin myself!"

Bai Zishi was stunned. He looked at his friend. Han Shudong had always looked silent, but he was a good buddy. At that time, if it weren't for Han Shudong and Bai Zishi, he would probably be finished.

Thinking of this, Bai Zishi was cruel: "If you really love that person, I will help you, at least when I still have the ability, and I will do my best to help you. But we have to take risks."

Han Shudong was overjoyed immediately, and held Bai Zishi in his arms, "Shito, I knew you would not ignore me!" When I am capable, I will let you live the best life!

Bai Zishi didn't know what Han Shudong was thinking, he couldn't help but smile when he looked at Han Shudong who was like a child.

However, at a place that none of them expected, there was a woman clenched her fist tightly, her face full of pain and ferocity, she suddenly grabbed the earphones in her ears, and flung them towards the wall desperately. There were vague conversations between two men, and some refreshing laughter from time to time.

"Han-shu-dong! Bai-zi-shi!!"