The Xuandu Jade Stone Conference this time is Xuanjin’s most grand public disk event to date. While its influence may not be as vast as the Country Fei Public Disk, with regards to financial power and the quality of the raw materials, it is still worth a visit for domestic jade enthusiasts.
The Jade Stone Association is hosting the event for four days, divided into two types: open bidding and sealed bidding.
Open bidding is an on-site auction where people gather in the trading hall, and staff members announce raw material numbers for the auction, with the highest bidder winning.
Sealed bidding means that each piece of raw material has its own fixed number. Buyers submit the number of the raw material they choose along with the bidding price into the bid box, without knowing anyone else’s bid. During the bid unveiling, the winning bidder and the auction price for each raw material number are announced publicly.
"Miss, this jade conference lasts for four days. The first day is open bidding, the second and third days are for selecting and bidding in secret, and the final day reveals the auction results," Zhang Yusheng briefed An Yiqing succinctly on the event details.
"Mm, okay," the girl nodded in response.
The venue is divided into two parts: the first is the auction hall, and the second is the raw materials observation area. An Yiqing walked past the auction hall straight to the observation area.
The observation area is a spacious open space where various jade stones with numbered tags are neatly arranged on the ground, ranging from low to high quality, all inclusive. An Yiqing stood in the aisle, sweeping her gaze across only about one-tenth of the entire observation area’s size.
Since it was early and today was the open bidding day, there weren’t many people in the observation area. An Yiqing quickly glanced around and had a rough idea in mind.
At that moment, a steady voice came from behind An Yiqing.
"Miss An!" She saw Qiu Yiping, dressed in a black suit with gold-rimmed glasses, respectfully and slightly smilingly greeted An Yiqing, "I knew I would see you here today."
"Minister Qiu, you’re quite early today," An Yiqing responded with a smile as she nodded.
"The Xuandu Jade Stone Conference is a major event for Xuanjin, and as the assistant to the Minister of Finance, it’s only natural I be here," Qiu Yiping said with a spirited and confident expression, showing no sign of his previous illness and worries.
An Yiqing’s thoughts stirred. If Gu Yelin’s great aunt, Yu Xiaoyan, was the Minister of Finance, then this Qiu Yiping was her subordinate?
But what exactly was their relationship?
The girl calculated in her head but kept a composed face. She exchanged a few pleasantries with Qiu Yiping, chatting about some family matters, then parted ways with a simple goodbye.
"Miss," after Qiu Yiping left, Zhang Yuksheng furrowed his brows and asked doubtfully, "The head family’s daughter-in-law of the Gu family is part of the finance department, right?"
"Mm, my great aunt is the Minister of Finance," An Yiqing replied with a smile in her eyes, waiting for Zhang Yuksheng’s next question.
"Then, wouldn’t it affect our relationship with the Gu family if we get too close to Qiu Yiping? Could it affect your relationship with the Gu family members?" Zhang Yuksheng was very concerned that professional dealings might affect An Yiqing’s family ties and romantic relationships.
The girl laughed softly, saying in a tender voice, "Brother Yusheng, why are you becoming more and more like a butler? Earning a manager’s salary but having the heart of a mother. It seems I’ll have to give you a bigger red envelope in the future."
"Er..." Zhang Yusheng, caught off guard by An Yiqing’s teasing, had a bitter-sweet reaction. He scratched the back of his head out of habit and helplessly said, "Miss, you and General Gu are truly a match made in heaven; you mustn’t let outsiders affect your standing with your in-laws. It’s hard to find a man as outstanding as General Gu, even with a lantern; you must hold on to him." Zhang Yusheng babbled on like an old mother hen, eager to share everything he knew with her.