Just in that instant, Liu Yunhui’s face drained of blood, becoming deathly pale.
He raised his eyes towards Liu Chongren, his lips quivering.
Seeing his son’s complexion change, Liu Chongren’s heart sank immediately, knowing something bad was about to happen.
He quickly turned his head to look at Huo Sining.
On the other side, Huo Sining, as if sensing something, turned her head and gave Liu Chongren an extremely radiant smile, before cheerfully watching Liu Yunhui standing on the stage.
All the shrewd businessmen standing below were best at reading people’s expressions. Seeing Liu Yunhui’s unusual demeanor, and his reluctance to announce the result, they immediately knew something was amiss.
For the jewelry merchants, the Liu Family gambling up a piece of Worm Jade was a matter of envy, but if Huo Sining actually won this bet, that would make things interesting.
Such a precious piece of Worm Jade, valued at no less than two billion, would not be something Liu Chongren would be willing to split in two.
But if Liu Chongren didn’t cut the Worm Jade, he would have to pay Huo Sining one billion as compensation, and such a huge amount of money would definitely be a significant blow to the Qin Family.
Whispers began to spread among the crowd below, with occasional glances stealing towards Huo Sining.
Seeing Huo Sining calmly waiting, everyone revealed looks of surprise and understanding.
Ouyang Jun was standing right next to Qin Yunhui. There was no chance for Liu Yunhui to cheat now.
Plus, the back of the piece of paper on which Huo Sining had written her answer was scrawled with unintelligible symbols, so it was too late for the Liu Family to tamper with anything at this point.
Liu Yuxuan, unable to receive the answer from below, also belatedly realized the gravity of the situation, knowing things were probably going south.
Indeed, before she could react, Ouyang Jun was the first to speak, "What’s the matter? Mr. Liu, why haven’t you read the answer yet? Surely Miss Huo’s handwriting isn’t so poor that you can’t make it out, is it? Shall I read it for you?"
Facing so many guests in the banquet hall, Liu Yunhui was obviously under immense pressure, with fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.
Now, hearing what Ouyang Jun said, Liu Yunhui’s smile became even more strained as he forced his features into a smile and said,
"Miss Huo’s answer is: Ice-type changes to Glass-type, Smart Sun Green and Yang Green alternating, a large and complete Worm Jade, with the total number of worms between fifty and seventy. Congratulations, Miss Huo, for guessing all the answers!"
Not only Liu Yunhui, but everyone present couldn’t believe it.
They say Liu Chongren is formidable, and Liu Yuxuan, having inherited his mantle, wouldn’t be far behind.
Everyone also had an idea in their hearts, knowing that Liu Yuxuan’s answer was definitely the result of discussion between the two generations.
With so many years of experience, even Liu Chongren couldn’t guess that this stone could yield Worm Jade, but this woman surnamed Huo not only gambled out the Worm Jade but even estimated the number of worms within a rough range.
How was that possible? How on earth did she do it?
Hearing this answer, Liu Yuxuan’s heart suddenly turned ice-cold.
She had never considered Huo Sining as a rival, because she had always had smooth sailing in the Stone Gambling industry. Coupled with Liu Chongren’s prestige and reputation, she felt quite superior.
Liu Yuxuan considered herself a descendant of the Gambling King and believed that ordinary people like Huo Sining, who were novices, were nowhere near qualified to compete against her.
If it weren’t for Huo Sining having frustrated her twice consecutively, Liu Yuxuan wouldn’t have even deigned to give Huo Sining a second glance.
But now, the answer that Huo Sining had provided was so defiant of the heavens that it astonished and angered Liu Yuxuan.
What shocked her was that she couldn’t fathom how Huo Sining could tell that this rough stone was Worm Jade, from the Ruili gambling market to today’s Worm Jade, this woman’s jade gambling skills were terrifyingly potent;
What angered her was that she had lost the bet again today, not only failing to reclaim her right to participate in domestic gambling events but also losing a Worm Jade worth nearly a billion.
With this thought, Liu Yuxuan couldn’t help but turn her head back and glare at Huo Sining with venomous wrath, wishing she could devour her flesh and blood.
Liu Chongren also hadn’t anticipated that Huo Sining would possess such an ability.
This further confirmed his suspicion that this Huo Sining must have an unknown connection with that Yue Family he knew!
He gazed at the priceless Worm Jade, forcibly suppressing the disappointment and regret in his heart.
He shouldn’t have agreed to his granddaughter’s request to have a live stone gambling at the birthday banquet, let alone drag that woman surnamed Huo into it.
Now that the Worm Jade had been cut open in front of everybody and the stakes were proposed by him in person, it was impossible to welch on the bet.
Liu Chongren closed his eyes and took a deep breath, scarcely managing to calm his emotions.
In the world of jade gambling, no matter what the wager, it’s always a place of trickery and deceit, but not reneging; since he had lost, and with so many guests present, he couldn’t lose his final dignity.
"Congratulations to Miss Huo!" Liu Chongren smiled and said, "Miss Huo’s ability to bet on Worm Jade truly reveals her discerning eye. Not only my granddaughter but even an old man like me must bow down in admiration. I’m getting old, and the world of jade gambling is truly for you young people from now on."
Huo Sining chuckled upon hearing this, "Master Liu, you are really too modest. I was merely guessing blindly. Compared to you, Master Liu, my little skill is hardly worth mentioning."
Seeing Huo Sining respond , Liu Chongren found it difficult to press her further. He smiled and, in a negotiating tone, said to Huo Sining:
"According to the rules, half of this Worm Jade should belong to Miss Huo. However, with such an exquisite and perfect piece of Worm Jade, I’m sure Miss Huo wouldn’t have the heart to cut it in half, right?"
Huo Sining clearly understood what Liu Chongren was implying. Was he playing the sympathy card, expecting her to give in to the difficulty?
A cold glint passed through Huo Sining’s eyes, but she smiled and interrupted Liu Chongren:
"Master Liu, I understand your meaning. I too am someone who loves jadeite. However, Master Liu, you might not be aware that I have a flaw: I never covet things that aren’t mine, but others should not even dream of cheating me out of what is rightfully mine."
Upon hearing this, a flash of anger crossed Liu Chongren’s eyes.
It was a fleeting emotion that was nearly imperceptible, but Huo Sining still noticed it.
However, since she dared to say such words, she wasn’t afraid of how Liu Chongren would react. Indeed, she never intended to split the Liu Family’s Worm Jade, but if the Liu Family thought they could dismiss her with a few words, it was a foolish delusion, absolutely impossible.
"You woman, don’t know when to accept a face-saving gesture!"
Liu Yuxuan had thought that reclaiming the Worm Jade would be a simple matter of her grandfather’s word, yet she didn’t anticipate that Huo Sining would be so audacious. Not only did she reject her grandfather’s words, but she also seemed determined not to rest until she got the stakes, which inflamed Liu Yuxuan’s fury.