Unconventional [Rebirth] - Chapter 28

Jiang Rui continued to stay at the Wúmiǎn villa for the few days before returning to Qing City.

He was surprised when Rong Jingtang mentioned that someone was looking for him, as he didn’t know anyone else in Yi Dian.

“It’s one of the competition judges,” Rong Jingtang said. A person of his status would naturally not bother to remember the name of an irrelevant person without a specific reason.

Jiang Rui immediately thought of Cao Xingjian. Connecting this with the news he had read in the newspaper a few days prior, he had some conjecture about Cao Xingjian’s intention.

“If you don’t want to see him, I’ll have Uncle Cheng send him away.” Rong Jingtang wore a white, silk, loungewear shirt, his legs crossed as he half-sat, half-reclined on a pear wood chaise lounge, his posture leisurely and elegant. He held a book, talking to Jiang Rui while turning the pages. His long, beautiful fingers flipped the pages with dexterity and grace, and Jiang Rui couldn’t help but let his gaze rest on his hands.

Rong Jingtang read a page almost every few seconds, a speed comparable to how he scanned documents. He also chatted casually with Jiang Rui from time to time. Jiang Rui had long been speculating what this man’s IQ score was. However, he was afraid of being discouraged if he actually found out…

Jiang Rui was also curious enough to look at the books he was reading, only to find that the books were not written in the same language; some were written in languages he couldn’t even identify…

“It’s fine. Meeting him won’t hurt,” Jiang Rui said gently.

Rong Jingtang always deferred to him on such small matters and immediately instructed Uncle Cheng to relay the message.

When Cao Xingjian entered, he noticed that Jiang Rui was not the only one in the living room; Rong Jingtang was there as well. The scene of the two interacting appeared natural and easygoing.

He had always assumed Jiang Rui was a young master from an influential family, given that such divine skill in stone gambling could not be cultivated by an ordinary household. However, he couldn’t find any information about Jiang Rui’s background in Yi Dian; it was as if someone had deliberately hidden it. Thus, he had no choice but to try to use his connections to pass a message to Rong Jingtang to contact Jiang Rui, as they had seemed quite close during the competition.

The August Association was highly secretive about their guests’ identities. Cao Xingjian naturally did not know Rong Jingtang’s full status and had to exert significant effort to pass the message through the association’s senior management to Rong Jingtang.

Now, it seemed their relationship was even closer than he had imagined.

Rong Jingtang was reading his book on the side, but his presence was palpable, and his aura was too powerful and imposing. Even in his quiet, home-like posture, and without saying a word, Cao Xingjian felt immense pressure. The older man didn’t even know where to put his hands and feet.

By convention, Rong Jingtang was the host here, and greeting guests should be the host’s duty. But Jiang Rui had spent enough time with him to know, even if he were slow-witted, that a person like Rong Jingtang would only let Cao Xingjian enter Wúmiǎn as a favor to him, let alone condescend to greet him.

Seeing Cao Xingjian’s embarrassment, Jiang Rui smiled and greeted him warmly. “Master Cao, please come in and sit.”

Cao Xingjian quickly smiled in response, glanced at Rong Jingtang to ensure he had no objection, and then carefully took a seat.

Jiang Rui, however, felt a bit uncomfortable seeing a man in his forties or fifties so nervous and deferential in front of them. He nudged the person on the chaise lounge beside him. “Jingtang, why don’t you go upstairs and check those designs for me?” Without this person here, Master Cao wouldn’t be so anxious.

Rong Jingtang closed his book, looked straight at Jiang Rui for a moment, then glanced at Cao Xingjian, and without speaking, got up and went upstairs.

Jiang Rui was amused and frustrated by his sulking behavior. He helplessly said to Cao Xingjian, “Master Cao, don’t mind him. He’s just like that.”

Cao Xingjian, who had just broken out in a cold sweat from that glance, gave an awkward laugh. “No, no. It was presumptuous of me to visit so abruptly. Mr. Rong, however, is more approachable than I imagined.”

Jiang Rui: “…” Master Cao, your talent for cold humor is quite good.

“Jingtang mentioned that Master Cao has something you wished to discuss?” After Uncle Cheng served the two their tea, Jiang Rui took a sip and spoke. Afraid that the gentleman upstairs might grow impatient, he skipped the small talk with Cao Xingjian and got straight to the point.

“It’s actually nothing major… I just wanted to ask Young Master Jiang if you have any intention of selling the top-grade Imperial Green Jade you cut out the other day?” Cao Xingjian valued jade like his life, so he subconsciously assumed others would also highly value such top-grade pieces.

Jiang Rui shook his head. “I apologize, Master Cao. You are an expert. You know the value of that jade better than I do. Selling it now is impossible.”

Cao Xingjian immediately grasped the hidden meaning in his words and brightened up. “So, you might sell it in the future?”

Although this jade was fine, it was merely highly valuable to Jiang Rui. In the eyes of someone like Cao Xingjian, it was extraordinary. They would not give up on even the slightest chance of acquiring it. They would be willing to pay a huge price for it.

“If I encounter a suitable opportunity, I naturally won’t let it pass,” Jiang Rui said, using the teacup lid to brush the steam from the surface of the tea.

Cao Xingjian fully understood his meaning: Jiang Rui would sell it later if the jade appreciated in value and the price was right.

But by then, I might not be able to afford it…

Cao Xingjian looked quite dejected.

Jiang Rui glanced at his expression and then added, “Of course, jade is a spiritual object. The most important thing for top-grade jade to find its owner is fate. It needs to find an owner who will cherish it. And for me, it depends on whether the person who wants it is willing to pay a sufficient price for it.”

As Jiang Rui spoke, his eyes were soft, and the smile on his lips was faint yet captivating. His voice carried his unique gentle lingering quality, each word tapping onto the listener’s heart.

The nervousness that had only just subsided for Cao Xingjian returned. He asked somewhat anxiously, “May I ask what kind of price would satisfy Young Master Jiang?”

Jiang Rui smiled at the comment, looking at Cao Xingjian without saying anything, as if saying, ‘You already have a condition in mind, so why ask me?‘

Cao Xingjian had never dared to underestimate the young man, who was not yet eighteen, but today’s conversation further elevated Jiang Rui’s image in his mind.

During the association competition, Cao Xingjian had focused on the young man from the start, initially because of his age and demeanor, and later because of the composure and capability he displayed.

He also noted that the young man was not as gentle and harmless as he appeared. In fact, in some moments, the true nature Jiang Rui revealed was that of a sharp, cold-edged sword.

Seeing Jiang Rui interact with Mr. Rong today, he understood another point: the tip of Jiang Rui’s sword would not point toward the person he cared about.

Take Mr. Rong, for example. Jiang Rui’s attitude toward him clearly showed tolerance and concern; his gentleness and mildness in front of him were genuine.

However, Cao Xingjian dared not compare himself to that Mr. Rong.

“Young Master Jiang must have heard about my resignation from the association… I don’t possess many other skills. I cannot compare to Young Master Jiang’s natural genius in stone gambling, but I have accumulated some experience and eyesight over the years. If Young Master Jiang doesn’t mind, I am willing to serve under your banner and offer my humble assistance. I originally signed a ten-year contract with the association, but since I have a connection with Young Master Jiang, why don’t we sign a thirty-year contract instead?” Cao Xingjian was forty-seven this year. Signing a thirty-year contract was essentially dedicating the rest of his life to Jiang Rui.

To outsiders, it seemed unbelievable that a master of Cao Xingjian’s standing would sell the rest of his life for a piece of jade. But those who understood jade knew that gold has a price, but jade is priceless. This was true for jadeite as well. A top-grade piece like the one Jiang Rui held might not appear again for fifty or even a hundred years, let alone the next thirty years.

Jade resources were constantly being depleted; they would only become rarer in the future.

The smile in Jiang Rui’s eyes deepened. His expression looked genuinely touched by Cao Xingjian. He said, “Master Cao, your love for that jade is so passionate that it moves even me, an outsider. If I were to refuse your kind offer, it would make me seem petty.”

This meant he agreed!

Cao Xingjian’s face lit up with joy. While feeling relieved, he was also grateful that Jiang Rui had not taken advantage of the situation to make an exorbitant demand.

After all, he would have agreed even if Jiang Rui had made some unreasonable request.

Jade was his lifelong passion. He was willing to pay any price for this desire.

After seeing Cao Xingjian off, it was nearly dinner time.

Jiang Rui carried the medicinal meal prepared by Uncle Cheng upstairs to find Rong Jingtang.

He had asked the gentleman to go upstairs earlier. Although he hadn’t said anything at the time, he was likely quite displeased.

Lord Rong was never easy to please. Sometimes his temper was so great that if Jiang Rui hadn’t been gentle and good-natured, willing to indulge him, and skilled at coaxing, even Uncle Cheng might not have been able to handle him.

Jiang Rui knocked on the study door.

As expected, there was no response from inside.

Jiang Rui smiled and pushed the door open directly.

Rong Jingtang was sitting at the writing desk, holding a stack of about ten design drafts. Hearing Jiang Rui enter, he completely ignored him. His entire demeanor screamed, ‘I don’t want to talk to you. Don’t speak to me.‘

“Put those down and eat something first.” Jiang Rui placed the medicinal meal next to him.

Rong Jingtang didn’t even raise his head, silently picking up the bowl and eating.

Jiang Rui leaned closer to him, chuckling. “Oh, let me see. Lord Rong’s face doesn’t look too well today. Who upset you? Tell me, Lord Rong, and I promise I’ll teach them a harsh lesson to avenge you!”

Rong Jingtang finally looked up, his eyes seeming to accuse, ‘Aren’t you the one who upset me? How can you be so shameless!‘

Seeing that he was finally willing to acknowledge him, Jiang Rui knew the anger was mostly gone. He then proceeded to say many more kind words and repeatedly promised it wouldn’t happen again. Only then did Lord Rong’s expression soften.

Jiang Rui watched him finish the medicinal meal before going downstairs to eat himself.