A Divine Farmer

Chapter 23

C23 – Make a Bet

He lifted the box’s lid, revealing two stunning jade ruyi elegantly resting on the polished red velvet cloth.

“This is ice-type jade!”

“And more than that, it nearly resembles glass-type jade. It’s a high-quality variant of ice-type jade with a brilliant green hue. Young Master Xu truly spares no expense,” commented some jade enthusiasts.

“Isn’t this jade valued at hundreds of thousands?”

“Only hundreds of thousands? In the jade industry, you’d be corrected quickly. Given its size and impeccable craftsmanship, this piece could be easily valued at two to three million yuan, and that’s a modest estimate.”

Xu Shaoning expressed his desire to clarify misunderstandings and apologize to Chen Yaru. Yet, unveiling a gift worth millions underscored the gravity of the situation.

“Young Master Xu is too kind, but this gift is exceptionally lavish. I must gracefully decline,” Chen Zhaomin responded.

Giving millions as an act of remorse was no trivial matter. Surely, there was more to this than just an apology.

Two years prior, Xu Shaoning had shown interest in his daughter. However, things remained unresolved. The aftermath took a toll on Chen Yaru, distancing her even from her own father, searching in vain for explanations.

It took nearly a year for Chen Yaru to regain her jovial nature. She had recently grown fond of Zhang Xiaoloong, introduced by Lee Donghua. He saw promise in this young man, who lacked the capricious air typical of young masters like Wang Changyu. He emanated reliability, exactly what he sought in a future son-in-law.

Accepting this present would indirectly signal that he was giving Xu Shaoning and his daughter the go-ahead to renew their ties. This wasn’t the outcome Chen Zhaomin hoped for.

“No, Uncle Chen must take it,” Xu Shaoning declared seriously. “Whether it stemmed from a misunderstanding or not, if he takes this gift, it’s an indication that Yaru has put my previous errors behind her, allowing my conscience to be at peace. Moreover, our families might collaborate extensively in times to come. I trust Uncle Chen wouldn’t wish for a rift between our households over such a trivial issue, would he?”

A subtle change crossed Chen Zhaomin’s face. Though the statement sounded benign, it carried an underlying menace. It suggested that a refusal would surely sow discord between the families.

“Zhang Xiaoloong, is that Mr. Zhang?” Xu Shaoning asked, turning with a warm grin. “My fondness for Yaru was profound then, and it remains so. If Yaru accepts this token, it signifies that bygones are bygones. Then I hope we can be on an even footing in our pursuits.”

“And if we decline?” Chen Yaru asked, her apprehension replaced by strong repulsion.

“Yaru, resisting the gift only showcases an inability to leave our history behind,” Xu Shaoning responded with a graceful smile. “I’m confident that once I clarify any misconceptions, a window of opportunity will open for us.”

“That’s baseless talk,” Chen Yaru hurriedly clarified to Zhang Xiaoloong. “I’ve never had any liaison with him. There’s no ‘past’ to speak of.”

Xu Shaoning seemed unperturbed, casting a challenging gaze at Zhang Xiaoloong. “I vow to play fair, using only genuine efforts to win Yaru’s heart. Ultimately, it’s her choice whom she aligns with. Are you brave enough to take on this contest?”

Lee Donghua, fully grasping the implications of Xu Shaoning’s gesture, chose to remain an observer. It appeared, after all, to be a romantic conflict among the trio.

Yet, in his view, Zhang Xiaoloong wasn’t someone to act recklessly. He believed there would be a tactful approach to this situation, so he merely observed.

All eyes momentarily settled on Zhang Xiaoloong, anticipating his decision.

“Disregard the competition. I’ve never seen Yaru as a mere prize to be won by the highest bidder. Emotions aren’t any different. When she loves you, you are her world. But if her feelings wane… The wisest course is to step out of her life.” Zhang Xiaoloong deftly sidestepped the provocation from the other side.

Lee Donghua and Chen Zhaomin subtly acknowledged with approval. True to their expectations, he responded gracefully, subtly indicating that if Yaru’s feelings have changed, it’s best to move on with dignity.

To himself, Zhang Xiaoloong felt relieved that those romance novels he had read in his free time came in handy. Without them, he might have been at a loss for words!

“So,” Xu Shaoning said with an unchanging smile, seemingly having foreseen all events. “You’re not allowing Yaru to accept this gift? Uncle Chen seemed to think likewise.”

Chen Zhaomin was deep in thought when Zhang Xiaoloong interjected, “No, I believe Yaru isn’t that superficial. Hence, I’ll accept this gift for her.”

Lee Donghua was taken aback. At first, he wondered if he had misunderstood, but seeing Zhang Xiaoloong with the jade made him realize the youth had been outmaneuvered by Xu Shaoning’s strategy.

Had Chen Yaru declined the gift, there might have been a slight rift between the Chen and Xu families. However, given the business dealings between them, it probably wouldn’t lead to any significant fallout.

Yet now, Zhang Xiaoloong’s gracious gesture had paved the way for Xu Shaoning. With just an inch of leeway, someone of his caliber would have countless methods to persuade Chen Yaru to reconsider her decisions.

What did he imply by ‘not resorting to any tactics’? Those promises, based on the genuine intentions of both, were mere sweet nothings. Only someone as naive as Zhang Xiaoloong would fall for it.

“Zhang Xiaoloong, you…” Chen Yaru was also shocked.

Even though Chen Yaru held a deep affection for Zhang Xiaoloong, she believed he had primarily acted as a reliable protector for her without genuinely reciprocating her feelings. But his current actions went beyond just protecting her. She was torn between feeling pleased or conflicted.

“It’s merely a work of art. It might not be pricey, but it’s a gesture of gratitude from Young Master Xu. Yaru, accept it. Consider it a farewell to Young Master Xu,” Zhang Xiaoloong suggested.

The word “end” made Xu Shaoning silently grit his teeth in frustration.

Yet, having accepted the gift, Chen Yaru was inevitably going to be tied to him.

Chen Yaru was in a dilemma. She realized that Zhang Xiaoloong underestimated the value of the gift, assuming it would simplify matters for her if she accepted it. However, the item wasn’t just of great worth, it was invaluable. What was her next step?

Being honest and attempting to return the gift would possibly offend both Xu Shaoning and Zhang Xiaoloong. While offending Xu Shaoning was one thing, Chen Yaru especially didn’t want to dent Zhang Xiaoloong’s pride.

“You’re saying this artwork is insignificant?” Wang Changyu seized the moment to show his allegiance and remarked with a dramatic tone, “Its price tag would astonish you. It’s at least three million RMB, and that’s not some shady currency.”

“I maintain it’s an insignificant piece,” responded Zhang Xiaoloong with a serene grin. “Doubt me? Let’s make a bet.”