Chapter 17: The Original Trio, Formed

4.5 million, after repaying Shen Sining 300,000, and deducting 58,000 for the cost of purchasing raw jade stones, that left about 60,000 in profit.

Overnight, Jiang Cheng and Qin Xiaoshu made a staggering 4.14 million.

Making 4.14 million in a single night—such a feat is beyond the reach of many internet celebrities, let alone the influential figures in society.

Who would have thought that a high school graduate working as a driver could achieve such sudden wealth through jade gambling?

The phrase "overnight fortune" truly fits Jiang Cheng perfectly.

Of course, Jiang Cheng had no idea that shortly after he left, Murong Xue suddenly fainted.

He and Qin Xiaoshu quickly hailed a car and headed straight to the used car market, spending 30,000 to drive off in a pickup truck.

Though they had made a fortune, Jiang Cheng had no intention of squandering the money; he planned to use it as initial capital to invest in raw jade stones.

Hence, he only bought a secondhand pickup for transportation.

Pickup trucks are sturdy and durable!

The two picked up Gu Zhixia and headed straight to a barbecue stall behind the First People's Hospital.

After making such a big profit, they were overjoyed and insisted on celebrating with a barbecue feast.

In front of the stall, Jiang Cheng ordered a table full of skewers and beer, ready to have a great time.

Gu Zhixia stared blankly at the bank transfer notifications on Jiang Cheng and Qin Xiaoshu's phones, dumbfounded for a long moment.

Jiang Cheng chuckled, “Zhixia, remember, you promised before that you’d come help me from now on!”

Gu Zhixia swallowed nervously and timidly said, “Jiang Cheng, it’s only been a few hours, and you and Xiaoshu have already made 4.2 million? You—you two haven’t done anything illegal, have you?”

Qin Xiaoshu burst out laughing at Gu Zhixia’s shocked expression.

Taking a bite of a kidney skewer, he put on a swaggering tone: “Zhixia, your family runs a factory, right? This sum shouldn’t be a big deal.”

Seeing Gu Zhixia’s expression suddenly turn somber, Qin Xiaoshu realized he had misspoken.

Quickly apologizing, “Well, Zhixia, I didn’t mean it like that. I was just—”

Gu Zhixia bit her red lip and forced a smile, “It’s fine, Xiaoshu.”

Jiang Cheng patted Gu Zhixia’s shoulder reassuringly, “Zhixia, Xiaoshu’s just like that—no filter. Don’t take it to heart!”

Gu Zhixia nodded but still looked at Jiang Cheng with concern, “Jiang Cheng, you really haven’t crossed any lines, right?”

Jiang Cheng almost laughed, “Zhixia, rest assured. This money came from honest means. Have you ever heard of jade gambling?”

The moment Gu Zhixia heard the word "gambling," her expression froze.

She didn’t actually know what jade gambling entailed; she only caught the word “gamble,” which immediately made her think of gambling.

Her father had been deceived by a friend and went to Australia, losing everything to gambling. He eventually committed suicide by jumping off a building. All their assets were auctioned off by the court, but even so, they still owed over two million in high-interest loans.

Debt collectors constantly harassed her and her mother, threatening and intimidating them, causing them to live in constant fear.

Because of her father’s credit issues, she lost her job and couldn’t find any decent work.

Everything—all of it—stemmed from that one word: gamble.

But Jiang Cheng, for her sake, dared to dabble in jade gambling, and she was truly worried he would end up on the same doomed path as her father.

No matter what the gamble, there’s no such thing as winning continuously.

Thinking of this, tears welled up in Gu Zhixia’s eyes.

She gripped Jiang Cheng’s hand tightly, her voice trembling: “Jiang Cheng, please, promise me you won’t gamble again. I know you want to help me, but I can’t let you ruin yourself because of me!”

Qin Xiaoshu seemed moved by Gu Zhixia’s emotion, and the joy of their big win faded from his face.

Indeed! Though jade gambling isn’t strictly gambling, how different is it really?

Who can guarantee that the raw stone they cut will reveal valuable jade?

Jiang Cheng looked at their worried faces and smiled faintly.

He naturally understood their concerns.

But for others, jade gambling is a game of chance. To him, it was no longer a game of luck; it was no different from finding hidden treasures.

After a moment of thought, he said, “Xiaoshu, Zhixia, jade gambling isn’t gambling. In fact, it’s a probabilistic investment made by jade merchants.”

“Jade investment?” Gu Zhixia and Qin Xiaoshu exchanged confused glances.

Jiang Cheng explained seriously, “Exactly. It’s a probabilistic investment in jade. Usually, a raw stone costs from tens of thousands to millions, even tens or hundreds of millions.

The cost of investing in raw stones is huge. For those with no money, it really looks like gambling. But for those with substantial assets, it’s a probabilistic investment.”

Though Gu Zhixia didn’t understand jade gambling, as a graduate of the Kyoto University of Finance’s Finance Department, she understood Jiang Cheng’s explanation.

Qin Xiaoshu frowned, “Chengzi, I get it. Jade gambling is basically buying a raw jade stone and cutting it open. If you find quality jade inside, the stone’s value skyrockets, and you make the difference. But you can’t see through the stone. How can you be sure the one you invest in will increase in value? Even if it’s an investment, the success rate is only 50%, right?”

Gu Zhixia fell silent, pondering.

Jiang Cheng smiled slightly and continued, “For novices, jade gambling is indeed a game of luck with about a 50% success rate. But what if you could raise that rate? To 70%, 80%, even 90%?”

Qin Xiaoshu shook his head vigorously.

He simply wouldn’t believe it.

Gu Zhixia, however, nodded, “I understand now. If you cut a random stone, the success rate is 50%, so it’s gambling. But if, like Jiang Cheng says, there’s a way to increase that probability, then it can truly be called an investment.”

Jiang Cheng nodded in satisfaction. Gu Zhixia was indeed a top student at Kyoto University of Finance—she grasped things quickly.

Qin Xiaoshu asked curiously, “Chengzi, you mean you have a way to increase that success rate?”

Jiang Cheng nodded slightly but didn’t answer directly.

“Xiaoshu, here’s the thing: if a raw stone has a 50% chance of yielding good jade when cut, what if that stone came from a mine known for a high yield?”

Gu Zhixia said, “That should increase the chance by about ten percent.”

Jiang Cheng didn’t answer but continued, “What if I paid an expert who knows raw stones inside and out to pick a stone from that mine?”

Gu Zhixia added, “That would raise the odds by another ten percent!”

Qin Xiaoshu thought for a moment and asked, “But Chengzi, even if the success rate goes up, how can you be sure the expert’s chosen stone from that mine will definitely yield high value? Isn’t that still gambling?”

Jiang Cheng smiled, “What if I hire a hundred experts to swallow up all the good stones from that mine?”

A gleam instantly appeared in Gu Zhixia’s eyes, and Qin Xiaoshu gasped.

If one stone wasn’t enough, then countless stones would be.

Gu Zhixia smiled, “Jiang Cheng, I get it now! As long as you have enough capital and hire enough professionals to eliminate all uncertainties, then it’s no longer gambling. It becomes an investment with nearly a 90% success rate!”

Jiang Cheng felt helpless inside. He wanted to say their success rate was basically 100% because his eyes could see through the true value of raw jade stones.

Otherwise, did they really think he was just lucky? Randomly picking a stone and immediately hitting the jackpot? Cutting a perfect icy red jade on his first try?

Ridiculous!

But Jiang Cheng wouldn’t reveal this ability—it was so absurd even he found it hard to believe.

So, he could only explain it to Gu Zhixia and Qin Xiaoshu this way.

Seeing the two no longer pressing him, Jiang Cheng solemnly said, “Zhixia, Xiaoshu, our capital is still small. So I’ve decided to start accumulating our initial funds through jade gambling. But I have to warn you, the risk is huge, and our success rate is still low. I don’t know if you’re willing to help me?”

Gu Zhixia smiled like a gentle spring breeze, “Boss, every investment carries risk. My job is to do everything possible to reduce that risk for you!”

Jiang Cheng was a little stunned; he hadn’t expected Gu Zhixia to call him “boss” so directly!

The meaning was clear: she agreed.

Qin Xiaoshu shook his head with a smile, “What can I say? Chengzi, you’re my brother. Just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it!”

The three of them laughed heartily.

Thus, the original trio was officially formed!