Trafford's Trading Club

646: Chapter 59: Cold as Ice 646: Chapter 59: Cold as Ice This is the earliest day Zhu Maolin has returned home recently.

It’s just after dusk, not yet seven o’clock in the evening.

No slippers placed at the door, no food prepared long ago but already cold on the table, just one thing remains unchanged, which is the quietness in the house.

Hou Chen Yuhuan is not home.

Zhu Maolin didn’t even know she wasn’t home at this time.

Perhaps he could have checked before coming back, but he didn’t know why he didn’t do so.

He attempted to pick up his phone, several times… but each time he couldn’t think of anything to say.

Shortly after, Zhu Maolin brought out a bowl of noodles from the kitchen, turned on the TV, and watched while eating, but he wasn’t aware of the taste of the noodles, what was playing on the TV, or what the dialogue was saying.

Because it was really quiet here.

Zhu Maolin liked a quiet working environment, hence his office was very quiet too.

Yet, the two kinds of quiet felt drastically different.

Should he continue working in the study later?

Zhu Maolin suddenly had this thought… but first, he decided to finish his noodles.

In the living room, there was just one warm-colored recessed light lit to embellish the chilliness in the house.

Halfway through eating, his wife Hou Chen Yuhuan opened the door and came in, holding a bag… it was a bag from the convenience store downstairs, and the contents should be food.

Hou Chen Yuhuan probably hadn’t thought that at this moment, upon opening the door, she would see the person she had shared a bed with for several years.

Originally expressionless, she stood at the doorway, somewhat at a loss.

Zhu Maolin looked at his wife and said, “Today’s work went smoothly, so I came back early.”

Hou Chen Yuhuan nodded stiffly.

Zhu Maolin hurriedly stood up at this point, his hands awkwardly rubbing on the waist of his clothes for several moments, before quickly picking up the bowl from the table.

But what was he trying to do by picking this up?

Zhu Maolin couldn’t fathom why he did this… he looked at Hou Chen Yuhuan, this person beside him, and eventually spoke, “Um… I just made this because I didn’t know when you’d be back… I’ll make another serving for you now.”

He quickly set the bowl down, as if finding a lifesaving straw, finding something he could do. “It’s okay, it’s okay, I bought food,”

Hou Chen Yuhuan quickly said, and pulled out a food box from the bag—as if to prove something she said, “Uh… is that enough for you, I don’t eat much, I can share some with you?” “It’s enough, it’s enough.” Zhu Maolin quickly shook his head, “Actually, I’m almost full.

I… I’ll go to the study, there’s a plan I haven’t completed yet.”

Hou Chen Yuhuan nodded, “Then I’ll eat something first.”

Zhu Maolin, head bowed, quickly walked into the study.

Meanwhile, Hou Chen Yuhuan silently sat at the dining table and opened the food box.

Actually, she didn’t know what the taste of the contents was either—not long after, the sound of music came from the study, and Hou Chen Yuhuan found her earphones, inserting them into her phone, and plugged them into her ears.

The light was still that one warm-colored recessed light, no one had turned on another.

Gradually, night deepened.

When turning back, it was already past one o’clock at night… Zhu Maolin looked at the time, exhaled and turned off the computer.

Those dedicated to work often ignore the passage of time… this is Zhu Maolin’s way to forcefully pass the time most effectively.

He also took a shower, returned to the room, to find his wife Hou Chen Yuhuan already asleep… the nerves he was unwilling to admit were tense, now quietly relaxed.

He lay down silently. “The doctor told me to take care, before doing it again.

But I was thinking… should we try another hospital.”

The light… it was the dim light from the bedside lamp on Hou Chen Yuhuan’s side. “You haven’t slept yet?” Zhu Maolin was startled, then instinctively asked, “Are you… planning to switch?” “I don’t know.” “How about trying another one then?” “Okay.” “Then… goodnight.” “Goodnight.”

Hou Chen Yuhuan reached out and turned off the lamp. … …

Two days have passed, and in the evening, Professor Cui Fo, under the guise of relaxation, left from Wang Yuechuan’s place once again, heading directly to Liu Zixing’s home.

Funds Professor Cui Fo could prepare had been completely in place over these two days—this wasn’t about sparing no cost, but having come to recognize the otherworldly, superordinary power in existence, he made this judgment.

Compared to the miraculous magic, compared to The Book of the Dead, compared to what it describes in the Soul Chapter, worldly wealth has long become worthless in Professor Cui Fo’s eyes.

When Professor Cui Fo arrived, Liu Zixing welcomed him with considerable politeness into the interior.

Professor Cui Fo habitually examined Liu Zixing’s mansion.

The Liu family started in the jewelry business, so owning such a luxurious mansion, Professor Cui Fo wasn’t surprised.

Just his impression was, most of the wealthy in this country, no matter how they might seem low-key outside, their homes always hide traits of showcasing their financial power.

They seem to believe in the principle of discreet luxury, yet Professor Cui Fo felt the Liu family’s mansion was quite empty—for example at the door position, while apparently cleaned thoroughly, still left a faint circular mark.

There should’ve been a vase or something placed there… Professor Cui Fo even thought that the vase might have been quite valuable.

Why is that?

Professor Cui Fo found similar discoveries in many places in the living room.

For instance, outright visible in a cabinet was a cabbage ornament, Professor Cui Fo knew well this wasn’t a jade cabbage carved from stone, but an extremely cheap and low-grade plastic product.

Liu Zixing’s English is quite good; it seems to be because he was sent overseas for several years of schooling after high school. “Professor Cui Fo, did you come alone?” Liu Zixing warmly invited Professor Cui Fo to sit down, then turned to instruct his wife: “Go brew some tea.”

Professor Cui Fo cut straight to the point: “No need, I’m not thirsty.

Besides, I’d like to see the goods.”

Liu Zixing froze for a moment, then laughed happily: “Professor Cui Fo is truly a straightforward person…

No problem, follow me this way.”

Liu Zixing led Professor Cui Fo upstairs to the study.

He paused outside the door and went in alone, closing the door behind him.

At the location of a hanging painting on the wall of the study, Liu Zixing opened the safe of this house — now, he could open this safe freely.

Because everything here had already become his possessions, and it was completely legal… all thanks to that mysterious merchant who allowed him to have all of this at such a young age.

When the safe was opened, it simultaneously triggered the lighting system inside.

And now nestled within one of the layers of the cabinet, there lay a delicate box.

Inside it was the item for this transaction — a black diamond.

For some reason, every time he saw this black diamond, Liu Zixing felt a deep-rooted fear…

In his impressions, his father’s personality seemed to change after acquiring this black diamond.

He even subconsciously attributed some experiences he’d rather not mention in this mansion to this black diamond.

Liu Zixing even classified it as an ominous item — even though each time it seemed to attract him.

Yet disgust suppressed the allure of the black diamond… so he planned to sell it quickly — it was essentially out of necessity.

Because he had amassed too many gambling debts outside — since Liu Ang died, he legally inherited the Liu family’s wealth at the cost of familial ties, Liu Zixing underwent a period of painful reflection.

But he found that even though he had sacrificed his familial ties, nothing seemed to change — his wife remained the same as before, and his mother’s attitude towards him didn’t change one bit.

Furthermore, as the sole remaining male in the Liu family, his status at home skyrocketed to the peak.

A slightly giddy Liu Zixing reverted back to his old ways… he couldn’t resist temptation and gambled again. “I need to quit gambling.”

Liu Zixing, with hands weighed down, took the box out of the safe, then returned everything to its original state, finally opening the door to allow Professor Cui Fo into the study. “Oh… is this the black diamond?”

Professor Cui Fo looked at the box Liu Zixing opened with both hands, bent over, almost leaning forward, he even wanted to reach in and take it out for closer inspection.

Unexpectedly, Liu Zixing suddenly closed the box, “Professor Cui Fo, you said you had a price that would satisfy me, right?” “Mr.

Liu, please believe I came here with sincerity.”

Liu Zixing said amusedly: “I wonder what amount the professor considers sincerity?”

Professor Cui Fo replied calmly: “I don’t care for the roundabout ways of your countrymen.

I prepared forty million… of course, in your country’s currency.

And if you prefer, you can exchange it into another nation’s money; it’s up to you.” “Only forty million?” Liu Zixing shook his head, “Professor, sorry, but forty million is too little.

Do you know how heavy this black diamond actually is?

When my father bought it, the price was far above this.

So I apologize, but I won’t sell it.”

Professor Cui Fo calmly stated: “Mr.

Liu, I think there are some things we need to clearly articulate between us.”

With a low offer, Liu Zixing had no intention of wasting time with this foreign old fox; he shook his head directly: “There’s nothing to explain, your offer isn’t enough, it’s simple as that.”

Professor Cui Fo said steadily: “Diamonds, especially rough stones, their price isn’t as high as most people think.

Diamonds can only command a price because they’re attributed with so many intangibles after polishing.

But Mr.

Liu, as a jeweler, wouldn’t you know the pricing in the diamond market?

Indeed, this black diamond is large, bigger than quite a few gems treasured worldwide…

But Mr.

Liu, you must understand, those cherished diamonds are priceless because history has bestowed them with other values.

For example, a crown gifted by a king to an empress, the gems embedded in it have legendary significance…

So, Mr.

Liu, what additional value does your black diamond have?”

Of course, Liu Zixing knew these things, although not cut out for business, he was forced to work at the company by his father, and through constant exposure, he had these commonsense understandings. “Professor Cui Fo, since you can’t give me a price that satisfies me, I won’t disclose any information to you.” Liu Zixing shook his head again.

Professor Cui Fo smiled slowly: “Then, may I ask Mr.

Liu if you can provide certification for this diamond?

If you can provide certification, I’m willing to add a figure that satisfies you.” “Are you sure?” Liu Zixing seemed intrigued. “Certainly.” “How much can you give?” “How about fivefold?” Professor Cui Fo said calmly.

Liu Zixing’s heart skipped a beat, fivefold of forty million, that is…

He looked at the elderly professor in front of him, almost wanting to agree on the spot. “Fine, I can have the certificate for you in two days.” Liu Zixing nodded: “Two days later, bring the money to my company, and we’ll transact face-to-face.” “No, no, no, Mr.

Liu, I think you misunderstood my meaning.” Professor Cui Fo said calmly: “What I mean is, to do the certification, both you and I must be present, and we need to invite official appraisers… how about we each find one person?” “This…” Liu Zixing was furious, “Professor Cui Fo, what do you mean?

Do you think I would commit fraud?

In that case, let’s not discuss this deal!

Besides you, I have plenty more buyers willing to pay the price!” “Really?” Professor Cui Fo sneered: “I’m afraid it’s not like that, is it?

Mr.

Liu, I think there aren’t many, rather, besides me, I’m afraid you have none, because your black diamond can’t provide any certification… because it’s not a genuine diamond.” “What a joke!” Liu Zixing sneered: “Do you know how much my father spent to buy it?” “Then how about we go have it appraised now?” Professor Cui Fo smiled: “If it’s real, the price will satisfy you.

If it’s not, then I’m sorry…

I won’t buy it.”

Liu Zixing looked at Professor Cui Fo, then lowered his gaze at the box on the table, his eyes wavering.

What the professor said… was true.

Because he had considered this early on, had already found company appraisers, and had conducted tests… it was no diamond, just crystal, a different element entirely!

There was no carbon typical of diamonds!

The appraiser even said… this might only cost a couple of hundred bucks from the crystal market. “At least fifty million, won’t settle for less.” Liu Zixing suddenly stared at Professor Cui Fo.

Professor Cui Fo shook his head: “Sorry, Mr.

Liu, I see you’re not sincere.

This deal shouldn’t continue…

So, goodbye, I’ve another appointment.”

Watching Professor Cui Fo resolutely leave, Liu Zixing panicked, “Wait, forty million!

Professor, just as you initially said!

The black diamond will be yours upon purchase!”

But Professor Cui Fo did not stop.