Chapter Forty-Five: The Mother of Rubies

After Wu You made his post, he didn’t bother to follow up. He’d previously read about similar projects for Insect Nest Houses, and everyone said designing such a thing would take at least half a month, so he planned to check back later. But what Wu You didn’t realize was that half a month referred to normal working efficiency. Honestly, during the first design phase, it’s rare for designers to work diligently every single day; if they’re focused for ten out of fifteen days, that’s impressive. The rest of the time, they’re resting, chatting with colleagues, or discussing other projects.

With the current online enthusiasm, however, in just over a week, many design proposals had already been completed and were still increasing.

So what was Wu You up to now? For the past while, a group of jumpy seismic monitoring personnel from the Earthquake Bureau had been coming and going around the XS area, measuring this and that, even climbing Shiniu Mountain. Wu You felt a bit worried. Yet, the mountain forest’s ability to produce a mist proved formidable—nothing was discovered. At most, the Earthquake Bureau people marveled at the unique vine wall. Naturally, they found no signs of earthquakes or crustal movement, which gave them some relief.

Once that was over, Wu You was now on his way to Ailao Mountain in Yunnan. The previous day, Xiang Biao had called him: someone in Yunnan had discovered a large rough ruby of exceptional quality, hailed by the Yunnan Gem Association as the “Mother of Rubies.” This piece weighed 32.5 carats, surpassing the previous world record holder, the 23.1-carat Carmen ruby. It was the finest rough ruby discovered to date.

Wu You couldn’t sit still after receiving the call. His alchemy energy had been running low lately, with less than thirty points left. Whether other rubies qualified as high-grade still needed verification, but the Mother of Rubies would certainly suffice. Although its sensation wasn’t as great as the Night Pearl back then, it was still a rare gem and had attracted many gemstone merchants.

He had to get there before someone else bought it. If he waited until it was in another buyer’s hands, it would be much harder to acquire.

Wu You’s flight landed at Kun City Airport. At the arrival gate, Xiang Biao and Wang Dong were already waiting, while Hua Zai, who often joined them, was busy each day with several recruited workers transporting and receiving seedlings at Shiniu Mountain.

From afar, Wu You spotted Xiang Biao waving a sign. Slinging his backpack over one shoulder, he walked toward them.

...

Wang Hui had just received his half-year bonus. His girlfriend had been pestering him to travel, so he finally bit the bullet and came to Yunnan. They chose a free-and-easy tour group, which only covered round-trip flights and hotel stays—everything else was up to them. This allowed them to enjoy flight and hotel at a reasonable price and avoid being fleeced by guides.

In recent years, incidents of cheap tour guides cheating guests had become frequent, and Wang Hui was unwilling to pay for the expensive packages.

First class passengers typically board a separate shuttle and arrive at arrivals ahead of economy class. Wang Hui and Wan Qianqian got off their shuttle and, eager to collect their checked luggage, quickened their pace, gradually catching up to the first class passengers ahead.

Wang Hui noticed a familiar silhouette in front and hurried with Wan Qianqian to catch up. Sure enough, it was an old acquaintance—Wu You, his high school classmate who used to sit behind him. He remembered Wu You always doodling sketches and comics in class, using Wang Hui as his shield.

“Hey, Wu You!”

Wu You stretched as he walked ahead, glanced at his watch—it was about lunchtime. He considered taking Xiang Biao and the others for some local specialties when he heard someone call his name from behind. Turning, he saw his old classmate.

“Ha, Wang Hui! It’s you, what a coincidence. Is this your girlfriend?” Wu You was genuinely pleased to encounter Wang Hui in a distant place.

“Yes, my girlfriend, Wan Qianqian. Isn’t she pretty? Hey, are you here in Yunnan for vacation too?”

Wan Qianqian smiled politely at Wu You, and he waved in return before answering Wang Hui.

“No, I’m here for a bit of business.”

“Right, I forgot your family’s loaded. In high school, you always had spending money.”

“What loaded? Didn’t you all laugh that my dad was just a livestock farmer, a full-time peasant?”

Wang Hui reminisced, “Yeah, we were so naive back then.”

Wu You sighed, “Those innocent days are gone. Come, let’s have lunch together—my treat.”

Wang Hui grinned, “It better be fancy. Haven’t seen you in years; I’m going to milk this fat sheep!”

...

Wan Qianqian kept quiet, her attention drawn to Wu You’s watch since the moment they met. She was secretly searching online, and when she found the result, she covered her mouth in shock. According to her search, Wu You was wearing a Patek Philippe sapphire-faced gold-steel mechanical watch, worth over three hundred thousand yuan. Wang Hui’s annual salary plus bonus was only eighty thousand, and she herself was a three-thousand-a-month spendthrift, always asking Wang Hui for money. Wu You’s watch alone could cover years of their expenses.

...

The three chatted as they walked, soon reaching the crowded arrival gate. Xiang Biao and Wang Dong stood out for their tall, imposing figures. Xiang Biao sported a meticulously styled elite haircut, while Wang Dong wore a short buzz cut.

Four recently recruited employees from Wild Beast Manor Biotech Company stood straight and proud. As fresh graduates, landing a job with great benefits was no small feat. Especially since the company’s duties were simple: seeking out distinctive flora and fauna. The hours away from home were long, but the work was easy.

The official explanation was that the Shiniu Mountain ecological preservation project required these special organisms, and anything illegal could be skipped.

The ruby acquisition mission was just a temporary gig, but as they joked, they were bricks of the company—moved wherever needed.

All six wore matching uniforms, drawing plenty of attention at the arrival gate. Wang Dong’s short-sleeved shirt revealed a green tattoo, clearing a small space around them as people kept their distance.

Seeing Wu You approach with laughter and conversation, Xiang Biao quickly stepped forward to take his backpack, and the other five followed.

“Mr. Wu, our guys are already at Ailao Mountain. No one will buy the ruby before you arrive.”

“Excellent.” Wu You was fully satisfied with Xiang Biao’s efficiency, but after so many years in the underworld, Xiang Biao’s habits were hard to break. For example, he insisted on calling everyone “brother,” though as Wild Beast Manor Biotech employees, they ought to be addressed as colleagues.

Wu You didn’t really need to come in person, but the company was still young, and Xiang Biao and Wang Dong weren’t suited for business negotiations. Trustworthy high-level managers aren’t easy to find.

Xiang Biao glanced at the two people beside Wu You.

“Mr. Wu, who are these two?”

Wang Hui and Wan Qianqian felt a bit awkward facing such a scene.

Wu You paused his thoughts to introduce them, “This is Wang Hui, a good friend of mine, and his girlfriend, Wan Qianqian.”

He turned to Wang Hui and Wan Qianqian, “These are my company’s employees. They look fierce, but they’re decent people.”

Upon hearing Wu You’s friends, Wang Dong and the other company staff immediately moved forward to help them with their bags.

Wang Hui hurriedly declined. “No need, no need, we’ll carry them ourselves. By the way, Wu You, we still have a large piece of luggage to collect at baggage claim, so we’ll head over first.”

Wu You didn’t mind, “Go ahead, I’ll wait for you at the parking lot. We’ll have lunch soon.”

Wang Hui was about to refuse, but Wan Qianqian pinched him hard on the arm.

He replied, a bit embarrassed, “A-all right, then.”

Wan Qianqian knew her boyfriend too well—seven parts fondness, three parts worry about his character.