Yan Aohan raised an eyebrow, letting Zhu Yanyi pull and push her into the small market.
It was called a small market, but it wasn’t actually that small. There were over a hundred stalls, though many spots remained empty. "Looks like business is slow here," he observed.
"Every April, there’s a big gathering. Then, there aren’t enough stalls. But usually, many spots stay empty. Not for long, though. The economy is growing, and people will have more money to spend. Soon, many will discover this place." Yan Aohan held Zhu Yanyi’s hand, guiding her around a small hole in the ground.
Zhu Yanyi nodded as she listened, then pointed her chin at the ground. "The ground should be fixed. When the economy grows, people will want better things. If more people come, this rough road will look too ugly."
Yan Aohan chuckled softly. "That’s not my job, and not yours. Don’t worry. Someone will fix it eventually."
Just then, an excited voice rang out from nearby. "It rose! It rose! Green jade!"
"What is that?" Zhu Yanyi looked curiously ahead but couldn’t see clearly.
Yan Aohan smiled. "Let’s go take a look." She led her to a corner. Various stones lay there, their surfaces plain, some covered in moss. A crowd gathered around one spot. Yan Aohan shielded Zhu Yanyi as they moved in. A man was cutting a stone.
Zhu Yanyi realized. "Is this stone gambling?"
"You know about stone gambling?" Yan Aohan looked at her with curiosity. she didn’t recall her ever encountering this, and Fourth Town had no place for it.
Zhu Yanyi glanced at her. "I may not have eaten pork, but I’ve seen pigs walk. Why would normal people cut stones? Only if there’s a secret inside. Stones with secrets are either jade or emerald. If people chase them this much, it must be stone gambling."
Yan Aohan laughed. "So, you really are a pig."
"You’re the pig! Your whole family are pigs!" Zhu Yanyi glared at her, then burst into laughter. "Even if I’m a pig, I’m a pink pig. A beautiful pig." She smiled proudly, making Yan Aohan almost laugh out loud.
"Does anyone compare themselves like that?" Yan Aohan looked at her helplessly. "Your skin is too thick."
"I learned from you," Zhu Yanyi retorted immediately. Since Yan Aohan had thick skin, she decided she couldn’t be thin-skinned.
Yan Aohan’s eyes twinkled. "So, you learned from me. Good. Keep learning from me, and try to keep up."
"Go away. Don’t disturb me from watching the fun." Zhu Yanyi knew she couldn’t win an argument with Yan Aohan, so she ended the topic. She ignored her and focused on the cutting machine ahead.
Water sprayed as the blade cut, making a loud, harsh noise. Zhu Yanyi saw everyone staring intently at the machine. She raised an eyebrow. Stone gambling really did make people crazy.
Soon, the cut was done. A piece of green jade, slightly white and sticky-looking, was revealed.