Chapter 7: You Have to Indulge Me

Ava looked at him with some surprise. She knew that Julius had now gained a certain foundation in jade carving, but she didn't expect his analysis of the value of slab material to be so precise.

But then again, it made sense. With Basil Palmer taking him to scavenge for materials, it was only natural for him to learn by absorbing everything around him.

She smiled sweetly, "Mm-hmm, I'll listen to you."

Julius's lips curled slightly, was this trust-filled gaze admiration? It must be, right?

He took photos of the two slab materials that had already been cut and sent them to a few friends, "When we go to talk later, just follow me. I won't let you suffer losses."

Ava glanced at Basil Palmer by the other machine and whispered, "Aren't you out working with your teacher? Won't this affect your work? What if your pay gets docked?"

"Today, I'm out with my teacher to shop for materials. We've bought everything we needed, and he came here to gamble on stones just for fun. It won't be affected."

As jade carvers, they like to go to rough material markets to scavenge for unique materials, so it's common for them to wander around the market.

Julius has his own style and insights in the thematic design of jade carvings, often providing Basil Palmer with some inspiration, so Basil Palmer always likes to bring him along to scavenge materials.

As for gambling on stones, it's merely a personal interest of Basil Palmer. Julius often observes from the side and manages to learn quite a bit.

After all, no matter how good book knowledge is, real understanding comes from practice.

"Good that it won't affect your work."

Ava knew about his family's financial difficulties. Julius didn't earn much as an apprentice and got only a small subsidy each month, having to rely on his skills to sell some things to keep the household running.

If she were the reason his subsidy got docked, she'd feel very guilty.

Just then, the third cut was finished, and Ava held the remaining two slab materials. Initially, she thought these slabs could make at most three bracelets, but unexpectedly, there were four bracelet positions.

The third slab was exceptionally good, with just a big crack along the edge and no other flaws.

After two rounds of excitement, Julius remained more composed this time, "This slab is also quite nice, and its value is even higher than the second slab."

He took out his phone, snapping a few pictures from different angles and sent them to his friends.

Seeing a reply, he lowered his head to type.

Ava watched his focused and earnest demeanor, her heart pounding.

Julius working seriously was even more charming than his usual cheerful self; he exuded a more mature and stable aura.

"Barnett is quite interested in your material and said she wants to see it in person..."

Julius suddenly lifted his head, his gaze colliding with Ava's, causing a jolt in his heart and making his ears warm, "Wh...why are you looking at me like that?"

Ava smiled with her eyes curved, her gaze clean and pure, utterly innocent, "No, I was just thinking... you won't report me when you go back, will you?"

"Realizing the fear now, aren't you?" Julius chuckled, "Even though you're afraid Mrs. Von might scold you, you still dared to come gamble on stones?"

Ava puffed her cheeks, "Well... I was just curious, who knew I'd bump into you."

"Oh, so now you're blaming me?"

"No, no, not at all." Ava shook his sleeve, mimicking a childish manner, sweetly chanting, "Julius, you'd never bear to see me get chased by my mom wielding a broom, right?"

Julius: "..."

I didn't want to get on this pirate ship, but she is being cute to me.

He said with a conflicted expression, "But the gambling stone industry has too many uncertainties. I can't let you keep sinking deeper into it. Today you won, but what if someday you lose everything? Indulging you wouldn't be responsible."

It's either getting rich overnight or losing everything, all within a split-second decision.

Such occurrences are already commonplace in this circle.

In Bright City, known as the city of jade, it's a daily scene.

"No, you have to indulge me." Ava looked at him earnestly.

Julius: "???"

"You got on my pirate ship, and there's no getting off now."

Ava swiftly packed up all four slabs, looking eagerly at him, "Tell me, don't you want to be wealthy overnight?

Don't you want to give your mom the best life?

Don't you want to make money to marry a wife?"

Julius: "...You're trying to tempt me, but I won't listen to you."

Having heard those selling phrases, he felt Ava was like someone peddling fake medicine.

"Are you still going to take me to sell the slabs or not?"

"I will!"

Julius spoke without hesitation. Since they were already cut, what if she accidentally damaged them?

Julius took the bag she was holding, cradling it carefully, before speaking with Basil Palmer and then heading out with Ava.

"Are you really leaving your boss and teacher behind just to leave with me, is that okay?" Ava was still worried his pay might get docked.

"I told him we'd also see if Barnett had any suitable materials, and if so, we'd bring them back together."

Ava: "...That's an option?"

"Why not let my teacher take this slab directly?"

"My teacher not only has sharp eyesight but also a sharp tongue when bargaining. I'm afraid he might make you cry."

Julius leaned close to her ear, "He once spent over a month haggling with a store owner over a piece of material, and now the store owner is afraid to spot him at their booth."

"..." Ava clicked her tongue twice, "Is it really okay for you to talk about your teacher like this?"

Julius awkwardly coughed lightly, naturally touching his high nose, "I'm just worried he'd lower your price too much, uncaring little one."

Since Julius had arrived in Basil Palmer's car, he hadn't brought a bike, so they had to take a taxi to Barnett's shop.

Barnett was a mature woman in her thirties, with long curly hair and a full figure that was alluring. Her appearance was gentle, seeming approachable.

Seeing them come in, she immediately greeted them with a smile, "Little Goodman is here, this must be the friend you mentioned? Didn't expect her to look so young, is she even of age yet?"

Calling her young was an exaggeration. Ava's obedient girl attire, coupled with her delicate and youthful face, made her look really juvenile, thus making Barnett wonder if she hadn't reached adulthood.

Ava smiled, "Barnett, I'm nineteen this year."

"Yes, she's an adult," Julius added. No one noticed the fleeting mischievous smile in his eyes as he glanced at Ava.

"What a fresh and lovely young lady, like a flower."

Barnett joked before getting down to business, "I heard from Little Goodman that you've got a few freshly cut polished materials, right? The pictures look good, just unsure whether this kid has beautified them."

Julius, while taking out the slabs and putting them on the table, said resignedly, "What use is there in beautifying pictures? Can Barnett's discerning eyes not see the quality?"