Chapter 8: Finally, I Can Go Home

“One million?”

Zhao Chen stared blankly at the old gentleman, thinking to himself that such an honest elderly person was truly rare.

However, Tang Yan discontentedly interrupted, “Grandpa, why are you giving him so much money? He already said he would exchange the jade roughs with me for a car. Besides, he escaped from Sister Wenmin. I’ve already been more than generous by not sending him back.”

"How can you speak like that, girl? We are all Chinese and should help each other," Song Chengyuan admonished sternly. “I’ve told you many times—business must be conducted with integrity and honesty. Avoid deceit and fraud. One must not earn money unethically. You…”

Before he could finish, Tang Yan impatiently cut him off. “Alright, alright, I’ll give him the money. You’re so nagging.”

Then, she cast a cold glance at Zhao Chen, speaking with little patience, “Cash or transfer? Chinese yuan or Myanmar kyat?”

“Of course Chinese yuan, preferably cash,” Zhao Chen replied with a faint smile.

Though bank transfers were convenient, he was likely already on the police’s wanted list. Frequent large transfers to his mother could attract domestic law enforcement’s attention and implicate his family. Carrying cash was inconvenient but free from such worries.

“Hmph, I don’t have that much cash in yuan. How about I write you a check?” Tang Yan said with a mischievous grin, still annoyed that he had made her wait over two hours in that godforsaken town before the car finally came back to Padang. She was determined to get back at him.

Zhao Chen turned toward the old gentleman, sighing, “Sir, it seems your granddaughter isn’t too keen on giving the money. Perhaps you could handle it?”

He had come to understand that this old man was trustworthy and far easier to deal with than Tang Yan.

“Okay, I’ll have her go to the bank to withdraw the money for you,” Song Chengyuan said with a helpless glare at his granddaughter.

This girl had been spoiled since childhood, her personality was rebellious and domineering; one wondered if she would ever get married.

Half an hour later, Tang Yan sent her bodyguard, Kuncha, to deliver a woven sack filled with bundles of hundred-yuan notes. Each bundle was one hundred thousand yuan, sealed with the bank’s official tape, clearly freshly withdrawn.

One million three hundred thousand yuan in cash weighed over thirty pounds. Zhao Chen roughly counted it and beamed, “Thank you, sir. May I have your contact information? If I get any good jade, I’ll deliver it to you immediately.”

A big investor like this was someone to nurture a good relationship with, especially since he still had over a dozen premium jade pieces waiting to be sold.

“That’s fine. Here’s my business card. Contact me anytime if you have roughs,” Song Chengyuan said happily, handing over a card before cheerfully leaving the café with Kuncha.

Zhao Chen grabbed the woven sack and hurried back to the hotel, pondering how to return to China. He now had the car and the money, but no clue how to contact a smuggler.

These elusive figures wouldn’t show themselves without a trusted introduction. Moreover, carrying a sack of cash made returning home even riskier. If a smuggler found out, they might kill and rob him.

Suddenly, a bright idea struck Zhao Chen. He reached for the woven sack by the bed.

As the heavy sack of cash vanished in an instant, he laughed excitedly.

“Hahaha, it really works! Apparently, it’s not just jade that can fit in the palm-space; other things can too.”

Riding this wave of excitement, Zhao Chen immediately went downstairs to the backyard. After a quick survey, he grabbed the hood of the red SUV.

This three-ton beast disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Zhao Chen shook his arm joyfully, everything was set—the car and money both stored in his palm-space. Now, he just needed to cross the border safely, and his mission would be accomplished!

Freed from the burden of these items, he even impulsively called Tang Yan.

“President Tang, where are you? I’ll send you my wallet and documents.”

Not wanting her to know his exact location, he had planned to deliver them an hour later. This was also a chance to ask if she could help him get back into the country.

Compared to those heartless smuggler bastards who cared only about money, Tang Yan seemed more reliable. Besides, as the executive president of a jade company, she likely had more resources and means.

“KT Hotel. Just search it on your GPS,” Tang Yan replied with a hint of disdain, clearly still holding a grudge over earlier events.

Before she could hang up, Zhao Chen hurriedly said, “Wait! There’s something else I need your help with, President Tang.”

“I already gave you that million. Why should I help you more?” Tang Yan snorted, but her mood brightened—finally she had the upper hand.

“You won’t do it for nothing. If you can help me get across the border, I’ll give you a jade rough after we’re through.”

Zhao Chen knew this woman was greedy and that his jade was precious. But as long as he could enter the country smoothly, he could find a way to clear his identity and avoid prison.

After all, his documents had long been burned by the telecom fraud zone. The domestic police couldn’t hold concrete evidence of his crimes.

In a room at the KT Hotel, Tang Yan’s eyes lit up upon hearing he had high-grade rough jade. “At least ice-grade or better. Otherwise, I wouldn’t bother.”

She was also very curious where he had gotten such quality jade—could it be stolen from Sister Wenmin?

But the two rough pieces she and her grandfather had obtained had no windows cut open. Just by observing the surface, they could determine the internal quality and color—an ability even top industry experts lacked.

There is a saying in the gamble-stone circle: thirty percent experience, seventy percent luck.

Unless the rough jade has large, clear windows, no one can be certain of the flesh quality inside. How on earth did this guy manage it?

Zhao Chen pretended to ponder a moment, then agreed solemnly, “No problem, but you have to get me back first.”

“That’s easy. You hide in the trunk of my car. My relationship with the border guards is close—they never check my vehicle,” Tang Yan said confidently, then asked, “When do you plan to leave?”

“As soon as possible,” Zhao Chen replied. He didn’t want to stay here a moment longer. He missed his family desperately and just wanted to reunite with his parents and sister.

“Alright, drive that red SUV over to me, and bring my wallet and documents. I’m just heading back anyway, so I’ll do you the favor of escorting you home,” Tang Yan said cheerfully.

Having grown up in a jade family, she was deeply fascinated with high-quality jade, itching to adorn herself with imperial green everywhere.

Seeing her agreement, Zhao Chen said, “Wait a few minutes, I’ll be there right away.”

Finally, he could go home!