Chapter 462: Too Harsh

Chapter 462: Chapter 462: Too Harsh

Conch Jade is formed from the silicified fossils of Paleozoic marine pearl snails. As a non-renewable natural heritage formed under incredibly demanding conditions, it is exceedingly rare.

The odds of an ancient organism becoming a fossil are extremely low, and the odds of it then turning into jade are infinitesimal. Conch Jade, which possesses the four key elements of being natural, rare, hard, and beautiful, is a true treasure.

Conch Jade has a hardness of 6.5 to 7.5. The academic community classifies it as a type of natural organic gemstone.

Conch Jade comes from a distant geological era, predating even the dinosaurs.

The mystical aura of ancient life, combined with its beautiful patterns, mysterious formation, and rarity, constitutes the intrinsic value of Conch Jade.

Conch Jade isn’t just white; it comes in other colors as well.

However, at present, most people haven’t recognized the value of Conch Jade.

Conch Jade that is free of impurities and well-polished can often fetch a good price.

Reading this, Han Xiaorui became even more certain that this was a viable business.

After returning from the library, Han Xiaorui went to the commercial street. Her handmade seashell craft shop was now open for business.

There were three empty storefronts next to it. Han Xiaorui planned to sell Conch Jade in her current shop.

Setting up the shop would be easy. She just needed to order a few glass display cases, install some soft lighting, and do some minor renovations before it was ready.

But to make Conch Jade jewelry, she needed a craftsman.

This was because the conchs that had turned to jade were mostly embedded in coral fossils.

An inexperienced craftsman might not be able to extract the Conch Jade if they used too little force.

But with too much force, they could easily cause internal fractures, ruining its aesthetic value.

After mulling it over, Han Xiaorui went to see Yang Zhigang, hoping he could help her find a master jade artisan.

Hearing this, Yang Zhigang thought for a moment. "I can’t say I know anyone in that line of work. Give me a minute, I’ll ask around for you."

Han Xiaorui nodded. "I’d appreciate that, Uncle Yang! It’s skilled labor, after all. Not many people can do it."

Yang Zhigang smiled. "As they say, different trades are like different worlds. If you wanted to talk about fishing, we’d all know what to do. But this jade business... we’ve never been involved, so of course we’re in the dark. But just because we don’t know doesn’t mean no one does."

Han Xiaorui readily agreed.

On her way back from Yang Zhigang’s, she happened to pass by the Wu Family’s home.

Yao Ziqian and Wu Lingling were just arriving at the door, visiting her family.

Seeing Han Xiaorui, Wu Lingling quickly called out, "Xiao Rui, are you out running errands?"

Han Xiaorui explained why she had gone to see Yang Zhigang. "Uncle Yang is well-connected, but even he doesn’t know anyone in that field."

Hearing this, Wu Lingling shook her head with a laugh and pointed at Yao Ziqian.

"You should ask him! He’s on Antique Street, where there are tons of jade sellers. Some sell antique jade, though most of it is new jade aged to look old. There are also shops that just sell jewelry made from new jade."

At these words, Han Xiaorui’s eyes lit up. "Of course! My brain must not be working today, I can’t believe I didn’t think of it! Ziqian, do you know anyone in that business?"

Yao Ziqian nodded with a smile. "I know pretty much everyone on Antique Street now, including quite a few shop owners who make jade jewelry."

"Don’t worry. I’ll ask around for you when I get back this afternoon. I’ll see if anyone’s willing to come work over here."

Han Xiaorui smiled. "While you’re at it, could you find out the going rate for a craftsman like that?"

"Sure thing!" Yao Ziqian accepted the task.

That afternoon, when Yao Ziqian returned to Antique Street from Jinshan Bay, he didn’t just rush into shops to ask around.

Instead, he took out a large sheet of paper and wrote a job posting for a skilled artisan to craft jade jewelry, with a note that the pay was competitive.

He posted the sign on a rack by his door. Before long, a young man in his twenties peeked his head in. "Excuse me, sir, are you hiring a Jade Worker?"

Yao Ziqian replied, "Yes, are you here to apply?"

The young man nodded. "Yes, I am. My name is Sun Dayong. I’m an apprentice at the Treasure Pavilion just down the street."

"You’re an apprentice there? If you’re applying here, does that mean you’re quitting your job over there?" Yao Ziqian asked, curious.

The young man shook his head with a wry smile. "Apprentices usually just do odd jobs while learning the trade. I technically finished my apprenticeship three years ago, but tradition dictates that you work for your master for three more years. It’s expected."

"I did as I was told, and for these past three years, I’ve earned almost no wages. Now that the three years are up, I’ve asked for a salary. My master is willing, but his wife refuses. She says my skills are only good because my master is a great teacher, and that I should work for them for five years."

Yao Ziqian was taken aback. "But that breaks tradition! You’re not a kid anymore. You’ve got parents to support, and you’ll probably want to earn money to get married and start a family of your own. You can’t do that without a salary."

Sun Dayong’s voice was tinged with bitterness. "That’s right. My parents used to both have jobs, so our family was pretty well off. They supported my passion, and they could afford to support me even when I wasn’t earning anything."

"But now my mother’s textile factory is on the verge of bankruptcy, and she’s been laid off. The factory where my dad works can’t even pay his full salary. They were both counting on me to start earning money to help out at home once my three years were up."

"But if I work for my master and his wife for another two years, my family won’t be able to make ends meet. Forget about getting married and having children—we won’t be able to survive. I can’t be in my twenties and still have my parents supporting me."

Yao Ziqian nodded with a smile. "You’re right. A grown man should support his family and not let his parents struggle. So, what kind of salary are you looking for? What would you be happy with?"

Sun Dayong thought for a moment. "No less than seventy yuan a month."

Hearing this, Yao Ziqian breathed a sigh of relief. The amount wasn’t high; it was reasonable. "Alright, I’ll write down an address for you. Take your tools and go to a seashell craft shop. Ask for the manager, and someone there will test your skills."

Sun Dayong’s eyes lit up. "Thank you, Master Yao!"

His master’s wife had declared that no one on this street would dare hire him.

Sun Dayong had only come over to try his luck; he never expected it to work out.

He hadn’t had the official interview yet, but Sun Dayong was extremely confident in his skills.

Most of the jade pieces sold in his master’s shop were made by him and his senior apprentice brother.

He received no wages, and his senior’s wages were pitifully low.

But because of the master’s wife’s threats, his senior apprentice brother could only swallow his grievances and continue working at the Treasure Pavilion.

Sun Dayong returned to the shop and said he had something to take care of the next day, asking for a day off.

Work had been busy lately, and his master’s wife was in a foul mood. "Finish your business and get back here as soon as you can. We’re swamped. Your master taught you a trade, so you’d better have some decency. A teacher for a day is a father for life."

"If you dare to be disobedient or slack off, you can forget about ever making a living on this street. But don’t you worry, Dayong. Just work for two more years, and I guarantee you’ll get a salary."

Thinking of his senior’s pitiful salary—only half of what other jade artisans made—Sun Dayong didn’t want to stay there a second longer.

However, until he had secured the new job, he didn’t dare defy his master’s wife.

After packing some tools in his bag, Sun Dayong slipped away.

The next day, Sun Dayong took a bus to Jinshan Bay. He was so surprised when he arrived that he thought he had gone to the wrong place.