A woman's jealousy of another woman can manifest in many ways. One way is to try and steal the other woman's man.
It's not necessarily because she likes the man that much, but rather to prove her own superiority.
Especially when Ali looked at Li Yang's young, resolute face, his tall physique, and his large hands, and then at her own fiancé's rather ordinary appearance, the flame of jealousy in her heart burned even brighter.
"Mr. Li is truly in the prime of his life and quite distinguished. How did you two meet?" Ali asked with a smile, suppressing the fire in her heart, her hand still holding Li Yang's without any intention of letting go.
Li Yang smiled, "We've known each other for many years. You could say it was a slow burn?"
"Right, Shui Jie."
"Yes." Shui Xiang's cheeks flushed slightly, and she cast him a look of annoyed embarrassment, unsure if his mention of a slow burn was meant innocently or not.
Ali chuckled, "So that's how it is."
Even better!
If I can win over a man like this, then Shui Xiang, you're nothing special!
"Ahem." The man coughed a little, feeling a pang of jealousy seeing Ali holding Li Yang's hand, and then he took her hand. "Aren't you going to introduce me?"
"Don't be impatient, husband," Ali said with a smile. "Let me introduce you. This is my fiancé, Luo Fu."
"And this is my best friend, Shui Xiang. The owner of the Fu Hao Gemstone Gambling Market. What do you think, isn't she outstanding?"
"She's absolutely outstanding. The Fu Hao Gemstone Gambling Market is a name that rings throughout the land. I've heard of it often." Luo Fu immediately extended his hand to Shui Xiang, his gaze lingering on her sexy, alluring figure, almost unable to resist swallowing.
"Boss Shui, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Hello," Shui Xiang replied politely.
"And this is Shui Xiang's boyfriend, Mr. Li Yang."
"Hello, Mr. Li. Where do you work?"
Luo Fu glanced at Li Yang's attire and demeanor, a hint of disdain in his eyes, but he still extended his hand and smiled.
Li Yang smiled slightly and said, "I am the second boss of the Fu Hao Gemstone Gambling Market."
"Oh, really? That's quite impressive too." Luo Fu smiled, inwardly sneering. Second boss, more like a kept man who got ahead through Shui Xiang, I bet.
Wait until I win this woman over, and you'll be in for a show, kid.
However, on the surface, he appeared very courteous. "It's a great honor that you two could come and support us. Allow me to introduce you to some friends of mine, all connoisseurs of jade."
"Mr. Luo, are you also in the jade business?" Li Yang asked with a smile.
Luo Fu replied as they walked, "Yes, and my business is quite substantial. It's just not widely known in Jiang City."
"But if you were to ask in Ruili, almost everyone knows the name of my Luo Fu Jade Merchant House. As the saying goes, Luo Fu Jade, the best in Ruili."
"From what you say, it sounds like your business is indeed quite significant." Li Yang smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping forward, and he saw seventeen or eighteen men and women dressed impeccably, adorned with dazzling jade jewelry on their wrists and fingers.
Luo Fu led them to these people and then smiled, "Everyone, allow me to introduce my wife's friend, Shui Xiang, the owner of Jiang City's Fu Hao Gemstone Gambling Market, and the second boss, Li Yang."
"I believe everyone knows the name Fu Hao Gemstone Gambling Market, don't you?"
"Yes, I've heard of it, even in Ruili." The people immediately stepped forward to flatter them. "We never expected to meet you two here. It's a great honor."
"A profound honor. May we have a photo taken with Boss Shui and Boss Li?"
"Boss Shui started from scratch and built such a vast enterprise in just a few years. It's truly admirable."
The crowd was exceptionally enthusiastic, showering them with compliments.
This made Shui Xiang even more perplexed. She whispered, "Li Yang, it seems they don't have any ill intentions."
"Don't jump to conclusions. The show has just begun," Li Yang said with a slight curl of his lips.
As soon as he finished speaking, a jade merchant suddenly exclaimed in surprise, then shook his head repeatedly, muttering, "Impossible, this is absolutely impossible. My eyes must be playing tricks on me."
"What's wrong, Boss Du?" Luo Fu's lips curved into a cold smile, but it quickly vanished, replaced by an expression of concern.
Ali, standing nearby, also chimed in, "Boss Du, you are our honored guest. If there's anything amiss, please do tell us."
"Well, I don't know if it's true or not, it's hard to say," Boss Du said hesitantly.
Ali replied, "Whether it's true or not, let's address it first. If you keep it to yourself, then it means we haven't been hospitable enough."
"Yes, Boss Du, please say whatever you need to say. Don't be polite with us," Luo Fu also urged.
The couple appeared very respectful of their guests, quickly making a good impression on many of them.
Little did they know, this was the beginning of a scheme.
Boss Du was the fuse for this beginning.
He looked at the couple, then sighed, "Alright, since you insist, I'll put my pride aside and say a few words."
"Please do. If there's any aspect of our hospitality that's lacking, we are willing to apologize," Ali and Luo Fu said in unison, their attitudes impeccable.
Some people almost felt like scolding Boss Du. The newlyweds were so friendly; what more could he find fault with? He was truly unreasonable.
However, Boss Du turned his gaze to Shui Xiang and said sternly, "Mr. Luo and his wife have treated me exceedingly well, and I am very grateful. I wasn't expressing any dissatisfaction with you earlier, but I couldn't help but feel that there might be issues with the jade ornaments on Boss Shui."
Here it comes!
Upon hearing this, Shui Xiang immediately looked at Li Yang. She saw Li Yang's lips curve slightly, and he said, "This Boss Du claims there are problems with my girlfriend's jade ornaments. May I ask for specifics?"
"Yes, Boss Du, Boss Shui is the renowned owner of a gemstone gambling market. What could possibly be wrong with her items?" Luo Fu sneered inwardly, prompting Boss Du to speak.
Boss Du, clearly in league with them and having rehearsed this, pointed at Shui Xiang's jade ornaments and blurted out, "Since you want me to say, I'll be direct."
"None of the jade ornaments Boss Shui is wearing are genuine. They're either Dongling jade or made of crystal. Some are also jade that has been deliberately heated and dyed red, which can also be considered a form of imitation jade."
"What! You're saying Boss Shui's jade ornaments are fakes?" Luo Fu exclaimed in feigned shock. "I absolutely don't believe it!"
"Boss Shui, please take off these ornaments and let everyone see them!"