Chapter 158
Blue Star.
“Task complete, yay. I’ve been flying for half a day and walking for another half day, I’m exhausted. Let’s go have a good meal to celebrate.”
Having returned to their original world, Jiang Jitang and Parsons high-fived, ending the task with joy and good food.
“After eating, want to go to the East Sea? There’s a gemstone exhibition there. Many precious gems will appear, and if you see something you like, you can buy it on the spot,” Parsons said—he always kept an eye on news like this.
“Really?” Jiang Jitang instantly revived to full HP. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go.”
The East Sea jewelry exhibition had already been running for several days. The number of participating merchants and private collectors had reached its peak, and the crowd was at its busiest. Jiang Jitang and Parsons squeezed into the sea of people; even though there was central air-conditioning overhead, they were still sweating from the heat.
Many livestreamers with cameras were also here, speaking occasionally into their lenses—unclear whether they were live or recording. But most vendors liked the exposure; livestreams helped their gems gain popularity.
“The prices are a bit inflated,” Jiang Jitang muttered.
As someone who loved gemstones, he naturally kept up with gemstone prices and quality. The gems at the exhibition were plentiful and fine, but the top pieces were priced outrageously—higher than those at some auctions.
For example, the 5-carat Kashmir sapphire they were looking at now: glass-like royal blue, untreated, with the signature velvet texture of Kashmir mines, and good fire. But the seller’s price was one million USD—firm, not a cent less.
To be honest, a sapphire of this quality shouldn’t reach that price. But since it was a “noble-born” stone from the now-exhausted Kashmir mines, the I-Nation seller refused to negotiate at all—insisting on one million.
Someone might be convinced by that story, but Jiang Jitang cared more about the gemstone’s appearance than its origin. Even if he liked it, he wasn’t willing to pay extra just for the mine—even if he could afford it.
“If you like it, I can ask a reliable gem hunter to find one for you,” Parsons said. His parents were gem collectors, so he knew a few international gem hunters who specialized in sourcing high-end stones.
“Help me ask about it. A stone around that size and quality—how much should it roughly cost?”
Jiang Jitang didn’t hold back, immediately entrusting the task to Parsons. He continued browsing the stalls in this row—this entire row was sapphires from various mines and in different price ranges, some already set. Then he spotted a lavender star sapphire ring.
It was a women’s ring: a full, egg-shaped star sapphire of 7.32 carats, platinum set with real diamonds in a luxury pavé design, total weight 8.8 grams. But Jiang Jitang’s fingers were long and slender, so even a women’s ring fit perfectly.
He turned his hand under the jewel lighting. The light flowed over his fingers like water; his hands were like fine jade, the ring dazzling and brilliant. A small five-digit ring looked like a six-digit luxury piece when he wore it.
“This one! This one is beautiful!” A wealthy lady immediately fell in love with the ring on his finger. The tiny diamonds looked like stars surrounding the lavender gem, glowing with a dreamy sheen—completely different from the other pieces nearby.
Jiang Jitang paused, looked at the ring on his hand, then at the other customers waiting. Since he didn’t love it that much, he took it off and placed it back on the display.
The moment he set it down, the rich lady snatched it up, admiring it from all angles, then immediately paid for it with her phone.
Jiang Jitang had already chosen a second sapphire ring—18k gold, 3-carat main stone, emerald cut, classic three-stone design, with triangular side diamonds.
This sapphire was also royal blue with a hint of velvet texture, which suppressed the fire. Compared to the surrounding stones bursting with fire, it looked a little dull. Its price tag was just above the low five-figure range.
But somehow, once it slipped onto his finger, the dullness became understated elegance; the velvet blue turned noble and refined. Suddenly, the flashy glass-like stones around it looked almost gaudy.
“This one looks really nice,” a customer behind them said, staring straight at his hand.
Jiang Jitang: “…”
The second ring was sold almost instantly as well—without bargaining. The vendor now couldn’t bear to let him leave.
“Sir, please take a look at more. I only carry top-notch pieces.”
The vendor at the next booth had witnessed everything. He leaned halfway out of his booth, a muscular man acting cute: “Little brother, do you like sapphires? I’ve got Sri Lankan ones—sourced straight from the mine owners. Anything you want, I have it~”
Feeling overwhelmed by the attention, Jiang Jitang dragged Parsons away. There must be beautiful pieces elsewhere.
Unfortunately, he didn’t find another sapphire that caught his eye. But he did buy a Paraíba tourmaline.
A small 0.8-carat gem—tiny, but flawless. The color was pure, the neon effect incredibly strong—you could spot it from across the colored stones section.
“When we go back, I’ll set it in a little crown. A meeting gift for Little Blue Shroom. Too bad I still didn’t find what I’m looking for.” Holding the gem and certificate, Jiang Jitang looked slightly disappointed.
“What kind are you looking for?” Parsons asked. If even a massive exhibition didn’t have it, it’d likely have to be custom-made.
“A pair of brother rings. One for you, one for me. How about it?” Jiang Jitang joked.
Parsons froze for a moment, then said after thinking, “I don’t know much about gemstones. You decide.”
“Huh?”
He didn’t expect that reaction—didn’t Parsons dislike wearing rings? What started as a joke now felt like a real task.
Rings had special meaning on Blue Star, but that only applied to couple rings. Gemstone rings had limited designs, and matching styles were normal—it wouldn’t cause misunderstandings.
Unfortunately, none of the colored gemstone rings in this row appealed to him.
Beside the gemstones were pearls—sea pearls from Dongying, Tahitian black pearls, popular South Sea pearls, and many high-quality domestic freshwater pearls.
But none were as stunning as the ones gifted to him by the sea otter clan’s chief, so he wasn’t very interested. Yet some booths offered hand-drilled stringing and ring-making, so he approached to ask about the price.
Gold followed daily market rates; labor fees started at 280 RMB depending on complexity, and they would also help obtain national inspection certificates.
Jiang Jitang immediately took out pearls he had prepared in advance: “Set this one into a ring, make these two into a pair of simple pearl earrings, and also these…”
The pearls were already beautiful enough; they didn’t need elaborate designs.
“Are these for your mother?”
“Mm. She’ll need more accessories once she starts meeting more people and attending more events.”
He had already prepared a set of Hetian jade; pearls and jade best suited Jiang Madam’s elegant aura. This would complete her collection.
Jiang Sujin, famous after returning, was no longer a nobody. These things were appropriate now. But she never cared about material possessions, so he kept an eye on these things for her.
The pearls from the other world were too extraordinary—far surpassing even the most expensive ones in the booth.
Pearl enthusiasts near the booth were mesmerized, unable to look away. Meanwhile, not far away, a group of people were whispering among themselves.
“That’s President Jiang from the East District, right? Why is he in the East Sea? I didn’t hear about any free clinic event here.”
“You’re overthinking it. Can’t he come for the jewelry? Didn’t expect the legendary President Jiang to look even younger and softer in person—like a college student.”
“He’s just low-key. Don’t approach him like fools. See those men around him? All bodyguards—and that’s just the ones you can see.”
They whispered while sneaking glances. The booth owner frowned, ready to chase them away for blocking the display.
“Why isn’t Old Third speaking? What are you thinking?”
“That foreigner next to President Jiang… he looks familiar. Like I’ve seen him somewhere.”
“Shh! He’s looking over. Head down!”
Seeing they were just a group of young people, looking around suspiciously, Parsons withdrew his gaze. Many people had been staring at them along the way—some out of attraction, some because they recognized Jiang Jitang.
Although the authorities disallowed public distribution of Jiang Jitang’s photos, players had their own circles, and private sharing couldn’t be stopped. Many players recognized him—especially those in the East District.
Rumor said East District President Jiang was extremely popular among players—personal ability, status, wealth, looks, character… he had everything.
Parsons felt a bit dazed. It reminded him of the old days—whether as the bard Illman or the duke Illman—he had always been more popular than Parsons the paladin. Even the rebel leader had a crowd of devoted admirers.
“There are always fools trying to steal my dearest friend.”
“Wait—I remember now! That foreigner! He’s Parsons, leader of Mystery Seeker! No wonder he’s so handsome—I knew I’d seen him before!”
Old Third slapped the display counter, startling the booth owner.
“Holy—he’s the No.1 player! Why are these two together? And so close?!”
“I heard a rumor that Mystery Seeker had settled in C-Nation. So it wasn’t a rumor? Did they come for President Jiang?”
Parsons had just turned away when the group started whispering again.
“Look, look! Their hands!”
“In public—seriously?!”
They knew the bodyguards had noticed them, and they should have looked away—but their gossiping hearts couldn’t be stopped. Their eyes shone like spotlights, staring at the two, one girl biting her fist to keep from squealing.
They watched as Jiang Jitang calmly picked up a ring and slid it onto Parsons’ ring finger, admiring it from different angles—and then smiling brightly at him.
“—Hiss…”
They sucked in a collective breath.
“—Hiss…”
The booth next door sucked in a breath too.
The two groups looked at each other, recognizing fellow local players.
“Hello.”
“Hello, hello.”
After polite greetings, they immediately turned away and started mass-sending messages.
Within ten minutes, the East Sea player groups exploded with an unbelievable rumor:
East District President Jiang proposed to Mystery Seeker’s Parsons—putting a ring on his ring finger—witnessed by me (my friend, my family, my groupmate).
The people involved had no idea. Jiang Jitang was still comparing rings for his “friend.”
The earlier style looked too mature—Parsons was only nineteen. How could he wear the same design as a middle-aged CEO with prayer beads?
Parsons cooperated obediently. Even though wearing anything felt restrictive to him, he held out his hand whenever Jiang Jitang wanted to test a ring. And to avoid misunderstandings, Jiang Jitang always put rings on his middle finger.
But none of the designs satisfied him. After some thought, he had a new idea.
“Parsi, do you like sapphires?”
Parsons nodded slightly.
“And do you like that one-million-dollar one from earlier?”
He nodded again.
Jiang Jitang clapped his hands together. “Perfect. Then we’ll have the gem hunter find us a matching pair of velvet-royal-blue sapphires. We’ll ask someone to design the setting.”
If he couldn’t find the right ones, he’d just spend money.
Problems solvable with money weren’t real problems.
“I’ll find the gemstones. You design the rings. I trust Illman’s taste,” Parsons said expectantly.
Jiang Jitang only heard the part where Parsons acknowledged his aesthetic. He lifted his chin proudly. “Of course.”
The rumors spread farther and eventually reached the East District headquarters. The staff stared at the messages in shock.
“Should we suppress the rumors? It’s the boss’s private business…”
Sister Xia smiled. “President Jiang already said—as long as it doesn’t involve our tasks, secrets, or damage our image, we don’t interfere.”
“But they’re spreading rumors that our President Jiang is with a foreign man…”
“If it’s Mystery Seeker’s Parsons, then it’s true.”
“…Huh?!”
All the staff pretending to work while eavesdropping widened their eyes—I-It’s real?
“Sister Xia, are you sure it’s fine?”
“We’re just a company. Our CEO merely prefers the same sex. He didn’t deceive anyone into marriage, didn’t surrogate, and isn’t promoting niche orientations. What’s the issue?” Sister Xia waved calmly. This matter would be exposed eventually—better to be open from the start.
Everyone understood and returned to work. Soon, the confirmed rumor reached the leaders of the player organizations.
Most didn’t react. Some discreetly replaced their “beauty trap” strategy with “handsome man trap”… then crossed it out.
“Where do you even find someone who has strength and looks, noble background, wealth, self-discipline, works out, and is willing to be low-key and supportive?”
Tsk. President Jiang’s taste was truly excellent.
Dream Delivery System: My Delivery Jobs Keep Changing History
