"A portion of the antique jewelry is most likely custom-made by collectors who spend money privately.
After the Pink Panther team succeeds, they'll hand over the items directly to the client.
Unless the collector dies, no one knows that his collection room houses jewelry originally belonging to the Louvre."
Jack continued, "But according to the Pink Panther's rules, 40% of the stolen jewelry goes to the organization, and 60% belongs to the members themselves.
So, in addition to the collector-specified items, there are quite a few valuable pieces that belong to the operatives responsible for the heist.
In general, these jewels end up in the Antwerp black market diamond auction network. By asking around, one can still find out the whereabouts of the jewelry.
Only by that time, the ones selling these gems aren't the Pink Panther members responsible for the heist, but genuine business people tricked by the Pink Panthers into buying these illicit goods with forged certificates."
Based on Jack's information, Chen Yiyang looked into the Antwerp black market diamond auction network.
Antwerp is a city in Belgium and the world's largest diamond trading center.
Every day, a staggering quantity and value of diamonds and other jewels are traded at this center.
However, Antwerp's diamond trading center isn't governed by a large organization. It's rather a loose conglomerate of traders who use connections and credit to maintain the city's reputation in diamond trading, attracting jewelers from around the world.
A bit like Huaqiangbei in China.
Many small traders and individual businesses survive here.
This massive volume of trade naturally led to the creation of a black market network.
Many jewels and diamonds of unknown origin, once they come here, can be laundered and sold as new through legitimate channels.
Originally, the city of Antwerp banned such activities and occasionally cracked down on them.
But ever since the Russia-Ukraine war began, things have changed.
The European Union imposed a ban on Russian diamonds, prohibiting them from entering Europe.
Antwerp's prosperity majorly relies on the trade and cutting of rough diamonds from Russia.
Russia accounts for approximately 35% of the world's diamond production.
Moreover, Russian diamonds are highly pure and a crucial source of high-end goods.
Now that Russian diamonds are banned from entering Antwerp, most of the city's businesses have been affected.
With legitimate business stifled, they turned to grey markets, resulting in the flourishing of the black market network.
Jack explained to Chen Yiyang, "Right now, Antwerp's black market diamond and jewelry network is more prosperous than ever. Stolen diamonds and jewels from around the world are entering Antwerp, being laundered into new gems and jewelry.
If you hope to purchase the original stolen jewels from the Louvre in France, I can definitely find them for you in Antwerp."
Jack's words tempted Chen Yiyang.
However, after careful consideration, he chose to decline.
The stolen jewels were too conspicuous.
Even if he managed to buy them and bring them back home, they'd still be subject to French claims if discovered.
And transforming them into other jewels by altering their appearance – given the high price and risk – was not worth it.
Nonetheless, Chen Yiyang was quite interested in Antwerp as a diamond trading center.
In places like this, there should be many opportunities for bargains. Next time he visits Europe, he plans to stop by and take a look.
After taking care of all affairs at home, Chen Yiyang checked the date.
The regulatory body's draft on food delivery platform management wasn't formally released, giving him time to visit New Zealand.
He planned to meet Lawrence to discuss entering the New Zealand market.
New Zealand's capital is Wellington. This city's recognition is quite low at home, and most people associate the name Wellington with Wellington steak.
However, Wellington steak has no connection to Wellington, the name coming from the British Duke of Wellington.
But Chen Yiyang's first stop in New Zealand wasn't the capital Wellington, but another city — Auckland.
Although Wellington is New Zealand's capital, it is a port city surrounded by mountains and is geographically limited, being the country's third-largest city, trailing behind Auckland in population and economy.
Auckland has a population of around 1.7 million, housing over a third of New Zealand's population.
Primarily because Auckland's geographical conditions are excellent.
In many rankings, Auckland is rated as one of the world's most livable cities.
Not only is the air superb, but summers aren't hot, and winters aren't cold, aside from occasional winter rainy seasons. The temperature remains quite pleasant throughout.
The Chinese compare Auckland's climate to Kunming in summer and Fuzhou in winter.
This shows how suitable it is for living.
As a result,
Auckland has about 200,000 Chinese residents.
Given that Chinese communities abroad often cluster together,
when Chen Yiyang arrived in New Zealand, in certain neighborhoods, he even felt he hadn't left home.
The hotel where Chen Yiyang stayed was in a predominantly Chinese neighborhood.
The situation was so extreme,
that Chen Yiyang didn't need a translator as everyone spoke Chinese, and most shop signs are in Chinese.
As Chen Yiyang strolled a few steps, he even saw a temple standing in the distance, bustling with people entering to burn incense.
"No wonder when I landed at Auckland Airport, I saw a lot of Chinese signs. I thought I must have been mistaken."
Chen Yiyang couldn't help but quip to Lawrence beside him.
"Of course, you weren't mistaken," Lawrence replied, somewhat displeased. "In fact, without the Maori, most people might assume the Chinese are the indigenous locals here.
According to research, the fertility rates of New Zealand's European descendants have dropped below that of Asians. Experts predict that in a few hundred years, the whole of New Zealand could become an Asian country."
"Don't be so pessimistic," Chen Yiyang patted Lawrence's shoulder, "after all, in a few hundred years, none of us will be around."
"True, it doesn't matter then," Lawrence shrugged, "besides, a few hundred years ago, there weren't even Europeans here."
After wandering around aimlessly for a bit with Chen Yiyang, Lawrence led him to attend a gathering.
Although the wedding of the bride and groom was several days off, friends and relatives arriving from various places began frequent gatherings before the wedding.
It was also an opportunity for Lawrence to introduce some people to Chen Yiyang.
