Chapter Sixteen: Counterfeit Goods of Dingxin High-Tech

This was a vivid green pendant in the shape of the Bodhisattva Guanyin, about half a centimeter thick and seven or eight centimeters tall. Its color was extraordinarily pleasing to the eye, a brilliant green reminiscent of emerald. The red silk cord from which it hung was so bright it caught the gaze. Master Zhao had worked with Mr. Wang for a long time and knew that this pendant had never left his person. Judging by its appearance alone, it was clearly a remarkable piece.

This was made from top-grade jadeite. Assessing its color and translucency by eye, the material was of the highest quality. Master Zhao first confirmed the pendant’s texture, then took it in hand for closer inspection.

All four appraisers, including Old Su, were highly knowledgeable about jade. Their methods for assessing jadeite were largely the same. To judge the authenticity and quality of a jadeite piece, the initial impression was crucial—this meant visual assessment, focusing on color and translucency. There were countless techniques for evaluating jade, but visual inspection was the most direct.

Holding the pendant, Master Zhao examined it as he spoke: “This pendant is truly exceptional. In jadeite, ‘glass-like’ clarity and ‘apple green’ hues are prized, but the most superior is the vivid green of fine emerald. Mr. Wang’s pendant has the finest bright green color. Just look at its translucency…”

As he spoke, Master Zhao held the pendant up toward the tent’s entrance, letting the light pass through it. The light shone out in a deep, verdant glow—the translucency nearly sixty percent.

These masters were all experts. Usually, jadeite’s translucency reached only twenty or thirty percent; the best might reach fifty. Yet Mr. Wang’s pendant was so clear that one could faintly see the pattern on its reverse side—over fifty percent translucent, a true top-grade jadeite.

Of course, jadeite’s grade depends on more than just color and translucency; texture, hardness, moisture, and tactile sensation are also important. As only Myanmar produces jadeite of this quality, and with domestic mines lacking such hard jade, in recent years the resources have been rapidly depleted. The price keeps climbing, and fine jadeite is ever harder to come by—something to be encountered by chance rather than sought.

Master Zhao turned the pendant in his hand, feeling its surface—it was warm and moist to the touch, as if holding a piece of heated stone dampened by dew, a very pleasing sensation.

The four appraisers each took their turn examining it before passing it to Zhang Can. Zhang Can glanced at it briefly, then placed it on the table with a silent smile.

Mr. Wang waved his hand and asked Zhang Can and Zhu Senlin, “Mr. Zhu, Zhang, should the money be transferred to just one of your accounts, or split between you?”

Zhu Senlin hesitated before replying, “Let’s split it between us.”

Mr. Wang nodded without objection, asked for their bank account numbers, and transferred five million yuan to each via his online banking.

Both Zhu Senlin and Zhang Can watched as Mr. Wang transferred the five million to their respective accounts. Zhang Can, thanks to his ability to see through objects, grew even more confident. He had once worried that after acquiring Yu Ji’s painting, his luck might run out and he’d never come across such fortune again. But now he saw that striking it lucky wasn’t so difficult. For example, none of the seasoned appraisers had noticed the brush pot; only he had seen its value. It seemed that recognizing quality items was not so rare for him—after all, with something as obvious as the Fish-Gut Sword, the other masters could also recognize its value, so he didn’t have much advantage there.

But the ivory micro-carving hidden inside the brush pot was different—its concealment made his special ability truly shine.

Zhu Senlin was grinning from ear to ear, completely unconcerned with Mr. Wang’s request for the appraisers to examine his pendant. He was already considering how to win Zhang Can over. Before today, he might have found it easier, but after what had happened, it was more challenging. In just a few days, Zhang Can had earned six million yuan from two deals with him—one million from Yu Ji’s painting, and now five million from the ivory micro-carving. For an ordinary person, six million was more than enough to live comfortably in any city, provided they didn’t spend extravagantly. Moreover, Zhang Can’s keen eye was a valuable asset in this industry, where skill and discernment were directly tied to wealth.

Once the money was transferred, Mr. Wang smiled and said, “Well, we’re all free now. Why don’t we chat a bit and discuss my pendant?”

He then gestured to Master Zhao, “Master Zhao, why don’t you share your thoughts first?”

Master Zhao did not stand on ceremony. After all, he was one of Mr. Wang’s people and naturally had to side with him. Even if he wasn’t sure of Mr. Wang’s intentions, he couldn’t speak poorly of the item.

“I’ll say a few words about this pendant, then. Forgive my modesty,” Master Zhao said, nodding to the other appraisers. “No matter the color, translucency, moisture, or feel, this pendant is of the highest grade. Everyone knows that genuine, high-quality jadeite pieces are carved by hand. Most fakes are glass molded in forms. The craftsmanship is also crucial—a piece of this value would only be entrusted to a renowned master craftsman. This pendant’s workmanship is truly exquisite—smooth to the touch, and the carving of Guanyin is lifelike. Such mastery can only come from a true artist. That’s all I’ll say. The rest of you, please share your thoughts.”

Ma Dong’s appraiser spoke next, nodding in agreement. “This pendant is an excellent piece. As Master Zhao said, in every aspect, it’s of the highest quality.”

Chen Xingguo’s appraiser gave a similar assessment; the methods for appraising jade were all much the same.

Old Su, still smarting from Zhang Can’s earlier triumph, spoke absent-mindedly, “It’s a good piece, indeed.”

Mr. Wang smiled at Zhang Can, who had remained silent with a slight smile, and asked, “Zhang, what do you think?”

Zhang Can looked at Mr. Wang, spread his hands, and replied, “Mr. Wang, may I ask how much you paid for this pendant?”

Mr. Wang regarded Zhang Can meaningfully, considered for a moment, then shook his head. “I won’t say. But Master Zhao and the others can each give their own valuations.”

“All right, Master Zhao, you go first,” Zhang Can invited.

“Given this quality, color, and the current international price of jadeite, and with such superb craftsmanship—comparable finished pieces such as bracelets typically go for around twenty million yuan. Rings are about six million, thumb rings higher at twelve million or more. Pendants are a bit less, but not under eight million.”

Master Zhao estimated eight million. Then Ma Dong’s appraiser estimated ten million, Chen Xingguo’s appraiser eight million, Sun Tianzhi’s appraiser seven million, and finally Old Su estimated nine million. Not one valued it at less than five million.

Mr. Wang kept smiling at Zhang Can and asked, “Zhang, what’s your opinion?”

Zhu Senlin laughed, “It must be at least eight or nine million. Everyone knows Mr. Wang never owns anything of low value.”

After all, Mr. Wang had taken the pendant from his own neck—an item he wore close at all times. For someone of his status, it could hardly be anything of low worth.

Zhang Can smiled, neither confirming nor denying, and said, “Mr. Wang, there’s something I’m not sure I should say.”

“Please, I want to hear the truth,” Mr. Wang replied, still smiling.

“Then I’ll be direct.” Zhang Can hesitated for a moment before continuing. “Mr. Wang, although this pendant appears precious, it’s a fake—it’s not worth a penny.”

“What?”

“That’s impossible…”

“It can’t be a fake!”

Zhang Can’s words hit the room like a thunderclap, startling everyone. How could it possibly be fake? Especially with several master appraisers present. Zhang Can’s words seemed outrageous.

Even Zhu Senlin thought Zhang Can had gone too far, and tried to smooth things over with an awkward laugh. “Mr. Wang, he’s just joking. Let’s eat some barbecue and drink some milk.”

Mr. Wang’s expression darkened slightly, but soon returned to calm. He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, pondered for a while, then asked, “Zhang, you say the pendant is fake—do you have any basis for that?”

Mr. Wang showed no anger or displeasure, his face unreadable. The other appraisers, however, were indignant. In this field, if a master appraiser gave a definitive judgment, and another contradicted it, that was tantamount to making an enemy. To challenge their authority in public, especially with this crowd of Jin City’s notable figures, was highly inappropriate. Besides, they had all examined the pendant carefully and were certain of its authenticity. For Zhang Can to say otherwise was out of line.

Old Su, seeing the other masters’ anger, was secretly pleased. Earlier, Zhang Can had unexpectedly profited greatly, earning ten million in front of Old Zhu, while Old Su was left powerless. Now, Zhang Can had brought trouble upon himself and was courting embarrassment. Old Su couldn’t help but interject, “Impossible, Zhang. Your skills and experience—you learned from me, didn’t you? If even I can’t see what’s wrong with the pendant, how can you say such a thing?”

Zhang Can replied calmly, “Old Su, I’m not just making things up. Yes, I learned from you, but knowledge is dead—people are alive. Appraisal is like study; you’ve never seen anyone succeed by reading only dead books, have you?”

Old Su saw Zhang Can was determined, and was secretly delighted, though he kept his face impassive. He pressed, “Then tell us—how is this pendant a fake?”

Old Su’s goading made the other appraisers even angrier, but Mr. Wang himself remained calm, betraying no emotion, and let Old Su say his piece. He kept his eyes on Zhang Can, waiting to see what he would say next.

Zhang Can picked up the pendant, squeezed it in his hand, and said, “Mr. Wang, if you ask me, this is just a piece of glass, cast with a mold. Its ability to pass for the real thing is thanks to some high-tech methods.”

“Utter nonsense!” Old Su was the first to lose his temper, pointing at Zhang Can. “What do you know? You think the methods for faking jadeite could fool us? You’re talking rubbish, Zhang Can. Don’t think that just because you got lucky and made a profit, you can look down on everyone else!”

Zhang Can replied evenly, “Old Su, I’m just stating the facts. I’m not targeting anyone here.”

Now that Old Su’s mask was off, he was determined to use this opportunity to thoroughly discredit Zhang Can in front of Old Zhu. How could a wet-behind-the-ears youngster hope to overturn the sky?

“Fine, everything should be based on evidence. So, show us something that will convince everyone.”

Zhang Can chuckled, spreading his hands. “Old Su, I think there’s a simple way to prove it… Mr. Wang, do you have any glass on hand?”