Chapter Thirty-Six: Eyes of Fire and Gold

Zhou Nan looked at Zhang Can, her expression inscrutable. She shook her head and sighed, “Let’s not talk about that now. I brought you here today for two reasons. First, I want your gold bracelet. Second, it’s my grandmother’s birthday. She doesn’t care much for anything else, but she loves collecting antiques and jade. I don’t know much about these things, but when I ran into you at the jewelry counter earlier and saw your remarkable eye for detail, I thought you must be an expert. So I decided to bring you to meet her, hoping it would make her eightieth birthday even happier.”

“I see!” Zhang Can nodded, saying no more. It wasn’t a difficult favor, and he didn’t mind helping. Besides, Zhou Nan had said she wanted to help him get back at the insult he’d suffered at the jewelry store. Though her words sounded a bit grandiose, she likely did have some connections—she didn’t seem the boastful type, after all. So perhaps it was true.

The elevator chimed and arrived. As they stepped out, Zhou Nan led the way, stopping at the door of Apartment A on the seventeenth floor and pressing the doorbell.

The door was opened by a boy of about fourteen or fifteen, dressed fashionably. His hairstyle, in particular, looked like he was just begging for trouble.

“Cousin, Grandma was just talking about you! Hurry up, you’re the only one who speaks her language; the rest of us have nothing to discuss… Huh? Who’s this with you?”

The boy chattered away, but when he caught sight of Zhang Can behind Zhou Nan, he was taken aback. In his memory, Zhou Nan had never brought a man to their home before.

Zhou Nan, unconcerned, turned to Zhang Can and said, “This is my younger uncle’s son, Xie Yong. He’s in his third year of middle school and spends all his time playing instead of studying—never takes anything seriously…”

“Hey, wait a second!” Xie Yong blocked Zhou Nan at the door and eyed Zhang Can. “Cousin, you haven’t told me who he is yet!”

“He’s…” Zhou Nan faltered, realizing only then that she didn’t even know Zhang Can’s full name.

Thinking quickly, Zhang Can stepped forward and said, “Little Xie, my surname is Zhang—Zhang Can. I do antique appraisals. Your cousin invited me to take a look at your grandmother’s antiques.”

Xie Yong let out an “Oh,” still skeptical as he stepped aside. His eyes were full of disbelief; he couldn’t imagine Zhou Nan bringing an antique expert to Grandma’s birthday celebration.

They entered a spacious living room of fifty or sixty square meters, elegantly furnished in a classical style. It was not ostentatious, but exuded the refined atmosphere of a scholarly family.

On the long fabric sofa sat six or seven people, men and women alike. In the center was a silver-haired old lady, seventy or eighty years old. The others, all in their forties or fifties, looked to be her children or children-in-law.

When everyone saw Zhou Nan and Xie Yong bringing in a strange young man, the room fell silent. All eyes turned to Zhang Can.

Zhou Nan hurried forward and said, “Grandma, happy birthday! May you live long and stay joyful…”

The old lady chuckled, but her eyes were fixed on Zhang Can. “Already an old relic myself. Little Nan, is he…?”

“Grandma, cousin says he’s an antique appraiser. She invited him here just for you!” Xie Yong piped up.

Since Xie Yong had already spoken, Zhang Can stepped forward, bowed, and said, “Wishing you good health and happiness, ma’am!”

The old lady was pleased with his manners and words. In her heart, she took him for Zhou Nan’s boyfriend. This niece of hers had impossibly high standards—she’d never brought a man home before, let alone to her grandmother’s. Now that she’d brought a young man to the celebration, how could he possibly be just a guest?

As for the claim that he was an appraiser, the old lady had some knowledge of such things. A young man of twenty-four or five—even if he’d entered the field early, how much skill and experience in appraising could he possibly have?

Still, Zhang Can did not look like a frivolous or arrogant youth. The old lady greeted him warmly, inviting him to sit. A woman in her forties quickly brought him tea.

Zhou Nan, meanwhile, squeezed unceremoniously between two women, playfully calling, “Auntie, second aunt…” Then she called to the men, “Uncle, second uncle, younger uncle!”

The one who served tea was the younger uncle’s wife; Zhou Nan greeted her last, then introduced Zhang Can. “Grandma, this is Zhang Can, my friend. He’s very skilled at identifying antiques. You have so many pieces and love studying them, so for your birthday I thought I’d bring him to discuss antiques with you—maybe it will make you happy!”

The old lady, all smiles, replied, “You clever girl. I am happy. Now, tell me honestly, while your parents aren’t here—what exactly is your relationship with this young Zhang?”

This was the question on everyone’s mind. Zhou Nan blushed, bit her lip, and complained, “Grandma, I already told you—he’s here as a guest to talk antiques, just a friend!”

Zhang Can merely smiled gently, saying nothing, letting them speculate. After all, Zhou Nan had more or less dragged him into this. But since it was her grandmother’s birthday, a few pleasant words were always in order.

Seeing Zhou Nan refuse to admit anything, the old lady smiled slyly, determined to tease her. Her niece was outstanding but too proud, always turning her nose up at the suitors the family introduced, yet unable to find someone herself. The family was starting to worry—she was already twenty-five and still unattached!

“Little Nan, your friend’s surname is Zhang, right? Well, then, young Zhang, why don’t you take a look at my jade bangle?” the old lady said, slowly removing a green bracelet from her wrist.

At first, Zhang Can thought the old lady was calling Zhou Nan “Little Nan,” but soon realized she meant “Little Nannan,” an amusing nickname. Suppressing a smile, he accepted the jade bangle and examined it closely.

He began his appraisal without using his special “black and white eyes,” for if he used them, the truth would be instantly revealed, but it would do nothing for his own skill and experience in appraising. So, even after mastering this ability, he always began by relying on his professional knowledge.

The bangle was a pale green, warm to the touch, though not particularly moist. The best jade feels increasingly smooth and warm the longer it is worn, which is why people say “jade nourishes the wearer, and the wearer nourishes the jade.” Jade is a type of stone, and long-term wear can indeed benefit certain ailments and be good for health. That’s why, when possible, the elite have always favored jade.

Jade is unlike gold and silver jewelry, which are purely decorative—symbols of wealth and status, but with no benefits for the body. Jade, especially fine jadeite, is said to be good for one’s health. Hence, the newly rich favor gold and silver, while those of true status wear jade.

Examining the surface, the bangle appeared to be of lavender jadeite, though not a pure example. It hadn’t been artificially enhanced or treated—it was natural.

To be sure he made no mistakes, Zhang Can briefly glanced at it for a second with his black and white eyes. This momentary scan was unnoticed by everyone in the room.

The result confirmed his own assessment: it was indeed a lavender jadeite bangle.

Zhang Can nodded slightly and addressed the old lady, “Madam, this bangle is indeed old—at least eighty years, I’d say. It’s lavender jadeite, but the color isn’t rich, and it lacks translucency. However, its clarity is quite good, making it of medium grade among lavender jadeite pieces.”

The old lady started and peered at Zhang Can, studying him carefully.

Zhou Nan’s uncles and aunts were not pleased, especially her second aunt, who immediately said, “Young Zhang, I can’t believe that. I remember this bangle was my father’s greatest treasure for my mother. I’ve seen her wear it since I was a child—she never took it off. She has much more valuable jewelry that she never wore like this, and you say this isn’t a fine piece?”

Zhang Can smiled gently and spread his hands, saying nothing.

Zhou Nan’s eldest uncle pondered a moment, then asked, “Young Zhang, you’re using technical jargon we don’t understand. As the saying goes, laymen are like looking through a mountain. Don’t talk to us about the technicalities—just tell us how much it’s worth. That we can understand!”

Zhang Can smiled, “Since the madam has worn it for so many years, it’s clearly a keepsake, and it’s imbued with deep feelings. In that sense, it can’t be measured by market value—sentiment is priceless.”

“Well said!” the old lady couldn’t help but praise, nodding. “Young man, it’s rare to see such insight in someone your age. You’re right—this bangle was the token of affection between me and the children’s father. Back then, he was just an apprentice in an antique shop; we weren’t well off. This bangle cost him several months’ savings.”

She paused, then continued, “But still, young man, to satisfy their curiosity, tell us—if we’re talking about today’s market, how much would this bangle fetch?”

After some deliberation, Zhang Can replied, “Madam, at market value, this bangle would be worth about six thousand yuan.”

Zhou Nan, seeing how confidently Zhang Can spoke and remembering his skills at the jewelry store, grinned, “Grandma, I told you—if he weren’t an expert, I wouldn’t have brought him for your birthday!”

She added with pride, “My friend here knows everything—gold and silver, diamonds, jade, watches, antiques from all over the world—he’s amazing!”

She was bragging a bit, Zhang Can thought wryly. But with his black and white eyes, he could live up to it.

However, Zhou Nan’s uncles and aunts seemed unimpressed, even skeptical. Anyone in the trade could appraise a jade bangle; it was basic knowledge.

Her youngest uncle—Xie Yong’s father, Xie Jiacheng—chuckled and took off his wristwatch, handing it to Zhang Can. “Young Zhang, Nan says you know about everything, ancient and modern, from everywhere. Take a look at my watch—tell me what it’s worth.”

Zhang Can smiled wryly, “This is a modern product, not an antique—I’m afraid I can’t help much…”

“Oh, just take a look. It doesn’t matter if you’re right or wrong—just give it a try!” Xie Jiacheng pressed the watch into his hands.

Zhang Can really wasn’t familiar with watches; the markings were foreign, and he couldn’t read them. He had to focus and use his black and white eyes for several seconds.

“Well…” Zhang Can hesitated, thinking for a moment before speaking, “I’ll do my best. If I’m wrong, please forgive me. The casing is quite exquisite, clearly from a prestigious brand, but the movement inside is a used Japanese one…”

He’d blurted out what he’d seen through his special vision without thinking. Only after speaking did he realize his mistake—how could he know about the movement inside just by looking at the surface?