My Left Eye Can See Through Everything - Chapter 60 - Buddhist Beads

Zhou Yang was exceptionally cautious this time, taking every step with meticulous care. After all, there were so many people watching, and reporters were recording the entire process.

Although it wasn’t a live broadcast, the footage would undoubtedly be aired on television and circulated online later. Any mistake at this point could leave a permanent blemish on his reputation, so he couldn’t afford to be careless.

He started by putting on gloves, then circled the item, carefully inspecting its exterior before finally lifting the antique for closer examination. Every movement was precise and professional, adhering strictly to standard appraisal procedures.

The item in question was a piece of ceramics, and its craftsmanship was undeniably impressive. However, based on the tactile sensation, Zhou Yang could tell that this antique wasn’t particularly old.

He could barely sense any spiritual energy within it, though there was a faint trace. This indicated that the item’s history wasn’t extensive. Still, he couldn’t determine its exact age or origin with his limited appraisal skills.

That’s when he decided to rely on his X-ray vision.

[Item Name: Hongxian Ceramics Vase, Era: Republic of China period, Authentic!]

[Item Description: This vase was specially crafted during Yuan Shikai¹‘s attempt to restore the monarchy. Pieces marked with “Juren Tang Zhi” are the most renowned.]

[Item Characteristics: High-quality craftsmanship, exquisite painting, with some pieces having their base marks altered to reflect Qing Dynasty years.]

Zhou Yang flipped the vase over, and sure enough, the base bore a Qing Dynasty mark. This confirmed that it was a Republic of China period ceramic disguised under the guise of Qing Dynasty branding.

Now, how should he present this information?

If he were to state the truth, there was a risk that the vase’s owner might not be aware of this detail, which could lead to offense. On the other hand, if he withheld the truth and the owner later discovered it, the situation could become awkward for him.

After careful consideration, Zhou Yang decided to tell the truth. As the saying goes, “Better them than me.” If anyone were to feel embarrassed, it wouldn’t be him.

“Master, I’ve completed the appraisal!” Zhou Yang first bowed respectfully to Guan Chengru before explaining his findings.

“Alright, then share the origin and details of this vase,” Guan Chengru instructed.

Zhou Yang nodded and began presenting his conclusions. At first, his explanation was methodical and straightforward, earning nods of agreement from the experts in the audience. However, when he mentioned that the vase was from the Republic of China period, some people began to frown, while others’ eyes lit up with intrigue.

“Zhou Yang, is it? You’re saying this vase is from the Republic of China period? That doesn’t seem right,” one so-called expert, whose name Zhou Yang didn’t catch, couldn’t resist raising a question.

“The base of this vase clearly bears a Qing Dynasty mark. That’s indisputable. Are you suggesting this is a forgery?”

Once the first person voiced their doubts, others quickly chimed in. After all, Zhou Yang’s youth made him an easy target for skepticism.

Zhou Yang, however, remained unfazed. He was confident that at least half the people present could accurately appraise this vase. But he wasn’t about to give them the chance. How could he pass up such a perfect opportunity to shine?

“Ladies and gentlemen, please, let’s not rush to conclusions!”

“First of all, as I mentioned earlier, the craftsmanship of this vase is exceptionally high, and it indeed mirrors the techniques of the Qing Dynasty.”

“I acknowledge this point. However, have you considered that the Republic of China and the Qing Dynasty are historically adjacent? It’s not surprising that they share similar craftsmanship.”

“As for the inscription at the bottom, it doesn’t necessarily prove anything. In every era, there have been cases of ‘selling dog meat under a sheep’s head²,’ so to speak.”

“The reason I confidently assert that this is a ceramic piece from the Republic of China period is not baseless; I have evidence to back it up!”

“Everyone, please take a look at the four characters beneath the inscription-‘Juren Tang.'”

“Juren Tang was a brand of imperial ceramics crafted during Yuan Shikai’s short-lived reign as emperor in the Republic of China period. These ceramics, primarily featuring watercolor and pastel designs, were produced by Guo Baochang in Jingdezhen and bore the ‘Juren Tang’ mark.”

“Due to their exceptional quality and the historical overlap with the Qing Dynasty, some of these ceramics were inscribed with Qing Dynasty markings.”

“But honestly, the specific era doesn’t matter much, as the time gap between them could be just a few years or even a few months.”

“I hope my explanation makes sense to all the esteemed experts here!”

Clap, clap, clap…

As soon as Zhou Yang finished speaking, those who had remained silent earlier began to applaud.

In truth, this vase had been deliberately chosen by the group to test Zhou Yang’s appraisal skills. They had privately agreed that if Zhou Yang mistakenly identified it as a Qing Dynasty artifact, they wouldn’t call him out on it. After all, as the saying goes, “Don’t embarrass the monk for the sake of the Buddha.” If Zhou Yang were to lose face today, it wouldn’t just be his reputation at stake but also that of Guan Chengru.

Conversely, if Zhou Yang managed to identify the issue, as he just did, they would acknowledge his abilities.

This was why they started clapping after his explanation. The truth about this vase was known only to a select few, not even Guan Chengru.

Of course, this was just a minor episode-a small test to prove Zhou Yang’s capabilities. It wasn’t a formal antique appraisal event. So, after Zhou Yang flawlessly identified a few simpler items, the day’s activities were nearly complete.

The final agenda? Dinner!

By the time Zhou Yang left the venue and returned to the villa, it was already past 2 PM.

As soon as he got home, he eagerly took out the gift Guan Chengru had given him as a token of their first meeting.

As for the red envelope, he handed it to Huang Siyu. After all, the girl had been helping him carry things for quite a while and had even reminded him to buy a gift box. For that alone, a few hundred yuan in a red envelope was a small price to pay for everyone’s happiness.

When Zhou Yang opened the gift box, he saw what was inside-a string of Buddhist Beads.

This was a set of handcrafted yellow rosewood Buddhist Beads. While not an antique, it was far from inexpensive. On the market, an authentic handcrafted set like this could easily cost tens of thousands.

Of course, it wasn’t about the money; it was about the sentiment.

Zhou Yang had noticed earlier that his two senior brothers and one senior sister each wore a similar bracelet.

Perhaps this was Guan Chengru’s way of passing down a legacy. In other words, this string of beads could become a priceless treasure in a few decades or even a century.

“Zhou Yang, you traded a two-million-yuan Violet Jadeite for this string of beads?”

“Your master is so stingy!”

Ji Lanyan, being an outsider to the world of antiques, naturally spoke like one. People like her often measured the value of an item solely in monetary terms.

But that was understandable.

Zhou Yang simply shrugged, unconcerned. He genuinely liked the beads-the color and design suited him perfectly.

He casually slipped them onto his right wrist, and his entire demeanor changed instantly, becoming… well, rather old-fashioned.

“Lanyan, you can’t measure this gift in terms of money. It’s a token of goodwill, not a business transaction!”

“Besides, I can easily acquire another piece of jadeite, but a string of beads like this? It’s one of a kind!”

“By the way, I’m planning to visit my hometown tomorrow. Want to come with me?”

As Zhou Yang spoke, his voice grew softer toward the end. He was worried that she might outright refuse, which would be quite embarrassing.

Footnote:

1. Yuan Shikai(袁世凯): A late Qing Dynasty military leader who became China’s first president (1912–1916) and briefly restored monarchy for himself.
2. Selling Dog Meat Under a Sheep’s Head(挂羊头卖狗肉): A Chinese idiom describing deception-false advertising or pretending to offer something better than what’s delivered.