My Left Eye Can See Through Everything

Zhou Yang handed the smoking rod to Ji Lanyan and pointed to the three characters in the middle of the rod.

“Search ‘Da Chong Jiu’ on your phone, and you’ll understand.”

Ji Lanyan found Zhou Yang’s words a bit puzzling, but she picked up her phone and searched. Instantly, information about the smoking rod appeared.

Da Chong Jiu, established in 1922, was a high-quality smoking rod created to commemorate the Yunnan XX uprising.

[Note: Da Chong Jiu is a fictional cigarette brand!]

A simple sentence was enough to reveal the value of this smoking rod.

1922, a hundred years ago. With the era matching, what about its value?

“Zhou Yang, is this really valuable?”

Zhou Yang chuckled lightly, as he gathered the smoking rod and the previous stamps, explaining as he went.

“Whether something is valuable often doesn’t depend on the item itself, but on its background and significance.”

“Let me give you an example to make it clear. If I buy you a ping-pong paddle now, let’s say it costs 100 yuan.”

“In your hands, it’s worth 100 yuan. But if you’re an Olympic champion who won using this paddle, its value would far exceed 100 yuan.”

“If you then sign your name on the paddle, its value would increase even more.”

“So, whether something is valuable or not isn’t about the item itself, but its background and significance.”

“Take ceramics, for instance. They’re just clay fired in a kiln. There’s no difference in use between Imperial Kiln and civilian kiln ceramics.”

“But Imperial Kiln ceramics are valuable because they have inscriptions and eras, which makes them authentic.”

“Civilian kiln ceramics aren’t as valuable because it’s hard to trace them back to a specific era or kiln. Imperial Kilns are rare, while civilian kilns are everywhere.”

Zhou Yang gave a simple example, confident that the clever Ji Lanyan would understand.

He casually put away these items, as they were somewhat damaged and needed restoration.

As for the Zheng Banqiao painting inside the Ding, it had been under restoration for over two days and was still incomplete, indicating the extent of its damage.

Fortunately, Zhou Yang wasn’t in a hurry, as he wasn’t relying on selling these items for money.

After a simple breakfast, Zhou Yang rode his bicycle with Ji Lanyan to buy some groceries in town.

Upon returning, he decided to take Ji Lanyan to the back mountain of his home for a stroll, as coming back home naturally called for some relaxation and sightseeing.

Zhou Yang’s father’s grave was on that mountain, and he wanted to visit it.

Since Zhou Yang wasn’t in his hometown during Qingming¹, he couldn’t return to pay respects at the grave; his younger sister and mother did it instead.

Zhou Yang usually visited the grave on New Year’s Eve.

After burning paper for his father, Zhou Yang took Ji Lanyan for a hike up the mountain, and they found a shady spot to sit down.

“Zhou Yang, would you like to hear my story?”

Zhou Yang was naturally eager to hear her story, or rather, he had been wanting to ask for a while but held back out of respect for her privacy. Now that Ji Lanyan was willing to share, he had no reason to refuse. He nodded eagerly in agreement.

Ji Lanyan tidied her slightly disheveled hair before slowly beginning her tale. “I’ve mentioned some things to you before. My family is based in Beijing and runs a Jewelry Company. While we’re not excessively wealthy, the Ji family holds a spot among the top ten jewelry companies in Huaxia.”

As Ji Lanyan spoke, Zhou Yang listened attentively, gradually gaining a deeper understanding of her family’s situation. The Ji family consists of five members: her grandfather, her parents, herself, and a younger brother. Their assets amount to around a billion, but remember, assets are not the same as personal wealth-these are two different concepts. It’s like someone running a company and counting its assets. The company’s growth prospects, funds in accounts, business equipment, and even company vehicles are considered assets. These assets differ from personal wealth; the company might be valued at 10 billion today, but if the industry faces a downturn next year, it could drop to 5 billion or even 3 billion. Regardless, the Ji family is undeniably affluent.

Ambition is a trait common to all, and Ji Lanyan’s father is no exception. He aimed to forge connections with influential figures. How to establish such connections? Through Ji Lanyan, of course. Yes, his daughter Ji Lanyan. This is what is known as a strategic marriage alliance, as the son of the other party had taken a liking to Ji Lanyan. In theory, this would be a powerful union, and if both parties were equally matched in talent and beauty, such alliances are not uncommon, especially among prominent families.

However, Ji Lanyan was unwilling to enter into this marriage, and the reason lay with the man himself. Ji Lanyan didn’t elaborate, but the man had certain flaws. She preferred to leave with nothing rather than compromise, which led to her eventual encounter and acquaintance with Zhou Yang.

“Zhou Yang, that’s why I hope you succeed. When you succeed and grow strong, you can protect me. Will you protect me?”

Zhou Yang was certain that this woman was trying to entice him, but he was willing to compromise, even if it meant being led by the nose. “Lanyan, I will definitely protect you. If anyone dares to bully you, I’ll teach them a lesson!”

Ji Lanyan was clearly pleased with Zhou Yang’s response. With emotions running high and mutual affection evident between them, the atmosphere was ripe for further development…

“I love you, love you like a mouse loves rice!”

Just as they were about to draw closer, Zhou Yang’s phone suddenly rang. “Darn it!” he cursed inwardly, frustrated that he was so close to success, only to be thwarted by a phone call. He silently vowed to give the caller a piece of his mind once he answered.

“Hello, what? I’ll be right back!” Zhou Yang said before hanging up.

“Lanyan, a lot of villagers have brought things to my house. Yaoyao called, asking us to hurry back.”

Ji Lanyan acknowledged with a nod, and the two of them had no choice but to descend the mountain.

“Whoa!” Descending was proving more challenging than climbing, especially since Ji Lanyan had never tackled such terrain before. After only a few steps, she twisted her ankle…

Fortunately, Zhou Yang caught her in time, preventing her from making an intimate acquaintance with the ground. “Lanyan, are you okay?” Zhou Yang asked with concern, quickly helping her to sit on the grass and inspecting her foot.

Ji Lanyan’s lips curled into a barely noticeable smile, hinting that there might be more to this incident than met the eye.

Footnote:

Qingming(清明): Qingming, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated around April 4th or 5th. During this time, people honor their ancestors by visiting their graves, cleaning the tombstones, and making offerings of food and flowers. It is also a time for families to enjoy spring outings and appreciate nature. Qingming symbolizes respect for the deceased and the renewal of life.