Chapter 14: Eye of Appraisal
Yang Ning ignored him, his gaze settling on the few snuff bottles arranged on the table.
A subtle, peculiar sensation arose within him. Then, Yang Ning noticed a flash of blue light, akin to an electromagnetic pulse, flicker across his vision. It came and went so swiftly that it vanished in the blink of an eye.
As the blue light faded, the snuff bottles in his field of view seemed to be coated in layers of color.
These bottles, which had initially appeared pristine and dazzling, now bore a grayish tint on their surfaces. However, the amber thumb ring and a blood-red snuff bottle tucked away in the corner of the table were overlaid with a green hue.
Discovered Item: [Blood Coral Cloud-Bat Snuff Bottle]
Quality: Excellent
Evaluation: Collectible, crafted from blood coral with faint white speckles, shaped as a flat bottle. One side of the bottle features shallow relief carvings of ancient pines, mountain rocks, and lingzhi mushrooms, while the other side depicts auspicious clouds and bats. The shoulders are adorned with protruding carvings of mythical beasts holding rings in their mouths. The snuff bottle is fitted with a yellow base embedded with a jade lid, connected to an ivory spoon. Crafted during the Xianfeng Era, it dates back one hundred and sixty years, holding potential for appreciation in value. Estimated worth: 77,800 Huaxia currency.
Yang Ning was momentarily stunned. What threw him off wasn’t the discovery of the [Blood Coral Cloud-Bat Snuff Bottle], but rather the extraordinary ability he now possessed to appraise antiquities at a glance!
Eye of Appraisal!
Four words flashed through Yang Ning’s mind!
Though he had previously learned about the effects of the Eye of Appraisal, experiencing it firsthand was an entirely different matter. Theory was one thing; practical application was another!
If the System’s earlier appraisals could be considered an overpowered single-target skill, then this Eye of Appraisal was like a wide-range area-of-effect attack with the same devastating power!
Holy shit, this is absolutely game-breaking!
“Young man, interested in these snuff bottles? If you like them, I’ll give you a few,” Meng Jianlin said, his eyes glinting as he watched Yang Ning.
“A gentleman doesn’t take what others cherish. I can tell that Elder Meng holds these snuff bottles dear, or else they wouldn’t be polished so meticulously.”
Yang Ning emphasized the word ‘meticulously,’ then pointed at the dusty [Blood Coral Cloud-Bat Snuff Bottle] in the corner of the table with a smile. “Elder Meng, if you truly wish to gift me something, how about that one? It’s red and vibrant—I quite like the look of it.”
At Yang Ning’s words, many in the room cast odd glances his way. The crowd’s eyes were sharp; anyone could see that the blood-red snuff bottle, covered in dust and relegated to an inconspicuous corner, was likely worthless—a fake, no doubt.
This kid seemed to have some self-awareness. He accepted the gesture without causing the company any real loss—a win-win situation. It appeared this eccentric fellow knew how to handle himself.
Even Lin Manxuan thought as much, but Meng Jianlin, who knew the truth, couldn’t help but twitch at the corners of his mouth. Internally, he cursed. This kid’s got a sharp eye! How did he spot it tucked away so discreetly? What’s his background? Is he playing the pig to eat the tiger, and I’m the tiger?
Meng Jianlin felt stifled. The [Blood Coral Cloud-Bat Snuff Bottle] hadn’t been at the company for long. Usually covered in dust and placed in a corner, no one paid it any mind.
Yet, in reality, Meng Jianlin knew full well that this snuff bottle was a genuine antique, and its value was considerable.
Was this a case of a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse, or did he actually figure it out?
To be frank, Meng Jianlin believed Yang Ning had simply gotten lucky. Otherwise, it would be far too terrifying.
It had taken him ages to determine the era of this snuff bottle. If Yang Ning had discerned something fishy just by glancing at it from a distance without even touching it, that would be utterly shocking, wouldn’t it?
“Young man, that snuff bottle is a bit dirty. Come, pick one of these cleaner ones,” Meng Jianlin said with a somewhat unnatural smile.
“Is its origin questionable?” Yang Ning whispered.
“Nonsense!”
Meng Jianlin’s eyebrows shot up. Reputation was paramount in the auction business. Though Yang Ning’s voice was low, plenty of people still heard him.
Lin Manxuan shot Yang Ning a glare, snapping irritably, “What are you blabbering about?”
“Then I’m relieved.” Yang Ning grinned. “Elder Meng, dust can be wiped off. If you’re gifting me that snuff bottle, I don’t mind at all.”
You might not mind, but I sure do!
Meng Jianlin’s smile was forced, while Yang Ning put on a shy demeanor. “Elder Meng, are you reluctant to part with it?”
Meng Jianlin suddenly felt as though he’d lifted a rock only to smash his own foot. He regretted speaking so definitively. Even if he had intended to test Yang Ning, there was no need to offer the snuff bottles as gifts. Now he was stuck between a rock and a hard place!
“If you like it, take it. Grandpa Meng just wanted to give you something more presentable. You’re so ungrateful, truly clueless,” Lin Manxuan said, looking at him as if he didn’t know a good deed when he saw one.
“My apologies for being ignorant. Thank you, Elder Meng.” Yang Ning chuckled as he picked up the [Blood Coral Cloud-Bat Snuff Bottle], pulling out a cotton cloth to carefully wipe away the dust on its surface, much to Zhou Xuebin’s disdain.
Meng Jianlin’s heart bled watching this. Young lady, you really don’t understand the value of things when you’re not in charge. A snuff bottle worth over two hundred thousand, and you’re giving it away like it’s trash.
This was all because of his own careless mouth. Meng Jianlin felt like slapping himself a few times.
“Elder Meng, how about gifting me one too? I quite like that enamel snuff bottle with the flower-and-bird design.”
Zhou Xuebin, unwilling to be left out, chimed in. He figured that the enamel snuff bottle, which looked rather impressive, might be an antique. Meng Jianlin had been generous enough to gift something to Yang Ning, a mere acquaintance. Surely, he wouldn’t be stingy with someone he’d watched grow up.
Still wallowing in regret, Meng Jianlin waved his hand impatiently. “If you like it, take it. It’s not worth much.”
Zhou Xuebin was delighted, failing to pick up on the frustration and irritation in Meng Jianlin’s tone. But that didn’t mean Lin Manxuan, a doctorate holder in psychology, missed it.
Especially when she noticed Yang Ning’s eyes gleaming as he stared at the snuff bottle in his hand, and Meng Jianlin’s barely concealed frustration, she vaguely sensed something was amiss.
Suddenly, Lin Manxuan’s delicate frame trembled slightly. She said coldly, “Give me the snuff bottle in your hand. I think it’s quite nice and want to display it in my collection cabinet at home.”
Yang Ning was taken aback, instinctively replying, “There’s a whole pile on the table. Why pick this one?”
“It’s red and vibrant. Looks festive.”
Yang Ning’s mouth twitched. For that reason alone?
He didn’t believe it for a second.
“How about you pick something else?”
No way. Now that this snuff bottle was in his hands, it was like a daughter married off or water spilled out. Want it back? Two words: dream on!
“Are you giving it or not!” Initially, she had only suspected, but now Lin Manxuan was completely certain.
“Miss Lin, it’s just a dirty old snuff bottle. If you like it, I’ll buy a few for you another day,” Zhou Xuebin interjected with a gentlemanly air. Moments like these were perfect for showing off and getting closer to the goddess.
Of course, this was merely his wishful thinking, as Lin Manxuan didn’t even acknowledge him—or rather, outright ignored him.
Ignored?
Zhou Xuebin felt deeply wounded.
“Fine, if you like it, keep it.”
Yang Ning wasn’t unreasonable. This snuff bottle was indeed a gift from Lin Manxuan, so if she wanted it back, he couldn’t object.
Looking at the now spotless [Blood Coral Cloud-Bat Snuff Bottle], Lin Manxuan mused thoughtfully, “Tell me about this thing’s origins. Don’t lie to me.”
This dusty old snuff bottle had a story?
Judging by Lin Manxuan’s tone, it seemed to have quite a significant background?
Not just Zhou Xuebin was puzzled; even the employees who had been half-listening while pretending to work found it somewhat unbelievable.
Yang Ning glanced at Lin Manxuan with a frustrated expression. “Blood Coral Cloud-Bat Snuff Bottle, made of blood coral with faint white speckles, shaped as a flat bottle. One side features shallow relief carvings of ancient pines, mountain rocks, and lingzhi mushrooms, while the other depicts auspicious clouds and bats. The shoulders have protruding carvings of mythical beasts holding rings in their mouths. The snuff bottle is fitted with a yellow base embedded with a jade lid, connected to an ivory spoon. Crafted during the Xianfeng Era, it dates back over one hundred and sixty years.”
As Yang Ning recounted the origins of the snuff bottle as if reciting family heirlooms, Lin Manxuan, Zhou Xuebin, and the company employees were all dumbfounded. Even Meng Jianlin stared at Yang Ning in disbelief.
Even if he believed Yang Ning might have figured out the snuff bottle’s origins, Meng Jianlin never imagined that this unassuming young man could discern so much just by looking at it for a short while, getting the details almost entirely correct!
A genius!