Chapter 87: The Rosewood Buddhist Beads

Zhang Can immediately realized that, no matter what, Su Xue would never guess that he had already discovered her secret. Thus, he could take a gamble, relying on his extraordinary appraisal skills.

“Miss Su, I’m quite fond of items like this, and I really like the one you have. Would you consider selling it to me?” Zhang Can smiled as he probed Su Xue, though he had no intention of actually obtaining the string of beads from her. He simply wanted Su Xue to notice his impressive appraisal abilities, and at the same time, test whether she truly didn’t know the value of her beads, or if she merely pretended not to.

Su Xue hesitated for a moment, then gave a light laugh and said, “Mr. Zhang, you’re quite the joker. I’m rather fond of these beads myself. If you really want them, I can buy another set for you tomorrow and gift them to you!”

Zhang Can tilted his head, smiling as he asked, “Miss Su, how did you know my surname was Zhang?”

“Oh…” Su Xue was momentarily stunned, but quickly recovered and laughed, “Come now, didn’t you tell me yourself?”

Su Xue was clearly trying to cover her tracks. Zhang Can distinctly remembered that he had never told her his surname. Obviously, Su Xue had gotten flustered by his probing and slipped up, but her mind worked quickly and she smoothed it over, showing no sign of unease.

Having gotten the result he wanted, Zhang Can didn’t press any further. Su Xue had come to investigate him because she suspected something, so all he could do was attempt to demonstrate his abilities and prove himself with the plan he’d just conceived.

“Heh, really? I don’t recall telling you, but let me introduce myself again. My surname is Zhang, given name Can. I work in antique and jade appraisal.”

Smiling, Zhang Can gestured to the prayer beads on her wrist. “Miss Su, to be honest with you, these beads aren’t ordinary. They’re made from exceptionally rare rosewood, and they’re quite old. If you really found these at a street stall, that would be nearly impossible. But if you did, then Miss Su, you’ve struck gold!”

“Really?” Su Xue turned her head to look at him, her eyes filled with scrutiny, as if testing the truth of his words—or perhaps she had other motives.

“Of course it’s true,” Zhang Can replied with a smile. “If it concerned something else, I might hesitate, but when it comes to antiques, treasures, or jade, I dare say I know a thing or two. If you don’t believe me, why not sell me your beads? I’ll give you three million yuan—would you be willing?”

Su Xue’s curiosity was genuinely piqued. She narrowed her eyes; she hadn’t expected this at all. She knew full well the origin of the prayer beads on her wrist, but she was surprised that Zhang Can could recognize their uniqueness from just a glance. Was he truly a master of appraisal?

Su Xue knew that if one played with antiques and possessed such sharp skills, one was usually an invisible tycoon, able to invest millions with ease. It wasn’t impossible for someone like that to have tens of millions in their account. What she found hard to believe, though, was that Zhang Can was so young. All the true masters of antiques she knew were seasoned elders forged by experience.

Yet, if she doubted him, she found it odd, because Zhang Can hadn’t been invited to appraise her beads, and her beads weren’t part of any plan. That he had spotted their value on his own could only mean that his eye was truly sharp. From this alone, she could be certain Zhang Can was no charlatan.

Her investigation had revealed that Zhang Can was the manager of Old Stone Studio, and had only recently started there. For over three years before that, he’d been hustling in the Jin City antique market. How could someone like that have saved over forty million yuan?

Now Zhang Can was offering three million for her beads—was he serious, or just testing her?

Three million was no trifling sum, not something one could simply produce on a whim. Yet Zhang Can spoke with ease, and it was clear that if she agreed, he would pay without hesitation.

She stared at him for a long moment, then burst into laughter. “You really are a joker. You almost have me believing you! Enough, let’s just chat. Work is exhausting enough; only at home can I relax.”

“I’m not joking, Miss Su. If you’re truly willing to sell, I’ll truly buy. If it’s about the price, we can negotiate,” Zhang Can pressed, refusing to back down. Only by displaying his genuine passion for antiques could he convince her that he was not only a real dealer, but also someone capable of earning such a fortune.

Su Xue was taken aback again, biting her lip before she smiled, “Look at you, no need to be so serious. Let’s just chat. You work with antiques, right? No wonder you keep bringing it up. Work is tiring enough—at home, let’s relax. Isn’t it said that politics shouldn’t be discussed at home?”

Zhang Can shook his head with a wry smile. “Habit, habit. Whenever I see something I like, I can’t help focusing on it, Miss Su. But regardless of whether you believe me, I’m telling the truth. Your beads really are incredibly valuable. Take good care of them. If you ever want to sell, come to me—I guarantee I’ll pay more than anyone else.”

“Is it really so extraordinary?” Su Xue’s curiosity was truly aroused. After a moment’s thought, she asked, “Let me ask you—what exactly makes these beads so special? They’re just wooden beads; how could they be worth so much?”

From the hidden look in Su Xue’s eyes, Zhang Can could tell she was testing him. He was certain she understood the nature of her beads.

Naturally, Zhang Can had no intention of hiding his skills—this was an opportunity to showcase his expertise before her. He considered for a moment, then said, “Miss Su, would you mind letting me take a closer look at your beads?”

Su Xue hesitated, uncertain. Zhang Can knew well that such prayer beads, especially those consecrated by a high monk, were rarely handled by anyone other than their owner. She must have been cautioned about this. However, not being particularly devout herself, she paused only briefly before removing the beads and handing them to him.

As soon as Zhang Can took the prayer beads, he felt their weight in his hand. Each bead was about the size of a little finger, and there were sixteen in total. Each bead bore the character for Buddha, carved rather than painted, the markings appearing as mere patterns.

He could confirm that the beads were indeed rosewood. The moment they touched his hand, he sensed a faint, lively energy flowing into his body. When this energy met the spiritual energy in his mind, it was like a parched man encountering a spring—he eagerly drank it in.

If these beads were merely carved from rosewood, they would have value as antiques. But what truly surprised and delighted Zhang Can was the spiritual energy contained within them—clearly left by the one who had consecrated the beads.

This energy was different from the spiritual energy of his own clairvoyant ability; his was a kind of supernatural power, while the energy in the beads was vast and gentle, imparting a sense of peace and compassion. It must have been the aura of the beads’ original owner, a high monk.

These must have been worn by a venerable monk. The energy within was not supernatural, but it greatly enhanced Zhang Can’s own clairvoyant ability, as if he’d been given a potent elixir.

Su Xue probably knew the beads were valuable, but she certainly had no idea about the spiritual energy within them. Of course, Zhang Can had no intention of telling her. While pretending to examine the beads, he quietly absorbed all the spiritual energy into his mind. Instantly, he felt his mind clear and invigorated. Previously, using his clairvoyant ability required intense concentration, but now, with this new energy, all he needed was a thought—wherever his gaze fell, he could see through objects at will, and even prolonged use no longer caused fatigue.

This sensation brought him immense joy. He had never expected such a windfall. He had acquired quite a few valuable antiques recently, some worth over ten million, but none had contained spiritual energy.

This string of prayer beads was the first he’d encountered with such energy. The jade that granted him his clairvoyant ability had likely come from a burial site, and its energy had awakened his gift. Now, it seemed he had a new goal: to seek out objects imbued with spiritual energy.

Once all the energy in the beads was absorbed, Zhang Can felt the merged energy within him grow vibrant and lively. His body felt more comfortable than he could describe.

“Did you find anything remarkable?” Su Xue, noticing his odd expression, couldn’t help but ask.

Startled, Zhang Can snapped back to reality, smiled, and returned the beads to her. “The original owner of these beads must have been a high monk. Of course, I can’t say what kind, but I sensed a profound and peaceful aura in them. The beads themselves are indeed made of rosewood, and considering their age and rarity, they’re worth a great deal. But once consecrated and worn by a high monk, I believe their value can no longer be measured in money. Such items simply can’t be bought.”

“Is it really so magical?” Su Xue tilted her head and regarded him, evidently intrigued by his words. It seemed she had heard similar things before, or she wouldn’t have found it so strange.

“It’s absolutely true. I wonder, Miss Su, do you still not believe me?” Zhang Can smiled mildly. “I can pay you in cash. If you’re just a salaried worker, this sum could help you start your own business and build a career.”

For an ordinary person to suddenly acquire several million in cash would indeed be a windfall, enough to start a business. But Zhang Can only said this to further convince Su Xue of his abilities. From her subtle bearing, he could tell she wasn’t someone who cared much about money, or at least not a woman to be swayed by mere millions. He’d been talking about the beads being worth three or four million, even offering to negotiate if she wanted more, but she had consistently brushed it off, refusing to believe they could be worth so much.

On reflection, it was clear: she was not someone who could be moved by money—at least not by such a sum.