After parting ways with Jiang Zhitao at the coffee shop, Ye Fan returned to his rented apartment.
With his sister's condition improving and his mother there to look after her, plus Jiang Zhitao having sent people to guard the hospital to ensure no one could harm the mother and daughter again, Ye Fan was completely at ease. After a day of running around, even his iron constitution felt a bit weary. After washing up, he collapsed onto the bed and drifted off into a deep sleep.
The next morning, Ye Fan was awakened by the ringing of his phone. Upon answering, Shen Tianyin informed him she would pick him up in half an hour. Ye Fan quickly got up and tidied himself. Descending the stairs, he saw Shen Tianyin's car parked below. He hurried over and got in.
"Where are we going?"
Since his rebirth, he had been rushing around for money and had never gone out just to wander. Now, he had two to three million in hand.
"I'm not telling you yet. You'll know when we get there," Shen Tianyin said with a playful smile and started the car.
Although Jiangcheng was just a small coastal city, it was economically developed and quite prosperous. Many international brands had set up shop here. The car sped along and finally stopped in a high-end shopping district. Given Miss Shen's status, she naturally wouldn't buy street vendor goods, especially when buying clothes for Ye Fan.
Ye Fan was dazzled by the array of clothing. In his past life, he wasn't keen on such things, and after a century, his taste had long fallen behind the times. Shen Tianyin, on the other hand, kept introducing him to items, clearly in a good mood. After visiting more than ten stores, all featuring international brands, Ye Fan consistently shook his head. He felt these clothes were too ostentatious. As a son of China, how could he admire foreign things and belittle his own?
Shen Tianyin was exasperated, never expecting Ye Fan to be so particular.
"Where can I buy a changshan?" Ye Fan suddenly asked.
Shen Tianyin was stunned. "Changshan?" The word was unfamiliar. Who among modern people would choose to wear a changshan? He'd likely be considered mentally unstable if he wore one out. But seeing Ye Fan's determined gaze, Shen Tianyin smiled and said, "I don't know if there are any ready-made changshans, but I do know a shop that sells Su Jin. We can go take a look." Kuaishu Pavilion.
Su Jin, known as the king of brocades, was renowned for its intricate craftsmanship and high quality. Both in ancient and modern times, Su Jin was an undisputed treasure. The two headed straight for the top floor and finally found brocade in a sumptuously decorated shop.
A salesperson enthusiastically greeted them: "Sir and Madam, what kind of brocade would you like to choose? We have high-end Su Jin, as well as cloud brocade as thin as cicada wings, vibrant Shu brocade, and the world-famous Song brocade." The salesperson gestured to the brocades on display, introducing them enthusiastically.
Shen Tianyin was completely out of her depth. She only knew that these items felt good and looked beautiful, making them perfect for scarves, but she had never considered them for clothing. Ye Fan, however, walked slowly and examined them carefully. After looking at more than ten pieces, he shook his head, and his face was filled with disappointment.
"Is this the best place to sell brocade in Jiangcheng? They don't even have a single piece of top-grade Su Jin?"
Hearing her words, several surrounding customers frowned.
"Who is this person? Daring to speak so boldly in Jinxiu Pavilion, how outrageous."
"So young, what do they know?"
"If you can't afford it, leave quickly and don't spoil others' moods."
Clearly, they were displeased with Ye Fan's assessment. Shen Tianyin's face gradually darkened. She looked coldly at the women, and hearing their sarcastic remarks about Ye Fan, her anger ignited uncontrollably. Just as she was about to step forward to defend Ye Fan, a graceful figure slowly descended from the upper floor.
"This young man says I don't have fine Su Jin? Surely he must be mistaken? Jinxiu Pavilion deals only in high-end brocade. If the goods here are not to your liking, then perhaps there are no good silks in all of Jiangnan."
This woman was around thirty years old, her long hair tied up, wearing a dark blue Shu brocade qipao that perfectly accentuated her graceful figure. Her exquisitely beautiful face bore a competent air, adorned with light makeup, exuding elegance and nobility. Although she was a few points less beautiful than Shen Tianyin, her aura as a strong woman was even more pronounced.
Ye Fan smiled faintly. "If these are what you call fine quality, then I truly disdain them." He then sat down on his own accord. "The finest brocade is Su Jin, which originates from Suzhou. It is divided into two types. The first is woven from dry-land silkworm silk. Dry-land silkworms are suitable for artificial cultivation on land. Due to their high yield, many people engage in this practice. However, dry-land silkworm silk has a rough texture, and the resulting brocade is also coarser, with a darker hue. The other type is Su Jin woven from water-field silkworm silk. Silkworms are raised in paddy fields, and the resulting silk is soft and smooth, with a bright luster and excellent feel. This is the true Su Jin. As for your establishment..."
Ye Fan did not continue, but intelligent people understood: true top-grade Su Jin was not available here. The woman was stunned, looking intently at Ye Fan, a flicker of light in her eyes. After a moment, she clapped her hands.
"I didn't expect to meet an expert today. Young man, your extensive knowledge has indeed surprised me." Modern people rarely encountered brocade, let alone researched it so deeply. Moreover, judging the quality based solely on theory could easily lead to errors. Ye Fan's description not only had theoretical basis but also clearly explained the appearance and feel of the brocade. Without deep understanding, such a conclusion would be impossible.
"Young man, you are correct. There is indeed no top-grade Su Jin displayed here. If you don't mind, could you accompany me upstairs to take a look?" To Ye Fan's surprise, this strong woman invited him upstairs.
Nodding, Ye Fan showed no surprise. After a few words to Shen Tianyin, he followed her upstairs. The space upstairs was not large; it had been expanded later. But in this room of a few dozen square meters, brocades were displayed. Each type had only one bolt.
"Nanjing Luo family cloud brocade, Suzhou woven Su Jin, Sichuan Qingluo Shu brocade..." Ye Fan looked around, naming each one, his expression of shock growing. He never imagined that so many treasures were hidden here. If these brocades were put up for sale, they would fetch astronomical prices.
"Young man, you are a connoisseur and should know the value of these brocades. It's not that I am unwilling to display them downstairs, but selling such fine goods to those who don't appreciate them would be an insult to these treasures." For a lover of brocade, how could she bear to let pearls be covered in dust?