Ye Fan paused, his deep ink-colored eyes fixed on the beautiful woman before him, feeling quite surprised.
She had been so calm and composed just moments ago, but now she seemed like a completely different person.
Still, he nodded faintly, "Whatever is within my ability, I will not refuse."
Shen Tianyin smiled, satisfied, "That is excellent."
...
The car sped along, finally stopping in front of an antique shop.
"Tianyin Ge?"
Seeing the plaque on the door, Ye Fan murmured softly.
"It's named after me, and I manage it now. Come inside and have a seat."
Having resumed her demeanor as a lady from a prominent family, her every move exuded nobility and elegance.
In the reception room, a servant had already brought fragrant tea. The teacups were Song Dynasty celadon, with a sky-blue glaze adorned with floral motifs. After being washed and steeped three times, the cups emanated an alluring luster.
Seeing Ye Fan staring at the teacup, motionless for a while, Shen Tianyin and Ji Nanshan exchanged smiles, both seeing satisfaction in each other's eyes.
Ji Nanshan spoke first with a smile, "Young friend Ye, what do you think of this teacup?"
Shen Tianyin smiled and remained silent, quietly watching Ye Fan, awaiting his reply.
This was also a test for him...
Unexpectedly, Ye Fan calmly set down the teacup and said in a low voice, "Song Dynasty Imperial Kiln celadon, the porcelain itself is good, but the method of nurturing it is lacking."
Ye Fan's words were like a thunderclap in broad daylight, causing Shen Tianyin and Ji Nanshan to frown.
"Young friend Ye, what do you mean by that?"
Ji Nanshan frowned, concentrating, his eyes filled with solemnity. This teacup was something he had personally taught people to nurture, how could it be wrong?
Shen Tianyin also furrowed her brow, looking at Ye Fan, her curiosity growing.
Ye Fan picked up the teacup again, gently turning it in his palm.
"Celadon porcelain is warm and flowing. It needs to be nurtured with jade, and good quality jade at that. It needs to be soaked with the porcelain in warm water for half an hour daily to achieve its lustrous, smooth, and silky effect. You two might as well try it to see if I am telling the truth."
His face was as placid as a still lake, his expression calm. There was no need for verification; one could tell from his expression that he was not lying.
A smile gradually appeared on Shen Tianyin's face, and she clapped her hands, "I have learned something new today. Mr. Ye is indeed an expert, and I am reassured by this."
Knowing this was a test, Ye Fan's expression remained unchanged as he turned his head to look at Shen Tianyin.
"Miss Shen, what exactly do you need me for? I don't think it's just to admire this celadon teacup, is it?"
His composure was like a tranquil ancient pool, unmoved by wind or rain.
Growing increasingly appreciative of Ye Fan, Shen Tianyin nodded with a smile.
"To be frank, in three days, there will be an antique appraisal fair in Jiang City, and I would like to invite Mr. Ye to help appraise a treasure."
Having been nearly swindled at Taoran Ge and also losing that Yongzheng famille rose vase with over-branching bats and longevity motifs, which had brought him only fleeting joy, and with his grandfather's birthday approaching, she urgently needed to find a treasure of sufficient value to make a stunning debut at the banquet and reverse her current disadvantaged position.
The situation was quite urgent, otherwise, she wouldn't have rushed to find Ye Fan.
Ye Fan looked at Shen Tianyin in confusion, "What kind of antique appraisal fair?"
Although he had assimilated the consciousness of this body, there were many things the original owner of this body did not know. After all, his status was not high enough, and he was unaware of certain events that only wealthy and influential families could participate in.
Shen Tianyin glanced at Old Master Ji, signaling him to enlighten Ye Fan.
Ji Nanshan nodded and then spoke, "The Jiang City Antique Appraisal Fair is a large-scale event jointly organized by the Jiang City Antique Association and Bogu Zhai, the largest antique dealer in Jiang City, integrating appraisal and auction. At that time, all the prominent families and century-old businesses in Jiang City will be invited to participate. Each participant needs to prepare an antique as a form of entry ticket. It will be appraised by professional appraisers, and rankings will be awarded. Achieving a high rank will allow one to make a remarkable name for themselves in Jiang City."
After all, it gathered all the forces in Jiang City, and establishing a reputation at such an occasion would naturally echo throughout the entire city.
Ye Fan nodded faintly, "You want me to help Tianyin Ge make a name for itself?"
However, Shen Tianyin shook her head, denying it, "Although the business of Tianyin Ge is declining, it is not the most pressing matter at the moment. Inviting you to the appraisal fair is for purchasing an item. My grandfather's birthday is approaching, and I must select a treasure that I can present with confidence. However, the Jiang City Appraisal Fair is a place where dragons and snakes mingle, with all sorts of people. If I were to purchase a fake item again, like at Taoran Ge, my standing in the family might plummet."
So that's how it is. Ye Fan finally understood Shen Tianyin's intentions.
In that case, this matter was not difficult to handle.
Seeing Ye Fan's expression relax considerably, Shen Tianyin quickly added, "As long as Mr. Ye can help me select a treasure, I am willing to offer one million as an appraisal fee."
"I heard your sister is seriously ill. I have already sent someone to inquire. There is an imported medicine called Gleevec that has good efficacy for your sister's condition, but it is prohibitively expensive. Therefore, this one million is also crucial for you, Mr. Ye."
These words were tantamount to tying herself and Ye Fan to the same boat.
Ye Fan naturally saw through Shen Tianyin's intentions, but the information she had just provided was crucial to him. Gleevec? She had never heard of it, but he believed Shen Tianyin would not make light of such a matter.
"Alright, it's a deal."
Without much thought, Ye Fan nodded heavily in agreement.