Liu Wei stepped into the Tao Hamm store, enveloped by a wave of elegance and quietude that stood in stark contrast to the clamorous chaos he had just left behind in the market.
The place resembled a miniature museum: opulent and meticulously adorned, where crystal lights glittered off walls clad in polished, dark wood.
In every corner, antiques displayed their beauty, impeccably preserved inside thick glass cases on shelves made of ivory and bronze, suggesting the priceless value of every exhibited piece.
A young woman with a calm presence stood at the reception desk.
"Welcome to Tao Hamm Antiques. How may I assist you?" she asked softly, but her large eyes were fixed not on Liu Wei's face, but on the vase he was cradling.
Her almond-shaped, dark brown eyes flashed with a brief, sudden spark of interest when she registered the antique vase held securely in the young man's arms.
Liu Wei looked at her as she looked at him. This was Xiu Anya, the receptionist.
She possessed a delicate beauty reminiscent of classic Chinese ink artists; far removed from the raucous and the vulgar. Her dark, glossy hair was cut in a sleek, short style that reached her chin, highlighting her fine, oval face and small, straight nose. Her slenderness was graceful and her demeanor suggested poise. Dressed in a simple uniform of a pearlescent silk blouse and a dark pencil skirt, she looked like an integral part of the store's chic, high-end décor.
"I want to sell this vase," Liu Wei said in a direct, unvarnished tone.
The polite smile faded from Xiu Anya's lips, replaced by a look that was more serious and professional. "Certainly. Please follow me."
Xiu Anya led Liu Wei deeper into the store. He followed, carefully shielding the vase and avoiding any collision with the surrounding treasures. She guided him to a private appraisal room: a quieter, more focused space dominated by a large glass appraisal table in the center.
An elderly man sat behind the table, under a sharp, directed light focused on a small antique object before him. This was Mr. Xing Lao, the owner or the store's chief appraiser.
He wore a luxurious dark grey bespoke suit that barely concealed his slender body, which years had weighed down. His facial features were as rigid as ancient porcelain, and his eyes were half-closed, concealing a sharp intellect and a cold fire in his thoughts, as if his long years of experience had stripped him of all ordinary expressions.
As they approached, Mr. Xing didn't lift his eyes. He merely placed a small, silver appraisal lens on the countertop, making a faint, barely audible click.
Then, he spoke in a measured, formal voice, addressing Xiu Anya without looking up: "Why are you back so soon, young lady?"
Xing Lao slowly nodded his head towards Liu Wei and the vase he carried. Suddenly, he registered the vase. One look was enough to shift his entire focus.
"Mr. Xing, I wanted you to appraise this vase," Xiu Anya said calmly, gesturing towards the piece.
The elderly man extended his hand toward Liu Wei, lifting his eyes slightly and revealing a quick, assessing glint. He said, "Welcome. My name is Xing Lao."
Liu Wei extended his hand and shook his with a light grip: "My name is Liu Wei. It is an honor to meet you."
After the brief handshake that lasted barely a second, Xing Lao gestured toward the dark glass table: "Please place the vase here."
Liu Wei carefully set the Dragon and Phoenix Vase down on the expensive glass surface, watching Xing Lao's every move. The old man reached for the silver lens and began to examine the piece with intense focus and absolute silence.