Timing and Subtitles brought to you by the Dragon Guardians @ Viki
[ The Golden Eyes ]
[ Episode 3 ]
Buying and selling rare goods.
Have a look.
What are you looking at?
This plate looks good.
Boss, are you selling this plate?
This plate?
No, this one.
Little Brother, your eyesight is not bad at all.
This is the most treasured item of my stall.
Five great folk kilns of the Song Dynasty,
one of the five great folk kilns, a plate from Ge Kiln (a famous Song porcelain kiln).
Ge Kiln?!
How much is it?
Look at the two of you. Do you have ¥800,000?
¥800,000?!
Are you joking? Too expensive. Too expensive.
We don't want it.
This plate has golden crack lines on it.
It's not cracked-ice pattern. It's not a top quality product even if it's from the Ge Kiln.
How about this? ¥500,000. Is that okay?
No.
Little Brother has knowledge of the trade.
Since you know the trade, you should know this too.
Even though this porcelain plate is not a top grade product from Ge Kiln,
it is the most treasured piece in my stall. It is actually not for sale.
Had I not seen that you share certain fate with this plate,
I won't even show it to you.
Forget it!
Let's go.
¥550,000.
You really want to buy it? Can you add a little bit more?
Fifty-nine. Make it a lucky number. I'm 59 years old this year.
Is this reliable?
I've checked it on the internet.
The normal auction price for items from Ge Kiln is between ¥700,000 and ¥4,000,000
- If this good is correct, we'll be making a large profit. - ¥700,000 to ¥4,000,000...
We'll buy it!
- Buy it? - We'll buy it.
Take it away!
What are your thoughts on this?
We bought this plate for ¥590,000.
We are not greedy. We'll be satisfied if it can be sold for ¥700,000 to ¥800,000.
This ...
- how did you manage to discover it? Is it based on feelings again? - Yes.
Zhuang Rui, to think that you studied history for four years in Beijing University,
and worked in Ling He Pawnshop for one year.
How could you made a mistake that you shouldn't have made?
Isn't this an item with history behind it?
There's history behind it. It's history is fluid.
What do I mean? Look closely over here.
It is an authentic item from the Ge Kiln of the Song Dynasty. This is very obvious. There's no problem here.
The side should be from the Sui Dynasty.
Sui Dynasty?!
"Sui Bian" Dynasty (whichever one dynasty)!
Do you mean to say that this is a pieced together item?
In the antique trade, we often see such items.
They look for parts that are real, and parts that are fake,
and piece them together slowly.
Human beings can be really patient. Ordinary people will not be able to discover the difference.
It is used specially to trick people like you, who have only half the knowledge,
but believe yourself to be infallible. What can we do about it?
No, quickly look for that man and return the good to him.
That day, when you were selling the bottle gourd, I already told you about the rules of the antique trade.
The goods are delivered and the bill is cleared. If you favored wrongly, you mustn't dwell on it.
If you don't have good eyesight yourself,
and misjudged something, you have to admit defeat.
Consider this as buying a lesson.
Isn't this lesson too expensive?
If the lesson is not expensive, you won't remember it.
That's right too.
Don't blame anybody this time round.
If anyone is to be blamed, it should be me. I didn't learn my trade well.
But, it's all right. When I've read through this book,
finish reading it, we'll battle Panjiayuan again.
Excellent!
Then, please study well.
That...
Eat more. Don't overtired yourself.
Say,
we agreed not to eat instant noodles anymore.
I never imagined that we'll be back to our original form so quickly.
Uncle De.
Tonight,
there is a small-scale private auction at Panjiayuan.
Auction?
You can go there and train your judgement.
This kind of activity is held on a weekly basis.
This is the best opportunity to combine theory with practice.
But, remember one point.
Listen and look more. Speak less and don't buy.
Okay, Uncle De.
Auction!
Didn't I say that the Heaven will never bar our way (there's always a way out)?
Isn't it so? The opportunity is here.
Why are you still eating the instant noodles? Let's go!
Where are we going?
Go and make a fortune.
Let's go. Let's go.
Everyone has seen all the items just now.
Without more ado, we'll start the auction now.
Tiger-shaped jade inlaid with gold.
Starting from ¥280,000.
I would like to invite all the friends here to start bidding.
I want to bid ¥380,000.
This gentleman has offered ¥380,000.
- ¥450,000. - This gentleman has offered ¥450,000.
I'm bidding ¥500,000.
This gentleman has offered ¥500,000.
How is this item?
- It looks real. - ¥500,000 going once.
- But, it bears traces of restoration. - ¥500,000 going twice.
It is about this price.
¥500,000 going three times.
The deal is completed!
Congratulations to Boss Chen. This item is yours now.
Okay. I'm going to make a fortune after I bring this collector's item back home.
Not bad. You didn't waste your time reading that book.
Here, place it here.
"Li Duanduan Painting“ by Tang Bohu, famous artist from the Ming Dynasty.
Bid starts from ¥12,000.
Although this painting is not an authentic work of Tang Yin,
it is also an imitation from the Qing Dynasty.
The drawing skills is not bad. It is worth to be acquired as a collector's item.
[ In Shanhe Neighborhood, Li Duanduan believes she's great in singing "White Peony"; ('Shanhe" refers to places where scholars gather to share poems and lyrics, a.k.a. brothels; 'White Peony' means a simple yet refined, outstanding lady)
In a land paved with gold like Yangzhou, rouge prices (prostitutes) are actually so cheap. - Tang Yin's painting and poem ]
Say, Boss Liu, it's such a cold day. Don't delay everyone's time anymore.
Quickly bring in the next item.
- That's right. - That's right. - Bring in the next item.
Okay. Okay, since everyone is not interested,
then let's look at the next item. The next item is—
I want this painting.
Boss, are you interested in this?
Yes, but ¥12,000 is too expensive. Is ¥9000 okay?
Boss, I think I have never seen you before.
This is a private auction.
It is not like the stalls outside. There's no bargaining.
When you offer a price, it can only go up. There's no such thing as falling backwards.
If you really like it, please increase a little bit.
Didn't Uncle De already told us to not buy?
I...am only buying this one item.
How many do you want to buy? We have no money.
Boss, if this item becomes an aborted auction item, it will also be a loss to you.
Why don't you do this? Sell it to me at a lower price.
Didn't they say that it's not authentic? Why are you still buying? Have you thought carefully about it?
Boss, if you just want to buy some fun,
go out and turn right. There are a few stalls which might be suitable for you.
This painting is ¥12,000. One price.
If you really like it,
why don't you try and raise the money?
It's just ¥3,000 short...
Say, isn't that a bit too much?
This young man likes some of the the things that are left behind by our ancestors. This is a good thing.
That's right.
Young man, are you short by ¥3,000?
Yes.
Okay.
Look at this photo I just took of the artifice.
Thank you, Boss Ma. You are really kind.
What so kind about that? He's just adding trouble for us.
Little Zhuang, right? You can call me Brother Ma from now onward.
Say, I didn't see you making any move the whole night.
Why did you only just focus your attention on this painting?
It is basically impossible to buy an authentic painting of a famous artist for ¥12,000.
Furthermore, there's definitely not much chance of the value going up.
But, that's alright. You are new in the trade.
Count this as school fees. In any case, the painting skills is not bad.
Boss Ma, no, Brother Ma, do you have time?
What is it?
I want to bring you to visit my teacher's house.
Timing and Subtitles brought to you by the Dragon Guardians @ Viki
Uncle De, he insisted on buying it.
I blocked him, but I failed.
The painting skills of this painting is not bad.
Li Duanduan Painting.
The name written here is even that of Tang Yin, Tang Bohu.
The annotations and stamps are all done in the manner of Tang Bohu.
- Then— - The calligraphy, the painting, the stamps
all show knowledge of the fundamentals. Quite alright and acceptable.
Then, do you mean that...
This can't be authentic, can it?
There's a very big weakness in this painting.
This paper is not right.
This paper was made by Chengxin Hall during the time of Emperor Qianlong, imitating the fifth generation Southern Tang Dynasty.
It is made from leather material, and is thicker than normal.
During those years, mounting shops likes to use this kind of paper in their mounting work.
And this should be a three-meter long piece of paper cut into two, right?
Otherwise, on the corner in the back there will be something that was stamped
stating that it's made by Chengxian Hall during the time of Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty.
A piece of paper from the time of Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty would at least be a few hundred years old too, right?
That's right. It was copied during the time of Emperor Qianlong.
Isn't it still a fake then? I already told you not to buy. Counterfeit.
What makes you buy this painting?
I don't know if you notice this piece over here?
So you noticed this portion too?
The mounting of this painting is especially strange. I only discovered it accidentally.
Why are you talking in riddles?
It can't be that there's more mysterious principles in here?
Can't really tell if there's anymore mysterious principles.
Please have some tea first. Wait a while for me.
The truth will be revealed immediately.
I totally don't understand any of it at all.
What...is going on?
I'm so confused. This...
It should be a scroll.
What about a scroll?
From what I understand, this kind of mounting technique
can be found around Yangzhou, Suzhou, and Shanghai.
It is similar to that kind of mounting technique used before the liberation, known as archaised mounting.
It is normally used by experts and collectors
to mount priceless paintings.
It's weird that they would use that kind of mounting technique on a counterfeit.
So I decided to buy it, and wanted to let Uncle De inspect it.
Then what?
Then I bought it.
You...
How about it? Did you see anything?
I saw it! My Sis has long legs!
Sis, your martial arts is really awesome. I already want to take screenshots and make it my screensaver.
Stop fooling around.
I was asking if you see anything new that could be useful?
I didn't see anything new, Sis. The car is too far away from the cameras.
I can only see the plate and I looked it up, its a fake.
Sis, the experts already told us that it doesn't worth that much,
yet they attacked a cop for it.
Do you think that it has some secret function
that can...make someone an X-man or Spiderman?
Have you been watching too many movies?
You're right. If it did have some secret function,
we would have already caught them using it. Why would we still need to scan through these surveillance videos?
Rewind it.
Stop!
There it is.
What is there? They want to escape from the police? It's not that easy.
[ Supermarket ]
Last delivery.
Hello, I am a police officer.
Your car's dash camera may have important information about a criminal.
May you copy the video to help me with my work?
Yes, I'll just give it to you.
Why are there two paintings now?
That's right.
This one up here indeed show a little of Tang Bohu's style.
But, just looking at this paper, there is no point studying it anymore. It's a fake.
But, the painting hiding below it is totally different.
The brush strokes are so clean and swift.
The words were also written so vigorously. Look at the clothing,
people, and rocks. The were drawn so lifelike.
So you are saying, the fake is on top of the real one?
This is the real painting?
Yes. Didn't Zhuang Rui say that?
Something's wrong with the mounting. So when I removed the top painting, the real one appeared.
Zhuang Rui, you are amazing!
Oh my god, Brother,
you were able to pick up such a huge flaw?! You are amazing!
Zhang Rui, you spent all your money to buy this painting. Did you discover something?
Right, I noticed the mounting method. Because in the book you gave me, during the Warring States Period,
someone used this kind of method to protect several precious paintings.
Putting the fake painting on the top and the real painting on the bottom.
Hence, I bought it and have you verify my thoughts.
Practicing what you've learned. Deducing many things from just one case. Daring to make a move when it's needed.
Not bad. Really not bad.
Uncle De, how much does this painting cost?
That's hard to say.
It's been years since a Tang Bohu work has been seen in auctions.
Probably starting from ten million.
How...how much?
Ten million?! Ten million!
Xiao Rui! God has heard my voice!
What did I say? Heaven never bars one's way!
Ten million!
Starting from ten million! It's starting from it! Starting from it!
Go away.
Brother, I want to buy this painting for fifteen million.
That sounds fair.
Uncle De, thank you.
If you think it's too less, I will add more.
Brother Ma.
If you want this painting,
I'll give it to you for five million.
Five million, Brother?
When I bought the painting, you gave me three thousand.
So, you already paid for part of this painting.
No. No. I gave the money to you. These are two different things.
Let's talk about them separately.
If it wasn't for you, I probably won't get this painting.
Just think of it as me thanking you.
Brother, that is a huge sense of kindness.
It's rare to meet this kind of young fellow now. Very honest and very particular.
Okay. I'll accept this favor then.
If you ever need my help in the future, just call me anytime.
Tell me your account number now and I'll transfer the money.
I'll tel you. I know it.
No, you two are together, right?
Let's come sit here.
That guy is very righteous.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
You are not greedy and loyal to friends. I like that.
The mounting was done in such subtle manner.
I didn't even see it, but you did.
Your eyes are really powerful.
It can only be encountered and not asked for.
From working just half a year, you can see two amazing missed out details.
It's not even excessive to say that you're Feng Quan reincarnated.
I sent fat brother away. The five million will be entering our account immediately.
It was originally fifteen million.
Uncle De, who is Feng Quan?
Feng Quan is...
In the "Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio" written by Pu Songling, wasn't there a story
that mentioned about a man named Feng Quan?
He accidentally saved a turtle sprite.
This turtle sprite then gave him
a pair of wise eyes that won't miss any details
or treasure out as gratitude payment.
And from then on, he was able to enjoy limitless wealth and fame.
Uncle De is right. You're Feng Quan reincarnated.
Soon, you'll be able to surpass me.
- Thank you Uncle De. - Thank you Uncle De.
Say, you, did you really save some turtle sprite and obtained a turtle treasure?
What turtle sprite, turtle treasure? No such things.
Hey, how then were you able to accurately identify that gourd last time and this painting today?
It's really all based on my intuition.
You know me. I studied medicine.
I only believe in materialism.
Turtle sprite?! Animals will never become sprites!
But, I feel that there isn't any comparison between you and that Feng Quan.
You are cooler than him. We don't need those mysterious or mystical backing.
We were still able to pick up those missed treasures and earn the money. Hence, in my heart,
you are the most amazing god.
Didn't Uncle De already say that it's fiction?
It's just a story. No need to believe it.
We are now rich people.
We should learn to appropriately exaggerate.
Right? It's just some ancient person. Look at how nervous you got.
Forget it.
I'll just buy some equipment to play some games.
It still feels better to have money.
I'll be holding a wedding in my hometown in Gansu next week. If you have time, come and join with the fun!
Gansu...
[ Feng Quan, Qin Dynasty, Eight Prince, Gansu, Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio ]
Sis.
You didn't eat yet, right? here.
What are you looking at? Oh, oil fruit.
You know this?
It's sweet and really delicious.
Isn't my girlfriend from Gansu? Her mother kept sending us some.
I saw this from the other car's dash camera.
So what you mean is, the criminals are from Gansu?
Oh right. Make phone calls to ask around if the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
has sent any archaeological team to Gansu.
- Yes. - Wait!
- Here. Drink some yogurt first. - Thanks.
Brother Ma's money has already been transferred.
Aren't you an expert accountant? You manage the money this time.
Don't worry. I will definitely be a virtuous internal assistant (usually refers to a wife).
We're not doing any shared economy this time?
With you around, why would I still do such things?
That's right. I need to go on a trip to Gansu.
Why are you going to Gansu?
My classmate is going to be married there. He invited me to go have some fun.
Classmate? Is it a guy or girl?
A senior dorm mate.
Do you want to come?
Gansu?
I'm not interested. You can go by yourself.
I will be here and watch the house.
Alright.
What are you looking at?
I want to buy a backpack, so I was looking at comparisons.
Compare what?
We are now rich people.
Just pick the most expensive one.
Who? Who is it?
Hello?
Hello. Is this Mr. Zhuang?
Who are you?
The Sanhe Liu gourd with katydid,
do you remember?
Oh, ¥800,000, the one driving a luxury car.
Ms. Katydid?
Please sit.
That...
Qin Xuanbing.
Hello, Ms. Qin.
I asked you out today mainly to thank you for gifting me that katydid last time.
I like it a lot. Thank you.
It's not some valuable item. Totally incomparable with that gourd.
To be honest, I don't really understand antiques.
But that katydid made me remember a lot of memories.
When I was little, my father gifted me a katydid.
That summer, he accompanied me to get mealworms
to feed it, play with it, and listen to it.
That was the best gift I ever had.
Looks like this gift is very appropriate for you.
Katydid?
You made it?
A katydid is also called hundred days bug. They have very short life span. It can't live past winter.
But the happiness it brings to us
will always stay behind.
Thank you. I will keep it well.
Ms. Qin, what would you like to drink?
It is late now.
We should go back.
I will walk you then.
You must have driven here by yourself, right?
No, I actually don't live far.
I live right across from here at that apartment.
- You... - You...
You can talk first.
Did you study antiques?
That Sanhe Liu gourd last time was wrapped by some thick material,
yet you were still able to see through it.
I'm a history major student from Peking University.
I've worked in a pawnshop for more than a year.
What about you?
I studied design, jewelry design.
Diamond?
Also some jade and jadeite.
Then you also understand some antiques.
No, not really.
My studio is right up front.
Do you want to drink some coffee?
Okay. Drink coffee again?
Bing Bing.
Where were you? I was waiting for you for a long time.
Didn't Mr. Zhuang
gift me a katydid last time?
I invited him out for some coffee to thank him.
Yes, we indeed should thank you.
Let's go. I will bring you back.
It's okay.
I still have work to do. I will go back first.
Okay.
How about this. I will send Mr. Zhuang back.
I need to thank him. I won't bother you anymore.
Okay.
I will go by myself.
Get in the car.
1990 Champagne Krug Rose.
Bing Bing is very particular with her liquor. She only drinks wine from the Champagne region.
Are you interested? I will give you two bottles.
I am a family friend of Bing Bing.
She came to Beijing for a short time, so she doesn't have many friends except for me.
Her father also especially instructed me to take good care of her.
I initially offered her to live in the courtyard house I owned near the Forbidden City.
Never thought she liked this area more.
She said that this area has a cultured atmosphere.
It's only around 400 square meters, quite a bit aggrieving for her.
Just one person living in such a big space, is she used to it?
Of course, she is used to it.
She has two maids and I check on her everyday.
What is there to not be used to?
Oh, right. Regarding the katydid,
I must thank you in behalf of Bing Bing. However, the goods are delivered and the bill has been cleared between us.
There should be any more connection between us from now on, right?
We are here.
This... What do you mean we are here?
In front there's a subway, bus stop, or shared bicycles.
You can choose whatever mode you want.
What?!
So, you didn't go up?
That is sad. She even invited you.
She only invited me to her design studio. Nothing else.
I understand.
You can feel depressed, but no need to have regrets.
She's a nobility,
while we are nouveu riche.
In their eyes, we're just wood lice.
She wouldn't be sincerely good to you.
I also didn't think that much.
Right, they do have money,
but they're not happy.
Look, from when they were born,
they have everything. They think there is no meaning in anything.
They even feel so happy just with a katydid.
Unlike us.
Our life
is full of highlights, have unrestrained rise and fall.
Just look at the ups and downs we went through for only a few days? It's like we're in a roller coaster ride.
Do you know the wines made in the Champagne region?
I know. What?
Wines made in the Champagne region.
Her friend said that she likes wines made in the Champagne region.
Rich ladies like her are so delicate.
No, why do you care about her?
You won't meet her again anyways.
Oh, right. I've booked you a flight to Gansu.
Business class.
But it was on a discount.
You said it
that even though we are rich, we can't waste it. Right?
Zhuang Rui, you can see clearly now even without glasses?
I just casually mentioned it in our friends group.
I didn't know that you would actually come.
This time, I'm treating attending your wedding as a vacation too.
I initially planned to do it in Lanzhou.
But my father insisted to return to our hometown to do some pre-nuptial banquets.
Our place is too far, so remote and poor.
My wife didn't want to come back here at all.
Old people's habits, just get used to it.
This is my cousin Ermao.
Hello.
Hi.
The past two days, if I'm too busy attending to my relatives,
just let Ermao take you around our town.
An archaeological team has come to our town.
If you are interested, let Ermao take you there.
After all, you're the only left in our class that's on this field.
Watch out. Right.
Make it straight.
Look at it. Right.
Pull it straight.
Don't touch it.
Wait. Who are you?
I heard that there's an archaeological site nearby, so I came here to look.
Hey, kid!
How can you just randomly look at an archaeological site?
Timing and Subtitles brought to you by the Dragon Guardians @ Viki
♫ The sky loses its color ♫
♫ It's all the rain's fault ♫
♫ Can you stop for a while, just give a moment of clear sky ♫
♫ Love is an apple ♫
♫ Only after taking a bite did I know ♫
♫ That everything about the Garden of Eden ♫ ♫ Is true ♫
♫ I want to be the only one in your eyes ♫
♫ Even if it's to banish you to the sky's horizon one day ♫
♫ I want to become the only one in your heart ♫
♫ Just for you, why fear the wind and rain ♫
♫ My dream is hazy ♫
♫ All because of you ♫
♫ Some rare rainbows, are all just a reflection from my tears ♫
♫ What's strange is ♫
♫ I'm not sad at all ♫
♫ The feeling when I cry ♫ ♫ is actually bliss ♫
♫ I want to be the only one in your eyes ♫
♫ Even if it's to banish you to the sky's horizon one day ♫
♫ I want to become the only one in your heart ♫
♫ Just for you, why fear the wind and rain ♫
♫ I want to be the only one in your eyes ♫
♫ Even if it's to banish you to the sky's horizon one day ♫
♫ I want to become the only one in your heart ♫
♫ Just for you, why fear the wind and rain ♫
♫ The feeling when I cry ♫ ♫ is actually bliss ♫