Perhaps because they had been stored in the space for so many years, the gemstones' clarity and luster seemed particularly brilliant in the palm of Chen Afu's fair and tender hand.
Mr. Bai, the shopkeeper, laughed when he saw them. He took the stones and inspected them carefully by the window, then said, "Not bad. How much are you expecting, young lady?"
Chen Afu replied with a smile, "I've heard that Mr. Bai has an excellent reputation. You treat a business worth one to two taels of silver with the same importance as a 1,000 taels business, that's why I came specifically to your Silver Tower. I didn't even consider going to another."
