“As expected…”

At this moment, hearing Elder Qian open by mentioning forty years ago, many people present secretly nodded, pleased with their foresight. After all, in their estimation, there had to be some story behind the vase.

It was known that for some individuals, the monetary value of the vase was secondary; the origin of the object, the specific meaning it held, was what concerned them more.

So, at this juncture, hearing Elder Qian recount the history of the vase, several people quieted down.

“…I picked this item up at a flea market forty years ago.”

However, much to the surprise of many, Elder Qian dismissed the object’s origin with a casual tone, nearly causing internal distress to those who had prepared to listen intently to a long story.

“Haha, Lingxi is teasing us again.”

Hearing this, Elder Zhou couldn’t help but chuckle: “But this is fine too. The origin isn't the crucial part; the essence of the vase itself is what matters most.”

“What essence does it have?” Wang Guan couldn't help but ask again.

“No rush, Lingxi has already started speaking,” Elder Zhou gestured.

Simultaneously, Elder Qian smiled and continued, “As everyone knows, China’s economy wasn't very strong forty years ago, and conditions were quite difficult. When I found this vase, I originally intended to modify it into a water kettle. But after taking it home, a friend told me it might be an antique. So, strictly speaking, this should be the first antique I ever acquired, and my very first collector’s item.”

“I knew it… it had to be something like that…”

The narrative had finally gotten onto the right track, and many people breathed a sigh of relief inwardly, feeling a sense of shared experience. After all, the first collector’s piece in one’s life carries great commemorative significance, regardless of its quality.

Of course, seeing that the item was not the supreme treasure they had imagined, some disappointment was inevitable. They lost interest immediately and slowly dispersed, intending to view other objects. However, a portion of the crowd remained, prepared to share Elder Qian’s insights and joy.

“…You all know, forty years ago, the concept of ‘antiques’ didn't really exist.”

Elder Qian’s thoughts drifted back in time: “Hearing it was an old object, I didn’t have any particular ideas. But modifying it into a water kettle was certainly out of the question, so I just set it on a table and stuck a snapped branch of huā in it. You could say I was trying to appear refined.”

The crowd smiled, knowing there must be some turning point ahead that made Elder Qian realize the vase’s value, leading him to fully embrace collecting and ultimately become a great collector.

Reality proved their speculation somewhat accurate. At this point, Elder Qian reached out and picked up the vase, his palm gently caressing its belly, expressing a hint of wistfulness: “As one ages, one always likes to reminisce. I don't know why, but even though forty years have passed, the scene back then remains vividly clear.”

“I remember it perfectly. I cleaned the vase that day, then poured in a little clean water…”

While speaking, Elder Qian set the vase down, retrieved a sealed bottle of mineral water, casually unscrewed the cap, and poured a small amount into the porcelain vessel.

“…And then inserted a single huā branch!”

Elder Qian beckoned, and an attendant immediately approached, handing him a slightly withered lotus huā bud. Elder Qian accepted the lotus bud and carefully placed it inside the vase, then stepped back a few paces to observe.

This action, much like an aging man retrieving memories of his youth, truly tugged at the heartstrings of some onlookers, causing a ripple of poignant emotion.

“Wang Guan, watch closely, don't blink.” However, at this very moment, Elder Zhou offered a friendly reminder, his eyes betraying unconcealed amusement.

“What?”

Wang Guan was startled and instinctively looked toward the vase. At first, he noticed nothing unusual, but after ten seconds, he suddenly sensed that something was amiss.

“What’s happening…”

In that instant, Wang Guan’s eyes widened, and he gasped out in disbelief. At this moment, not only he but also some attentive individuals noticed the anomaly on the display stand.

“Smoke, where is that smoke coming from?”

“What smoke?”

“The vase! There’s mist rising from the mouth of the vase…”

Prompted by the careful observers, others peered closely and witnessed a scene they would never forget. Indeed, the vase resting on the stand was emitting faint wisps of cloud and fog, hazy, much like the vapor rising when water boils.

Initially, the vapor was faint, almost imperceptible. But as time passed, the vapor coalesced, becoming quite dense, as clear as visible clouds.

Seeing this, many people were slightly surprised and conjectured that the effect was created by a hidden device within the display case. However, in the next second, they overturned their conclusion. Because, under the cover of the hazy vapor, the slightly withered lotus huā was actually growing fresh and tender, on the verge of blooming…

No, not on the verge of blooming, but actively blossoming.

“How is that possible!”

Suddenly, many people cried out in astonishment. They clearly saw the lotus huā inside the vase actually beginning to bloom. Just like a tánhuā opening, the petals of the bud unfolded layer by layer, transforming instantly from a flower bud the size of an infant’s fist into a brilliant, gorgeous blossom—naturally astonishing and unbelievable.

Remember, the lotus is not the tánhuā. One only hears of the tánhuā blooming briefly, never a “lotus blooming briefly.” Most importantly, the lotus had been broken off and was somewhat withered, clearly drained of vitality. Even with the nourishment from the mineral water inside the vase, it could at best sustain minimal life. Even if it were to bloom, it would require adding more water and waiting several days.

Yet, they watched as the lotus bud regained its life and burst into full bloom in a maximum of five or six minutes, as if the video recording had been deliberately sped up, allowing them a clear view of this miraculous process.

“…Are my eyes playing tricks on me?”

“Is this a magic trick?”

After a pause, some finally snapped out of their stupor, and the previously quiet hall erupted into a buzzing clamor, like a swarm of bees.

It was understandable that ordinary people found such an extraordinary event hard to accept, but many experts were present, including several senior specialists from the Palace Museum. At this point, amidst their shock, they also became thoughtful.

“Withered Wood Meets Spring!”

Just then, a senior expert exclaimed with mingled excitement and joy: “Brother Qian, is this your Withered Wood Meets Spring Vase?”

“Withered Wood Meets Spring Vase? What is that?”

The bystanders were naturally very confused. They knew the idiom “Withered Wood Meets Spring,” but adding the word “Vase” made it hard for them to grasp. Perhaps they vaguely suspected what was happening but were unwilling to accept something that seemed to defy common knowledge.

After all, their worldview and outlook on life were established, even fixed; shattering their ingrained cognition was not easily done. Even when witnessing it firsthand, they would doubt if their eyes had deceived them. Because what one sees with one’s own eyes is not necessarily the truth. For example, magic tricks…

“It must be a magic show, and the people assisting are shills…”

At this point, many people held this view, their eyes filled with suspicion. However, in the next moment, their firm convictions began to waver.

“Elder Zhou, what is a Withered Wood Meets Spring Vase?”

Meanwhile, Wang Guan also inquired curiously. Having seen countless rare treasures, his heart was hardened, making him more accepting of the recent miraculous event than others. Still, he was certainly curious about the vase’s true nature.

“Withered Wood Meets Spring, as the name suggests, is the ability to revitalize withered plants,” Elder Zhou explained with a chuckle. “Of course, this applies only to withered plants, not branches that have completely died and lost all life. It has no effect on fully dead plant matter…”

While Elder Zhou was explaining, Elder Qian calmly retrieved the blooming lotus from the vase, then lightly waved his hand. Another person handed him a half-withered peach huā branch.

At this moment, everyone opened their eyes wider, watching intently as Elder Qian inserted the branch into the vase. Five or six minutes later, the pink peach huā indeed became lustrous again. It was as if the peaches were lush and their blossoms radiant. The enchanting, tender color, while not as bizarre as the lotus blooming, was equally astounding.

“How about that…”

“It’s recorded. The entire process is flawless.”

Many astute individuals present took out their cell phones to record the event and then replayed it. The process of the peach huā regaining its vibrancy was replayed second by second, showing absolutely no flaw, which naturally made many people’s beliefs begin to shake.

But that was the development later on. Before that, not only Wang Guan sought enlightenment from Elder Zhou about the Withered Wood Meets Spring Vase, but others also consulted the senior expert who had first spoken.

That senior expert pondered for a moment and then slowly calmed down, saying with a touch of admiration, “Don't feel that this is so bizarre that there must be trickery involved. In reality, such objects have been recorded in ancient literature.”

“What records?” Others naturally pressed with curiosity.

“The Qing Dynasty literati’s notes, Er Shi Lu, contain detailed accounts of porcelain vases similar to this one.” The senior expert glanced at Elder Qian, his gaze revealing undisguised awe: “It is said that in Jinxi, two men were hunting a white rabbit when they chased it to a remote area. Since they couldn't catch it, the rabbit disappeared into the undergrowth.”

“The two men were unwilling to give up and dug up the thicket, only to discover a large tomb underneath. Inside the tomb were large jars, one of which contained two sets of flower vase ceramics; one shattered during the excavation. The remaining one was taken home by one man to grow flowers in.”

At this point, the senior expert sighed lightly: “After taking the vase home, within a few days, the man discovered smoky vapor rising from the vase, swirling like clouds and mist. The man observed closely but could not ascertain the reason for the swirling mist…” (To be continued)