"Master Yan, you really have a discerning eye for gems. This jade hairpin was made by a famous craftsman from Suzhou. Both the material and the craftsmanship are top-notch."
Yan Boxi knew that what Manager Liu said was true, but he was short of money and could not afford the price of the hairpin.
"I'm just taking a look," Yan Boxi said softly, then gently put down the jade hairpin in his hand.
"Come here and quickly wrap this jade hairpin for Mr. Yan." Shopkeeper Liu smiled and winked at the clerk beside him, indicating him to put the jade hairpin into the box.
"Shopkeeper Liu, this...?" Yan Boxi was a little at a loss.
"I see that Mr. Yan has a special liking for this hairpin. Since we meet here today by chance, I will give it to you as a gift to show my appreciation." Shopkeeper Liu said generously.
"This is absolutely impossible. How can I accept such a valuable item for nothing?" Yan Boxi quickly declined, his heart filled with panic.
"Consider this my early congratulations to you on your success in high school."
Shopkeeper Liu was about to take the box from the waiter when he suddenly glared at him and scolded him, "Why are you holding such a crude box?"
"Hold on!"
After saying this, he immediately lifted the curtain and walked into the backyard of the shop. In a moment, he came back with a carved lacquer box, put a jade hairpin in it, and respectfully handed it to Yan Boxi with both hands.
"Mr. Yan, please don't refuse. This is my sincere offer. Please accept it."
Looking at the finely carved lacquer box in front of him, Yan Boxi was already moved.
"Manager Liu, I will always remember your kindness. After the Spring Examination, no matter what the result is, I will visit you in person to express my gratitude." He bowed deeply, with a determined light in his eyes.
As he bowed, a hint of coldness flashed across Manager Liu's eyes, but it vanished in an instant. He smiled and said, "You're too kind. I believe that with your talent and learning, it's only a matter of time before you pass the imperial examination. When you do, don't forget to treat me to a celebratory drink."
The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then Yan Boxi, carrying the precious lacquer box, said goodbye to Manager Liu and set off on the journey back to the Marquis' Mansion.
Along the way, he was both excited and nervous. His mind was full of imagining Xue Shanqiu's reaction when he saw the hairpin, and he was worried whether his behavior was too abrupt.
He was in such a hurry on the road that he didn't even notice that the clerk from the jewelry store had been following him all the way until he saw him enter the Xingyuan Marquis Mansion.
On the corridor of the Marquis' Mansion, Yan Boxi was still thinking about how to deliver this jade hairpin to Xue Shanqiu. Many maids were running back and forth, extremely busy, and almost bumped into him.
A maid nearly dropped something in her hand, and Yan Boxi immediately stepped forward to help. After asking, he found out that it was the fifth girl Xue Shanqiu who was sent to Baiyun Temple by the old lady to pray with the fourth girl for her brother who was about to take part in the Spring Examination.
Because it was a sudden decision, we packed our luggage in a hurry.
This news was like a bucket of cold water poured over Yan Boxi's head, filling him with an indescribable sense of loss.
He stood there in a daze, holding the carved lacquer box tightly in his hands. His knuckles turned pale from excessive force. The sharp edges of the lacquer box hurt his palms, but he was completely unaware of it. He only felt a sense of loss in his heart.
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