Star and Moon Bodhi

"Fang Yi, brother, I must thank you…" 

After sending off Sun Lianda and Zhao Hongtao, Man Jun returned indoors, rubbing his bald head and gazing gratefully at Fang Yi. He understood well that the presence of these influential figures in his home was entirely due to Fang Yi's influence.

"Brother Man, you needn't be so formal…" Upon hearing Man Jun's words, Fang Yi couldn't help but smile and replied, "We've all enjoyed your hospitality without a word of thanks, so let's refrain from such formalities between us…"

Although Fang Yi had spent years studying in the mountains, this did not mean he lacked social grace. On the contrary, he had delved into the teachings of Guiguzi, mastering the art of understanding human psychology and social interaction, which were merely the foundational skills in his repertoire.

Since realizing that he felt somewhat out of place upon descending the mountain, Fang Yi had made a conscious effort to adapt. He had shed much of the ethereal aura that once set him apart, becoming increasingly akin to an ordinary person who had navigated life in society for over a decade.

"Alright then, I won't be overly sentimental…" 

Man Jun laughed heartily and said to Fang Yi, "You fellows wait here; I'll bring you some fine gifts. As your elder brother, it wouldn't do for me to send you off empty-handed, would it?"

With that, Man Jun headed to his storeroom, returning shortly with several items in hand. "Here are six strands of beads, all of the 10x10 specifications—one strand of Star and Moon and one of Vajra. The Star and Moon beads are from Hainan's Shunbai Zhengyue seeds, while the Vajra beads are from Nepal. You can enjoy these two strands from now on…"

Years ago, when Man Jun first entered the world of collectible artifacts, he acquired items across all price ranges. The lower-end pieces had been given to Fang Yi and his companions to sell, while the higher-end ones had been sold off, leaving him with only seven or eight strands remaining. He decided to part with six of them at once.

"Brother Man, I didn't realize you were knowledgeable about collectibles!" Upon seeing the strands of Bodhi beads, the eyes of Fatty and San Pao immediately lit up. They had just listened to Zhao Hongtao discuss the intricacies of appreciating Bodhi beads, and both were eager to try their hand at it.

"First, wash your hands. These beads need clean hands for handling. Tomorrow, I'll find you some brushes; the Vajra beads have been stored for years and need a good cleaning, while the Star and Moon beads require some tender care as well…"

Man Jun proudly raised the beads in his hand, saying with a grin, "You see, I've been in this business for a few years now. While I may not be as knowledgeable as Director Zhao, I can still discern the quality of these beads…"

"Indeed, these strands are quite different from what we sold earlier…" Fang Yi remarked as he accepted the strand of Star and Moon Bodhi beads from Man Jun, noticing the distinction immediately.

Though these strands had been vacuum sealed, it was evident that they had aged into mature seeds, with a slightly yellowish hue, yet their density was significantly superior to the ones they had sold earlier.

Those unfamiliar with Star and Moon beads often emphasize characteristics like Shunbai Zhengyue and high density when selecting them. However, among these three criteria, only high density is truly reliable, as it is the most critical indicator of quality in Star and Moon beads. The other two aspects need not be overly pursued by collectors.

It is essential to understand that the enjoyment of Star and Moon beads lies in their patina and color change. A strand of Shunbai beads, after months of handling, will still yellow, and by the end, the entire strand may transform into a deep red or jujube color, rendering the so-called Shunbai meaningless.

Moreover, many Shunbai Star and Moon beads are processed with bleaching agents by unscrupulous merchants, resulting in poor quality. Such beads may change color quickly, but their hue is likely to be dull and unattractive.

As for Zhengyue, this has become a trend in recent years. Before the Republic of China, due to the limitations of processing tools, drilling holes was quite laborious, so few sought after Zhengyue. For instance, if one were to acquire old Tibetan Star and Moon beads, finding them all as Zhengyue would undoubtedly indicate they were counterfeit.

However, with modern conveniences, the demand for Zhengyue in Star and Moon beads is justifiable, as they do present a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Yet, the necessity of each bead being Zhengyue merely complicates the drilling process and should not be a standard for pricing.

Finally, regarding high density, this is the only truly useful criterion for Star and Moon beads. To put it plainly, beads with higher density are sturdier, while those with lower density are more fragile. Under similar external pressures, the high-density beads are less likely to be damaged, whereas the opposite holds true for low-density beads.

Furthermore, when well-handled, high-density beads will naturally exhibit vibrant colors, while low-density beads may risk fracturing, resulting in uneven coloration that detracts from their aesthetic appeal.

"Brother Yi, San Pao, let's have a little contest to see who can make their beads look the most exquisite…" 

Typically rather lazy, Fatty felt a surge of excitement upon receiving the beads. Zhao Hongtao's earlier explanations had ignited a strong desire to engage with the beads, and Man Jun's presentation was akin to a timely gift.

"Fatty, let's skip the competition; both Fang Yi and I surpass you in this regard…" 

San Pao scoffed, knowing well the personalities of his childhood friends. While Fatty was indeed a master at enlivening the atmosphere and socializing, his restless nature made it unlikely that he could focus on handling the beads for more than a few days.

"Hey, San Pao, don't underestimate me! In a few months, let's see whose beads are more beautiful…" 

This time, Fatty refrained from mentioning Fang Yi, fully aware that Fang Yi had grown up handling beads and could spend an entire day with them without weariness. Competing against Fang Yi would merely be an exercise in futility.

"Not worth my time. I need to step out for a bit…" San Pao ignored Fatty and turned to Fang Yi, saying, "I've been in the city for several days now; Brother Yi, I'm heading home for a while. I'll be back early tomorrow…"

"San Pao, off to see your fiancée, I presume?" Fatty asked with a mischievous grin. "I saw your pager; who is that lovely girl? You're such a romantic, neglecting your friends…"

"Damn you, Fatty, you're asking for trouble!" 

Upon hearing Fatty's words, San Pao's already fair complexion flushed crimson with embarrassment, and in a fit of anger, he lunged at Fatty. Indeed, San Pao was returning home, but he had also arranged to meet his fiancée, and the time until their meeting was now less than half an hour.

"Fatty, you've gone too far; how can you invade someone's privacy?" Fang Yi interjected, pulling San Pao back and allowing him to land a few punches on Fatty, filling the room with playful chaos.

"San Pao, I didn't mean to pry; your pager was right in front of me; how could I ignore it?" Fatty, knowing the consequences of Fang Yi joining the fray, quickly adopted a conciliatory tone. After all, it's said that a wise man doesn't suffer immediate loss.

"San Pao, you should head out now; there's no need to come back too early tomorrow…" Fang Yi chuckled, giving Fatty a light pat on the head before pulling San Pao away from delivering more kicks.

"Just a quick meeting; I'll be back soon…" San Pao scratched his head, feeling a bit sheepish. Among their trio, he was the only one in a relationship.

"Take your time; you must make an impression!" Fatty rubbed his face where he had been punched, unable to restrain his chatter.

"Damn you, Fatty! I'll settle the score when I return…" San Pao glanced at the time, realizing it was almost upon him. He quickly bid farewell to Man Jun and hurriedly exited the courtyard.