Chapter 40
Chapter 40
"Calligraphy, folding screens, paintings..."
"Cloisonné, jade carvings, ivory fans."
Jiang Li led Kakayan through the crafts gallery of the museum, rattling off the labels one by one.
To be precise, he didn't understand the finer points of craftsmanship himself; he was simply reading the placards aloud.
The careless grin Kakayan had worn upon entering the building had vanished after an hour of Earth's art. She now stood a respectful half-step back, luminous eyes fixed on the relics behind glass.
"An ivory fan is a traditional specialty, originally a tribute gift—uh, something meant to be given away," Jiang Li recited, translating the placard into terms she could grasp. "Ivory's close grain and toughness make it a prized material for fan ribs."
"Teeth?"
Kakayan hooked an index finger into the corner of her mouth and flashed two rows of pearly whites. "How many teeth would you need for a fan that big?"
"Just one tusk. Think of it as... a giant beast's tooth." Jiang Li paused, then added, "There's an animal called an elephant, and people really like its tusks."
"Humans are disgusting..."
Kakayan didn't bother hiding her revulsion. To her, any behemoth's maw stank of bat droppings and nameless bugs. Why anyone would fashion a fan from a tooth—and then happily wave the resulting breeze—was beyond her.
"Look at this."
Jiang Li pointed to a phoenix crown, knowing Kakayan's weakness for anything that sparkled.
"Wow—beautiful."
It was as if the display case had magnetized her. Both palms pressed to the glass, she stared at the golden diadem inside: a pure-gold crown with wing-shaped arrays of filigree and a riot of multicolored gems blazing at the center.
"How many cups of instant noodles is this worth?" she asked.
"Don't measure it with something that vulgar." Jiang Li was torn between laughter and exasperation. "It says 'Do Not Touch.' Get your paws off the glass."
"No."
Gold danced in Kakayan's eyes, turning them molten.
Jiang Li had no choice; he reached over and peeled her wrists away. If she kept pawing the case, the security guard would descend like a hawk.
This woman—gold made her forget how to walk.
"When can we get one of these?" Kakayan asked wistfully as she was dragged back. "I've got the gems; you figure out how to get the gold."
"We'd have to work nonstop for a few centuries—no food, no sleep." Jiang Li spread his hands. "Even if you sold me, it wouldn't cover the down payment."
Kakayan propped her chin in her hand and considered. If they actually worked that long, she'd never have time to eat with Jiang Li again.
"Forget it." She patted his shoulder. "Food's more important."
Jiang Li blinked. She had weighed the idea seriously.
To a long-lived species, a few centuries really wasn't much.
...
The museum's exit funneled into a broad commercial corridor—the oldest tourist trap in the book. To leave, you had to pass a gauntlet of souvenir shops tailored to the museum crowd: antique-style trinkets, traditional jewelry, replicas of the very artifacts you'd just admired. Online versions were cheaper, but atmosphere had its price, and dusty shelves across the world were littered with impulse purchases.
Jiang Li refused to be caught.
Not because he was disciplined—he was simply broke.
"Jiang Li..."
He was halfway down the corridor, gaze fixed dead ahead, when his arm was yanked backward.
Kakayan was staring at a display rack to the right, fingertip extended. "I want to see that."
Jiang Li sighed. "Look only."
Kakayan had said "see," not "buy." Denying her even a glance felt too harsh.
She answered with a soft oh and darted to the rack on light feet.
"Does it look good?"
By the time Jiang Li reached her, a red cord already circled her wrist, its length threaded with tiny golden beads. The red-and-gold combination looked festive against her pale skin.
"Didn't we agree on 'look only'?"
"Did we?" Kakayan tilted her head, the picture of forgetfulness.
"That red cord looks stunning on you! The bright red complements your complexion beautifully," the saleswoman chimed in, materializing beside them with a practiced smile.
Kakayan rotated her wrist, lips curving at the compliment.
The saleswoman turned to Jiang Li. "Don't you agree?"
"No."
The woman stared at him for three full seconds.
Why wasn't he taking the cue? A simple nod and the girl would be happy. Was he dissatisfied with his companion? She risked a sidelong glance at Kakayan.
Ah—must be the product.
"So perhaps you prefer something subtler with more detail?" She produced another cord, this one strung with cinnabar beads. "This is our bestseller, the 'Unity Knot.' Have a look?"
"No need. The price isn't right." Jiang Li gave a polite wave.
Prices in scenic areas were daylight robbery. He wasn't buying.
"Today's the seventh day of the seventh month—our Qixi promotion," the saleswoman continued, undeterred. "Any couple who meets the condition gets fifty percent off select items."
"What's the condition?" Kakayan asked before Jiang Li could refuse.
"Simple. The two of you maintain eye contact for two full minutes without looking away. Then you qualify for the discount."
"Jiang Li, what's fifty percent?"
"Half price."
"That much?" Kakayan's violet-brown eyes fluttered. "Should we try?"
It was only eye contact—no big deal.
"Except you're not paying," Jiang Li muttered.
...
Kakayan's beautiful eyes dimmed like snuffed candles.
Jiang Li winced.
Truth was, he'd brought her here because she loved shiny stones and needed to get out. The exhibits had been gorgeous, but she couldn't touch them, couldn't buy them—pure torture.
He hesitated in front of the rack, then finally relented.
"One try. If we fail, we walk away."