Jin and Elsa continued to arrange the newly delivered treasures around the lavish living room.
Neither of them felt like they were doing chores; rather, it felt like a privilege—handling priceless pieces that most people would only ever see behind glass in a museum.
When placing the Porcelain, Jin was completely entranced. From a distance, it looked as if it were sculpted from ethereal silk, yet up close, the porcelain shimmered like moonlight—each strand of hair so finely carved it could've been real, the gown thin as cicada wings.
Her fingertips brushed over the surface almost reverently, savoring the delicate texture.
But just as she adjusted its position on the marble pedestal, she felt something odd beneath her fingers—a faint ridge.
Jin froze.
She leaned in for a closer look and saw it: a nearly invisible crack running along the underside of the base.
Her heart skipped a beat.
"What's wrong?" Elsa asked, noticing Jin's sudden stillness.
Jin hesitated, her voice low. "Come here—look at this. Tell me that isn't a crack."
Elsa bent closer, her eyes widening. "Oh… yeah, that's definitely a crack. It's almost invisible, but… it's there."
Jin bit her lip. "Do you think we did it? Maybe when we were moving it?"
Elsa shook her head quickly. "We were super careful. No way. Maybe it was already there, and we just didn't see it earlier?"
Jin sighed, her brows furrowing deeply. "I was the one who recommended this porcelain piece to Jason. Even if it's the auction house's fault, I'm still responsible. What if he thinks I didn't check properly?"
Elsa looked at her sympathetically. "You should tell him. Better to be honest before he finds out himself."
After a long moment, Jin nodded. She took a steadying breath, turned, and walked toward Jason.
He was sitting calmly at the tea table, sunlight streaming across his black shirt and the vintage jade teapot in his hands. The faint scent of wild oolong filled the air.
"Jason," Jin said softly, her tone edged with guilt. "I think there's a problem. The porcelain has a flaw—there's a small crack under the base. I must've missed it when inspecting it during the auction."
Her voice grew faster, more anxious. "It cost over two hundred thousand dollars. If the auction house refuses to acknowledge it, it could mean a huge loss."
Jason didn't look angry. Instead, he smiled faintly, his calm gaze steady and composed. He poured her a cup of tea and gestured for her to sit.
"Jin," he said, his tone as warm as the steam rising from the cup, "slow down. Take a sip first."
She hesitated, but obeyed. The tea was light and fragrant, its warmth easing the tension in her chest.
He smiled, a trace of wisdom flickering in his eyes.
If something is already broken, worrying about it won't make it whole again."
It does not like It was my money; he muttered inwardly.
Jin lowered her eyes, his words washing over her.
The anxiety that had been twisting inside her slowly faded. She exhaled deeply. "You're right. Still… I'll contact the auction house. Maybe they'll at least compensate for the flaw."
Jason nodded approvingly. "Do that. But don't carry unnecessary guilt. You did well."
Jin looked at him, her gaze softening. His steady voice, his self-assured demeanor, the way he handled problems—it all drew her in without her realizing.
And somewhere deep inside, something shifted.
Jin: Favorability +5
As she turned back to continue arranging the pieces, Elsa whispered teasingly, "You're blushing."
Jin gave her a quick glare, though the warmth in her cheeks betrayed her.
Outside the window, the golden sunlight poured across the bay, glinting off the porcelain maiden's surface—its crack now almost invisible, like a secret best left untold.
"No matter how beautiful a porcelain piece may be," Jason said softly, his voice calm and steady, "it's still just an object. It's not worth disturbing your heart over."
"No matter how deep the crack in that Celestine Porcelain Maiden, it can't compare to your every frown and smile."
He smiled faintly, the corners of his lips curving with quiet charm. "A single smile from a beautiful woman is worth more than a thousand Celestine Maidens. So don't frown anymore, alright?"
Jin froze. For a moment, her mind went blank, her heartbeat thundering in her chest like a startled deer.
His words… were too smooth, too composed—yet somehow completely genuine.
If anyone else had said it, it might've sounded like a cheap line. But from him, calm and elegant even when a two-hundred-thousand-dollar piece had cracked, it felt different. Sincere.
Most men, faced with such a loss, would've been angry or defensive. But Jason? He simply smiled, comforting her instead.
Her chest felt tight, a strange warmth spreading inside.
She'd heard compliments before, countless ones. But this one—this one hit her heart in a way none ever had.
Before she knew it, her lips curved upward in a faint smile. Then realizing it, she quickly lowered her head, a soft blush rising to her cheeks and spreading down to her neck.
She looked absolutely stunning in that moment—her lowered gaze, her shy posture, her delicate hands resting on her knees.
It perfectly echoed the old poetic saying: "A gentle tilt of the head, a shy grace upon the wind."
Jin: Favorability +3
It was rare for her affection toward Jason to rise at all after reaching such heights—but those words alone managed to move her.
Elsa, watching from the side, was dumbstruck.
Wow, she thought, Jason's really smooth. He's not just rich—he's got game.
No wonder women found him irresistible. Even when handling a two-hundred-thousand-dollar piece of porcelain, he treated it like pocket change compared to a woman's smile.
Of course, what Elsa didn't know was that Jason truly didn't care. Even if the porcelain shattered completely, he could replace it before lunch. It was just money—and this was barely a fraction of what he'd spent at the auction that day.
Olivia, Jason's assistant, who had been quietly observing everything, subtly rolled her eyes with a teasing smile.
He's charming, sure… but I'm still the one who has to deal with the auction house, she thought, pulling out her phone.
While Olivia handled the call, Jin took another sip of tea, trying to steady herself. The warmth of the liquid and Jason's calm voice seemed to melt the tension away.
She tried not to look at him, but every time her eyes wandered back, she found herself staring—drawn by his poise and effortless grace.
Soon, Olivia ended her call and turned back to them.
"Good news," she said lightly. "The auction house has agreed to compensate. They recognized the flaw and want to keep Mr. Carter as a client, so it's all taken care of."
Jin exhaled, relief flooding her face. She smiled—soft and radiant.
Jason nodded with a satisfied hum. "Good work."
Then he glanced at the velvet case resting nearby on the table. "Bring the bracelet," he said.
Olivia set the box before him. Jason opened it slowly, and inside lay a flawless Imperial Emerald Bracelet—a piece of such purity that even the sunlight seemed to refract differently around it.
Jin and Elsa both drew in a breath.
Even from a few feet away, its brilliance was almost hypnotic.
Jason picked it up carefully, then turned toward Jin with a faint smile. "Give me your hand."
"Me?" Jin blinked, startled. Her heart suddenly began to race again.
Jason didn't repeat himself—he simply reached out, his eyes meeting hers. Instinctively, her hand rose, trembling slightly.
His touch was gentle but firm, his fingers wrapping around her delicate wrist as he slipped the bracelet onto her hand.
For a moment, time seemed to stop.
The glowing emerald green circled her pale wrist perfectly, gleaming against her skin. The contrast was mesmerizing—pure beauty meeting perfection.
Jin couldn't even breathe. Her heart pounded so fast it almost hurt.
Was he flirting with her again?
First, he'd said her smile was worth more than a thousand porcelain maidens.Now he was personally placing a bracelet worth over a million dollars on her wrist.
Her thoughts spun wildly.
Jin: Favorability +1
Jason studied the bracelet briefly, then said in a low, appreciative tone, "As expected. Exquisite craftsmanship. It suits you perfectly."
Then, just as naturally, he slipped it back off and returned it to the box.
"Put it away," he told Olivia.
She nodded, carrying it back to the display case.
As the bracelet left her hand, Jin felt an unexpected pang of disappointment, watching its fading glimmer with reluctant eyes.
From the moment she'd stepped into the mansion, her emotions had been tossed around like waves—anxiety, admiration, nervousness, warmth.
But above all, she realized one thing:
Jason Carter wasn't just charming. He was dangerously charming.
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