The narrator introduces us to Mr. Qin, a young jeweler who has just arrived in Shanghai. Mr. nan asks him to come in to see some jades, and Mr. qin tells him that he picked the jades himself. The narrator says that he is not quite as talented as Mr. zhang, but he is envious of the young man's eyes. He asks why they are arriving so early, and he says that it is not too early, as it will take them about an hour to get there. He says that Mr. Zhang is there with him, and that he will go if he has another appointment. They go to change clothes, and nan says that this is a big event, and they should not let anyone peek in on them. He adds that he thought they were going to have a big party, but that he doesn't see anyone else there. They are the first ones to arrive, he says, and this is because they are also late, with a "small white face" .