It was at the beginning of summer, ten years ago when I had just started work. I went to the antiques market with a colleague and we wandered into a small jade shop. While chatting with the owner, something small and oval-shaped caught my eye on a worn-out counter. It was about the size of a thumb, shaped like a quail egg, and it had a shiny appearance. At first glance, it looked like a small pebble, but also seemed to be more than that. It was smooth and oily to the touch. Although it lay quietly in an inconspicuous corner, I could sense its uniqueness. This is perhaps what people today often refer to as...