The Real Heiress Has an Appraisal System

"They’re probably interested in you and your popularity. The whole affair with the Lu Family is still the number one trending topic today."

"The kids at the Cultural Relics Bureau even say that anything related to you can hit the top trending spot. You’re bigger than the biggest stars right now."

Gu Shengsheng thought that made sense. Every time she streamed, the internet police were watching—a whole squad of them—and many official accounts would also tune in.

Even more businesses were piggybacking on her popularity.

’Being sought after for my popularity isn’t a big deal, but going into this completely blind... I don’t know if it will be a blessing or a curse.’

Just then, Zhao Dehai said, "They’re both rather famous appraisal experts. I don’t know the specifics of why they’re looking for you, but they’re in a huge hurry. If you’re not willing, I’ll go turn them down."

"No need," Gu Shengsheng said. "I’ll just join them on a live stream."

"Can I do it from my place, or should I come over to yours?"

Zhao Dehai replied, "Come to the Cultural Relics Bureau. We’ll do it in my office. That way I can keep an eye on things and figure out what’s going on."

"Alright." After agreeing, Gu Shengsheng got ready to leave. Just as she was heading out, she happened to run into Zhao Han, who was delivering takeout to Lu Linnin.

She ended up catching a ride with him. Zhao Han was excited the entire way. "Sister Gu, let me tell you, my goddess, Linnin, looked at me twice today! It wasn’t like before when she acted like a stranger. She even said I look familiar to her."

"Isn’t this huge progress?"

"It is," Gu Shengsheng nodded. ’Watching this young man’s puppy love is actually quite amusing.’

Zhao Han said excitedly, "I have to keep up the effort! First, I’ll win over my goddess Linnin’s family. When the time comes, you, her grandma, and her brother—I need all of you to be on my side and put in a good word for me!"

People say the most important thing when pursuing someone is to win over everyone around them.

Gu Shengsheng gave him a strange look. "Linnin’s biological brother has been gone for several years. If you really want to win him over, you should go burn some incense for him."

"See if he takes a liking to you then."

Zhao Han beamed. "With my looks and my hardworking spirit, I’m sure Brother Shi Jing will approve of me!"

Gu Shengsheng didn’t say anything. ’This kid is such a chatterbox. In that respect, he and Linnin are actually a good match.’

A short time later, they arrived at the Cultural Relics Bureau.

As soon as Gu Shengsheng arrived, Zhao Dehai was waiting at the entrance. "Shengsheng, over here!"

Gu Shengsheng met his anxious gaze and asked, "Is it that urgent?"

"Yeah, I find it strange too. This couple has been asking about you recently, but they’ve never had any contact with the Cultural Relics Bureau before. Now they want to do a live stream with you. I have no idea what’s going to happen, so I’ll keep a close watch."

"Mm." Gu Shengsheng clutched her bag and walked inside with a confident stride.

As they walked in, Gu Shengsheng turned to Zhao Dehai. "By the way, Uncle Zhao. How’s that investigation into Mr. Ryan that you said you’d help me with?"

"I just have a strange feeling about his identity."

"..." Zhao Dehai immediately fell silent.

’Oh, for heaven’s sake!’

’At first, I agreed because I didn’t know the whole story. But after seeing Lu Shijing sitting there like the plague incarnate, how could I not realize this couple wasn’t on the same page?’

’Besides, Gu Shengsheng is stubborn. I really can’t get involved in this. As the saying goes, it’s better to tear down ten temples than to ruin one marriage.’

He avoided her gaze and said, "What I found out is only as much as you already know. I don’t know this Ryan either; I’ve just heard of him."

Then, he put on a serious act. "How about I ask some friends in the business world to inquire for you?"

Gu Shengsheng shot him a meaningful glance, then asked, "Really?"

"..." Zhao Dehai’s commanding presence suddenly deflated. ’I’m the head of the Cultural Relics Bureau, for crying out loud. Is this little girl testing me?’

He said, "You think I would lie to you? How long have we known each other?" He was clearly trying to play the sentiment card.

Inwardly, though, he was grinding his teeth. ’Once Lu Shijing’s cover is blown, I’m going to pin all the blame on him. I’ll even turn the tables and blame him first!’

’Right now, I feel so conflicted and miserable, yet I have to pretend I don’t know anything. Why... why did my stupid eyes have to see what they saw that day?’

Gu Shengsheng noticed that Zhao Dehai’s mood was off, but she didn’t call him out on it.

’Interesting. It seems Mr. Ryan’s identity might be someone I know. And it’s possible this is being hidden from just me, or from a very small group of people?’

Gu Shengsheng mulled it over. As she walked into the office, she set the matter aside for the time being.

She started a live stream on her own account. Netizens immediately flooded in.

Everyone was surprised because Gu Shengsheng wasn’t streaming from the market today.

"Streamer, where are you? Are you not doing appraisals today? Why are you at home?"

"Streamer, are you down because of what happened with the Lu Family? It’s okay, you may not have a husband, but you have us!"

"We’ll protect you."

"Streamer, the people who bullied you are all scumbags!"

Gu Shengsheng smiled and explained, "I’m not bothered by it. And I don’t need a husband or anything."

"I’ve told everyone before, I can earn my own money, I’m no worse off than anyone else, and I certainly don’t need anyone to support me."

"I hope everyone can watch me become more and more successful."

"The reason I’m streaming today isn’t because of all that random drama. It’s to do a joint appraisal."

"Today, we have a special guest who wants to do a joint appraisal."

Right on cue, a request to join the stream came through, and Gu Shengsheng accepted it.

An elderly couple appeared on screen and greeted her.

The husband spoke first. "Miss Gu, we saw your archeology video from Anxi City, as well as your previous appraisal videos. We feel you are extremely well-suited for this."

Then, his wife added, "Miss Gu, we have three items we’d like to trouble you to appraise today."

As she spoke, an assistant behind them—a sturdy, blond, curly-haired foreigner—stepped forward and brought over a box.

Gu Shengsheng felt something was off about the so-called assistant and exchanged a look with Zhao Dehai.

Zhao Dehai signaled for her not to worry, that everything was under surveillance.

Gu Shengsheng didn’t let any unusual emotion show and continued to watch as they opened the box.

But when the box was opened, even Gu Shengsheng herself was startled.

It was a Terracotta Warrior—or to be precise, part of one. It was just the head.

Everyone knows that during Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s time, the Terracotta Warriors were modeled after real soldiers to be buried with him.

To have one of them dismantled like this wasn’t just disrespectful to the artifact.

Moreover, as Gu Shengsheng looked at it from every angle, she felt something was off about this Terracotta Warrior. It was authentic, but it was unlike any she had ever seen on the market.

It was likely stolen from a tomb that hadn’t even been discovered by Huaxia yet.

But of this, she was certain: it was real.

Gu Shengsheng looked at the couple, who were staring back at her with expectant eyes.

Gu Shengsheng didn’t hesitate. She stated frankly, "This is a genuine Terracotta Warrior... head."

She held up eight fingers and said, "That’s at least an eight-year sentence."