The Real Heiress Has an Appraisal System

With that, Zhang Sanwang sat down beside her.

His eyes were glued to the other diners. "These people... they’re probably all our competitors. I need to get a good look at who we’re up against."

He was mostly just nervous about coming in last.

"I see Li Bai over there. He’s also a Treasure Appraiser, but he’s probably not as skilled as me. With him around, I shouldn’t be the one to come in last."

Just then, Li Bai, who had been about to say hello, froze. "You’ve got some nerve, Zhang Sanwang! The hell?!"

"Is this how you trash-talk me behind my back? With your skills, you’d be lucky to be half as good as I am!"

The two, who usually acted like brothers, were now at daggers drawn. Neither wanted to be the one to finish last.

Just then, Gu Shengsheng said, "It’s unlikely any of us will win."

She pulled up the schedule information that had just been released.

"They gave us the info for all 16 participants here," she said. "No need to scope out your rivals. This isn’t an espionage mission."

"..." Zhang Sanwang chuckled awkwardly. "I forgot to check my phone. It’s all been so secretive, I really thought we were supposed to be spies."

Gu Shengsheng said, "The famous Treasure Appraiser from Xiangjiang, Mr. Qiu Xiaojun, is here. So is Mr. Gao Liu from the Beijing Museum. And then there’s us. We are completely outclassed."

"The versatile master Treasure Appraiser, Zhang Rulan, the Chinese-American, is here too! Plus several other up-and-coming young appraisers. Anyway, there’s no denying it—the three of us are the least famous here."

"The only one I really know is Director Gao Liu from the Beijing Museum."

At that, Zhang Sanwang flopped onto the sofa. "The champion is going to be either Zhang Rulan or Qiu Xiaojun."

Gu Shengsheng shook her head. "Take a closer look at this young Treasure Appraiser named Cai Pingfan. If I remember correctly, he’s Elder Geng’s student... He’s way out of our league, probably even better than Director Gao Liu."

It’s one thing not to have heard of the other Treasure Appraisers, but Elder Geng is the top authority in the Antique Appraisal World, even holding the title of "Living National Treasure."

A lineup like this is impossible to compete with. We don’t normally even appraise on the same circuit.

Just then, Director Gao Liu from the museum came over, holding two sandwiches.

He smiled. "Losing confidence already?"

Li Bai and Zhang Sanwang said in unison, "Do you?"

Gao Liu shook his head. "I’m just here for the experience. Last year, Zhao Dehai came, and this year, someone from Beijing City had to show up. I’ll probably be out after one round, too."

"Even Zhao Dehai was eliminated in the first round last year, and you guys think you can advance?"

Gao Liu looked at Gu Shengsheng. "I originally had high hopes for Shengsheng. But with this year’s lineup, there’s no way it’ll be our turn."

Gu Shengsheng smiled. "Can’t be helped. I still want to win that prize money. Even if it seems impossible, I have to give it my all. Who knows, maybe things will turn out for the best."

Zhang Sanwang was losing it. "No way, that’s just wishful thinking! Take that Zhang Rulan, for example. The woman’s seen at least ten thousand artifacts. Her experience is on a completely different level."

"And it just so happens that experience is the most important thing this time. My five million... how am I ever going to win!"

Gu Shengsheng said, "We pray."

The three men stared at her, completely baffled.

"We pray that two of the top three face each other in the first match, and one gets eliminated. Then, in the second match, the remaining two face off, and another one gets eliminated. In the end, only one will be left."

"Four heads are better than one, right?" Gu Shengsheng said, joking.

The atmosphere immediately lightened up.

Zhang Sanwang laughed. "Now that you’ve gone and arranged their fates, just watch—you’ll be the one to draw one of them tomorrow."

"Then we’ll have a great show to watch."

"No way," Gu Shengsheng said. "My luck isn’t that bad. The heavens will be on my side."

——

After a good night’s sleep, Gu Shengsheng put on a comfortable yet elegant, light yellow gown the next day.

Her neighbor had previously told her that formal attire was required for attending the treasure appraisal competition.

Sitting in the car, she was blindfolded.

After a moment’s thought, Gu Shengsheng decided to ask, "Am I allowed to livestream?"

"It used to be a very private event, but this year Mr. Ryan suggested livestreaming."

"There will be an official livestream as well." Then, the staff member added sheepishly, "Our official account doesn’t have much of a following yet. Would it be possible to do a collaboration with Miss Gu’s stream?"

Gu Shengsheng teased, "So you want to ride my coattails? Sure, why not."

"My fans would love to see this kind of thing. Since it’s the first year it’s being livestreamed, it should be fine, as long as it doesn’t compromise the privacy of the heavy hitters."

"Understood. You can start your livestream once the drawing begins."

"Okay."

Blindfolded, unable to see a thing, she was led to a place decorated like a castle from a fairy tale.

Just as she got out of the car, Zhang Sanwang and Li Bai arrived. Gao Liu was there as well.

Everyone had just removed their blindfolds and were staring at the magnificent building, somewhat speechless.

"They’re so rich! Miss Gu, in that outfit, you look like a runaway Disney princess. And we... we’re the runaway Disney huskies."

Once inside, it was even more luxurious than they had imagined. Majestic pillars greeted them, their exquisite carvings clearly the work of a master. The design seemed to imitate the glazed tile patterns found in museums.

People mingled, their glasses clinking, as warm, yellow light bathed everyone’s faces.

Gu Shengsheng picked up a pastry and took a bite. "I can’t imagine how happy you’d be, waking up in a place like this every day."

Zhang Sanwang rolled his eyes at her. "Coward. I dare to imagine it."

"It looks grand and exquisite to you now, but it’s nothing compared to that courtyard house you live in. And let’s not even get started on the feng shui. It’s built halfway up a mountain, surrounded by woods. Aren’t you scared at night?"

"Even though I’m getting old, I’m still afraid of ghosts. This place has no signs of life, no human warmth at all."

Li Bai was speechless. "You’re so annoying. Our family home has a similar layout, a villa halfway up a mountain. What’s your point? Are you taking a jab at me?"

Amid their bickering, the heavyweight veterans of the appraisal world began to arrive.

Gu Shengsheng’s eyes fell on the elderly woman leading the group. Her white hair was coiled up with a hairpin, and she wore an elegant, emerald-green gown.

Standing at the forefront, that must be the versatile master Treasure Appraiser, Zhang Rulan.

The old man walking beside her, leaning on a cane, wore thick, black-framed glasses and had a hunched back.

’This must be the Treasure Appraiser from Xiangjiang, Mr. Qiu Xiaojun.’

Gu Shengsheng didn’t recognize any of the younger appraisers who followed. She only recognized Cai Pingfan from his picture.

His features were plain and his face was completely unremarkable, but he was the shortest person there.

’That makes him easier to remember.’

Gu Shengsheng watched from a distance, offering a polite greeting whenever someone glanced her way.

Once everyone had arrived, it was time for the drawing.

Gu Shengsheng hadn’t been nervous. She was planning to just draw a number casually; after all, her luck couldn’t possibly be bad enough to draw one of the top three.

She had always believed in her good luck.

She had only a few seconds to be happy with the number she drew before she saw her matchup appear on the large central screen: Cai Pingfan.

’...’ ’I give up. This rotten luck!’

’I knew I shouldn’t have been so confident. Something always goes wrong when I am.’

Zhang Sanwang and Li Bai couldn’t stop laughing. "Wow, you really hit the jackpot! Drawing one of the aces in the very first round! Elder Geng’s disciple, hahaha!"

"We both drew people we don’t really know. Their skills can’t be underestimated, of course, but your opponent... there’s just no way you’re going to win this!"

By now, they were grinning so wide they practically reached their molars.

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