Chapter 165: Global Authoritative Laboratory vs. Huaxia’s Old, Weak, Sick, and Disabled Treasure Appraisal Team

It wasn’t like she absolutely had to go.

As long as Shengsheng didn’t want to, he could help.

Gu Shengsheng wasn’t a cold or heartless person. She could tell that Mr. Ryan was a very, very good man.

Her voice softened slightly, but she spoke with conviction, "I want to go."

She never did things she didn’t want to do, and she certainly would never sit back and let herself be forced into something. For her, the only option was to take the offensive.

"Mr. Ryan, if you ever need anything and I can help, I’ll definitely do everything in my power." Gu Shengsheng now considered him a friend.

Lu Shijing, on the other end of the line, clearly sensed the shift in Shengsheng’s attitude, and a smile he couldn’t suppress spread across his face.

He was in the middle of a meeting, but he suddenly found himself smiling at his phone.

The department managers in the conference room were speechless.

A torrent of conflicting emotions churned within them, torturing them. Lu Shijing was usually mercurial, strict, and difficult to please...

’So what does this smile mean?’

’Did someone screw up again?’

Just as everyone was struggling to understand and feeling a sense of impending doom, Lu Shijing glanced up at them. "Product Director, continue your report."

With that, he glanced at his phone and sent a message to Gu Shengsheng, "Okay. I have the files on those foreign researchers. I’ll send them to you."

And just like that, Lu Shijing sent over the files Lin Kai had compiled.

After opening the files, Gu Shengsheng forwarded them to Zhang Zhengyi and Director Wang Yu.

After looking them over, Director Wang Yu exclaimed, "These files are incredibly thorough! It says they’re fluent in Chinese, and it even knows how many relationships they’ve had and how many times they’ve been dumped."

"Hmm, their fluency in Chinese is good. It’ll make it easier for us to argue with them in Chinese. And during negotiations... maybe we can use this to hit them where it hurts."

Gu Shengsheng said this with a completely straight face.

Zhang Zhengyi then said, "Watch your words, Shengsheng."

"We in Huaxia have always followed the Confucian way, aspiring to peace and adept at discussion. We most likely won’t need to resort to that."

"When the time comes, we must strive for an amicable resolution."

Hearing this, Wang Yu nodded as well. "Mr. Qiu and Ms. Zhang are both very elegant people, and so are we. Shengsheng, you must be extra mindful tomorrow. You’ll be representing our country."

Gu Shengsheng nodded. "I understand."

"I’ll remember. I’ll restrain myself tomorrow and try my best not to lose my temper."

Gu Shengsheng promised.

The group then continued to search for historical records, collecting a great deal of material on Sima Xiangru, all in preparation for the next day’s debate.

They would see what kind of claim these foreigners would try to attach to one of Huaxia’s treasures.

They worked tirelessly through the night.

All that was left was to wait for the joint appraisal.

When it was time for the appraisal to begin, it was the richest man in the country, Shang Jinhao, who came to summon them.

He said, "Miss Gu, I must ask for your help. This matter has major implications. I believe Director Wang Yu has already explained the stakes to you."

"I understand. Real or fake, I will get you a definitive answer."

Shang Jinhao nodded. "It would be best if it’s real, of course. If it’s fake... well, the exhibition isn’t until tomorrow, so there’s still time to do something about it."

His eyes welled with tears. "I just wanted to do something for Huaxia, but I’m so afraid I’ve just caused more trouble."

"Ah, what’s done is done."

Just then, Qiu Xiaojun and Zhang Rulan arrived.

Zhang Rulan wore a simple and elegant qipao with a shawl, looking every bit the refined and scholarly madam.

As for Qiu Xiaojun, he still wore his black-framed glasses and leaned on a cane, exuding an imposing air.

Gu Shengsheng bowed to the two senior appraisers. "Mr. Qiu, Ms. Zhang. It’s been a while."

Qiu Xiaojun smiled upon seeing her. "So we meet again. I’m looking forward to seeing how you handle this."

After all, Gu Shengsheng’s performance in the last appraisal competition had been dazzling. She had not only beaten them but won their wholehearted respect.

Now, seeing her again, it was natural that he admired her greatly.

Zhang Rulan also smiled and said, "Ever since our last face-off, I’ve been paying close attention to my diet. I’m healthier than ever these days."

Everyone laughed, remembering how Gu Shengsheng had simply out-eaten and outlasted Zhang Rulan during the day-long competition.

Gu Shengsheng looked a little embarrassed. "Ms. Zhang, I admit my methods were a bit underhanded last time."

Zhang Rulan waved it off. "Nonsense. You had your strategy, and you did make the correct appraisal in the end. I was no match for you."

She gently pinched Gu Shengsheng’s cheek. "This girl is just too pretty, and so mischievous and cute. Shengsheng, you should just call me Grandma Zhang."

"Okay." Gu Shengsheng was suddenly the picture of obedience.

Seeing the friendly atmosphere, Shang Jinhao chuckled. "I have the utmost confidence in our country’s appraisers. I’m putting this in your hands!"

Then his regret returned. "I shouldn’t have been so hasty when I was abroad. I thought a lab in the United States would be authoritative enough. I never expected it to lead to this kind of dispute..."

"It’s mainly my fault for being so stupid and uneducated." The more Shang Jinhao thought about it, the more guilty he felt.

He truly hadn’t had much of an education. He’d made his fortune back in the day by trading corn, a success that had a lot to do with luck, timing, and his willingness to take bold risks.

After he finished, Wang Yu comforted him, "What’s done is done. It’s no use feeling bad about it now. Let’s see what the results are first."

With that, the group headed directly to a conference room in the Anxi Museum.

Across from them stood five Americans in lab coats, their arms crossed as they sized up the group from Huaxia.

They all appeared to be in their forties. When they first saw Qiu Xiaojun and Zhang Rulan, the Americans greeted them warmly.

Everything was cordial until a blonde, middle-aged woman on the American team noticed Gu Shengsheng standing at the back. She laughed out loud. "So young? She’s appraising with you?"

"I seriously doubt the competence of Huaxia’s appraisers."

Gu Shengsheng looked at her. "If my skills are subpar, wouldn’t that be more advantageous for you?"

"Haha, true. I just saw how out of your depth you look and thought I’d offer a friendly reminder. If you don’t want to switch her out, then we have nothing more to say."

She crossed her arms, looking at them with contempt. "Fine, let’s begin."

Qiu Xiaojun tossed his cane aside and stepped into the center. His voice rang with authority. "If anyone is going to say ’begin,’ it will be us from Huaxia."

"Who are you to stand there and speak with such arrogance?"

The female researcher was clearly taken aback. As soon as she recovered, she looked ready to fire back a retort.

However, a curly-haired male researcher beside her held her back.

He said, "The two sides should be on equal footing. Mr. Qiu, we must state that we are very angered by Huaxia’s decision to question our appraisal results."

"I will reiterate: our laboratory is the most authoritative in the world. Your institutions in Huaxia simply cannot compare to ours."

As soon as the words were out, Qiu Xiaojun slammed his palm on the table.

"Absurd!"