Chapter 216: How Did This Turn Into a Metaphysical Incident? Is This for Real?

Gu Shengsheng’s expression was grave and her words were sharp. It was clear she was genuinely worried.

Ma Yaowen’s wife also looked fraught with anxiety.

Mrs. Ma clenched her fists and said, "Miss Gu, if you have something to say, just say it."

"The viewers are all watching. I think they can help me figure this out."

Gu Shengsheng saw the faint anger in her eyes.

Her own expression wasn’t pleasant, but she maintained her professionalism; after all, she was the streamer they had personally requested.

Gu Shengsheng decided to stop holding back. She had always been one to speak her mind.

She said, "To be honest, you’re currently pregnant, and quite far along. You’ve been wearing this forehead ornament around your neck the whole time, correct?"

At this, Mrs. Ma finally couldn’t restrain herself any longer.

She stood up, pointed at Gu Shengsheng, and yelled, "Shut your mouth! Just shut up."

"My husband and I sought you out because of your skill and reputation, thinking you could help us determine if this piece is authentic. How dare you stand here and spout such nonsense!"

"I let it slide before, but are you now implying there’s something wrong with my baby? Miss Gu, you’re an appraiser, not a psychic! And you’re certainly not a charlatan. I suggest you remember your place."

After her breathless tirade, she leaned on the sofa, panting heavily.

This time, the viewers were no longer on Gu Shengsheng’s side.

One after another, they voiced their opinions:

"Streamer, this isn’t right. Are you trying to provoke her on purpose?"

"Saying things like that, we could all report you for promoting superstition. Your channel would get banned immediately."

"Streamer, that’s so messed up. We thought we had misjudged your character before, but now we see you’re just unbelievable!"

"Talking about her baby like that... What could be wrong with the necklace? At worst, it’s just a fake, isn’t it?"

"Didn’t you just say it was real? Why are you still running your mouth? Just end the stream already! So annoying."

"..."

Gu Shengsheng casually glanced at the viewers’ comments but paid them no mind.

She continued to look at Mrs. Ma and said, "Please don’t get agitated. Take a couple of deep breaths, calm down, and we can sit and talk."

With that, Gu Shengsheng poured her a cup of warm water, saying, "You should drink some warm water. The baby is the most important thing right now."

"Miss Gu! If you know my baby is important, then please don’t make these kinds of jokes."

"I’ve always worn this necklace. How could it possibly affect my baby? This isn’t like one of those TV dramas with hidden musk meant to cause a miscarriage. Besides, my mother-in-law treats me very well."

Hearing this, Gu Shengsheng frowned and asked, "When did your mother-in-law start treating you well? Was it after someone in the family died?"

"...!" Mrs. Ma’s eyes widened. She stared at Gu Shengsheng in disbelief, a guarded look creeping into her eyes. "I can’t imagine what Miss Gu is going to say next."

The chat room exploded again:

"Here we go, here we go! The streamer’s back on her superstitious nonsense. Is it because her appraisal streams aren’t getting enough views? Trying to stir up drama?"

"Or is it because the streamer’s rich-girl life is too boring, so she’s decided to mess with us regular folks?"

"I’m not buying any of this. I’m a man of science, always have been."

"Am I the only one who’s curious what she’s going to say next? I’m getting a little scared."

"..."

Gu Shengsheng looked at the necklace in Mrs. Ma’s hand and said, "Open the hidden compartment behind the central gemstone. The gem is large enough to conceal the metal plate behind it, so you probably haven’t noticed. You can put things inside it."

As Mrs. Ma fumbled to find it, Gu Shengsheng continued, "Inside, there should be a black-and-white photograph of someone who has passed away, along with a small amount of soil wrapped around the outside of the photo."

Gu Shengsheng added thoughtfully, "And it’s likely wrapped in red paper."

Mrs. Ma opened it and took a look, her whole body trembling. She then feigned composure and put it back.

This wasn’t the kind of thing she could discuss in public.

She simply said, "Miss Gu, before this baby, I had another pregnancy. I didn’t carry it to term. Just a few days before my due date, I had a health complication. In the end, I had to let the baby go."

"The baby was already far along when he passed. The doctors said it was a boy."

As she spoke, Mrs. Ma grew sad. "Besides that tragedy, no one in our family has died. Everyone is alive and well. As for the baby... I suppose it just wasn’t meant to be."

Gu Shengsheng looked at her and asked, "How did your mother-in-law react to this?"

"She didn’t say much. My mother-in-law has always been very good to me, Miss Gu. She’s been especially worried about me recently, taking excellent care of me every day."

Mrs. Ma had barely finished speaking when the chat fired up again:

"Streamer, she has a great relationship with her mother-in-law. Do you think this is still the olden days where every family is full of drama queens?"

"Yeah, stop trying to sow discord between them. Next you’ll be trying to stir up trouble in her marriage..."

"Mind your own business, streamer. You’re overstepping."

Gu Shengsheng: "..."

"So, has your mother-in-law suggested you move into the hospital by yourself recently?"

"Yes..." Mrs. Ma hesitated. "She wants me to move into the hospital tomorrow. She said with the baby coming, it would be more convenient, and I didn’t see any issue with it."

She looked at the necklace. "Should I just throw this thing away? I feel like it’s influencing me."

Gu Shengsheng shook her head. "It’s true that objects can hold memories and even ward off disaster. Every antique has a story, but it’s not that dramatic."

"If you feel there’s something wrong with the necklace, you must have sensed something unusual, haven’t you?" Gu Shengsheng pressed.

Mrs. Ma was much calmer now. Facing Gu Shengsheng, she was no longer as tense as before and began to open up.

"It’s like this... I’ve been having nightmares lately. I can’t sleep well at all. I keep dreaming I’m in a dark room. There’s a black-and-white funeral portrait, a window, and nothing else. I can’t get out, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t wake up."

Her words prompted many in the chat to share similar experiences:

"Streamer, I was like that my senior year of high school when I was super stressed. I had all sorts of crazy dreams and sleep paralysis, too."

"Yes, that’s exactly it! You know you’re terrified in the dream, but you feel like you can’t wake up no matter what."

"When my grandma passed away, I had frequent nightmares that whole year, especially during the first seven days after her death. I felt like someone was always calling my name. God, I was too scared to answer..."

"..."

At this point, everyone felt a sudden chill.

Gu Shengsheng looked at Mrs. Ma and said, "That’s it. That’s the reason."

"Your mother-in-law desperately wants a grandson, doesn’t she? Mrs. Ma, have you ever heard of ’borrowing a womb to return a soul’?"