Chapter 239: Use Magic to Defeat Magic: Make the Bad Guy Doubt Himself

At this, Gu Shengsheng shook her head. "Not really."

"Just a wild guess."

Although Gu Shengsheng did know quite a bit, this was the moment to give him an air of inscrutable mystery.

This was a principle she had learned over time.

Then, Gu Shengsheng casually looked around. "The decor in this house is so nice, but it’s surrounded by deep mountains and old forests. Don’t tell me it’s a castle in the wilderness? Now that’s interesting."

Pei You crossed his arms. "Yes. Since we invited you, how could we not treat you with the best hospitality?"

Gu Shengsheng waved her hand dismissively. "It’s a bit like those sleep-aid videos, with the sound of wind and rain raging outside while you’re sleeping peacefully inside."

"Anyway, let’s not get sidetracked. What do you need me to appraise? And how much are you paying me? I don’t like empty talk," Gu Shengsheng said.

"Hahaha!" Pei You began to clap. "Miss Gu isn’t putting on an act anymore. Not a trace of that sanctimonious attitude others have. You just say what you mean. That’s rare."

"It’s unusual to meet someone so goal-oriented. And you brought up money right away. We thought Miss Gu was the type of selfless, model citizen who serves the country and its people." He said this with a hint of sarcasm.

"I didn’t expect you to be even more blunt than those sanctimonious old fools. Miss Gu, you’ve certainly caught my attention."

He then stood up and began to circle Gu Shengsheng.

After all, something about this Gu Shengsheng just seemed off. How could someone who so clearly looked like a schemer be this compliant?

Pei You adjusted his suit, drawing himself up like a gentleman.

He then moved closer to Gu Shengsheng, gripping her chin and making two "TSK TSK" sounds.

"Truly a magnificent work of art. Miss Gu, you have the face of a liar. A pity it’s full of nonsense."

As he said this, the veins on the back of his hand bulged, and red marks appeared on Gu Shengsheng’s chin where he gripped it.

Gu Shengsheng’s red lips pressed into a thin line, but the words that came out were more vicious than anyone’s.

She said, "Are you going to strangle me to death just like that? Too bad you don’t have the guts."

Gu Shengsheng said, "I’ve stated my terms. You invited me here for a job. You have the right to listen, and you bear the risks."

"As for me, I’ll do whatever I want."

Gu Shengsheng smiled. "So, you’re worried I’m colluding with the police to take down your little den of thieves, yet you have no proof. And you’re still here threatening me. How interesting."

"I’ve said my piece." Gu Shengsheng stood up, grabbing his wrist and secretly applying pressure.

She continued, "Don’t try to lecture me with your grand principles. I’ve always done as I please. I said I’m here to make money, so that’s what I’ll do."

"Just give me your price. I’m curious to see what incredible thing you need appraised."

"Of course, if you invited me here but don’t want to cooperate, I can just leave."

With that, she turned to leave, her high heels making sharp CLICK-CLACK sounds.

But Pei You grabbed her. "Miss Gu, we were never worried about you playing little tricks."

"It’s just that your attitude is wrong. Based on what we know about you, whenever you find something valuable, you report it to the Cultural Relics Bureau. That’s what you did with the air-raid shelter, and with the underground treasure before that."

"You’ve always followed the rules with these things. Now, you’re so eager to work with us. It just doesn’t add up."

He chuckled. "What? Just because we invited you, we can’t be suspicious of you? I don’t think that’s how it works."

Gu Shengsheng glared at him. "You’re really something else. You think I’m some kind of saint? That I should live by everyone else’s standards, do charity work, and donate everything I own?"

"That’s too much to ask. I’m just not that enlightened yet. You’re the one with so much money. If you want to make a donation, go ahead. It has nothing to do with me."

As she spoke, Gu Shengsheng’s gaze turned cold.

But seeing her so angry, Pei You found her rather... vibrant.

At least he could get a glimpse or two into her thoughts.

So he sighed, then nodded.

He said, "Miss Gu, I welcome our cooperation."

His eyes showed relief as he extended his hand to Gu Shengsheng, a gesture of reconciliation.

Gu Shengsheng reluctantly shook it. ’A man this suspicious... how could I have passed his trial so easily?’

Gu Shengsheng knew this was only the beginning.

She watched as he took out a small black notebook and a small box.

Beside them was another case, which looked like it was for holding money.

Gu Shengsheng looked at Pei You and asked, "What is the meaning of this?"

"There’s five million in this case. Consider it a deposit. If you can identify the item, Miss Gu, you’ll earn a total of fifty million. Here is the five-million-dollar deposit. You can take it now."

"After you’ve identified it, if you can also restore it... then..." He held up a finger. "One hundred million."

Hearing the price, Gu Shengsheng merely lifted her eyes, saying nothing.

Then, she touched the case full of money with her hand.

[System]: BEEP BEEP. Appraising banknotes. System activating.

Item: Counterfeit bills

Era: Modern

Description: Counterfeit bills. Realistic enough to pass for genuine. Advise Host to protect herself and avoid falling in with dark organizations at all costs.

Recommended Action: Advise reporting to the police

Remarks: None.

Gu Shengsheng: "..." ’Avoid falling in with a dark organization... Too bad I’m already in one.’

No wonder the firearm and counterfeit bill appraisal panels appeared last time. The System must have sensed that she would encounter danger so soon.

Gu Shengsheng suddenly felt helpless. ’Sometimes I really suspect I’m an NPC, the kind with a pre-set program dictating my every next move.’

’If that’s the case, I hope whoever programmed this NPC version of me gives me an elegant, wealthy, and trouble-free life!’

That way, Gu Shengsheng could be happy and cheerful forever.

Thinking this, she offered a little prayer for herself in her mind.

Then, Gu Shengsheng, her expression unchanged, looked at Pei You. "Mr. Pei, you’re not being very sincere, are you?"

"Whether the money in here is real or fake... I think you know the answer to that in your heart, Mr. Pei."

"How does Miss Gu know?" He was baffled. Gu Shengsheng had only glanced at the case without seeing the money inside. How could she possibly know if it was real or fake?

Unless she had X-ray vision.

Just as he was wondering if he was overthinking things...

Gu Shengsheng said directly, "I guessed. And I’m certain I’m right. If you’re unwilling to admit it, how about this: if it’s appraised as counterfeit later, you pay me a hundred-thousandfold return?"

"I promise I won’t say a word and will let you save face."

When Gu Shengsheng said this, his eyes filled with contempt.

"Miss Gu, you really only have eyes for money."

Gu Shengsheng replied, "Of course. For someone like me who came up from the bottom as a streamer, what else is there besides money?"

"No way, Mr. Pei. You don’t really think you’re putting on a good performance, do you? That you have great emotional control?" Gu Shengsheng deliberately made up things that would get under his skin. "Actually, your every move is written all over your face. I honestly don’t get how you’ve made it this far."

"..." Pei You’s face was a mask of disbelief.