Reborn As Super Heiress

Chapter 486: Chapter 482: Redemption for a Fee

Everyone fell silent upon hearing Captain Wu’s words, while Huo Sining silently nodded in agreement.

If these cultural relics ended up in the hands of ordinary people, they might unwittingly be smuggled out of the country. Once these valuable relics were gone, not even ten times the money, or even more, could buy them back.

Just like the twelve zodiac animal heads, Guiguzi Descends the Mountain Yuan Blue and White porcelain, etc., these immensely precious artifacts, once in foreign museums, could only be lamented from afar through glass by domestic experts and professors, beating their chests and stamping their feet in regret.

”Once they’re abroad, that’s that. A few years ago, a Han Dynasty ancient tomb was discovered in Chang’an, and I went to the site with Professor Shi.”

”At that time, a child who was playing around snuck into the archaeological site when the team was not looking and took a very valuable artifact.”

”Afterwards, when it was investigated, the child’s mother, fearing exposure and punishment, broke the artifact in panic.”

As Li Xuanbing recounted the incident, both anger and frustration could be seen in her eyes:

”Most of the places where ancient tombs are discovered are in remote rural areas where the people are uncultured and unaware of the specific value of these artifacts.”

”They only know that antiques are valuable, not realizing that stealing and trafficking in cultural relics is illegal. When the police started to investigate, they would simply destroy or burn the stolen goods, thinking they were being clever, only to end up destroying the items and then facing legal sanctions.”

Song Leyin also nodded in agreement with Li Xuanbing’s point of view:

”Being able to redeem them for compensation is definitely good news for those people. Once we release this news, there will surely be people coming forward. The Cultural Relics Bureau has finally brought some good news. Last night, when we heard the relics had been stolen, the professors’ faces were extremely unsightly.”

As she spoke, she mimicked her own professor’s livid expression, eliciting laughter from the student cadets around her.

Captain Wu’s announcement indeed seemed to improve the mood of people like Xie Daoyuan, and it wasn’t long before they established the regulations.

The old professors continued with their original plans for the excavation and inspection of the ancient tomb, while the student cadets, led by Ding Liang, formed an experts’ authentication group to carry out the compensated redemption work and to authenticate the antiques brought back by the local people.

After an initial authentication by the cadets, the selected artifacts or suspected cultural relics would then be subjected to a second evaluation by the professors. This approach not only allowed the students to gain practical experience but also reduced the professors’ workload and burden, thus killing two birds with one stone.

With this task at hand, the cadets were suddenly as energized as if injected with chicken blood. The temporary authentication office was set up on a lawn not far from the ancient tomb’s work camp, under a simply constructed tent, with a few desks and chairs haphazardly arranged. Each student sat at a desk under the tent, waiting.

Feng Yang was among the students. When everyone was busy, he carried a large case of bottled water over from the camp area. After unwrapping it, he handed the first bottle to Huo Sining, not forgetting to twist open the cap for her.

The other cadets, unaware of the full story, saw Feng Yang’s attentiveness toward Huo Sining and immediately began to tease and jest, their eyes filled with implication.

Ding Liang’s eyes flashed with coldness, while Li Xuanbing’s expression was a complex mix of emotions.

Huo Sining, however, warmly accepted the water, turning a deaf ear to the suggestive voices around her.

”How is your injury?” Feng Yang asked somewhat awkwardly, his voice dry.

Huo Sining shook her head, took a sip of water, and replied with a smile, ”It’s just a scratch. It’s nothing serious.”

Indeed, it was nothing serious. Before entering the infirmary, Huo Sining had already used Spiritual Energy on her wound. Since there had been a lot of blood on her knee, she didn’t want to arouse the suspicion of the medical staff, so she chose not to completely heal the wound and left a very small abrasion as a guise.

By evening, when she returned to the campsite, she took care of the remaining wounds, leaving her knee smooth and scar-free.

”About yesterday... I’m really sorry...”

The more magnanimous Huo Sining was, the guiltier Feng Yang felt.

Yesterday, Huo Sining had not exposed him in front of everyone, but Feng Yang’s own master wasn’t satisfied and wanted to crush Ji Kun underfoot. Just thinking about the harsh words Ji Kun later said, Feng Yang’s face burned with discomfort.

”Rather than schemes, I prefer to compete fair and square, but it seems you’re not my match.”

As she spoke, Huo Sining even lifted her chin arrogantly, making a provocative gesture at Feng Yang with the poise of a victor, ”If you want to regain your honor, feel free to come find me, in a forthright manner!”

Although Huo Sining did not say it outright, the unhidden smile in her eyes and brows shone like dazzling stars, instantly capturing Feng Yang’s attention.

A feeling known as palpitations spread instantly to every corner of Feng Yang’s body, his heartbeat thundering like a drum.

”Alright, I’ll reclaim it!”

The previously dispirited and unmotivated Feng Yang seemed to have found a new goal, looking up seriously at Huo Sining.

Holding back a smile, Huo Sining’s voice was light, ”I’ll be waiting anytime!”

Since payer-funded artifact redemption was a last-minute decision, the trainees waited all morning without seeing a single person show up.

At first, the trainees were enthusiastic and patiently sat waiting in their seats, occasionally gathering in small groups to share the experiences and insights from the past few days and even speculating how to deal with special encounters later on.

But after waiting an entire morning and being informed by the campsite staff to have lunch, they ended up with nothing.

This harsh reality dealt a direct blow to everyone’s enthusiasm; they left with high spirits but returned with their heads hung low, dragging their feet.

Huo Sining kept a neutral expression, but inside she felt quite disappointed.

She was beginning to enjoy the unique advantages the Heavenly Eye provided, especially as she felt it subtly improving. As she touched more antiques, the ability of the Heavenly Eye seemed to progress gradually, allowing her to see things bigger and from farther away.

Thus, she was looking forward to interacting with more antiques; having toiled all morning for naught, she couldn’t muster any happiness.

Once Gu Xu had finished his work, he saw Huo Sining sitting in the cafeteria eating absently, looking listless and out of sorts.

Knowing that the morning hadn’t gone well for the trainees and seeing the wilted state of Huo Sining, Gu Xu couldn’t help but want to laugh.

”Don’t worry, it’s normal at the start. I reckon those people are still watching. Once the first one comes forward, others will follow,” reassured Gu Xu, sitting down across from Huo Sining with his tray, smiling, ”Also, this morning’s notice was abrupt, and there was no time for publicity. I’ve already talked with a few TV stations. This afternoon, there will be media interviews and television promotion, so things will definitely get better.”