Reborn As Super Heiress

Chapter 553: Chapter 550 The Jade Gambling King’s Granddaughter

Following the incident with Tang Bohu’s ”Li Duanduan’s Registration Picture”, Qin Lianshan had a very good impression of Huo Sining.

He felt that despite being young, the girl was neither arrogant nor impetuous, capable without being ostentatious, always maintaining a modest and polite demeanor. Clearly, she was a girl with cultivation.

Especially after knowing that Huo Sining was Zhou Shitao’s closed-door disciple, his fondness for her grew even more.

Qin Lianshan took the initiative to greet Huo Sining, and his manner was very warm and affectionate, which surprised everyone present.

This was particularly true for Liu Chongren. Although he carried a great reputation, he was, after all, an outsider, unlike someone with Qin Lianshan’s background, and even he didn’t dare to be negligent in Qin’s presence.

So, Liu Chongren couldn’t understand what kind of qualification this little girl, Huo Sining, had that warranted such courteous treatment from Qin Lianshan without a hint of pretense.

”Elder Qin, you shouldn’t tease me. It was just good luck that I happened to come across it. I think if you had encountered it, you would have done even better than me,” Huo Sining said.

Huo Sining’s gaze swept around the room, and when she spotted a certain middle-aged man sitting in the corner, her pupils couldn’t help but contract slightly. Her face showed no inappropriate expression, appearing quite calm, while her mind was filled with various thoughts.

Because the person sitting in the corner was none other than Ma Liwen, the museum expert with whom she had had numerous conflicts in Taicheng not long ago.

Huo Sining couldn’t have imagined Ma Liwen would also be here, her mind brimming with confusion. She could understand why her Senior Brother Ji Kun would come to Ruili, as he indeed had considerable research in jade. But wasn’t Ma Liwen focused on ancient paintings? Why did he show up at the Ruili jade gambling scene?

Thinking of her encounter with Ji Kun in the hall earlier and his hesitant demeanor, Huo Sining had a vague guess. Could it be that they had some other mission in Ruili?

”Elder Qin, you know Miss Huo?” The chairman of the Ruili Jade Association, named Du Qingting, saw that Qin Lianshan treated Huo Sining very affectionately and couldn’t help being curious, asking the question.

Qin Lianshan laughed and looked at Huo Sining with apparent admiration:

”This girl helped me out once in the Imperial Capital. Despite her young age, she understands jade gambling and is skilled at treasure appraisal, her abilities are not less than any of us old men. Lao Liu, this young lady is likely to outshine all of us old folks.”

Qin Lianshan didn’t go into specifics about the matter of the ”Li Duanduan Drawing”, mainly because Ma Liwen was also present; speaking out would embarrass Ma.

However, Ma Liwen knew what Qin Lianshan meant by Huo Sining ”helping him out” and his expression turned a bit unnatural, a flash of embarrassment crossing his eyes.

On the other hand, Liu Chongren, who was mentioned by Qin Lianshan, felt somewhat displeased to hear that he might be outdone by this young girl.

However, Liu Chongren had lived half his life. Despite the fact that his beloved granddaughter had suffered a loss at the hands of Huo Sining, the old fox remained a fox at heart, his displeasure did not show on his face. Instead, he looked at Huo Sining with a smile and said:

”Elder Qin is right. When we were her age, we were still following our Masters, running errands as apprentices. Miss Huo’s master must be an exceptional figure, and one day I must make time to seek his guidance and visit.”

Liu Chongren had never heard of the Huo surname in connection with jade gambling experts, but judging by Huo Sining’s conduct, he was certain she must belong to a family of some secretive gamble experts.

So he mentioned Huo Sining’s master in an understated way, seemingly just a polite comment with no particular intention, yet it was, in fact, a subtle probe.

As soon as he uttered these words, as expected, they piqued the interest and curiosity of several people present. Coming from prestigious masters themselves, they held the lineage of their Sect in high esteem. Huo Sining being so skilled at a young age must mean her master was no ordinary figure.

Qin Lianshan might not have known that Liu Chongren’s granddaughter had suffered a major loss at the hands of Huo Sining, but being someone who had lived for seventy years, he could easily see through Liu Chongren’s thoughts when he brought up Huo Sining’s master.

Thinking of Liu Chongren, an elder of his standing, actually bullying a junior because of his status made Qin Lianshan feel displeased.

”Lao Liu, you’re actually spot on. Miss Huo’s master is no ordinary individual. This young lady is the closed-door disciple of Zhou Shitao. Wouldn’t you say she’s a master?”

Qin Lianshan looked at Liu Chongren with a smile as he asked, yet he couldn’t help but feel that Liu Chongren, having come from humble beginnings, couldn’t shake off his lowly nature no matter how famous he became. Despite living most of his life, he still lacked magnanimity, and a person like that could never truly become a great master.

Liu Chongren’s expression changed drastically upon hearing the name Zhou Shitao. He thought about how he had sent people to dig up information on this woman surnamed Huo, yet they couldn’t find anything. It turned out this young lady was actually Zhou Shitao’s disciple!

The others also showed a change in expression when they heard the name Zhou Shitao. Their looks towards Huo Sining shifted from jealous and skeptical to curious and probing.

Ji Kun was also in the room, and everyone knew that Ji Kun was a disciple of Zhou Shitao. They all turned their attention to Ji Kun.

Ji Kun touched his nose, having no choice but to stand up and nod, ”Huo Sining indeed is my junior sister and also the closed-door disciple personally selected by my master.”

Not only personally selected, but she was practically coerced into becoming a disciple after much insistence.

However, Ji Kun dared not say this aloud, lest it dishonored his master.

”So she is a distinguished disciple of Master Zhou, no wonder she’s so formidable!” Du Qingting laughed upon hearing Ji Kun’s admission.

Zhou Shitao was the Mount Tai and Polaris of the antiques world, and each of his disciples was an elite. Besides having a considerable reputation in antiques, Ji Kun was also a capable figure in gambling on stones.

Therefore, everyone naturally assumed that Huo Sining must have been cultivated and guided by Zhou Shitao, which was why she was so impressive in gambling on stones.

However, what they didn’t know was that Huo Sining had been Zhou Shitao’s disciple for less than four months, and she hadn’t actually learned anything about jadeite or the necessary skills from her master.

Qin Lianshan didn’t mention this, nor did Ji Kun. Huo Sining would rather have everyone make their own assumptions and believe that her gambling skills were taught by Zhou Shitao. So, of course, she wouldn’t trouble herself to correct them.

Huo Sining did not pick up on Du Qingting’s cue, but instead smiled and turned to look at Liu Yuxuan:

”I didn’t expect Elder Liu to also be participating in this gamble. If we juniors have shown any disrespect, I hope Elder Liu won’t take offense. By the way, this person looks somewhat familiar; I presume Miss Liu must be your granddaughter, right?”

”I had the fortune of meeting Miss Liu at the jadeite market a few days ago. Miss Liu is very skilled in gambling on stones. I’ve been hoping to find a chance to exchange ideas and learn from her expertise.”