Reborn As Super Heiress

A room full of elderly men with graying hair were all present. As Huo Sining followed Director Li and others into the room, those old men glanced back in Huo Sining’s direction but didn’t ask any questions, continuing instead to discuss something among themselves.

Only then did Huo Sining notice that there were many boxes in the room, each containing relics.

What those old experts were studying were precisely the items in these boxes.

Director Li was about to speak, but Huo Sining stopped him and asked somewhat awkwardly, ”Director Li, this... where is the restroom?”

Director Li was taken aback, pointing to the very end of the corridor, and Huo Sining turned and headed toward the restroom. Director Li didn’t bother with Huo Sining and turned back to inquire about those experts’ situation.

Meanwhile, Huo Sining went to the restroom. Just as she closed the stall door, she heard someone walk in and start talking.

”I heard that even a few old experts from the archaeology department of H University have come over. Do you really think this is such a serious matter?”

”Whether it’s serious or not isn’t up to us. The authenticity of the antiques is just a matter of a word from above, and besides, this isn’t the first time a museum has displayed counterfeits; which museum doesn’t have this situation?”

”I also heard that the culprit is someone from within our museum. Isn’t that an inside job?”

”That’s not surprising anymore. These things aren’t unheard of. If you ask me, it’s probably that Deputy Director Zeng who did it. I’ve long thought he’s a shifty-eyed man not to be trusted, but Zeng Fugui has strong backing, so I’m guessing this matter will end without conclusion.”

”Shh, keep it down. Zeng Fugui is not a good person. If he hears you talking like this, who knows if he’ll make trouble for you one day!”

The two women in the restroom discussed this and hurriedly left after finishing their business.

Huo Sining wasn’t in the habit of eavesdropping, but the two were clearly trying to speak quietly, so she feared coming out abruptly might embarrass them. She stayed put until they left before coming out.

However, after hearing what those two women said, she had some thoughts in mind. As she returned, she took a detour to the sealed-off area of the museum, activated her Heavenly Eye, and quickly surveyed several antiques displayed within the museum.

After the inspection, the corners of Huo Sining’s mouth lifted slightly. She felt she had some understanding of the museum’s situation.

”Hey, you over there, which department are you from? This area is sealed off and can’t be viewed now. All relics are seized and need to be appraised by experts before being put back on display. How did you get here, young lady? You know this is against the rules, right?”

Just as Huo Sining was about to head back, she heard someone shouting at her. She turned and saw a security man in uniform holding a walkie-talkie and shouting at her.

Huo Sining immediately showed an awkward expression and walked back quickly, saying, ”I’m sorry, sir, I didn’t mean to. I took a wrong turn. Could you tell me where the meeting room is? Director Li brought me over. I just used the restroom and got lost.”

The security guard glanced at Huo Sining suspiciously and then nodded, saying, ”Come with me.”

Following the security guard back to the meeting room, when Huo Sining pushed open the door and went inside, Director Li urgently called out to her, ”Miss Huo, you arrived at just the right time. Please have a look at this incense burner and tell if it’s genuine!”

At Director Li’s words, the few old experts in the room paused, instinctively raising their heads to look over at Huo Sining. Upon seeing it was a young girl of about twenty years old who entered, all their faces suddenly darkened.

”Director Li, what do you mean by this? Are you doubting our judgment as old men?”

”Exactly, even if you don’t trust us, isn’t it too much to trust such a young girl? How old can she be? She probably hasn’t even graduated from university, has she?”

”This is nonsense. Where did this young girl come from, Director Li? There’s a theft at your museum, and you take it so lightly, treating such a serious matter like child’s play. It’s outrageous!”

”Yes, we’re here to help you out. If something happens, who will take responsibility, and how will you explain it to those above?”

Those experts assumed Huo Sining was a relative of Director Li, brought in deliberately to gain some experience. If it were other occasions such as an archaeological site, they might have turned a blind eye, but not now in such a serious setting. Allowing outsiders to enter randomly was unacceptable to those expert veterans, immediately prompting them to criticize Director Li upon seeing Huo Sining.

Director Li, hearing their remarks, was at a loss whether to laugh or cry: ”Please, don’t get excited. There’s a misunderstanding here—Miss Huo is dispatched by the higher-ups.”

Hearing this, those experts were momentarily taken aback.

Seeing this, Huo Sining quickly introduced herself: ”Hello, esteemed teachers. My name is Huo Sining. My master, Zhou Shitao, has sent me to assist you with the H Province Museum theft incident. I rushed here from S City, sorry for being late and causing inconvenience to all of you.”

Her words were polite and respectful, and being Zhou Shitao’s apprentice added weight. Though the experts were puzzled why the higher-ups would send such a young newbie to handle important matters, out of respect for Zhou Shitao, they couldn’t openly lose their temper.

The few experts’ expressions softened, but the doubt in their eyes didn’t dissipate; it only grew stronger.

After all, no one would believe a young girl of only twenty could understand antique appraisal even if she was Zhou Shitao’s pupil. Her age suggested she might only know a little of the basics.

Due to skepticism, none of the experts spoke, and nobody took the initiative to converse with Huo Sining. They all lowered their heads, busying themselves with their work, and seemed determined to leave Huo Sining out in the cold.

The atmosphere turned somewhat awkward, and Director Li, noticing this, hurriedly explained, ”Miss Huo has extraordinary skills in antique authentication. Back at the Public Security Bureau, she already gave us a display of her abilities. When she touches relics, it’s nothing short of miraculous. With a simple touch, she can easily tell genuineness. I bet she could discern the real from the fake even with her eyes closed!”