Reborn As Super Heiress

Chapter 1321: Chapter 1317: Taking the Stage Again

As one of the examiners, the first movements Cai Limin and Xu Shilong noticed were Huo Sining’s actions. They were both surprised to see her handing in the answer sheet so quickly.

Although they were examiners for this competition, they were only informed of the host’s specific arrangement upon arrival at the venue, and the test questions were revealed after the start of the exam.

To Cai Limin and Xu Shilong, just touching without seeing was already a very tricky task, not to mention having to determine the authenticity and provide the origin and history, which was even more challenging.

Even though Cai Limin and Xu Shilong were there as examiners, their expertise was only somewhat related to jade and jewelry; they were not exactly from the pure antique circle. Their abilities in treasure appraisal were not strong, and if they were to participate in such assessments, they would undoubtedly rely on guesswork.

”Why did Miss Huo hand in her answer sheet so quickly?”

Cai Limin saw Huo Sining’s answer sheet being presented to the chief examiner, and he couldn’t help but turn slightly to inquire with Shi Qingyun, who was sitting beside him.

Shi Qingyun had originally been watching Huo Sining, who seemed to be meditating. Upon hearing Cai Limin’s voice, he withdrew his gaze: ”What?”

Cai Limin noticed Shi Qingyun’s calm demeanor and couldn’t help but reveal a hint of surprise in his eyes. After hesitating, he lowered his voice and asked, ”Elder Shi, I meant that Miss Huo handed in her answer sheet so quickly. Isn’t that a bit too hasty?”

Shi Qingyun listened to this and couldn’t help but smile slightly, shaking his head without hesitation while quietly observing Huo Sining in the corner:

”Xiao Cai, you don’t know her well enough. If you saw this girl’s true capabilities, you wouldn’t say that.”

”Huo Sining’s abilities are beyond what you people can imagine. I wouldn’t boast in other aspects, but ever since I knew this young girl, in the fields of stone gambling and antiquities, which fall under her expertise, I haven’t seen her misjudge even once.”

”Not just me; even her mentor Zhou Shitao may not have her precise sight.”

Isn’t this boasting? This praise is simply celestial, isn’t it?

Cai Limin looked at Huo Sining below the stage in amazement, his eyes flashing with disbelief.

He thought that Shi Qingyun’s high evaluation of Huo Sining was due to their familiarity, heavily infused with personal sentiment, too much water, and not very credible.

”All of your appraisal results have been submitted. Next, our staff will scan the answer sheets into the electronic screen.”

”Of course, for the fairness, justice, and transparency of this assessment, we won’t announce the correct answers just yet. As the staff enters the answer sheets, please appraise once more on stage. This time, you can touch and look.”

As soon as the chief examiner finished speaking, the staff beside the wooden box received instruction and swiftly pulled off the black velvet covering, revealing the items in the box and placing them on the long table.

The first revealed was the phonograph set, with four or five scattered parts on the table, most prominently the horn and the cherrywood sound box.

These parts have distinct characteristics, so guessing them to be phonograph parts isn’t difficult. Anyone who has seen a phonograph can guess from touching the horn.

However, many details on these parts can’t be felt, like the VICTOR decal, only visible to the naked eye, and the grain on the cherrywood, which are key in determining authenticity.

When the staff unveiled the silk covering and revealed the true appearance of the items in the box, many appraisers’ faces changed instantly.

Clearly, many of them had misjudged, assuming these dismantled parts belonged to a phonograph, not realizing there were genuine and fake parts, with the newly painted base already proving to be a fake.

Ma Liwen’s face showed a hint of panic, but upon seeing most appraisers’ expressions change, he settled down.

At least his answers were mostly accurate; only the base was overlooked due to a mental fixation.

Thinking this, Ma Liwen felt balanced, confident his answers were the most precise among everyone.

Because not long ago, he happened to acquire an antique phonograph almost identical in design.

The phonograph base cannot be distinguished by touch alone. If it’s difficult for him, it’ll be difficult for others. He simply doesn’t believe someone can truly see the problem with the base.

Having finished examining the Western phonograph, next would be the Eastern bronze mirror.

Although the appraisers had roughly judged the bronze mirror through touch, when the mirror was presented, they couldn’t help but look.

The worker displayed the patterned side of the bronze mirror to the appraisers, letting them see the floral design on the back—a lady with birds depicted in mother-of-pearl inlay.

The lady design was delicate and beautifully made, reflecting a pearlescent pink under the light, looking very captivating.

Huo Sining felt confident in her appraisal but unsure of the purpose behind the host’s actions, she followed other appraisers to re-evaluate the two items.

The phonograph clearly revealed its authenticity, so most appraisers focused on the bronze mirror.

Initially, there wasn’t enough time, compounded by the nature of the exam, the thoughts weren’t as clear as they were now.

After stepping off stage, Huo Sining realized she had overlooked many issues, such as basic sound examination.

So the first thing she did upon ascending the stage was tapping the mirror’s front and back, listening closely to the sound.

After listening to the sound, Huo Sining focused on the rust on the mirror’s front.

There was a discrepancy between what she had sensed with her hand and seen with her eyes.

Previously, she only noticed the rust on the mirror’s edge. Up close, she saw a thick layer of rust spread over the mirror’s center, especially pronounced near the middle, with a greenish tint.

Sining leaned in and smelled both the front and back of the mirror. She confirmed her prior judgment was correct; the front had a strong coppery smell, whereas the back did not.