Chapter 223: Gu Shengsheng: I Have a System. Zhao Dehai: You’re So Humorous.

Although Zhang Zhengyi didn’t understand how she knew if they were real or fake just from opening one box, he still trusted Gu Shengsheng unconditionally.

The reason was simple: whatever Shengsheng said, went!

Lu Shijing was already marking the center point of each treasure box’s location.

He said, "I’ll mark the spots. You measure the distances so the detection team can use their equipment to get the items out."

"Okay."

The three of them bustled for fifteen minutes, and that was all it took.

Their coordination was seamless. Once finished, the three of them quickly exited the air-raid shelter.

Then, the detection team began their work.

Ten minutes after receiving the command, they had dug up the treasure boxes one by one.

Zhang Zhengyi stood there and said, "I didn’t notice before. Why are there so many boxes?"

Lu Shijing said, "There are 132 boxes. As for the exact number of artifacts, that depends on what’s inside. These boxes don’t seem very large. Some might only hold one piece, while others could hold three or four."

"Mhm," Gu Shengsheng nodded. "When I opened the first box just now, the artifacts inside weren’t just real—they were the very ones Japan made a big show of taking."

Zhang Zhengyi was baffled. "So the ones they took were fakes? And the real ones were left behind? No way, the Japanese aren’t that stupid."

Gu Shengsheng said, "I don’t know the reason why, but I can guarantee they’re real."

Zhang Zhengyi wasn’t optimistic, though. This was a major international issue, and Gu Shengsheng’s claim was just one person’s word.

Objectively speaking, it didn’t carry much weight.

But never mind. They had come this far; disagreements were pointless now.

All they could do was give it everything they had.

As the survey team dug, they opened the boxes to take inventory. Finally, Gu Shengsheng and the others went over.

The survey team’s captain said, "There are 492 artifacts in total, nearly five hundred pieces."

Gu Shengsheng nodded. "Mhm."

"Miss Gu, should these be taken to the Bureau of Cultural Relics for appraisal first? Should we call for more manpower?"

Gu Shengsheng said, "Even with more people, it’ll be too late."

"It’ll take us an hour just to get back, and then we’d need more time to prepare once we’re there. So, our only option is to take them directly to the conference room at the Gemstone Administration Bureau."

Zhang Zhengyi asked, "You’re going to present them directly?"

Gu Shengsheng nodded. "That’s right. It’s the only way."

"We’ll take them straight to the Gemstone Administration Bureau’s conference room. That will also give me a chance to familiarize myself with the artifacts, which will make it easier to speak later."

When it came to eloquence, Gu Shengsheng had caused a huge sensation when she had dressed down Eagle Country.

No one was worried about her in that department.

The main concern now was her ability. How could anyone possibly appraise so many artifacts in just over an hour?

Even a world-class expert couldn’t do it. For someone like Gu Shengsheng to succeed, she’d have to know if they were real or fake with a single touch.

But... how was that possible?

So, Zhang Zhengyi looked at her, very concerned.

Lu Shijing said, "Alright, I’ll take you. Let’s not waste any more time."

"Mr. Zhang, your part in this is done. You can go on back."

"I’ll take Shengsheng from here."

With that, Gu Shengsheng quickly got into the car. There was no time for pleasantries; every second counted.

As she sat in Lu Shijing’s car, he said, "Get some rest. You have a tough battle to fight later."

"Mhm, I’m fine." Gu Shengsheng asked curiously, "You don’t doubt me? After all, no normal person could do this."

Lu Shijing said, "Because you’re not a normal person."

Gu Shengsheng: "..." She couldn’t tell if that was a compliment or an insult.

"I’m saying, you won’t lose."

"At the very least, you have me to back you up. Of course, you probably won’t need me."

By the time he finished, Gu Shengsheng had already fallen silent, clearly asleep in the passenger seat.

Lu Shijing took a nearby jacket and draped it over her, then turned on the car’s air conditioning.

When they arrived, he carefully carried her out of the car. Gu Shengsheng was still in his arms in the elevator when she groggily woke up.

Only then did he put her down.

He said, "We’re almost there."

Her face was hazy from sleep, her cheeks tinged with pink. "Mhm," she said.

She rubbed her eyes and said, "You’ve worked hard today, too."

"By the way, how is Mrs. Ma?"

Gu Shengsheng asked.

"She’s still in the delivery room, so we don’t know yet. But the scare today didn’t have too much of an effect. It’s normal to go into labor early, as long as it’s close to the due date."

"That’s good."

Gu Shengsheng let out a yawn.

Zhao Dehai was already waiting at the door.

"They’ve brought the boxes over, but how are we supposed to arrange them in the conference room?" Seeing Gu Shengsheng, Zhao Dehai lost his resolve and waited for her instructions.

Gu Shengsheng said, "Mhm. We’ll be on an international video call, right? We just need to arrange everything in the conference room so it’s visible on camera."

She wanted to... make the people from Japan lose their composure right from the start!

Zhao Dehai nodded. "Okay, okay, okay."

"We’re counting on you today, Shengsheng. I have no idea what to do, so I’ll just follow your lead and support you as needed."

"Shi Jing probably can’t go in for this."

Gu Shengsheng nodded. "It’s fine. He can go home first."

Lu Shijing said, "I’ll wait for you out here."

After speaking, he sat down right there, watching with a smile as Gu Shengsheng went inside.

Gu Shengsheng nodded, then closed the conference room door.

Zhao Dehai was chattering nervously at her side. "I’ll get a few assistants to help with the inventory. But Shengsheng, are you sure you can tell if these are real or fake?"

"We all know you’re capable, but this is nearly five hundred pieces!"

Gu Shengsheng said, "It’s fine, I can handle it. But let me move everything myself."

"That way I can memorize their features and what type of artifacts they are."

"...!!!" Zhao Dehai was in disbelief.

’Memorize all 492 pieces? What on earth is she talking about?’

’How is that even possible?’

’And appraising every single one? Impossible... That’s nearly five hundred artifacts! An expert who can appraise one or two a day is already considered top-tier.’

’If Gu Shengsheng can really do this... is she even human?’

Just as Zhao Dehai was staring at Gu Shengsheng with a look of utter, world-shattering disbelief,

Gu Shengsheng said casually, "I have a System that can appraise these artifacts."

The corner of Zhao Dehai’s mouth twitched. "Oh, sure you do!"

"I just hope you’re still in the mood to be glib when the time comes. Those people from Japan are lunatics. They’re deliberately seizing on this to create a news story. We absolutely cannot afford any mistakes, you know that?"

"And most importantly, this will be broadcast live in both Japan and Huaxia. If anything goes wrong on your end, your reputation will be ruined! Are you absolutely sure you’re not biting off more than you can chew?"

"Mhm." Gu Shengsheng nodded.

Seeing how anxious Zhao Dehai was, Gu Shengsheng paused what she was doing and said, "Why don’t you do it, then?"

The moment she said that, Zhao Dehai immediately backed down.

He said, "I, uh... we’d better rely on you. I have unconditional faith in you. I’ll shut up now."

"I’ll just be over here, keeping my mouth shut." He then made a zipping motion across his lips.