Reborn As Super Heiress

Chapter 1857: Chapter 1760: A Favorable Impression

”Master Li, to be honest, this item really isn’t that significant to me, but I can tell it’s something you’re fond of. You wouldn’t be able to buy such exquisite and fully-blooded Da Hong Pao on the market. If you truly feel uneasy accepting it, I would boldly like to make a request. Would you consider it?”

After repeated refusals, Huo Sining had no choice but to present her own idea.

Master Li nodded: ”Go ahead.”

”Everyone has their own preferences. As I just mentioned, that Shenlong Shenghu Inkstone caught my eye, and I’ve gone to great lengths to find out its origin. I’m not afraid to admit, when I first saw the Qilin Jin Xing Yan in your house full of gifts, it was love at first sight.”

”I really hope to pair the two ancient inkstones together. If I had known such a treasure was hidden among Mr. Earl’s old belongings, I would have found any means to acquire that ancient inkstone from him.”

”So, if it doesn’t seem too abrupt to you, I’d like to buy this Qilin Jin Xing Yan from you. Name your price.”

Hearing these heartfelt words from Huo Sining, Master Li couldn’t help but burst into laughter:

”You’re quite sincere, that’s why Mr. Earl and Mr. Windsor are so fond of you. However, your request is indeed a bit abrupt. Forget about price; do you think I’m so cold-hearted? Haven’t you forgotten about the wager I mentioned earlier? Whoever wins in the contest between you and Li Hang gets to choose any item from my gift collection.”

Although there was no official judge to pronounce the results, from the exchange between Huo Sining and Li Hang, even the guests who knew nothing about Huaxia antiques could clearly see it was a clear-cut victory. Li Hang was completely overshadowed and became a mere foil for Huo Sining.

Having won the contest, Huo Sining naturally could select any item she liked from Master Li’s gifts without having to pay for that Qilin Jin Xing Yan.

Master Li’s attitude was essentially telling Huo Sining that he was giving her the ancient inkstone.

Huo Sining’s heart was filled with joy, though she maintained a composed front. She hesitantly said, ”How can I accept this? After all, it’s a gift from Mr. Earl to you, it doesn’t seem appropriate for me to just take it.”

Listening to Huo Sining’s disingenuous words, Adrian couldn’t help but roll his eyes:

”Miss Huo, when you exchanged Picasso’s paintings with me for Huaxia antiques, you weren’t like this at all. Back then, you were like Grandet, eager to take away every antique from my basement. Why are you suddenly so polite with Master Li? This isn’t like you at all.”

Adrian was hardly polite, directly exposing Huo Sining’s pretense. It was clear that Adrian felt he had been at a disadvantage after Huo Sining exchanged those artifacts from his collection.

Huo Sining maintained a cheerful demeanor, not at all angered by Adrian’s words. Instead, she laughed:

”Mr. Earl, that was based on fair negotiation and diplomatic dealings. If you really weren’t willing, I doubt you would have signed the trade agreement back then, right?”

Adrian was at a loss for words, his face turning red. He wanted to protest, but couldn’t find a rebuttal. He could only close his mouth and hum in frustration, muttering words like ”Grandet, miser” under his breath, which amused Mr. Windsor and his son to no end.

Butler Li was efficient. Half an hour later, Qibao followed him into the banquet hall. The little guy, eyes darting around, quickly spotted Huo Sining, his eyes lighting up. He hurried over to her on his short legs.

”Sister!”

Qibao charged forward and hugged Huo Sining’s leg, slyly handing her the square brocade box he was holding:

”Sister, I brought the item for you. Butler Li asked for it, but I didn’t give it to him. I held onto it tight, not letting him see it.”

Seeing Qibao acting as cautiously as a spy, Huo Sining couldn’t help but burst into laughter. She reached out to tap his nose, smiling: ”I understand, thank you, Qibao.”

The reason Huo Sining had Qibao personally bring over the brocade box was quite simple: her claim of bringing an ancient inkstone to America was just a ruse.

Who in their right mind would travel abroad carrying an inkstone? Even if she were going to Las Vegas, taking a few photos would suffice. Carrying a heavy inkstone onto a plane was unnecessary, wasn’t it?

In truth, Huo Sining had Qibao bring a box not containing an ancient inkstone, but jewelry.

Due to attending the banquet, Huo Sining had brought jewelry, including the glass-type Spring with Colors bracelet on her wrist, along with a necklace, earrings, and rings—all part of a set. Because she needed to change into a dress and jewelry in front of Su Qingqing, Huo Sining didn’t keep them in her storage ring but instead placed them in her suitcase to avoid arousing Su Qingqing’s suspicion.

However, after wearing the dress and realizing that wearing the entire set of jadeite jewelry was too cumbersome, she removed the necklace and earrings, leaving only the bracelet behind, and returned the rest to the brocade box, which was subsequently returned to her suitcase.

She hadn’t foreseen any complications at the birthday banquet, or that she’d end up in a treasure appraisal contest with Li Hang. She especially hadn’t anticipated encountering the Qilin Jin Xing Yan among Master Li’s gifts. To validate her viewpoint and gain the guests’ recognition of her appraisal and analysis, she had to make up an excuse, pretending she had coincidentally brought the Shenlong Shenghu Inkstone to America.

Therefore, she had called Qibao in advance, asking him not to hand the box over to anyone else, fearing that if the box reached the hands of the meticulous Butler Li, he might discover that it contained not an inkstone, but a pile of jadeite jewelry.

With the box safely in hand, Huo Sining’s heart was finally at ease. Taking advantage of a moment when no one noticed, she quietly opened the brocade box and quickly exchanged the jewelry inside with the Shenlong Shenghu Inkstone from her storage ring.