The Real Heiress Has an Appraisal System

Then, she asked, “Would Miss Gu be willing to cooperate with us?”

“By ‘cooperate,’ you mean I’d have to get involved with this whole mess, and in return, you’d give me a sum of money so large I could never spend it all? And all I’d have to do is betray Huaxia?”

Gu Shengsheng asked these questions casually. Truth be told, even before all this started, she knew about this kind of sordid business. She just never expected it to happen to her. It was disgusting, plain and simple.

Just looking at the woman filled Gu Shengsheng with an endless sense of disgust.

“It’s more than that,” the woman said with a smile. “We know you’re good at making money. The funds we can offer you will be five times your current total assets. We’re prepared to offer you billions of US Dollars.”

“Miss Gu, you work your fingers to the bone to make money over there. With us, you could make it effortlessly. Isn’t your husband a renowned stock-trading whiz on Wall Street?”

She spoke with absolute confidence. With such a tempting offer on the table, she couldn’t believe anyone would refuse.

Especially not someone like Gu Shengsheng, who was always working so hard to make money, only to have to pay so much in taxes.

“In fact, if you were to change your nationality, we would protect you. And more importantly, you wouldn’t have to pay nearly as much in taxes.”

“And US Dollars are worth more than RMB.”

Every word was laced with conviction and the certainty of success. Her eyes, fixed on Gu Shengsheng, were full of bewitching promises.

In her mind, a person like Gu Shengsheng was certain to accept such a proposal, such a job.

Because she needed money. And a need for money meant she could be controlled.

“Making money has always been your life’s motto, Miss Gu. People like you are typically very clear about their goals, and in that regard, we fully support you.”

After the woman finished, Gu Shengsheng said, “Oh, so you’re trying to win me over!”

“So, if I agree to your terms, I’ll be out of a job. How am I supposed to make a living here?”

“The position of Director of the Da Ying Museum will be yours.”

Gu Shengsheng laughed out loud. “You’re supposedly a direct superior at the Da Ying Museum, yet you’re powerless. And you have the nerve to make me such an empty promise?”

“Excuse my bluntness, but I need to make this clear. In Huaxia, plenty of bosses love to make empty promises. The reason I’m not fooled is because I never believe them!”

“Your pitch is so lame, why on earth would I believe you? I happen to like earning my money in my own country. I happen to like paying my taxes. What business is it of yours?”

“I suggest you don’t overstep your bounds, miss. We hardly know each other, so let’s leave it at that. Don’t waste your day being tactless and spouting nonsense at me.”

With that, Gu Shengsheng walked away in disgust.

She had wanted to record the conversation, but these people were watching her like hawks. The conference room was filled with countless cameras, so all Gu Shengsheng could do was stand there and talk properly.

‘These scumbags… since they said it’s ‘to each their own,”

‘So ‘to each their own,’ huh? Does that mean if I manage to take things away, that’s also just me using my own abilities?’

With this in mind, Gu Shengsheng walked out. She returned to the hotel and knocked on Lu Shijing’s door.

Lu Shijing had just gotten back himself. Seeing her, he couldn’t help but let a smug smile grace his lips.

‘Does she miss me? It’s just like they say. Once you’re sure of your feelings for each other, things really do move forward in leaps and bounds.’

Though Lu Shijing’s mind was racing, his expression remained as cool and detached as ever.

Gu Shengsheng, completely oblivious to his inner thoughts, asked, “What did you find out about that shop owner I asked you to look into?”

He concealed his disappointment and took a file from his bag.

“Okay, I’ve found her basic information. She’s just a normal young woman, around twenty-one years old, studying abroad here.”

“Her name is Xia Tian. She’s usually very quiet and seems to be keeping to herself. Nothing else seems out of the ordinary. That’s all I could find.”

Gu Shengsheng asked, “Hmm, so she rents an apartment by herself?”

“Yes. And I couldn’t find anything on her family background. You know how it is—the harder it is to dig up information on someone, the more there is to them. Are you sure you want to arrange a meeting?”

“After all, you could just buy the items from her. It would be a normal transaction. You wouldn’t know how many hands it’s passed through. If any trouble arises, you’d have a plausible defense. It wouldn’t have much to do with you. She could probably get herself out of it, too.”

Gu Shengsheng shook her head. “I suspect the artifacts she’s selling are authentic. That’s why I have to get to the bottom of this. If she’s the kind of person I think she is, then it’s not just us who would want to help—everyone in Huaxia would.”

“Mm,” Lu Shijing said, instinctively ruffling her hair. “I’ve already arranged a meeting for you tomorrow morning.”

“Did things go smoothly at the Da Ying Museum today?”

“Mhm,” Gu Shengsheng nodded. “There was just some woman in a high position who tried to get me to defect. I rejected her flat out.”

“I see.” Lu Shijing nodded. “Back when I was starting out on Wall Street, there were many people from other countries here too. Most of the top talent got poached. And for those who couldn’t be poached, things didn’t end well.”

Gu Shengsheng had some understanding of this. Lu Shijing had explained it before when he was dabbling in Bitcoin.

It seemed like there were people manipulating and controlling the market. The idea of “one move to rags, one move to riches” was very applicable here. Having foresight was crucial, but you also had to fight tooth and nail to even get in.

It was rare for Gu Shengsheng to ask about his past. “Back then, you had nothing. How did you survive here?”

“It was nothing,” he said. “Wall Street isn’t a place where you can get something for nothing. Even if you make money, you have to live to spend it. Easy come, easy go. So from the very beginning, I needed capital.”

“It wasn’t easy back then. Lu Chaoyang was desperately searching for me, so I could only wash dishes in restaurants. I even hauled pig carcasses. I did all the dirty, exhausting jobs. If you ask what kept me going… there wasn’t really anything. I just wanted to survive.”

“I knew I couldn’t accept living like that forever.”

Lu Shijing had always believed that if he could just make money once, it would prove he had the ability to do it again. He never doubted his own capabilities.

In short, believing in yourself is what matters most.

Lu Shijing then said to her, “Your abilities are formidable here as well. And since I’ve already been down this road, we have the experience to avoid the pitfalls.”

“So, you have to believe in yourself.”

“Mhm. Thank you.” Gu Shengsheng’s words were sincere. Lu Shijing was being genuine with her, and she naturally responded with the same wholehearted sincerity.

Then Lu Shijing said, “We’ll go check it out together tomorrow.”

“Also, Lu Linlin is coming here to find you. She says she’s traveling with Zhao Dehai, who’s coming to talk to you about work.”

“Okay, that’s fine. As long as Uncle Zhao makes sure she stays safe.”