Chapter 215: Playing Tricks? Can a Tiny Forehead Ornament Be Deadly?

"This matter is very important, so we’ve been waiting here for you since early this morning."

"I’m sorry to have kept you waiting." Gu Shengsheng collected herself and greeted them with poise. "Teacher Ma, please, feel free to speak your mind."

"Underground mineral resources are all state property in Huaxia. So, Miss Gu, this gold mine will most likely have to be turned over to the country." He let out a sigh.

"I understand." Gu Shengsheng was aware of this and understood the implications. The law was the law; she just had to follow it.

Her initial hope was simply to get a share of the profits from the mineral resources. That way, she could make some nice jewelry.

"But without you, it would have been impossible to develop. Who knows how long it would have been before anyone else discovered it." Teacher Ma’s expression was solemn.

"The original plan was cash compensation, but as you said that day, Miss Gu, you wanted a share of the mine itself. I didn’t dare agree to that at first. However, we’ve discussed it, and we’ve unanimously decided to offer you twenty tons of gold ore. What do you think?"

Gu Shengsheng was a bit surprised. She knew they would negotiate on her behalf, but she never expected to get this much.

She immediately nodded in gratitude. "Thank you so much, Teacher Ma."

Though she had never met Teacher Ma before, his actions made Gu Shengsheng feel that he was a good person.

Of course, she also knew who else had helped. Looking at Zhao Dehai, she said, "And thank you, Mr. Zhao."

Zhao Dehai waved his hand dismissively. "It’s nothing. As long as you agree, that’s what matters. Ma Yaowen and the others can go draft the documents now. We were just worried you might not accept the offer."

"After all, you’re the one who found this gold mine, all by yourself." Anyone familiar with geological and mineral resources would know just how difficult Gu Shengsheng’s accomplishment was.

In geological surveying, it’s perfectly normal to spend a year or two searching for a water source and still come up empty-handed.

And this was a gold mine—a developable one, at that. People could barely find new coal mines these days, let alone gold.

At this thought, Ma Yaowen added with admiration, "Kid, with you, the future of Huaxia is truly looking remarkable!"

"You must continue down this path. All of us old fossils are finally seeing a glimmer of hope."

"I used to think only Mr. Zhao’s artifacts had a chance of being saved. I never imagined our precious gem and jade resources would be saved too!"

Gu Shengsheng scratched her head. "It was just a coincidence." ’I found it with Lu Shijing,’ she thought. ’I’ll give him half of the gold ore later.’

It really was just a coincidence from that day they went to visit the graves.

No wonder people say luck plays a huge part in making money. Gu Shengsheng felt her own luck was incredibly strong right now.

She felt a thrill of delight. Later, as Mrs. Lu Sr. was seeing everyone out, Gu Shengsheng noticed that Ma Yaowen hadn’t left, and Zhao Dehai was still there too.

Gu Shengsheng knew they must have something else to discuss with her.

Mrs. Lu Sr. noticed as well. "I’m just going to take a walk! You all talk amongst yourselves."

After everyone else had left, Gu Shengsheng looked at Ma Yaowen.

"Teacher Ma, was there something you wanted to see me about?"

Ma Yaowen smiled. "Zhao Dehai recommended I speak with you. I have a little situation at home and was hoping Miss Gu could help."

Seeing his troubled expression, Gu Shengsheng offered some reassurance. "Don’t worry. You’ve already done so much to help me get such a great deal. If I can help you, I will."

Ordinarily, for discovering a mineral deposit, Gu Shengsheng would have received a commemorative banner and maybe a few hundred thousand yuan at most.

But Ma Yaowen had secured so much more for her; she was genuinely grateful.

Zhao Dehai chimed in, "Stop hemming and hawing. Go on. That foreign couple sought out Shengsheng for help, and you just need an appraisal, right? It’s no big deal."

Gu Shengsheng picked up on the clue. "This is about your wife?"

Ma Yaowen nodded. "Yes. My mother gave my wife a necklace. She said it was very valuable and told my wife to wear it all the time."

"I was too busy with work to pay it much attention at first. But today, my wife suddenly told me she wanted to find out if it’s real. She said she saw your live stream and wanted to ask for your help."

Clearly, Ma Yaowen himself was completely in the dark.

He asked, "Miss Gu, would you be free to come to our house tonight to take a look?"

"Oh, right, I forgot to explain. My wife is pregnant and pretty far along, so she can’t get around easily."

"That’s why I have to trouble you to make a trip to our place."

Zhao Dehai added, "Yes, they live right next door to me, in the residential complex next to the courtyard. What do you say, Shengsheng? Will you help them out?"

"I can do that." Gu Shengsheng nodded. "It’s just... I think my viewers might be curious about this, too. Would it be okay if I live-streamed it? If it’s not convenient, that’s fine."

Ma Yaowen nodded. "Yes, of course. My wife doesn’t have to be on camera, as long as she can hear your conversation."

"We’re in this line of work ourselves, so we understand the importance of public education. Our official department accounts have to run these kinds of events all the time, so this is perfectly fine."

Ma Yaowen finally let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Miss Gu."

"Zhao Dehai and I still have a pile of work to do back at the administration office, so I’ll leave this evening in your hands, Miss Gu."

"Not a problem," Gu Shengsheng said with a smile and a wave.

She didn’t have any other plans, so after finishing her takeout and changing clothes, Gu Shengsheng headed for Ma Yaowen’s home.

She didn’t have many special talents, just a strong sense of curiosity.

Judging by Ma Yaowen’s behavior, it was obvious there was something more to the story that he wasn’t telling her.

’Something feels off,’ she thought.

Gu Shengsheng gave Mrs. Ma a heads-up, then started her live stream as soon as she walked through the door.

"Today, I’m doing a live appraisal at a viewer’s home. Any interested ’Treasure Buddies’ can tune in to see what kind of goodies we find today!"

Viewers: "Host, you’re unreal! You take one day off and you’re right back at it, even live-streaming to farm traffic for the platform! But I love to see it!"

"Our master money-maker is at it again! Where are you appraising today, Host? This place looks expensive, they must be loaded!"

"Host, what’s the treasure today?!"

"..."

Gu Shengsheng watched the viewer count climb. Seeing that her System’s Emotion Value hadn’t budged in a while, she said, "You’ll find out in a bit. Feel free to share the stream so more people can watch."

Just as she finished speaking, Mrs. Ma, dressed in a simple yet elegant outfit, stood there and said to Gu Shengsheng, "Miss Gu, please, come in and have a seat!"

"I’m watching your stream, too. I just shared the link."

Gu Shengsheng smiled, nodded, and thanked her.

Without any further pleasantries, Mrs. Ma took out her necklace.

"Miss Gu, please take a look at this."

Besides the central piece of Nephrite Jade, the piece was also adorned with many smaller gems, including crescent stone, Xixian Stone, Cross Stone, and a cat’s eye.

Gu Shengsheng examined it from all angles. "It looks like a forehead ornament from the Miao Clan, and the stones are genuine."

Gu Shengsheng continued, "But Mrs. Ma... this thing isn’t clean. Mrs. Ma, wearing this could kill you."