Chapter 225: Why Do Your Jabs at Japan Always Hit Where It Hurts?

Zhao Dehai’s face was a mask of anxiety. "No, that’s not it... but you’re not going to prepare at all? Shengsheng, this is a huge deal! One misstep could end your career. If I’d known, I never would have let you get involved so early... *Sigh*!"

Gu Shengsheng said, "Mr. Zhao, trust me. We’ve been friends for so many years."

Sure enough, the people from the International Treasure Appraisal Association were also using a combination of machines and manual inspection.

As Gu Shengsheng’s items passed through the inspection, a crisp, mechanical voice announced, one after another: "Approved."

"Approved."

"..."

It was green lights all the way.

As for the team from Japan, they had already tested eight items in a row, but every single one lit up a red light: "Inspection failed."

"Inspection failed. Does not meet antique standards."

"..."

Beiyuan Cang was frozen in place, completely dumbfounded.

He pointed directly at the appraisal specialist and demanded, "Are you people even professionals? Is the machine broken?"

The specialist shot him a disdainful look and said, "Nope. It’s a fake. I’d get the same result just by looking at it. Bring out the genuine article, and I’ll run the test."

Japan’s Beiyuan Cang was speechless. "..." ’If I had the real one, would I still be standing here?’

’This guy’s sense of humor is something else. Does he think I’m *trying* not to bring out the genuine article?’

Seeing his discomfort, the specialist shot him another dismissive glance. "Some expert eye you’ve got. They’re all fakes, and you’ve had them on display for years."

Hearing the specialist’s jab, Beiyuan Cang was completely triggered. He clenched his fists, ready to throw a punch at the man.

But just then, several imposing figures appeared beside the specialist. This was the International Treasure Appraisal Association, after all.

The specialists here were cocky because they had the muscle to back it up.

When Beiyuan Cang saw how huge they were, his own five-foot-seven frame seemed to shrink, and his nerve broke completely.

He lowered his fists, suddenly overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness.

"Sir," he pleaded, "could you please take another look?"

Meanwhile, Gu Shengsheng and Zhao Dehai were calmly eating watermelon.

They watched the chaos unfolding across from them with amusement.

With their mouths full of fruit, they were in the perfect state to enjoy the drama.

The viewers in the live stream, who had been on the edge of their seats, could finally relax.

"LMAO, Japan is killing me. That lunatic really thought he was something special!"

"And they had the nerve to request international arbitration against us. They should really know their place. All they know how to do is pick a fight with our Sister Gu. But Sister Gu is the kind of person who will curse you out right at a press conference."

"Exactly! She became a legend overnight, taking on all comers with her sharp tongue. She swears so creatively! A true role model for our generation."

When Gu Shengsheng saw these comments scroll by, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "..."

But seeing how fired up everyone was, she decided to up the ante.

"Don’t worry," she said. "This is just the beginning. Our goal isn’t just to make them crack right here and now."

’Otherwise, how could she use the other 492 artifacts she’d brought to really put them in their place?’

Gu Shengsheng watched the Japanese team, who were in complete disarray. They had already demanded to re-run the tests three or four times, but the final result was always the same: appraisal failed.

Gu Shengsheng said, "I have the authentic ones here, so naturally, yours are fakes."

"Mr. Beiyuan Cang, you can’t even grasp such a simple concept? Did you sleep through your college classes?"

All the color drained from Beiyuan Cang’s face. He wanted to trade barbs with Gu Shengsheng, but he found he couldn’t get a single word out.

He was overcome with a feeling of helplessness.

Still, he managed to pull himself together and declared pompously, "We of Japan honestly do not know why this situation has occurred. If we dared to exhibit them, they must be authentic."

Beiyuan Cang continued, "As for why this is happening today, I believe the most likely explanation is that our artifacts were stolen."

As he spoke, he deliberately tried to lead his Japanese fans into suspecting the Huaxia delegation.

Gu Shengsheng knew it. ’These Japanese are so cunning. They’re absolute masters at slinging mud.’

Since he wanted to play that game, Gu Shengsheng said, "But there have been no reports of stolen artifacts in Japan. In fact, your exhibitions have been running as scheduled every day."

"If you’re saying that artifacts were stolen without anyone knowing when, doesn’t that just prove Japan’s general incompetence? You lack the ability to protect your own treasures, so you blame Huaxia? I guess we’re just too nice."

Beiyuan Cang pointed a finger at Gu Shengsheng. "Miss Gu, do not question Japan’s professionalism."

"Then your story doesn’t add up." Gu Shengsheng threw her hands up in a shrug. "But you’re right, you people don’t care about things like logic. You just slander whoever you feel like slandering. That’s your standard operating procedure. I’m used to it, actually. After all, you even rewrite history for your own children, unable to even admit your own mistakes. I get it now..."

Gu Shengsheng’s eyes widened in mock realization. "Ah, I see. In Japan, being shameless is a time-honored tradition passed down through generations."

Live stream comment: "LMAO, streamer, you’re the queen of throwing shade."

"I need to learn how to insult people with this much class. Be an elegant woman, hahaha!"

"Streamer, keep it up, but let’s see some real action, not just verbal sparring."

Gu Shengsheng nodded slightly. She looked over at the Japanese delegation, where Beiyuan Cang was frantically gathering old documents to prove his case.

He looked like he was on the verge of a meltdown in front of the cameras.

Gu Shengsheng saw that her opponents were now stuck trying to justify themselves. She had to step in and disrupt their flow.

"How about this," she began. "I also excavated 492 artifacts over here—nearly five hundred pieces in total. Among them are ten pairs of dragon-patterned Jade Pendants, two sacrificial altars, six bronze cauldrons, twelve bronze adzes, eighteen bronze arrowheads, fifty-six porcelain bowls, eighty-eight porcelain basins, pottery jars..."

She rattled off a long list of items.

The piece of watermelon fell right out of Zhao Dehai’s mouth.

’No way... That kid actually memorized all of that just now! Holy cow, that’s not a super brain, that’s a god-tier brain!’

After finishing her list, Gu Shengsheng turned to the representatives from the International Treasure Appraisal Association. "All of these items," she said, "I claim they are all authentic. Are you able to appraise them?"

"We can," they replied, their answer short and to the point.

Across from them, Japan’s Beiyuan Cang burst out laughing. The curators from the Tokyo Museum and several other institutions also couldn’t help but chuckle.

"Miss Gu, this is hardly the time to be opportunistic. You’ve authenticated a mere dozen items and you already dare to challenge us?"

"You’re certainly impressive at memorizing lists, but that’s all it is. Treasure appraisal requires real talent."

"Exactly! Miss Gu, you Huaxia people are all so arrogant. If you were to switch over to Japan’s side now, we would undoubtedly offer you the best possible treatment."

His words utterly disgusted Gu Shengsheng.

She shot back, "Treatment? You couldn’t possibly afford what I want. Cooperation is out of the question. Don’t even think about it. I’m biased against you—openly and unapologetically biased. Of course, that’s just my personal opinion."

"And another thing, what’s your problem with Huaxia people? Did we steal food from your table?"

"I suggest your country, Japan, does some self-reflection instead of just shifting the blame every time you make a mistake. And when it comes to treasure appraisal, we don’t need all this bluster and nonsense. Just stick to the facts."

Gu Shengsheng held nothing back. If she had something to say, she said it.

When it came to Japan, she had always been this way—if she felt like letting loose, she let loose.