Chapter 690: Chapter 687 Questioning

Ten million per pearl? The price mentioned by Qin Lianshan immediately left everyone astonished.

“Have you brought the pearl with you? After the program is recorded, could you let this old man have a look too?”

“Miss Huo, I didn’t see that coming. Not everyone is adept at stone gambling. Come on, tell us a few things about that Heavenly Bead.”

“And that ‘Li Duanduan Drawing,’ Elder Qin just mentioned that the girl helped him appraise ancient paintings, right? Talk about that too.”

Antique collectors all love to hear stories, and once they heard there were interesting tales to be told, they all perked up with interest and gathered around Huo Sining.

It wasn’t just the experts. The backstage staff also pricked up their ears. To ordinary people, collecting seemed like a distant and mysterious affair. The idea of bargain hunting for treasures was even more out of reach, so listening to these collectors’ stories was highly enticing for them.

Zhao Qingchu, who was initially worried that Huo Sining was too young to know anything, changed her perspective after witnessing this scene.

At first, she had been afraid that Huo Sining wouldn’t fit in with the experts and might affect the recording of the show. But she didn’t expect that this young woman would quickly blend in with the experts, and even subtly become the focus of their attention.

Station Head Jiang, on the other hand, felt somewhat embarrassed. He had previously put Huo Sining in a tight spot, but now, seeing how warmly experts like Qin Lianshan and Shi Qingyun interacted with Huo Sining, he found himself in an awkward position.

After chatting for a while, someone from the group of experts spoke up.

“Miss Huo, do you plan on selling your Heavenly Bead? If you’re thinking of selling, our auction house can organize a promotion for you, guaranteeing that each bead will sell for over twelve million.”

The speaker was Xu Shilong, the general manager of the Imperial Capital auction house. He had a thorough understanding of the market prices for various antiques and became interested upon hearing about the seven emerald Heavenly Beads in Huo Sining’s possession. He couldn’t help but ask, and after saying this, he looked up and stared straight at Huo Sining.

The income of an auction house primarily comes from the commission on sold items.

Generally, the auction house takes a commission of five to ten percent from the auctioned objects. If Huo Sining’s emerald Heavenly Beads could sell for ten million, the auction house could earn a commission of five hundred thousand to one million.

However, it’s rare to guarantee a selling price like Xu Shilong did. The reason he made such an offer was that he knew very well that Huo Sining’s emerald Heavenly Beads were extraordinary. With proper promotion, the price would only be higher than what he had suggested.

“Well…” Huo Sining glanced at Xu Shilong and said with a smile, “President Xu, I’d like to keep the Heavenly Bead for myself. But if there’s an opportunity in the future, I’ll certainly need President Xu’s help.”

Undeterred by Huo Sining’s rejection, Xu Shilong was about to ask again when Qin Lianshan interrupted with a smile: “Xiao Xu, don’t bother persuading her. This girl isn’t short of money.”

“Back in April at the Tengchong Ghost Market, she made a move worth five hundred million, helping a museum to acquire a set of Jade Clothing.”

“Let’s not talk about that, just over half a month ago, this young lady made a bet with Liu Chongren’s granddaughter in Guangcheng and won ten billion from the Liu Family overnight. Do you think she needs money? So, if you’re planning on getting your hands on her Emerald Heavenly Bead, I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed.”

Ten billion?! Elder Qin’s words made everyone present gasp in astonishment.

Those who are into collecting aren’t necessarily wealthy, most of the experts in this room are well-known figures in the antiques circle, and the majority are either locals from the Imperial Capital or have lived there for decades, with some financial foundation. However, there aren’t many like Huo Sining who can count their wealth in billions.

Not to mention the staff behind the scenes at the television station, Zhao Qingchu’s eyes were practically shining with stars as she looked at Huo Sining, filled with immense admiration.

Station Head Jiang regretted his slight to Huo Sining a moment ago even more, squeezing out remorse for his slip. He didn’t think this young lady had earned her fortune on her own merit, but being able to make ten billion in a single night as well as being so familiar with Qin Lianshan, this young lady could very well be from a major family dynasty. He had rashly offended her without understanding her background, which was extremely unwise.

Elder Qin had deliberately made this statement aloud. Upon entering, he saw clear signs of contempt and underestimation for Huo Sining from the people in the room. Therefore, he intentionally flaunted this information. He wanted these people to acknowledge Huo Sining’s background and thus take her seriously.

In today’s society, net worth and ability are often important prerequisites for determining whether a person is worth associating with, and those in the collecting circle value this particularly. Since Huo Sining was willing to replace Zhou Shitao in participating in this treasure appraisal show, she had no intention of keeping a low profile any longer. Instead, she was as high-profile as possible, which was befitting of the reputation of Master Zhou.

Indeed, following Elder Qin’s words, the attitudes of many experts subtly changed, and even Station Head Jiang who had previously disdained this young expert Huo Sining, referred to her affectionately as Miss Huo, showing great warmth towards her.

The recording was set to begin at ten in the morning, and by shortly after nine, a long line had already formed outside the studio, with many people carrying various antiques in their hands, all waiting for the experts to enter.

This is the age of entertainment for all, even the appraisal of antiques has become a form of entertainment.

As the experts entered, a host nearby introduced them to the audience. Each expert was greeted with warm applause as they were introduced.

Because the first season of “Folk Treasure Hunt” achieved very high ratings, these experts and professors were highly esteemed by the audience. They also carried themselves with an air of distinguished family style, making a respectful traditional gesture with folded hands and bowing humbly to the crowd around them upon appearing.

However, when it was Huo Sining’s turn to enter, it got a bit awkward. Host Yao Yujia introduced: “Next up, we have Miss Huo Sining. Despite her youth, Miss Huo is a distinguished student of Professor Zhou Shitao and has considerable expertise in stone gambling…”

Huo Sining, standing on the stage, furrowed her brows slightly upon hearing Yao Yujia’s introduction.

“How can there be such a young expert? Can this girl really do it? Isn’t she just bluffing?”

“She’s so pretty, definitely just a pretty face. Being called Professor Zhou’s disciple, she probably hasn’t been in the field long. Nowadays, girls will do anything for fame. Eight or nine out of ten, she probably paid for a spot on TV to gild herself!”

“She has expertise in stone gambling? At such a young age, she understands stone gambling? What a joke! Besides, isn’t this a treasure appraisal event? What’s a stone gambler doing here, joining in on the fun?”

“…”