Chapter 109: Using Coal as a Birthday Gift?
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Following Luo Wanbai’s slightly unconvinced words, everyone looked at Nan Qiao. There was no lack of unfamiliarity and probing.
But most of all, everyone was curious about Nan Qiao.
They already knew that the Murong family’s daughter had been found, but it was a pity that the other party didn’t seem to be very enthusiastic about appearing in public. As a result, the people in the circle didn’t know anything about Nan Qiao even after a long time.
The reason why Murong Chen brought Nan Qiao to Old Master Cheng’s banquet was because he wanted to use this occasion to introduce Nan Qiao to everyone.
In the face of Luo Wanbai’s provocative tone, Nan Qiao calmly shifted her gaze away from her and took out her hand under the table, letting everyone see that she was holding something in her hand.
“How dare you—”
Luo He suppressed the anger in his heart and scolded in a low voice. He was extremely disappointed in this daughter.
What happened just now had yet to subside and yet she was causing trouble for herself again?!
Everyone’s thoughts were similar to Luo He. Before they saw Nan Qiao, they subconsciously felt that she was the daughter of the Murong family after all. No matter how bad her birthday gift was, it couldn’t be bad.
However, everyone’s thoughts stopped at what Nan Qiao had taken out.
It was dark and looked very dirty. No one could tell what it was. Even when Nan Qiao placed it on the table, those who were close could see the dregs falling from it.
“This is your birthday gift?”
Luo Wanbai snorted and did not hide her mocking tone.
This time, no one spoke up for Nan Qiao.
Cheng Jie wanted to get up and stop the conflict between the two of them, but as soon as he held the armrest of the chair, he saw what Nan Qiao had taken out. Even with his countless years of experience, he couldn’t tell what it was.
However, he did not let go of this opportunity to gain their favor.
Just as the scene was silent, Cheng Jie stood up naturally and frowned at the rude Luo Wanbai.
“Even if Grandpa chose to not fault your actions earlier on, you shouldn’t do this. You’re really ruining everyone’s mood.
Moreover, the Murong Family’s birthday gift has already been delivered. What are your intentions for causing trouble for Young Miss Nan like this?”
Cheng Jie turned everyone’s attention to himself with just a few words.
“If you continue like this, Hl have to ask you to get out.”
This last sentence successfully stopped Luo Wanbai’s ridicule from coming out of her mouth. She was stunned for a moment.
She turned to look at Cheng Jie. Seeing that he didn’t seem to be faking it, her heart tightened.
He wasn’t lying.
However, it was also because of this that Luo Wanbai felt even more unbalanced.
“I know I was in the wrong earlier, but it doesn’t make sense for her to take out such a thing that can’t even fool a child. Isn’t this making fun of the Cheng family?”
Luo Wanbai’s brain heated up. In the end, she still spoke.
She just didn’t understand why everyone was speaking up for Nan Qiao, even Cheng Jie—
“Enough!”
Cheng Jie’s face immediately turned cold. His usual gentleness was gone, and his eyes were shockingly cold.
“I’m not joking around,” Nan Qiao said at this moment. Her expression did not change at all because of Luo Wanbai’s words. “This is my birthday gift.”
“I selected it carefully.”
Nan Qiao had always trusted her intuition. When she saw this thing that day, she was certain that it had to be the gift.
However, she had wanted to present it in private, but Luo Wanbai had interfered, so she had no choice but to take it out now.
She wasn’t wrong, but the “careful selection” that Nan Qiao mentioned was really… indescribable.
In their eyes, this thing was dirty and looked like a coal ball. It looked like it had nothing to do with cultural relics and antiques.
“Could it be that she took out the wrong thing? This gift is too sloppy.”
“Yeah, it’s not even packaged.”
From time to time, whispers could be heard in the crowd. Although the voices were soft, they could still be heard clearly.
“I thought that the Murong family’s daughter was very powerful. Now that I think about it, how can a person who was acknowledged halfway be an esteemed young lady…”
“She doesn’t even know Old Master Cheng’s preferences, yet she’s using such a thing to fool people.”
These words fell into Old Master Cheng’s ears word for word, but he only casually lifted the lid of the teacup and took a sip of tea. His expression did not change at all.
He believed that he had not misjudged her.
“Stop boasting.”
Luo Wanbai sneered and pointed at the unknown object. She felt that Nan Qiao’s gift was not even as good as her fake painting.
“I thought you would take out something good, but this is it?”
The more she spoke, the louder her voice became. It was as if an inexplicable power surged out of her body, making her feel righteous.
Nan Qiao looked at her and smiled, not commenting.
Ignorance was bliss. Luo Wanbai had perfectly interpreted these words.
“Elder Cheng,” an old man beside Nan Qiao suddenly said, “May I see this gift?”
The person who spoke was Professor Tang. He had known Elder Cheng for many years and was also an elder of the Appraiser a.s.sociation. His status was only inferior to Elder Cheng.
He usually liked small ornaments or exquisite antiques the most. When he first saw Nan Qiao take out this thing, he felt that it was indescribably familiar.
Hence, he took the liberty to ask for it and wanted to study it.
“Be my guest.”
Elder Cheng naturally gave his old friend face and nodded.
Hence, Nan Qiao’s gift was respectfully delivered to Professor Tang.
“Coal?”
Stunned for a moment, he sniffed the scent.
The word “coal” fell into the ears of Luo Wanbai, who had been paying attention to this side. She could not help but smile sarcastically.
“So it’s just a piece of coal. To think you can take it out to show off.”
She thought that Nan Qiao had some confidence in talking to her like that just now, but it turned out to be a piece of broken coal. It was not even as good as her fake painting.
When the others heard Luo Wanbai’s words, their expressions changed.
However, in front of Old Master Cheng and Murong Chen, even if everyone judged Nan Qiao badly, they wouldn’t show it on their faces. However, Luo Wanbai had achieved her goal.
She wanted to return the embarra.s.sment to Nan Qiao for exposing her just now and let the other party have a taste of what it was like to be humiliated.
Amidst the commotion, no one noticed that Professor Tang, who was holding the gift and studying it, was deep in thought, as if he had discovered something.
His white gloves were dyed black, but he was still wiping the item in his hand.
The thick black layer around it seemed to have thinned a little under the man’s tireless efforts, allowing one to successfully see a little shape.
He used a lot of strength, but he could not determine what was inside.
There were indeed some traces of coal on it, but most of them were residue from the soil. If one wanted to know what was inside, the fastest way was to polish it with sandpaper and then wipe it clean with a specially made soft damp cloth.
Fortunately, Professor Tang was also a strange person. Due to his love for cultural relics and his own needs, he carried some key tools with him everywhere he went.
He immediately started to remove the residue from the item. Perhaps because he was in a hurry, he cleaned a third of the item in just a few minutes.
Deeper, where the dark brown had been erased, was brilliant gold.
Professor Tang perked up. Just seeing a small portion of the color made his heart beat uncontrollably faster.
“… It’s a Qilin..”