Gu Shengsheng hadn’t originally intended to get involved.

But as she got more involved, she realized it was a responsibility she couldn’t shirk.

‘If I have the ability to do something, I think every Huaxia person would feel the same way I do,’ she thought.

With that in mind, Gu Shengsheng pulled Zhang Yao out of his emotional state. She asked curiously, “Mr. Zhang Yao, this Da Ying Museum theft… does it get robbed often, or is this a one-time thing? What’s the situation?”

She was quite curious. After all, she had seen it with her own eyes today. When the artifacts were stolen, they weren’t anxiously searching for them, but rather looking for a scapegoat.

It was all so absurd. This wasn’t how people should act when they’ve lost something.

At this, Zhang Yao handed Gu Shengsheng a copy of that day’s Eagle Country news.

The article read:

According to a New York Times report citing FBI data, the Da Ying Museum has lost or had 3,000 artifacts stolen to date. Yesterday alone, 2,000 artifacts went missing, marking the largest artifact theft case in history.

After reading it, Gu Shengsheng nodded. “But the artifacts that went missing yesterday… looking at these pictures, most of them are the ones taken from our country, right?”

“That’s right,” Zhang Yao nodded. “So now, whenever they see someone with Asian features like us, they go crazy. They’re even more desperate to find a scapegoat. Every one of them is a lunatic.”

“The FBI and the MPS Police Station have been assisting with the investigation. Shi Jing, on the other hand, has been making a lot of noise, issuing responses and condemnations every day, but in the end, not a single trace of any artifact has been found.”

Zhang Yao said, “Most importantly, the one thousand artifacts that went missing in bits and pieces before were never found, and now a huge portion of the newly stolen ones are also from Huaxia. That’s why they’re starting to panic. Of course, them losing their composure like this also has something to do with that livestream targeting you the other day.”

Gu Shengsheng nodded. That explained everything.

Their own artifacts were constantly going missing, and the number of Huaxia artifacts they had left was dwindling. Most importantly, Huaxia’s culture is ancient and profound, and many of its artifacts in the Da Ying Museum were major attractions for tourists.

So, now that so many artifacts were gone, they were in a full-blown panic.

Zhang Yao said, “That’s why framing you today was ultimately inconsequential to them. After all, it could even generate more buzz and traffic for the museum. There have just been too many thefts recently.”

“That museum director you saw, Jack, he’s probably the type who’s about to be replaced. If he can’t produce results, keeps losing artifacts, and can’t find the thief, someone will have to take the fall.”

If Gu Shengsheng had been confused before, she now completely understood the intricate mess.

She nodded. “I see. So that’s how it is.”

“Thanks to your help today, Mr. Zhang Yao, going through all that trouble… I don’t think they’ll dare to say anything anymore,” Gu Shengsheng said with a sigh, filled with emotion.

“Not at all, not at all. It’s our duty to help every person from Huaxia,” Zhang Yao said. “Anyway, it must be difficult for you here, Miss Gu. If you run into any trouble, just find me. I will do everything in my power to help you.”

“On that, I hope you can rest assured, Miss Gu.”

Gu Shengsheng nodded.

Afterward, she returned to her hotel. Once there, she repeatedly watched the news about the theft and the surveillance footage that had been leaked. One good thing about being abroad was that evidence like this tended to get out.

Gu Shengsheng watched it over and over, feeling that something wasn’t quite right.

She thought about it until she fell asleep. The next day, she didn’t wake up in the morning, sleeping straight through until noon. She then went to the restaurant to eat and happened to run into Lu Shijing right there in the hotel restaurant.

Gu Shengsheng: “…”

Lu Shijing, who was carrying luggage: “…”

The air was thick with awkwardness. Neither knew who should speak first. It was Lu Shijing who broke the silence. “What a coincidence, Miss Gu.”

Hearing him use that form of address, Gu Shengsheng felt a little relieved. It seemed he had finally taken to heart what she said that night about them going their separate ways.

Gu Shengsheng said, “Yes. You’re here too?”

“I’m here to handle some company business,” Lu Shijing explained, then walked past her. He seemed to have completely moved on.

He even went out of his way to clarify that he wasn’t here for her.

Gu Shengsheng didn’t notice his little games at all. She just nodded and went to get her meal.

But Lu Shijing had expected her to be a little disappointed, or at least watch him as he walked away.

He had been watching her from the corner of his eye the whole time.

He had been feeling somewhat confident, but now his composure was completely shattered. ‘Wait, does Gu Shengsheng really not care at all?’

‘But she clearly likes me!’

‘That kiss wasn’t fake,’ Lu Shijing continued to console himself. ‘It’s fine. This is just the beginning.’

Though he kept trying to brainwash himself, he was secretly glad he had come to Eagle Country.

Otherwise, Shengsheng might have actually forgotten all about him.

The thought was a bit depressing, but he had no choice but to accept it.

After Lu Shijing put his things away, Gu Shengsheng had finished eating. She stood opposite him, arms crossed, and said, “Is this a coincidence, too?”

“No. I came because I knew you were staying here.” This time, he was refreshingly honest. “I was worried about you, so I came.”

“Even though we’re divorced, I still have a chance to pursue you again, right?”

Then he gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Or do you think I’m not good enough for you?”

Gu Shengsheng: “…” Suddenly, she felt a little guilty. ‘Did I make Lu Shijing this insecure?’

She could see that Lu Shijing was genuinely hurt now.

“No, you’re great,” she said sincerely.

After hearing this, Lu Shijing sighed. “You say that to everyone. I’m not special. I know you’re not interested in me. Even when you left that night… you were just playing with my feelings, weren’t you?”

Gu Shengsheng: “…” Her lips moved, but she just stood there, stunned, as Lu Shijing closed his door and went inside.

To be honest, what happened that night was really an accident. The real reason was simply that his lips looked so kissable, so she kissed them.

There was no other reason.

If she tried to explain it to him now, it would be awkward, making her seem like some kind of pervert.

But if she didn’t explain, he would continue to misunderstand and feel hurt.

Gu Shengsheng had zero experience in romance. Faced with such a thorny issue, she wracked her brain but had no idea what to do.

She thought about asking Lu Linlin, but no, Linnin couldn’t even figure out her own problems. Or maybe Sister Yang Jiao? No, that wouldn’t work either. Yang Jiao seemed to be busy with her own love life recently and wouldn’t be much help.

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