Reborn As Super Heiress

Following Mr. Shi’s car to the Shi Family’s house, Mr. Shi started making phone calls to gather funds. Over the past few days, Huo Sining had a general understanding of the Shi Family. Although Mr. Shi was considered quite wealthy, he was still no match for someone of Zhou Shitao’s standing. Raising forty-five million at once would be rather challenging. If they were to produce such an amount, it would certainly injure the core of the Shi Family.

However, Mr. Shi was willing to take such a stance, unwilling to let Mr. He suffer a loss. Huo Sining admired this old gentleman’s decisiveness and resolve. Since the guqin was now in Qibao’s hands, Huo Sining couldn’t just take advantage without consequence. After some thought, she decided to take a stand.

"Mr. Shi, Mr. He, when this incident happened today, Gu Xu and I were also present, witnessing the event firsthand. We certainly cannot stay out of it."

Saying this, Huo Sining looked at the two elders and sincerely said, "Mr. He, Mr. Shi is right. You are a good director, but such a significant issue shouldn’t fall solely on your shoulders. Similarly, I say this to you, Mr. Shi: the breaking of the guqin is not solely your fault. The responsibility should be borne by those above. You’ve struggled all your life to build this achievement; are you prepared to fill this hole?"

The faces of the two elders showed a desolate expression. Huo Sining sighed, then, without hesitation, took out a check from her backpack, filled in a number, and handed it to He Fuye:

"Mr. He, I am deeply sorry about the Zhong Yin Guqin. I’ve also heard from others that you have opened a welfare home, adopting many children. Your love and dedication for those kids cannot be compensated with money. However, I also understand that without money, these children will lose their shelter and won’t receive better living and educational resources."

"If we didn’t know, it would be different. But now that Gu Xu and I are aware, we can’t ignore it. This is ten million. I know that compared to the real value of the guqin, this is nothing, but it’s a gesture of our support for the children. We hope you accept it as a token of our compensation for not being able to prevent the loss in time when the incident occurred."

Hearing Huo Sining’s words, He Fuye was at a loss for a moment, and even Shi Ronghe was stunned.

Beside them, Gu Xu also persuaded, "Two respected elders, this money is a donation for the children; there’s no need to overthink it. Additionally, regarding today’s event, we will promptly communicate with the relevant departments. If possible, both the insurance company and even the government will try to compensate you as much as possible, so you won’t suffer this unjust loss. Please rest assured."

After hearing Gu Xu’s reassurance, Shi Ronghe’s expression improved considerably. He nodded and said, "If someone else said this, I might just let it go. But Gu, my boy, if you’re saying it, I believe you. I know you wouldn’t pull a fast one on us old folks!"

"Old He, since these two young ones are earnest about helping, take the money. Don’t underestimate them because of their youth. They have abilities no lesser than ours. They can earn money, so no need to feel uneasy about accepting the ten million—take it for the children’s use!"

With trembling hands, He Fuye finally accepted the check from Huo Sining, feeling grateful, he was about to bow to Gu Xu and Huo Sining. The two quickly stepped back, waving their hands repeatedly, "Mr. He, there’s no need for this, you’re overwhelming us!"

Huo Sining didn’t dare to offer too much at once. Firstly, she didn’t have particularly justifiable reasons; secondly, she feared that offering too much might backfire, making He Fuye reluctant to accept. Therefore, she only offered ten million, as a modest contribution within her capability.

Following this, they engaged in a discussion. Shi Ronghe, still shaken from the day’s events, expressed his indignation:

"When I first received the news, I was dumbfounded. I thought it was a joke. Who would have imagined that just by hosting a modern art exhibition and auction, we’d encounter such a robbery? And those robbers were audacious enough to openly shoot and kill—it’s utterly lawless. We must catch this person!"

He Fuye had somewhat regained his composure now, and with a face full of guilt, he said, "It’s my fault for insisting on getting your help to bring the guqin to the auction exhibition. If it weren’t for my guqin, such an incident might not have been drawn in."

Shi Ronghe shook his head, "How can you blame yourself for this? Clearly, those robbers were premeditated, planning for ages to pull off a big heist. They merely happened to be tempted by your guqin, looking to make a fortune."

While everyone defined the incident as a robbery, Huo Sining knew differently. She was very clear that the event indeed stemmed from He Fuye’s guqin.

"Mr. He, may I ask you a few questions, if I may be so bold?"

After some consideration, Huo Sining couldn’t resist. She hoped to glean some information from He Fuye.

Unclear about what Huo Sining wanted to ask, He Fuye was somewhat puzzled and curious but nodded, "Go ahead."

"Where did you obtain that guqin? Or, is the guqin an heirloom passed down through your family?"

He Fuye shook his head, "Neither. That guqin was part of my wife’s dowry. Her family was also a Hereditary family of music, with someone having served as a music theorist in the Imperial Court. If the guqin is considered an heirloom, then it was passed down from my wife’s family. But whether it truly is, I am unsure, as my wife never mentioned such matters during her lifetime. After she brought the guqin, it stayed with me, and even after her passing, I’ve been the keeper."

Huo Sining nodded, "Were you intending to sell the guqin for a while, or was this a recent decision?"

He Fuye showed signs of hesitation, "In the past, during hard times, I did consider selling the guqin, but the thought wasn’t strong. This time, I had no choice. Some children are very ill and can’t wait for treatment; my money is short, and the guqin is the only valuable item at home."

"I’ve taken the guqin to pawnshops and antique stores, but the offers were all very low. That’s why I approached Mr. Shi."

"Recently, someone visited the welfare home, looking to buy this guqin, offering as much as thirty million. But, by then, the guqin was already handed over to the auction staff, and, secondly, the buyer was a Dongyang man. Personally, I hold a grudge against Dongyang people and don’t wish for my guqin to fall into the hands of a Dongyang foreigner, so I flatly refused."