Chapter 27: Testing the Waters

The people from the Cultural Relics Bureau completely shed their previous expressions of worry that the item might be smashed in Jiang Xiaoya's hands.

As it turned out, there was someone else entirely who was prone to breaking large blades.

Knowing that this item had to be handed over, Jiang Xiaoya had been extremely reluctant from the start. Upon hearing Qing Tianfeng's arrangement, she immediately protested.

"Captain, this blade is so heavy..." *Shouldn't there be a service fee for this?*

As if anticipating her reaction, Qing Tianfeng cut her off: "Once you deliver it, you can collect the reward money with them. This blade is a cultural relic; it should be worth quite a bit."

Jiang Xiaoya: "!!!!"

"Ah! This blade... this blade isn't actually that heavy. I'll carry it for you guys."

After saying this, Jiang Xiaoya walked out while carrying the large blade with one hand, not forgetting to turn back and call out to the people from the Cultural Relics Bureau.

"Let's go, let's go! If we delay any longer, it'll be too late. Let's get down the mountain quickly."

Now, the one in a hurry was Jiang Xiaoya.

The people from the Cultural Relics Bureau: "..."

They stared in shock at her retreating figure, which was walking briskly while effortlessly carrying the blade with one hand, exchanging looks of existential crisis.

If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they truly wouldn't have believed she could just stroll away carrying it so casually.

The netizens in the livestream were equally shocked.

【That blade looks to be no less than 200 pounds. Otherwise, the people from the Cultural Relics Bureau wouldn't have looked like weak fitness newbies touching a heavy barbell, terrified it would crush them.】

【Definitely. Ancient blades were very heavy. I heard there was a legendary general whose blade was made of special Black Iron; it was incredibly heavy.】

【It looks like "Stupid Sister" needs a name change. After today, she's "Boss Niu"!】

【I don't know about being a "boss," but the men from the Cultural Relics Bureau are quite useless.】

【She looks so thin and frail, how does she have such strength?】

【Damn, I'm becoming more and more obsessed with her.】

While the bullet comments were in a frenzy, the trending searches were sweeping the top charts, and the News Broadcast once again connected to the livestream.

The news anchor spoke eloquently from his script, while on the screen, Jiang Xiaoya happened to be emerging from the wilderness.

The audience in front of their televisions could not remain so calm; they widened their eyes as they listened to the anchor's introduction.

"What has this scavenger found now?"

"She found an antique large blade and is delivering it to the Cultural Relics Bureau."

"Heavens, didn't she just dig up a rocket yesterday? Today it's an antique blade?"

【My goodness, what kind of innate scavenger saint body is this?】

【To become this famous just by scavenging is impressive.】

【Isn't it? Several of my colleagues at the company were discussing this today. It makes you resent your own life; we work like oxen and horses for ten thousand yuan a month, while she makes ten thousand a day just scavenging!】

【I heard there's a reward from the Cultural Relics Bureau for finding this antique blade. I wonder how much the bonus will be.】

【Actually, she's quite unlucky. If she hadn't been livestreaming, the antique would belong to her. Why bother scavenging?】

【Ah, so you're saying she shouldn't participate in variety shows, but should just start her own scavenging business?】

【A lot of people suspect the show is fake now, saying the Cultural Relics Bureau and the police are all actors. If she really had such ability, why would she participate in a show?】

【Don't be ridiculous. Even if she wasn't livestreaming, she'd still have to hand over any antiques she found. She can't just resell cultural relics, can she?】

Not just the young people surfing the web, but even those accustomed to watching the News Broadcast in front of their TVs were now familiar with Jiang Xiaoya's name.

The trending searches were equally heated. Some who usually looked down on such livestreams were forcibly introduced to her room.

Jiang Xiaoya's livestream sat firmly at number one on the program's livestream chart from the moment it started, and then surged to the top of the entire platform's rankings, a massive lead.

Many people were drawn into the livestream, looking utterly confused.

【Scavenging livestreams have this much popularity?】

【This streamer... this streamer... which one is the streamer?】

【Everyone is just saying "big blade, big blade." Are they sick? Are millions of people watching a show about swinging a big blade?】

【Is this woman... really that charming?】

Netizens coming from the trending searches had a different attitude.

【Is the girl who found the antique blade this same girl?】

【I just watched the trending video. She's carrying an antique blade? It couldn't be made of plastic, could it?】

【Are ancient blades this light? Carrying it with one hand and walking briskly?】

【I just saw a short video on the platform where two men couldn't carry the blade, but this woman picks it up like it's nothing.】

【Are the scripts for these shows getting unscientific?】

【I usually don't watch crazy shows, but since it's gone this far, I have to see what the hype is about.】

Jiang Xiaoya emerged from the wilderness carrying the large blade. Looking at the group of panting, sweat-drenched people behind her, she swept them with a glance.

"You guys look pretty weak."

The people from the Cultural Relics Bureau: "..."

To make matters worse, she had a look of genuine concern on her face.

The people from the Cultural Relics Bureau could only nod stiffly.

"Uh... yes... actually... uh..."

Were they really going to discuss such an embarrassing topic under her "heavenly eye" lens in front of so many netizens?

*Help, lady, please just get in the car.*

Seeing them stammering and only gasping for air, Jiang Xiaoya assumed they were just tired. She walked toward the business van with the large blade.

Once inside the vehicle, she settled the blade into place and leaned back in her seat with a sigh of relief.

"What, are you tired?"

The representative from the Cultural Relics Bureau sat beside her, leaning forward to reach for a bottle of mineral water.

"Not really. This car is much more comfortable than the iron benches in the police cars."

Jiang Xiaoya sighed, feeling nostalgic for her former car.

She had lived a prosperous life before and had never been grateful for it. She hadn't expected that it would take experiencing hardship to realize the true meaning of life—that luxury cars are indeed more comfortable.

When the car arrived at the entrance of the Cultural Relics Bureau, a row of vehicles was already parked there. Many people in jackets were waiting outside, pacing back and forth.

Hearing the sound, they all looked up. Seeing the car approach, they swarmed toward it. Before the door even opened, they were already pressed against the windows.

When the door opened and Jiang Xiaoya stepped out, they instantly pushed people aside and crowded around the base of the car, staring at the large blade lying on the vehicle.

Jiang Xiaoya was so bewildered by the crowding that she almost walked away, but the representative from the Cultural Relics Bureau noticed in time and pulled her back.

"Sister Stupid... oh, no, Xiaoya, you still need help taking the blade down, right?"

The representative pulled Jiang Xiaoya aside, pushed the others away, and guided her to the front of the vehicle.

Seeing that the people seemed somewhat angry, Jiang Xiaoya gave an awkward laugh. "Hehe, sorry for offending you..."

Seeing that they were still standing there motionless, Jiang Xiaoya gave them another look and offered a kind reminder: "Gentlemen, you should probably stand a bit further back. This blade is quite long; be careful not to get poked."

"No, no, it's fine. We can help carry it in."

Their meaning was clear: Jiang Xiaoya would take the blade down, and they would carry it inside.

They had long heard rumors that the large blade was extremely heavy. This time, with so many men present, carrying a single blade would be no pressure at all.