Adrian brought Huo Sining over again so late at night, fearing that delays could lead to unexpected complications. He is determined to acquire the Picasso paintings in Huo Sining’s possession, yet he worries that she might not find the artifacts within his collection appealing enough for the trade to go through.
Upon Huo Sining’s arrival at the castle, he wasted no ti in trying to lead her and her companions downwards without any unnecessary chatter.
However, just as he was about to turn around, Huo Sining stopped him:
"Wait a mont, Mr. Earl, there’s one more thing I need your help with."
Upon hearing this, Adrian instantly felt tension and a sense of caution, fearful that Huo Sining might propose sothing unreasonable. Yet, due to his gentlemanly deanor and role as host, he couldn’t directly refuse, only nodding as he said: "Miss Huo, you may speak freely."
Naturally, Huo Sining noticed Adrian’s nervousness and smiled as she said, "There’s no need to worry. Since I’ve assured the deal, I won’t breach it unilaterally. What I need your assistance with is simply a request for a list detailing the items within your collection museum."
"A collection inventory list?" Adrian was montarily taken aback but quickly understood her intention, the tension on his face swiftly dissipating as he sighed in relief.
"Yes, I’d like you to provide with a list. I’ve been to your museum. The artifacts there are a dazzling array, complicatedly interwoven. Selecting over two hundred pieces from such a collection would certainly take an unpredictable amount of ti."
"To expedite our deal, I have already contacted my ntor back ho. The elder will assist in this matter, which will save considerable ti. However, I need your aid in providing a list of items, which I will fax ho so my ntor can help with selections remotely."
Huo Sining explained with a smile.
Adrian imdiately chuckled: "It is no trouble at all. Such a task is indeed ti-consuming. Miss Huo has soone to assist her, and that is naturally most favorable. Printing a list is simple; all items in my museum have been entered into the system. I can simply pull out the database records and print the list. I will have the butler handle it right away."
The old butler acted quickly, soon printing out the item list requested by Huo Sining, who promptly faxed it to Elder Qin’s ho. After confirming receipt on that end, she and Gu Xu followed Adrian into the underground collection museum.
Upon entering the museum, Huo Sining remained sowhat uneasy, confirming again: "Mr. Adrien, are your family mbers truly agreeable to my exchange of the paintings for over two hundred artifacts?"
Adrian nodded affirmatively, saying: "Miss Huo, you need not worry. My family mbers all agree with my decision, and are deeply grateful you can bring us such a surprise. Twelve Picasso artworks—once news spreads, our Albert family collection museum will surely gain international fa, maybe even inscribe a historic mark on the future of the collector’s world."
At this point, Adrian’s face showed a hint of apologetic expression:
"Though, in reality, Miss Huo, our Albert family is truly gaining an advantageous deal with you. I’m not afraid to be forthright—the majority of our museum collection originates from your country, obtained through less than honorable ans. Now, we are using these originally Huaxia-owned items as barter, which is inherently unfair."
"Therefore, my utmost effort was made at the family eting to ensure this exchange was realized, hoping to rectify the damages my forebears caused to Huaxia Country. By exchanging, returning those artifacts to their rightful origin, allowing what belongs to Huaxia to return to its holand."
Adrian’s words, though sowhat grandiose, could not be faulted. Indeed, this old Earl was astute in both speech and deanor, leaving no grounds for contention.
Nonetheless, despite Adrian’s elegant words, who truly knows what this old Earl is thinking internally?
At least, outwardly smiling, Huo Sining secretly scoffed at this British visitor’s well-spoken nature. If true compensation to Huaxia Country was desired, why not return all the items in this collection back to Huaxia?
The Albert family’s wealth is imnse; surrendering several dozen to a hundred artifacts is trivial. At least, from what Huo Sining knows, Adrian’s grandfather once freely donated thousands of Huaxia cultural relics to the British Museum, causing quite a sensation at the ti.
This family, holding large quantities of Huaxia cultural relics, now generously speaks to a true Huaxia person, suggesting the exchange of several hundred Huaxia artifacts to make ands for their harms against Huaxia. This is outright amusing.
Yet Huo Sining is clear-minded, knowing this idea is unrealistic. Not ntioning that these collections belong to the entire Albert clan, Adrian lacks the authority to manage all these ancient artifacts. Additionally, should the Albert family truly execute this action, it would confirm historical accounts of coalition forces invading Huaxia, giving Huaxia Country grounds for diplomatic confrontation with several other nations, sparking consequential events far beyond the Albert family’s control.
In reality, Huo Sining feels acquiring over two hundred artifacts from Adrian exceeds her expectations.
Forrly, she imagined exchanging a painting for two or three Huaxia artifacts, never anticipating Adrian’s unexpectedly generous offer of one-to-twenty.
Adrian perceives Huo Sining as the disadvantaged party in the transaction, not knowing the Picasso paintings in question were salvaged by Huo Sining from the Dover Sea Area in England.
Thus, the Albert family presents Huaxia Country artifacts for exchange, unaware that Huo Sining uses items originally belonging to England as collateral.
Hence, this exchange simply balances; both parties equally benefit, neither suffering loss.
After so casual conversation with Adrian, Huo Sining headed directly to the main topic, her gaze falling on the museum’s shelves laden with artifacts.
Given that Adrian was relying on her, Huo Sining was unreserved in selecting artifacts, homing in on the rarest and most valuable spots, instructing Gu Xu to record each artifact’s na upon confirmation.
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