[Yes, host?]
The mechanical voice, though emotionless, eased the tension in Ma Xing's chest. If everything she watched was true, then...
She carefully separated herself from her daughter and used her phone to search for details about Guo Jin.
To her dismay, Guo Jin was still not a well-known antique appraiser.
Ma Xing pursed her lips before closing her eyes. She might be timid, but the best thing about her was her observation skills.
Recalling the dream, she first searched for Jiang Antique Stall. 10 different searches appeared, and she went through all of them before locking onto 2 locations.
Biting her lips, Ma Xing boldly took a day off. At this point, she was risking it all. If she doesn't find the item before Guo Jin and others, then her visit to Guo Jin's dream would be for naught.
She quickly changed into a set of a washed-out top and pants and tied her black hair in a bun. Looking at her reflection, Ma Xing froze and instinctively touched her face.
Once her skin was fair, pale, and spotless. But now... it had become dull; there were dark circles and even almost developed crow's feet around the eyes.
Turning away from her reflection, she stared at her daughter, who was asleep.
The little girl resembled Ma Xing to a certain extent. The same black hair and soft snoring sound; even her pale skin was just like Ma Xing's.
"My only treasure..." She murmured in a low voice.
After cooking a bowl of porridge, which was more water than rice, she left a note. Though her daughter was 5 years old, she already knew how to take care of herself.
Once outside, Ma Xing traveled on foot. Luckily for her, both destinations were in her city; otherwise, even with the knowledge, she wouldn't be able to earn anything.
It took her an hour to arrive at the first location. The street was called Jade Lotus Street.
Though looking bustling and lively, Ma Xing felt cold inside. Due to her slightly patched-up clothes, she was thrown disdainful glances every now and then.
Some even maintained distance from her, as if she were some kind of bacteria.
Ma Xing timidly observed the street and realized that it was completely different from her dream.
With a sigh, she could only walk toward her next destination. As for taking the bus? Ma Xing thought that if she could save a bit on her traveling costs, then they might have a bit more for dinner.
It took her another 2 hours before she reached her second destination. This time, Ma Xing's eyes brightened. She found the place!
With a slightly excited expression, she went to Jiang's antique stall first.
The stall was particularly popular, with many teenagers crowding around it.
With a little push, Ma Xing picked up a rustic-looking bronze knife. It had a hole extension and sharp edges.
"Boss, I want this." Ma Xing pointed at the bronze knife.
The stall owner, who was busy showing products to other customers, frowned seeing Ma Xing's attire. "2000 yuan."
Ma Xing gritted her teeth.
2000 yuan? It was way too much! She couldn't afford it!
"Um... can you lower the price?" Ma Xing asked in a hesitant voice.
"Take it or leave it. Poor beggars, god knows what kind of disease they are carrying. And don't you dare steal my items," the stall owner said fiercely.
Ma Xing's face turned pale, and she almost wanted to run away, feeling the weird gaze on herself.
However...
'Ma Xing, you are given only one chance to change your life! Try your best!' She encouraged herself.
"100 yuan! I can only give that much!" She boldly stated.
The stall owner was surprised at the fact that Ma Xing dared to negotiate.
His instincts as a businessman told him that if someone was insisting on something so much, it must be a treasure.
A sly smile appeared on his face, and he took away the knife Ma Xing was pointing at. "Not for sale."
Ma Xing was dumbfounded; she never thought that the stall owner would take away the knife.
Tears appeared in her eyes, and she walked out of the crowd.
This was the first lesson Ma Xing learned... that while shopping for antiques in the antique market, she needs to hide her true intention.
Taking a deep breath, she went to the stall opposite Jiang's antique stall.
The reason why she insisted on taking the knife from Jiang's Antique Stall was that she had seen in Guo Jin's dream that one of the people bought the bronze knife from Jiang's Antique Stall, and during the auction, that same knife was present.
Not only that... even Guo Jin had murmured, 'Shit, the real deal was knife, not the inkstone!'