Chapter 13

The old man sitting in the first seat, Qiao Weiwei's grandfather, stroked his beard and spoke with interest.

"Grandfather, this is something your granddaughter specially asked for." Qiao Weiwei forced a smile and took over the conversation. She was very nervous and her voice was trembling.

What on earth did Miss Cui carve? If she messes up today’s banquet, she will be in real trouble.

"I would like to offer you Miss Cui's craftsmanship as a gift to you. I wish you good health and success in everything."

Cui Youyi exchanged glances with Qiao Weiwei, and after she finished speaking, she signaled the servant waiting outside to bring the ice sculpture into the hall.

In order to prevent the ice sculpture from being bumped, Cui Youyi wrapped it tightly with layers of wrapping.

Everyone in the hall was waiting for the gift to be revealed, each with their own thoughts, but their faces became more and more solemn. Everyone vaguely guessed what the gift was.

Both Qiao's grandfather and Qiao Weiwei's father, Mr. Qiao, glared at Qiao Weiwei with dissatisfaction, and they both thought at the same time - this is nonsense!

Seeing this, the eldest sister-in-law of the Qiao family sneered softly, "You silly girl, I told you not to listen to me. You deserve to be punished this time. Let's see who can save you."

Qiao Weiwei's mother was anxious, but she had to try to liven up the atmosphere. Qiao Weiwei's brothers also helped her.

Because of the gift-giving session, men and women were seated in separate banquets but not separate halls, and Qiao Weiwei saw everyone's reactions in detail.

Qiao Weiwei's face turned pale: "Miss Cui..." She regretted being too clever.

"This gift is so hard to open, why not move it down first?" The Qiao family's eldest wife smiled and tried to smooth things over. With the old man's approval, she immediately signaled the nanny beside her to make the arrangements.

"But I, an old woman, am very curious." Aunt Qiao took a sip of tea and put the teacup down heavily.

With a loud bang, the warm atmosphere on the field disappeared instantly, and Qiao Weiwei's face turned even paler.

Everyone in the hall performed one big show after another, but Cui Youyi had no time to watch the show. She was focused on her own world, constantly peeling off the packaging until the last layer.

"What I made today is an ice sculpture with the theme - Tiying Saves Her Father." Cui Youyi lifted the last cover, bowed slightly, and then began to introduce her work.

If Cui Youyi's first impression is that of a pretty girl, her second impression might be that of a rude young lady who lacks tact and manners.

At this moment, Cui Youyi, who was talking incessantly, was more like a fool - she was completely immersed in the art of ice sculpture.

"What a great job Tiying did to save her father! Are you here to humiliate me on purpose, little girl?" The aunt of the Qiao family was impatient and attacked. She swept her eyes over everyone in the hall, as if she was filled with tremendous anger.

The old man of the Qiao family also sat there with a sullen face and an unclear expression. Qiao Weiwei, who knew she had caused trouble, was so scared that she dared not say a word.

Cui Youyi stepped forward and said, "Madam, please allow me to report."

All eyes in the room were fixed on one person.

"My daughter has just arrived in Ningguta and has been criticized for her ice sculptures."

Aunt Qiao paused, closed her eyes weakly, and seemed immersed in distant memories.

"But my daughter also gained the opportunity to survive in Ningguta thanks to her ice sculpture skills. I am deeply grateful."

Cui Youyi paused. "However, I heard that decades ago, female ice sculptors faced an even more difficult situation. They were even regarded as evil spirits by ignorant people."

The pain on the face of the Qiao family's aunt was clearly visible, the Qiao family's grandfather also clenched his fists, and those in the Qiao family who knew about it were even more regretful.

This is a memory that is hard to recall.

Did Aunt Qiao do anything wrong? No.

Everyone in the Qiao family knew this, but the Qiao family suffered a heavy blow because of this incident - their status was gone, their assets shrank, and their appeal in Ningguta also dropped significantly.

How could anyone who witnessed the Qiao family's glory not feel resentment? Not to mention the enormous human, financial, and material resources the Qiao family invested in the decades that followed to reverse this absurd public opinion.

They are also afraid that they will not be able to face their ancestors after a hundred years.

The atmosphere in the hall grew even more silent. Cui Youyi continued, "I heard that kind-hearted people have been mediating for a long time. Although the people of Ningguta are dissatisfied with women working in ice sculpture, the ignorant and shocking things that happened back then are not happening anymore."

"As the beneficiary of this incident, I am always grateful. I have heard that someone needs a gift for their return, and the first thing that comes to my mind is the ice sculpture with the theme of Tiying saving her father."

"Children save their fathers, and fathers protect their children. Human ethics are based on the principles of life and death."

"What a man of integrity, not afraid of life or death." Aunt Qiao suddenly opened her eyes. "What if we were all afraid?"

The old man of the Qiao family threw the quilt and scolded, "Qi, that's enough."

Their father was still thinking about this daughter, but what had she done? Their brothers were now paying for her.

"I've had enough. I feel like my heart is being torn out day and night. And you, brother, actually say I've had enough?" Aunt Qiao was a little out of control.

She escaped death and married far away. Who could know the pain in her heart?

"Maybe he is just afraid of the other person's life or death." After saying that, Cui Youyi retreated to the back of the ice sculpture and gently moved it.

Cui Youyi designed a base. As long as you gently move the ice sculpture, the work will slowly rotate, and the stories on the four sides of the sculpture will slowly appear.

"Fifteen, help me down."

Hearing this, Qiao's aunt's grandson, Huo Xun, stood up and supported Qiao's aunt to the front of the hall.

The ice sculptures are cold, but even colder are the human hearts.

Aunt Qiao stretched out her hand tremblingly, wanting to touch but not daring to.

A short distance away is also a chasm.

"What is this?" Huo Xun's sharp eyes immediately noticed that there was something obviously wrong with this ice sculpture -

All Tiyings have no carved eyes!

Cui Youyi raised her eyebrows and said, "Young Master, you have good eyesight."

She thought no one would notice this little design today!

Firstly, there are many figures in the sculpture, and Tiying's eyes take up a very small proportion, which is a design that cannot be seen at all without careful observation.

Secondly, although this piece will not melt in three days, it will still melt if it is not stored properly after a period of time. If this incomplete design is not discovered before the ice sculpture melts, it will be impossible to discover it later.

Cui Youyi took out the prepared ice carving tools and respectfully handed them to Aunt Qiao.

"Madam, the person who points the eyes must be the one who points the eyes. Please come in."

The person who can add the finishing touch to the ice sculpture needs to do the finishing touch, and Cui Youyi did not dare to be arrogant in front of her.

This salute is a tribute to those who inherit the tradition of ice sculpture and also to those who love ice sculpture.

Cui Youyi thanked Aunt Qiao from the bottom of her heart. If she had not made such a great effort in Ningguta to let everyone see that it was possible for women to engage in ice sculpture, she would not have had the chance to survive now.

She was the daughter of a criminal exiled to Ningguta, let alone making a living with ice sculpture skills. She was afraid that on the first day of her arrival in Ningguta, she would be wiped out by these cannibalistic rules and regulations.

A long time passed, but Aunt Qiao still didn't pick up the ice carving tools that Cui Youyi handed over.

I first learned the art of ice carving when I was a child, and I made my mark in my twenties. Now my hair has turned gray, my father and husband have passed away. How can I pick up the tools again? How can I continue to practice ice carving?

Aunt Qiao looked at her own hands and felt that they were very unfamiliar. In the past, her hands were green and tender, but now they were filled with ravines filled with things from the inner house...

How did she end up living like this? Was she right or wrong in the beginning?

Aunt Qiao looked at the graceful and well-mannered Cui Youyi and could not find the answer.

Cui Youyi was not in a hurry either. She knew that resolving the knot in Aunt Qiao's heart was not something that could be solved by giving her an ice sculpture and giving her a bunch of bland lectures.

She had not experienced that kind of oppression, nor had she faced a life-or-death situation, but she had enjoyed this convenience to a certain extent.

She only hoped to use this opportunity to tell Aunt Qiao that it was not that women could not learn ice sculpture, but that the world was wrong at that time.

She also brought more opportunities to thousands of women in Ningguta. They will always remember the pioneer of female ice sculptors in Ningguta and the contributions made by the Qiao family.

"Grandma, please open your eyes."

Huo Xun took the ice carving tools from Cui Youyi and held them in front of Aunt Qiao with both hands.

Cui Youyi was freed, but when she looked up she saw a bewildered face.

Seeing this, Qiao Weiwei felt that her chance to make amends had come, and she shouted loudly, "Grandma, please open your eyes."

With tears in her eyes, Aunt Qiao looked at her brother, the old man of the Qiao family, at a loss, just like she did back then.

"Little sister, give it a try. I'm sure your father in heaven will also get what he wants."

The old man of the Qiao family looked at his sister with a smile, just like when they were children.

"Okay, okay, okay." Aunt Qiao was already crying while speaking.

She felt that she was the sinner who had harmed the Qiao family and even her own father. She fled from Ningguta and had been on the run for decades...

But in her dreams at midnight, she often wondered what she had done wrong. She really couldn't convince herself, nor could she find the answer - what was wrong with learning ice sculpture?

Cui Youyi felt a pang of bitterness in her heart. If she had had the chance back then, how could Aunt Qiao's ice sculptures be any less impressive than those who are now just seeking fame and reputation? How many people like Aunt Qiao are there in this world?

Mustering up her courage, Aunt Qiao carefully took the set of ice carving tools. The tools she had been thinking about day and night seemed so unfamiliar to her at this moment.

She picked up the tools and approached the ice sculpture, but it seemed so far away. When she was about to carve, Aunt Qiao chose to give up.

Cui Youyi was a little confused.

"Child," said Aunt Qiao, smiling at her, her expression as if relieved. "How can I be considered a master of the eye now?"

"Your generation is the one."

Aunt Qiao helped Huo Xun leave the scene: "Our generation is old!"

"Old..."

The protagonist left and the banquet came to an end.

Many people will be restless tonight, including Cui Youyi and her Cui Langxi who are staying in the guest room.

Cui Youyi couldn't help but call out to her unusually quiet system: "System, is my mission complete?"

Today is her last day of survival. If there is no new survival time reward, she will die.

There are less than two hours left until midnight!

Cui Youyi was still very anxious.

There was another long silence.

Cui Youyi took a few deep breaths and tried to calm herself down, but she couldn't help clenching her fists and screaming inwardly.

What kind of unreliable system is this!

Ahhhhhhhhhhh!

It's maddening.

[The host has been detected to be maliciously attacking the system, violating system management regulations, and one day of host survival time will be deducted.]

Cui Youyi: ...

"Go ahead, you're going to die anyway."

Cui Youyi smiled slightly, then fell on the bed, covered herself with the quilt, closed her eyes, and did it in one smooth movement, showing that she didn't care.

Waiting for news of death.

After a while, Cui Youyi suddenly sat up in shock - it would be so unlucky and cause trouble for her to die in someone else's family!

Cui Youyi's good temper completely disappeared, and she felt that the system was going to cause her to develop breast nodules and thyroid nodules.

Once her thoughts wandered, they became more and more off-track. Cui Youyi felt even more uncomfortable when she thought that there was no way to detect these nodules in ancient times.

[Ding, congratulations to the host for carving an ice sculpture that meets the requirements within the specified time. The main system has determined that you have completed system task three and are awarded three days of survival time.]

[Ding, congratulations to the host for rekindling Aunt Qiao's passion for ice sculptures. The main system has determined that you have completed the hidden mission and are awarded five days of survival time.]

[Due to the host's repeated violations of system management regulations, two days of survival time have been deducted, leaving a remaining survival time of six days.]

[Hosts please comply with the system management regulations and strive to be qualified hosts! ]

Cui Youyi: ...

very good.

Not competing with “XX——Smile”, she——Cui Youyi is alive again!

Eh, that's not right.

Cui Youyi thought about what the system said and keenly realized a problem!