Under the guidance of the sugar figurine master, Gu Pingsheng's hands flew, and a basic shape gradually appeared in his hands.
Gu Yaoniang was very accommodating: "This puppy looks quite realistic!"
Gu Pingsheng's hand paused, and his face twisted in pain.
After hesitating for a moment, she gritted her teeth and said, "Sister, I sculpted you."
Gu Yaoniang's face also contorted in pain—a dog? Her?
She couldn't figure out for a moment whether it was a genuine coincidence or if Gu Pingsheng was actually scolding her.
The others around him burst out laughing upon hearing this.
After laughing, the sugar figurine maker turned to Gu Yaoniang and asked, "Young lady, would you like me to make you a sugar figurine?"
He had already asked a similar question, but Gu Yaoniang's state of mind was different now.
Gu Pingsheng was displeased: "Sister! Don't you believe me?"
Gu Yaoniang was completely unable to respond.
This... is hard to believe...
In the end, Gu Yaoniang spent another tael of silver, and the sugar figurine maker made a small sugar figurine in her likeness.
While it cannot be said to be exquisitely crafted and perfectly similar, it can be said to have some of the spirit of the subject.
As for Gu Pingsheng... after some adjustments, the sugar figurine in his hand could barely be made into a human shape.
Gu Pingsheng gave a haughty snort: "Fine, if you don't want it, then forget it! I'll give it to Sister Qiaoniang!"
Gu Yaoniang was in a good mood holding the sugar figurine. Hearing Gu Pingsheng say this, she felt that her younger brother's mentality was quite healthy.
They are not afraid of difficulties, do not wallow in self-pity in adversity, and are able to find new directions.
She felt that Qiaoniang might not be very happy to receive this gift.
As night deepened and the city lights began to twinkle, the streets were brightly lit, illuminating the smiling faces of passersby. Children, carrying lanterns, laughed and darted through the crowds, like twinkling stars adorning the festive night.
Gu Pingsheng moved his stiff fingers and asked, "Sister, why didn't Sister Qiaoniang go to Jinyulou today?"
Gu Yaoniang's smile faltered for a moment before she replied, "I don't know."
"have no idea?"
Gu Pingsheng was somewhat surprised.
Gu Yaoniang nodded: "Although Sister Qiaoniang is one of the head managers of our Gu family, she is more like Uncle's right-hand woman. As far as I know, she doesn't manage the affairs of the Gu family business very much."
She didn't go to Jinyulou for dinner on the 29th of last year either. Her second uncle said she had her own things to do and didn't need to wait for her.
Gu Pingsheng was very curious: "What is it? It only happens once a year, and everyone goes to Jin Yu Lou, but Sister Qiao Niang doesn't go."
Gu Yaoniang glared at him: "Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask."
Gu Pingsheng rolled his eyes: "Don't tell me you don't want to know."
Gu Yaoniang rolled her eyes, hands on her hips, just like him: "I don't want to know! Gu Pingsheng, where did your gentlemanly conduct go? How dare you talk to your sister like that?"
As he spoke, he made a gesture as if to raise his hand.
Gu Pingsheng nimbly leaped forward, leaving Gu Yaoniang behind.
Gu Yaoniang took a step to catch up, and the two of them laughed and joked together.
Behind the two, the windows on the second floor of a shop on the street opened, and no one noticed a man watching their figures disappear into the distance, his eyes revealing an unreadable meaning.
There was envy, there was emotion, there was resentment, there was confusion.
Only after the two figures disappeared did the person close the window.
The room was dimly lit, and the man's gaze was deep as he looked at the two men, one old and one young, dressed in official robes.
The older man had a baby face and round eyes, but a well-groomed beard made him look slightly more mature. He wasn't actually old; he just deliberately dressed older to be more convincing.
The younger man had a beauty mark under his eye, a slender build, and a slightly hunched back, which gave him a submissive and respectful demeanor.
The man who had just stood at the window was clearly the highest-ranking of the three. He wore a black robe with gold thread trim on the cuffs, which shimmered faintly in the shadows. His face was obscured by the shadows, making it difficult to see clearly. When he spoke, his voice was surprisingly calm and steady.
"How are the preparations going?"
He asked.
The older man stroked his beard but did not answer, while the younger man bowed and replied, "Sir, the person has been found and is ready."
His voice trembled slightly, whether from fear or excitement, it was hard to tell.
But the young man's expression suggested he was more excited.
The man nodded.
The older man then spoke up: "This matter is not appropriate; you may need to reconsider it further."
Judging from his tone, it seemed he did not agree.
The man in black smiled coldly: "If it's not appropriate now, when will it be appropriate? I need you to do things for me, not to teach me how to do things."
The older man fell silent, while the younger man cautiously observed the expression on the man in black's face. Seeing that he had finished speaking and had not reprimanded him further, the younger man finally felt at ease.
The man in black waved his hand, signaling the two to leave.
The two men bowed and withdrew. Suddenly, the man in black burst into loud laughter, which filled the room and was somewhat eerie.
Winter days are short and night falls quickly. Although Gu Yaoniang and Gu Pingsheng were delayed on the way, they had set out early and arrived at Jinyu Tower not late, but it was already dark.
Jin Yu Lou is not accepting outside guests today, and the wine banners have been taken down. However, the interior is brightly lit, and unlike the usual hustle and bustle, it exudes a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
When the Gu siblings arrived at the foot of Jinyu Tower, they bumped into a man who shouldn't have been there.
As night fell, no one set off fireworks on a large scale, but some children were already setting off a few firecrackers on street corners.
The orange-red lights and occasional explosions create a strong festive atmosphere.
The man stood at the entrance of Jin Yu Lou, not going in, but just looking inside. He was somewhat thin, and his presence alone at the entrance of Jin Yu Lou on a festive occasion like the Spring Festival gave him an air of loneliness.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
