Chapter 23
"The fourth place winner in Group C is Ge Erze, from Daguan Village, Ningguta."
Except for Ge Erze, who was extremely excited when his name was called, the rest of the people had their hearts pounding and stared intently at the list in the hands of the guest Zhao Feizhang, eager to know immediately whether they had advanced.
Cui Youyi was no exception.
The third place is not Cui Youyi, and the second place is not Cui Youyi either.
Her heart was in her throat.
At least I won’t be eliminated in the first round, right? Cui Youyi swallowed and tried to hear more clearly.
"First place in Group C..."
"Oh my, why didn't I hear the name of our top player, Miss Cui?"
Zhou Yunkai's gloating voice sounded from outside, interrupting Zhibin's original announcement.
The ice sculptors who were looking forward to the results often looked around dissatisfiedly, but when they found out that it was Zhou Yunkai who brought countless ice sculptors with him, they didn't dare to say anything.
What's more, it was obvious that these words were directed at Cui Youyi. There was no need to offend the Zhou family because of an unrelated person.
"Sir, please continue to announce the results." Cui Youyi's attitude was so pretentious that Zhou Yunkai looked like a clown.
Rather than arguing with Zhou Yunkai, Cui Youyi was more concerned about whether she was the first place in Group C. Although she had an answer in her mind, it would only count if Zhibin announced it in public.
"Come on, let's all hear who is the last one to be shortlisted?" Zhou Yunkai clenched his fists, his back still aching from the punishment he had received at home.
Zhou Yunkai stared at Zhao Feizhang with an ambiguous expression: "Let's see if the last person to be shortlisted is Miss Cui?"
Zhao Feizhang snorted coldly. The Zhou family sent people to interfere with the selection results of Group C. If the county magistrate had not made arrangements in advance, some people with inferior skills would have advanced.
When he was announcing the results, Zhou Yunkai chose to take the lead in making trouble. Isn't this an embarrassment to him?
Zhao Feizhang had long been dissatisfied with Zhou Yunkai and other arrogant playboys who had ruined the reputation of ice sculptors. In addition, the Zhou and Zhao families also had deep resentment. He glanced at the list in his hand and was very happy to see the Zhou family learn a lesson.
"The first place in Group C is Cui Youyi."
"The first four contestants whose names are called this time will qualify for the next round."
Zhao Feizhang looked at Cui Youyi with appreciation, walked over and said, "Your work is very good." After that, he looked at Zhou Yunkai meaningfully.
Zhou Yunkai's eyes turned red with anger: "How could it be her? Why is it her?"
Cui Youyi shook the individual competition qualification sign she had just received and looked at Zhou Yunkai with satisfaction.
"Great, let's go to the next round."
Cui Youyi smiled and admired Zhou Yunkai's madness. It was obvious that he was plotting something sinister behind the scenes. She turned around and asked Wang Jun for information.
Zhao Feizhang straightened his coat, walked to the center, and struck the gong. "I reiterate once again that the Ice Sculpture Competition is about genuine talent and knowledge, not devious methods. I advise those ice sculptors whose minds aren't on the right path to correct their attitude and refine their techniques."
"Just wait for me." Zhou Yunkai pointed at Cui Youyi and everyone on the field, one by one, and then left angrily.
Cui Youyi found a secluded corner in the venue, thinking of taking the time to rest and recharge her energy for the afternoon competition.
The ice sculpture individual competition was still held in the afternoon. There were a total of 48 contestants, each group of three. Only the first-place contestant was qualified to advance.
The opponent's skills in this round will only be more sophisticated, so Cui Youyi dare not be careless.
None of the shortlisted ice sculptors left the venue, all trying to save some time. Those who had the means at home had already arranged for servants to deliver meals, while those who did not had the means used the hot water provided by the venue to soak some frozen dry food.
Cui Youyi is also like this.
She originally wanted to order some food outside, but then she thought it was not appropriate - the food that was imported could not go wrong, so in the end she had to prepare some dry food.
Looking at the soaked dry food, Cui Youyi felt a little nauseous. She had indeed overestimated herself, but she had to eat it.
I took a bite with a hopeless feeling and felt like vomiting.
Cui Youyi sighed deeply, and when she looked up, she saw Wang Jun standing outside the door. Her eyes unconsciously fell on the food box he was holding.
Is that what she thought? Is it for her to eat?
Cui Youyi looked at Wang Jun expectantly, and for the first time she felt that a person had his own light.
"Eat it while it's hot." Wang Jun thoughtfully took out the food he had prepared for Cui Youyi a long time ago. "The food is rather simple, so you can just eat as much as you can."
Cui Youyi was delighted to see the side dishes Wang Jun had brought. The portions were small but varied, and most importantly, they were all her favorites.
Finally, I don’t have to eat that soaked dry food anymore.
"You brought all my favorite foods!" Cui Youyi ignored the rule of not talking while eating and not talking while sleeping, and chatted skillfully with Wang Jun about family matters. "Finally, I have something to look forward to. I thought I would eat that stuff until the end of the competition!"
Wang Jun smiled and shook his head. It was during this period that he became really familiar with Cui Youyi. They discussed many ways to improve the lives of the people in Ningguta. The two of them recognized each other and had a sense of mutual appreciation.
As for those vague ambiguities, Cui Youyi never grasped them, and she would never know the inner struggle in Wang Jun's heart.
This month, Wang Jun and Cui Youyi met frequently. The more they met, the more Wang Jun couldn't help being attracted to Cui Youyi, and the more he couldn't help but get to know Cui Youyi.
He thought he just admired Cui Youyi's talent until he received a letter from his friend Ning Junfeng.
Wang Jun still remembers the most crucial sentences in the letter.
*
"Zi'an (Wang Jun's courtesy name).
“It’s a good news.
"Now that I know the Cui family is safe in Ningguta, I am deeply grateful and will repay Zi'an's kindness with a token of gratitude.
"However, Miss Cui is too weak to rest day or night, so I will set off for Ningguta next month.
"One is to have a drink with Zi'an, the second is to see the Ningguta ice sculpture spectacle, and the third is for my own selfish reasons. I hope Zi'an will take care of me."
Selfishness, what selfishness?
Could it be...
Wang Jun had a serious face, and his mother, Old Lady Wang, couldn't stand it anymore.
"You kid, you have such a stern face when you see me. How has your mother offended you?" Old Lady Wang had a hot temper when she was young. When she saw Wang Jun's sad face, she became very annoyed and snatched the letter from him.
"Oh, Junfeng is coming to our place." Old Lady Wang glanced at the words, "Isn't this a happy occasion? Why do you look so sad?"
Wang Jun said helplessly: "Mom, it's wrong for you to snatch my letter and read it. What if it's a confidential matter? You..."
Madam Wang didn't care at all: "This envelope is written with Junfeng's name, how could I not know what it is for?"
"Tsk tsk, Junfeng is probably here for Miss Cui. Who knows, we might even be able to drink at their wedding." Old Lady Wang laughed loudly, but Wang Jun felt a chill all over his body.
"Wedding wine?" Wang Jun fell into a huge panic for no apparent reason. "Mom, you..."
Old Lady Wang felt even more satisfied when she saw Wang Jun's distraught look.
I told you not to seize the opportunity and not to go and see her. Now, the daughter-in-law she likes is running away.
Normally, she was the one who was anxious, but now it was someone else's turn to be anxious. If she still couldn't figure out her feelings, that would be the fate of her stupid son.
Although this is indeed unfair to Junfeng, this fate must be predestined by God, right?
She saw Junfeng as a loser. He didn't work hard in the capital, and he didn't work hard to leave the capital. Now what was the point of him running to Ningguta? He didn't even have a plan for how to settle him.
From this perspective, her son still has some good points.
Wang Jun sat in the yard for half the night. His body was cold, but his heart was warm.
All the questions during this period seemed to have been answered, and he felt as if he had fallen in love with his friend's sweetheart...
No, Junfeng and Miss Cui just knew each other early.
Miss Cui should be my sweetheart now!
Besides, a gentleman dreams of marrying a beautiful lady. Miss Cui and Junfeng are together without the permission of their parents or the words of a matchmaker, so what's wrong with him competing for her?
At worst, Junfeng can sit at the main table at his and Miss Cui’s wedding banquet!
The more he thought about it, the calmer Wang Jun felt.
"Standing outside in the middle of the night like a door god?" Old Lady Wang felt sorry for her son and couldn't help but scold him. "Have you thought it through? If you don't work harder, your wife will really run away."
Wang Jun bowed respectfully and admired his mother once again.
"Mother, you are the one who is in charge. I will have to trouble you to take care of my son's marriage."
Amidst Mrs. Wang's teasing, Wang Jun returned to his room with red ears.
*
Now when Wang Jun thinks about everything that happened that night, his face still feels a little hot.
With a smile in his eyes, he poured tea and handed Cui Youyi a handkerchief: "Eat slowly, there is still time."
"Master Wang, your craftsmanship has improved a lot!" Cui Youyi took the handkerchief handed to her by Wang Jun and wiped her mouth directly.
Seeing this, Wang Jun smiled even more happily: "I'm glad you like it. I've learned a lot of new dishes recently. I hope you can come and try one or two next time you have the chance."
Sure enough, his father was right. If you want to capture a woman's heart, you must capture her stomach.
Wang Jun couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
Fortunately, he did not learn those pedantic ways. If he had also followed the principle of a gentleman staying away from the kitchen, he would have had no chance to get closer to Miss Cui when Junfeng came.
How nice it is now.
Hearing that there were new dishes, Cui Youyi couldn't help swallowing and looked at Wang Jun with appreciation, with a sense of expectation in her eyes that she didn't know existed.
During this period of time, Wang Jun has spoiled her taste.
Realizing this, Cui Youyi felt a little guilty and embarrassed. After all, she was using Wang Jun, a county magistrate, as a cook...
It always felt a bit weird to say it out loud, but Cui Youyi really couldn't say no.
As soon as the words came to my lips,
"Then I'm really looking forward to it!"
Afraid that Cui Youyi would be nervous and also afraid that he would interfere with Cui Youyi's competition, Wang Jun racked his brains to think of topics, chatting about this and that, and the time was up.
Cui Youyi turned around neatly and prepared to participate in the competition. Wang Jun seemed quite reluctant to let her go, and there was a sorrow in his eyes that he himself did not even notice.
When she reached the threshold, Cui Youyi suddenly turned around. She had originally planned to say hello to Wang Jun again, but when she met Wang Jun's eyes, she felt inexplicably guilty.
It's like I'm a heartless person.
The moment Wang Jun saw Cui Youyi turn around, his heart was as bright as a flower.
Sure enough, she still has me in her heart.
Once this thought arises, it cannot be dispelled.
Cui Youyi smiled with what she thought was a slight embarrassment, touched her heart which was beating abnormally fast, took a few deep breaths, and then hurried to prepare for the next round of competition.
*
"Bang, bang, bang." The gong was struck with a ping-pong sound, and everyone's attention was focused on the game that was about to begin.
"The Ice Sculpture Competition individual competition top 16 qualifying rounds are now starting."
"Competitors, please come forward and draw lots to be divided into groups. After being divided into groups, everyone needs to go to the competition area within the specified time."
Forty-eight ice sculptors lined up to draw lots. Cui Youyi only saw Lin Yinniang and others at this time. She knew that based on everyone's strength, they would definitely not be eliminated in the first round.
Cui Youyi secretly gave them a thumbs-up gesture, and the four of them followed suit.
The atmosphere would have been peaceful if Zhou Yunkai hadn't appeared again.
"Tsk." Zhou Yunkai still had that hateful expression on his face. "A bunch of grandstanding idiots. I hope you can laugh again later."
Zhou Yunkai has been looking for trouble in just a few days. Cui Youyi was too lazy to pay attention to him, but she couldn't stand Zhou Yunkai's constant behavior.
"Master Zhou, are you afraid you can't compete with others?" Cui Youyi pretended to be puzzled. "Otherwise, why are you only targeting a weak woman like me?"
After saying this, Cui Youyi coughed twice, appearing even weaker, and whispers began to spread around her.
"Tsk, he's so unreasonable."
"A grown man, bullying a little girl as much as he wants, really..."
"I think what this girl said makes sense, otherwise why wouldn't she cause trouble for others. But, didn't someone lose to this little girl last time?"
"How dare you say that? Are you going to die?"
"Shh!"
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