Everyone Blows Sugar Figures Together

"Sister Wang, your posture isn't correct. It's clear you've never tried this sport before. Let me help adjust it for you."

Xuan Ying steadied Ji Qingyi's arm with one hand while gripping the bow with the other, carefully aligning the angle and direction for her.

Ji Qingyi's delicate frame trembled slightly, but she allowed Xuan Ying to correct her stance. Though she disliked being touched by strangers, she reminded herself they were role-playing for the moment.

Soon, Xuan Ying had adjusted her posture, but Ji Qingyi instinctively reverted to her original stance. She nocked the arrow, her fair fingers drawing the bowstring taut before releasing it with a smooth motion. A white arrow sliced through the air and struck the bullseye dead center.

Thud.

The crowd around them gasped in shock.

The archery stall owner nearly bit his tongue in disbelief. Trembling, he rushed to inspect the target, confirming the arrow had indeed pierced the exact center. He sucked in a sharp breath.

Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan blinked rapidly, as if unable to believe their eyes. "Huh?"

They had tried dozens of times without success, yet Ji Qingyi had nailed it on her first attempt. The sheer impossibility of it left them momentarily speechless.

Soon, their excited cheers erupted across the stall, drawing impressed murmurs from onlookers.

Ji Qingyi removed her blindfold and gave a modest nod. "Just luck," she replied humbly.

Xuan Ying immediately clung to Ji Qingyi's arm, nuzzling her hand affectionately. "Wow! Sister Wang, you're amazing! I love you so much!"

"Uh…"

Ji Qingyi stiffened, clearly unused to such displays. She glanced sideways at Xuan Ying, only to find the girl's round cheeks flushed with admiration.

"Signature photo!"

Zhao Yan pointed at the prize section and called out to the stall owner.

The owner, still dazed from wiping sweat and staring at Ji Qingyi, turned to retrieve the 'Chairman' photo from his stall—though his hands shook uncontrollably.

This autographed picture had been a lucky find at a small county store, displayed openly behind the counter glass. He'd spent thousands to 'invite' it back to serve as the CEO of his archery stall.

Yet before he could even recoup his investment, it was already being claimed as a prize. He wanted to cry.

Still, he forced a smile and handed it over. After all, reputation was everything in business—backing out would ruin his credibility.

"Here you go. This young lady really has the same aura as Su Cheng during competitions," the owner said through gritted teeth, reluctantly passing the photo to Zhao Yan while praising Ji Qingyi.

Ji Qingyi frowned slightly at his words. Something felt off, but she couldn't pinpoint what. She dismissed the thought.

Zhao Yan examined the signature closely, confirming it was indeed Su Cheng's authentic handwriting—not a copy. What surprised her more was its youthful, unpractised style.

This was Su Cheng's signature before he perfected it!

Thrilled, she hurried over to Xuan Ying and Ji Qingyi, showing them the photo.

"This signature is from way back," she said.

Xuan Ying's eyes widened, then lit up with excitement. She threw her arms around Ji Qingyi's waist, squealing, "Sister Wang, thank you so much! This signature's rarity makes it way more valuable than a standard one!"

Ji Qingyi struggled to keep her composure, not wanting to hurt Xuan Ying by pushing her away. Instead, she deflected, "It was nothing. Just take a closer look at the signature."

Reluctantly, Xuan Ying released her and held up the photo, growing more delighted by the second. "This autograph is practically a work of art!"

The stall owner's face fell, but curiosity got the better of him. "Is it really that special? How much is it worth?"

Xuan Ying shot him a disdainful look. "How crude. You can't just measure its value in money."

"Uh… well, if I had another one, would you buy it for 100,000?" he ventured, testing the waters with these seemingly wealthy but odd customers.

"Wait, you have more?!" Xuan Ying gasped, her sparkling eyes widening. "Show me, quick!"

The owner's expression darkened further. He could've kicked himself—this signature was worth 100,000?!

Meanwhile, Ji Qingyi turned to Liu Qingyue to retrieve her malt sugar figurine—only to freeze.

All that remained in Liu Qingyue's hand was the stick.

The candy had vanished.

A chilling aura instantly radiated from Ji Qingyi, making everyone nearby shiver involuntarily.

"The wind's gotten really cold all of a sudden," Zhao Yan muttered, rubbing her arms as she watched Xuan Ying and the owner haggle.

Liu Qingyue felt the icy pressure emanating from Ji Qingyi and panicked internally, but she maintained an innocent facade. "Sister Wang, what's wrong?"

Ji Qingyi's frosty gaze pinned her in place, her voice laced with quiet menace. "Where is my candy?"

Liu Qingyue flinched but raised her voice defensively, "Oh! You mean the Su Cheng-shaped malt sugar? That old lady over there sells them!" She pointed at a grandmother packing up her stall nearby.

"Su Cheng-shaped?!" Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan perked up immediately, crowding around. "What's a Su Cheng-shaped candy?!"

With the two now involved, Ji Qingyi had no choice but to suppress her anger and follow Liu Qingyue's lead.

"Granny, wait! We’d like to buy some candy!" Liu Qingyue called, hurrying toward the elderly woman. The others trailed behind as Liu Qingyue chatted with her. "We’d like five Su Cheng candies, please."

"Five? That many?" The grandmother set down her stool and got ready to work.

"Yes, but we’d like to blow them ourselves."

"Alright then."

The old lady shaped a lump of sugar into a stretchable strand, forming a thin pipe. She glanced at the four girls. "Who’s going to blow first?"

Before Ji Qingyi and the others could process what 'blowing' entailed, Liu Qingyue had already nudged Ji Qingyi onto a small stool. She placed the sugar pipe at her lips and explained, "Sister Wang, just follow Granny's instructions and blow gently. That way, we can all collaborate on making a Su Cheng candy together."

Ji Qingyi hesitated briefly before nodding. She parted her lips and exhaled softly into the pipe.

In less than thirty seconds—

As Ji Qingyi blew, the grandmother skillfully molded the sugar.

And just like that, a lifelike Su Cheng candy figurine was born!

The seemingly magical folk skill left Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan, who were gathered around the stall, utterly spellbound.

"Here you go, dear—your sugar figurine is ready."

The elderly woman handed the sugar figurine to Ji Qingyi, who froze for a moment before glancing at Liu Qingyue. Seeing Liu Qingyue nod in approval, she finally reached out and took the figurine—one she had helped craft herself.

At the same time, the frustration she had been holding onto melted away, replaced by a faint smile. After all, this sugar figurine held far more sentimental value than the previous ones...

"Who's next?"

"Me! I'll go next!"