Actually, Yu Xiaoduo had a faint feeling that the cup was genuine, but she insisted it was fake—hey, just for the fun of it.
Uncle Kun was also sizing up the two girls. The girl from the Ye family was proper and conventional, but this granddaughter of the Gu family had a bit of personality to her. No wonder she could keep the Ye girl in check.
At that moment, Bai Ji stepped in with a placating smile. “Uncle Kun, Wan’er still doesn’t know you well enough yet. Please don’t take it to heart.”
“No, no, you can’t say that. I’ve had plenty of guests come through here, but Gu Wan’er is the very first one to raise a question. Now I need to think about how to prove it’s real—otherwise, people might start saying that I, Old Kun, am peddling fakes.” With that, Uncle Kun stood up and paced around, tapping his arm with the folded fan as he mulled it over.
Bai Ji pursed her red lips. Back when her grandfather brought her here, they’d also drunk tea from that very cup. She’d recognized it then too, but she hadn’t challenged him on its authenticity like Gu Wan’er just did.
After thinking for a long while, Uncle Kun finally sat back down with a resigned sigh. “I can’t really dig up any hard proof on the spot, but I do have a little anecdote—want to hear it?”
“Yes, please!” Yu Xiaoduo immediately flashed a sweet, sunny smile. Dealing with big shots who love to laugh? I’ve got a whole playbook for that. Looks like I’ve still got it.
Beside her, Gu Wan’er silently noted that Yu Xiaoduo sure knew how to butter people up. If it had been her in that spot, she’d probably have ended up just like Ye Shishi.
Uncle Kun looked at Yu Xiaoduo’s bright smile and a hint of amusement crept onto his face. “You both know this is a cup once used by an emperor. The craftsmanship speaks for itself, but think about it—an emperor only has so many personal drinking vessels. Wouldn’t there have been spares?”
“Wait, do you mean—!” Yu Xiaoduo gasped dramatically, startling Gu Wan’er beside her. What’s with all the theatrics?
Yu Xiaoduo just thought, Too young, too naive. When a big shot is showing off, I’ve got to play along—otherwise, how’s he supposed to look impressive? If I just sat there silent, I’d leave the poor guy hanging.
Uncle Kun snapped open his fan with a flourish, his expression carrying a clear hint of pride. “It seems this young lady has caught on.”
“Uncle Kun, I was rash and shortsighted. I never considered that there might be another side to this story. If you hadn’t pointed it out, I would’ve been completely mistaken. My sincerest apologies.”
Ye Shishi curled her lip. Too late for apologies now. You’re about to get an earful.
Bai Ji just shook her head with a wry smile. This Wan’er really doesn’t know when to hold back.
But then Uncle Kun suddenly laughed. “No harm done, no harm done. Truth be told, I’ve been waiting all these years for someone to question me so I could explain the reasoning. Thirty years, and finally someone’s come along.”
Yu Xiaoduo smirked to herself. Old fox, I saw right through your game from the moment I walked in. The moment I entered, I could tell the master of the house was showing off, desperate for everyone to know just how wealthy he is. Displaying those three cups was the same—more showing off. But if I’d just nodded and said they were real, you’d have known I was just sucking up.
But if I question it first, and then act completely blown away? That hits the sweet spot.
And if I’m guessing right, the other rooms aren’t decked out nearly as lavishly as this parlor. Maybe the old man just wants to brag a little in his twilight years, but he’s too embarrassed to come out and say it—feels it’d be beneath his dignity. I’m giving him the perfect excuse. Flawless.
So, Mr. Gu, how’s that for impressive?
Gu Wan’er was floored. This actually worked?
Ye Shishi’s jaw nearly dropped. No scolding? He praised her? I can’t accept this.
Even Bai Ji was taken aback, though she couldn’t deny that this was just how Uncle Kun operated. She’d sat in on several of his meetings before, and he always used that same cup, hiding nearby to eavesdrop just like today. The guests always had their doubts about the cup, but the moment Uncle Kun made his entrance, the topic would vanish—no one ever brought it up.
Some even went so far as to praise the cup, and Uncle Kun would just look utterly unimpressed.
At first, Bai Ji hadn’t understood why he did it. Was he testing people’s knowledge? Or was there something deeper at play?
Now she finally got it. Uncle Kun was just showing off. And even in that regard, Wan’er seemed to grasp it more keenly than she did.
Just then, Uncle Kun’s expression turned stern. “But even though you’re the first to question me, I still have my pride, you know. A punishment is in order.”
“I’ll accept whatever punishment Uncle Kun deems fit,” Yu Xiaoduo said with complete seriousness.
Ye Shishi quietly started gloating. See? I said there’d be punishment. Of course there would.
But the stern look on Uncle Kun’s face melted right back into a grin. “Then you’re getting three glasses of liquor as your penalty.”
Ye Shishi: “…”
“Uncle Kun, I’ll have you know my tolerance is pretty decent!” Yu Xiaoduo shot back with a teasing, almost challenging tone, making Gu Wan’er’s heart skip a beat beside her. This guy just loves picking fights, doesn’t he? Being around you is so stressful—I’m terrified one wrong word from you and we’ll end up buried in some ditch somewhere.
Uncle Kun let out a hearty laugh. “Good! Back in the day, I could drink your grandfather under the table, and I can do the same to you today. Don’t think I’ll go easy on you just because you’re a girl.”
“Uncle Kun, you may be my elder, but I’m not holding back either!” Yu Xiaoduo finished with an adorable little pout that made Ye Shishi’s skin crawl. This Gu Wan’er, flirting with Uncle Kun of all people—I could never pull that off in a lifetime.
Yu Xiaoduo thought to herself, Little sis, you’ve got a lot to learn. There’s a reason they say a woman who knows how to act cute gets the best in life. And you too, big sister-in-law—you should take notes. When your little sister turns on the charm, who can possibly resist?
Uncle Kun was instantly fired up. He waved a hand and bellowed, “Someone! Dig out that jar of red sorghum liquor I buried forty years ago!”
Even Bai Ji looked surprised. Sometimes Uncle Kun would brag about his fine liquors in front of her grandfather, but when her grandfather asked him to share, he’d never part with them. And today he’s bringing it out to drink? That’s almost too much.
She glanced over at Gu Wan’er and couldn’t help but feel that there was something uniquely captivating about her—completely different from most girls. Even she found herself quite fond of Wan’er.
But compared to Wan’er, the boyfriend sitting beside her didn’t shine nearly as bright. He felt like an outsider. People often say you shouldn’t break couples apart, but this guy really didn’t measure up to Wan’er—in any way. Better to nip it in the bud while Wan’er’s feelings weren’t too deep yet.
Across from them, Ye Shishi bit her lip. Lost again. Defeated by Gu Wan’er once more. Am I really just not as good as her?
Finally, Uncle Kun turned his attention to Gu Wan’er. The moment their eyes met, Gu Wan’er felt her chest tighten. The pressure was even more intense than when her own grandfather looked at her.
“And who is this young man?” Uncle Kun asked flatly, his tone a far cry from the easy banter he’d shared with Yu Xiaoduo just moments ago. There was a hint of feigned ignorance in his words.
Yu Xiaoduo’s heart sank. Uh-oh. Uncle Kun is probably about to put me on the spot. I bet he and Sister Bai discussed this beforehand.
Gu Wan’er stood up and said politely, “Hello, Uncle Kun. My name is Yu Xiaoduo. I’m Gu Wan’er’s boyfriend.”
“Oh? A boyfriend. Where’s your family from?”
Yu Xiaoduo quickly cut in. “Uncle Kun, my boyfriend is just an ordinary person. Nothing particularly special about him.”
Bai Ji furrowed her brows and gently chided, “Wan’er, when Uncle Kun asks a question, don’t interrupt.”
“I’m sorry—I forgot myself.” Yu Xiaoduo stepped back. Now it was all up to Gu Wan’er.
