Bai Ji’s impression of Yu Xiaoduo was also starting to change. This guy was definitely not your average joe—Wan’er really had a good eye.
But the results of her investigation and what she was seeing now were worlds apart. His grades in school were painfully average, so was this some kind of extracurricular passion?
Uncle Kun wasn’t buying it. He said seriously, “Well said! How about giving us a little performance, then? Let us broaden our horizons.”
Uncle Kun thought to himself, I don’t believe it. You can talk the talk, but can you really walk the walk?
Everyone turned to look at Gu Wan’er. Gu Wan’er just gave a slight smile, as if to say, Sorry, but you’ve just stepped right into my wheelhouse again.
She stood up, straightened her suit, and walked over to the four musicians. They made room for her and handed her a violin.
Gu Wan’er tested the tone, made a few minor adjustments, and handled it all with the ease of a seasoned pro.
Bai Ji could tell at a glance—this man really knew what he was doing. No tricks, no faking.
But that didn’t add up. Her records showed he’d never taken a single violin class. Had he just taught himself at home?
Gu Wan’er finished tuning, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and settled into her zone.
Yu Xiaoduo might not have been a musician himself, but he’d seen masters perform before. And just by the way she carried herself, he could tell—this was a true professional. Today, he could finally breathe easy. And honestly? When word got around, it’d be a huge flex. Yu Xiaoduo, man of culture.
The moment the first note rang out, Uncle Kun’s interest was clearly piqued. Bai Ji finally understood why Wan’er was so drawn to this seemingly ordinary guy—turns out he was hiding a lot beneath the surface.
Ye Shishi, on the other hand, was completely baffled. How on earth does he know how to do this too? It dawned on her that Yu Xiaoduo and Gu Wan’er were cut from the same cloth—both loved keeping things under wraps. Good thing she’d found out today; otherwise, she’d have been caught off guard someday.
Soon, everyone was swept away into a sea of music. In Yu Xiaoduo’s mind, he looked absolutely awesome. Man, if I’d known playing the violin could make me look this cool, I’d have taken it up ages ago. Definitely would’ve scored me a ton of dates.
But then again, at this moment, Gu Wan’er was like a radiant star—a level of brilliance he could never reach himself. Just one person, one instrument, a quiet scene, and a melody that brushed against the heart like a gentle spring breeze. The second half rose and fell—sometimes soaring with passion, sometimes aching with sorrow, sometimes flowing free and unrestrained.
Yu Xiaoduo thought to himself, I’m starting to really like myself right now. But damn, Gu Wan’er, you’re too much. Look at Uncle Kun and Sister Bai—they’re completely mesmerized. Let’s keep it low-key, alright? No need to show off everything we’ve got.
As the piece came to an end, Gu Wan’er took another breath and instinctively bowed to the audience in gratitude.
Uncle Kun set down his folding fan and began to applaud.
Bai Ji followed suit. Ye Shishi, seeing everyone else clapping, reluctantly joined in. Yu Xiaoduo felt like letting out a few cheers himself, but with company around, he managed to hold back his excitement.
“Young man, looks like you’re really not giving me any face today,” Uncle Kun said with a grin, looking at the young man before him.
Gu Wan’er chuckled softly. “Uncle Kun, you wouldn’t have wanted me to go easy on you, would you?”
“Haha, you little rascal, you’re definitely something else. Now, where’s that wine? Still not dug up yet?” No sooner had he finished speaking than a maid wheeled in a cart carrying a large, tightly sealed jar, with a bit of mud still clinging to it.
The maid used special tools to decant the wine into prepared vessels, then moved the cart off to the side.
“Everyone, have a taste. Xiao Gu, you drink three cups as a penalty first. And your boyfriend, he’s got three cups too.”
“Alright, we’ll drink our penalty cups first.” Yu Xiaoduo was confident—he could hold his liquor. Gu Wan’er figured she wasn’t too bad either; at least three cups wouldn’t knock her out.
The two stood up, filled their glasses, and downed them one sip after another.
Yu Xiaoduo silently praised the wine. It didn’t have the harsh burn he’d expected—it was smooth and mellow, sliding down like a warm embrace, leaving a lingering fragrance in his mouth that just wouldn’t fade.
“Uncle Kun, this is some amazing wine!” Yu Xiaoduo couldn’t help but exclaim. It had been years since he’d tasted anything like it—such a nostalgic feeling.
Uncle Kun finally had a moment to puff out his chest with pride. “Of course! You kids weren’t even born yet when this was buried. If this ever hit the market, just this one small jar alone would go for a few million at least.”
“Uncle Kun, forget a few million—even ten million, and people would still line up to buy it,” Ye Shishi chimed in suddenly, throwing out a little flattery. Probably couldn’t stand seeing Yu Xiaoduo and Gu Wan’er steal all the spotlight.
But Uncle Kun just grinned and said, “Then I’ll sell it to you.”
Ye Shishi: “…”
Yu Xiaoduo nearly spat out his wine. Even Gu Wan’er beside him was struggling to hold back her laughter.
Oh, brother, what can I even say? Sometimes, keeping your mouth shut is a victory in itself.
“Just kidding—I can’t bear to part with it,” Uncle Kun said with a low chuckle. Chatting with the younger crowd was doing wonders for his own spirits.
Not that Ye Shishi couldn’t afford it, but she felt like a fool, giving the other two a good laugh at her expense.
“Shishi, have a taste of Uncle Kun’s wine. Most people never get the chance,” Bai Ji said gently.
Ye Shishi took a sip with a sour mood, but then her eyes slowly widened. This wine!
“Uncle Kun, could I buy some?” Ye Shishi asked urgently. If she brought this back for her brothers, they’d lose their minds.
“What’s this ‘buy’ business? Can’t take a joke? Here—fill a flask for each person at the table, wrap them up nicely.”
Yu Xiaoduo was over the moon. I’ll just sell mine to Ye Shishi later. I’m a freaking genius.
“Uncle Kun, you’re the man!” Yu Xiaoduo said with a big, easy laugh, which made Uncle Kun happy. Young people were so relaxed and unrestrained—if it had been a different crowd, the vibe wouldn’t have been half as good.
Fine wine, great food, and a stunner like Sister Bai at the table—Yu Xiaoduo was thoroughly enjoying himself. This simple, ordinary life was exactly what he’d always wanted.
But as the drinking went on, Yu Xiaoduo started feeling off. His head was buzzing, and sometimes he’d see two of Gu Wan’er. No way—am I really about to get wasted at this table?
“You haven’t even finished this one flask, and you’re already struggling?” Uncle Kun teased, watching Yu Xiaoduo sway his head. Truth be told, this aged liquor packed quite a punch—even Uncle Kun himself was feeling a bit woozy. Age catches up with you; he couldn’t drink like he used to.
Yu Xiaoduo shook his head. “Uncle Kun, a real man never says he can’t handle it. Let’s have another round.”
“Haha, come on, then!”
The two went back and forth, cup for cup. Gu Wan’er was getting worried Yu Xiaoduo might end up in the hospital.
“Hey, bring out another plate of peanuts!” Uncle Kun let out a tipsy burp, his face flushed and glowing.
Yu Xiaoduo felt like he was at his limit. His body just couldn’t keep up. If he’d been in his prime, he’d have sent Uncle Kun straight to the hospital—and still walk a straight line afterward.
Bai Ji could tell Uncle Kun was just about done. Any more and his health would suffer. “Uncle Kun, how about we call it a night? We can pick this up another time.”
