Chapter Ninety-Three: It Is Rather Difficult to Mold

Huangpu Shenqing seemed oblivious to the conversation around him. He took out a cigarette, intending to smoke, but then recalled his little girl's words:
"Mr. Huangpu, I don’t like the smell of smoke."
He extinguished the lit cigarette, feeling restless as he leaned back on the sofa.
Ouyang Mufeng, seeing the two of them smoking, felt the urge to light one as well.
But before he could, his second brother had already put out his cigarette, leaving him momentarily stunned.
Gong Yi, who was smoking, suddenly looked up at him. "Is it because the smoke is bad?"
"No, she just doesn’t like it."
Ouyang Mufeng…
Damn, even at a time like this, they’re flaunting their affection?
Gong Yi…
He decided to continue smoking anyway.
"How’s our eldest brother doing?"
"Don’t worry, he’ll handle it."
"Alright." Huangpu Shenqing sank into the sofa, saying no more.
When Gong Yi left, he instructed the bar manager to prepare a bowl of hangover soup and some food to take over.
——
When Xia Wanqing awoke, the terrifying scene still lingered in her mind, but her worry for Shangguan Renran was even greater.
So the next day, she called Moya and Renran out for a meal, hoping to relax and relieve some pressure.
Her drama had just wrapped up; all that remained was for post-production before the release after the New Year.
Ouyang Moya understood her intentions and declined work, agreeing without hesitation.
Shangguan Renran didn’t want them to worry, so she agreed as well.
Fortunately, her father was none the wiser, merely thinking she was in low spirits.
They went to a buffet restaurant, renowned for its fresh vegetables, meats, and fruits.
Before they could find a seat, a manager approached them.
"Miss Shangguan, we’ve reserved a table for you."
Shangguan Renran seemed to realize something, her tone cold. "No need, I’m not eating."
Xia Wanqing tapped her own forehead—how could she forget to consider whose restaurant this was?
Shangguan Renran left the restaurant, her demeanor chilly and stubborn.
Ye Zuo followed behind, neither too close nor too far.
"Moya?" Xia Wanqing pulled a long face.
"Honestly, you’re hopeless," Ouyang Moya sighed, rubbing her forehead. This was like rubbing salt in the wound!
Shangguan Renran gazed at the bustling city outside, a moment of confusion passing over her. "Ye Zuo, what should I do?"

"Miss, Ye Zuo will always support whatever you decide, no matter what you do!"
"Really?"
But she herself didn’t know what to do.
Whenever she saw Mr. Huangpu, she was haunted by that scene.
She couldn’t even bring herself to eat at his restaurant anymore.
What should she do?
From inside a nearby car, the sight of the couple standing in the sunlight stung his eyes. He didn’t dare get out and pull the girl into his arms.
All he could do was watch from afar, easing his longing.
He couldn’t even sense the location of her bracelet anymore.
The ring on his finger hadn’t shone once since.
After Ouyang Moya and Xia Wanqing came out, they went to a street vendor for skewers.
It was Xia Wanqing’s childhood favorite.
Shangguan Renran had never tried them before; it was her first time.
She found them delicious!
She handed her favorite rice cake to Ye Zuo. "Try one, it’s really good."
"Alright," Ye Zuo took it, his eyes behind the lenses reflecting a rare tenderness.
Xia Wanqing, who was about to pass over a rice cake, awkwardly withdrew her hand.
No one noticed this subtle moment.
The four of them walked and ate as they went.
All the while, a black Maybach followed behind.
Suddenly, the street vendor was drawn by a cool voice, "I’ll have what she just ate."
Huangpu Shenqing sat in his car, taking a skewer from the box—the same rice cake Shangguan Renran had eaten. The car was filled with the scent of fried food, but he paid it no mind.
He let the spicy aroma sting his nose, his expression blank.
They passed a ceramics shop where you could sculpt clay figurines or pottery yourself.
Shangguan Renran and Xia Wanqing were both intrigued.
Ouyang Moya and Ye Zuo naturally accompanied them.
The shop was small, with finished pottery displayed up front for sale.
In the back, artisans were at work.
If you wanted to sculpt yourself, it was twenty yuan per person, and you could take your creation home.
Shangguan Renran and Xia Wanqing handed their food to Ye Zuo and Ouyang Moya, washed their hands, and went to sculpt.
Ye Zuo and Ouyang Moya found seats and watched them play.
Xia Wanqing followed the artisan, spinning a vase.

Meanwhile, Shangguan Renran sat on a small stool, sculpting a clay figurine with careful concentration, outlining its features in her mind.
Her hands moved meticulously, and soon the contours appeared.
"Young lady, you have quite the talent!" the artisan praised her.
She smiled and kept sculpting.
Once she finished the body, she stared at the figurine in her hands, tears slipping down her cheeks.
She quickly wiped them away before anyone noticed.
"Uncle, I’ll give you this figurine. I’m going to make a vase now."
The artisan picked up the figurine, "Hey, you really did a good job!"
"Renran, is it hard to sculpt the figurine?"
Xia Wanqing asked, shaping the vase’s neck as she spun it.
Shangguan Renran sat beside her, setting up the materials for her own vase, her tone deliberately light, "Yes, it’s pretty hard."
She tried to mimic the artisan’s technique but couldn’t seem to get it right—the vase was always crooked, or the mouth was off.
Xia Wanqing finished her vase, wanting to keep it, but it would take a long time.
She handed her finished piece to the artisan, planning to return in a few days for the final product.
Looking back, she saw Shangguan Renran had ruined another vase and comforted her, "It’s okay, I did the same thing earlier. I messed up quite a few."
Shangguan Renran stared at her ruined vase, lost in thought. Maybe she really couldn’t sculpt it well.
They played until five in the afternoon before heading home. Xia Wanqing carried a pile of items, even stuffing a few trinkets into Ye Zuo’s hands before he could refuse, waving goodbye.
Ouyang Moya bought some accessories and knickknacks.
Apart from the food earlier, Shangguan Renran left empty-handed, unsure what to buy.
The artisans sent Xia Wanqing’s vase to the kiln.
The craftsman placed Shangguan Renran’s figurine on a shelf, not expecting someone to notice it.
"How much for this?"
Huangpu Shenqing picked up the figurine, his fingertips gently brushing it, as if he could feel the girl’s presence that way.
"You’ve got an eye for quality, young man! This was just made by a young lady, not worth much."
"Is that so?" Huangpu Shenqing pressed his thin lips together. "But in my heart, it’s priceless."
Because it was sculpted by his little girl.
He left a gold card—a free shopping card for his private gold and jewelry store.