Gu Zhiqi halted in her steps.
The old man hoisted a hoe on one shoulder and pinched a tobacco pipe in the other hand. The pipe was stuck in his mouth, forgotten to be puffed on.
Seeing Gu Zhiqi turn around, the old man immediately removed the pipe and opened his mouth, "Girl, who did you learn these skills from?"
"My master." Gu Zhiqi's eyes were downcast, her expression tired and indifferent as she replied nonchalantly.
"And who is your master?" the old man asked with a curious look.
"Sorry, I'd rather not say." After saying that, Gu Zhiqi nodded gently at the old man before stepping through the gate.
The old man, carrying the hoe, took a few steps to the gate of the Gu family, peered inside, then muttered softly to himself, "This is no simple matter."
"Grandpa Yue, hurry, give me a hand." A voice tinged with pain echoed in his ears.
Only then did Grandpa Yue remember that there was someone lying on the ground. He immediately went forward to help Gu Chengan up.
"Eldest Sister Qiqi, what happened to big brother?" There was quite a commotion outside, and Gu Chengcheng, hearing it, clung to the edge of the door, peeking out with half his head and looking at Gu Zhiqi.
"It's nothing." Gu Zhiqi replied lazily.
Gu Chengcheng, obviously not convinced by her answer, stared with big round eyes full of curiosity, looking outside the door, but he never spotted Gu Chengan.
"Did you finish counting the candies?" Gu Zhiqi raised her eyebrows, looking at Gu Chengcheng.
At Gu Zhiqi's question, Gu Chengcheng's little face immediately fell, "No."
"Keep counting then."
Upon hearing this, Gu Chengcheng hung his head gloomily and went back to the table, continuing his lackluster count of the candies.
"One, two, three... ten, twenty, thirty..." Afterwards he started to skip in tens, and in the end, he counted up to one hundred.
After finishing, Gu Chengcheng's eyes curved into a smile, his clear and bright eyes sparkling as he looked at Gu Zhiqi leaning against the door, "Eldest Sister Qiqi, I have one hundred candies."
"Eldest Sister Qiqi, do you eat candies?" The child pinched a candy with his little hand and held it up for Gu Zhiqi to see.
Gu Zhiqi stepped over to the table, took the candy he offered, and then pointed at the candies on the table, "Giving me one, how many do you have left?"
"99!" The child replied without hesitation.
"Maybe you should count them again?"
At these words, Gu Chengcheng blinked his eyes, puzzled, but obediently bowed his head and resumed counting the candies.
After counting, Gu Chengcheng cried.
"Wuu wuu, Eldest Sister Qiqi, I lost nine candies." His eyes turned misty as he looked at Gu Zhiqi.
Gu Zhiqi put the candy back in his pile, "Want to count again?"
Gu Chengcheng puckered his mouth and started counting the candies once more.
When he finished, his eyes brightened again. The tears at the corners of his eyes hadn't yet dried, but he started laughing again, "They're back to 100!"
When Tang Yun came out of the kitchen, she saw Gu Zhiqi teaching Gu Chengcheng how to count.
The young girl's demeanor was indolent and indifferent, but she patiently taught Gu Chengcheng over and over again.
Tang Yun's step paused, and she glanced at Gu Zhiqi.
"So, does that mean I only have nineteen candies?" Gu Chengcheng finally tallied the candies, but he looked at Gu Zhiqi with a pitiful face, unable to accept the fact that his candy count had gone from one hundred to nineteen.
Tang Yun, not understanding the meaning behind Gu Chengcheng's words, assumed he was just dissatisfied with the small amount of candy and spoke with a hint of laughter, "Eating too much candy can cause cavities."
Hearing Tang Yun's voice, Gu Chengcheng obediently called out, "Mom."
"Clean up a bit, it's time for dinner." Saying this, Tang Yun walked over to the table and raised her hand to touch Gu Chengcheng's head.
"Okay." As soon as Gu Chengcheng heard they were going to eat, he immediately began to tidy up the table.
"Where's Chengan?" Not seeing Gu Chengan, Tang Yun asked.