At this moment, Migguo felt an itch to try, and said to Gu Qingcheng, "Brother, shall we give it a shot too?"
Gu Qingcheng didn't think much of it and readily agreed.
After all, outings were meant for fun.
Furthermore, in such a crowded public setting, under everyone's gaze, letting Migguo play with pressure and a competitive spirit would be a good way to temper his psychological fortitude.
After all, with everyone watching, one's courage, capability, and psychological resilience would be laid bare for all to see.
Migguo paid 30 wen and picked three arrows.
The stall owner smiled, "Young master, most people who come here pick at least 5 arrows. You've only chosen three, which is too few, isn't it? Take two more, and you'll have a better chance of hitting the target."
The stall owner deliberately said this, of course, to make a sale. Wouldn't selling an extra arrow be better? Making an extra 10 wen, what could be easier?
Unexpectedly, Migguo confidently replied, "Uncle, don't worry, all three of my arrows will hit their targets. One for the apple, one for the apricot, and one for the copper coin."
The stall owner was a bit taken aback. Was this young master being too arrogant? A little too conceited.
However, the surrounding crowd became more interested. A man with his arms crossed stepped forward, eagerly saying:
"Young master, if you can hit the copper coin, I'll pay your 30 wen for you."
Migguo chuckled and said:
"Uncle, then don't go back on your word."
"I'll put my money here, don't say I'll go back on my word. It's impossible for me to go back on my word."
The meddler indeed took out 30 wen and placed it on a small table nearby.
Migguo pursed his lips into a smile, picked up the three arrows, and in full view of the crowd, drew his bow. He nocked all three arrows onto the bowstring simultaneously. He aimed at the apple and quickly released an arrow, then shifted the arrow's tip to the next target and released, followed by the copper coin.
All that could be heard were three sounds of "poof, whoosh, clang." Before the crowd could react, they saw his first arrow hit the apple, his second arrow hit the apricot, and his third arrow hit the copper coin. The copper coin, struck by the arrow's tip, swayed in the air, as if mocking the meddler who had paid the 30 wen.
"Wow, this skill is remarkable. I am impressed."
Although the meddler felt the sting of losing 30 wen, he was good-natured and kept his word spoken in front of everyone.
He generously handed the 30 wen to Migguo.
Seeing this, Gu Qingcheng felt a tickle of desire to try, and said with a smile:
"I'll have a go too."
Gu Qingcheng looked like a frail, effeminate young man. Who would have thought he also wanted to test his skills?
Meanwhile, the stall owner's face had turned pale since Migguo hit his targets. He had barely opened for business and already had to pay Migguo an ounce of silver, which was 600 wen.
Now, Gu Qingcheng also wanted to try, and since he was with Migguo, the stall owner's heart sank.
On the other hand, Lan Yue and Lan Xing, seeing Gu Qingcheng about to try his hand from within the crowd, their eyes lit up. They had thought Gu Qingcheng was just a wealthy young master with no strength to even truss a chicken, but now they saw he also practiced martial arts.
What maiden wouldn't wish for her beloved to be both cultured and martial?
As Gu Qingcheng put down 30 wen and reached for three arrows from the stall owner, Lan Yue's gaze towards him grew more intense.
Gu Qingcheng expertly drew his bow and nocked an arrow.
If nothing else, Gu Qingcheng, who had received professional archery training, struck an undeniably cool and handsome pose.
Handsomeness, after all, knows no gender.
Instantly, Gu Qingcheng's handsome figure was etched into Lan Yue's heart. At this moment, she truly began to fall for him.
Gu Qingcheng gracefully loosed three arrows in quick succession. The first arrow flew, not hitting the apple directly, but causing it to fall. The second arrow missed the apricot, but the apricot also fell. The third arrow, however, unexpectedly struck the very eye of the copper coin. The arrow shaft got stuck in the coin, and it dangled from the string, swinging up and down in the air.
Some of the onlookers stepped forward to pick up the apple and apricot. After careful examination, they were astonished and praised:
"This young master's archery skills are even more refined and outstanding. He actually shot through the strings holding the apple and apricot."
The strings were as fine as a strand of hair. To be able to cut a string with an arrow demonstrated that Gu Qingcheng's archery was exceptional, hitting precisely where he aimed.
And hitting the center of the copper coin was intentional. For most people, hitting the copper coin would be good enough, let alone hitting its exact center?
Gu Qingcheng's archery technique could be described as divine.
Those with discerning eyes applauded.
Lan Yue had seen Gu Qingcheng miss the apple and apricot and thought he had misfired, her heart sinking. Fortunately, the last arrow hitting the copper coin's center somewhat saved Gu Qingcheng's face.
But she hadn't realized that things weren't as she'd thought. Gu Qingcheng's archery skills were actually that superb.
Such archery skills couldn't be acquired overnight; they required immense focus and dedication.
Not to mention the investment of time and resources, but it tested Gu Qingcheng's perseverance even more.
As a young master from a wealthy family, to possess such outstanding archery skills was truly a perfect individual.
He was handsome, wealthy, and his archery was so skillful. Although he looked delicate, he exuded such a sense of security.
With her emotions tossed about by Gu Qingcheng's archery, Lan Yue's mind raced, unaware that she was hurting Lan Xing.
Lan Xing had been holding her sister's hand all along. But while watching Gu Qingcheng shoot, her sister's grip would tighten and loosen intermittently, squeezing her so hard it hurt.
In such a public place, Lan Xing dared not exclaim softly, afraid of startling Gu Qingcheng and causing an awkward situation.
Only when Gu Qingcheng finished his last arrow did her sister's grip finally loosen.
Lan Xing then understood that her sister had been worried about Gu Qingcheng. She couldn't help but tease:
"Sister, it seems you're quite concerned about this Young Master Gu? Worried he might embarrass himself in front of everyone?"
"What are you talking about?"
Lan Yue retorted, her face flushing red.
"Well, I think he's a very good person. Look at how skillful his archery is, and he's so humble," Lan Xing praised.
At this point, Gu Qingcheng bowed to the crowd in thanks for their praise. Then, he collected the silver he had won from the stall owner and, with Migguo, gracefully departed.
Though the two had left, their displays of superb archery lingered in everyone's minds, prompting murmurs and requests to try shooting a few arrows themselves.
The next few people took their turns, and while some hit the apple, no one as formidable as Gu Qingcheng and Migguo appeared, which further highlighted the brilliance of their archery skills.
Seeing them leave, Lan Yue and Lan Xing quickly followed.
"Brother, shall we go guess some lantern riddles?"
Migguo pointed towards a lively crowd gathered around a lantern riddle stall.
Gu Qingcheng's interest was piqued as well. "Alright."
The two approached and, looking at the riddles posted, began to guess.
"Red-crowned crane, at night it enters, tears flow, heart aches. Guess a common household item."
"Hmm, what is this?" Migguo pondered.
"Candle."
Gu Qingcheng guessed it easily.
"Within a box lies a fierce general, sleeping peacefully when there's no trouble. When trouble arises, it goes out to battle, burning itself to achieve martyrdom. Guess a common household item."
Migguo couldn't think of it for a moment.
"Match."
Gu Qingcheng stated concisely and accurately.