Lin Qianshuang, standing nearby, had been keeping a close eye on the situation. Seeing that Gu Jiangyue's expression seemed a bit off, she became even more intrigued. She had originally hoped to see Gu Jiangyue make a fool of herself. Unfortunately, her wish hadn't come true earlier, but now was a perfect opportunity.
"Miss Gu may not be willing to compete. Why should you force her, Young Master Qin? Miss Gu must be busy practicing the piano all day. When would she have the chance to learn archery?"
Although Lin Qianshuang seemed to be speaking up for Gu Jiangyue on the surface, she was actually sneering at her subtly.
"If Miss Gu agrees to compete with me today and wins, I might consider giving the Qin family's restaurant to her."
Qin Anjie saw that Lin Qianshuang disliked Gu Jiangyue as much as he did. He also noticed the deep gratitude in Gu Zhengwan's eyes when she looked at him. Feeling quite satisfied, he was even more determined not to let Gu Jiangyue off easily. He wanted to humiliate her thoroughly.
If she didn't accept the challenge today, it would mean that her skills were poor and Gu Yanwu didn't value her at all, having neglected her. If she did accept, it would confirm her reputation as greedy. He was eager to see how Gu Jiangyue would preserve the hard - won face.
"I'm willing to compete with you."
Gu Jiangyue lowered her head and remained silent for a while. Then she looked up at Qin Anjie seriously. To Qin Anjie's surprise, there were tears glistening in Gu Jiangyue's eyes. Her nose was slightly red, looking as if she had suffered a great injustice and was on the verge of crying.
"I don't want your restaurant. But you must apologize to my father in front of everyone and pay tribute to his spirit in heaven."
Gu Jiangyue looked at Qin Anjie, who was standing still in a daze, and sneered inwardly.
Although she wanted to open a shop and this was a good opportunity, if she agreed without hesitation, she would surely fall into their trap. The Qin family's restaurant was indeed a good one, but this matter needed careful consideration. She couldn't act rashly. The most urgent thing was to solve the current trouble.
Qin Anjie was a bit dazed, but he wasn't stupid. The coldness in Gu Jiangyue's eyes just now made him feel as if he had needles pricking his back. How could Gu Jiangyue be so calculating one moment and then look so aggrieved the next? She must be pretending.
But this act seemed to work on others. Nian Zhengqing, standing beside them, clenched his fists tightly. If Gu Jiangyue hadn't said that she wanted to handle this herself, he would have rushed up to beat Qin Anjie severely.
Seeing that everyone was reacting, Gu Jiangyue pressed on. She quickly opened her mouth again, her voice choking.
"My father was an upright man. He fought bravely on the battlefield to defend the safety of the Great Xia. He sacrificed himself for the country. But in your mouth, Young Master Qin, he became a man who neglected his family. Don't forget, Young Master Qin, whose sacrifice has given you the land under your feet. If I win against you today, please apologize to my father!"
Although Gu Jiangyue's voice was young, every word was clear and she was neither overbearing nor humble. Many people were deeply touched and silently cursed Qin Anjie for being heartless. To defend the woman he liked, he would say anything.
Qin Anjie was stunned by Gu Jiangyue's words. His face turned a bit pale, and his lips twitched. He didn't know what to say in his defense. He had originally wanted to provoke Gu Jiangyue with her father, but now that his goal was achieved, he felt as if he was the one who had fallen into a trap.
"I... I will surely apologize if I lose. Stop talking nonsense. Let's start quickly!"
Even if Qin Anjie was stupid, he knew that saying more wouldn't do him any good. Little did he know that the moment he said they should start the competition, his guilt was already established. Whether he won or lost, he would be despised.
Gu Jiangyue raised her hand to wipe away the tears that were about to fall from the corner of her eyes. She pretended to be strong and walked firmly onto the platform.
Under her wide sleeve, the corner of her lips curled up into a victorious smile.
This scene happened to catch Xie Jiuan's eye. Watching Gu Jiangyue's excellent acting just now, he almost spat out the tea he had just drunk. He really didn't expect this little girl to be even better at acting than him.
On the platform, Gu Jiangyue and Qin Anjie stood facing each other. Although Gu Jiangyue was only fifteen years old, the crying look on her face had disappeared. There was only coldness on her face as she stared fixedly at Qin Anjie in front of her. Her aura was in no way inferior.
Qin Anjie felt a shiver run down his spine under her stare.
"Let's do something different. When one person shoots an arrow, the other must balance a grass fruit on their head. Each person only has one arrow. If you can hit it, you win. If you miss, you're not responsible. I wonder if Miss Gu dares to play?"
Qin Anjie introduced the rules, looking at Gu Jiangyue playfully.
But Gu Jiangyue wasn't the least bit afraid.
"Sure."
As soon as Gu Jiangyue's voice fell, she picked up the bow and arrow placed beside her. She tilted her chin at Qin Anjie, indicating that he should shoot first.
Qin Anjie didn't waste any more words. He took the grass fruit handed over by the maid and placed it on his head. He wasn't afraid that Gu Jiangyue would miss. Gu Jiangyue was thin and weak. Her strength in pulling the bow should be limited. As long as she missed, he could dodge easily. But he had plenty of strength. If he missed, Gu Jiangyue definitely wouldn't be able to dodge.
Qin Anjie didn't even consider the possibility that Gu Jiangyue could hit the target.
Gu Jiangyue stared at the grass fruit on Qin Anjie's head. She nocked the arrow and pulled the bow in one smooth motion. Her actions were quick and seamless, which made Qin Anjie pause for a moment.
Gu Jiangyue closed one eye and aimed the arrow at the grass fruit, which was just about the size of her palm.
She was an excellent archer and could hit a running hare from a hundred miles away. Hitting this grass fruit was naturally no problem.
"Don't move."
Gu Jiangyue slightly parted her lips and coldly uttered two words. Then she released the sharp arrow in her hand, which flew straight forward. One could only see its after - image and hear the sound of it cutting through the air.
In an instant, everyone below the platform fell silent. They didn't even dare to blink.
The sharp arrow steadily pierced through the grass fruit and brought it to the ground.
Everyone below the platform was silent for a while, and then a continuous and deafening round of applause erupted.
The bow was originally difficult to pull, but Gu Jiangyue had actually hit the target. Qin Anjie frowned. Even he wasn't sure that he could hit it.
It was his turn. The tips of his fingers holding the bow and arrow were turning slightly white. Looking at Gu Jiangyue in front of him, who showed no expression and wasn't the least bit flustered, Qin Anjie gritted his teeth. Since Gu Jiangyue had already hit the target, he couldn't win no matter what. He might as well...
As he thought, Qin Anjie nocked the arrow and pulled the bow with all his strength. But instead of aiming at the grass fruit on Gu Jiangyue's head, he aimed at her right arm.
The arrow whistled through the air.
Gu Jiangyue watched the arrow flying towards her faster and faster. It was so fast that she could hardly see it clearly. It was obvious that the arrow wasn't aimed at the grass fruit. Cold sweat broke out on her forehead. She could only move a little at most, and she couldn't guarantee that she could dodge the arrow.
If she was hit in the right arm, she would be finished.
Just then, Gu Jiangyue suddenly felt a darkness in front of her eyes and couldn't see anything.