Chapter 40 - 39: Inviting You into the Urn

Words : 1358 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 40: Chapter 39: Inviting You into the Urn The fifth day of the New Year arrived. From afar and near, the sounds of firecrackers rose and fell in succession. The fifth day is also known as “Breaking the Fifth,” signifying “sending off the New Year.” After this day, the New Year was essentially considered over, and everything would return to its normal state. Businesses opened, and some workplaces resumed work. Qin Yize had not returned home all night, and the Qin family was somewhat displeased early in the morning. Nevertheless, firecrackers had to be set off, and dumplings had to be eaten. Moreover, Gu Qiaoqiao’s dumpling fillings were so deliciously fresh and aromatic that, along with the dipping sauce, they almost made one want to swallow their tongue. Qin Xuan had heard from his wife last night about Gu Qiaoqiao wanting a divorce, but he didn’t take it to heart. Though slightly displeased, he didn’t show it. They were leaving in a few days anyway, so why stir up unpleasantness? Besides, this matter absolutely couldn’t be let known to the old mother. However, Gu Qiaoqiao’s culinary skills were indeed remarkable. His son would be fortunate in the future. Shen Manru, seeing Gu Qiaoqiao’s demeanor, felt slightly more at ease. She was also considering that her mother-in-law, husband, and daughter all loved the dumpling fillings made by Gu Qiaoqiao. She should buy some fillings before Gu Qiaoqiao left and have Gu Qiaoqiao help prepare them. That way, they could enjoy them for a longer period. However, she had no intention of learning herself. Having to learn from Gu Qiaoqiao, whom she had once looked down upon, would be humiliating. The breakfast on the fifth morning ended under these varying thoughts. After cleaning up, Gu Qiaoqiao placed a walnut in her pocket. At this time, the people of the Qin family were busy with their own affairs. Gu Qiaoqiao stood by the side of Duobao Pavilion, quietly looking through the window toward the direction of the main gate. If the trajectory of events in this life did not go awry, Bai Yun would come to ask her out to play. In her previous life, after an embarrassing night, she had locked herself in her room, with only Grandma Qin bringing in her meals. New Year’s Eve, the first day of the New Year, and the third day—she had caused trouble consecutively during these three days, and Shen Manru wished she could kill her. The Qin family’s New Year was indescribably difficult. And her already insecure heart had become somewhat confused after successive setbacks. After the dramas of New Year’s Eve and the first day, the incident on the night of the third day was seen by the Qin family as Gu Qiaoqiao getting what she deserved. No one asked what exactly had happened, so Bai Yun appeared again, becoming her only savior. She then took her out, and they encountered Sun Yingke and Ning Yuli’s group at the mall, where Gu Qiaoqiao was ridiculed once more. That time, Gu Qiaoqiao truly became furious. She rushed forward and began fighting with Sun Yingke and Ning Yuli. Gu Qiaoqiao had never known she had such fierceness in her, and she almost strangled Ning Yuli to death. Of course, she ended up the worst off. It was so bad that Gu Qiaoqiao forcefully suppressed the memories, avoiding self-torment. Sun Yingke and Ning Yuli were mere accomplices. The most deserving of death was Bai Yun. However, that scene would never happen again in this life. And Bai Yun was someone she could not let go. If she did not come, she would have to take the initiative. As it turned out, Bai Yun did not disappoint her expectations and pushed open the gate of the Qin residence. At that moment, Gu Qiaoqiao was the only person in the vast living room. Bai Yun immediately saw Gu Qiaoqiao standing by Duobao Pavilion. A surge of hatred emerged, “This bitch, why didn’t she just die.” She masked the maliciousness in her eyes and slowly broke into a smile. Just as she was about to speak, she keenly noticed that Gu Qiaoqiao’s expression was somewhat panicked. When Gu Qiaoqiao saw Bai Yun, her hand clutching the walnut hastily shoved it into her trouser pocket. Then, looking at Bai Yun in a flustered panic, she even stuttered, “Bai… Yun, you’ve… arrived, I’ll go back to my room first.” Saying this, she hurried towards her room as if chased by ghosts. Completely unlike her usual self. In that instant, Bai Yun’s eyes caught sight of something resembling a walnut that Gu Qiaoqiao stuffed into her trouser pocket. Bai Yun looked suspiciously at the spot where Gu Qiaoqiao had just been standing, her eyes suddenly widening. She often visited the Qin Family, and though she dared not touch the items on Duobao Pavilion, she knew what they all were. On the third layer of the grid, there should have been a nucleus carving. A rather ordinary shape of a cicada, but since it was an artefact from the Qianlong era, it was also a significant antique. S~eaʀᴄh the ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At this moment, Gu Qiaoqiao, now dressed in a down jacket, hurried out again. With evasive eyes, she seemed very flustered as she said, “Bai Yun, go hang out with Xiao Yu. I need to step out for a bit.” “Sister-in-law, where are you going? Can you take me with you?” Bai Yun seemed to have forgotten her purpose of coming and also overlooked the embarrassment from the day before. “No,” Gu Qiaoqiao raised her voice in refusal and then frantically explained, “I’m going out to buy some daily necessities, also need to pick up some things for my family…” “Buying things…” “No, no, not buying things for my family, you heard wrong, okay, I need to go…” Saying this, Gu Qiaoqiao stopped looking at Bai Yun, pushed the door, and hurriedly walked towards the yard. Bai Yun immediately realized, looking in the direction of Duobao Pavilion, she knew Gu Qiaoqiao had no money on her. What would she use to buy things for her family? Could it be that she had stolen the nucleus carving? It must be so. Bai Yun’s eyes suddenly became intensely determined. What a perfect opportunity. She was determined to make Gu Qiaoqiao unable to stay in the Qin Family any longer. Decisively, she ran out and upon seeing Gu Qiaoqiao’s retreating figure, she quietly followed her. From the corner of her eye, Gu Qiaoqiao caught a glimpse of that sneaky, secretive figure and her lips curled into a cold smirk. Thus, Gu Qiaoqiao boarded the bus, and Bai Yun squeezed through the crowd to follow her aboard. The fifth day of the Lunar New Year was crowded; blending into the crowd she was not easily noticed. They then arrived at the famous Antique Street in the Imperial Capital. Gu Qiaoqiao took out a box, looked around pretentiously guilty, and then entered the largest antique shop in the Imperial Capital—Yubao Square. Once she entered, she instantly became composed and calm. At this moment, Bai Yun must be waiting outside. She would only leave after confirming that Gu Qiaoqiao had indeed sold the nucleus carving. At this time, there weren’t many people inside Yubao Square, but those present were indeed well-dressed, either rich or noble. Though it was the 1980s, and China had opened up, there were still many poor people; having a good New Year was already a blessing; who would have spare money to come here? Even if they were just window shopping, they lacked the confidence. Gu Qiaoqiao looked around and headed towards a wooden counter that was both wide and large. In her eyes, the counter seemed to be made of red sandalwood. Behind the counter was a middle-aged man wearing glasses, about forty years old. Frequently mingling in this line, his eyes could be called discerning. Thus, cheerfully greeting, “Miss, do you have any treasures to sell?”

Chapter 40 - 39: Inviting You into the Urn

Comments (0)