Chapter Sixty-Two: Jealousy

The meaning behind Yu Xin’s words was clear; she was subtly mocking Su Wan Ning for deliberately stirring up controversy to boost the sales in her livestream. Su Wan Ning let out a cold laugh, showing no intention of letting it slide, and retorted directly, “What, are you jealous?”

Yu Xin was momentarily stunned, mouth agape and speechless, clearly not expecting Su Wan Ning to confront her so bluntly.

The audience in the livestream was equally astonished.

[Are they arguing now?]

[Su Wan Ning’s tongue really doesn’t spare anyone…]

[Doesn’t anyone else think Yu Xin’s remarks were snide? I want to call her out too!]

“I-I didn’t mean it like that, you—”

“Oh, I was just joking. Why are you so nervous? What did you mean, then?”

Yu Xin nervously tried to explain, but Su Wan Ning interrupted with a smile, her face transforming as if by magic back to a friendly expression, leaving Yu Xin even more dumbfounded.

She opened her mouth but couldn’t utter a single word, for exposing Su Wan Ning would mean exposing herself as well.

Thus, Yu Xin could only accept the loss, forcing an awkward smile. “It’s nothing.”

Su Wan Ning wiped the smile from her face and led her viewers to tour the orchard.

“By the way, didn’t you ask me about tips for selling goods in a livestream?” Su Wan Ning suddenly turned back, and Yu Xin stared blankly. “Ah?”

She smiled, “My fans say you’re selling the same products as me in your livestream. As long as you choose good items, there’s no need to worry. Keep it up.”

With that, Su Wan Ning strode off, leaving Yu Xin standing alone, unable even to maintain her awkward smile.

Selling the same products—wasn’t that just calling her out for copying Su Wan Ning?

Yu Xin’s hand at her side quietly clenched into a fist. She turned to the camera, forcing a smile. “Xiao Ning just likes to joke around. Let’s go, I’ll show you what Da Xi is up to…”

After lunch, the director gathered the four families at a villager’s home.

“This is one of the places in the village where pottery is made. Besides its abundant fruit, Yingshui Village is also famous for its local pottery, and the owner of this pottery workshop is a true master.”

The first floor had been converted into a stilted building, the walls lined with wooden cabinets displaying various pottery pieces and tools, while the floor was scattered with curious instruments.

At the director’s introduction, the owner stepped out—a disheveled young man, wearing an apron caked with mud.

His hair was long, covering most of his eyes, and he greeted the camera shyly.

“Today we’re inviting all the mothers and their children to experience the joy of pottery-making. Teacher Chen Jun will guide you, and by the end of the afternoon, each mother and child must make a gift for each other!”

Following the program’s arrangement, everyone found their little stools and sat down, with the children facing their mothers.

“I’ll demonstrate. First, pick up the clay at your side…”

Chen Jun was a man of few words, rarely lifting his head, focusing quietly on the clay in his hands.

The children and their parents imitated his actions, placing clay onto the spinning wheel.

“Gently step on the pedal beneath you…”

Listening to Chen Jun’s instructions, Su Wan Ning confidently pressed her foot down with a “click” while holding a lump of clay.

Instantly, the clay spun rapidly, and centrifugal force flung it outward, splattering her clothes, and even a few drops landed on her face.

“Ah!” Su Wan Ning called out in alarm, hurriedly moved her foot, and instinctively reached to wipe her face, but the clay, now uncontrolled, spun off the wheel and fell onto the floor with a splat.

Everyone looked over, the cameraman zooming in to capture Su Wan Ning’s embarrassing moment.

“Hahaha, Auntie Su is a little mud person!” Ming Ming was first to burst out laughing, soon joined by the other children. Nian Nian ran over, pattering on little feet, and handed Su Wan Ning a tissue to wipe her face.

Never expecting to make a fool of herself so soon, Su Wan Ning secretly resolved that today she would craft the two most beautiful gifts for her children!

Chen Jun glanced over, offering a casual reminder, “Go gently. Clay is alive.”

He then resumed his teaching, uninterested in Su Wan Ning’s antics, while she ignored his words and began her own creation.

The audience in the livestream watched as Su Wan Ning concentrated, holding a fresh lump of clay with reverence, pinching here, pushing there, employing every tool at her disposal—the spectacle was grand.

The other three, seeing Su Wan Ning’s dedication, assumed she was talented in this art, and quietly redoubled their efforts.

Su Wan Ning finished her two works first. To build suspense, the director didn’t show them to the camera but handed them to Chen Jun for firing.

Chen Jun glanced at the tray, the corners of his mouth twitching—an expression Su Wan Ning, standing before him, didn’t miss.

“There’s still some time. Do you want to try something else?” Chen Jun said with a hint of ambiguity.

“Sure!” Su Wan Ning answered. The others, still unfinished, took this as further proof of her talent and sped up their efforts.

Su Wan Ning picked up another lump of clay and sat down, seriously working on it.

Meanwhile, Yu Xin, the second to finish, went over to Da Xi, crouching beside him to fuss over him.

“How’s it going, Da Xi? Are you thirsty? Let me get you some water.”

“No, thanks.” Da Xi was engrossed in his work, not even looking up.

“Do you want some help?” Yu Xin persisted.

This time, Da Xi didn’t even reply, only shaking his head and frowning slightly in impatience.

Yu Xin felt awkward; after being repeatedly bested by Su Wan Ning today, she just wanted to boost her audience’s favor by interacting with Da Xi, but the child wouldn’t cooperate.

“Let me take you to the restroom. Look at your face—it’s all dirty.”

With a forced smile, Yu Xin half-insisted on taking Da Xi to the restroom. Once out of sight of the cameras, her smile disappeared instantly.

“Da Xi, have you forgotten what mom told you before? Recently, you need to interact with me more in front of the camera. What was that attitude just now?”

Da Xi was frightened and timidly nodded.

Meanwhile, Su Wan Ning’s works were the first to emerge.

“Sui Sui, Nian Nian, these are the little clay dolls I made for you! Do you like them?”

Su Wan Ning was full of enthusiasm, but the two lumps she held could barely be called human figures, and were far from attractive.

Next, Chen Jun brought out Su Wan Ning’s third piece—a large bowl with a fat cat’s face outlined on the rim, delightfully cute.