Chapter 464: Chapter 464: No Artistic Cell
Sang Ning used the smallest shovel to refine the details, then placed her completed ice sculpture into the gift box specially prepared by the production team.
After finishing everything, she returned all the tools to their original places. It was only then that the photographer realized Sang Ning was already done and hurried over to capture a few shots. However, Sang Ning had already packed the ice sculpture into the gift box, leaving no chance to see its appearance.
Thinking about the chaotic way Sang Ning operated earlier, the photographer didn’t feel it was a pity. There’d still be opportunities to shoot the sculpture later during the official selling phase.
Sang Ning’s workspace was exceptionally quiet, while Lu Yujing’s spot was bustling with activity. The guests were clustered around her, frequently praising her ice sculpture. Even the clumsy Qin Feng asked Lu Yujing to personally help refine his ice sculpture.
The ice sculpture master didn’t hold back with his compliments for Lu Yujing: "At first, I thought this young lady was a bit arrogant. Now, I realize she truly has the qualifications to be proud, unlike some young folks who only go through the motions."
While speaking, he cast a pointed glance at Sang Ning.
Sang Ning felt wronged. How had she gone through the motions? She had clearly worked on her sculpture very seriously, okay?
Lu Yujing noticed the disdainful look the ice sculpture master gave Sang Ning and smiled as she turned to her. "Ningbao, I have some experience with ice sculpting. Do you want me to help you out? Maybe you can sell it for a better price later."
"Thank you for your kindness, but I’ve already finished it. I don’t think it’s good to touch it again. Whatever price it sells for, I’ll accept it," Sang Ning replied calmly.
Lu Yujing craned her neck to look but couldn’t see Sang Ning’s ice sculpture. Though a scornful thought rose in her mind, she kept her expression neutral. "Judging from your tone, you seem quite satisfied with your work. That puts me at ease."
Sang Ning responded casually, "It’s alright. If I’m lucky, making enough for a ticket should be no problem."
The ice sculpture master shook his head in disappointment, remarking, "Young people these days are so impulsive. They don’t have much skill, but they sure talk big."
Sang Ning didn’t argue. She picked up her ice sculpture and walked away.
Among the guests were several celebrities. The production team was worried that there might be fans among the visitors once they entered the park. To ensure fairness, they assigned animal headpieces to each guest and instructed them to wear the headpieces while selling their ice sculptures.
Sang Ning’s assigned headpiece was the same as Lu Yujing’s—a deer head.
Once everyone had completed their ice sculptures, having spent nearly the entire day working on them, the production team arranged for lunch at the amusement park to replenish their energy.
The sun set early in Bing City. After finishing their meal, it was not yet four o’clock, but the sky was already starting to get dark.
As night fell, all the colorful lights in the amusement park were switched on. Under the dark sky, a majestic ice and snow world shimmered with light, resembling a fairytale land.
The park’s bells began to chime, signaling that shopkeepers and vendors were preparing to start business. Visitors lining up at the entrance slowly began to enter. The guests donned their headpieces and went to their assigned selling spots arranged by the production team.
The commercial areas within the park were all neatly organized. The ice sculpture selling spot for the guests was located in the specialty crafts market zone. Although it was called a selling point, there wasn’t even a proper display table—just a signboard with the words "Ice Sculpture Sales" written on it.
Without tables, the guests had no choice but to hold their gift boxes in their hands. However, since holding the signboard would require extra hands they didn’t have, it was hung around their necks as envisioned by the production team.
Seven guests stood in a row, holding their gift boxes with signboards hanging from their chests. The lineup had a strangely comical vibe.
Off to the side, Song Shiye noticed the stares from passersby and felt awkward. He shrugged uneasily and joked, "The production team is really stingy. Why do I feel like I’m selling myself instead of selling ice sculptures?"
Through the gaps in her headpiece, Sang Ning glanced around and thought their lineup did look extremely odd. It was reminiscent of people in ancient times holding an urn of family ashes by the roadside, pleading for burial funds. The only difference was, they weren’t kneeling.
"Can you guys spread out a bit? We’re just selling something; do we really need to stand so close together?" Sang Ning said, as she actively moved away from the group. She wasn’t sure why, but even though she had been standing perfectly well on her own, everyone had somehow formed into a line with her at its center.
Once Sang Ning moved away, the others naturally scattered too. She then overheard grumbling from beneath the goat headpiece nearby: "I’ve never sold anything before. How am I supposed to start?"
The person under the goat headpiece was Li Haidong. Just as he finished speaking, Wei Lan, wearing a polar bear headpiece beside him, jumped in, "No need to start anything. Don’t we have signboards? Just rely on the concept of ’buyer beware.’ With so many visitors in the park tonight, I bet there’s at least one person who’ll want to buy something. Wait for people to ask us first, then we name our price."
Li Haidong trusted his wife’s idea and nodded in approval. "Alright, let’s just find somewhere to sit and wait it out. There’s no time limit anyway, as long as we sell something."
The two of them actually gave up on proactive selling, found a visible spot, and sat down to wait. Any visitor passing by would be sure to notice them.
Sang Ning felt this matched her impression of Li Haidong perfectly. He looked exactly like someone who wouldn’t lower himself to actively sell goods.
Apart from Li Haidong and Wei Lan, the others chose to approach visitors and promote their products actively. Everyone opened the lids of their gift boxes, exposing the ice sculptures inside to entice the tourists.
Sang Ning wasn’t in a rush. While everyone else was busy opening their boxes and introducing their sculptures, she continued watching from the side, showing no intention of unboxing her gift.
Lu Yujing was unexpectedly proactive. Though she often gave off a lofty, inaccessible vibe, this time she managed to lower herself and mingle well. Spotting a middle-aged man decked out with a gold chain, she trotted over in small steps and sweetly said, "Big Brother, hang on a second! This is an ice sculpture I made myself. Would you be interested in buying one? It’s very affordable!"
Lu Yujing’s voice was naturally sweet, and she deliberately softened her tone, making her words carry a hint of coquettishness even hard for women to resist. Sang Ning felt half her body go limp just listening to it.
Sure enough, the man stopped walking, lowered his gaze to the ice sculpture inside Lu Yujing’s gift box, and casually asked, "How much for this thing?"
Lu Yujing, sensing an opportunity, hurriedly replied, "Not expensive at all—just 280 yuan, and it’s yours!"
"What? 280 yuan?!" The man’s eyes widened in shock. "It’s an ice sculpture, not a gold sculpture! Charging 280 yuan for a block of ice? You might as well just rob me!"
Fearing he’d be further entangled, the man turned to leave. Lu Yujing refused to give up, holding her ice sculpture protectively and reaching out with her other hand to stop him. "Big Brother, don’t go! This is an artwork; it’s really not expensive. Would you mind taking a closer look?"
Her voice was even sweeter and more syrupy than before, but this time, the man wouldn’t fall for it. He vigorously shook his sleeve free and spat angrily, "Pfft! Don’t talk to me about art. I’ve got every type of cell except an art cell!"
