Free Web NovelChapter 199: Chapter 197: Game Arcade Date
Mirene’s eyes reddened, and he looked at Bai Su, his gaze full of hurt. His vulnerable expression made the onlookers’ hearts ache for him.
He stubbornly met Bai Su’s gaze for a long moment before finally admitting defeat, turning and running miserably out of the restaurant.
Seeing this, Yan Qingya hurried over. "Susu, how could you..."
Bai Su looked a little weary. "Are you going to blame me for hurting his feelings, too?"
Yan Qingya said, "Of course not. But in a place this public, you and he are both public figures..."
She was afraid Bai Su would get flamed online.
The more popular and followed a public figure is, the more their every word and action is magnified on the internet.
Bai Su had just rejected him so bluntly and impolitely, and Yan Qingya had seen someone recording it.
That video would definitely be on the internet by tomorrow at the latest, and Bai Su would surely face a storm of criticism. Yan Qingya could see it coming a mile away.
Bai Su understood her friend’s look and patted her on the shoulder. "I get plenty of hate online. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine."
’As long as I don’t care, their words are just farts in the wind.’
Yan Qingya gave her a headache-ridden look and couldn’t help but start complaining about that fish. "Honestly, did he have to emotionally blackmail you in front of everyone? He could have just done it in private, and everyone could have kept their dignity."
Bai Su patted her shoulder. "My shift is over. You watch the shop."
Yan Qingya had her popcorn and sunflower seeds ready. "You’re not staying to watch the shop with me?"
She was all set to spend three hours with Bai Su cursing out that dead fish of a Mermaid.
A smile touched Bai Su’s lips. "Nope. I’m going on a date."
Yan Qingya was about to say something else when she saw Li Chenlin’s ridiculously flashy red sports car drift to a stop at the restaurant’s entrance.
"..."
’Damn that flashy snake, always with the theatrics.’
’No, this won’t do. Tomorrow, I’m grabbing my Beast Husband from home and making him learn a thing or two!’
Bai Su got into Li Chenlin’s car.
It had been a long time since she had been this relaxed.
Only Li Chenlin always had time to take her out and have fun.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Bai Su started to feel a flicker of anticipation. "What are we doing for fun today?"
Li Chenlin’s lips curved. "Something a little more exciting today."
’I spent all last night cramming knowledge from "domineering CEO" novels. I’m terrifyingly good at this now!’
They pulled up in front of a holographic game center.
Bai Su paused. "This is?"
Li Chenlin smiled. "I’m taking you to play a game to relax."
’This was the one I found after searching every game center in the entire Imperial City—the one most suitable for bringing couples closer.’
’Today, I’ll definitely be able to hold her hand!’
Brimming with confidence, Li Chenlin walked around to the other side to open the door for Bai Su.
The two of them entered the game center.
Not long after they went in, a father-and-daughter pair of Cat Beastmen, one large and one small, followed them inside.
...
It was Bai Su’s first time in a place like this. She didn’t know anything, so she could only stand there obediently with her hands out, letting Li Chenlin treat her like a child as he put on her helmet, mask, protective gear, and special shoes.
Li Chenlin said, "This is a holographic forest adventure simulation. The people and monsters inside are virtual, but you’ll still feel pain if you get hit."
"Besides us, there are other two-person teams, also players exploring the map. They might attack us."
"Just stick with me. I’ll protect you, and we’ll break through all the obstacles to find the treasure deep in the forest!"
Bai Su couldn’t help the smile that tugged at her lips. Curious and excited, she nodded. "Okay!"
Li Chenlin’s eyes darkened slightly. He unconsciously pressed the tip of his tongue against the roof of his mouth, but in the end, he just restrained himself and reached out to rub her soft, drooping rabbit ears. "Such a good girl."
The two of them entered the forest.
Bai Su looked at the scene before her with curiosity. One second she was in the game center’s hallway; the next, after pushing open a door, she had stepped into an incredibly realistic jungle.
She could even smell the unique scent of dark earth and the fragrance of leaves warmed by the sun, released into the damp air.
’So comfortable.’
Bai Su unconsciously narrowed her eyes and stretched contentedly.
Li Chenlin took her hand and led her deeper into the forest.
As they went deeper, Bai Su discovered chests hidden under many of the trees.
Li Chenlin led her around to open the chests. Some contained weapons, some held treasure, and some hid sea monsters.
They also ran into a few other groups of players along the way, but Li Chenlin basically drove them all off.
Bai Su asked curiously, "What’s our mission?"
Li Chenlin patted her little head. "A huge treasure is hidden in one of the chests deep in the forest. Once we get that treasure, we can end this battle."
Only then did Bai Su begin to understand the rules of the game.
No wonder Li Chenlin kept leading her to look for chests.
The deeper the two of them went, the more chests and monsters they encountered.
Some monsters followed them from a distance, not getting close, as if waiting for an opportunity. Their gazes were fixed on Bai Su, ready to strike.
Apparently, the monsters had also figured out that this team’s weak point was Bai Su.
An idea flashed through Bai Su’s mind, and she thought about using her Clone ability.
But on second thought, ’since this is a holographic game, there are probably cameras everywhere.’
’I’d better not expose my life-saving Skills in front of so many people.’
Li Chenlin suddenly looked at a chest in the distance and said, "Susu, you go open that chest."
Bai Su was taken aback. "Me?"
Li Chenlin nodded. "See the monster next to that chest? That’s a Nine-headed Monster, a type of sea creature. It looks like a Nine-headed Serpent, but its front half is an octopus and its back half is a snake. It’s a fierce beast from the bottom of the sea that preys on passing Beastmen."
"But if you’re a female, and a weak one at that, it will judge you to be gentle and harmless—one of its children. If you get hurt, it will even come and protect you."
"So, it’s better if you open the chest guarded by the Nine-headed Monster."
Bai Su nodded in understanding and cautiously tried to approach the chest.
The Nine-headed Monster coiled around the tree was resting quietly.
Although one of its heads saw her, it didn’t seem to sense any aggression from her, so it paid her no mind.
Bai Su secretly breathed a sigh of relief, approached the treasure chest, and opened it.
There were no monsters or weapons inside the chest, just a bracelet.
She picked up the bracelet, puzzled, and looked at Li Chenlin. "It’s a bracelet."
Li Chenlin’s lips curved, and he feigned confusion. "Is it? Bring it over and let me see."
Bai Su brought the bracelet back to Li Chenlin.
Li Chenlin glanced at the bracelet in her hand, his lips curving. "Susu, you’re so lucky. You found such a beautiful bracelet as soon as you opened a chest. Do you like it?"
Bai Su looked at the bracelet in her hand—a design that looked like several little snakes biting gems to form a chain—and suddenly looked at Li Chenlin. "You didn’t put this in here, did you?"
Li Chenlin didn’t deny it. "Do you like it?"
Bai Su didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "You really did put it here? Why the sudden urge to give me this?"
Li Chenlin’s lips curved. "Let’s just say it’s to make up for the birthday I missed with you last year."
Only then did Bai Su realize what the "Happy Birthday" placed next to the chest was all about.
