My Unconventional Online Dating - Chapter 56

Xiao Nianyuan was momentarily stunned when she heard about the reward—a visit to the game company. This was indeed quite generous. Normally, to prevent competitors from learning trade secrets, companies wouldn’t allow anyone outside of staff to enter. Yet now, the winners were being granted access.

Even for someone who knew nothing about games, just the opportunity to visit a game company was enough to make others envious.

Seeing Xiao Nianyuan remain silent for a while, Lian Qiushui asked hesitantly, “Do you want to participate?”

Xiao Nianyuan chuckled. “Even if I wanted to, I’d need the skills for it.”

Not only was her combat power low—she couldn’t even take down a dungeon boss—but she was also completely clueless about medical skills.

Still, the idea of visiting the game company did intrigue her. Perhaps she could gather some information about Sky City while there.

Lian Qiushui studied Xiao Nianyuan and seemed to have an inkling of her intentions. After a moment’s thought, she said, “If you have the money, you could just buy the reward.”

While visiting the game company would be something to boast about, most people would choose money if offered enough—it was a far more tangible benefit.

“How much?”

The question caught Lian Qiushui off guard. She frowned. “I’m not sure, but I can try to find out.”

If Xiao Nianyuan was interested, she was willing to help, even though the competition wasn’t over yet and there was no guarantee the winner would be willing to sell their spot.

“Let’s check it out first. No need to rush into asking.”

Wanting something was one thing; actually achieving it was another.

Originally, they had been sightseeing, but now they turned their attention to the participants. The competition had drawn a large crowd—mostly players, with a few NPCs mixed in.

The format was elimination-based. The first round pitted a large group against each other on a single stage, with the last hundred standing advancing.

The medical competition followed a similar structure, though most participants were healers with low offensive capabilities. Rather than fighting, their goal was simply to last as long as possible on stage. Since this competition was less intense, it had already begun three days prior.

From an NPC, they learned that only two hundred participants remained in the medical competition.

Xiao Nianyuan was incredulous. “If no one gives up and everyone just stays on stage, does that mean the competition drags on indefinitely?”

The NPC nodded. “Exactly. Only a hundred can advance—not one more.”

Xiao Nianyuan: “…”

At first glance, the medical competition seemed gentler, but in reality, it was far more grueling than straightforward combat.

Xiao Nianyuan and Lian Qiushui made their way to the medical competition grounds. On a massive stage, numerous participants sat cross-legged. Among them, one figure stood out—a young girl who appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen.

Seated in a corner with her eyes closed, she remained perfectly still. Unlike the others, whose faces were pale with exhaustion, her complexion was rosy and healthy.

Xiao Nianyuan’s gaze lingered on her for a moment, and Lian Qiushui noticed. Following her line of sight, she spotted the fair-skinned girl, whose serene expression made her seem anything but ordinary.

Normally, if Xiao Nianyuan showed interest in someone, Lian Qiushui would assume she wanted to make friends. But this time, her purpose here was different.

She turned to Xiao Nianyuan. “Do you want to talk to her?”

Xiao Nianyuan said, “I have a feeling she’ll win.”

Although Lian Qiushui felt a bit jealous, she nodded along with her words: “She does seem different from the others. She might actually make it to the end.”

“It’s a shame we can’t go talk to her during the competition. Otherwise, we could’ve befriended her before her victory—maybe she’d be willing to give us the company tour pass afterward.”

Not knowing how much longer the event would last, Lian Qiushui asked Xiao Nianyuan, “Want to check out other places?”

Xiao Nianyuan looked at her, and Lian Qiushui explained, “You can stay and watch if you want, but won’t it get a little boring?”

Xiao Nianyuan rarely logged in, and Lian Qiushui didn’t want her to just stand there waiting until the competition ended.

Xiao Nianyuan smiled softly at her. “How could I be bored when you’re here?”

Lian Qiushui flushed inexplicably but was delighted. “Really?” She immediately clung to Xiao Nianyuan’s arm, grinning. “You said it yourself.”

Xiao Nianyuan nodded. “Yes, I did.”

With Lian Qiushui around, Xiao Nianyuan never felt bored. Even if they were just quietly sitting together, doing nothing, it still felt wonderful.

They didn’t have to wait long before the other contestants gradually dropped out, leaving only that girl on stage.

Xiao Nianyuan perked up—she hadn’t misjudged her. Now, she just hoped the girl would be easy to talk to later.

The NPC hosting the competition announced the girl’s victory, awarded the prize on the spot, and told her to check her inbox for the company tour invitation.

When the girl stepped down, many eyes followed her.

Xiao Nianyuan approached her. The girl eyed her warily. “What do you want?”

Xiao Nianyuan asked, “How did you do it?”

The girl countered, “Do what?”

“How are you a player but didn’t need to log out to eat for days during the competition?”

The girl smirked. “What’s so great about food?”

Xiao Nianyuan: “…”

Seemed like a kid who didn’t like eating.

As Xiao Nianyuan pondered how to broach the subject, Lian Qiushui cut straight to the chase. “Can you give us your company tour pass?”

Xiao Nianyuan froze. She’d been thinking of ways to warm up to the girl before asking, but Lian Qiushui just outright demanded it.

The girl sized up Lian Qiushui, then glanced at Xiao Nianyuan. “You two together?”

Lian Qiushui shrugged. “Does it matter? Give us the pass, and we’ll agree to anything you want.”

After a pause, the girl extended her hand. “Call me Yin Peilan.”

Lian Qiushui’s eyes lit up. “So you’ll give it to us?” She shook Yin Peilan’s hand.

Yin Peilan said, “Sure, but that ‘anything’ offer—was that serious?”

Lian Qiushui nodded. “Absolutely. Anything.”

Yin Peilan pointed at her. “Then you play with me.”

“Sure, what do you want to play?” Lian Qiushui agreed easily. “I’ll join you whenever I’m free.”

Yin Peilan shook her head. “Not just occasionally. When I want you, you have to come immediately.”

Lian Qiushui hesitated, while Xiao Nianyuan frowned.

Lian Qiushui tried to explain, “I can’t always be at your beck and call.”

Yin Peilan shrugged and said, “Fine, forget it then.”

Lian Qiushui anxiously replied, “Wait, let me think about it.”

Before she could decide, Xiao Nianyuan grabbed her wrist and pulled her close, frowning as she said, “She’s not your plaything.”

“I wasn’t forcing her. If she’s unwilling, then so be it,” Yin Peilan said before turning to leave.

Lian Qiushui grew frantic and said to Xiao Nianyuan, “Let’s talk it over with her. If she leaves, how will you get into the gaming company?”

Xiao Nianyuan held Lian Qiushui’s hand tightly, refusing to let her chase after Yin Peilan. “If I can’t get in, then so be it. Why should you have to obey her every whim?”