The Game of Life

The audience unleashed uncontrollable gasps and quiet shrieks and murmurs, if they had any sense left and remembered that this was a cooking competrtton and not a dating show, they might have erupted into unanimous applause shouting “Together, together, together!” or “I approve of this marriage. Whether they came for Zhang Guanghang or not, all the beautiful and not-so-beautiful girls held their breath, barely daring to exhale as they watched Wu Minqi, as if they themselves were the ones being confesse to, with Zhang Guanghang as the subject of affection. They wished they could step into Wu Minqi’s shoes and accept the confession on her behalf.

The male lead of this confession had experienced a complete system shutdown.

_If the thoughts in his mind could turn into visible rolling subtitles across Jiang Feng’s face, the scene would undoubtedly be spectacular, and the subtitles would be scrolling at double speed.

Jiang Feng felt like he was going insane; what was he doing just now? Wasn’t it Wu Minqi who confessed first? Why did it seem like he suddenly took the reins, switching from a passive to an active role, his mind impulsively deciding to confess to someone during a live broadcast?

He was just an unadulterated, pollution-free single dog with 21 years of bachelorhood under his belt, having never dated. How did the story develop

like this?

The director below the stage was overwhelmed with excitement; at that moment, he felt he was not just a director of a variety show, but that he had become the director of an idol drama, filming the most thrilling and climactic

confession scene.

“Close-up, close-up, give me a close-up of Wu Minqi! Yes, right this shot this angle, now switch to the wide view, right, the one that frames the two of them

together.”

The cameraman thought the director might have lost his mind. “Alright,” Wu Minqi picked up the microphone, smiling as she spoke.

Jiang Feng looked up, their eyes meeting.

Wu Minqi flashed him a sweet smile, sweeter than ever before, sweeter than Sweet and Sour Yam, sweetness that reached deep into the heart.

“I’m thrilled to be your girlfriend, happy birthday, dear.”

Jiang Feng’s face turned a sudden shade of red.

ft was as if fireworks were exploding in his brain; he hadn’t felt this way when he impulsively took control and confessed moments ago; but now, it was as i his soul had left his body. His brain couldn’t control his movements, everything felt mechanical, unreal, and ethereal.

He floated down from the stage as if he was walking on clouds, each step lacking the sensation of solid ground beneath his feet. The six judges spectating revealed matchmaker-like smiles, and even Zhang Guanghang and the always taciturn and indifferent Gu Li congratulated him with a smile. Turning his head, he saw Wu Minqi smiling radiantly behind him. His soul returned to his body, and he stepped back onto solid ground.

“I…” Jiang Feng didn’t know what to say.

“I’m very happy,” Wu Minqi looked at him, grabbing his hand. “I’m really happy to be your girlfriend.”

Pei Shenghua had been sneakily glancing at the couple’s movements in the resting area, feeling over the moon inside, yet bragging outwardly, “Look at Old Tong, isn’t it all thanks to the push I gave? This window paper needed to be punctured, and it’s done. Young people these days-some are too open, some are too shy. It’s still up to us!”

With that attitude, he could boast about this for a year.

some blessing-like concluding remarks, and to leave. Mrs. Wu forcefully dragged Wu Hanxue

The host took the stage to give the audience began to prepare

away.

“Let me tell you, when we get out and meet Jiang’s mother and Jiang’s father, smile naturally. Don’t make a sour face, making it seem as if our cabbage was destroyed by pigs; who pursued whom, you know very well, don’t you. Jiang Feng is a good kid, look how romantic his public confession was, how much face it gave our Minqi. Don’t scare him with a sour face,” Mrs. Wu instructe and warned as she pulled Wu Hanxue along.

“At first I wasn’t in favor of Minqi confessing in public. Though it’s said ‘a girl chasing a boy is separated by merely a veil,’ it sort of lowers her value. Look how good it turned out now, the situation has reversed, now it looks as thoug Jiang Feng is chasing our Minqi,” Mrs. Wu kept rambling, “Oh right, when are you going back, when is your flight booked? Does Minqi still have another round in the competition, will they decide a third and fourth place.

■■You might as well go back in a couple of days, is the business at the restaurant busy? Even though Dad’s looking after it, he’s too old for that sort of work,

Mrs. Wu inquired.

■■NO worries, with my younger and second brothers there,” Wu Hanxue couldn’t possibly leave at such a critical time. He was annoyed whenever he saw Jiang Feng and couldn’t stop the feeling, “I’ll go back after Minqi finishes the competition.”

The departing audience was largely discussing the sudden confession they had just witnessed.

“Oh my god, it’s so romantic; when my boyfriend was pursuing me, eh, when my boyfriend confessed to me, it was quite romantic too,” sighed a pretty young lady.

“Come off it, don’t show off. When your boyfriend confessed to you with that big bunch of roses, it was super romantic, okay? We talked about it for a week,’ another pretty companion said, “My boyfriend confessed to me while I was eating, almost choked me to death.”

■■Forget it, at least your boyfriend confessed to you. My boyfriend, that blockhead, when I asked him out to a movie, he actually told me he???????????????????????????????? 1 nt i e

that movie and he wanted to play video games,” another not-so-pretty lady complained, “It was me who confessed, do you know how nervous and awkward I was that night? Not taking any initiative, even though it was almost a done deal, he just wouldn’t make a move!’

■ You know your boyfriend’s personality, always slow to react. He’s a prime stock, and you managed to snag him completely, and still, you’re here complaining to us,” they teased.

The group left laughing and chatting.

Ji Yue, who had always mingled among couples:…

So, in the end, only she is without a boyfriend, right?

Jiang Feng, this perennial bachelor, has found someone, yet she remains a lone wolf.

At the exit, singleton Ji Yue gazed up at the bleak night sky devoid of stars and sighed deeply.

Forget it, better to go back and work on my designs. When you’re poor, you fend for yourself; when you’re rich, you keep a toy boy.

A spinster and former senior like her won’t get a confession from anybody. Falling in love is out of the question; it’s just not going to happen in this lifetime. She can only get by watching idol dramas.

The audience had gradually left, while the Jiang Family was still reeling from the shock of their little piggy rooting for cabbage.

Mrs Wang Xiulian, who had quickly picked up on the clues, was the fastest to accept it. She slapped Mr. Jiang Jiankang’s thigh, and he let out a yelp.

■■Our boy… has grown up,” she uttered, filled with emotion.

■■Yeah he’s learned to root for cabbage.” Just days ago, Jiang Jiankang was worried about why Jiang Feng still didn’t have a girlfriend. Now, he was even doubting if everything that just happened was real.

“And he’s rooting for the cabbage right by his side.” Wang Xiulian didn’t expect her son to have such skills. She turned around abruptly, but Wu Minqi s mother and Wu Hanxue had already left.

“When you go out later, if you see Mrs. Wu, be sure to smile more warmly, got it? We need to be friendly; this was initiated by our Feng, and if Mr. Wu isn t pleased later, you’ll have to say some nice words!” Wang Xiulian instructe . Jiang Jiankang nodded repeatedly, wishing he could jot everything down in a notebook.

Jiang Weiming patted Jiang Weiguo. The old patriarch was still shocked by Jiang Feng’s recent move and said, “Let’s go, Feng has grown up.”

Everyone began to shake off their daze.

“Oh my gosh, Feng was so romantic just now. I want to find a boyfriend like that too,” Jiang Junlian began to daydream.

Jiang Zaidi glanced at his cousin and felt that if she maintained that standard for finding boyfriends, she might stay single for life.

Getting up, Jiang Zaidi wondered if, as Jiang Feng’s elder cousin and someone who had once had a girlfriend too, he should offer his wisdom to Jiang Feng and ensure his romantic journey could be sustainably developed.

This girlfriend was a great catch. Having had his fill of sweet and sour dishes, something spicy might not be bad either.

The four of them were going backstage, as the next competition would still feature the four of them, only now it had turned into the Jiang Feng-Gu i championship match and Wu Minqi-Zhang Guanghang third-place playoff. The day’s two matches had been totally unpredictable, with Zhang Guanghang and wu Minqi, who were strong contenders for the championship, getting ousted. The clear favorite for the title had now become impossible to predict. The four waited backstage, but the staff members who usually briefed them on the pre-match rules and commentary had yet to show. Instead, the chatterbox judge Pei Shenghua emerged from some doorway.

“Master Pei, good day,” the four greeted him in unison.

-I’m no master. I’m just here to explain the pre-match rules,” Pei Shenghua said with a smile. “The theme for the finals is quite simple, with no restrictions on ingredients. The topic is ’Original Intention.’”

“Original Intention?”

“Yes, Original Intention. Apart from not being able to make a dish that’s exactly the same as any you’ve done before, there are no limitations. All of you have the same topic. Today’s match is just a glimpse of your performance an doesn’t set your skills in stone. You all are exceptional young chefs with boundless futures, and no one can predict your prospects. So, I hope you’ll adjust your mindset and embrace the finals,” Pei Shenghua continued, “This topic comes fromjudge Xu Cheng, and if you ask me for more details, I’m afraid I can’t offer any explanations. The competition is three hours long, giving yo plenty of time to show off your skills and create dishes you want to make. Don’t worry about any constraints or think about the show’s effect. Do what you want to do, show your best ability, and the finals will be on next Friday, m very much looking forward to your results.”

Pei Shenghua then turned his gaze to Jiang Feng and said kindly, “It’s rare in our industry to see colleagues together like this. Young man, cherish it.”

Jiang Feng:…

For a moment, he felt his face was hot enough to fry an egg.

Pei Shenghua left quietly, his face carrying a subtle triumph and smile.

“Let’s go, our parents are waiting outside,” Wu Minqi said.

Upon hearing “our parents,” Jiang Feng panicked so much he almost couldn’t speak.

He was just a 21-year-old kid; why did he have to go through the hell of meeting the parents just as he started dating?

Walking along, Jiang Feng took Wu Minqi’s hand. “Min… Qiqi, can I ask you a question?” Jiang Feng said.

“Hmm?”

-Why do you like me?” Jiang Feng couldn’t understand. How could Wu Minqi a ■daughter of heaven’, winner in life, and a boss character, fall for someone like him, an utterly ordinary college student?

■■Why do you like me?” Wu Minqi countered.

“I don’t know.”

■■I don’t know either,” Wu Minqi said, “My mom told me, liking someone doesn’t need a reason, mutual affection doesn’t need a reason. If you like someone, you just do; why ask why?”

Wu Minqi looked at Jiang Feng: ”1 like you, and there’s no reason.”

Looking at Wu Minqi, Jiang Feng suddenly realized how silly his question had been.

Having such a girl like him, who wouldn’t be pleased, who wouldn’t like it? “Right, I like you, and there’s no reason.” Jiang Feng held Wu Minqi’s hand tightly as they both headed towards the exit.

At the exit, Mrs. Wang Xiulian was having a delightful conversation with Mrs.

Wu.

■■Yes Mrs Wu, I feel the same way. The kids have been so tired from the competition these past days. They really should go out and play tomorrow maybe do some shopping to unwind,” Wang Xiulian felt that she and Mrs. Wu really hit it off at first sight; Mrs. Wu was so gentle, considerate, and understanding. With Qiqi being such a good child, she must take after her

mother!

“I heard there’s a romantic movie that’s very popular recently. How about we let those two watch the movie and do some shopping tomorrow? Then they could go out to eat. If they don’t find the food outside to their liking, they cou come back here. Let Wu make the food, and you can rest at Jiang s. Mrs. u said with a smile.

■■No no no. How can we let your Wu do it? It should definitely be Jiankang who cooks. Jiang Jiankang, make a good table of dishes tomorrow. Let’s have a drink with… Mrs. wu and Mr. Wu and chat,” Wang Xiulian commanded.

“Sure, sure!” Jiang Jiankang said enthusiastically.

“Oh my, the kids are coming out!” Mrs. Wu said, tugging at Wu Hanxue and giving him a glare.

Wu Hanxue’s smile became even more forced.

When Jiang Feng approached Mrs. Wu and Wu Hanxue, he felt so awkward he didn’t know where to put his hands.

“Mrs. Wu… good evening, and to you too, Uncle,” Jiang Feng greeted.

“Ah, what a good boy,” Mrs. Wu said with a smile.

Wu Hanxue nodded stiffly in acknowledgment.

-Feng, tomorrow you and Qiqi don’t need to come help at the store. Your dad can manage it. You two should go out, have some fun, watch a movie. Oh, right, Mrs Wu was just telling me about a romantic movie that’s really good. Wang Xiulian had clearly mapped out tomorrow’s agenda for the two with Mrs. Wu

earlier.

“You…” Jiang Feng turned his head to look at Wu Minqi. “Watching a movie occasionally isn’t bad either,” she implied. “Then, see you tomorrow,” Jiang Feng said.

“See you tomorrow,” Wu Minqi said with a smile.

All the way home, Mrs. Wang Xiulian earnestly briefed Jiang Feng on what to do for a first date, using Mr. Jiang Jiankang as a negative example by listing all of his crude behaviors and poor performance during their first date. She advised Jiang Feng not to repeat the same mistakes, to make sure he prepared thoroughly with a step-by-step plan, and to have contingency strategies for any unexpected situations.

Jiang Feng listened intently, almost wishing to go back and write a summary report.

Parting at the Healthy Stir-fry Restaurant entrance, Wang Xiulian patted Jiang Feng on the shoulder, speaking earnestly, “Make sure you dress smartly tomorrow, and don’t you dare be late.

Jiang Feng nodded solemnly.

Back at the dormitory, standing at the door, Jiang Feng took out his phone wanting to send Wu Minqi a goodnight message on WeChat, only to see a stream of messages from her already displaying.

■■I don’t know when I started liking you. Maybe it was during the conversation we had in the high-speed train last semester, or maybe even before.”

“At first, I thought it was just a whim, and I asked Ji Yue to dig up everything about you. The more I knew, the more I liked you.”

“Today is your birthday, and I couldn’t figure out for the life of me what to get you as a birthday gift.”

“I’m giving myself to you, do you like your gift?

“Darling, good night.”

Jiang Feng stood at the dormitory door, his face adorned with an uncontrollable goofy smile.

He read those five messages over and over again, standing at the doorway, smiling like a 21-year-old big fool.

It was a while before Jiang Feng responded.

“Goodnight, darling.”

Wang Hao, alert to someone grinning foolishly at the door, opened it to find Jiang Feng standing there smiling stupidly, holding his phone, laughing more openly with every glance.

■■Feng, what are you looking at to be smiling like that?” Wang Hao’s phone screen was still open to his chat with his sweetheart, Zhenzhen.

“Looking at the goodnight message from my wife,” Jiang Feng walked into the dormitory, preparing to wash up.

Wang Hao: ???

???

???

Wife???

Had Feng gone mad after losing the match???

Wang Hao felt like he had missed out on something big after chatting with Zhenzhen all night. He tapped into the class group chat to ask others, only to see that the whole group was abuzz with discussions about Jiang Feng s pu i confession to Wu Minqi that evening.

Wang Hao:!!!

Public confession!!!

By the time Wang Hao caught up with the real story and was ready to speak, Jiang Feng had already gone into the bathroom.

In the bathroom, Jiang Feng opened his attribute panel.

[Mother’s Wish]Wang Xiulian has always hoped her son would find a gentle, understanding, and slim daughter-in-law. Please fulfill your mother’s wish and find such a girlfriend.[Choice; Yes/No]

Who expected that the day would come, so suddenly, so unexpectedly?

He clicked yes.

■■Ding! You have completed the side quest [Mother’s Wish], and you have received: [Engagement Ring] as a reward.”

Huh?

Engagement ring?!

This game… how did it turn so sympathetic all of a sudden! in the inventory, lay a dazzling, eye-catching, brilliant engagement ring, silent.

[Engagement Ring]: Using this ring to propose ensures a 100”/o success rate for your proposal. It can only be used once and can be worn forever.

This game, such an angel!

Angel!