Chapter Two: The Ocean Cruise (Part 1)

The people around were cheering, but when they saw the man’s appearance, their expressions turned odd, as if… they were all jealous of the man proposing.

Zhao Jinchun’s expression was complicated.

What was going on?

Why was her boyfriend here?

The system watched with relish: “He’s really good-looking. No wonder a man would confess to him, right?”

The system tried to get its host’s agreement, wanting to remind her that this was what handsome looked like, and that her own kappa-faced boyfriend ought to be drowned in a river.

Zhao Jinchun said nothing.

The man kneeling on the ground gazed up infatuatedly, trying to get closer and grab Qi Yan’s hand, but before he could touch him, a woman stepped in the way.

The man’s infatuation shifted instantly to wariness. “Who are you?”

Zhao Jinchun stood between him and Qi Yan, towering above, her expression helpless. “Sir, this is the first time you two have met. Maybe you should be a bit more rational.”

The young man snapped angrily, “What’s it to you?”

The moment Zhao Jinchun appeared in front of Qi Yan, his eyes brightened; the cold indifference and boredom in his gaze were replaced by other emotions, a flush coloring the corners of his eyes, looking delighted.

Then, he grabbed Zhao Jinchun’s hand.

The man’s expression soured.

It was as if his “treasured possession” had been defiled—his face froze in place, unmoving.

Qi Yan’s eyes were tinged red, his face sickly pale, and he leaned close to Zhao Jinchun, whispering, “Jinjin.”

Zhao Jinchun turned to look at him; Qi Yan loved it when she focused all her attention on him.

His delight made the flush at the corner of his eyes deepen, and then he began to complain: “He just tried to hit me with that little stone. Good thing you arrived.”

Qi Yan twisted the story of the man’s ten-carat perfect diamond proposal into an accusation that the man had tried to attack him, seeking Zhao Jinchun’s sympathy and pity.

Fortunately, Zhao Jinchun knew well what kind of person he was. With a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, she said nothing, and simply pulled Qi Yan away.

She dragged him along until they rounded a corner, finally stopping.

Qi Yan, all six foot one of him, leaned in, playing the part of a dependent bird: “Jinjin, thank goodness you came.”

Zhao Jinchun was already used to his excessive clinginess, standing there and letting him nuzzle against her. “What are you doing here?” she asked.

Qi Yan answered obediently, “I don’t know. I woke up and I was here. Where is this?”

Zhao Jinchun shrugged. “On a cruise ship, apparently. We have to work, and only after completing the tasks can we go home.”

It was the first time Qi Yan had heard any of this. He tilted his head in confusion.

Tasks? What tasks?

Zhao Jinchun was talking to the system in her mind and didn’t notice Qi Yan’s bewilderment.

She asked in her mind: System, what are we supposed to do?

The system was silent for a long time, as if stuck.

Zhao Jinchun called several more times before the system finally responded.

“Ding—System loading.”

A floating, transparent panel appeared before Zhao Jinchun.

[Instance: ‘Treasure Cruise’]

[Difficulty: E (Easy)]

[Hint: There are nine workers in this instance.]

Staring at the transparent panel, Zhao Jinchun asked, “What happens if we don’t finish the tasks?”

After a brief silence, the system spat out words cold and eerie: “You’ll die, of course.”

Zhao Jinchun fell silent.

The system waited quietly. In its experience, most newcomers either broke down in tears or argued indignantly with it, only to end up forcibly suppressed and put to work like everyone else.

It expected her to react the same way.

Unexpectedly, after a long pause, Zhao Jinchun’s only response was: “Is that all you have to tell me? Anything else?”