Wang GuiYing's mouth hung open in awe as he saw the sight of the lively fair that was filled with life and excitement.
It had been so long since he had been to such a place. In fact, even the fairs that he had previously gone to were not as amazing as this one.
There was a stall for almost everything. From candies to crocodile skin shoes, everything was for sale. Lovely bright fish-shaped lanterns decorated and lighted the roads of the fair, giving a soft yellow ambient light to the atmosphere. The street stall vendors were enthusiastically trying to advertise their product, hoping to catch the attention of the guests who were visiting today.
The lovely sounds of music and the giggling of children could be heard from the distance and Wang GuiYing could now fully understand what Xin meant when he said this entire city was a trap of temptation. For someone who had struggled to get here, it was only natural that they would want to stay here and enjoy.
Even Wang GuiYing, who hadn't really struggled to level up till here, was very much tempted to stay here for a bit longer than needed.
"Mommy! Mommy! Look at this~" A little girl exclaimed as she pointed at a stall selling candied crab apples.
Her mother, a woman looking to be not older than thirty, smiled warmly as she looked at the little girl and asked, "Does Huahua want to eat them?"
The little girl enthusiastically nodded her head as she looked at the candied crab apples on display, "I want."
The mother chuckled as she saw this reaction and bought a stick of candied crab apples for the girl.
"Do you want one as well?" Xin asked from behind as he noticed Wang GuiYing's gaze.
Wang GuiYing gulped back his saliva and snapped his head away as he spoke, "No need! I'm not a kid."
Xin chuckled softly as he shook his head and grabbed Wang GuiYing's hand, pulling him towards the candied crab apple stall.
"Eh...?!" Wang GuiYing's eyes widened in shock and he looked back at Xin for an explanation but instead of a response, he got ignored.
"Uncle, please give us two," Xin spoke as he sweetly smiled at the man selling the candied crab apples.
Wang GuiYing's eyebrows creased together and he frowned a little as he asked, "What about the gamemaster?"
Xin was still holding onto the man's hand and lightly squeezed it as he looked back at Wang GuiYing and spoke, "It doesn't matter even if we take our sweet time."
"..."
"Since we are already here, might as well enjoy the fair."
Wang GuiLing gulped and didn't say anything more, silently agreeing with the man.
"Here you go!~" The old man beamed as he handed over the two sticks of candied crab apples.
Wang GuiYing looked at the candied crab apples and couldn't help but feel as if he would start drooling at any given moment now.
"That would be two bronze."
"Here you go," Xin had already taken out the coins he had and paid for it.
"Ooooh~ You have money," Wang GuiYing whistled as he nodded his head and side-glanced at Xin.
"I've spent an entire year in this place," Xin spoke with a faint smile, "I have a lot of money so if you want something, just ask."
Wang GuiYing couldn't help but laugh as he asked, "What? Are you my sugar daddy now?"
Xin shrugged his shoulders with a smirk.
"In that case, buy me that as well," Wang GuiYing grinned as he immediately pointed at the next stall.
Xin looked over and raised his eyebrows as he asked, "Are you sure you want that?"
In all honesty, Wang GuiYing had pointed at a random stall without even checking what they were selling. He only wanted to tease the man but after hearing this response, he looked over at what he had pointed at.
"A ring?"
Wang GuiYing gulped as he pursed his lips into a thin line. He had said it confidently and his ego didn't allow him to take his words back. Since he had already dug up a hole for himself, might as well jump inside and see where it took him.
"Yes, a ring...!" Wang GuiYing nodded his head as he confirmed, "I want you to buy me a ring. The most expensive one!"
Xin didn't say anything and simply looked back at the man for a minute or so.
Wang GuiYing didn't dare look away and the two seemed to be having a staring contest.
"That stall is quite famous among couples," Suddenly, their staring competition was interrupted by the voice of the old man who was selling candied crab apples, "They say if you buy a ring from there and gift it to your lover, your love would be eternal."
Wang GuiYing looked at the ring stall for a second and then turned back to look at the old man as he asked, "If it's famous among couples, why isn't anyone there?"
The old man laughed as he replied, "Of course because it is famous only among couples. Do you see a couple around?"
"..." Wang GuiYing looked around and it was only now that he noticed that there weren't many couples around.
He couldn't help but feel that it was weird.
Xin leaned in closer to Wang GuiYing's ears as he asked in a whisper, "Most of the visitors are players. What type of a gamer would bring his lover here and buy a virtual couple ring?"
Wang GuiYing gulped as he thought, 'My kind of gamer...?'
"Of course, you're an exception," Xin added with a chuckle as he guessed what was going through Wang GuiYing's thoughts.
Wang GuiYing glared at the man but since it was the truth, he could say nothing to defend himself.
"Let's go!" Xin pulled Wang GuiYing forward and headed towards the stall selling different kinds of rings.
"You're really going to buy it for me??" Wang GuiYing asked with surprise.
Xin only smiled and didn't say anything as a response.
"Excuse me, Ma'am. Can you please show me the most expensive ring you have?" Xin asked with a small smile as he looked at the owner of the ring stall.
The woman looked at the two of them and suddenly, her smile deepened as she took out a box from one of the top corners and opened it in front of them.
"If you want the most expensive ring, this would be it," The woman spoke.
Wang GuiYing casually looked at the ring, still munching on the candied crab apples that Xin had bought for him.
Xin nodded his head and although he didn't particularly find anything special about the ring, he was about to buy it, however, before he could say anything, the woman continued, "But I do not believe it suits you."
"Huh?"
"If it's for the gentleman over there, I think I have another ring that would be more of a fit," The woman spoke as she looked over at Wang GuiYing.
Xin also turned to look at him as if waiting for his decision.
"Then show us that one as well," Wang GuiYing replied.
He had more interest in the candied crab apples than he did in the ring, however, since he was the one who had asked the man to buy it for him, he couldn't just say that he had changed his mind and no longer needed a ring.
The woman looked happy to hear his response and her voice got a lot softer as she enthusiastically opened another box and showed them the ring.
Wang GuiYing glanced at it for a split second and looked away, but as soon as he had looked away, he snapped his head back to look at the ring once again.
"This..." Wang GuiYing's eyes widened in shock and he tried to say something as he pointed at the ring, but unfortunately, he couldn't find the right words.
"You have guessed it right," The woman smiled as she spoke, noticing his shocked reaction, "It's a ring made from bones. It doesn't shine nor does it have any precious stone embellishments."
Wang GuiYing frowned as he heard this and asked, "Why would you think this suits me better?"
'I'm still not crazy enough to wear a ring made out of bones...!'
The woman chuckled as she spoke, "Please don't misunderstand. This is indeed a rare one-of-a-kind ring. It's made from the bones of a celestial dragon. Although it doesn't shine nor sparkle, it is still highly useful."
"Useful?" Wang GuiYing's interest was immediately piqued.
If the bone ring was really useful then he certainly was crazy enough to wear it around...!
The woman nodded her head as she added, "According to the legends behind this ring, the owner of the ring is able to conjure the spirit of a celestial dragon. In times of need, the celestial dragon would guild you and protect you."
"If it's a legend, how can I believe it?" Wang GuiYing raised his eyebrows as he asked.
"To believe it or not is of course your own decision," The woman replied with a thin smile, "But I can confidently say that it is one of the most meaningful rings that I have right now. If you don't buy it for your boyfriend, you would definitely regret it later."
"..."