"I…"
Xue Mei never expected Lin Fei to gamble so boldly, even offering up her first kiss.
In the Dou Qi Continent, many women were still quite conservative. Despite how some might dress flamboyantly in tight leather armor, revealing their flat stomachs and long legs, anyone who dared make a move on them would be beaten to a pulp.
A first kiss, to women like Xue Mei and Lin Fei, meant a lot. It was a mark of commitment. Regardless of their feelings, once they gave that first kiss away, it was as if they had chosen that person for life.
Now that Lin Fei had raised the stakes this high, Xue Mei hesitated.
"What's wrong? Is our proud genius Xue Mei too afraid to accept such a small wager?" Lin Fei taunted, her eyes gleaming with challenge. "If that's the case, why don't you just admit defeat now? I won't make you find a man then. All you have to do is stand before everyone and shout, 'I am not as good as Lin Fei,' and I'll let you off. How about that?"
Lin Fei smirked triumphantly, watching Xue Mei's indecision.
"Lin Fei, don't get too cocky. How about you run down there right now and stop that boy? Shout out, 'Young man, I like you,' and then I'll take your bet," Xue Mei countered, glancing at the boy who was about to enter the city on a majestic purple lion. She raised an eyebrow with a playful grin.
She was sure Lin Fei wouldn't dare run down and confess to a stranger in front of so many people. The next day, rumors would spread all over the city about the daughter of the city lord acting like a lovestruck fool, confessing her feelings to a random boy and getting rejected.
As for whether the boy would actually accept Lin Fei? Xue Mei hadn't even considered it. The young man seemed to come from an extraordinary background and looked stunning, too. He wouldn't just accept a girl who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, even if Lin Fei had great looks and an alluring figure.
"I…"
Lin Fei was momentarily speechless. She was bold, yes, but confessing to a stranger? That was another matter entirely. It wasn't just about her courage; it was her reputation at stake. The more prestigious a woman's status, the more she had to guard her honor.
If she went ahead with the confession and was rejected, wouldn't that be humiliating? Everyone in Blackrock City would laugh at her. Even her many suitors would start looking down on her, labeling her as nothing more than a shallow, lovestruck girl.
And what if he accepted? Then she'd end up with a stranger as a boyfriend. Sure, he looked handsome, but she didn't know his character. What if they didn't get along? She couldn't just break up the next day, or else she'd become known as someone who played with people's emotions.
Xue Mei had hit Lin Fei's weak spot perfectly.
"What? Too scared? Why don't you just admit defeat, Lin Fei? I won't make you find a random guy to be your boyfriend. Just stand in front of everyone and shout, 'Xue Mei, I'm not as good as you,' and I'll let it go. What do you say?" Xue Mei said with a sly smile, taunting her rival.
"I—I…"
Lin Fei's face flushed with frustration, her chest rising and falling in anger. Her petite but curvaceous figure trembled slightly.
"Xue Mei, don't think I won't do it. You think you can risk your first kiss like that? Fine. Let's see who wins tomorrow!" Lin Fei said, refusing to back down. She knew that if she admitted defeat, she'd be living in Xue Mei's shadow for the rest of her life.
"Lin Fei, don't pretend to be so tough. I know all about how you've been secretly asking your mentor for help with your tests and still failing every single time," Xue Mei said, exposing Lin Fei's bluff without mercy. They had both been studying under the president and vice president of the Alchemist Guild for a while now, and just like their mentors, they had been competing for as long as they could remember.
"Just answer the question. Are you in or not?" Lin Fei snapped back, her eyes blazing with defiance as she stared at Xue Mei's icy expression.
Her mind raced, trying to find a way to turn the tables and force Xue Mei to be the one making a fool of herself, to see her rival give up her first kiss right in front of her. If Lin Fei could win this bet, she could hold it over Xue Mei forever.
"Why wouldn't I dare? But what if neither of us manages to concoct a first-grade pill tomorrow? What happens if it's a tie?" Xue Mei asked, already thinking of ways to stall. If it was a draw, they wouldn't have to go through with the wager, and she wouldn't have to randomly find a boyfriend or give away her first kiss.
"Hah, don't even think about it! If it's a tie, we'll continue the bet until one of us succeeds in making a first-grade pill. The first to become a first-grade alchemist will force the other to keep the promise and find a guy to kiss in front of me!" Lin Fei scoffed, seeing through Xue Mei's ploy.
"Fine, Lin Fei. If you love watching drama so much, I'll accept your terms. Don't forget, though, if you lose, you have to find a guy and confess to him on the spot. In fact, why don't you start now and confess to that young man? Otherwise, the bet is off," Xue Mei said with a faint smile, relieved inwardly. If it came down to who would become a first-grade alchemist first, she was confident it wouldn't be Lin Fei. And if the bet dragged on, maybe she would find someone she actually liked by then. If that happened, giving away her first kiss wouldn't be a big deal.
But for now, Lin Fei would have to embarrass herself by confessing to a stranger. All things considered, Xue Mei felt like she'd won this round.
"Don't regret this, Xue Mei!" Lin Fei gritted her teeth, throwing Xue Mei a furious glare before leaping down from the city walls. Today, she would risk her dignity to make sure Xue Mei agreed to the bet. Once she became a first-grade alchemist, she would enjoy watching Xue Mei squirm.
As for losing? Lin Fei, a genius in her own right, couldn't even fathom the idea of losing.
"Young man, I like you!"
Gu Changqing was leisurely riding his amethyst-winged lion along the street when a curvy figure in purple darted out, blocking his way. Her eyes locked onto his, and in a loud, clear voice, she shouted, "Young man, I like you!"
"Uh… who are you?"
Gu Changqing blinked in confusion, staring at the voluptuous, purple-clad girl in front of him. She was undeniably beautiful, with a figure that would make any man's heart race. Dressed in the tight uniform of the Alchemist Guild, she exuded a certain charm, like the allure of an office lady's attire. But still… who was she?