Wu Dahai studied Qing Ling. The arcade's chaotic light played across her beautiful, indifferent face—no coy resistance, no humiliated suffering, only complete unconcern.
This woman. Not simple.
Wu Dahai's gaze drifted downward, tracing from her face to her snow-white neck, then to her chest wrapped in the white school uniform. Beneath the fabric, full curves strained slightly against the second button. Looking closely, one could even see the pressed edge of her undergarment beneath the uniform.
This was the real thing. A genuine human girl's bosom. An eighteen-year-old beauty in full bloom.
Wu Dahai swallowed shamelessly—this wasn't a dream!
The two men beside him wore thoroughly unfriendly expressions. He knew they despised him, condemned him, probably secretly envied him deep down. He knew he was a lecherous old pervert. But in this moment, he was proud to be that lecherous old pervert!
With nervous, reverent anticipation, Wu Dahai slowly extended his hand... Soon, he would reach paradise. Experience ultimate bliss.
A ruthless fist smashed into Wu Dahai's nose. He staggered backward with a cry of pain.
It wasn't over. Qing Ling raised her long leg and drove her foot into Wu Dahai's abdomen. A cramping pain shot through his stomach, his legs buckled, and he dropped to his knees.
Qing Ling looked down at Wu Dahai kneeling before her, still unsatisfied.
She grabbed a fistful of his hair. "Little maggot. Tired of living? What were you about to do?"
Wu Dahai was completely bewildered. "Wait! You said I could touch—"
"Touch what?" Qing Ling demanded.
Gao Yang realized: Qing Ling's secondary personality, Qing Ling, had emerged. This Qing Ling had androphobia—how could she possibly let Wu Dahai lay hands on her?
Wu Dahai was innocent. "Your... chest."
"You? This maggot? Eat shit!" Qing Ling drove her knee into Wu Dahai's head with a solid thunk.
Wu Dahai went flying, crashing through several chairs.
Gao Yang had been enjoying the spectacle, but sensing real danger, rushed forward to restrain Qing Ling before someone actually died.
"Qing Ling, enough."
"Don't touch me!" Qing Ling swung backward with a slap. Gao Yang was prepared, dodging backward.
"You maggots! What did you bring me here for?!" Qing Ling screamed. Suddenly, her body stiffened, her eyes returning to calm coldness.
She looked at the tense Gao Yang, then glanced back at Wu Dahai curled on the ground groaning. "What happened?"
"Qing Ling came out," Gao Yang said.
Qing Ling frowned slightly. "No matter. We continue."
"Continue my ass!" Officer Huang helped Wu Dahai up. He clutched his still-bleeding nose, furious. "How can you women turn faster than pages in a book!"
"An accident occurred," Qing Ling explained.
"If you didn't want me to touch you, just say so! I wasn't forcing you!" Wu Dahai remained angry. "Don't think being beautiful means you can do whatever you want! Hit me again, I swear I'll fight back!"
Qing Ling considered. "One more match. If you win this time, I'll have them tie me up. No more accidents."
Gao Yang was shocked: You're too ruthless on yourself. You're the real gambler here!
Though Gao Yang suspected that even if she lost again, Qing Ling would simply emerge to "renege" again.
All these years, Qing Ling had protected the weaker Qing Ling for survival. But in moments like these, Qing Ling presumably protected the extreme Qing Ling as well.
After all, they were fundamentally one being.
Gao Yang exchanged a look with Officer Huang. They decided not to intervene yet, seeing how events unfolded.
Wu Dahai's anger vanished instantly, skeptical but tempted. He calculated internally: he'd already been beaten. At worst, two more hits. But if he succeeded? Beneath the pomegranate skirt, even death as a ghost is romantic!
He looked at Qing Ling. "Beauty, you mean this?"
Qing Ling nodded.
"Let's go! Let's go!" Wu Dahai roughly wiped his bloody nose, seating himself at the cabinet again.
This time Qing Ling was more practiced too—sitting, inserting coin, selecting character, one fluid motion.
Haohmaru versus Ukyo Tachibana once more.
Wu Dahai's Ukyo attacked fiercely from the start. Qing Ling still used only four actions: standing guard, crouching guard, A for light slash, B for medium slash.
This time, she made no mistakes whatsoever. Her reaction speed was measured in microseconds.
Wu Dahai unleashed everything he had, facing a machine without emotion. Whatever he attempted, she instantly produced the optimal response.
Block. Neutralize. Or trade blows, exchanging damage.
Wu Dahai gained no advantage. His health remained below hers.
Finally, time expired. No deaths, but Qing Ling had more health. Victory.
Wu Dahai understood Qing Ling's strategy now.
The second round, he ceased attacking proactively, intending to play reactive as well. But Qing Ling was immovable as Mount Tai, completely still. Wu Dahai had already lost one round; another draw meant defeat.
Wu Dahai grew desperate. Half the time elapsed, and he still struck. The moment he did, he fell into Qing Ling's rhythm. Soon the match ended. Again no deaths, Qing Ling's health slightly higher.
Best of three. Qing Ling won.
Gao Yang had expected Wu Dahai to explode with humiliated rage, having lost both the girl and the game. Instead, Wu Dahai merely paused two seconds. He stood generously, running both hands through his broom cut with vigor. "You win."
Qing Ling was satisfied, rising. "This game is somewhat interesting."
"Does the chest offer still stand?"
"You didn't win." Qing Ling's expression didn't change.
"Fine. A bet's a bet."
Wu Dahai was surprisingly philosophical. He turned to Gao Yang. "Final stage. Your turn?"
Gao Yang looked to Officer Huang, who spread his hands helplessly. He looked to Qing Ling, who left with "I'm going to calm Qing Ling" and exited the arcade.
Gao Yang mocked himself internally: I really am the protagonist. The grand finale.
He surveyed the remaining cabinets: The King of Fighters '97, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs, Guardians, Knights of Valour, Warriors of Fate, Metal Slug, Hook, Snow Bros.
Though he'd played them all as a child, he'd mastered none. After deep consideration, Gao Yang pointed to a corner slot machine: "Can we do this?"
Wu Dahai froze, staring at him in disbelief. "You're certain?"
"Certain." Gao Yang nodded.
Since he couldn't match skill, he'd match luck instead.
"Damn." Officer Huang seemed to recall unpleasant memories, covering his face.
Wu Dahai's mouth curved upward, patting Gao Yang's shoulder with feigned sympathy. "Brother. You've chosen the narrow path."
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