Trigonometrical Function Parlor — Yu Xian.
Huh?
The moment Qingque connected the dots, her expression turned complicated.
On one hand, she was still mentally reeling from the "creative genius" that was Yu Xian, the fool in the mask. On the other, she couldn't quite decide whether to be embarrassed, surprised, or both.
Good grief.
So the perfect parlor she'd been scoping out for days—the one that checked all her boxes—was actually his shop.
No wonder it had such a weird name.
"Although this feels kind of strange… since that's the case, does this mean we can get in without waiting in line?"
The thought alone was enough to make her accept the situation almost instantly.
Hmph. Her boyfriend had gone and opened a whole parlor perfectly tailored to her tastes—a place where she could play cards freely, no waiting, no fuss.
How could that not be amazing?
Woo-hoo!
Compared to the joy of endless mahjong, what did a little awkwardness matter?
Enough talk—Divine Realm Mahjong, activate!
---
"Wuu…"
"Why… why haven't I won a single game?!"
Two or three hours later, the once-ecstatic Qingque sat slumped over the table, her spirit utterly crushed.
Across dozens—maybe hundreds—of rounds, it was as if fate itself had cursed her. Every tile she needed refused to show up, while the ones she didn't want kept piling up. Meanwhile, her opponents seemed blessed by the mahjong gods—winning hand after hand as if on autopilot.
In short: Qingque lost. Over and over again.
For someone as proud and experienced as her, this losing streak was humiliating. The more she remembered each defeat, the more she shuddered.
Now she wasn't even playing anymore.
Instead, she sat curled up in a dark corner of the parlor, sipping the milk tea Yu Xian had bought her, nibbling on dango she'd swiped from the snack bar. Yu Xian gently patted her head while she muttered hoarsely:
"Why… just why… I just wanted to win one game… just one…"
Her pale, exhausted face carried a complicated mix of emotions—frustration, shame, and the quiet acceptance of being comforted like a child.
"Victory and defeat are both part of the game. Calm down, calm down," Yu Xian said softly.
Seeing her so dejected made his chest ache. True, her terrible luck wasn't his fault—but watching her suffer in the very parlor he'd built for her hurt him all the same.
After all, the shop itself was his gift to her. He'd opened it so Qingque could enjoy her favorite pastime to the fullest. Every detail, every piece of furniture, even the parlor's cozy lighting—he'd chosen it all with her in mind.
But now? Seeing her like this filled him with guilt.
He crouched down beside her, meeting her gaze. Qingque gave a small hiccup.
Yu Xian took her hand, his thumb brushing over her smooth, delicate fingers. "Maybe it's a feng shui problem," he said with a half-smile. "How about we try somewhere else? Maybe your luck will turn around, and you'll win it all back."
Qingque stuffed the last dango into her mouth, cheeks puffed out like a squirrel. She shook her head, mumbling between chews, "Can't just leave… gotta… apologize first…"
"Okay, okay, my little Sparrow, I apologize, I apolo—"
Before he could finish, she suddenly slapped her free hand over his mouth, eyes wide. She swallowed quickly and stammered, "I-I didn't mean you should apologize!"
Her flustered tone made Yu Xian blink in confusion.
She squeezed his hand tighter, her voice quieter now.
"I meant… I'm sorry."
Yu Xian blinked again, then finally understood.
"Today was supposed to be our day off. We should've been having fun—eating, playing, relaxing. But instead, I let a few losses ruin everything."
Her voice softened, tinged with embarrassment. "And I even made you comfort me like this…"
Before he could respond, Qingque suddenly stood up, stamping her foot lightly. The sound was swallowed by the buzz of chatter and tiles clicking all around them.
It was as if she'd made up her mind.
She scanned the busy parlor, then turned back with a determined look.
"Hey, I can't be the one to ruin our day out!" she said, puffing out her cheeks. "Let's go! This place is too crowded—it's stifling. Let's go take a walk outside!"
Yu Xian chuckled, the tension easing from his shoulders. "My Qingque is so adorable. Even if she 'spoiled the mood' every day, I'd still—"
"Ah, stop talking! Come on already!"
Before he could finish, Qingque pushed him toward the door—her embarrassment hidden behind a fiery blush and a playful scowl.
-------
A/n: While I am a new translator, I have a Patreon! While it may be a bit empty right now both this and the other book on my page has advanced chapters posted on patreon.
patreon.com/deadlygoober