The moment she took her seat at the Celestial Jade table and struck up a conversation with Qingque, the system prompt promptly appeared before Sylvia:
--+--
[Target: Qingque]
[Favorability: 58 (Friendly & Anticipating)]
[Relationship: None]
['She managed to snag a new playing partner, so she's looking forward to winning some credits from you.']
--+--
Seeing that favorability score, Sylvia almost laughed out loud.
Just because she sat down to play, the favorability shot up to nearly sixty?
Your favorability is way too easy to grind, kid.
If I found a chance to have a fancy Celestial Jade set made for you, your favorability would probably go through the roof.
As these thoughts crossed her mind, the game began smoothly.
Of course.
Sylvia was no professional Celestial Jade player. Although the Celestial Jade tiles were ninety percent similar to the Mahjong she knew, there were still some slight differences.
She even needed Qingque to explain a few rules here and there.
So, over nearly ten rounds, even though Sylvia won eight in a row…
Who would've thought Qingque was stubbornly holding out for big hands? She managed to win two major rounds back-to-back, clawing back everything she'd lost earlier.
"See? See? What did I tell you! Even with a newbie's lucky streak, my winning momentum today is unstoppable!"
No sooner had Qingque finished gloating than she seemed to remember Sylvia was still new to this. Her tone shifted abruptly, and she scratched her head, offering Sylvia an awkward, silly grin.
"Ah, I sometimes speak without thinking—don't mind me! It's normal to struggle with the rules at first. Play a few more times, and you'll be pulling off big wins in no time."
Sylvia didn't mind at all. She wasn't here to win money; just scoring a few wins was success enough.
Merely hearing the clack of the Celestial Jade tiles on the table filled her with a sense of familiarity.
Besides, Qingque's smile was actually pretty cute.
Sylvia didn't hide her amusement, gazing at Qingque with a grin as she said:
"No worries, it's just a game. Wins and losses are part of the fun."
"Well said! Wins and losses come and go—what matters is enjoying ourselves. I've decided: you're a friend worth keeping."
Before Qingque could respond, one of the other players seated beside Sylvia couldn't help but voice her approval.
The group often gathered to play together precisely because everyone stayed level-headed, win or lose—unlike some who turned sour after a few losses.
Qingque, sitting across from them, clearly agreed wholeheartedly. She nodded earnestly, swaying her head as she added:
"Ah, Miss Sylvia, such wisdom! It's rare to find a newcomer so good-tempered and easy on the eyes~"
As she spoke…
Qingque's favorability ticked up again.
--+--
[Target: Qingque]
[Favorability: 63 (A Like-Minded Gaming Buddy)]
[Relationship: None]
['A new gaming partner who's a cute girl perfect for regular matches—what a win!']
--+--
Sixty already?
Sylvia was momentarily speechless.
Girl, you really are easy to please.
Once past sixty, all that was needed was to establish a relationship, and then she could do a card pull.
After a moment's thought, Sylvia picked up the thread of conversation.
"I'll probably be staying on the Luofu for a while. If you don't mind, could I join you for games now and then?"
"Sure, sure! The more, the merrier when it comes to Celestial Jade."
Qingque was the first to welcome her, and the other two also nodded in agreement.
Then, the system updated once more.
--+--
[Target: Qingque]
[Favorability: 63 (A Like-Minded Gaming Buddy)]
[Relationship: Gaming Buddies]
['A new gaming partner who's a cute girl perfect for regular matches—what a win!']
[Reward: Green Card Pull x1]
--+--
Here it comes.
Sylvia looked at the green card pull and without hesitation chose to draw!
A familiar green light flashed and, as usual, no miracle occurred—just another green item.
And, as usual, Sylvia's smile instantly dropped.
--+--
[Cheating (Master Level)]
['Such a rare skill! With it, your sleight of hand will be second to none!']
['If you want, even the esteemed Divination Commission's Master Diviner wouldn't catch you cheating.']
['But she could divine it.']
--+--
Who wants this thing?!
Sylvia barely resisted the urge to flip the table.
Even if it was related to Qingque, wasn't this cheating skill a bit too outrageous?
Especially since a flood of cheating techniques and methods were being forced into her mind, making Sylvia feel that if she ever used them, she'd probably get beaten to a pulp.
Cheating right under a diviner's nose, huh?
Might as well announce you're a follower of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus in front of the Cloud Knights.
At least that would save time later.
Snapping back to reality…
A new round had already begun.
And now, Sylvia suddenly felt the game was different.
The skill didn't just enhance her manual dexterity—it also came with a wealth of techniques for tile and card games.
Now armed with all these tricks, Sylvia looked over the game with a newfound sense of control and strategic oversight.
Just then, Qingque's cheerful voice rang out from across the table:
"Oho, what a lucky draw! Sorry, everyone~"
Qingque blinked with a smile, confidently playing her tile.
Game on!
However—
"Self-draw. I win."
Sylvia's calm voice shattered Qingque's hopes.
Her eyes widened as she stared at the tiles Sylvia had laid out.
Utterly defeated, my friend.
The other two players had lost too, but now they were grinning from ear to ear.
Qingque had been so focused on building a high-stakes hand that she'd raised her multiplier sky-high.
Who knew Sylvia would stealthily complete her own winning hand, ruining everything at the last moment?
In the end, the other two only lost a little, but Qingque suffered a crushing defeat.
She coughed up every bit she'd won earlier.
Despite the loss, Qingque chuckled and said:
"Luck comes and goes, my friend! How did you even win at a time like this? Come on, come on, let's play another round!"
"…"
"…"
But Qingque's words were met with silence.
The other two players covered their mouths, softly coughing. Sylvia hadn't planned to join in, but seeing the others do it, she also raised a hand to her mouth and feigned a couple of coughs.
Qingque, who'd been looking down while shuffling the tiles, froze instantly. Her head snapped up, her expression a mix of anxiety and despair, yet with a flicker of hope.
She stared fixedly at Sylvia.
In that moment, clever as she was, she'd already deduced what was coming.
Quick, brain! Find a way out of this mess!
Watching Qingque hunch her shoulders, her mind clearly racing, Sylvia couldn't help but want to laugh—and the other two felt the same.
So the coughing grew noticeably louder.
They all loved seeing Qingque's adorable, flustered expression.
Then, from behind the utterly heartbroken Qingque, a voice heavy with suppressed anger quietly sounded:
"Qing—que—"
"Master Diviner, have mercy!"
Qingque visibly shuddered.
Then, in one fluid motion, she turned around and produced—from who knows where—an adorable-looking rice ball, offering it up to Fu Xuan with a bright smile, held reverently in both hands.
The other two players, with keen situational awareness, immediately shot to their feet and bolted without a second thought.
Leaving only Sylvia behind to watch the drama unfold.
"Qingque, do you have any last words to defend yourself?"
In light of the rice ball and Sylvia's presence, Fu Xuan decided to grant her a chance.
"Master Diviner, I really was working today! You gave the order yourself yesterday—you can't go back on your word now!"
Fu Xuan's expression, which had softened slightly at the sight of the rice ball, instantly darkened again at these words!
"Fine, fine, fine! I assigned you to entertain our guest today precisely because you're always lounging around in the Exalting Sanctum. And what do you do? You play Celestial Jade from morning till night, even daring to skip your shifts at the Divination Commission! If you don't make up for every minute of lost time tomorrow, you are not leaving work!"
Tears immediately welled up in Qingque's eyes, her lips puckering in a pout that could reach the heavens.
"Please no, Master Diviner! Just dock my pay instead—two days, three days, even a week's worth! Anything but making me work overtime!"
"You will work that overtime! Tomorrow, you will report to me—on time, punctual, and ready to work!"
"My life is over—"
And so, Qingque was utterly defeated.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.