The implication was clear: she had overstepped.
Ai Mi knew she shouldn't pry too much, nor should she provoke Qi Mo into disliking her.
However, seeing it truly made her uncomfortable. Comparisons, after all, only amplified one's own suffering.
Unwilling to give up, she quickly spoke again, "The game is about to start soon. Brother Qi, if you want to participate, I can join you. If we win the championship..."
"Let's go." Before Ai Mi could finish her sentence, Qi Mo's decisive interruption cut her off.
Ai Mi was utterly shocked.
"Brother Qi, where are we going?"
Qi Mo stated coldly, "To participate in the game!"
Although he didn't require a female companion, participation in the game was contingent upon having a partner.
Since Fu Siye had taken Mu Yin Yin away, he had no choice but to select Ai Mi, who was by his side.
After all, with the game laid out, if he and Ai Mi could secure the championship, it would be a crushing defeat for Fu Siye.
The prize money from the championship, he could still use as a gesture of goodwill towards Mu Yin Yin!
Ai Mi was instantly overjoyed. Brother Qi's willingness to take her meant that he still had feelings for her!
As long as she found a way, everything would be alright!
...
Ten minutes passed in a flash.
The host took the microphone to guide the proceedings, and then, the game slowly commenced.
"The river before the window reflects spring colors, guess a Chinese medicine name."
As the host uttered the riddle, the crowd below immediately became restless:
"We're not expert traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, nor do we usually deal with these herbs. Why would we possibly know such a riddle?"
"Exactly, aren't they deliberately making things difficult for us?"
"What kind of quiz is this? Let's move on to the next question!"
...
The audience unanimously demanded.
But the host responded with a professional smile, "This question was set by the higher-ups. I'm simply following procedure by asking this riddle first. If you cannot answer, we will move on to the next question in three minutes."
"You can also brush up on your Chinese medicine knowledge on the spot." The host even made a welcoming gesture.
This way, without skipping it, everyone was forced to learn on the spot.
Not a single person passed.
As time ticked by, no one could answer the riddle correctly.
Just as the host was about to switch to the next question, Mu Yin Yin slowly took a step forward.
Since Mu Yin Yin and Fu Siye were partners, their hands were tied together with yellow tape. Therefore, as she stepped forward, Fu Siye had no choice but to follow suit.
Mu Yin Yin raised her left hand, holding a card. At the host's signal, she slowly began, "It's Kong Qing."
While others might not be familiar with medicine names, she, as 'Master of Yama,' knew all Chinese medicine names by heart!
Upon her stating the answer, the host immediately gave her a thumbs-up.
"Congratulations, Madam, you are correct. However, Madam, could you explain why the answer is Kong Qing?"
From the clue given, Mu Yin Yin dissected the words and meaning, "Before the window, there is nothing. Spring colors! Spring has arrived, and everything is reviving, isn't that green? Green equals Qing, so it's Kong Qing!"
As Mu Yin Yin explained the riddle, she looked at everyone with composure.
Her explanation stunned everyone present.
Because Mu Yin Yin's reasoning was entirely logical.
Into the host's earpiece, a faint chuckle was heard: "Keep an eye on her."
Without a word, the host smiled and presented Mu Yin Yin and Fu Siye with a red card.
Here, a red card signified correctness and approval.
However.
Those who were displeased earlier now spoke up:
"This young girl's victory is not honorable. If she had no knowledge of Chinese medicine, how could she have answered so accurately in just three minutes?"
"Exactly, this question shouldn't count!"
Someone, clearly envious, argued.
"The riddle was posed by the organizers, and we are merely guessing. It just so happened to fall into someone's area of expertise. If you feel it's unfair, you should ask the organizers why this question shouldn't count when we answered it with our own ability?" A sharp voice echoed, refuting their claims.
This voice belonged not to a stranger, but to Fu Siye beside her.
This also surprised Mu Yin Yin.
Because this was clear protection.
Mu Yin Yin glanced at the person beside her, a hint of surprise in her eyes.
But then again, they were partners now, and Fu Siye helping her was also helping himself.
With this thought in mind, the surprise in Mu Yin Yin's eyes slowly subsided into calmness and detachment.
Fu Siye frowned slightly. The awkward words he was about to speak, at that moment, couldn't be uttered due to her shift in emotion, and his expression suddenly turned stern.
Seeing that a dispute was about to erupt, the host immediately raised her microphone to placate the crowd.
"This riddle about the Chinese medicine name was an accident. We will proceed to the next question. From now on, it will be a rapid-response quiz, so pay attention to the time."
Simultaneously, the host added a new rule, effectively redirecting everyone's attention.
Fu Siye, standing nearby, disagreed, his brow furrowed, "An accident? Does that mean this question doesn't count?"
Fu Siye was not one to quibble over trivial matters. Mu Yin Yin knew that at this moment, he didn't want their efforts to be in vain.
The host smiled gracefully and denied it, "Of course not. Since the question was posed by us, the Joyful Feast, how could we possibly retract it? Everyone, please pay attention to the next question. This quiz has a total of five questions. Answering three correctly means victory."
Hearing the host's assurance, Fu Siye remained silent.
"Everyone, please pay attention, listen to the next question."
The host's voice quickly brought Mu Yin Yin's thoughts back.
Mu Yin Yin remained silent, her gaze fixed on the stage.
Everyone concentrated intently on the host, waiting for her to speak.
"The scholar sticks his tail out."
A murmur swept through the entire venue.
Fu Siye's side immediately raised his hand—
"The 'tu' from 'tu zi' (bald person)." Fu Siye spoke the words coldly and plainly.
"Congratulations to this team for answering correctly again."
The host extended her hand, a smile gracing her face, which was an affirmation of Fu Siye and Mu Yin Yin's prowess.
However. The entire crowd was in an uproar.
"Are these two definitely not pre-arranged? How are they so formidable!"
"We've participated in the Joyful Feast in previous years as well. The champions and prizes differ each year. We can't question the organizers!"
"Then let's start the next question. We cannot afford to lose again. We need to win five consecutive championships to claim the grand prize."
...
Everyone in the venue was anxious.
Even Ai Mi blamed herself, "Brother Qi, I'm so sorry, I'm truly useless, I couldn't help you at all."
There were a total of six riddles, and at the outset, Mu Yin Yin and Fu Siye had already answered two correctly.
If they answered one more correctly, the championship would be theirs, and the remaining questions wouldn't even matter!
Qi Mo, however, remained unperturbed, "Aren't there still four questions left?"