"The Lost Big Dog"

[A nap really makes a difference; Linlin seems much more energetic and spirited.]

[I wonder where Linlin has arranged her date for this afternoon; it's all so mysterious.]

This comment was inadvertently contradicted by the live stream within two minutes of being posted.

After all, the only attractive date spot for couples on this public aircraft was Universal Studios.

If Alina's tastes aren't niche, or rather, unusual.

Universal Amusement Park is the top-tier amusement park on Central Star, covering a massive area, three times larger than the live broadcast venue where Alina previously stayed.

The games and facilities inside are also diverse, including traditional, sci-fi, realistic, virtual, gentle, and terrifying games.

Buying all-you-can-do tickets here is not cost-effective, especially since they are only staying for an afternoon, so Alina only chose a few activities that she was interested in or that she could do.

After all, some of the games here are far too high-tech for her, a traveler from another world who lit up the magic tree.

[Another doll!?]

When Alina carried the Marshal mimic to the amusement park with a large number of claw machines, not only were the viewers in the live stream stunned, but even the kitten in her arms stiffened.

Actually, you can't really blame Alina. First, she didn't know the date location this morning was the zoo; second, what attracted her there wasn't just the plush toys, but also the word "shooting"; and finally, it was one of the dating "holy spots" highly recommended by the public on StarNet.

The name of this project is very straightforward: "Shooting to Catch Claw Machines".

As the name suggests, you first use game coins to shoot and win chances to play the claw machine, and then you can start playing.

It's important to understand that while the empire can't be said to be a nation of soldiers, it's certainly a nation of martial arts enthusiasts. This shooting segment is essentially a way for a young couple to show off their skills and affection.

After all, there's also a two-person shooting design here.

It's not about both people shooting blindfolded—testing their teamwork—but rather one person guiding the other through the shooting process.

[Wait! This isn't your average claw machine! Ladies, open your eyes wide! Linlin has chosen a game that's perfect for couples!]

[It's certainly worth watching, but have you forgotten the Marshal's current mental state? He's still a "weak, cute, and helpless" little kitten!]

[...]

This was one of the projects Alina had chosen, so she was naturally aware of the little design for the two-person shooting.

As for whether or not to try it, that's entirely up to Ayan. After all, she used her mental energy quite a bit today, so one or two more times won't make a difference.

Anyway, she earned a lot of points today!

What was Chu Yanbing thinking?

Of course, after he understood the rules and the underlying meaning in Alina's eyes, he transformed into human form without hesitation!

My first reaction upon landing was to hold the hand of my beloved.

"You go first?" Chu Yanbing hadn't forgotten the other person's seemingly innate love for shooting.

"Let's do it together!"

Considering the limited time and subsequent project arrangements, Alina didn't want to linger here for too long.

Chu Yanbing: "Okay."

Although he had already used his mental power to transform into human form, he still tried to use mental power as little as possible. So when Alina led him over to buy game coins with the quantum computer, Chu Yanbing, who was tall, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, did not struggle at all and obediently followed her over, holding her soft and delicate little hand in his large palm.

Alina exchanged 1,000 game coins at once. 100 game coins can be used to shoot once, so 1,000 game coins can only be used to shoot 10 times. It seems like a small number, but once you see the numbers marked on the shooting area, you won't feel that it's too few.

If the proportion is any larger, the boss will definitely lose money.

The two men split the 10 bullets equally.

Because of the handshake, Chu Yanbing used his left hand, and even though the gun had some problems, it didn't affect his performance at all.

However, as a novice in firearms, Magic Elf's performance was not so consistent.

Seeing that she hadn't won the highest prize—20 chances to win the claw machine—she wasn't discouraged. Instead, she closed her eyes and focused intently on recalling the feeling she had just experienced, comparing it to the feeling she had learned in the virtual world, trying to find the differences and connections between the two.

I've got it!

A sudden thought struck her, and Alina opened her eyes wide. This time, she was sure she would win the top prize!

Suddenly, the desire to win ignited fiercely.

Just as Alina was about to start eating, her gaze inadvertently fell on Chu Yanbing's face, who was intently staring at her.

Remembering the advice she had seen on the StarNet, Alina abruptly lowered her slightly raised hand. Then, she looked up at the other person's beautiful, icy eyes, which were like cold stars, and said in a sweet tone, "Ayan, you're amazing! This gun clearly had a problem, yet you still managed to hit the target on the first shot!"

Recalling the biography she had found about him, Alina had no doubt that he had never been to the amusement park.

Chu Yanbing's tone was focused and firm, full of trust: "You can do it too."

Being praised by someone he liked brought him more joy than returning victorious and being praised by the entire empire. His icy eyes brightened instantly, and upon closer inspection, it seemed as if beautiful stars were twinkling within them.

Having taken in the other person's expression and reaction, Alina couldn't help but give a big thumbs up to the brainstorming team on the StarNet.

That's a great idea!

However, it seems she still needs to take a course in love, and its name is—complimenting your partner. Of course, this name was Alina's own creation.

As Alina had expected, the next result was exactly what they had anticipated. They quickly used up all 10 bullets and got a high score—190 chances to win the claw machine.

Despite having so many opportunities, the two didn't immediately try to win the prizes; instead, they continued with the two-person shooting challenge.

This time, under Chu Yanbing's almost explicit hint, Alina bought 6,000 star coins for a shooting opportunity, with an exchange ratio of 200:1 for two-person shooting.

"Thirty times? That's way too many!"

Alina appeared to be complaining, but when she looked into the other person's eyes, she showed no anger whatsoever; instead, there was a hidden smile in her eyes.

Chu Yanbing squeezed the hand in his palm, his tone low and firm: "Not much."

“Okay, if you say it’s not much, then it’s not much.” Alina said with a smile, pulling the person to the double shooting range.

They exchanged a glance, and she asked uncertainly, "Should I go first?"

"Um."

After the conversation, Alina reached out and picked up a toy gun that was almost identical to the one from before, except for its color.

Chu Yanbing finally relented, but only temporarily.

With his palm against the back of her hand, the man's heart was pounding uncontrollably. Because of his shooting posture, he "had to" get much closer to the girl.

A faint, fresh plant fragrance can be smelled at the tip of the nose, like a rose blooming in the snow, both cool and rich.

The arm that hung naturally between the two of them accidentally brushed against the girl's slender and supple waist as he shot. The already turbulent heart became even more uncontrollable.

After the two shots, Alina suddenly felt a tightness around her waist, and her attention immediately shifted from the toy gun that was firing. She looked down.

As expected, it was a large hand with distinct joints and a pale, cold skin.

The sensation of being touched on the lower back suddenly became stronger, but that wasn't the most uncomfortable part. The most unfamiliar thing was the tingling sensation that came from the lower back inexplicably.

Could it be... because of my past experiences?

Despite the tingling and itching in her lower back, Alina finished the entire procedure somewhat distractedly.

Putting down their guns, the two held hands and, amidst the shop owner's ambiguous expression of laughter and tears, headed towards the claw machine, each carrying 790 chances to win.

Boss: "Have a great time, and may we never leave each other!"

Boss, please go easy on me!

Because of their outstanding achievements, the boss who specialized in this industry forgot immediately that shooting skills and claw machine skills are not interchangeable.

"Could you please not touch my waist next time?" Alina looked ahead with a slightly unfocused gaze, clearly aware that this request was indeed a bit unreasonable for a young couple.

Seeing Chu Yanbing remain silent, she changed her words with a hint of hesitation: "Or, next time, you could tell me in advance so I can prepare myself." This time, before the other party could remain silent, Alina quickly explained: "It's not that I dislike you, it's just that I'm really a little itchy."

His Adam's apple bobbed, and Chu Yanbing responded in a low, hoarse voice, "Okay." He had actually noticed long ago that her waist was very sensitive, or rather, not just her waist.

Surprisingly, the Imperial Marshal, who was considered invincible by the people of the Empire, suffered his first Waterloo, but it was because of a claw machine.

Glancing at the empty exit, Alina comforted her, "It's okay, failure is normal. After all, we all know this machine has problems. Playing this is all about the process!"

Chu Yanbing pursed his lips, glanced at the girl beside him, and became completely focused. The heavy atmosphere affected Alina, who was watching from the sidelines. She clenched her fists and felt inexplicably heavy-hearted.

"Click".

"Clatter".

"Da da".

Three battles, three defeats.

In an instant, Alina seemed to see a large, dejected dog with droopy eyes, even its habitually upturned tail drooped.

God knows, what she was seeing in front of her was clearly a cat, a big cat, meowing!

Alina: "Me"

Chu Yanbing: "Me"

The two spoke almost simultaneously.

Chu Yanbing: "You go first."

Alina: "Okay, I'll go first."

Taking a deep breath, her fluttering dark green eyelashes blinked, and Alina abruptly closed her eyes, uttering the thought that had just popped into her head without any careful consideration.

"Why don't you take me to catch it?"

After saying the first half of the sentence, the second half inexplicably flowed without any hindrance. Alina opened her eyes and said seriously, "Anyway, claw machines are just for having fun!"

We agreed there would be no obstacles, so why do my cheeks feel hot?!

Alina's head was steaming, her thoughts a jumbled mess, and she asked back, "And you? What are you trying to say?"

Chu Yanbing: "Okay."

"No, what were you trying to say?"

"That's exactly what I was going to say."

Chu Yan's cold, white skin showed no redness whatsoever, making it impossible to tell whether the other person was telling the truth or lying.

But Alina believed he was telling the truth.

In this way, this embarrassing suggestion wouldn't have come from her, the innocent little sprite!