Love at First Game

Episode 16 Join Me...

The Light Beyond the Game

Vivian quickly and skillfully replied to her friends' inquiries, but Nathan never sent a message. She moved the mouse to block out the world chat, and suddenly, everything returned to calm.

The computer screen remained dim, with only the faint outline of her character in red illuminated. As Vivian stared at the screen, an inexplicable sense of emptiness crept in.

The gang in the game may not have meant much, but it carried memories—sacrifices and joys. Even without regrets, leaving left a bittersweet pang. And now, left alone in a small dark room by the system, Vivian couldn't help but feel a little frustrated.

She clicked the mouse aimlessly, making her Red-Clothed Female Warrior pace in circles, searching for an escape. Just as she was about to give up, a sudden ding echoed.

A message appeared:

"Your husband Nathan has passed the final test of 'Love Formation.' Congratulations on completing the tasks of The Condor Heroes."

Vivian blinked in astonishment.

As the message faded, the screen transformed. Dots of light emerged, connecting into constellations that flowed down like a waterfall. Darkness dissolved into a brilliant, breathtaking scene.

Vivian found herself standing at the edge of a cliff, surrounded by towering peaks. To her right, a small waterfall cascaded into a crystal-clear pool, teeming with vibrant, exotic flowers.

And descending from above, radiant as a celestial being, was Nathan.

He was seated on a majestic, snow-white eagle.

Vivian was dumbstruck, watching the scene unfold. Daniel Thorne’s entrance was so dazzling it was almost surreal. If the giant eagle had sprouted angel wings, it would have been complete.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Vivian typed:

"You found me?"

The words seemed silly the moment they appeared on the screen, but they reflected her thoughts perfectly. He had found her, and the realization made her inexplicably happy.

Nathan dismounted with a calm smile:

"Sorry for the wait, Mrs. Lau."

Vivian’s lips curved involuntarily: ">o

The Ultimate Reward

Before she could reply further, the system flashed another announcement:

[System]: Nathan and Willow Vivian have completed the ultimate couple mission, 'The Return of the Condor Heroes,' earning one million experience points, the title of the number one immortal couple in the martial world, and the first flying mount, 'The Divine Condor.'

The world that exploded:

[World] [Heavy Rain]: Flying mounts!!!!!

[World] [Small City, Small Issues]: Could this mean a flying mount system is coming to the game?!

[World] [Breezy without Pants]: I want one too~~~~

[World] [Endless Possibilities]: Breezy, maybe don’t fly. Everyone on the ground will see everything.

[World] [Breezy without Pants]: Hmph! I don’t mind. Flying feels liberating!

Amidst the chaos, discussions turned to the couple at the center of it all:

[World] [yoyo1212]: Vivian always rises to fame when people think she’s down, like when she divorced and remarried."

[World] [Rapeseed Flower]: Exactly! She went from Mason to Nathan in no time. Amazing!"

[World] [Ayin]: Isn’t Mason the one who was abandoned?"

[World] [George]: You’re sharp! Come on, let’s kill the boss together!"

Vivian had blocked the world chat and missed all the excitement. Instead, she marveled at the pure-white bird before her.

"So this is the Divine Eagle?"

She circled it, taking in its elegant form. Suddenly, a thought struck her.

"Wait a minute," she said.

Nathan glanced over. "What’s wrong?"

"Aren’t eagles supposed to be black? Why is this one white? Is it a bug?"

Nathan laughed softly. "Come on, let’s take a ride."

Soaring Beyond

The Divine Eagle took off, carrying them high above the game world. The scenery unfolded beneath them—Chang’an’s bustling streets, verdant mountains, and winding rivers.

As they fled, Vivian asked curiously:

"How did you find me?"

Nathan explained:

"There were clues along the way. The system left hints at key locations, like ‘You picked up your lady’s purse. Is she nearby?’ It wasn’t too crazy."

Vivian’s eyes widened. "What about the love sickness formation? Was it something legendary?"

Nathan chuckled. "Not quite. Before entering, the system gave me instructions—around one or two thousand words. I had 10 seconds to read them."

Vivian gaped. "You memorized all of that in 10 seconds?!"

Nathan paused. "I took a screenshot."

Vivian smacked her forehead. Of course, why hadn’t she thought of that?

A New Chapter

After a while, Nathan broke the silence:

"You quit the guild?"

Vivian hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah, I quit."

Nathan replied casually: "That’s good. Join me from now on."

Though his tone was nonchalant, Vivian felt an unexpected weight lift from her shoulders. With newfound confidence, she exclaimed:

"Great! Let’s wander the world together, like a pair of wild lovebirds in the gaming community!"

Nathan replied dryly: "Wild lovebirds? We had a formal wedding, remember?"

Vivian winced. ">o

Nathan countered, "Status is important."

Vivian sighed but couldn’t help but laugh.

A Moment of Clarity

As they soared over Chang’an and its surrounding landscapes, Vivian’s frustrations melted away. The vast, beautiful world stretched out before her, and she realized how silly it was to dwell on the guild drama. Life was too short—both in the game and out of it.

She shifted her gaze to the screen. On the eagle’s back, her character leaned against Nathan’s, their figures framed by a breathtaking snowy mountain scene. Her eyes fell on the title floating above his name: Willow Vivian’s Husband.

For some reason, her heart fluttered. She opened her character panel and selected the title she’d never used before: Nathan’s Wife.

As the words appeared beside her name, a strange sweetness filled her heart.

Elle’s Concern

In the dormitory, Elle glanced up from her paper, noticing Vivian’s serene smile. She hesitated, then said, "Vivian, um..."

"Yes?" Vivian replied, still smiling at the screen.

Elle sighed inwardly. Vivian looked radiant under the dim light, her beauty magnified by her bright smile. But that smile was directed at a computer screen.

"Vivian," Elle began cautiously, "Don’t you think...you’re acting like..."

"Like what?" Vivian asked absently.

Elle hesitated before blurting out, "A net-romance protagonist!"