Love at First Game

Episode 3 Proposed

Vivian was in a dilemma. Running away in a panic wasn't heroic, but standing still made her look like a thief caught red-handed. Then, a brilliant idea struck her. She slightly lifted her red robes, sat down, and activated her stall. In Dreaming of Wandering in the Martial Arts World, when characters sit, they can rest, meditate, or—as in Vivian's case—set up a market stall.

A banner immediately appeared over her head: "Cheap Medicines for Sale."

The players surrounding her reacted with exasperated emojis popping above their avatars.

Vivian quickly typed, "Come take a look! Freshly made medicine by a max-level pharmacist, 20% off!"

The crowd, previously only there for gossip, suddenly became animated. Top-level potions, crafted by master pharmacists, were rare treasures. They weren’t sold in shops, and monster drops were sporadic at best. Only a handful of master pharmacists existed on the server, and they rarely sold potions outside their guilds.

Within moments, the players surged toward Vivian's petite red-robed figure, excitedly buying out her inventory.

Meanwhile, the bridal sedan passed Zhuque Bridge. It had been moving at a slow, ceremonial pace but suddenly accelerated, disappearing beyond the bridge in the blink of an eye.

With no more spectacle to enjoy and Vivian’s potions sold out, the crowd dispersed. The bridge, usually quiet save for wedding ceremonies, returned to its tranquil state.

Vivian packed up her stall and was preparing to leave when a voice called from beneath the bridge.

"Willow Vivian."

She turned, scanning for the source. Beneath a diagonally leaning willow tree stood a man dressed in pure white, holding a jade flute. The wind gently stirred the willow branches, adding an ethereal charm to the scene. His white robes fluttered as if he had stepped out of a painting.

Vivian’s eyes widened—not because the man was handsome, though he certainly was. Characters like his—white-robed flute players—were common in the game. She had seen so many she had grown immune to their aesthetic appeal.

What caught her attention was the name hovering over his head: Nathan.

Meeting the Number One Player

Nathan wasn’t just another player. He was the player.

As the number one-ranked player, Nathan was a legend. His dominance extended beyond levels and PvP skill; he possessed top-tier equipment, divine pets, impeccable control, and—most crucially—endless in-game wealth.

Vivian's first reaction? Hearts and coins popped up in her mind.

Daniel Thorne, my idol! A wealthy person!

She practically flew down the bridge, her red robes trailing behind her. Flashing her best smile, she greeted him warmly.

"Long time no see, Nathan. Should I call you Nathan or Daniel Thorne?"

Nathan’s response was curt: "Uh."

The system notification immediately informed Vivian: Nathan has added you as a friend.

Vivian blinked, momentarily stunned. The friend request option for top-ranked players was usually disabled to avoid spam. Vivian herself occasionally disabled it when overwhelmed with requests. For Nathan to add her directly was… significant.

Quickly regaining her composure, Vivian accepted and sent a request back.

After a pause, Nathan messaged: "What do you think of this wedding?"

Vivian was surprised. Even Nathan gossips?

Diplomatically, she typed, "It’s grand."

Nathan’s next message was unexpected: "Would you like an even grander wedding?"

Vivian froze, her fingers hovering over the keyboard.

Then, he sent the bombshell: "Marry me."

She leaned back in her chair, grateful she hadn’t been drinking tea, or her monitor would have been sprayed again. Pushing her cup further away, she stared at the screen.

Nathan’s character stood silently under the willow tree, radiating elegance and calm.

After a long pause, Vivian typed: "Daniel Thorne… Did your account get hacked? = ="

Nathan, seemingly not amused, replied: "Check the official website. Look at the Couple PK Competition announcement."

Vivian opened the site. Bold letters at the top of the page declared:

"Couple PK Competition!"

A quick read revealed the details:

Couples would compete in server-wide PvP battles. The top three couples from each server would receive prizes, with first-place winners advancing to the global competition for super rewards. The first-place global prize was particularly enticing.

A Strategic Proposal

Returning to the game, Vivian typed: "You married me just for this PK competition?"

Nathan’s reply was simple: "Hmm."

Vivian rolled her eyes. "Wow, seriously? Why me?"

Nathan didn’t mince words: "You’re the only female player in the top ten of the PK leader board."

Vivian blinked. While flattered, she couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions. Marrying on a quest was one thing. But marrying for competitive PvP?

On the other hand, Nathan was undeniably the strongest player on the server. Teaming up with him gave them a real shot at becoming champions. After a moment of contemplation, Vivian clenched her fists and typed: "Let’s do it!"

She felt a wave of relief after making the decision. "Let’s team up and head to the Marriage Fairy."

Nathan stopped her with a single word: "Wait."

Vivian frowned. "What is it? Don’t tell me you’re scared off because I agreed too quickly?"

Nathan’s reply was characteristically calm: "I need to prepare. Three days from now, 8 o’clock."

Vivian was confused. "Prepare for what?"

"The wedding," Nathan replied.

Vivian sighed. "A simple certificate will do. We’re marrying for competition, not romance. Why make it grand?"

Nathan’s response left her speechless: "I don’t do casual weddings. It’s Nathan’s wedding, after all."

Vivian stared at the screen, utterly baffled.