[Quest Name: Xu Lin's Trouble]
"It's golden!"
Sitting at the entrance of his small shop, Lin Jiang gazed into the distance at a woman walking toward him, a golden exclamation mark hovering over her head.
The woman's name was Xu Lin. He knew her—she was his neighbor.
She wore a gray pencil skirt and a black knit top, with a Z-shaped necklace at her chest. Her entire outfit had an alluring charm.
But what truly made Lin Jiang exclaim wasn't Xu Lin's mature charm, but the golden exclamation mark above her head.
Prior to this, Lin Jiang had seen exclamation marks over other people's heads, but they had always been blue.
But the one above Xu Lin's head was golden.
Having played online games for three and a half of his four years in college, Lin Jiang was no stranger to such exclamation marks.
When NPCs gave out quests, they would always have an exclamation mark like this over their heads.
Blue was for ordinary daily quests, while gold was for proper quests.
'So the question is, why can I see these things?'
'And I can't even check the quest details.'
'Could it be I've watched too much... "Birth of a Director" or something?'
"Taking it easy, Boss Lin? You're even out here getting some air."
Xu Lin walked over, carrying two bags of groceries, and stopped in front of Lin Jiang to greet him.
"It gets quiet in the afternoon, after the lunch rush," Lin Jiang replied matter-of-factly.
"I came to give you some business."
Xu Lin, groceries in hand, walked up the steps and into the small shop. Lin Jiang turned to follow.
The pencil skirt really worked on Xu Lin, showing off her figure to great effect. Her rear was full and shapely—not flat in the slightest. Her proportions were amazing.
"What can I get for you?"
"Chicken noodle soup. Not too many noodles, I just need something to line my stomach."
"Line your stomach?"
"I have a very important business dinner tonight. I'll probably have to drink, so I can't go on an empty stomach."
"Alright. I'll go make it for you."
Lin Jiang went to the kitchen, while Xu Lin expertly scanned the QR code with her phone to pay.
After graduating from college, Lin Jiang spent a few years as a corporate drone. Realizing he'd never get ahead if he stayed on that path, he decisively quit, borrowed some money, and opened this noodle shop.
He thought that after starting his own business, he would make it big and achieve something great. Instead, he just went from being a corporate drone to a beast of burden; the fundamental nature of his life hadn't really changed.
The only benefit was having a little more freedom.
A few minutes later, Lin Jiang finished preparing the chicken noodle soup, brought it out with a pair of chopsticks, and set it down in front of Xu Lin.
"Yours is still the best. I've tried making it for my son at home a few times, but he always insists it's not as good as yours." Xu Lin's smile was warm, and her voice was soft and gentle.
"Well, I couldn't very well open a noodle shop if I didn't have some skill," Lin Jiang said with a smile.
"If you think it tastes good, I can pack you some broth to take home. You can freeze it, and it'll last for a long time."
"Kids these days are different from us. They'll think the exact same thing tastes better if it's from a restaurant," Xu Lin said, brushing a stray bang from her forehead.
"If I were the one to take it home and make it for him, he'd say it wasn't good."
"You've got a point."
Xu Lin ate with a refined posture, spoon in one hand and chopsticks in the other. Even with no one sitting across from her, she kept her legs pressed neatly together.
But what drew Lin Jiang's attention more was the yellow exclamation mark still hovering over her head.
BZZT BZZT BZZT—
Just as Lin Jiang was about to investigate further, the phone in his pocket started vibrating.
His expression sank the moment he saw the two words on the screen: Chen Jingjia.
'My ex-wife, practically,' he thought. 'After all, we're definitely not getting married anymore.'
"Lin Jiang, we haven't spoken in days. You've probably calmed down by now. I think we should talk."
"About what? Go ahead."
"I'll just ask you one question: do you still want to go through with this wedding or not?"
"At the wedding, you demanded that my family give each of your relatives a red envelope with 1,888 yuan. What were you thinking?" Lin Jiang's tone was harsh.
"I've heard of people siding with outsiders, but I've never seen someone chop off their own arm and just give it away."
"I know you're reluctant to part with the money, but my relatives have been very good to me since I was a child. Now that I'm getting married, what's wrong with giving them some red envelopes? I don't think it's a big deal."
"Are you fucking treating me like an ATM? They were good to you, so your family should be the one paying! Do I owe you people something?"
"I'm the one marrying you! So what if you're the one paying for it!" Chen Jingjia's voice rose as well.
"I'm the one who will have to do laundry, cook, and bear children for you! What's so wrong with me asking for this money!"
'The fucking "I'll bear your children" card again!'
"You've never done any of that before. You think you'll magically start after we're married? Stop bullshitting."
"Can you please be reasonable? I don't want to argue. But if you still want to go through with this wedding, the red envelopes for my relatives are non-negotiable."
Lin Jiang had been furious, but after hearing her words, he suddenly felt calm.
"Then let's just call it off. I've already packed up your things. You can come and get them."
After hanging up, Lin Jiang's expression was exceptionally relaxed. He felt a refreshing sense of release and clarity.
At that very moment, a strange voice sounded in Lin Jiang's mind.
[Game Life System successfully loaded...]
[Omniscient Database successfully loaded...]
[In the Game Life System, anyone can become a quest-giving NPC. Completing quests grants corresponding rewards, helping the player overcome all obstacles in this game of life and rise to the top.]
[For every 100 EXP gained, you will receive an opportunity for a Treasure Chest.]
'Tongzi has appeared?'
'No wonder I couldn't see the quest details before. It hadn't finished loading yet.'
The words appearing in his mind confirmed Lin Jiang's suspicions.
'My life has been turned into a game!'
'Anyone can become a quest-giving NPC!'
After the prompts ended, an attribute panel appeared in his mind.
[Name: Lin Jiang]
[Skills: Culinary Skill (Basic)]
[Attributes: Physique 13, Comprehension 11, Charm 14 (Average person: 10-15)]
[Martial Force: 12 (Average person: 10-15)]
[Items: 0]
[Treasure Chest: 0/100]
'The panel is simple and easy to understand.'
'I run a small noodle shop, but my skills are pretty average, so it's reasonable for my Culinary Skill to be rated as Basic.'
'My other attributes seem decent enough, not too bad.'
'The Item slot is interesting, though. Maybe I'll be able to get game-like items in the future.'
[The Game of Life offers a high degree of freedom. Players are free to explore. Completing quests can earn rewards such as wealth, achievements, and titles. Enjoy!]
[Note: You have been granted a golden quest to start. More will appear randomly in the future.]
Lin Jiang smiled. 'This is pretty interesting.'
Then, Lin Jiang tapped the exclamation mark above Xu Lin's head.
[Quest Name: Xu Lin's Predicament]
[Quest Description: She hopes someone can help her pick up her child tonight, otherwise she will miss an important business dinner.]
[Quest Rewards: Evaluation Label (lasts for seven days), Breathing Card x1, 30 EXP]