At this moment, the portly owner of the restaurant emerged from the kitchen, holding a microphone. Dressed in festive attire, his face beaming with a warm, benevolent smile.
"Thank you to all our esteemed customers for gracing our establishment! Today marks our tenth anniversary, and we have prepared a special event for your participation…
You can access our restaurant's program and enter a quiz competition. The first customer to answer all questions correctly will receive a free meal for tonight, along with exquisite gifts.
The first-place winner will be awarded a crystal bracelet worth ten thousand yuan, the second-place winner a mobile phone, and the third-place winner a generous cash red envelope of three thousand yuan…
You may all prepare yourselves. If your internet connection is poor, you can connect to our complimentary Wi-Fi. I will announce the start of the event in five minutes."
The customers in the hall erupted into enthusiastic applause and cheers. The prizes were truly remarkable; such generosity from a proprietor was rarely encountered.
The tenth-anniversary celebration was indeed a joyous occasion.
Even those not interested in participating wanted to soak in the festive spirit. After all, people travel for happiness.
Upon hearing this, Su Ding quickly took out her phone and found the mini-program.
"Eat well, and I'll give it to you when we get back," Jin Ye said generously, seeing her eager excitement, assuming she desired the prizes.
Su Ding shot him a speechless glance. "I don't want yours."
The value of prizes wasn't solely economic; it was also about the joy of unexpected rewards. Jin Ye, she thought, wouldn't understand that.
Jin Ye, however, frowned. "Why not?"
Su Ding laughed, exasperated. "You silly goose, it's about joining in the fun and sharing the good fortune. You, on the other hand, are like an immortal fairy detached from the mortal world."
Jin Ye didn't get angry at her words. Instead, he pondered. Seeing everyone around him holding their phones, awaiting the event's commencement, he also took out his phone.
"What mini-program is it?" he asked, unfamiliar with these kinds of things.
Su Ding had ordered their meal using her phone earlier, so he was quite unclear about the situation now.
"You want to play too? Come here."
Su Ding got up, moved beside Jin Ye, and leaned over his phone, instructing him on how to search for the restaurant's name…
Seeing the little woman beside him beaming with spirit, Jin Ye couldn't help but break into a smile.
As the owner began the countdown, Su Ding quickly handed her phone, with the activity page open, to Jin Ye, her eyes full of excitement. "Get ready to answer questions!"
Her expression was remarkably similar to Su Xiao Rui's, and surprisingly, it also bore a resemblance to Jin Xiao Xi.
Jin Ye momentarily lost himself in thought, but as the countdown ended, he turned his attention to the phone.
What followed was a frantic race against time in the quiz.
The quiz comprised thirty questions, covering history, geography, current affairs, trending news, financial information, and even English geography and brain teasers…
The variety of questions left everyone present sweating profusely.
Who could answer all the questions correctly in such a short time? Su Ding's eyes blurred with anxiety, gazing at the correct options but choosing the wrong answers.
Fortunately, it wasn't an immediate elimination, and they could continue answering.
As the time limit approached its end, people frantically asked their neighbors for answers. However, those who knew were too busy answering themselves, and those who didn't were helpless.
"3—2—1!"
Time's up!
Su Ding put down her phone and let out a long sigh. It felt as intense as the college entrance examination.
Turning to look at Jin Ye, she saw him still maintaining a composed demeanor.
Indeed, the wealthy seemed indifferent to such matters.
"How did you do?" Su Ding asked, taking a sip of her drink and leisurely observing the man in front of her.
"Finished," Jin Ye replied calmly.
Seeing that they had almost finished eating and noticing the early hour, he decided they could take a stroll along the beach and find a hotel to stay in nearby.
"When will the results be announced?" Jin Ye asked.
"Should be soon, it's an online quiz…"
As Su Ding was idly looking at her phone, resting her chin on her hand, the quiz page suddenly displayed the leaderboard. Jin Ye was in first place!
"Wow, you're first!" Su Ding immediately sat up straight, her eyes shining as she stared at the screen.
"Hm?" Jin Ye looked at her, bewildered. Seeing her uncontrollable joy, he walked over and affectionately patted her head.
"What are you looking at?" Su Ding gave him a playful glare, then showed him the leaderboard, exclaiming, "You're amazing!"
Jin Ye felt pleased by the compliment but didn't outwardly show it, nodding calmly instead.
Su Ding shifted inward, making space for Jin Ye to sit beside her, and continued to scroll through her phone, finally discovering her own ranking.
Twelfth place.
She sighed helplessly, though it was within expectations.
Soon, the owner, holding the microphone, began the award ceremony.
"Please, the top three winners, come to the front desk to claim your prizes. Everyone who participated in this event will receive a beautifully packaged small gift, which our servers will present to you."
Enthusiastic cheers filled the hall, with everyone thanking the owner and wishing him prosperity.
Su Ding also joined in, smiling and shouting, "Thank you, Boss!"
Turning, she saw Jin Ye looking at her and smiling. Her face flushed slightly, and she said uncomfortably, "What are you looking at? Go claim your prize."
Jin Ye raised an eyebrow and handed her his phone. "You go claim it for me, I'll give it to you."
"Oh?" Su Ding curved her lips. "Such a meaningful prize."
"Yes, for you," Jin Ye replied. He had no intention of wearing a crystal bracelet himself, and the bracelet's best destination was undoubtedly Su Ding.
Su Ding happily got up and went to the front desk. After showing her ID, the portly owner, without any hesitation, smiled and congratulated her. "Congratulations, miss. You managed to answer so many questions correctly."
Su Ding felt a little embarrassed by the praise. "Um, my friend answered them. I'm just collecting it for him."
The owner, who had noticed them upon their arrival, naturally knew that this friend was the gentleman who had accompanied her.
He gave Su Ding an ambiguous smile and retrieved an antique wooden box from a cabinet. Opening it, he revealed a delicate and translucent crystal necklace.
"Miss, this necklace has a story. I happened to help a master while traveling abroad, and he said that this necklace brings marital bliss to the wearer and ensures they stay with their beloved for a lifetime."
The owner solemnly handed the box to her. "Now, I present this fortune to you."
Su Ding fell in love with the crystal necklace at first sight and was delighted to hear its story. She took it and said to the owner, "Thank you very much."
The owner smiled and nodded at her. "You are the destined one."
As Su Ding carried the wooden box back to their seats, she saw Jin Ye's phone vibrate. The caller ID read "Mother," and she panicked.
She quickened her pace and handed the phone to Jin Ye. "Your mom."
Jin Ye took the phone and stood up to take the call outside.
A short while later, he returned. "It's nothing. Let's go."
Su Ding walked out with him and strolled onto the beach. The sea breeze ruffled her hair, making her feel free.
Under the moonlight, she extended her fair wrist, adorned with the sparkling crystal necklace.
It was beautiful.
Su Ding smiled happily. "Does it look good?"