Chapter 55: "Half of My Luck, I Give to You"

With those words, Qin Yichi was the first to toss in a coin, gripping the joystick with one hand to maneuver the claw, his expression lazy and nonchalant. He pressed the button.

The claw descended slowly, precisely latching onto a little puppy plush.

Watching the puppy plush being lifted by the hook, Qiao Zhen felt as if her own heart had been seized, rising higher and higher into the air.

She held her breath, unconsciously growing tense, not daring to make a sound.

The group of boys nearby widened their eyes in curiosity, casting fervent glances at the machine, clenching their fists as though their encouragement alone could fuel the claw's strength.

Just a little bit more!

Qiao Zhen couldn't help but feel a surge of joy, but in the very next second, the smile on her lips vanished.

The plush suddenly slipped from the hook, falling just a few centimeters from the exit—failure.

Qin Yichi was OUT.

Yet he showed no reaction, as if this outcome had been completely expected.

The four children beside them all wore looks of regret.

Qiao Zhen leaned in close, gently consoling him, “That was already amazing. Try again—maybe you’ll get it this time!”

The distance between them instantly shrank. Qiao Zhen’s porcelain-white face filled his vision, her eyes brimming with anticipation, her cherry-pink lips softly pursed, more alluring and desirable than all the plushies in the machine combined.

Qin Yichi’s deep gaze fell on her plump, tender lips, lingering for a few seconds before quickly averting his eyes, dark irises swirling with emotion.

He inserted another coin to try again.

But after three more attempts, he failed every time, always just a little bit away from success.

Just a little—always at the crucial moment, the claw would loosen its grip, as if the machine itself had a mind of its own.

Qiao Zhen felt sorry for him, pursing her lips to offer comfort.

The children nearby shook their heads, disappointment in their eyes as if to say: Bro, you look like you’ve got this, but you really don’t!

Qin Yichi remained unruffled, placing a coin in Qiao Zhen’s hand and turning to her with genuine seriousness:

“Your turn.”

Qiao Zhen instinctively declined, “But I’m not lucky at all. You should keep trying.”

Qin Yichi chuckled quietly, “As you can see, four rounds and nothing. I think my luck is even worse.”

Left with no choice, Qiao Zhen dropped the coin in, bracing herself.

If even someone as skilled as Qin Yichi couldn’t do it...

She had little hope, but still focused intently, maneuvering the claw toward the little butter-yellow bear in the middle, and nervously pressed the red button.

The claw gripped the bear tightly, lifting it into the air.

Playing the claw machine, the most thrilling, nerve-wracking moment is always this one.

By Qiao Zhen’s side, her fingertips curled slightly, as if she could transmit strength to the claw through sheer will.

A second later, with a metallic clatter, the plush bear dropped.

Qiao Zhen blinked, dumbfounded, barely believing as she picked up the little cream bear holding a flower from the chute below.

The soft plush against her skin seemed to instantly sweep away all the gloom of her past.

She hugged it tightly, her eyes sparkling and her smile blooming like an orchid, as light as a butterfly’s dance.

“Qin Yichi, did I really get it?!”

Oh my God!

The children nearby perked up instantly, their eyes wide with amazement. “Whoa! You can really win these things!!!”

Even the kids at the neighboring machine were green with envy.

Qin Yichi leaned casually against the machine, long legs crossed, his features sharply defined. Though clad in a simple black puffer jacket, he exuded a calm, mature charm, almost devilishly magnetic.

Yet with two jingling reindeer antlers perched on his head, there was a certain incongruity, making him appear vibrant and full of youthful spirit.

He couldn’t help but smile with her, praising, “Yes, that was impressive.”

Clutching the little bear with joy, Qiao Zhen’s heartbeat quickened.

It was the first plush she’d ever won herself—an achievement that felt truly special.

As if refusing to believe in defeat, Qin Yichi tried several more times, but either failed to grab anything at all or lost his grip halfway as the claw inexplicably released.

Not once did he succeed.

OUT!

The children nearby grew anxious, looking up with innocent faces, “Big brother, you need to try harder! You’re not as good as your girlfriend!”

Qin Yichi glanced at the little brats but didn’t deny it, merely smiled lazily and replied, “Mm, this young lady is indeed more talented, so let her do it.”

Hearing herself called “young lady,” Qiao Zhen’s chest grew warm, and she slid another coin into the machine.

This was the last coin.

With so many eyes on her, the pressure mounted.

Qiao Zhen took a deep breath, moved the joystick, aiming for the brown puppy Qin Yichi had tried for earlier. After confirming her aim, she pressed the button with utmost seriousness.

Her expression was solemn, as if she were taking an exam.

She didn’t know that, as she concentrated on winning the plush, Qin Yichi was watching her just as intently.

They all saw the claw seize the puppy firmly, lift it slowly, and finally, with a metallic “clunk,” drop it neatly into the prize chute.

She had done it again!

The boys erupted into applause, “Awesome! You’re amazing, big sister!!!!”

Qiao Zhen immediately crouched down, retrieving the puppy plush from the chute, nearly bouncing with excitement.

“Qin Yichi, look! I won another one!”

She couldn’t help but suspect that the claw was somehow stronger whenever it was her turn, never letting go so easily.

Qiao Zhen felt invincible.

She wore a proud, expectant expression, like a delighted little fawn, her dimples shining brighter than the stars above.

Qin Yichi felt his heart brushed gently by feathers, melting into utter softness.

All this for just a claw machine prize.

And yet, she was so happy, so easily content.

In that moment, Qin Yichi suddenly realized that everything he had done was worth it.

Laughter lit up his eyes, a scattering of light at their depths, as he said, “Qiao Zhen, you’re very lucky.”

The one most deserving of good fortune.

Looking at the two plushies in her hands—one, the cream bear she loved; the other, the brown puppy Qin Yichi had failed to win after many attempts—she realized they had played ten rounds: Qin Yichi had failed eight times, while she’d succeeded twice.

One was unlucky, the other a lucky star.

Without hesitation, Qiao Zhen pressed the puppy plush into Qin Yichi’s arms, winking at him.

He accepted it, giving the puppy a gentle squeeze and waggling its tail.

In the midst of the noisy, bustling arcade, amidst the chaos and clamor, Qin Yichi heard Qiao Zhen’s clear, sweet voice.

Every word became a hammer, pounding powerfully at his heart, echoing like thunder.

“Qin Yichi.”

The girl lifted her face, her smile as radiant as a blossom.

“I’ll share half of my luck with you.”