Chapter 265: The End of Sea God Fated Blind Date Festival
When Ping Xinyan returned to the viewing platform with Qin Yuezhu, rejoining Qi Han and the others, the Sea God Fated Blind Date Festival was nearing its conclusion.
Ping Xinyan now held a vibrant bouquet in her hands, her face beaming with a radiant smile. As soon as she got back to the platform, she left Qin Yuezhu's side and began whispering with the other three girls.
Judging by the growing looks of envy and admiration on their faces as the conversation went on, she was likely sharing the blissful moments she had just experienced.
After Qin Yuezhu smiled and nodded politely to Qi Han, his gaze returned to the ongoing Sea God Fated Blind Date Festival on Sea God Lake, his eyebrows lifting slightly in surprise.
Mo Qi and Yan Xi… could they actually stand a chance?
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The Sea God Fated Blind Date Festival consists of five stages.
First Stage: Mutual Admiration.
The rules for this stage have been explained before. Each male participant, following the order in which they previously claimed lotus leaves, takes turns attempting to knock off the conical hats worn by the female participants. The number of hats a male participant successfully knocks off determines the order for the next stage, ranked from most to least.
Second Stage: Love at First Sight.
In this stage, the male participants, based on their performance in the first stage, take turns stepping forward. Each female participant has a control switch for the light beam beneath her lotus leaf. If she is interested in the male participant, she can leave her light beam on. Otherwise, she turns it off.
If a male participant receives no light beams from any female participants in this stage, he is immediately eliminated.
Third Stage: Second Glance Love.
The order for this stage is determined by drawing lots. Male participants step forward in turn and are given one minute to introduce themselves. During this time, they may showcase their abilities and talents to help the female participants make their choices.
Fourth Stage: Destined Connection.
In this stage, the female participants take the lead. Each steps forward in turn, introduces herself, and chooses the male participant she is interested in by standing next to him.
Any female participant who does not make a choice is eliminated, and any male participant who is not chosen by any female participants is also eliminated.
It is not uncommon for multiple female participants to choose the same outstanding male participant, resulting in several standing by his side.
Fifth Stage: Perfect Match.
After the female participants make their selections in the previous stage, the final decision shifts to the male participants.
The male participants can ultimately choose the female participant they wish to pair with. If they select a female participant who also chose them and there are no rivals for her, the pair successfully becomes a couple.
However, if a rival emerges, the competition enters the "Marriage Duel" stage.
At Shrek Academy, where talent is abundant, the "Marriage Duel" naturally relies on strength to determine the outcome.
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At this moment, the fourth stage of the Sea God Fated Blind Date Festival had just concluded.
On Sea God Lake, the number of glowing light beams had dwindled significantly. Out of the original 22 "Sea God Fairies," 20 remained, while the number of male participants had dropped from 46 to just 15.
A staggering 31 male participants had been eliminated in the earlier stages, forced to leave the lotus leaves and become spectators instead of participants.
Even two female participants were eliminated because they did not choose a male participant they were interested in.
What truly surprised Qin Yuezhu was that not only had Mo Qi managed to stay on the lotus leaf without being eliminated, but Yan Xi was now standing beside him.
In the fourth stage, Yan Xi had actually chosen him?
Unfortunately, Qin Yuezhu hadn't witnessed what had happened earlier, leaving him feeling like he had missed out on a fortune.
Still—
He glanced at Ping Xinyan, who was clutching her bouquet tightly and smiling with pure joy. A faint warmth appeared in his eyes.
Maybe this missed "fortune" was well worth it.
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"Hey, dummy, the fourth stage is over. How long are you going to keep daydreaming?" Yan Xi rolled her eyes at Mo Qi, who was still grinning foolishly, and instinctively reached out to pinch the soft flesh at his waist.
"Ow!" Mo Qi inhaled sharply, wincing. His face flushed with embarrassment. "I-I'm just too happy, that's all!"
"Xixi, why did you choose me?"
"I…" Yan Xi opened her mouth, then glared at Mo Qi fiercely. "I felt sorry for you since no one else picked you. Any problem with that?"
Yet, as she said those words, the blush on her cheeks betrayed her. It was clear her statement wasn't entirely sincere.
"Oh… I see." Mo Qi scratched his head, the excitement in his eyes dimming slightly.
So, Xixi didn't really like me… She just picked me out of pity because no one else did...
Watching Mo Qi's deflated reaction, Yan Xi felt both frustrated and heartbroken.
This idiot! This clueless blockhead!
Doesn't he realize I was speaking ironically?
But seeing Mo Qi's pitiful expression tugged at her heart. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed his collar abruptly.
"Hey! Mo Qi, listen to me carefully. From the moment you started trailing after me to be my sparring partner, from when you carried water bottles for me during weighted runs, from every time you carried me to the infirmary when I was injured, to every meal where you sat nearby, sneaking glances at me—you idiot—I already liked you back then!"
"You…" Mo Qi stared blankly at the blushing girl in front of him, her face flushed all the way to her ears. His mood swung from despair to sheer delight in an instant. "You knew all along?"
"Obviously!" Yan Xi released his collar, her hands twisting together awkwardly as she looked away, refusing to meet his eyes. Her voice softened, tinged with shyness. "You made it so obvious… I'm not blind."
Holding back laughter as she watched the two bicker, Yue Lengxin finally spoke softly, "The fifth stage, Perfect Match, begins now. Male participants chosen by only one female participant, please decide whether you will hold hands with her. For male participants chosen by multiple female participants, please choose whom you wish to pair with. Once a decision is made, it cannot be changed."
Mo Qi's face burned, but he reacted quickly. Almost the moment Yue Lengxin finished speaking, he grabbed Yan Xi's hand.
Her hand was small, soft, and warm…
Mo Qi's face grew even redder, while Yan Xi—already blushing to her ears—felt her heart pounding as happiness welled up inside her.
The "Marriage Duel" stage, a hallmark of the Sea God Fated Blind Date Festival, occurred every year, and this year was no exception.
However, Mo Qi was an unremarkable figure in the inner court, with little presence, and Yan Xi—despite her adorable looks—was known for her tsundere and fierce personality, often showing no interest in the male students. Naturally, no one dared to challenge them.
Thus, the two successfully became a couple without any rivals.
In contrast, a few of the more handsome or talented male participants attracted multiple female participants, resulting in several "Marriage Duel" scenarios.
But such cases were relatively rare.
After all, most students in the inner court were already familiar with one another and likely harbored mutual feelings long before the event. The Sea God Fated Blind Date Festival simply provided them with a public opportunity to express their affections.
As Yue Lengxin announced the end of the fifth stage and offered blessings to the successfully paired couples, Qi Han and his group joined the crowd leaving the Shrek Academy viewing area.
The Sea God Fated Blind Date Festival thus came to a close.
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