Jiang Ran followed Su Wanqing and discovered that the place she had chosen was a Capybara claw machine.
Jiang Ran didn’t expect the claw machine to be themed after a Capybara as well.
‘Does Su Wanqing really think I like Capybaras? That… that would be truly bizarre.’
“We should try this one. Trust my luck,” Su Wanqing said.
Su Wanqing scanned a code at the counter, asked for twenty coins, and dropped them into the coin slot.
She then began to wait nervously.
“Hello, here are your coins. I hope you both have a great time,” the attendant said while handing the coins to the pair.
Su Wanqing split the game coins with Jiang Ran.
“If this isn’t enough, we can go exchange for more.”
“This is more than enough,” Jiang Ran replied.
She held the game coins, which felt like an almost outrageous amount.
‘She’s likely just playing along for fun. Giving me this many is probably a waste.’
“Don’t say that. If you’re with me and you feel slighted, I’ll have to reflect on my own actions.”
Su Wanqing stood before the machine and inserted a coin.
After doing so, she began maneuvering the joystick.
She had looked up a strategy guide online which suggested making several fake movements when swaying the hook; otherwise, the claw might be too loose.
On her first attempt, Su Wanqing dropped the claw just as it neared the doll.
The metal pincers snagged the strap and quickly pulled the doll up.
However, just as it reached the exit, the doll fell back down.
Su Wanqing’s eyes widened.
She hadn’t expected it to drop at the very last second.
‘How disappointing…’
“Jiang Ran, you try!”
Jiang Ran took the game coins and began wiggling the joystick.
Just as the claw was about to drop, she moved the stick.
She was a bit unluckier than Su Wanqing; the hook grazed the edge of the doll and missed entirely.
The machine didn’t give her any room to recover.
“This is so frustrating…”
Jiang Ran felt a bit speechless.
She inserted more game coins, but she failed again.
Seeing this, Jiang Ran stood frozen in place, stunned into silence.
Su Wanqing watched the failing Jiang Ran and offered some comfort.
“Don’t lose heart. Maybe there’s something wrong with the machine.”
Su Wanqing gripped the joystick and tried several more times, but the claw failed every time.
“Sigh, I give up.”
“Let’s try somewhere else. I feel like these machines in the prominent spots are designed so we can’t catch anything,” Jiang Ran suggested.
“Probably. I’ve tried several times without success. It’s really strange.”
“Let’s find a less conspicuous machine.”
Su Wanqing led the way, her eyes scanning the area until she finally spotted a machine.
It looked a bit more dated than the previous ones.
Because the dolls inside were mostly obscure characters, fewer people were playing it.
“How about this one? I feel like this one might actually pay out.”
“Okay… I’ll give it a try.”
Jiang Ran stepped forward and took control of the machine.
Compared to the others, this one was significantly better.
The controls were responsive, and the hook didn’t fly around wildly.
Using her previous tactic, Jiang Ran timed the drop so the hook snagged the metal ring on the doll’s head.
A second later, the metal hook hoisted the doll up and dropped it right into the exit.
“Did… did I succeed?”
Jiang Ran breathed a sigh of relief.
Nearby, Su Wanqing stepped up to try as well.
“It definitely feels different.”
Su Wanqing operated the machine.
Although she failed the first time, she succeeded clearly on the next few attempts.
Feeling the difference, Su Wanqing let out a sigh of relief and used up the rest of the coins she had.
“I exchanged twenty coins; that should be enough for us to play.”
“It’s more than enough. The dolls here are pretty plain, and I don’t like them that much anyway. It’s fine if we don’t catch any.”
Su Wanqing walked ahead and handed a few more game coins to Jiang Ran.
The latter blinked, her expression shifting.
This time, Su Wanqing was more serious than before.
She stared at the dolls behind the glass, and her movements with the hook were much faster.
Out of five attempts, she hit two.
Although she messed up the angle once and the doll didn’t fall, she managed to get a pink Patrick Star in the end.
Su Wanqing clutched the Patrick Star.
Even though she could buy a truckload of dolls like this if she wanted, winning one together with Jiang Ran made her feel incredibly joyful.
It seemed to hold a special significance.
“Do you want to keep playing? I noticed you’ve been looking at the arcade machines.”
Su Wanqing followed Jiang Ran’s gaze and saw that she had indeed been eyeing the arcade machines.
“Oh, I’m fine. I was just looking. If you’ve played enough, let’s head back.”
Jiang Ran didn’t really want to stay.
Once you catch one or two dolls, the appeal fades, and continuing felt like a waste of money.
The two of them headed back the way they came.
Su Wanqing returned the remaining game coins to the front desk.
“Let’s go. Time to head back.”
Su Wanqing led Jiang Ran away from the second floor.
As they went downstairs, Su Wanqing handed the remaining popcorn to Jiang Ran.
“There’s a bit left. You should eat it.”
Jiang Ran took the popcorn and realized there was actually quite a lot.
“There’s this much left?”
“Yeah, I can’t eat any more. Why don’t you have some?”
“Alright. If I can’t finish it, I’ll have to give it back to you.”
Jiang Ran took a bite.
The flavor was actually quite good — very sweet.
Seeing Jiang Ran eat the popcorn, Su Wanqing smiled with relief.
It would be nice if things stayed like this, with Jiang Ran by her side.
“Since we’re already here, let’s watch a movie before we leave. It’s still a long time until dinner.”
“But the groceries…”
“Why are you still worrying about groceries? If you’re missing something, I’ll have a driver deliver a truckload of radishes to you.”
“I couldn’t finish that many.”
“Exactly. Buying groceries is just a phone call away, so stop stressing about it. Come watch a movie with me. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a new release; I’ve almost forgotten what’s even playing.”
The two arrived at the cinema ticket counter, where a scrolling screen displayed information for the latest films.
Su Wanqing found it bothersome, so she pulled out her phone to search for upcoming showtimes.
There weren’t many movies out right now, mostly foreign titles.
“Let’s just watch a cartoon. There isn’t much difference anyway.”
Su Wanqing looked at her phone and selected the popular K-On! The Movie.
It was one of the few animated films currently showing.
“Jiang Ran, do you want to see this? I see some seats available right over here.”
Su Wanqing pointed to the screen, and Jiang Ran nodded.
“I’m fine with anything. I’ll watch whatever you like.”
Jiang Ran nodded again and, following Su Wanqing’s suggestion, stepped to the side and spoke softly.
“Alright, let’s get this one then. I’ll buy the tickets. Don’t wander off.”