The Genius Game - Chapter 41

Jian Tanxi tried her best to suppress her anger, but ultimately failed, causing her rage value to increase by 5 points. As a result, all players’ health points decreased by 5.

Jian Tanxi felt guilty toward the other players, but she simply couldn’t control her emotions. If Ou Bao’er had bullied her, she could have endured it. But Ding Zelan was so kind, gentle, and unassuming, she had even willingly given away the handmade pearl flower she made. What had Ding Zelan ever done to deserve Ou Bao’er’s mistreatment?

Any reasonable person would sympathize with Ding Zelan and feel anger toward Ou Bao’er’s unreasonable behavior.

Jian Tanxi didn’t lash out but kept her anger bottled up inside.

She silently picked up the damaged pearl flower, wondering how she would explain it to Ding Zelan.

Just then, ten minutes passed, and all players lost 10 health points due to the headband. Combined with the earlier 5-point decrease, they had lost a total of 15 points.

Current health points: Jian Tanxi 68, Qin Man 34, Du Jiaojiao 30, Meng Yuening 61, Shen Kexin 78, Wang Juanhua 80.

Qin Man and Du Jiaojiao were now in a precarious situation, especially Du Jiaojiao. Though not exactly the beloved young lady of her family, she had been pampered since childhood and had never experienced hardship. Her physical condition was also quite average.

It was likely that Du Jiaojiao had already fainted.

Sure enough, Jian Tanxi heard commotion from downstairs.

One of the bodyguards said, “Isn’t this Nanny Du, the one taking care of Miss Bao’er? Why has she fainted in the living room? Is she slacking off?”

Another bodyguard replied, “Kick her a few times to see if she’s faking it.”

Du Jiaojiao was kicked harshly several times but did not wake up. Her health points dropped by another 5, now at 25.

The bodyguards said, “Since she’s really unconscious, let’s drag her to the storage room for now. Guests will be arriving soon.”

They then dragged Du Jiaojiao into the storage room.

The storage room had no air conditioning, and in no time, Du Jiaojiao’s health points dropped by another 3, now at 22.

Whenever any player’s health points changed, a mechanical voice would broadcast the update in the minds of the other players, so Jian Tanxi was immediately aware of Du Jiaojiao’s condition.

Jian Tanxi worried that if Du Jiaojiao remained absent for too long, she would offend Ou Bao’er and face even harsher punishment.

So, Jian Tanxi sneaked into the storage room and used her healing ability to restore Du Jiaojiao’s health points to 100.

She then instructed Du Jiaojiao to continue searching for flowers.

Jian Tanxi went to the Wutong Courtyard, returned the broken pearl flower to Ding Zelan, and apologized to her.

Ding Zelan was a bit sad but did not blame Jian Tanxi. She simply said, “This isn’t your fault. You don’t need to apologize. Since she doesn’t want this pearl flower, I have another one, a rose made from building blocks. Take it to her and show her. Just say you made it yourself; don’t mention my name.”

“Okay, thank you, Miss Ding…”

Jian Tanxi brought the building block rose to show Ou Bao’er, but Ou Bao’er rejected it as well.

Another 20 minutes passed, and everyone’s health points were drained by another 20 due to the headband.

Everyone was racking their brains, but none of them had found a flower that satisfied Ou Bao’er.

Current health points: Jian Tanxi 48, Qin Man 14, Du Jiaojiao 80, Meng Yuening 41, Shen Kexin 58, Wang Juanhua 60.

Jian Tanxi knew that Qin Man must have fainted, as her health points had dropped to only 14.

Jian Tanxi hurriedly went to find Qin Man and located her in the kitchen.

Qin Man had likely come to the kitchen searching for some special materials to make flowers but unexpectedly fainted.

Jian Tanxi quickly healed her, restoring Qin Man’s health points to 100.

Jian Tanxi said, “Sister Qin Man, there’s no time for idle chat. Let’s continue searching for flowers.”

Qin Man held her back, saying, “I think wandering around aimlessly like headless flies won’t work. Maybe we should check if there are any items or tools that could help us clear this level.”

Jian Tanxi replied, “I already thought about it, and it seems there aren’t any.”

“Not necessarily. Some items might seem useless, but perhaps we’re just not thinking about them the right way. Let someone else consider it, maybe they’ll come up with an idea.”

Jian Tanxi nodded. “Then let’s empty out everything we have.”

The level of trust between her and Qin Man had reached the point where they could be completely open and reveal all their cards.

Jian Tanxi took out Height-Increasing Pills, Fire-Resistant Gauze Clothing, the Interstellar Triangular Prism, the Crescent Moon Eye, Disguise Rouge, and the Boiling Teapot.

When Qin Man saw the Interstellar Triangular Prism, she laughed and said, “If we used this to knock out Ou Bao’er…”

“Pfft, Sister Qin Man, since when did you start making jokes like that?”

“Ah, the pressure’s just too much. Just thinking out loud.”

“Too bad we can’t, though.”

Jian Tanxi knew she had nothing else, but out of habit, she shook her bag and the gray pouch containing the pills.

At that moment, a white flower drifted out from the gray pouch.

Jian Tanxi exclaimed in surprise, “Where did this flower come from? How did it end up in my pouch?”

Qin Man suddenly realized, “This white flower… I have one too…”

As she spoke, Qin Man also pulled out an identical flower from her own pocket.

Jian Tanxi asked, “Sister Qin Man, why do you have the same flower?”

Qin Man replied, “Do you remember the game we played together to find the groom?”

“Yes, I remember. There was a Miss Jenny who was getting married, and we had to pick the groom she wanted from a group of candidates.”

“Exactly. That game took place in a church. After we cleared the level, Xiao Chen picked a few flowers from the bouquets on both sides of the church and gave one to each of us, keeping one for himself. At the time, I casually put the flower in my bag, never expecting it to still be here after all this time…”

Jian Tanzi picked up the white flower and examined it closely.

She had assumed that after so long, the flower would have withered, but it hadn’t.

The white flower was still as pristine as if it had just been picked, full of vitality.

When Jian Tanxi first received it, she hadn’t paid much attention, thinking it was just an ordinary rose.

But now, it was clear this flower wasn’t a rose. Each of its petals was diamond-shaped and exactly the same size, almost too perfect to be a real flower.

Miss Jenny was likely an alien, so the flowers used in her wedding probably came from her home planet.

If that were the case, presenting this flower to Ou Bao’er would likely satisfy her.

So, Jian Tanxi and Qin Man went to Ou Bao’er’s room, and Jian Tanxi handed her the white diamond-shaped flower.

Ou Bao’er exclaimed delightedly, “What kind of flower is this? I’ve never seen anything like it. If I wear it in my hair, everyone will be envious.”

Jian Tanxi said, “This is a White Diamond Flower, a special variety.”

“White Diamond Flower” was a name Jian Tanxi made up on the spot.

“Great! I want this one. But I’d like two identical flowers,” said Ou Bao’er.

Qin Man then gave her own white flower to Ou Bao’er as well.

Ou Bao’er was very pleased and said, “These two flowers are quite nice. I’ve decided to give you both gifts.”

She took out two lightning balls, carved the names Jian Tanxi and Qin Man on them respectively, and handed them over.

At first, Jian Tanxi and Qin Man hesitated to take them, as they had personally witnessed Ou Bao’er using a lightning ball to electrocute Meng Yuening.

Ou Bao’er reassured them, “Take them. The lightning balls now bear your names and recognize you as their masters. They won’t harm you.”

Only then did the two accept the lightning balls. Qin Man placed hers in her bag, while Jian Tanxi stored hers in her personal space.

At that moment, a mechanical voice echoed in Jian Tanxi’s mind: “Congratulations! Player Jian Tanxi, for obtaining a special item, Miss Bao’er’s Lightning Ball. The lightning ball, crackling with electricity, shocks anyone who dares to defy. It can be used three times per month, dealing a certain amount of damage to enemies. The damage effect is related to the user’s own strength. Usage count does not accumulate. Good luck. This announcement is only audible to you; others are unaware.”

Jian Tanxi curled the corner of her lips into a slight smile.

Qin Man said to Ou Bao’er, “Miss Bao’er, could you remove the headbands from our heads?”

Ou Bao’er corrected her, “This isn’t a headband, it’s called the Life Black Hole!”

“Yes, the Life Black Hole…”

“Alright then, I’ll remove them for you.”

With a snap of her fingers, Ou Bao’er made the Life Black Hole headbands on Jian Tanxi and Qin Man disappear.

It was unclear whether the Life Black Holes on the other players had vanished as well.

Jian Tanxi stepped outside and happened to see Meng Yuening approaching.

Meng Yuening no longer had the Life Black Hole on her head, which likely meant the other nannies were free of it as well.

Jian Tanxi felt relieved.

Meng Yuening hurried over to Jian Tanxi and asked, “What happened? How did the black headbands disappear?”

Jian Tanxi replied, “Because we found flowers that satisfied Miss Bao’er.”

“That’s wonderful! Do you need any help here?”

“I think Miss Bao’er might need a bit more preparation. Let’s go in together to take care of her.”

“Alright.”

At the same time, the other players also noticed their headbands were gone and were overjoyed.

Not daring to rest, they all came to Ou Bao’er’s room to await further instructions.

Under the care of the six nannies, Ou Bao’er spent a little more time getting ready until she was completely satisfied.

Just then, someone knocked on the door, and Jian Tanxi opened it.

Five young men in sharp suits walked in, all exceptionally handsome and striking.

Jian Tanxi recognized three of them: the eldest, third, and fourth young masters.

That meant the two she hadn’t met must be the second and fifth young masters.

The fifth young master looked quite young, possibly still in high school.

Ou Bao’er happily ran over and exclaimed, “Brothers, aren’t you all busy? What brings you here?”

The eldest O brother said, “Work can’t compare to the importance of Bao’er’s birthday celebration.”

The second O brother added, “Exactly. We’re not working today, we’re fully focused on celebrating Bao’er’s birthday.”

The third O brother chimed in, “Today is the most special day because it’s Bao’er’s birthday.”

The fourth O brother said, “I’ve prepared a gift for you, Bao’er. You’re going to love it.”

The fifth O brother remarked, “Bao’er, you’ve grown a year older and become even more beautiful.”

Ou Bao’er beamed, “That’s wonderful! Thank you, brothers!”

Although Jian Tanxi and the others had been through quite a bit of hardship these past few days, witnessing this scene stirred a sense of envy in their hearts, however slight.

The cherished young lady truly lived a blessed life.

Du Jiaojiao discreetly observed the five young masters, finding each of them exceptionally handsome and dashing. She reminded herself that she already had a boyfriend and tried her best not to stare, yet she couldn’t resist stealing glances.

Just then, the phones of the five young masters rang one after another. They answered the calls.

The eldest brother: “Meeting adjourned, I need to celebrate my sister’s birthday.”

The second brother: “Surgery postponed, I need to celebrate my sister’s birthday.”

The third brother: “Race canceled, I need to celebrate my sister’s birthday.”

The fourth brother: “Business event halted, I need to celebrate my sister’s birthday.”

The fifth brother: “Online class paused, I need to celebrate my sister’s birthday.”