Chapter Sixty: The Game Launches

Chapter Sixty: Game Launch

Shibai and his mother scrambled frantically, pressing on his father’s chest and pinching his philtrum, and finally managed to wake him up. The first thing his father did upon waking was grab Shibai’s hand, his voice trembling with excitement, “House! Quick, go buy a house!”

Shibai smiled faintly. His father’s obsession with houses ran deep. He patted his father’s hand. “I’ve already bought one.”

“What?”

Both parents were stunned.

“You’ve bought one? Do you know how to buy a house? Where is it? Which floor? How many rooms?”

Shibai gave a calm smile, “South of the city—Greenwater Pavilion. Eighth floor. Three bedrooms, two living rooms.”

His parents’ pupils constricted sharply. “You managed to buy such a good place? That’s Greenwater Pavilion!”

Shibai laughed, “I met an elderly gentleman who helped me with the purchase.”

Of course, he meant Ye Rulong. Ye Rulong would only choose the best for his master, and wouldn’t dare ask for a cent.

His parents still found it hard to believe. Shibai then told them about starting his own company, though he tried to minimize the scale. Even so, his father almost fainted again.

“Boy, your luck is truly extraordinary!”

…

Once his parents were settled, Shibai hadn’t wanted them to keep running the fruit stall, but they couldn’t sit idle and insisted on working. Unable to change their minds, he agreed for now.

With everything arranged, he lay on the sofa in his new home, watching television. Looking at the spacious rooms and lavish decor, Shibai couldn’t help but sigh contentedly.

“My dream in my previous life was a big house, a good job, and a stunning beauty. Now, I’m only missing one.”

He chuckled to himself, “Ha! Xia Qing, come to me!”

Xia Qing was now in her final year at another school. Shibai felt there was little point in seeking her out, as all her time was devoted to studying. He decided to wait until after the college entrance exams. Once they were over, he’d enroll at Xia Qing’s school, and the two would begin a beautiful campus romance.

Thinking of this, Shibai felt his life was nearing its peak.

“Ah! Rebirth truly is a blessing!”

“Ding-a-ling~”

But just as he was lost in his reverie, his phone rang. Shibai glanced at the screen—it was Gao Yang calling.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Shibai! Listen, ‘Zhang Gouzi’s Adventure’ is in public beta! After school this afternoon, let’s go to the internet café and play!”

Shibai thought about it. He needed to check the market’s reaction anyway, so he agreed.

“Alright, five-thirty this afternoon. I’ll meet you at Hotspot Internet Café.”

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“Got it!”

At five-thirty, Gao Yang arrived punctually at Hotspot. The two sat together, eagerly launching the ‘Zhang Gouzi’s Adventure’ client.

“I wonder how this game is?” Gao Yang licked his lips. “Their comic is so irreverent. Will the game be the same?”

Shibai smiled, “I doubt the game will be that outrageous. Otherwise, no one would play it.”

“Not so sure!” Gao Yang retorted. “Happy-Go-Lucky Studio is unpredictable—there’s nothing they won’t try. Besides, don’t get your hopes up for domestic games. They’re all cash grabs!”

“Hm?” Shibai pursed his lips, “Maybe there are some who are different?”

“Yeah, right!” Gao Yang scoffed. “I don’t buy it. Nowadays, everyone is out for money, no matter what. ‘Zhang Gouzi’s Adventure’ is just a side project. I doubt they could make a decent game.”

Seeing his friend wouldn’t listen, Shibai didn’t bother to argue. “Sure, whatever you say.”

The client opened quickly, and a beautiful violet start screen appeared, with exquisite artwork and ethereal music.

Shibai remained unmoved, but Gao Yang looked amazed.

“This interface is great! And the art style—it doesn’t look like a joke at all!”

Shibai smiled, “Maybe it’s just a trick. Once we enter, the real madness begins.”

Gao Yang nodded vigorously, “Exactly! Highly likely!”

They quickly registered accounts and logged into the game, arriving at the character creation screen.

“Whoa! Are you kidding me?” Gao Yang’s eyes widened. “The characters are beautifully designed!”

Shibai laughed, “Maybe that’s a trick too. We’ll see once we play.” He selected the swordsman class.

Gao Yang hesitated over his class choice. “Should I be the old lady or the black bear? Both look fun! Ha ha…”

The game had four starting classes: a swordsman based on Zhang Gouzi, a cult leader based on the Demon Sect’s leader, a beast represented by the black bear, and a sorceress modeled after the old lady.

Shibai smiled, “They’re all good. Why not try the Demon Sect? It looks pretty strong.”

“No!” Gao Yang shook his head. “Games are for fun. Why play what everyone else does? I’ll pick something unique.”

He selected the old lady class, naming her “√. Sorrowful Lady Xin.”

Shibai nearly burst out laughing. “That’s a bold name!”

Gao Yang raised his eyebrows, “Of course!”

Shibai, amused, gave his swordsman an unconventional name too: “√. Sorrowful Dogzi.”

The two exchanged glances and suddenly burst into laughter.

“Awesome!”

They entered the game, and as the screen faded, a world of birdsong and flowers appeared before them.

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Gao Yang’s eyes nearly popped out.

“Damn! It’s not a joke! They’re serious!”

Shibai smiled serenely, “Looks pretty good, right?”

Gao Yang made the old lady hop around and cast a few magic blasts. “Whoa! Nice! The fluidity, the combat feel—none of it falls short of Dungeon Fighter! They’re not fooling around!”

Shibai nodded with satisfaction. “Keep playing!”

They started fighting monsters. The game’s controls were nearly identical to Dungeon Fighter, so they adapted quickly.

“Awesome! Really well done!” Gao Yang couldn’t help praising. “I just wonder if it’s pay-to-play. If it charges by time, that’d be annoying.”

“Relax, it’s not.”

“Good! Item charging is way better than time charging—otherwise, people like us couldn’t afford to play!”

Shibai quietly chuckled, “Check out the shop.”

“Oh.” Gao Yang opened the shop.

“Whoa! It’s empty!”

Gao Yang exclaimed, “There’s only one thing—a ‘Useless Box’! What is this…?” He squinted.

“A box with nothing in it. Don’t buy it.”

“What’s the point?” Gao Yang was puzzled. “Why put a useless item up? And is the game not planning to make money? There’s no other way to pay?”

Shibai nodded, “Seems that way.”

Gao Yang was bewildered. “This studio doesn’t play by the rules!”

The more they played, the more fun they had.

Gao Yang couldn’t help but praise, “Wow! I really underestimated this studio. I swear, this is the best domestic online game so far!”

Hearing this, Shibai’s smile nearly reached his ears. “Ah, you’re too kind!”

Gao Yang shot Shibai a strange, disdainful look. “What are you so proud of? It’s not like it’s your game.”

Shibai quickly recovered, “Ha! Just kidding.”

“I can’t take it anymore!”

But just then, a loud shout erupted from the internet café, “I swear, I’m buying that useless box today! I don’t believe it’s really useless! Admin, charge me up!”

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