Chapter 23
Chapter 23: Astonished
In a dim room, Long Ming opened his eyes and took off the helmet. He grabbed his phone and searched for places that rented game pods.
He really found some. Many star cafés rented pods, but none listed prices. [Smart. These businesses smelled opportunity first. As soon as the game launched, they used their money and connections to grab devices and put them into service.]
All the cafés with game pods were in the Upper District. Because Civilization Paradise had opened, permit applications to visit the Upper District had exploded, and approvals were rare.
Long Ming didn’t want to give up. He opened the permit app and started an application.
A form popped up: “Please state your reason for going to the Upper District.”
He hesitated, then told the truth: “Go to a star café in the Upper District to use a game pod and play Civilization Paradise.”
He hit send.
In less than three seconds, his phone buzzed with a reply: “Dear Mr. Long Ming, your temporary pass for the Upper District has been approved. Valid for 96 hours. Please upload proof of purchase after your trip, or it will affect your future applications.”
He stared, surprised. [That was fast.] It was unexpectedly easy. Now came the cost problem.
He checked his bank card. He had a little over 5,000 Mountain Coins left. He didn’t know the café’s pod rates, but they wouldn’t be cheap. The black market price of a game pod had already been bid up to 5 million Mountain Coins.
[My money might not be enough.] He texted Wang Yang to borrow 10,000 Mountain Coins.
A few minutes later, a reply popped up: “Dang, you almost never text me, and when you do, it’s to collect money. I’m hurt. Anyway, I sent it. If it’s not enough, tell me!”
“Thanks,” Long Ming replied.
He checked the time. It was almost midnight. He headed to the bathroom for a shower and turned in early. [Tomorrow morning, I need to be in top shape for the Upper District café and the next run.]
At dawn, wearing a gray coat and a beige scarf, Long Ming walked out of his old apartment building. The sky had just lightened, but the streets were already busy.
He headed toward the subway. As he passed the Happy Shop, someone called: “Long Ming!”
It was Boss Zhao Ku. Long Ming stopped and asked: “Boss, what’s up?”
Zhao Ku asked: “Where are you going so early?”
“I’m going to the Upper District to take care of something,” Long Ming said.
“Oh, you haven’t eaten yet. Take two buns for the road,” said Zhao Ku, putting two meat buns in a bag and handing it over.
“Thanks. I’ll transfer the money to you,” said Long Ming, taking the bag.
“Come on, you’re an old customer. No charge for two buns,” Zhao Ku said with a grin, giving him a gentle push to hurry him along.
“Thanks, then,” said Long Ming. He didn’t argue. He ate the buns as he walked to the subway entrance.
Soon he boarded the subway and, luckily, found a seat.
The announcement said: “Dear passengers, the train will depart shortly. Please be careful of bumps…”
Leaning back, Long Ming listened and let his thoughts drift.
In the Upper District, at Mirage Sea Manor, bright sunlight fell over a refined courtyard. Roses grew everywhere, and a tall ginkgo tree stood in the center. In one corner ran a man-made stream where a few koi swam lazily.
A middle-aged man in a black brocade coat stood at the water’s edge, sharp-eyed and high-nosed, with a string of black gem beads on his wrist. He sprinkled fish food into the water, and the koi gathered to eat.
A butler in a tailcoat, white-haired and dignified, led Xiao Ning, the Vice City Lord, over and announced respectfully: “Young Master Qian Wu, the Vice City Lord Xiao has arrived.”
Qian Wu lifted a hand in a small wave. A Yin Ka, the butler, withdrew at once.
Xiao Ning smiled at Qian Wu and said: “Second Young Master, what elegant taste.”
Qian Wu said: “Just passing time. What brings you here today?”
Xiao Ning said: “I saw the City Lord recently.”
Qian Wu asked: “How is he?”
Xiao Ning lowered his voice after glancing around: “Worse. He’s close to his limit.”
Qian Wu asked: “Do my eldest brother and the others know?”
Xiao Ning said: “They should. Ikas, the Vice City Lord, will likely tell him.”
Qian Wu nodded: “I understand. I’ll prepare for my eldest brother and the others.”
Xiao Ning said: “Second Young Master, they are a concern, but not the biggest one.”
Qian Wu asked: “Oh? Why?”
Xiao Ning said: “Your father is the biggest problem. He’s very ill, but that doesn’t mean he has given up. His will to live is strong. He’s pinned his hope on Civilization Paradise. He’s sent all his top experts to search for a Gene Serum to extend his life.”
Qian Wu said: “I see.”
Just then, a handsome young man in a black vest and blue shirt walked over and greeted them respectfully: “Father. Lord Xiao.”
Qian Wu looked at his son and asked calmly: “Qian Wei, how did the task I gave you go?”
Qian Wei said: “I followed your instructions. I opened many star cafés and clubs to draw in top players. But…”
Qian Wu said: “Speak.”
Qian Wei reported: “My cousins also opened a lot of cafés and clubs. They’re competing with us and poaching people.”
Qian Wu said, cold as ever: “I’ll give you more funding and equipment. You know what to do.”
Qian Wei brightened: “Understood. You can count on me, Father!”
In the Upper District, on Guangwei Street, Long Ming stepped into a lively scene. Fashionable young people filled the sidewalks. Gothic buildings of gray limestone lined both sides of the street. Far away, a tall tower rose into the sky, its giant screen playing a fresh ad: “Eternal Club is hiring ambitious partners. Join us to explore Civilization Paradise. Great pay and benefits. For details, please contact…”
Long Ming looked at the bustling street, feeling a little dazed: [It’s like a different world.]