Chapter One: Ten Years of Silence—Ye Wuqian!

The scorching heat of midsummer ravaged every corner of the city. Through the thick, almost solid air, everything appeared oddly distorted. Unless absolutely necessary, no one was willing to spend even a second outdoors beneath the blazing sun.

"Damn, it's almost nine o'clock—finally! I’ve waited a whole day and night for this. Not even when my wife was in labor did I wait this long."

"Hey, I’ve been here all day as well, sweating enough to match the total for the first half of the year! But you know, there are plenty who've waited even longer than us. Look at the queue—it’s longer than at any celebrity signing event. ‘Fantasy’ really has people excited!"

"Absolutely. With China’s Xingrui, Korea’s Tianshi, and America’s KTU—the three leading online companies—spending four years developing this game, it’s bound to be a groundbreaking classic. I saw the trailer for ‘Fantasy,’ and it was truly spectacular and thrilling!"

…

At 9 AM on July 7th, the ‘Fantasy’ Mind-Sensing Holographic Helmet was released worldwide for the first time. Due to time zone differences, China’s launch was set for 9 AM Beijing time. According to the Xingrui Group, only one sales point was set in each major Chinese city, while other regions could order online. The holographic helmets came in three tiers: Gold Helmet, with 50% environmental simulation and 10%–15% sensory adjustment, priced at 5,000 RMB; Platinum Helmet, with 80% environmental simulation and 10%–20% sensory adjustment, priced at 20,000 RMB; and Diamond Helmet, boasting 95% environmental simulation and 10%–30% sensory adjustment, sold at 100,000 RMB.

The first ten customers at each city’s sales point would receive a Platinum Helmet for free. This led to the birth of a new occupation—the “Bench.” Like a bench, these people held spots in line for others, charging by the hour. Of course, most of the first ten in line were family members taking shifts. As for me, I’d endured two days and nights, crouching atop a square cardboard box, my face stiff and pale, all to save that twenty thousand RMB. The sorrow of the unemployed!

My name is Lu Yuxi, formerly Lu Tianhao. In high school, I thought that flashy name didn’t fit my introverted personality or my unremarkable experiences, so I changed it to reflect my aspirations. Now, I’ve reached the legal age for marriage, stand 178 cm tall, but have no partner. Gentle, honest, and thrifty, I am the ideal long-term “customer” for a beautiful woman. (Some say marriage is a woman’s lifelong transaction, with but a single client.) Unfortunately, I have no job, no income, and am renowned as one of Huachen University’s “distinguished” students.

Huachen University is ranked among China’s top ten, with a world reputation in medicine and mathematics. High schoolers, full of dreams for the future, mention Huachen with reverence—its nicknames are the Holy Ivory Tower, the Eden of carefree youth.

Proximity shapes character; those who graduate from such a prestigious institution typically carry some of its gold dust. But I am the exception. After four years at university, the only certificates I possess are my ID card and an unmarried status. Those dazzling red diplomas, except for a marriage certificate, are distant dreams for me.

Every course failed, every year retaken—my academic record is nothing short of tragic. I am an eyesore, a blemish threatening the university’s century-old reputation. To quote our thirty-something, eternally “chaste” female counselor: “Flies can appear anywhere—even the most famous restaurant can’t avoid them. A smart manager won’t deny their existence but will cleverly highlight the harm: loss of appetite, spread of disease, then claim a specially disinfected fly was placed deliberately to test customers’ awareness of hygiene. This way, the restaurant’s commitment to health seems even more reassuring! So, even a fly can serve as a warning, a negative example.” I wholeheartedly agree; turns out, I am of some use to my teachers after all.

No one is entirely worthless; everyone has value and meaning. “Heaven gave me talent for a reason,” I tell my roommates.

They dug up old precedents. The school decided I had to retake all failed courses and pass them to sit for the next graduation exam, and only then would I be awarded a diploma. Of course, for those with abnormal academic records, the university won’t recommend jobs. If I had the backbone to quit, it would be a relief for them, but my pride isn’t strong enough for that yet.

My personal file is vague and ambiguous. Sleeping in, gaming, reading novels, and skipping class are my true hobbies, but none are listed. The counselor said I don’t care much, but producing such a student is a disgrace to the school. With a sweeping stroke, she wrote simply “unknown”; Special skills: same; Gender: signs of correction, likely written in haste.

My four years at university weren’t wasted. Aside from mandatory activities and classes, I devoted myself to the development of China’s online gaming industry. To many classmates, I am a legendary figure, known only from disciplinary reports. I always suspected university courses were arranged in collusion with those rigid publishers; why else are the textbooks so thick and expensive? Regardless of content, you shouldn’t scam students—I spend money, and you hand me a book in a foreign language!

University lectures were always a place for me to catch up on sleep. The professors, with their endless titles, have truly achieved simplicity. Listening to their lectures is as good as not listening; learning as good as not learning. Inaction is the greatest action! I never expected a glass of water to provide calcium, iron, or zinc, so instead of wasting time on things I’d soon forget, I’d rather squander it outright. Online games offered both solace and a way to earn living expenses—why not?

My hometown is blessed with clear mountains and waters—the mountains encircle three sides, and the water is a humble stream. Transportation isn’t cut off, but it’s too proud and simple, dismissive of mineral resources or specialties, uninterested in turning its landscapes into gaudy spectacles. Alas, lacking fashion means falling behind! Our income is much improved from the days before Liberation; two or three acres are enough to feed our family for the year. My parents find joy in labor, toiling in the fields daily; I take pride in creativity—how to turn mud into animals, wood into swords. Even as a child, I pondered such profound questions.

I liked spending my own money, and began earning tuition and living expenses through various channels in high school, much to my parents’ admiration. From elementary to high school, I never worried about exams; I always wanted perfect scores, but never quite managed it, and eventually entered Huachen University, fulfilling my parents’ dream. For a thousand years, a mother’s dignity depends on her children—but now, my situation is worlds apart from then. I dare not tell my parents the truth; every phone call is a perfunctory exchange, quickly ended, brazenly boasting of scholarships I never received. Each time I said those words, guilt washed over me.

When the clock on Lotus Lake Square struck nine, twelve hostesses in dazzling ‘Fantasy’ costumes stepped gracefully onto the stage, their tall figures and slender waists swaying like a beautiful landscape. Spoiling the scene, a slightly paunchy middle-aged man followed, wearing a businesslike smile; he was Manager Li of the city’s sales point.

Once the hostesses lined up, Manager Li spoke with excitement: “Honored guests, dear friends, thank you for your tremendous support of ‘Fantasy’! Since our first promotion, you’ve shown your passion and high expectations in many ways, which fuels our drive for perfection. Today, as ‘Fantasy’ Mind-Sensing Holographic Helmets are launched worldwide for the first time, I know you’ve awaited this moment. To speed things up, we’ll keep it simple. I won’t waste your time—‘Fantasy’ will not disappoint you! Now, the official sales begin. Congratulations to the first ten lucky customers, who will each receive a Platinum Helmet for free. Please collect your prize from the hostesses.”

Unable to contain my excitement, I walked quickly to the nearest beautiful hostess and accepted the colorful helmet she handed me. Her smile was sweet: “Congratulations, sir. You’re our first lucky customer. Please hold your helmet carefully.”

I gratefully accepted the helmet and replied politely, “Thank you!”

“Wow, sir, you’re so handsome…” She hadn’t finished before covering her nose with a delicate hand and frowning in disgust. Was it really that bad? It’s only been two days since I last showered, and I might smell a bit ripe, but still!

Nature’s call was urgent, and with a speed unmatched in over twenty years, I dashed home. My rented room was tailor-made for me, with not a bit of space wasted. The landlord, surnamed Zhang, ran a small local restaurant. Originally, this was his storage room, but during my university days, I often visited his shop after all-nighters and became quite familiar. Once, I asked about cheap rentals nearby, and he offered me his “little warehouse.” Their home consisted of two bedrooms, one living room, one bathroom, plus my tiny room; downstairs was their restaurant and family kitchen, and upstairs was bright and clean—just right for me. They trusted me, gave me keys, let me use all their appliances. I wanted to rent the spare bedroom, but Uncle Zhang said it was his daughter’s, and she often came home on holidays. His daughter attended Nantong University, another top institution alongside Huachen.

Uncle Zhang and his wife were busy managing their restaurant but took good care of me, offering plentiful, affordable meals. They said students living away from home had it tough, spending their parents’ hard-earned money. In these times, people as kind and warm as them are rare—urban prosperity brings wealth and excitement, but also takes away sympathy and integrity.

Most of the time, I was alone upstairs, enjoying peace and leisure. Now, with no job prospects, I had to seek another path. Rather than waiting for doom, I decided to gamble everything and fully devote myself to the world of online gaming as a professional player. Years of gaming experience told me ‘Fantasy’ would surely be my stage.

My place was near the university, so I could attend required exams and play ball in my free time. Four years at university—my youth and dreams lost here, passion and romance faded, all I gained was humiliation and darkness. Aside from basketball skills, nothing improved.

The only competition I ever joined was the university basketball league. I was the main point guard for my department, but our newly established department had fewer students than a single major in the old faculties. Plenty could play ball, but few had both skill and height. That year, our group included the defending champions and two traditional powerhouses, leaving us in what was truly a “group of death.” We had no hope of advancing—against teams with an average height fifteen centimeters above ours, even with my average of 28.5 points, eight assists, and five steals per game, a miracle never happened. Basketball is not a solo sport; individual strength cannot substitute for a team. From then on, I lost my only ambition for victory.

Fantasy Online Game