Chapter 64: The Internet is Not a Lawless Place!

August 2nd, noon.

Shengteng Network.

Chen Qiang watched with mixed emotions as the download sales for God of Conquest surpassed 160,000 and continued to surge…

He didn’t know what to say!

Could this game actually break the weekly sales record set by Human Killing Machine?

Surely, that was impossible?

He lowered his head and pulled an acquisition proposal out of his desk drawer.

Half a month ago.

The senior management at Shengteng had considered acquiring Zhang Yang’s studio.

However, just as they were preparing the funds and the team to negotiate, a wave of scandals broke out regarding Zhang Yang. Both of his company’s single-player games were pulled from all platforms.

Countless parents had taken to the internet to denounce Zhang Yang, calling him a menace to society and acting as if they wanted to tear him limb from limb…

Seeing that scene, they had hesitated.

And then…

After some discussion, they chose to abandon the idea for the time being.

Why acquire anything at the height of such a storm? It might have dragged Shengteng down with it!

Yet, no one expected that in just over half a month, Zhang Yang would not only make a comeback against all odds, but he would do it so spectacularly!

What shocked Chen Qiang even more was that the very parents who had once boycotted Zhang Yang had now become the most loyal customers of this new game!

Even in the residential complex where Chen Qiang lived, he heard parents discussing this educational game. They talked about the top-ranked player, Jiajia, and debated whether to download it or head over to Bluebird Technology to see exactly how that study computer worked…

“Don’t let your child lose at the starting line…”

“If you can’t type on a computer, you’ll be illiterate¹ in the future!”

“Do you really want to ruin your child?”

“A child’s future is more important than anything else!”

“…”

Chen Qiang had heard similar sentiments more times than he could count.

Parents…

Especially parents in major cities, lived with a profound sense of crisis, particularly regarding education.

When they saw the neighbor’s kid taking this or that tutoring class, they would rush to join in even if they didn’t understand what was being taught.

If all the other kids were enrolled and learning, what if my child can’t keep up?

Missing one tutoring class meant falling behind in studies; falling behind meant failing to get into a good middle school; without a good middle school, how could they get into a good high school or a top university?

If the university was just mediocre, and with the job market getting tougher every day, they wouldn’t find a job, wouldn’t find a good wife…

Wouldn’t their whole life…

Be over?

The more they thought about it, the more anxious they became. And the more anxious they became, the more they followed the crowd blindly.

It was just like when they had criticized Zhang Yang’s games before.

Many of them had no idea what Zhang Yang’s games even were, and some didn’t even own a computer, but they saw others cursing him and joined in.

Regardless of what it was, anything that affected a child’s studies was a monster, a damn enemy!

They had created such a massive uproar that Zhang Yang seemed like a villain everyone had the right to execute, yet they hadn’t even known what they were shouting about…

Chen Qiang wanted to say that this behavior was a bit twisted.

But…

After mulling it over for a long time, he thought about his own three-year-old child and how his wife had been egged on by the neighbors to buy a computer. He found himself speechless!

The key was that!

The phrase “don’t let your child lose at the starting line” was just too damn effective. It was an impossible move to counter!

It struck parents right where it hurt…

“This move of Zhang Yang’s!”

“He’s struck them right in their Achilles’ heel!”

“Truly ruthless!”

“…”

……………………….

In the office.

Zhang Yang looked at the data…

As of 2:00 PM.

The combined download numbers had already surpassed 180,000!

Even many internet cafes had installed this level-based game…

He rubbed his chin.

His face was bright with a smile.

Breaking the myth of Human Killing Machine and creating a new legend within a single week no longer seemed like a problem.

Every era.

Every era has its own unique marks.

Zhang Yang thought about the “study machines” from many years ago in his original world.

“Hao Ji Xing²,” “Word King”…

In truth, their effectiveness was just so-so, their functions were mediocre, and they were very expensive!

Yet, their sales figures had been legendary!

Such was the devoted heart of parents everywhere³.

Fortunately!

Before God of Conquest, many businesses hadn’t realized this yet and hadn’t started flooding TV stations with advertisements for study machines and the like.

Otherwise…

A single-player game could never have sold this aggressively!

Zhang Yang whispered the thought to himself, then turned his gaze out the window.

It was raining again.

Summer was truly a fickle season; it was bright and sunny in the morning, but turned gloomy by noon.

“Now, I’ve returned to the official starting line as well!”

Zhang Yang sat in his chair and let out a long sigh of relief, as if shedding all his burdens at once.

In this moment…

He felt more relaxed than ever before.

He leaned back in his chair with his eyes narrowed and drifted off to sleep before he knew it.

Then he dreamed.

In the dream…

He vaguely heard the sound of doors being kicked, shouting, crying, and the grumbling voices of neighbors…

However, he wasn’t a participant in the dream. Instead, he was like a bystander, watching a story unfold.

He watched as people left, one by one.

When he woke up again…

He heard a knock at the door.

He glanced at the weather outside.

The rain had stopped.

A bit of sunlight was peeking through.

He straightened his clothes.

“Come in…”

“Senior, the adult version of God of Conquest is already under development. According to the manager, Zhao Hang, the game should be ready for release around the middle of the month…” Song Qingqing approached Zhang Yang with a stack of documents, reporting on the project’s progress with a serious expression.

“Mm, good.”

“Also, the company has hired a new batch of programmers. They are mostly highly educated; here are their resumes…”

“Mm, leave them here. I’ll take a look.”

“In addition to that, Zhou Yang’s new album, Common Jasmine Orange, will be officially released in two days. Also, the interview with the Today program will finish editing in two days and will officially air on Zhejiang TV, with a simultaneous release online…” As Song Qingqing said this, she couldn’t help the slight excitement in her heart. She was genuinely happy that her senior had finally seen the clouds part to reveal the sun.

On the internet…

Countless paid trolls were still hurling abuse at Zhang Yang.

However…

Once the program aired, and once that song was released…

These trolls would likely quiet down!

Song Qingqing looked at the dark circles under Zhang Yang’s eyes, the blanket in the office, and the empty instant noodle cups in the trash can.

Over the past few days.

Ever since they moved to the new company, her impression was that her Senior Brother had been living, eating, and sleeping entirely within this office.

Even though he always faced everyone with a face full of smiles.

But…

She knew he was carrying an immense amount of pressure.

He had endured the darkest of nights!

He had tasted the coldness, the discrimination, the lack of understanding, and the contempt.

Yet he never once yielded, always keeping his back straight and smiling in the face of life’s hardships!

He had finally seen the first light of dawn.

He, more than anyone, deserved to enjoy the brilliance of that dawn!

“Mm, alright.” Zhang Yang nodded, a knowing smile playing on his lips. “By the way, is there any news from Mumaen? I’ve been so busy with our own affairs lately that I haven’t paid much attention to them.”

“Oh, over at Mumaen, it seems Liu Zhongshan has finished restructuring the company’s management system. They’re still bickering with the Korean side. Also, Shen Yi has retired!” Song Qingqing replied.

“Shen Yi retired?” Zhang Yang chuckled, though he didn’t find it particularly strange. “He has a non-compete agreement, doesn’t he?”

“Yes, for five years!”

“That’s a pity.” Zhang Yang shook his head with a look of genuine regret. “I was actually thinking of headhunting him… Five years… well, it’s not too late. Forget it, let’s not think about work for now. Right, Qingqing, I wanted to ask—can someone who has already graduated like me retake the College Entrance Exam?”

“Huh?”

“If it’s possible, keep an eye out for me. Whether it’s self-study exams or university expansion enrollments, I’m fine with anything. Aside from that, are there any concerts, art exhibitions, or photography shows lately?”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve immersed myself in the arts. I need to go soak some in. After all, you’re never too old to learn…”

“…”

“Oh, and Qingqing, one more thing… how about you help me draft a few lawyer’s letters?”

“Senior Brother, are you planning to…”

“Exactly!”

“I also want to report this to the police for investigation. The internet isn’t a lawless land⁴. Nobody cares if you’re secretly watching porn, but coming over here to slander me? That’s not going to fly!”

“…”

One day later!

When the download count for God of Conquest surpassed two hundred thousand!

“He’s not actually going to break the record, is he?”

“Impossible, this is…”

“…”

Liu Yun felt her face growing increasingly flushed, overwhelmed by a sudden, inexplicable urge to cough up blood.

She forced herself not to think about those things.

Right then!

A knock sounded at Liu Yun’s office door.

She pushed the door open wearily.

Then…

She saw a lawyer’s letter.

“What is this?”

“Zhang Yang’s company seems to be sending lawyer’s letters to everyone. It says you slandered him, damaged his reputation, and caused him distress…”

“What! He was distressed? When did I ever slander him?”

Liu Yun snatched the letter!

Her face turned deathly pale with rage!

At the same time…

Dadi Company and Mumaen Company…

Even Lianzhong Company received lawyer’s letters from Universe Technology.

On Tieba, several leading trolls were also being singled out.

And a whole mob of other paid trolls…

(End of Chapter)

Translator’s Notes