Everyone chatted in the group until midnight, discussing how to quickly level up and how to destroy the Qingcheng Gang.
The next morning, Zhao Shijie and others shared their strategy guide in the group.
It detailed how new players should improve their level, the order of quest acceptance, the cost-effectiveness of shop exchanges, and so on.
In short, they shared all their experiences, just to help more players improve their cultivation in the shortest possible time, thereby protecting the sect.
Players who didn't get a reservation slot cherished it like a treasure, reading it over and over again.
Whether they were in it for the money or to experience the game, these guides were incredibly valuable.
The group, which originally had over fifty people, now had nearly two hundred.
Most of the newcomers didn't believe in the game's authenticity and mocked it repeatedly in the group.
It wasn't until Chen Shaocong sent several large red envelopes in a row that this group finally shut up.
Chen Shaocong also took this opportunity to advertise his own acquisition, but the price was adjusted to five hundred, the same as Qin Zhenhua.
He had previously mocked Qin Zhenhua, thinking he was obsessed, but now he was even more infatuated than Qin Zhenhua.
It seemed that in the game, he had found the meaning of life.
There was a desire to become stronger, a curiosity about unknown realms, or perhaps an expectation for a certain person; in short, he was deeply immersed and unable to extricate himself.
Unable to enter the game, everyone felt as if they had lost their souls, spending the entire day in a daze.
Qin Zhenhua couldn't bear this agonizing wait and privately contacted Zhao Shijie, planning to hang out with him, but Zhao Shijie refused, citing inconvenience.
It was then that he remembered Zhao Shijie had initially claimed to be a cancer patient, and he wondered if it was true.
To verify his thoughts and to help Zhao Shijie, he directly asked him.
Qin Zhenhua: 【Brother, I heard you say before that you're a cancer patient, is that true?】
【If it's true, I can arrange the best hospital and the best doctors for your treatment, and as for the cost, I'll take care of it.】
After sending the two messages, it was like a stone sinking into the sea; he received no reply.
Just as Qin Zhenhua was growing impatient, Zhao Shijie finally replied.
Zhao Shijie: 【Thanks, brother, I appreciate your kindness. I won't hide it from you; I am indeed a cancer patient, and it's late-stage cancer, the kind that can go at any time.】
【I know my body, so you don't need to worry about me. I just want to achieve another me in the game during my last moments. Thanks again.】
Qin Zhenhua: 【I'll keep this a secret for you. If you need anything at all, you can always find me.】
Zhao Shijie: 【Don't worry, I definitely won't be polite with you when the time comes.】
Qin Zhenhua looked at his phone screen and sighed deeply.
Who would have thought that the sect's chief disciple in the game was actually a cancer patient in reality?
He felt a little suffocated in his chest, picked up his phone to call Chen Shaocong, then thought about it and changed to Lin Ye.
The call connected quickly.
Qin Zhenhua: "Old Lin, what are you doing?"
Lin Ye: "Meeting a fellow villager, a blind date my mom arranged for me. I came to meet her."
Qin Zhenhua paused slightly, "Blind date? Where are you now?"
Lin Ye: "I'm in Modu."
Qin Zhenhua's body stiffened, and he showed a thoughtful expression, "Send me your location."
Lin Ye was puzzled and subconsciously asked, "Why do you want my address?"
"Don't worry about it, just send me your location."
"Alright, can't talk now, that girl arrived."
Lin Ye hurriedly hung up the phone, sent Qin Zhenhua a location, and then got up and rushed to the restaurant entrance.
Opposite him, a tall, strikingly beautiful woman walked towards him.
Lin Ye quickly straightened his suit, showed a polite smile, and softly said, "Excuse me, are you Zhang Cuihua?"
The woman sized up Lin Ye, frowned slightly, and a hint of disdain flashed in her eyes.
"Don't call me by my real name, just call me Duoduo."
"Okay, Duoduo, I'll take you inside."
The two walked in, one after the other, and sat down by the floor-to-ceiling window.
"Duoduo, what would you like to eat?"
Lin Ye handed the menu to the woman, but she ignored it, taking out her compact mirror to touch up her makeup.
Lin Ye gave an awkward smile and took the menu back.
To be honest, this restaurant was one he had hesitated over for a long time before mustering the courage to book.
He only had about two thousand yuan in his pocket. The reason he chose this Western restaurant was, firstly, he was afraid his parents would find out he was unemployed.
Secondly, it was a small bit of vanity at play, afraid the girl would gossip about him when she returned to the village.
However, the other party didn't seem to want to eat, which undoubtedly made him sigh in relief.
While touching up her makeup, the woman secretly observed Lin Ye, muttering softly, "Average looks, messy hair, the suit clearly looks like it's from a street stall.
The cuffs are faded, obviously worn for a long time and he's reluctant to change it. And the Rolex watch on his hand, the hands have stopped. It's really laughable, poor but tries hard to show off."
The more she looked, the more uncomfortable she felt, and she couldn't help but let out a cold snort.
But everyone was from the same village; since she had come, she should at least eat before leaving, otherwise, she'd be gossiped about by a bunch of old folks back in the village.
Thinking of this, Zhang Cuihua put away her compact mirror, crossed her legs, and picked up the menu.
Seeing this, Lin Ye quickly bowed and waved to the distance, "Waiter."
"What would you like to eat? You can order anything."
The woman looked at the menu, then slightly raised her eyelids to glance at Lin Ye, "Then this, this, and this, and open this bottle of red wine."
The woman ordered several Western dishes in a row, which made Lin Ye's heart tighten.
The waiter respectfully took the menu.
"You don't mind me ordering so much, do you?" Zhang Cuihua looked at Lin Ye with an amused expression.
The dishes she had just ordered, plus the bottle of red wine, totaled around five thousand yuan.
Although a bit expensive, it was still within her acceptable range.
"Brother Lin, what do you do for work?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Ye's face showed a flustered expression, and he forced a smile, saying, "I used to be in the financial industry, but I don't do that anymore."
"Selling insurance?"
"Yes."
"And now?"
"Now... I haven't found a job yet."
As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere immediately fell into an awkward silence.
"I heard Aunt Zhao say you made a lot of money in Modu, but it seems that's not the case." Zhang Cuihua crossed her arms, leaning back in her seat, looking judgmental.
Lin Ye remained silent, his palm gently rubbing his trousers.
"I've basically understood your situation. Is there anything you want to ask me?" Zhang Cuihua paused here, then quietly grumbled, "So people don't say I'm impolite when I go back."
Lin Ye pretended not to hear. He had already given the other party enough face. Since neither of them had any interest, there was no need to put on a show. He immediately said:
"There's nothing much to ask. Let's just finish eating and go back to deal with our parents."
"Aren't you curious about what I do?" Zhang Cuihua asked, frowning.
"I actually am a little curious." Lin Ye nodded honestly.
"I just opened a beauty salon in Modu, with an annual income of about three million. Do you know Qin Zhenhua?"
"Qin Zhenhua? That name sounds very similar to my friend's."