Volume 1: The Beginner's First Cry Chapter 2 Close Friends
Afeng is a nickname, his real name is Changfeng, he is my roommate and good friend in college, he is also my "cohabiting partner" now, and he is also a die-hard virtual online game fan. He is an extrovert and loves to make friends. When he is free, he likes to talk about his game experience with people around him. He is eloquent and can often talk for hours. Over time, people who are familiar with him are afraid of him like a wolf and avoid him as soon as they see him talking about games. The reason why we can become good friends is mainly because I am introverted and don't like to make friends with people actively, but I am still very enthusiastic to those who take the initiative to contact me. As long as they are not narcissistic or autistic, no one wants to be a loner. Everyone needs friends in life!
I became a loyal listener of Afeng because I would not refuse. When I was in a good mood, I would chat with him. Our friendship was established slowly. The limited information about games in my memory was obtained from Afeng. I couldn't afford to play, but it was free to listen. Sharing the happiness of others can also bring happiness to oneself. I always think that this is a true friend. Of course, the other half of the sentence needs to be added to make it complete: share the pain of others and do your best to help resolve it. Among the meanings of friends, the most precious and difficult to do should be this half.
When I got back to my residence, Afeng hadn't come back yet. After graduating from university, Afeng and I came to Shenzhen together and agreed to work together to make a difference. Unfortunately, the cruel reality made that oath destined to become a broken dream. Two years have passed, and I still have nothing to do. I run around every day just to find an opportunity. Afeng is a little better than me. Relying on his sweet talk and cleverness, he got a job as a salesman in a trading company. The work is relatively simple, and the salary is naturally not high. In addition, Afeng has to spend part of his money on the game, so the income can only barely make a living. The boiling blood of the past has long cooled down, and a hot heart is getting colder and colder.
I have a master's degree and a doctorate, and I am a returnee from overseas studies and a graduate from a key university. I am eloquent and good at dealing with people. I have no merits in terms of "hardware" or "software", so why should I compete with others? Even if I put aside my self-esteem and work as a laborer, looking at my thin body, I am afraid no one will hire me.
I sat on the sofa in the living room and casually flipped through the "Virtual Online Game" that I had picked up. But I felt annoyed again and had no intention of reading it carefully. I threw it on the tea table and lay down on the sofa. I was worried and thinking hard about where to go.
I don't know how long it was before I was awakened by the sound of a door opening. Afeng was back. To be honest, compared to me who was plain and had no talent, this guy was really a good-looking man. He was nearly 1.8 meters tall, with a well-proportioned body, thick eyebrows and big eyes, and a smile , giving people a sense of intimacy. It was said that in order to solidify this expression, Afeng sat in front of the mirror for three months. Too much would make him look flattering, and too little would have no effect. He worked hard. Afeng was quite popular, had many friends, and was doing well in the company. If he hadn't been so focused on the game, investing a lot of time and energy in it, and not paying enough attention to his work, he would have been promoted long ago.
"Adai, how are you today? Any news?" Afeng asked while changing his shoes.
Don't get me wrong, my name is Li Dai, not Li Dai. I don't know when Afeng saw an old movie "A Dai Pays Homage" from 10 or 20 years ago on the Internet and introduced everyone to watch it. So "A Dai" in people's mouths became "A Dai". Naturally, I rose up to resist and tried my best to suppress it for a few days. However, the power of the masses is enormous. I, a small wave, was soon buried in the vast ocean. I could only give up struggling and let it go. After all, A Dai is also a young master, much stronger than a poor boy like me, and it is not an insult to me.
I sighed deeply and didn't say anything. It went on like this day after day. I really didn't know what to do.
A Feng walked over to sit next to me and said as usual, "Don't be discouraged. We have to believe in ourselves. Now is just the wrong time. What we lack is an opportunity, an opportunity for us to perform. Our tomorrow will be better."
I nodded silently. If it weren't for Afeng who had been comforting and motivating me these days, I really wouldn't have been able to hold on. I was mentally prepared for unemployment, but long-term unemployment was really unacceptable. I haven't had a job for several months. Am I really so useless that I can't even guarantee basic survival?
Afeng patted my shoulder and said, "Adai, don't think too much. Just keep looking. Don't worry, as long as I, Afeng, have food, you will never go hungry. I have sold all the equipment in "The Legend of Time and Space" and made a small fortune. I should be able to be comfortable for two days."
I was stunned. "Chrono Legend" is a popular online virtual game in the past two years. It is said that there are more than 70 million players among the world's 7 billion people. I heard that Afeng's account is quite impressive. He has quite a few famous equipment. It can be said that he is at the peak . Why did he quit playing? Did he really want to turn over a new leaf and give up his life plan of making a big splash and seeking development in the world of virtual games?
I shook my head. According to his usual behavior, this was simply impossible. I turned my eyes and inadvertently saw the "Virtual Online Game" magazine on the table. Thinking back to his endless praise and painstaking research these days, I seemed to understand something, "Are you planning to play "Tianxia" instead?"
"It turns out that my parents gave me life, and Ah Dai is the one who knows me best!"
I was puzzled. "Although Tianxia has been promoted with great fanfare, it hasn't been made clear when the testing will be completed. I don't know when it will be put into operation. You put a lot of effort into Chrono Legend, and it is still the most popular virtual online game. You are really willing to give it up."
A Feng sneered at my question. "An amateur is an amateur. He doesn't understand the market trend. As the saying goes, everything rises and falls. The old generation will gradually be replaced by the new generation. Although "Chrono Legend" is still prosperous on the surface, it is actually nearing the end of its days and will not have much development. The launch of "Tianxia" has indirectly accelerated its decline. More advanced and realistic virtual simulation technology, more powerful game development and operation, and unique and brand-new game design. Experienced players definitely know what these represent. It is more cost-effective to exit now while the price of equipment is still reasonable. After a while, when "Tianxia" confirms the launch date, "Chrono Legend" will really become a legend. At that time, it will be worthless to sell equipment."
Then he sighed again, "It's a pity that most of the money I earned has to be invested in new games. After playing for so many years, I don't know when I can get some top-quality equipment and make a fortune. Sigh, I hope that Tianxia can bring me good luck and fulfill my dream of decades. I will have a beauty in my hands and the country under my control, haha!"
I shook my head helplessly. This guy started to have his gaming fantasies again. He always fantasized about being able to make a difference in online games and fulfill his dream of becoming a professional gamer. He didn't think about it. With so many people playing online games all over the world, how many players can make a fortune from games? It's just like buying lottery tickets. There are lucky ones, but they are a minority after all! Online games are mainly used as a tool for the wealthy and leisure classes to entertain themselves. Poor and lower-middle peasants like me are basically not blessed to enjoy them.
