Chapter 29

Chapter 29 Add a Forum Friend.

Ever since Zhou Yujing entered the game One Thirty, every minute and every second had felt like a roller coaster ride for him—thrilling and dangerous.

First, the moment he entered, he was entangled by the Glamour Ghost.

Just as he was preparing to shake her off, his girlfriend, who had chased after him, saw it all, and in her rage punched him.

Not long after he had explained things to his girlfriend, Juanjuan's group also arrived.

Just like before, Juanjuan still wanted to use the matter of props to control him, but all those problems were instantly solved the moment his girlfriend took out a prop that removed negative buffs.

From that moment on, he knew his Rongrong was very different.

Different from everyone else.

Expensive props that most veteran players could not afford, she possessed with ease.

But what he imagined had still been too simple.

He thought she merely had a little money in the game.

He never expected that she actually owned a vacation resort too!

Facts proved that NPCs in horror games were the best at treating people according to their status. Once the hotel Big Boss learned that Ning Rong owned an entire vacation resort, her attitude became visibly flattering.

“Really? I didn't notice before. In a few days, I’ll definitely come support your business.”

【Is this still the same Big Boss who goes on a killing spree the moment it hits 1:30 a.m.? Don’t flatter her so shamelessly!】

【No, I watched the last game instance too. Back then, when the newbie said she’d handle things afterward with the villagers, I thought she was just fooling them. How did the vacation resort actually start operating?】

【The vacation resort really became the newbie’s? Why do I feel like I watched a fake livestream?】

【It should be the reward for a side quest.】

【Honestly, at first I didn’t think much of the newbie. Back then, the hype for the “Juanyu CP” was too high, and Juanjuan’s skill really was good at bluffing people.】

【But now, for some reason, when I look at the newbie again, it feels completely different.】

【Tch, why else? The rich lady’s radiance is too dazzling.】

【So how is the resort’s revenue?】

【No wonder Countdown hasn’t reopened groups recently. It’s probably already left the dungeon category.】

【Nice, nice. There were instances before where dungeons detached, but those were all because top players smashed through them by brute force and cleared them violently. Su Family Village probably started a beautiful new life.】

【Pretty good. Both are dungeon detachments, but the old top players made the dungeon disappear directly, while the newbie probably gave the residents of Su Family Village a brighter future.】

The moment the Boss finished speaking, Ning Rong sharply noticed that all the noise outside had vanished.

She asked, “What happened outside?”

The Boss coughed lightly. “I told them the money has arrived and three months of unpaid wages will be distributed immediately.”

The NPCs were in a better mood, their resentment disappeared, and naturally, this instance was cleared.

So not long afterward, Ning Rong heard the notification that Gu Yu had successfully escaped.

Half a minute earlier, Gu Yu watched helplessly as the last teammate died right in front of him.

At that moment, he could not tell whether what he felt was regret or something else.

If half an hour earlier he had not used his skill to swap positions with Juanjuan, perhaps he could have saved one more teammate.

But instead, he had used that skill on Juanjuan.

None of them, her teammates, knew that she possessed a life-saving prop. If he had known she was someone who could never really die, he would not have wasted a skill for nothing.

Once the cooldown ended, he immediately swapped positions with the front desk receptionist. The moment the swap succeeded, he ran madly toward the second floor.

But before he even reached it, the clearance notification sounded in his mind, and the system asked whether he chose to leave the game.

It was Zhou Yujing’s girlfriend who had cleared the game...

It had to be her...

Whether it was him or Shen Xuan's group, they had all benefited from her.

Gu Yu's feelings at this moment were very complicated.

Unfortunately, the person he should not have offended had already been offended, and nearly all the teammates around him had died. Only he had luckily survived. He did not think further, closed his eyes, and chose to leave the game.

Ning Rong and Zhou Yujing stayed inside the room.

Outside the room were the hotel Big Boss, who was distributing money, and the employee NPCs who had come to collect their wages.

“The legal representative of the hotel has changed.”

“From now on, I’m just an employee too. There’s no need for you to keep looking at me like that.”

Hearing this, the employee NPCs all looked shocked.

They began asking one after another, “The boss changed? Changed to who?”

“What kind of person is the new boss?”

The Big Boss skillfully counted the game coins in her hands and handed them to the employee NPC in front of her without a single coin missing. “For now, she seems quite reliable.” As for later... that was still unclear. She would decide after visiting Su Mountain Vacation Resort.

One employee asked, “Won’t we get to meet the new boss?”

The Big Boss said, “She said she won’t meet anyone for now.”

The employees did not insist further. Whether they met the boss or not was not important. What mattered was that their wages arrived on time.

As long as the new boss did not like delaying wages the way the old boss did.

The moment the last employee NPC received their wages, an option sounded in the minds of both Ning Rong and Zhou Yujing asking whether they wished to leave the game.

The tasks in the game had already come to an end, so both of them chose to leave.

Returning once more to the game transfer point, both Ning Rong and Zhou Yujing felt very different from before.

Previously, Ning Rong had been burning with anger, only wanting to beat Zhou Yujing up, without even the mood to glance at the forum.

Previously, Zhou Yujing had been heavy-hearted. Every time he returned from the game to reality, he was burdened with worries. He wanted to see Ning Rong, yet did not dare. He thought again and again, repeatedly hesitated, and still had the matter of the prop hanging over his head.

This time, when they returned to reality, compared to before, there was less gloom and several more parts joy.

At this moment, the game settlement notice also arrived.

【Game Name: One Thirty

Game Difficulty: B Rank

Overall In-Game Performance: S

Completed Main Survival Mission: Reward 125 game coins

Completed Side Mission: Reward 75 game coins

S Rank Evaluation Bonus: 25 game coins

(The above earnings already include the 25% newbie bonus)

Additional Income: 612 game coins

Total Game Coins Obtained: 837 game coins】

Seeing this additional income, Ning Rong became thoughtful.

It seemed that this time entering the game, the popularity of her livestream room had been very high. Her income was more than five times that of last time.

Those spectators from another world seemed to really enjoy watching excitement and chaos.

If she had a choice, Ning Rong naturally did not want to become entertainment for spectators from another world.

But this game clearly favored that audience more.

For some matters, the right to choose was not in her hands for now.

But the existence of spectators had both advantages and disadvantages. It all depended on how they were used.

After glancing at this round’s earnings, Ning Rong walked toward the exit. “Let’s go.”

Zhou Yujing stepped forward and took her hand.

Only after leaving the game transfer point did Ning Rong completely relax.

The moment she returned to reality, her friend list began flashing wildly with notifications. She ignored them for the moment, handed the car keys to Zhou Yujing, and told him to drive. After sitting in the passenger seat, she finally began replying to the messages one by one.

She had only entered the game for a little over a day, yet she had received quite a lot of messages.

While waiting at a traffic light, Zhou Yujing turned to look at her. “Messages from your little brother?”

Ning Rong gave a hum of acknowledgment. “And other people too.”

Of course, Lu Wen had sent the most messages.

Zhou Yujing gave an oh. “Also little brothers?”

Ning Rong said, “No. They want to team up with me.”

Zhou Yujing: …

While he knew nothing, it seemed his girlfriend had already become dazzling.

He had only missed one game.

So why did it feel like he had missed a very long time?

Fortunately, from now on, he would not miss even a single second.

Looking at the messages sent by “Sleep Late” and “Eat Pretty Well,” Ning Rong was somewhat surprised.

Both of them had asked to team up with her.

【Sleep Late: I heard the game has already begun its third major version update. It is currently being fully updated, and it is expected to take a few more days to finish completely. Once the update is complete, the game will increase by several difficulty levels. At present, players still don’t know what the next situation will be.

I am sending you a team-up request. Of course, you have the right to refuse, but I think teaming up is necessary under the condition of a version update. If you’re willing, we can meet and talk. I’m temporarily in Jingbei City, and I can come find you.】

The message from “Eat Pretty Well” meant roughly the same thing.

【Eat Pretty Well: I heard from seniors that every time the game updates, player pressure doubles. Judging from the last few dungeon runs, I can personally feel that the game has become harder. To be honest, I used to be a lone wolf, but I think from now on I need reliable teammates. (I think I’m hinting pretty clearly.) Teammates!】

Ning Rong did not reply for the time being.

Because the information she currently knew was too limited.

She did not even know the game was about to undergo a major version update.

She needed to first understand what had happened recently before making a decision.

She set aside the messages from “Sleep Late” and “Eat Pretty Well” for now, then looked at what Lu Wen had sent.

【Lu Wen: Sis, you entered another game again?】

【Lu Wen: Sis, so many people contacted me recently. They all came asking about you. I didn’t reveal anything!】

【Lu Wen: Sis, without your approval, I definitely wouldn’t say anything!】

Ning Rong replied with: “You did very well.”

Not long after, Lu Wen sent another message.

【Lu Wen: Sis, you’re here!】

【Mm.】

【Lu Wen: Sis, I heard the game is updating recently. I heard it’s going to get harder and harder. Completely collapsing and crying.jpg】

【It’s fine. Let me understand the situation first.】

【Lu Wen: Sis, are you going to protect me?! Expecting.jpg】

【What is your skill? What is the cooldown duration?】

【Lu Wen: Sis, my skill is Invisibility. I can blend into the environment and avoid being discovered by NPCs. I actually haven’t used this skill yet, because it hasn’t really been useful. Hehehe. The cooldown is 12 hours, and each use lets me stay invisible for half an hour.】

Ning Rong: …

For Lu Wen to survive three games successfully with such a useless skill, his luck truly had been extremely good.

She replied with, “I understand,” and temporarily ended the conversation.

Just then, she and Zhou Yujing had also returned to the residential complex where they rented. After parking in their spot, the two of them returned together to their apartment.

The moment the door closed, Zhou Yujing stuck himself to her entirely, even his tone sticky and clingy. “Rongrong...”

Ning Rong said, “Tired. Don’t want to.”

Zhou Yujing touched his forehead to hers. “Please.”

The pitiful little dog look on his face was simply too cute. Ning Rong could not resist reaching up to stroke his face.

“Rongrong...”

This time, Ning Rong did not reject the pitiful little dog again.

Two hours later, Ning Rong opened 【Personal Space】, preparing to check the business performance of her vacation resort.

Actually, the moment she left the game she had wanted to check the revenue.

But as the saying went, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. She had deliberately suppressed her overflowing expectations and waited until her mood had completely calmed before checking the income.

After opening 【Personal Space】, she saw the earnings information at a glance.

【Assets: Su Mountain Vacation Resort

Operating Time: One day and twelve hours

Revenue: 168,650 yuan

Inspect Personally: Yes / No】

Seeing the final option, Ning Rong froze for a moment.

Did this mean she could still return to Su Mountain Vacation Resort?

Although 160,000-plus in revenue over a day and a half looked like quite a lot, for Ning Rong it was far from enough.

After all, she had invested nearly 30 million game coins in the early stage.

At this level of revenue, it would take more than half a year just to break even.

In reality, that would not be unacceptable.

But horror games changed in an instant. At this rate of making money, it was still too slow.

Since the game had an inspection option, that meant revenue was not fixed. If she intervened personally, perhaps the revenue could double.

Ning Rong decided she would inspect it in the near future, after handling the matters currently in front of her.

At this time, beneath Su Mountain Vacation Resort, there was now an additional entry for Red Tea Hotel.

Behind it was another prompt:

【Invest 19.99 million for reconstruction? Yes / No】

Ning Rong selected yes. Soon afterward, it displayed:

【Hotel reconstruction in progress. Countdown 23:59:59】

After deducting 19.99 million, she still had a little over ten million game coins left.

For now, this amount was enough.

But the game was also updating at the same time. Ning Rong had a feeling that future expenses would definitely grow larger and larger.

At present, the speed at which she earned money was nowhere near the speed at which she spent it.

If this continued, it would not take long before all her money was gone.

She had to raise revenue as quickly as possible.

Just as she thought this, she received a message from the General Secretary of the National Main Team—Yan An.

【Yan An: Out of the game yet? Can we find a time to meet and talk?】

Ning Rong: …

Why did every single one of them want to meet her in person?

【Are you in Jingbei City?】

Yan An replied very quickly.

【Yan An: Yes. Don’t tell me you are too?】

She was not there, but “Sleep Late” was.

【I’m not.】

【Yan An: Is it convenient to tell me a location? My colleague and I can come over.】

【Yan An: Moonlight, the game has made major moves again recently. Some things must be explained clearly face to face. Also, you seem to have some misunderstandings about us. I can explain those in person.】

【Yan An: Moonlight, we need you.】

This time, Ning Rong did not hesitate further. She directly replied:

【I’m in A City.】

Yan An was overjoyed.

【Yan An: Good. I’ll come immediately. Estimated arrival in a little over four hours.】

Ning Rong glanced at the time. It was a little after five in the morning. Four-plus hours later would be around nine or ten.

She had originally wanted to browse the forum, but with this development, she chose to lie down directly. “Sleep. There’s something to do at ten.”

Zhou Yujing was browsing the game forum. Hearing this, he leaned over and asked, “Rongrong, what is it?”

Ning Rong yawned. “Some things related to the game need to be handled.”

Zhou Yujing gave an mm and lay down beside her.

He quietly looked at Ning Rong’s sleeping face. Just looking at her was enough to make him feel inner peace.

He leaned over and kissed her cheek lightly. “Rongrong.”

“Mm?”

“We still haven’t added each other as forum friends.”

There was no reason her little brother had her as a friend while he, the boyfriend, did not.

Ning Rong was a little sleepy.

Too lazy to fuss with it, she directly said, “Add me. I’ll approve it when I wake up.”

Zhou Yujing had already tried searching for Ning Rong before, but he could not find her. That was normal. After all, she could casually take out props worth nearly ten thousand. There was no reason she could not afford a cheap name-change card.

“Rongrong, I couldn’t find you.”

Ning Rong scratched her face and mumbled vaguely, “Moonlight.”

Zhou Yujing, “Hm?”

Ning Rong was nearly asleep by now. She answered in broken bits,

“On the forum... I’m called Moonlight.”

Zhou Yujing: ???

The supernova who had caused countless heated discussions on the forum, drawn endless speculation, and been praised as the strongest newcomer player in history—

was actually his girlfriend.

Although the moment he saw that familiar ID, he had already suspected it in his heart, suspicion was suspicion, confirmation was confirmation.

That Moonlight really was the Moonlight he knew.