Chapter 41: New Game Released!

White Phoenix Empire's announcement on Weibo hit the gaming world like a typhoon.

They were releasing a new game!

It hadn't even hit the stores yet, but that didn't stop gamers from flying across the world just to get to Escaping Reality's main branch.

Escaping Reality—WPE's exclusive retail chain—was the first to distribute their newest titles before they spread across the continent. Because WPE had a flawless track record of delivering top-tier games, they had gained the unwavering loyalty of thousands of gamers, especially professionals.

Those who made the journey to buy the game in person were the impatient kind. Many still remembered the launch of Nightingale—the devastation of not saving up in time. Those who had managed to buy directly from ER's main branch had been granted a special in-game boost, starting at level 10 of Knight with 999 jewels right from the get-go.

It had been like a cheat code.

No one was about to repeat that mistake. This time, they came prepared. And they couldn't wait to see what kind of exclusive bonus this game would have.

Because WPE's games took weeks to reach international ER stores—depending on location—this event had turned into a global frenzy. Plane tickets were selling out at record speed, and airport officials were laughing all the way to the bank.

Li Yifei's eyes widened as her car pulled up in front of Escaping Reality.

Too late.

The line was unbelievably long—longer than Nightingale's release!

Good thing she was a VIP. But when she turned to the VIP section...

What. The. Hell.

It was still long!

These gamers were insane! They weren't just waiting—they were camping out! Rows of neatly lined-up tents filled the sidewalk, as if this were some kind of festival.

Li Yifei wanted to cry until blood came out. This had to be punishment for all the trouble she'd caused in school. Or maybe she had unknowingly stepped on a disguised deity's foot.

"Young Miss, why don't we ask Miss Bai for help?" her driver suggested.

Li Yifei shook her head. She had considered it but was too embarrassed to ask. It wouldn't be fair to the gamers who had traveled across countries, braving long lines and sleepless nights.

Also, she did not want to see Gabriel.

Just imagining his smug expression made her want to bite her handkerchief in frustration. That guy had the biggest advantage of all—he was Lillie Bai's brother! With just a few words, Lillie would hand him the game on a silver platter.

For free!

Li Yifei let out a defeated sigh and told her driver to leave. The store wasn't even open yet, and it would take hours before the line thinned out.

Her driver hesitated, but in the end, he was oddly proud that she chose to queue up like the rest of the gamers. This kind of event required ten gallons of determination and twenty gallons of patience.

Li Yifei quickly got out of the car and sprinted toward the end of the line, only to find others running toward it too. A tall figure in a black surgical mask and dark glasses outran her, securing the spot first.

Damn.

Still, second place wasn't bad.

As more people arrived, the lucky ones sighed in relief, while the poor soul at the very end nearly collapsed in gratitude when an ER staff member stood behind him, holding a sign that read: End of the Line.

Moments later, more latecomers arrived—only to cry out in despair when they were told the line had been cut off.

Li Yifei exhaled in relief. She made it.

Back when Nightingale was released, there had been no line limit because not many had saved up for it. But this time? WPE was about to make up for those losses.

Finally, the store doors opened.

An hour passed.

The VIP line had shrunk significantly, but the regular queue? Still long as hell. Li Yifei's mind wandered as she absentmindedly bumped into the person in front of her.

"S-sorry…" she muttered.

The guy didn't turn around. He ignored her completely.

Li Yifei frowned at his attitude. Whatever. It was her fault anyway.

Still… staring at his lean back, she couldn't shake the feeling that she had seen him somewhere before.

"Excuse me… do I know you?" she asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

No response. The line moved forward, and so did he.

Li Yifei's eye twitched.

How rude!

She was getting more annoyed by the second. The familiarity of his presence nagged at her, and before she could think twice, she reached out, grabbed his shoulders, spun him around, and yanked off his mask and glasses.

Li Yifei's jaw dropped.

Her finger trembled as she pointed at him.

"Y-you…"

What the hell was Gabriel Thomas Bai doing here?!

Gabriel clicked his tongue in annoyance, yanking his disguise out of her hands.

The Bai prince… was lining up with the commoners… to buy his own sister's game?!

Unbelievable!

Reading her expression like an open book, Gabriel scoffed. "Sis helping me play the game is already more than enough. The least I can do is buy it myself instead of asking for it."

He didn't want to be seen as shameless. As a bother. Even if Lillie would never think of him that way.

Li Yifei's mouth formed an 'O' as she gaped at him.

"How did you—"

"Your face is an open book. Anyone with eyes can read it, idiot."

"Hah?! Who are you calling an idiot, idiot?!"

Veins nearly popped out of her forehead. Gabriel simply turned away, putting his disguise back on.

"Don't ignore me!"

Gabriel ignored her.

They were close to the store now—only five more people ahead of them.

Even though Gabriel continued to pretend she didn't exist, Li Yifei had already calmed down and started chatting again.

"I assume you already know what the game is about since you live with Sister-in-law. Mind sharing? Pretty please~?"

Li Yifei's attitude did a complete 180—from a hissing cat to an obedient puppy.

Gabriel smirked under his mask.

This was going to be a long wait.