Chapter 1.22

Knock knock.

The two knocks on the table drew Ling Xia's attention away from his pleasant conversation with V. "Excuse me," Yang Lizhen's voice sounded in Ling Xia's ears with a fake smile directed at V. "I'd like you to stop making moves on my sister's boyfriend."

Without even waiting for a response, Yang Lizhen grabbed Ling Xia by the arm, dragging him away from his pursuer. Ling Xia stumbled after him, taking quick glances back at V in apology. Because of this, he didn't see Yang Lizhen's warning glare sent to V while they were walking away.

Yang Lizhen pulled him along, his strides long and powerful, not releasing his grip on the other's arm for even a second. They finally got to the table Ling Yu's sister was at.

"Hey, babe!" Ling Hui exclaimed, filled with exuberance. "You're finally here!"

Ling Xia smiled, greeting her warmly, eyes full of tender feelings. "Hey."

But, wait, when did Ling Xia get a girlfriend? What could have possibly happened to reach this reality?

A few hours ago…

Hushed whispers mingled with the crowd, anticipation thick in the air and lights dimmed. The audience fell silent as the first sound from the trailer echoed in their ears.

On the screen, the camera panned across the greenery, zooming into a village in a grove. This was where everybody spawned the first time they were playing the game.

The forest creatures were kind, and the players instantly formed bonds with them because of quests they had to do. Those friendships would come into play later in the game as the players traversed the forest where more quests were placed.

The video featured a lot of quests. Some where they had to stop evil creatures from rising, some where they had to explore, some where they had to protect something. The types of quests were endless and players could form parties to finish them.

They could also form parties to take on dungeons, the hardest part of the game. If a player was strong enough, dungeons were their main grinding area. Many creatures roamed each floor of the dungeon, but also puzzles. A player couldn't only rely on brute strength for these.

On the very top floor was a boss. The boss was different based on what dungeon a player was in, but the one thing they all had in common was that they were all the hardest to beat of the entire dungeon. The bosses didn't have to be creatures, they could be challenges or puzzles too, as long as they followed the previous rule.

There were sixteen dungeons, and after a dungeon was completed by any party, a worldwide event would be hosted depending on what dungeon was cleared. Any player on any platform on any server was allowed into that event, and it affected the storyline of the world. It released new quests and NPCs.

After all sixteen dungeons were cleared, the last worldwide event would happen, and the players' choices there would affect the entire world forever. There would be no more change, and the storyline would be set in stone.

The ending could be bad or good, chances were that it would be bad though. Other then the changes in the intricate storyline as the players went on with their lives, the most important thing was the game mechanics.

The developers made a great team, and they were rewarded for their efforts. The game mechanics were the most advanced as of yet, and they were shown in the trailer, exciting everybody. Realisticness was not what the developers were going for when they were creating new ways to make playing video games more fun, they were just trying to find a way for chance to decide what creatures and players do, but that was probably what made it so realistic.

The developers left a lot of things up to chance. It wasn't the type of chance that players were notified about, it just happened and the players had to deal with it. They had to make split-second decisions much more than in regular MMORPG's, to the point where it felt like they were playing against other players. That was something that made the game engaging to players.

The trailer showed all of this somehow, but it was also released a few years ago, so the audience wasn't too amazed. The real show would begin when the beta testers' first experience in the game was put on display.

Their five minute experience would be broadcasted to the world. But first, as the screen faded to black, applause rang out. Then, V rose to his feet, walking over to the podium. He stood behind it, waiting for the clapping to die down.

Looking across the crowd, he began his very short speech. "Hello. My name is V, and I'm the CEO of Er Shi Er. It's very nice to see so many people at the release of our new game, the people present and online. Thank you for supporting us during this journey, and we hope you enjoy the game immensely! But before we let anybody join the game, I'd like the lead developer to come and say a few words."

The applause started again as V stepped aside for Ling Xia. He descended the stairs and took his seat while Ling Xia strode to the microphone. He stepped behind it, planting his hands on the lectern. "Hello, and welcome to the release of Granderheim," he announced, surveying the crowd.

"I am Ling Xia, the lead developer, and I'm so glad to see all of you here, although some I can't actually see." Ling Xia started with a smile. That "joke" got a few polite chuckles. Cearly, he wasn't very good at joking around with people he wasn't acquainted with.

"I'd like to start by saying that, although I am the lead developer, I only contributed to the storyline and the planning of the project, so I'd like to give credit to every person who helped make our dream a reality."

Ling Xia turned to the screen where the names of everybody who was on the team were scrolling by. The long list of names finally finished and Ling Xia shifted his gaze back to the crowd. "Those were all the people that helped us out. Some people played minor roles and some were in the thick of things, but they all contributed to our goal.

"Now I'd like to talk about the game. Our game is an MMORPG, meaning that as a player's level rises, the tasks that were once difficult to them, they could now do with a flick of their hand. With this kind of game, a player could grind all day and night and get to the level cap in no time. Which is why we'll be updating constantly, making new adventures and challenges. We hope you'll check in with us on our website about the updates, and most of all, we hope that all of you enjoy the game!"

The applause began again, but quickly became quiet when Ling Xia raised a hand. He motioned to the crowd, and it fell silent. "Before the release of the game, we have one last thing for all of you to see." He turned to the screen once more and a bunch of smaller screens populated the bigger one.

"These are the experiences of a few of our beta testers on their first day playing the game," he explained. "We didn't tell them anything at all, but they were able to do so much."

Some of the smaller screens showed the beta testers exploring, while some showed them taking on quests. "This is a small part of the actual experience all the players will get in the game."

The audience watched the screen with rapt attention. All the people online also watched the video at home. "Although the game has been modified since the beta testing, it is more real than what the trailers show. Especially because we made the trailer even before the beta testing. But, yes, this is what game you might be playing in the future."

Ling Xia's eyes curved up, revealing his smile beneath his mask. "Please enjoy this."

Ling Xia stepped away from the lectern and headed back to his seat, letting the audience have a full view of the screen. Leaning back in his seat and crossing his legs, he relaxed. His part was done in this party, so he let himself be taken away by the video playing on the screen.

It wasn't too long before it ended, the screen turning off again. Everybody relaxed, waiting for somebody to say something to start letting people buy the game. A sudden beep came from the screen, and people's eyes shot to the source.

On the screen was the number ten. It only took a second for that ten to turn into a nine with another beep and then into an eight. Excitement rushed into people's hearts as they slowly realized what this countdown was for.

People online flocked to the game's website, frantically pressing the greyed-out install button. As the numbers on the screen got smaller, the number of people on the website became larger. With one last beep, the straight line turned into a round oval.

The install button flashed light green for a moment before immediately turning dark green as people clicked on it. The number of people installing the game rushed up, almost crashing the website. As Lady Luck would have it, it did not shut down, proving itself able to complete the task and not embarrassing the company in the process.

Along with the rest of the present audience, Ling Xia clapped, a broad grin hidden underneath his mask because of this huge success. At this point, the livestream had been turned off, and everybody online was trying the game out for the first time. But for the people present at the scene, there was still some more time before they left.

Mostly because they were important people, so they took every opportunity they could to converse with other important people. They took the livestream turning off as a sign to talk amongst themselves. Many people got up and went to other tables to speak to others as well.

As the volume in the room increased, Ling Xia turned to the only other person at his table. "Great, right?"

From the other side of the table, the man parading around with a masquerade mask nodded. "Yeah. Didn't expect it to be received so well." V's lips tugged up into a smirk. He continued teasingly, "But it's definitely going to be worse than what I have planned for the beauty industry."

Ling Xia gave him a look asking 'are you serious?' "You need to stop hounding me about helping you with that," he responded, cracking a smile.

"Alright, fine." V's smirking face transformed into one of resignation and then confusion as he looked past Ling Xia. Ling Xia noticed that V's gaze wasn't on him anymore, and he looked over his shoulder to see Yang Lizhen stalking up to him. His strides were fast, a furious aura emanating from him. And with this, Ling Xia's eyebrows also pressed together in confoundment.

"Y–" he called. The second the sound dropped out of his mouth, his heart leapt. Heat rose to his cheeks at the thought that V, a very vigilant one, might have caught his mistake. He frantically rushed to fix his mistake and also calm his racing heart. "Ling Yu?" he corrected, somehow seamlessly connecting the mistake and correction, so the mistake wasn't noticeable.

His attention returned to Yang Lizhen after time sped up to the normal pace again, but he was surprised to find that Yang Lizhen didn't even flinch in response to his call. His pace was still as steady as ever, appearing completely unfazed.

"Ling Yu?" Ling Xia asked again. He was even more confused than earlier.

Yang Lizhen still didn't respond, and Ling Xia had a sudden impulse to walk up to him and wave a hand in front of his face just to make sure he wasn't invisible. His face showed a weird expression as he pressed the urge down.

When Yang Lizhen finally arrived at their table, he knocked obnoxiously on the table. With the fakest smile possible on his face, he looked V dead in the eye. "Excuse me. I'd like you to stop making moves on my sister's boyfriend."

V's eyes widened in shock, and, truth be told, Ling Xia had the exact same reaction. When did Yang Lizhen or Ling Yu's sister become his girlfriend?! He was taken aback by this information, but didn't have enough time to analyze it as he was grabbed by the wrist and yanked out of his seat.

Yang Lizhen kept his eyes trained on V, staring him down. V finally recovered from his shock and narrowed his eyes. He didn't really know what was happening, but he wouldn't take this treatment lying down. He met Yang Lizhen's eyes, not shying away.

Yang Lizhen just snorted, his grip on Ling Xia's wrist tightening. He turned on his heel, heading away. Ling Xia's legs almost tripped over themselves as his body bent awkwardly because of the sudden movement.

He took a few fast steps to catch up to Yang Lizhen, then matching his pace. He walked behind Yang Lizhen, his gaze sometimes directed toward the other's feet so as not to step on them, and sometimes backward. His face showed his apology and confusion while he furtively glanced back at V. He didn't want the other to misunderstand and think that he was abandoning V or something.

Luckily, V's face showed understanding, and Ling Xia turned back with relief filling his heart. He watched Yang Lizhen's feet carefully, in an attempt to avoid stepping on them once again, a question looping through his mind.

Meanwhile, Yang Lizhen tilted his face to the side slightly. His glaring eyes went to V, shooting him a smoldering look. V was already talking to other people though, so he felt like he was punching soft cotton.

He continued dragging Ling Xia away, while the other came to the conclusion that he should trust Yang Lizhen. But was he really Ling Yu's sister's boyfriend? Why?

This question occupied his mind, and he asbently let himself be dragged away. A "Hey, babe!" broke him out of his daze, and his head shot up.

He instantly recognized the face of the person in front of him. Her features were eerily similar to Ling Yu's, and she was a common face in the Ling household that Ling Xia had come across often. Her name was Ling Hui.

"You're finally here!" She jumped into his arms. Ling Xia, startled, took a moment to realize that Ling Hui would fall if he didn't catch her. He hastily reached out and took hold of her quickly approaching body.

He placed her gently on the ground, playing his part well. He would just have to ask Yang Lizhen what this was all about later. A gentle smile filled his face, and he looked at Ling Hui with adoring eyes.

Hidden beneath his facade of overflowing love were questions and confusion that Ling Hui keenly detected. She glanced at Yang Lizhen hesitantly. Ling Xia saw this and took in the fact that Ling Hui was probably in on the plan while also turning to Yang Lizhen.

With both people silently demanding an answer from him, Yang Lizhen had no choice but to explain. He lightly jerked his head in a certain direction, and the other two's eyes followed his movement carefully. In the direction Yang Lizhen gestured it was Nan Cheng.

Ling Xia immediately returned to acting all lovey-dovey with Ling Hui. She mimicked his actions as well, but there was a bit of hesitation in her movements. Yang Lizhen also put on a facade, smiling with a happy light in his eyes as he watched them.

The reason they were all doing this was that Nan Cheng was in earshot. Supposedly, Ling Xia not clarifying to Nan Cheng about his position on that text sent a few weeks ago snowballed into Yang Lizhen coming up with an elaborate plot to subtly explain to Nan Cheng that Ling Xia would, in fact, not stop speaking to him.

With a sweet-as-honey smile on his face, Ling Xia led Ling Hui away. She followed him, and they ended up sitting at a table across from each other. They held a light conversation, both of them secretly monitoring Nan Cheng's reactions.

At first, he seemed surprised, then his surprise turned to understanding. Finally, fury filled his face, and he clenched his teeth. He briskly walked away from the scene.

Ling Xia secretly chuckled. He faced his 'girlfriend' again, continuing his talk with her. She was a very polite woman, and he was glad that she ended up being Ling Yu's sister and not some spoiled rich kid.

And so, the party ended, neither party fully satisfied with the results of the day's endeavors. Nevertheless, Ling Xia played his part well and then headed home.

For the next few days, he practiced diligently. After one week, he went to the world figure skating championship, all hyped up for the competition that, hopefully, he was going to crush.

He was completely unaware that his problems were just beginning.