Chapter 1: The Multiverse Short Video App, Tony's Disarray

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(40 Advance chapters)

*Clack clack clack!*

The sound of typing filled the office, forming a monotonous and oppressive rhythm that echoed unceasingly.

"Ah!"

Jiang Cheng, utterly exhausted, couldn't help but stretch, momentarily relieving his tense nerves and muscles. Taking a sip of goji berry water from his thermos, he casually pulled out his phone and checked the time.

Good heavens, it's 7:30 PM!

Turning to look at his other colleagues in the office, he saw that they seemed entirely unaware of the time. Everyone was still vigorously typing away, diligently working on their keyboards.

"You know this industry is competitive, but this is a bit much, isn't it?"

"They're literally working themselves to death!" Jiang Cheng shook his head, feeling like he couldn't keep up with this pace.

A certain big shot once said that the 996 working hour system (9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week) is a blessing. Jiang Cheng wondered if that big shot had ever personally experienced such a 'blessing.'

From Jiang Cheng's own experience, he found it unbearable. Moreover, Jiang Cheng was no longer on a 996 schedule; he was working 007 (midnight to midnight, seven days a week)!

Who could withstand that?

His prime years were being spent like a cog in a machine. Life had become exceedingly dull at this point.

"Once I finish this project, if things are still like this, I'm quitting!"

"I don't want to die young," Jiang Cheng declared resolutely.

"Come on, Xiao Jiang."

A bespectacled young man at the adjacent desk couldn't help but laugh. He was Zhou Yuan, a colleague of Jiang Cheng's, who graduated from the same university a year apart, and they were on good terms.

"You've said that at least ten times now."

"And yet here you are, still sitting here."

"In this day and age, if you don't have family wealth, you have to work hard like everyone else. It's just how it is."

"We all have to live!"

"Everyone wants to take it easy, but we just don't have that luxury," Zhou Yuan sighed, expressing the plight of countless wage slaves.

Does anyone really want to grind away in an office every day?

They were all bent over by the weight of reality.

Jiang Cheng understood this all too well. He was just venting occasionally and didn't dare to actually quit. The job market was tough, and having a job at all was fortunate.

Even if it was grueling, it was better than being unemployed, right?

He couldn't exactly rely on his parents after three years of graduation.

But when would this seemingly endless grind end?

*Ding!*

As he relaxed a bit, intending to get back to work, his phone suddenly chimed with a notification. Jiang Cheng picked it up and saw that a new app had appeared on his screen: Multiverse Short Videos Express Version.

What the heck?

Had his phone auto-installed some rogue software?

But whoever developed this rogue software must have had a few screws loose.

The name was so incredibly cheesy; who would even click on it?

Without a second thought, Jiang Cheng picked up his phone, intending to uninstall the rogue software.

But after a few attempts, he found that he couldn't uninstall it at all!

"Damn!"

"What kind of garbage is this?" Jiang Cheng muttered, accidentally opening the rogue software in his fumbling.

To his surprise, the user interface was quite sophisticated and responsive, comparable to Douyin (TikTok).

However, the large pop-up notification that appeared was an insult to his intelligence.

"Congratulations on becoming a user of Multiverse Short Videos Express Version."

"You'll soon realize how lucky you are to be randomly selected."

"Simply use this app to watch videos and you'll earn rewards."

"The more you watch, the more rewards you earn. What are you waiting for?"

"Start scrolling now, don't stop!"

"Earn rewards for watching short videos?"

"Is there really such a good deal in the world?"

Jiang Cheng almost burst out laughing. This rogue software really took people for fools.

What Jiang Cheng didn't know was that when he accidentally opened the Multiverse Short Videos app, it caused an upheaval in some American comic book worlds.

The interface of Multiverse Short Videos suddenly appeared before various individuals or, more precisely, before some main characters.

Except for those who were driving, performing surgeries, or engaged in activities where distractions could have serious consequences, others would also see the interface once it was safe for them to divert their attention.

…

Marvel Cinematic Universe 1999999.

In Tony Stark's Malibu mansion.

"I've scheduled your lecture at Harvard University for two weeks from now. How does that sound?"

Pepper Potts, dressed in a professional suit and looking quite dashing, was holding a schedule, confirming some appointments with her boss.

"There are still two weeks, no need to bother me with it now."

"We'll deal with it then."

Tony Stark, the ultimate playboy and the most carefree rich kid in history, responded absentmindedly while modifying a motorcycle.

"Tony, please…"

Pepper Potts, instantly feeling a headache, found her unreliable boss as unreliable as ever.

You can't just leave such things until the last minute! This was a lecture at Harvard, not a casual dinner reservation.

*Shwoop!*

Just as she was about to say more, Pepper suddenly saw a screen flash before her eyes.

A light screen appeared abruptly, floating in front of her and Tony.

"Jarvis, what is this?"

Tony, having noticed the screen, naturally asked Jarvis, assuming it was something projected by his AI assistant.

"Sir, I cannot analyze it."

But Jarvis's response was surprising.

Unable to analyze?

Tony was taken aback. Judging by Jarvis's answer, the screen wasn't something Jarvis projected?

If it wasn't Jarvis, then how did it appear?

"Based on scans, this screen is a type of advanced optical display."

"There must be a source projecting it, but I cannot locate it."

"It appears as if it materialized out of thin air, which defies the laws of science."

Jarvis's voice continued to explain to Tony.

*Shwoop!*

Meanwhile, Jarvis also projected a video.

In the video, Stark and Pepper were talking when suddenly, a light screen emerged.

"OK!"

"I must say, my interest is thoroughly piqued!"

Tony's eyes lit up, his attention immediately captured by the inexplicable light screen.

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