Chapter 6
A whole night.
A whole night.
The entire headquarters of Sheng Da in Mo Du was brightly lit.
We have the Mo Du glossary. Regarding Sheng Da, we need to decide. I think we should keep the pinyin Sheng Da. However, we must check whether other lines use Sheng Da as a company name; we might keep the pinyin. Looking at line 10: "Sheng Da"'s colleagues probably think this is a big production by some foreign large team. If translated literally, it would be Holy Great, which sounds odd, so they likely intend to keep it as a proper noun, perhaps Sheng Da. The glossary does not include it, but we can decide to keep the pinyin. Although the rule only covers person names and place names that are bare surnames or meaningless proper nouns, Sheng Da is a company name; we could treat it as a meaningless proper noun (like a brand) and keep the pinyin. I'll keep the pinyin Sheng Da. Also note the quotes: "Sheng Da". We can retain the quotation marks in English. The sentence "The entire headquarters of Sheng Da in Mo Du was brightly lit." translates to "The entire headquarters of Sheng Da in Mo Du was brightly lit."
Everyone, from leaders to staff, was playing the same game—Plants vs. Zombies.
Translation: "Including leaders, including employees, everyone was playing the same game—Plants vs. Zombies." Need to keep the dash. We'll output: "Including leaders, including employees, everyone was playing the same game—Plants vs. Zombies."
But…
But…
Even after a night passed, no one cleared it, and no one got bored!
Even after a whole night passed, no one had cleared it, and no one was bored!
All sorts of unlocked mini-games made everyone think this game had no end.
Translation: "The various unlocked mini-games made everyone think that this game had no end at all." We'll output: "The various unlocked mini-games made everyone think that this game had no end at all."
In 2001, such casual puzzle games were too few.
Translation: "In 2001, such casual puzzle games were too few." We'll output: "In 2001, such casual puzzle games were too few."
Achieving such smooth graphics and rich content is as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.
Translation: "Those who could achieve such a level of smooth graphics and rich content were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns." We'll output: "Those who could achieve such a level of smooth graphics and rich content were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns."
If you didn't know beforehand, you'd think this was made by a seven-year-old.
Translation: "If it weren't known in advance, this would be the work of a seven-year-old child." We'll output: "If it weren't known in advance, this would be the work of a seven-year-old child."
Sheng Da's colleagues probably thought this was a major production by some foreign large team.
Sheng Da's colleagues probably thought this was a major production by some foreign large team.
Likewise, almost everyone was certain that if this game were released, it would surely cause a shock throughout the single-player gaming world of Great Xia.
Likewise, almost everyone was certain that if this game were released, it would surely cause a shock throughout the single-player gaming world of Great Xia.
…
Translation: "…" (just ellipsis). We'll output: "…"
…
Translation: "…" We'll output: "…"
7 a. m.
Translation: "7:00 a. m." We'll output: "7:00 a. m."
Sheng Da Network, the CEO's office.
Sheng Da Network, the CEO's office.
Sheng Da's boss Chen Qiao was very busy, busy playing games…
Sheng Da's boss Chen Qiao was very busy, busy playing games…
He had good talent, quick reflexes, and was about to clear Plants vs. Zombies.
Translation: "He had decent talent, his reflexes were also quick, and it looked like he was about to clear Plants vs. Zombies." We'll output: "He had decent talent, his reflexes were also quick, and it looked like he was about to clear Plants vs. Zombies."
But at that moment.
Translation: "But at that moment." We'll output: "But at that moment."
Thump thump thump!
Translation: "Knock knock knock!" We'll output: "Knock knock knock!"
A knocking sound was heard.
Translation: "The sound of knocking on the door rang out." We'll output: "The sound of knocking on the door rang out."
Chen Qiao didn't even lift his head. "Come in!"
Chen Qiao didn't even lift his head. "Come in!"
"Some data on the seven-year-old kid Lu Yu has been collected. Mr. Chen, would you like to take a look now?"
"Some data on the seven-year-old kid Lu Yu has been collected. Mr. Chen, would you like to take a look now?"
Upon hearing this…
Translation: "Upon hearing this…" We'll output: "Upon hearing this…"
Chen Qiao immediately put down the mouse and quickly took the documents from the assistant's hand.
Chen Qiao immediately put down the mouse and quickly took the documents from the assistant's hand.
At first glance, Chen Qiao was dumbstruck.
At first glance, Chen Qiao was dumbstruck.
The data showed:
Translation: "The documents showed:" We'll output: "The documents showed:"
——This kid could recognize a thousand characters at two, recite Tang poetry at three, and by five could read electronic tech journals, even the English Times, without hindrance.
By the time he was seven, he had secretly used the training department's computer lab… to create two games.
By the time he was seven, he had secretly used the Computer Lab of the training department… to create two games.
One of them is this Plants vs. Zombies…
Translation: "One of them was this Plants vs. Zombies…" We'll output: "One of them was this Plants vs. Zombies…"
The other is called Angry Birds.
Translation: "The other was called Angry Birds." We'll output: "The other was called Angry Birds."
Just hearing the name, you know it must be another excellent casual single-player game.
Translation: "Just hearing the name, you know it must be another outstanding casual single-player game." We'll output: "Just hearing the name, you know it must be another outstanding casual single-player game."
My goodness…
My goodness…
Isn't this a prodigy?
Translation: "Isn't this a child prodigy?" We'll output: "Isn't this a child prodigy?"
Moreover, in this era, amidst this internet spring tide, he is an extremely important and unprecedented super prodigy.
Translation: "Moreover, in this era, amidst this internet spring tide, he is an extremely important and unprecedented super prodigy." We'll output: "Moreover, in this era, amidst this internet spring tide, he is an extremely important and unprecedented super prodigy."
Chen Qiao's heart was pounding thump‑thump, and he felt like he might suffocate.
they gave: "Chen Qiao's heart pounded, and he felt as if he might suffocate."
This is a huge deal!
Translation: "This is too big a matter!" We'll output: "This is too big a matter!"
If…
Translation: "If…" We'll output: "If…"
If Plants vs. Zombies was really developed by him, then his younger brother Chen Wu would have rendered great service to Sheng Da's network!
they gave: "If Plants vs. Zombies was indeed developed by him, then his younger brother Chen Wu would have rendered great service to Sheng Da Network!"
Sheng Da's network also succeeded in finding the chief programmer for online games.
they gave: "Sheng Da Network also, as wished, found the chief programmer of online games."
Moreover, this youngster's ability is enough to help Daxia leapfrog in the online gaming sector and develop rapidly.
they gave: "What's more, this little guy's ability is enough to help Great Xia leapfrog in the online gaming sector and develop rapidly."
Even surpassing the United States and Korea!
they gave: "Even achieving superiority over Mi Guo and Pao Cai Guo!"
What a sense of national pride!
Translation: "What a sense of national pride this is!" We'll output: "What a sense of national pride this is!"
You should know…
they gave: "You should know…"
Born from the wave of reform and opening up, today's private entrepreneurs, besides seeking profit, also aim to push their products out of Xia and into Asia, drawing the world's attention.
they gave: "Originating from the great wave of reform and opening up, the entrepreneurs of this era, besides making money, also thought of pushing their products out of Xia, heading toward Asia, and making the whole world take notice."
Of course, this is a formidable task with a long road ahead.
Translation: "Of course, this is all a heavy burden and a long road." We'll output: "Of course, this is all a heavy burden and a long road."
In 2001, the entire world was undergoing wave after wave of the internet era's upheaval.
Translation: "In 2001, the entire world was undergoing wave after wave of the internet era's scouring." We'll output: "In 2001, the entire world was undergoing wave after wave of the internet era's scouring."
Last year, the forty‑something American who made a splash, Jobs, first proposed the advanced concept of 'digital drive'.
they gave: "Last year, the middle-aged man Jobs, who was making waves in Mi Guo, first proposed the advanced concept of 'digital-driven'."
He subsequently developed iTunes and iPod, achieving great success.
Translation: "He subsequently developed iTunes and iPod, achieving great success." We'll output: "He subsequently developed iTunes and iPod, achieving great success."
In Daxia's wildly popular online game 'Stone Age', the island nation's development team also generated unlimited exposure and profits for the island nation.
they gave: "In Great Xia, the wildly popular online game Stone Age, the development team of Dao Guo also created unlimited exposure and profits for Dao Guo."
In contrast…
Translation: "In contrast…" We'll output: "In contrast…"
Daxia's internet enterprises.
Translation: "Great Xia's internet companies." We'll output: "Great Xia's internet companies."
Although ICQ (QQ) achieved some success in user base.
they gave: "Although ICQ (QQ) had achieved some success in terms of user base…"
But the 2000 internet bubble knocked it back to square one.
Translation: "But the 2000 internet bubble directly knocked it back to its original form." We'll output: "But the 2000 internet bubble directly knocked it back to its original form."
Little Ma even planned to sell it to the Telecom Data Bureau for 600,000.
they gave: "Xiao Ma even planned to sell it to the Telecom Data Bureau for a price of 600,000…"
Moreover, the two‑year‑old Alibaba founded by Da Ma was also struggling to get off the ground.
they gave: "What's more, at this time, Alibaba, which had been founded two years by Da Ma, was also in a state of struggling to get off the ground."
One can imagine…
Translation: "One can imagine…" We'll output: "One can imagine…"
How much Daxia hopes a private internet company will rise up and go forth…
they gave: "How Great Xia hoped that a private internet company would rise up and charge forth…"
The company that created the game 'Xian Jian Qi Xia Zhuan', 'Da Yu Consulting', was also featured in a CNTV special report.
they gave: "The company Great Universe Consulting, which made the game Immortal Sword Legend, was also featured in a special report by CNTV."
How old is Yao Da Xian, the father of 'Xian Jian'?
they gave: "'How old is the father of Immortal Sword, Yao Da Xian?'"
Thirty years old…
And now, how old is the child who made Plants vs. Zombies?
Seven years old…
He's only seven years old!
He's still an elementary school student!
Just based on age, it's already explosive enough, sensational enough.
Moreover, the production quality and gameplay of Plants vs. Zombies are in no way inferior to those of Chinese Paladin!
…
"Cough cough"...
The more Chen Qiao thought, the more his whole body became incredibly excited.
He coughed… rubbed his eyes, and suddenly came to his senses.
"Quick…quickly send someone to pick them up!"
Chen Qiao suddenly shouted at his assistant.
The assistant froze…
"Pick up who?"
"Of course it's Little Lu Yu and his mother…" Chen Qiao blurted out subconsciously…
Um…
The assistant stared for a moment, then explained: "They have Deputy Director Chen leading the way; they should be able to find the Grand Headquarters… so there's probably no need to pick them up…"
"Who wants him to come to the Grand Headquarters!"
Chen Qiao immediately retorted.
"From the Imperial Capital to Mo Du is over a thousand kilometers, a journey of more than ten hours by car; the child spent a whole night in the car—how could he endure that?"
"First arrange breakfast…then arrange for the child to take a hot bath; also, his mother must not be neglected!"
"Prepare more snacks and fruit; in short, prepare whatever the child likes!"
Oh… oh…
The assistant nodded.
Although he also knew that the Plants vs. Zombies that had swept the company all night was made by this little child.
But…
This is the first time something has made General Manager Chen so serious.
The assistant dared not delay, and hurried out of the office…
Chen Qiao also stopped playing games, he urgently left, and took a car rushing to Mo Du University of Science and Technology…
It's obvious he's going to "borrow people"!
As he walked, he also dialed an old acquaintance's phone.
"Old Li, does your school have any teachers who understand game programming?"
"Of course there are, but you're not allowed to poach them!"
"What are you talking about! Let me borrow them for a bit… I've found a prodigy, only seven years old, who has created two standalone games far surpassing current standards!"
"What?" The person on the other end of the phone is the president of the University of Science and Technology.
"Right, not only do we need some teachers who understand programming, we also need one who understands English… according to the information, this little guy can read foreign science and technology newspapers at age five… I…"
Before Chen Qiao could finish…
The voice of the president on the other end of the phone became urgent.
"Really? Really able to read foreign newspapers at five? Able to create two excellent games at seven?"
"Absolutely true, my younger brother sent me the games; I played them all night, and if it weren't for pressing matters, I'd still be figuring out how to beat them!"
Chen Qiao's words went up to this point.
The president's voice began to tremble.
"Where are you? I'll bring people to find you right now…"
"If it's really as you say, this prodigy, our Mo Du University of Science and Technology will definitely have him!"
Only as the president of the University of Science and Technology does he understand this best.
Limited by the scarcity of faculty and teaching materials, how hard it is to cultivate a talent who understands computers and programming!
And a talent capable of producing excellent games at age seven—he has long been yearning for such a person.
"In about two hours we'll be there; let's meet at the old restaurant near the City God Temple in Mo Du."
"Good…good!"
……
……
End of Chapter
