Chapter 1: Yancheng

Yancheng.

Tian’s Barbecue Restaurant.

Tang Song patted his burning cheeks and exhaled a breath of air heavy with the scent of alcohol.

He turned on the faucet, cupped the icy tap water in his hands, and splashed it over his face.

He pulled out his phone to check the time.

[22:02]

This department team-building event, which had lasted all day, was finally coming to an end.

He returned to the private room.

He pretended to quickly blend back into his colleagues' conversation.

A harmless smile played on Tang Song’s face as he chimed in from time to time.

The atmosphere was lively and harmonious.

Director Chen Yunteng raised his glass, said a few pleasantries with a glowing face, casually painted a picture of a bright future, and brought today’s team-building to a perfect close.

He walked out the front door of the barbecue restaurant.

A chilly evening breeze hit his face as his colleagues said their goodbyes.

"See you Monday, bye~"

"Remember to message the group when you get home."

"Drive safe, Director Chen, bye."

"Let's go together, Tang Song, we're heading the same way!"

…

In the black Nissan Teana.

Two female colleagues were chatting heatedly in the back seat.

Tang Song leaned against the back of the passenger seat, eyes half-closed, his face expressionless.

Having joined Jinxiu Trading over four months ago, he had poured all his energy into developing the company’s new SCM (Supply Chain Management) system.

He had worn many hats, handling everything from requirements analysis and system architecture to functional development and code deployment entirely on his own.

After the system went live, it significantly boosted work efficiency and effectively lowered procurement costs, earning high praise from the company’s top leadership.

This gave Tang Song, as a new employee, a great sense of accomplishment, and he daydreamed about the promotion and raise the leadership had promised.

Yet, reality dealt him a heavy blow.

The success of the SCM system was ultimately credited to Director Chen of the department, who received a formal commendation, a promotion, and, it was rumored, stock options.

The project’s maintenance work was also handed over to Du Shaokai, a colleague with connections.

Tang Song was assigned to develop a new project, continuing to work his fingers to the bone for the company.

A series of unfair treatments left him feeling miserable, and he began to consider resigning.

Perhaps sensing his thoughts.

During the team-building event today, Director Chen privately indicated that he would apply for a 10% raise for him next month.

He told him to work diligently and that he would definitely not be mistreated in the future.

After struggling with the decision for a while, Tang Song ultimately accepted it.

He had only passed his probation a month ago, rented an apartment near the company, bought an electric scooter, and gotten to know his colleagues.

If he quit now, the sunk costs would be too high.

Besides, the economic climate was poor, and Jinxiu Trading was already his most ideal option.

Two days ago, his mother called to say a new housing development had opened in their hometown and asked him to find time to go back and take a look.

As he was deep in thought, Zhao Yue in the back seat suddenly tapped his shoulder, "Brother Song! You seem so listless today, don't tell me you're heartbroken?"

Tang Song reined in his emotions and self-deprecatingly said, "First of all, I’d need to have a partner."

Zhao Yue covered her mouth and giggled, "Brother Song, you’re actually quite excellent—outstanding ability, handsome features, and you’re tall, though your weight is a bit over the limit. Hurry up and lose weight and build some muscle; the young ladies in our company would definitely be lining up to chase you!"

Tang Song touched the thick fat on his stomach and said helplessly, "I'll give it a try."

"Go for it!" Zhao Yue clenched her fist and made a cute expression.

Hu Mingli beside her blinked and teased, "Little Yue, Tang Song is such a great potential stock, why haven't you snatched him up yet?"

"Sister Mingli, I suspect you're testing me. Don't tell me you have designs on Brother Song!?"

"Haha, how about we compete fairly?"

"Then I have to concede, after all, you’ve got big breasts!"

The two slightly tipsy female colleagues pushed and teased each other, but neither took it seriously.

Tang Song was indeed a good person—enthusiastic, sincere, and motivated. His work ability was beyond reproach; having previously worked at a large internet company in the Imperial Capital, he was recognized as the best backend developer in their department.

However, his family background was a bit poor—a typical rural youth with no hope of buying a house in Yancheng.

There were no highlights to his appearance either; he dressed casually, his hairstyle was messy, and he was a bit fat.

As a colleague or friend, he was absolutely fine.

As for a deeper relationship? Better forget it.

……

Qingxin Garden Residential Complex.

Tang Song tossed his backpack aside and collapsed onto his bed.

The alcohol gradually surged up, and exhaustion, disappointment, and helplessness instantly swallowed him.

After a long while, he turned on his side, opened WeChat, and messaged the department group: "Home now."

Then he clicked on the "Luck-Based Red Packet" sent by Director Chen, claimed three yuan and twenty cents, and sent a "Thanks, Boss" sticker.

He opened his Moments and scrolled aimlessly through the screen.

Like an outsider, he silently browsed the updates of his familiar and unfamiliar "friends."

Some posted about their daily lives, some about their partners, some about their peaceful lives, and some about their striving for success.

It seemed that everyone except him was living very happily.

Without realizing it, a familiar photo caught his eye.

[Deng Yazi: "Accidentally dug out my high school graduation photo. Old classmates, how are you all doing?"]

His scrolling finger stopped involuntarily.

Tang Song quickly found himself in the photo, his gaze slightly dazed.

Back then, he was about to enter university, full of youthful vigor, optimistic, and cheerful, with his "white moonlight" by his side, feeling that life was full of hope.

And at 25? Single, overweight, no car, no house, his work and life a tangled mess.

He casually liked the post, put his phone down, sat at his computer desk, put on his headphones, and prepared to play some games to relax.

Every stage of life has things that can only be experienced at that stage.

In the few years since graduation, he had recognized reality and had his edges smoothed down by life.

To put it more nicely, he had matured.

He still liked the things he liked, but he no longer forced them, which was why he left the Imperial Capital and said goodbye to his "white moonlight."

He still disliked the things he disliked, but he could endure them, which was why he blended into the group and accepted unfairness.

……

The game "Male God Growth Plan" had suddenly appeared on Tang Song’s computer during his senior year.

It was possible he had accidentally downloaded it while browsing study materials.

Because the icon was large and white, Tang Song clicked into it with a critical attitude, wanting to see what it was all about.

He didn't expect that he would play it for three years, which was also a major factor in his weight gain.

This was a male god cultivation game with simulation management at its core.

The art style was beautiful, the sound effects were top-notch, the settings were complete, the gameplay was extremely unique, and it didn't require spending money.

The game’s plot was set against the backdrop of the real world.

Including the map, events, financial markets, enterprises, policies, environment, etc., all remained consistent with the real world.

More importantly, the timeline in the game started from 2016.

Living in 2020, Tang Song, holding a search engine, possessed the "golden finger" of foresight in the game.

He knew the trends of stocks and futures, knew the upcoming industry trends, knew which companies would become unicorns, and knew which future movies, songs, and artists would become huge hits…

Moreover, every character in the game had their own storyline, and players could see their growth, lives, and joys and sorrows.

The immersion was maxed out!

In the game, Tang Song fulfilled his male god dream and thoroughly experienced the joy of being a billionaire, surrounded by beauties, at the pinnacle of power.

But a game is a game after all.

In reality, he was just a miserable wage slave, with no house, no car, and no girlfriend, living a total mess and having to swallow his pride at work.

Tang Song shook his head, no longer letting his mind wander.

He entered the game, checked unread notifications, claimed task rewards, bought new items…

After a series of skilled operations, he returned to the main interface.

Tang Song’s mouse paused, and his gaze turned to the timeline in the game.

[April 1, 2023]

And the current internet time was 23:50 on April 1, 2023.

Due to the difference in time flow, the timelines of the game and reality were about to overlap.

As a game set against the backdrop of the real world, Tang Song was very curious about how the plot would develop next.

He licked his dry lips.

He casually picked up a bottle of "fatty happy water" (soda).

He called his beloved Secretary Jin over to report on work.

While "gulping down" the happy water, he admired the silk-stockinged legs, slender waist, and perky buttocks on the screen.

All his worries dissipated, and his mood instantly brightened.

Although everything in the game was fake, the joy it brought him was real.

…

As time crossed midnight, the rhythmic BGM in his headphones suddenly stopped.

The date in the game changed accordingly.

[April 2, 2023]

Immediately after, the screen began to automatically play beautiful game animations.

Starting from the story in 2016, game characters appeared one by one, wonderful plot segments were performed, and the achievements, titles, badges, and items obtained flashed by from time to time.

Reviewing the entire game journey.

The screen gradually quieted down, with only the sound of "tap, tap, tap" footsteps approaching from afar.

The player "Tang Song" slowly walked in from outside the frame.

Dressed in a crisp suit, his posture elegant and upright, his gait confident and composed.

He stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window on the top floor of the building, looking down at the brilliant city nightscape beneath his feet, an indescribable charm about him.

The camera panned from top to bottom, and the image finally froze on his back.

A line of striking text appeared in the middle of the screen.

[The story seems to have ended here. You have awakened from a long dream and embraced the real world once again. Congratulations, player!]

"Holy crap! Did I beat the game? Is it over just like that!?"

Tang Song was shocked, leaned forward, clicked the mouse frantically a few times, and pounded on the keyboard heavily.

The game screen didn't change at all.

Tang Song felt a chill in his heart.

He had invested deep emotions into this game.

The realistic background and unique immersion made him feel as if he were truly cultivating elites, developing enterprises, gathering wealth, and improving himself.

And from now on, the ups and downs of the story in the game came to an abrupt end, and the vivid characters disconnected from him.

A strong sense of loss and fragmentation surged in.

Tang Song’s breathing became heavy.

"Ding—" A crisp notification sound suddenly rang out.

The game on the computer screen disappeared directly, and the interface turned into the Windows desktop.

Tang Song’s vision blurred for a moment.

Whoosh! A light screen full of sci-fi colors unfolded before him.

[Player Confirmed]

[System Resources Loading... 1%... 50%... 100%]

[Completed]