Chapter 563: Ji Ming's Spring Festival

Although, according to Earth's development, these ten million have already encompassed the vast majority of the world's affluent individuals who can afford the VR headset activation fee of 647 units.

But amid the price wars of major headset vendors fiercely undercutting each other to capture the mainstream market, and the various governments' ever‑increasing incentives to recruit more personnel.

What once cost ten thousand units and was unsellable has surprisingly suffered a price collapse.

Some even say the newest trial (low‑price) model now sells for just one thousand per unit and comes with five former VR flagship games.

Of course, under the suppression of Double Moon Struggle, users who bought headsets as New Year rewards never even glance at them.

"What junk is this? Even a dog wouldn't play with it!"

The moment they get the headset, their savings card happily drops by 647; thereafter they go to bed with the game on, becoming a noisy electronic pet.

Nevertheless, while this is another wave of newcomers, compared with the major guilds a year ago that were still quite confused, everyone this year is clearly much more proficient.

Many players haven't even entered the game yet, but have already signed labor contracts with various companies and agencies; after grinding to level twenty in the novice village within seven days, they can be hired.

Indeed, after a brief period of doubt and discussion, Double Moon Struggle's influence in the real world has grown ever larger, becoming almost inseparable.

After all, once people enter the game, their physical bodies in reality become almost like objects; entertainment and work can both be carried out in the other world.

Consequently, the sharply reduced real‑world demand and the surge in employment positions have directly eased the many increasingly acute conflicts on Earth.

On the downside, if Ji Ming ever goes berserk and shuts down Double Moon Struggle, the drastic shift would trigger an outright explosion of Earth civilization, and s3 would officially commence.

On the upside, as long as Double Moon Struggle can keep running stably, shedding many restraints and returning Earth civilization to the negotiating table, its development speed will far surpass the past.

At minimum, the only space station on ShanShang today already permits foreign astronauts to observe, learn, and take part in the lunar base construction.

Much like the fastest period of human development in the last century, at least in the "external" sphere, everyone has come together again.

This is a new beginning; perhaps in a few years, historians will deem it a great hallmark of Earth civilization's march toward a brand‑new era.

Amid a flood of good news, Ji Ming ultimately chose to spend this year's Spring Festival at the bustling headquarters of the Foreign Affairs Bureau.

As a local employee of the Foreign Affairs Bureau, AdaiEr naturally received a Spring Festival holiday as well, to experience the feel of an otherworldly festival.

So although strictly speaking their ages aren't a generation apart, a teacher is an elder, thus Ji Ming still gave her a red envelope.

And because he didn't give one last year, this year he arranged two for her.

"Great!"

But before Ji Ming could announce his travel plans for the next few days, a hand reached out.

"What are you doing?"

"What about mine? I want it too."

Only someone whose conduct matches Little Lion's virtue and whose upbringing rivals that of the Holy Saint Aurora Dance could act so shamelessly.

"Damn it, besides the fact you're nine years younger than me, you've already been an adult, right? You're almost twenty and still want red‑envelope money?"

Aurora had already anticipated his words and immediately pointed at AdaiEr beside her.

"You're right, but if I recall correctly, isn't she also eighteen this year? What do you say!"

"Look at your hysterical demeanor, how embarrassing!"

Ji Ming instantly stepped in front of AdaiEr.

"I am someone's teacher; a day as a master, a lifetime as a father—during the New Year, giving money to a child is only natural, isn't it?"

…

"Did you leave out half a sentence?"

"No."

…

"Why don't you ask me whether I dare call you 'dad'?"

"Because you truly dare."

…

"Just try it; what if I don't dare?"

"Alas, heavens, I recall you have a dad, right? If both parents are present, just go ask your real dad for money!"

Now Ji Ming only hopes that the day Little Lion meets Aurora Dance, they can bow respectfully to this thick‑skinned domain master.

Because her next line turned out to be:

"Didn't I tell you? My own father rose to fame back then by letting others call him 'dad'—he was a son‑in‑law."

"I see, so the old Bai family's tradition is just that, right?"

"Yes, my maternal grandfather did it too."

"You really are…"

"Dad."

…

Ji Ming had no choice but to send her a four‑unit red envelope via Feixin.

"Three units of iced black tea, one unit of small pudding—take it as a red envelope, ho, spend it sparingly."

Aurora Dance's previously delighted expression froze the moment she saw the numbers, words caught in her throat, finally condensing into a single sentence.

"Damn, you're so cheap!"

Having said that, she huffed and went offline.

Anyway, with no family left (no hell‑joke implication), Ji Ming and AdaiEr ate a New Year's Eve dinner together with the Foreign Affairs Bureau and local colleagues.

As they ate, his Feixin started receiving messages in bulk.

First, Director Chen broadcast a classic blessing to the group: 【Happy New Year, all things renewed, Zhao Dongsheng and his family wish you a year of evergreen health, a career as smooth as a spring breeze, a family as harmonious as spring sunshine, Happy Spring Festival, family happiness!】.

Then a series of greeting messages from old Foreign Affairs Bureau colleagues arrived—some mass‑sent, like that kid Wu Ye wishing his parents health, and some private, like Brother Tiaozi asking whether he wants to spend next year's New Year at his place.

Even Gaul's junior, the Iris Cathedral, Demon Warrior ShanShang Li, and Howard—a senior Chinese‑American of the White Eagle who once crossed paths in a dungeon long ago—sent him New Year greetings.

Especially the former, who also rattled off a string of whining Mandarin.

Low EQ: "This damn Gaul barbarian is talking about his mother's fart!"

High EQ: "Haha, I get it, congrats bro on getting off the market!"

But after pondering for a moment, Ji Ming still turned around and reported to LaoZhao that Howard had actually contacted him privately.

The reply he received was a rather tasteful line: "Ha, isn't it just a blessing? Normal socializing, no big deal."

Tsk tsk, it seems things on Earth have really changed a lot…

At that moment Little Lion's message also came through: "Hey, the New Year is still awesome, I'm having hot pot with the old buddies, come see how my Spring Festival sushi looks!"

Being from some ultra‑obscure fantasy parallel universe, a descendant of celestial soldiers, born in the Pingdong Prefecture under the Japanese Imperial Administration—translated as a bizarre creature from old Tokyo—this kid actually has the terrifying tradition of eating sushi for the New Year.

But his accompanying picture wasn't the so‑called "festive sushi" that would turn the rice black in Ji Ming's eyes by dyeing it red; instead it was a…

【My rating is that a dog can't stop eating shit】

【Jealous! You're just jealous of my bro's woman‑chasing skills!】

Indeed, as the saying goes, it's easy to change a country but hard to change one's nature; Giuseppe is once again causing trouble for the little girl.

And from the slightly pointed yet fairly rounded ear shape, it's clearly a half‑elf girl… okay, maybe it's a grandma.

…

Oh dear, who is flirting with whom is hard to say.

Finally Aurora Dance, her aggressiveness is higher because the caption she gave the picture is: 【Family】.

Below is an outdoor photo taken from a low angle, clearly shot at a sanatorium or similar medical facility.

In the frame, besides the medical staff in the hallway, there are holiday decorations everywhere on the walls, floor, and ceiling.

There is also a well‑dressed middle‑aged couple talking with a doctor, and a little boy perched on a pavilion railing looking outward.

Ji Ming thought for a moment and replied:

【Pretty good】

Then he added:

【Envious】

Sincerity is the finishing move; I thought that even if Ji Ming didn't get rattled, Aurora Dance would still hurl a couple of insults, but clearly didn't expect such a reply.

After a while, she finally sent: 【You are also my family (heart)】

Ji Ming couldn't help but laugh, thought for a moment, and replied: 【Love you (heart)】

But regardless of what they thought, the little boss was about to vomit, so frantic that they typed in the lower‑right corner of Ji Ming's view.

【I'm already wondering whether this is a warm confession or just mutual disgust!】

After that, many people sent Ji Ming blessings, from dungeons to the distant Shen Lin Wang Guo, and Ji Ming replied to each.

【No, I command you to take three days off】 — this is Xi Er Wei Ya.

【No, I command you to work for the next three days】 — this is Lazy Dog Bu Long Fei Er De.

【It's the New Year, let's discuss later】 — this is He Te Lu Xi Ya who wants to pull Ji Ming into overtime.

【It's the New Year, let's discuss later】 — this is Ai Li Nuo who was still working overtime until the previous second.

There were too many things going on, so after this busy stretch ended, when Ji Ming finally could pick up his chopsticks, he found the dishes cleared and everyone had left.

Only AdaiEr, sitting beside him, said: "…"

"Ahem, sorry, the adult world is like that, always endless social relations."

Alright, Ji Ming's first New Year meal: instant noodles!

…and AdaiEr couldn't stand it, went to the kitchen and fried two dishes for him.

"Wuwu, you're truly my thoughtful little cotton coat, I'm so moved, as your master I will reward you, don't leave tonight."

So early the next morning, Ji Ming took AdaiEr and hopped onto the newly opened train that goes straight to Sunshine City.

"We master and disciple will sneak home for the New Year, not taking them along!"

…

"Especially that Aurora Dance, that jerk!"

AdaiEr:???

Sunshine City, after all, is Ji Ming's Dragon Rising land; since it's his home for the New Year, naturally nothing unexpected would happen.

And after they toured each tourist spot built by players, this rare long holiday should basically come to an end.

"Goodbye!"

After saying goodbye to the reluctant AdaiEr, Ji Ming, who had to get back to work mode, set off for Qixia City.

However, halfway he detoured to check out Ai Li Nuo's Black Water Territory and Fiya's Distant Mountain Territory.

Black Water Territory's development had long been on track, so under Ji Ming's guidance, the Distant Mountain Territory of "Ai Gui Fei Sui" also became a rare stop for players in the Radiant Northeast region.

And as everyone knows, nobles are born both cowardly and stupid, best at swallowing grievances and being self‑righteous.

So when the Distant Mountain Territory announced it would accept the Pioneers, the resistance was far smaller than Prince Philip had imagined.

With almost no obstacles, Fiya successfully gained external support from the Pioneers, and none of the previous alliances or trade routes were broken.

Can't help it, although the Pioneers' stance leans toward the royalist faction, making the opposition nobles who dream of a coup unhappy.

But the goods from players are just too enticing!

Whether it's pitch‑black armaments or sparkling jewels and ceramics, they're all top‑quality goods, truly in demand.

If you let them deal directly with the Pioneers, a bunch of country bumpkins from beyond the borders, for the sake of face, they'd definitely refuse.

If you have them do business with Princess Ai Li Nuo, who stays out of the noble circles and goes her own way, they'd also refuse for dignity's sake.

But if you let them trade with Princess Fiya, who comes from a pure water‑spirit lineage and is backed by Prince Oni‑chan, they'd definitely agree.

Man, this is the core of diplomacy—compromise!

So Ai Li Nuo captured the low‑end demand market, Fiya took the high‑end prestige market, and the two of them directly seized the trade share of the Northeast region.

Thus, under the pressure of reality, both Eleanor and Fiya had become a bit more mature than when Ji Ming last saw them.

There's nothing to say about it; let's give some New Year's money to the hardworking kids.

Since it's all New Year in the first month, and Ji Ming, who is never short of money, went out and plucked a few more hairs.

As a result, the portion meant for Eleanor was returned by Archbishop Tenisi in the form of New Year's money.

"Ji Ming, although you're already twenty-nine this year, by Eastern customs you should be settled down and established, but who made me an old succubus?"

"According to our age calculation algorithm, even if you're indulgent, at your age you still need to stay physically and mentally healthy, a pure and clean child."

"Ah, youth..."

Perhaps because Eleanor's life has gotten on track, Archbishop Tenisi, who has lost his last concern, looks much older.

Although she still looks like a perfect older-sister type from the outside, her behavior is hardly different from that of an ordinary old lady.

So much so that, while saying this to Ji Ming, she even lay on a rocking chair bathed in winter sunlight, speaking slowly, with lowered brows and closed eyes.

Anyone could see the gathering deathly aura on her, so Eleanor, sitting beside Ji Ming, remained somewhat depressed.

After listening to the archbishop ramble on about the past, youth, and his father, the two left the garden in silence.