This Game Is Too Real
Chapter 253: This is a Good Omen!

Chapter 253: Chapter 253: This is a Good Omen!

"...Is this the place?"

This was already the twentieth time today that Sil had repeatedly confirmed the address on the note, making sure he hadn’t come to the wrong place.

What stood before him was a store undergoing renovation, with the sound of sawing wood and clanging noises coming from inside.

No matter how you looked at it, this place didn’t seem like a hotel.

"Is there a person named Xu Shun here?"

"No, no, how many times do I have to tell you?" the man working on carpentry at the entrance replied impatiently.

Sil persisted with his questioning.

"Then who owns this place? I have an important client who gave me this address, and I need to find him.

What’s that got to do with me?

The carpenter replied without even lifting his head.

"The owner’s gone out and won’t be back before dark. If you’re looking to find him, just wait."

Before dark...

Noon is before dark, so is the afternoon, just because of this nonsense, he had already stood here for an entire day!

Now, as the sky was already darkening, this guy was still telling him before dark!

Just as Sil was about to give up, he caught sight of a figure approaching in the distance, instantly dispelling the regret and frustration on his face.

Like discovering a dropped purse on the ground, Sil called out with excitement.

"Hey! Mr. Xu Shun!"

He shouted while waving his hand to signal the man here.

"Is that your acquaintance?" Shu Yu looked at the guard next to him, surprised.

Xu Shun made a helpless gesture.

"The residents of the refuge consigned some goods with him, and they signed my name."

Shu Yu stroked his chin, nodding as if deep in thought.

"I see."

"It looks like there’s a result."

Before the group could reach the door, Sil had already come forward to greet them, his face beaming with a brilliant smile.

"My friend, you finally came back!"

Before Sil could finish his pleasantries, Xu Shun immediately asked.

"Did you sell the stuff?"

"Sold it!"

Not minding that he had been interrupted, Sil continued to speak animatedly.

"My client really liked your... uh, artwork. And he said that if there’s more, he’d like to buy some more to take back for his collection. I remember you had a big bundle, didn’t you? If you haven’t found a buyer, consider selling it to me."

The players watching the subtitles immediately had their eyes light up.

Especially Night Ten, his eyes sparkling.

"Damn, a kindred spirit!"

Sell!

Must sell it to him!

Old White’s expression was subtly complex.

"It seems even the wasteland has its lsp."

Wild Wind coughed lightly and said, "...Anyway, it was sold."

Fang Chang nodded, "And the price was not bad, gives us an explanation for Teng Teng."

To be honest, they had inquired all over the market earlier and no one wanted the items; they had almost lost hope.

But who would have expected that after returning from the talent market, the situation would take a turn for the better?

Indeed, there were still people who recognized the value.

Wild Wind tried to rationalize things a bit. Those long-trailing evening gowns certainly couldn’t be meant for mercenaries to wear.

Civilians lacked the financial power, so they could be directly ignored.

The one who could afford to spend so much money must be the nobles from the Inner City.

No matter who it was sold to, Fang Chang took the money bag from Sil’s hands, counted the chips inside, and the sum was exactly 480.

Sil had already deducted his twenty percent—totaling 120 chips.

As for whether the guy secretly hiked up the price to earn a bit more, that was his own skill. The agreed-upon deal was simply a cut of the fixed price.

There were still three evening gowns left, and plenty of stockings, about twenty pairs.

With an evening gown priced at 500 chips and a pair of stockings at 100 chips, these clothes actually sold for an "exorbitant" 3500 chips.

Even Shu Yu standing by couldn’t help but be amazed.

Good grief.

This deal was enough to pay 4 months’ rent!

Of course, what the players were thinking about were the exoskeleton and other equipment on the shelves.

Half of these 3500 chips was theirs, and with the previously earned amount, they had already managed to amass a whopping 2000 chips.

Converted into silver coins, it was only 1000, but if they bought a KV-1 Exoskeleton or other equipment to sell back to players, it would be worth far more than 1000 silver coins.

A Miner Type I sold for 2000 silver and an unrestricted KV-1 sold for 1000 silver didn’t seem excessive, right?

Three KV-1s worth 1800 chips could sell for 3000 silver coins, which was an absolute bargain!

Of course, this was just an example. There were plenty of items that could earn more than the KV-1, and many things in Giant Stone City were unavailable in the Outpost Base store.

Fang Chang planned to immediately post on the official website after logging off, running a pre-order service as well as asking if Teng Teng, the wealthy lady, needed any help buying stuff.

"Wait, why 3500 chips?"

After hearing Xu Shun relay the negotiation, Siele’s eyes widened as he stared angrily at the few residents of the refuge in front of him and said,

"Aren’t you forgetting about my twenty percent cut?"

"That was for consignment, friend, and this isn’t," said Fang Chang, who was busy mapping out his commercial empire and didn’t have time to entertain him. He used his newly learned vocabulary, mixed with Chinese, to brush off Siele, "If you want to buy, then pay up."

Xu Shun repeated this sentence.

But in reality, it was unnecessary.

Even if he only understood a few words, Siele immediately got the message these guys were trying to convey.

Dammit!

These backstabbing Blue Ground Squirrels!

Though it pained him like bleeding from his heart, Siele still took out his purse from his pocket and handed it over to Fang Chang with reluctance.

"This is all the cash flow from my store... a total of 3500 chips."

Night Ten turned his head to look at Wild Wind.

"Do you believe it? His store’s cash flow just happens to be a round number."

Wild Wind gave him a puzzled look.

"Do you actually nitpick these details when playing games?"

Night Ten: "No, just find it ironic how realistic the AI seems when lying through their teeth."

Wild Wind: "..."

There’s no need to be courteous with swindlers. Fang Chang took the moneybag from Siele without hesitation, counted twice to make sure it was correct, and stowed it away at his waist.

With a sunny smile on his face, Fang Chang said cheerfully,

"I’m glad you appreciate our art."

"The goods are inside the room; please follow us."

For the sake of art!

Full of irritation, Siele followed his footsteps into the store that was under renovation.

Although the process was fraught with setbacks, he had finally gotten what he wanted.

Looking at the valuable items filling his package, Siele made up his mind to squeeze every penny out of his old friend.

However, just as he was about to leave, Book Yu, who had been silent until now, suddenly called out to him.

"Please wait a moment."

Stopping at the door, Siele turned around and sized up the young man before him.

"Is there anything else?"

Book Yu shook his head.

"No, just curious about who is buying such expensive clothes. Could you satisfy my curiosity?"

Hah.

Do you think I would tell you?

Although he didn’t spell out the laugh, Siele’s response was blunt and to the point.

"Whoever can afford this sum is naturally a big shot. As for whom it’s sold to, I obviously can’t reveal that. It’s the customer’s privacy, and I hope you can understand."

Cash on delivery.

The deal was already done.

Having said that, Siel was about to turn and leave; however, the young man continued to speak.

"So, you also have the means to do business with big shots."

Siel boasted, "Of course, Gray Squirrel Clothing Store’s customers span across the entire Wasteland. I’m not bragging."

"Is that so?" Book Yu thought for a moment and then continued, "Actually, we have quite a few similar products available. If you have the sales channels, we might consider a partnership."

"More available?!"

Siele’s eyes widened as he took three to two steps towards him, speaking rapidly,

"How many more do you have? I want them all!"

His anxious demeanor and actions betrayed the urgency in his heart, but Book Yu smiled slightly, responding calmly,

"What I said about having plenty isn’t about stock, but production capability. Of course, making these things takes some time. Leave me an address, and when necessary, I’ll have someone contact you."

"Gray Squirrel Clothing Store, located right at the entrance of the market next door!"

Siel pulled out a paper from his pocket, hastily wrote down the address, and handed it politely to the young man before him.

Watching the young man accept the note, he chuckled and continued,

"If you have any goods, please make sure to contact me! Whether it’s consignment or another form of partnership, Gray Squirrel Clothing Store is at your service!"

Book Yu gave a slight nod.

"I’ll consider it."

...

Official forum.

Today, as always, was bustling with energy.

"Announcement: Shelter No. 404’s office in Giant Stone City is now established! The person in charge is a little brother named Book Yu; everyone, go and bombard him. Additionally, the Outpost Base’s Business Association is also under construction, currently entering the recruitment phase, so stay tuned!"

Debt Giant Eye: "This announcement is written by Xiao Qi, right?"

Old White: "Should be, doesn’t sound like Brother Guang’s style."

Lone Wolf: "Speaking of which, what is Brother Guang’s style? (curious)"

Wild Wind: "Yeah, what exactly is it? Wild Wind would like to know too. What does everyone think? (sideways glance)"

Lone Wolf: "???"

Quit Smoking: "Damn, this imitation is too on point!"

Night Ten: "Light, you could’ve just read out my ID and be done with it. (funny)"

Edge Shoveling: "Where’s Fang Chang? Where’s your Fang Chang? How come I don’t see him?"

Spring Water Commander: "Exactly! Damn Exalted, get your ass out here!"

Just as they were talking about Fang Chang, Elder Fang’s ID popped up on the forum.

"Back now! Was editing a post just now! Today’s haul was incredibly surprising, the trading volume added a whole extra zero compared to yesterday! It’s not just the clothes consigned at the clothing store, all of Vine Cottage’s works were snapped up by the locals! We now have a huge pile of chips in our hands, and I’ve compiled a price list of local goods. If anyone needs anything, I can proxy-buy for you. The prices are fair and transparent, no deception! (grinning)"

Tail: "I giao! Those thrilling clothes actually sold out! (ﾟ△ﾟ;ﾉ)ﾉ"

Si Si: "Is this what the adult world is like?

Quit Smoking: "Teng Teng is awesome!!"

Elena: "Indeed, the force that drives continual progress in society is LSP. (funny)"

Wild Wind: "That’s not necessarily accurate to say. After all, not everyone can afford clothing with three-digit prices. A rational analysis suggests that it must have been the nobles from the Inner City who bought them."

Grandpa Ao: "Laughable, who can’t afford three-digit priced clothes nowadays? The clothing store my family runs has clothes that start at 999 at the cheapest, and the expensive ones go up to nine figures. You are all simply too young, haven’t seen real splendor, the world is way more complex than you think."

Old White: "...are we even discussing things from the same dimension?"

Teng Teng: "!! Will my designed evening gowns appear at the noble ladies’ balls?! (☆▽☆)"

Night Ten: "Definitely! You never know, in a while, Vine Cottage might become a hit in Giant Stone City."

Elena: "Invading the whole city is just a matter of time. (funny)"

Crow: "Ah... it’s truly the Wasteland. The customs are too open; I really can’t accept those kinds of clothes.

Night Ten: "Is it because they don’t cover enough? (funny)"

Crow:

Elena: "(funny scared limited.jpg)"

Teng Teng: "What the hell, what are you all thinking about! Those clothes are not what you think they are! And by the way, your figure couldn’t pull it off anyway, you need to be more slender to bring out that high-class feel!"

Crow: "Wait a minute, I can’t just ignore that, are you calling me fat!!!

Teng Teng: "No, no, that’s not what I meant. QAQ"

Tail: "Tail bears witness! Master is not fat at all, just more endowed!

Crow: "!??"

Si Si: "Let’s hear from the designer. Teng Teng, who do you think would suit it better?"

Teng Teng: "Like... Boss Xia?"

Boss Xia?

Chu Guang, who was lurking on the screen, doubted Xia Yan would accept those kinds of clothes, her salary wasn’t low, if she liked it, she would have bought it already.

Mercenaries are into leather products, be it leather jackets or short leather coats.

Compared to fiber-woven clothes, animal leather provides better protection against bites and cuts and isn’t too uncomfortable in the rain.

Moreover...

He couldn’t even imagine it.

That rough character wearing an elegant evening gown...

Chu Guang imagined it for a good while, and all he could come up with was someone clumsily tripping over the hem of a dress, which made him laugh out loud.

Xia Yan, sitting not too far away and reading a book, looked over skeptically.

"What are you laughing at?"

Chu Guang coughed lightly.

"Nothing, just thought of something funny."

"Something funny?"

At the mention of something amusing, Xia Yan’s spirits immediately lifted, she set down her book and waited with anticipation for him to continue.

A story is far more interesting than these little tadpole-like characters!

But Chu Guang wasn’t in the mood to give details.

"When you finish the book you’re studying, I’ll tell you about it."

Xia Yan rolled her eyes and picked up the book again.

"Tch, stingy!"

Ignoring Xia Yan, who was learning Chinese, Chu Guang turned back to the computer screen.

The topic of players’ discussions seemed to have veered from what a fair price for a dress is to the cultural conquest of the "Different World".

Some suggested bringing out Hanfu and Lolita skirts, but others quickly pointed out that the fabric consumption was too high, making it not cost-effective.

Then someone else suggested that, setting aside what to sell, we could first introduce the tail-payment system to reap the profits from the residents of the Wasteland.

While the ideas were big and the creativity commendable, Chu Guang still thought they were getting ahead of themselves.

The NPCs of Wasteland OL, although set up as NPCs, are only referred in relation to players.

These people are anything but stupid.

Chu Guang even dared to say that once someone found a substitute for Devil Silk, a whole bunch of knockoffs would pop up quickly.

There is no trademark law or patents in the Wasteland, everything used are things from the pre-war civilization already researched extensively. Even if a new gimmick comes out one day, who can claim they invented it?

"Surely someone will discover that polyamide can be a substitute."

This stuff is just a type of thermoplastic resin, you can create it through the condensation of adipic acid and hexamethylene diamine, and its uses aren’t limited to making stockings. It is also used in various machinery and electronics parts, including bearings, gears, pulleys pump impellers, blades, high-pressure seals, and more.

The chemical plant at Outpost Base also produced this stuff in small quantities, with the biomass oil from the Cam Trees being an excellent raw material.

No need to even think about it.

Even Mosquito Brother can make this stuff, so Giant Stone City definitely can too, it’s just that no one has tapped into that market yet.

"Who would have thought that the clothes made by Vine Cottage would successfully infiltrate the high society of Giant Stone City?"

"This is an unexpected delight."

"If this style of clothing can become fashionable in high society and start a trend, and then we create a lower-cost alternative to promote in the down-market, it just might work!"

Devil Silk products take the high-end route, while nylon silk textiles tap into the down-market!

A smile spread across Chu Guang’s face.

"I am simply a genius!"

Making clothes and socks is a bit lowbrow?

What does it matter!

Light industry earns foreign exchange, which can then subsidize heavy industry—it’s a reasonable strategy.

As long as it can be developed, one shouldn’t be too particular about the means.

At this moment, all that needed to be verified was the local acceptance of such products.

Chu Guang’s gaze drifted subconsciously to Boss Xia’s knees.

Boss Xia, who hadn’t been all that focused on reading, felt the stare and reflexively tensed up, asking quietly.

"What are you doing..."

"Nothing."

Forget it.

Just basing things on his own or the players’ aesthetics didn’t seem very significant; even if Chu Guang thought it was OK, it didn’t mean the Wasteland’s consumers would agree.

It was better to let the market be the judge.

Chu Guang had plenty of confidence in his little players.

Teng Teng’s clothing had already conquered the high society of Giant Stone City.

It was a good sign!

Xia Yan: "?"

Chu Guang diverted his gaze from Boss Xia and opened his VM, intending to draft a mission for the players at the chemical plant, but his fingers paused on the screen.

Emmm...

Thinking about it.

What would be a suitable name for this mission?

...

It was ten o’clock at night, and the darkness was deep.

Qingquan City in the night was like a quiet graveyard, but Giant Stone City near the third ring was anything but silent. Some districts were even livelier than during the day, like the exuberant youth dancing on graves.

Everyone needs a way to relieve pressure.

People’s needs can’t be satisfied by food alone.

From a chip for a big glass of watered-down beer to three-digit specialty cocktails, people were always looking for ways to add some fun to their lives.

Close to the Inner City, the Night Queen Bar, with its pulsating music and dazzling lights, was bursting with people as usual tonight.

On a purple sofa, a man surrounded by women lounged comfortably.

The shoes he was wearing were made from Death Claw hide and were even designed by a famous master from Ideal City, with gold gilt embossed from the top all the way to the sole.

Would the gilding wear off when it’s on the sole?

Was that something he needed to worry about?

If it peels off, just get a new pair. Besides, he didn’t need to traverse mountains and rivers to make a living like the Waste Land Wanderers.

His name was Yang Kun, the owner of the Redwood Lumber Mill, with considerable industry in the south and two properties in the Outer City, and he even kept a Commercial Team and a Mercenary Group under his command.

In this bar, he was somewhat of a minor celebrity.

"Luo Bo, my little radish, you guys keep coming out with more and more variety."

The two beauties embraced in his arms were wearing the art pieces previously acquired from Blue Jacket.

Pure white evening gowns and over-the-knee socks, innocent yet a bit devilish, noble yet slightly shallow, sexy yet not too sexy.

This tantalizing sensation was simply superb!

Luo Bo’s face was covered with smiles as he courteously said.

"It’s my pleasure to satisfy you!"

Yang Kun slowly nodded and said.

"There’s only one fault with these clothes."

Luo Bo immediately responded, "Please tell us, we will definitely improve it in the future!"

Yang Kun: "They’re too durable."

Luo Bo was momentarily stunned but, catching the knowing look from his regular client, instantly understood.

They both burst into laughter.

"Ha ha ha, you are so humorous!"

"Flattered, you’re not bad either."

Yang Kun stood up, holding two dancers, and shook the black card between his fingers.

"Get me a room, I’m a bit tired and would like to take a nap."

"You got it!"

Watching the esteemed guest head upstairs, Luo Bo’s heart was filled with excitement, burning with anticipation.

He had a strong feeling.

It wouldn’t be long before he would become the Night Queen of the entire Giant Stone City—

Oh no, it should be the Night Emperor!

—

(Sorry for the delay... pretend I took half a day off. T.T.)