Be a Polite Robber

Fang Chang had long been contemplating a question. Namely, the tolerance level of *Wasteland Online* toward players exploiting bugs. Or put another way: what kind of behavior actually qualified as a bug? In *Wasteland Online*, which claimed to be completely realistic, if one exploited the greed in the hearts of NPCs to extract immense wealth from their hands, did that count as a bug or normal gameplay? In the Alliance, one definitely couldn't do that. The Administrator held GM authority—something the damn planners had reiterated time and again. After all, according to the game's lore, every single shelter resident had sworn an oath under the banner of the Human Alliance, taking upon themselves the duty of reviving civilization before being permitted to return to the surface and rebuild their homeland. If you slacked off, the Administrator might not bother with you, but if you started causing major havoc, not getting permanently booted from the game would be an insult to everyone else. The Alliance was the player faction, so having a GM made sense. What about the other factions, then? Previously, they had dragged back an all-terrain tracked vehicle belonging to the Academy and an Orca transport plane from the Enterprise. Far from reprimanding them, the mayor of Daybreak City had even commended their contributions. Evidently... Other factions were not actually protected by the Administrator's GM authority! In other words, as long as it was handled discreetly enough without triggering severe diplomatic crises or tarnishing the Alliance's collective reputation, the Administrator would largely turn a blind eye to them fleecing outside NPCs to rake in foreign currency for the Alliance! Back when he was studying in Ideal City, Fang Chang had wanted to test his theory, but unfortunately, pulling off an exploit there was far too difficult. The residents of Ideal City were sometimes a bit naive, not because they were foolish, but because most were thoroughly protected by regulations. It was almost impossible to trick substantial amounts of "living expenses" out of their hands through means outside of legitimate transactions. To be honest, if the Ruyue Group hadn't taken an interest in the Alliance's growth potential, someone with zero backing like him wouldn't even have had the chance to start a company. One only had to look at how grueling Brother Mole's entrepreneurial venture had been. If the Alliance hadn't sponsored his Skeleton Studio with some foreign currency reserves, let alone hiring people to develop games, he wouldn't even have been able to afford the rent on that windowless office. Boulder City, however... Might present an excellent opportunity. He didn't really care that much about money, but he was intensely curious to see just how realistic this game could truly be... *** Standing before the courtyard gate of the residence, Jixiu was growing rather impatient. In particular, the small two-story house before him genuinely did not look like the dwelling of a wealthy man. He would bet that even counting the yard in front, the area couldn't possibly exceed four hundred square meters. A little over three hundred at best! Not to mention the flowers and plants growing in the yard; left unattended for so long, they looked no different from a patch of weeds. Yet when Fang Chang appeared at the doorway, Jixiu instantly recalled the man's demeanor and conversation aboard the flight. The lingering irritation in his heart vanished in a flash. Forcing an elegant, appropriate smile onto his face, he stepped forward, grasped Fang Chang's hand, and shook it vigorously. "My dear friend, we meet again! I had originally wanted to seek you out right after stepping off the plane, but as soon as we landed, you were nowhere to be found, nor was anyone home... By the way, why do you live in a place like this?" Reading his thoughts at a glance, Fang Chang gave a relaxed smile and casually laid out the reality of the matter. "My friends and I built this with our own hands... Don't underestimate it. See that sanatorium over there? This is practically the closest building to the shelter entrance, and our Administrator resides right inside. In Boulder City, spending a bit of money might let you become upstairs-and-downstairs neighbors with the city lord, but here, you couldn't buy this even if you had the money." Because no player would ever sell. The place carried too many memories, much like the very first set of exoskeletons the Administrator had worn. As for economic value, it was merely average. Respawn points had long since dispersed to various shelters, and in terms of prosperity, the North Street outside the outpost couldn't compare at all to the North Street in Dawn City. But Fang Chang naturally had no intention of telling him any of that. Hearing this, Jixiu was struck with sudden reverence. Although he didn't hold bluecoats in particularly high regard, he possessed enough common sense to know that the Alliance's Administrator was the manager of Shelter 404. To be able to live right next to the Administrator meant one had to be an extraordinary figure within the Alliance. Trying to draw an analogy using his rudimentary understanding, Shelter 404 residents were probably equivalent to the Alliance's inner city nobility, right? No doubt about it! Regardless, buying land in a location where every inch was worth gold just to build a house for one's own amusement was unequivocally aristocratic behavior! "My dear friend, you misunderstand me! I didn't mean to look down on this house in the slightest... Rather, building a house to live in by oneself possesses a great deal of charm. Yes, not merely charm, but exquisite taste. One of these days, I'll buy a plot in the inner city and build one for fun too." Seeing his feverish eyes and rambling speech, Fang Chang offered a faint smile and gestured invitingly. "Let's speak inside." The two entered the house. Fang Chang ushered Jixiu into his study and poured the guest from afar a cup of hot tea that Dolly had helped brew. Just as he was contemplating which angle would be best to open the conversation, the second young master of the Boulder City Bank president's family sitting across from him could wait no longer. "...I'll cut straight to the chase—about the plan I mentioned earlier on the flight!" Lowering his voice, Jixiu fixed an ardent gaze on Fang Chang and continued, "The latest resolution passed by the Ideal City Council encourages Enterprise subsidiaries to expand into markets outside Yunjian Province. This presents an opportunity for all survivor settlements east of the Great Desert! I intend to seize this golden opportunity to turn Boulder City into the largest settlement in southern River Valley Province—an existence rivaling the Bugra Free State and even the Great Rift Valley!" Taking a gentle sip of the warm tea, Fang Chang did not mock his overly ambitious dream. Objectively speaking, Boulder City truly possessed that potential. They had inherited the equipment left behind in Qingquan City by the Post-War Reconstruction Committee, achieving industrialization decades ago. Their merchants spanned the entire south, and products from their factories sustained slave owners across Jinchuan Province. Economically, chips had become the hard currency of the southern corridor of River Valley Province. Whether Red River Town, Junk City, or Bet Street, all had to curry favor with them, even if the militia regiment under the city lord had never stepped beyond Qingquan City. The residents of Boulder City were proud deep down. Otherwise, they wouldn't regard survivors outside the giant wall as country bumpkins; only distant, opulent Ideal City was deemed worthy of their respect—or rather, their worship. As could be heard from Mr. House's radio broadcasts, they held not the slightest doubt that they would become the next utopia upon this wasteland. However, Jixiu was merely the son of a banker. Even if his father Melvin was a prominent figure in Boulder City, before the true inner city nobility, he was nothing remarkable. Money was merely a magic trick performed by power, and his father was nothing more than a steward. "...Why must it be Boulder City?" Setting down his teacup, Fang Chang pointed gently at the newspaper on the desk and said with a smile, "I think the Alliance sounds pretty good too. They claim to be an alliance of all survivors. Look, recently the Alliance even plans to build a batch of corn—I mean, apartment buildings. If you want to make a profit, I can lend you a hand." Fang Chang wasn't joking. Such mutually beneficial endeavors aided both sides. Only by giving this fellow a taste of sweetness could he earn greater trust from him, while also helping him win favor with his wealthy father. In fact, wasn't that precisely what the Administrator had been doing? Fostering a dependable merchant in Boulder City, helping him acquire status and wealth there, and then utilizing his resources to secure benefits for the Alliance. Nowadays, to reduce tariff losses, the Lister Factory had already relocated its entire KV-1 production line to the Alliance. Yet to Fang Chang's surprise, this gentleman did not appreciate the offer. After hearing his words, he merely curled his lips in disdain. "...What's the point of housing built for refugees? A dog kennel of forty square meters—even my maid's quarters back home are larger than that!" "Building houses for refugees in the Alliance earns money too. Dawn City Hall will foot the bill." Jixiu replied dismissively. "Paid in silver coins, right? That stuff is waste paper!" Fang Chang looked at him in surprise. This kid truly wasn't treating him as an outsider at all. "Waste paper... On what grounds?" Jixiu fixed his glowing gaze upon him. "I won't treat you as a stranger, and I hope you won't take offense at what I'm about to say." Fang Chang nodded. "Of course. Speaking purely on the merits, speak freely." In any case, he hadn't expected this crude fellow to put things delicately. Taking a sip of tea to moisten his throat, Jixiu launched into his grand discourse. "The Alliance's economy is not far from ruin! This war cost far too much money. The Alliance's city lord—I mean, Administrator—has taken on massive amounts of foreign debt to rob Peter to pay Paul and plug fiscal holes, while recklessly overprinting local currency. Right now, it's like an old house propped up on stacks of paper banknotes; a single kick will send it toppling!" "If that Administrator were a smart man, he would be shrinking debt and paying back money right now. Unfortunately, he isn't. He's even building roads and houses just for face! Haha, at the rate he spends money, in two years at most, the Alliance's debt will balloon to an unimaginable figure. The profits they earn from trade won't even cover the interest on their debt! When that time comes, if silver coins aren't waste paper, what are they?" As he spoke, an unprecedented vigor radiated from his entire being, his eyes locked onto Fang Chang opposite him. "On the contrary, Boulder City will become the greatest beneficiary! Although Boulder City did not participate in the war that just ended, it has become the Alliance's largest creditor! The scale of debt it holds surpasses even that held by the Enterprise!" "And it isn't just debt. The Alliance used the money borrowed from Boulder City to buy Boulder City's goods. From the rivets on their tanks to the buttons on their clothes, none can do without Boulder City's factories. The purchasing power of chips will become immensely robust. Without question, Boulder City has already become the master of the Alliance!" "If the Alliance wants to repay its debts, it must bring chips! If they want to earn chips, they must accept Boulder City's pricing! You might wonder: what if they refuse to pay? Such a thing is impossible! Because if they throw caution to the wind and default, we'll tighten the noose and cut off their supplies! At most, we lose a little money, while they will violently derail like a train with its bolts removed. In the end, the ones ruined will undoubtedly be them!" Having reached this point, Jixiu let out a long breath of the grievance he had swallowed back in Ideal City, leaning back into the sofa with satisfaction. As a final verbal blow, he stated leisurely: "The Alliance's best possible outcome is to serve as Boulder City's import-export harbor and resource production ground—in other words, an economic colony... Their future might be slightly better than that of the slave owners to the south since they are closer to us, but not by much." Fang Chang praised him. "A penetrating analysis!" The corners of Jixiu's mouth curled with satisfaction, and he elegantly sipped from his teacup. "Merely my humble opinion. Pardon my presumption." Fang Chang suddenly found himself admiring the fellow a little—though only a tiny bit. Claiming he had zero competence would definitely be slander. That his competence was rather limited was also a fact. Still, being able to trace the relationship from debt to trade meant his time surfing the Endpoint Cloud hadn't been entirely in vain. However, he seemed to have drastically underestimated the fallout of "losing a little money," while exaggerating the "derailing train" metaphor far too much. If nothing else, should Melvin dare let his clients "lose a little money," those clients would dare slaughter his entire household. As for the Alliance... Even if the Alliance truly went bankrupt one day, there would still be plenty of people who loved that man. The northern suburbs had originally started with nothing at all. No matter how bankrupt they became, it would still be vastly better than having nothing. Moreover, the probability of that happening was miniscule. Objectively speaking, while the Alliance primarily imported cutting-edge products from Ideal City, Camp 101 had already assisted the Daybreak City industrial zone in achieving independent research and production of certain moderately high-tech products. Those wastelanders educated in shelters possessed formidable professional capabilities; it was just that prior to encountering the Alliance, the stage in Xizhou City had been too small for them. If six months ago the Alliance had still been compelled to import practical industrial equipment from Boulder City, now it could manage entirely without importing from Boulder City at all. At most, it would cost some time and expense to make up for the ground they had previously bypassed. Fang Chang didn't know what the Administrator intended to do, but based on his understanding of that man, the man undoubtedly had a clear picture of his own actions. Since this Master Jixiu had no interest in petty profits, Fang Chang had no interest in proceeding step by step either. He might as well cut straight to the core. "I think you're spot on. As you can see, the Alliance is on the verge of ruin... So, is there any way to catch this speeding train of Boulder City?" Interlocking his fingers over his knees, Fang Chang put on a rare look of eager earnestness, gazing intently at him. A smile broke across Jixiu's face. "That's easy! With resources and money, now is the prime time for expansion! The space in the outer city is too congested; we need to build another outer city to unleash excess labor! Expand Boulder City's area by more than five times! Encompassing the entire region from the edge of Qingquan City's Third Ring to the Fourth Ring!" Fang Chang nodded earnestly, looking thoughtful. "However... that will cost a tremendous amount of chips, won't it? Erecting a brand-new giant wall alone will swallow an enormous budget, not to mention the multifaceted expenses of clearing mutants and marauders within the area, maintaining order, and so forth." Jixiu smiled and shook his head. "You misunderstand, my friend. I wouldn't be foolish enough to enclose such a massive plot right from the start; that would be pointless. I plan to take it step by step: first enclose a plot outside the giant wall to serve as Boulder City's satellite city, and then gradually expand outward. The militia regiment can shoulder part of the defense—those fellows are more than enough to deter any reckless fools. The new settlement will grow like modular building blocks until it finally fulfills the blueprint I've designed." Once he began speaking of the blueprint in his heart, Jixiu couldn't stop. He rattled on endlessly, having even thought out what honorific the future residents of the "outer-outer city" would use to address him. Fang Chang braced himself and listened for a while. Only when he noticed the conversation was straying completely off course did he cough lightly, hauling the topic back from thousands of miles away. "...Be that as it may, all of this requires massive funding. I believe that before realizing this grand design, we ought to resolve the money problem first." Jixiu looked at him with bright eyes. "My return this time is precisely to resolve this problem!" Seeing his energetic gaze, Fang Chang smiled faintly. "I have a splendid idea. I wonder if you might be interested." Hearing the word "idea," a fleeting flash of disappointment crossed Jixiu's eyes, and his interest immediately waned. He had come looking for money, not ideas. He wasn't lacking in such things at all. To be frank, rather than a "splendid idea," he would have much preferred hearing his friend say something like, "Brother, you have the ideas, I have the money—how about we do something big together?" Detecting the shift in his mood, Fang Chang smiled reassuringly and continued: "Don't be in a rush to be disappointed. I know you want to pull off something huge, but truthfully, I don't have that much money, and even your father couldn't possibly cough up such a colossal sum... But I have a way to help you earn the seed capital for this venture!" Jixiu couldn't help looking at him. "What way...?" Fang Chang smiled and went on: "Many inner city nobles are very interested in investing in the Alliance's industries, but many of their investments are just blind fumbling. The pitfalls here are just as plentiful as the opportunities. Rather than letting their chips get scammed away by the northern country bumpkins, why don't we put them to use on their behalf—at least directing them toward the right places? That way, they're happy, we're happy, and everyone wins." Even without understanding how everyone would win, a look of intrigue surfaced in Jixiu's eyes. "Oh? For instance?" Taking a sip of tea, Fang Chang said calmly: "Do you still remember credit points?" Jixiu nodded vigorously. "Of course! My father is always trying to get me to deposit more of them!" Fang Chang explained patiently: "We can emulate Cr technology and launch a brand-new credit currency! Distributing currency based on credit principles, upholding the concept of decentralization, and allowing every holder to benefit equally. This currency is invisible and intangible, yet absolute in security and reliability... Shelter technology and quantum servers will safeguard it!" Jixiu's eyes lit up instantly, and he leaped up from the sofa in excitement. This idea had far more prestige than building apartment buildings for paupers! "Brother! We think alike! Before coming back, I was already pondering issuing a currency more advanced and efficient than chips in the newly established outer city to show those bumpkins! But... our recognition alone is useless. A new currency requires everyone's acceptance, which demands a massive starting capital, and my father won't possibly lend me that much." If possible, he still hoped this good brother of his, who had made a name for himself, would pitch in a bit. Yet how could that be possible? Chuckling, Fang Chang stood up from the sofa and patted this convenient pal on the shoulder like a friend of many years. "My friend, good brother, you have no idea how much your name is worth! What's more, you're not alone now; you have me, your good brother, to help. Both of us studied advanced knowledge in Ideal City, and we agree that Boulder City is the future of Qingquan City—and indeed of River Valley Province... If my plan goes smoothly, you won't need to spend a single cent to secure the funds you require." Jixiu swallowed hard and looked at him in excitement. "...What should I do?" Fang Chang gave him a gaze brimming with confidence. "It isn't difficult..." "I'll teach you step by step." *** The two plotted secretly in the study for nearly two hours, preliminarily settling on the name for this new virtual currency—the S-coin. Like Cr, this credit currency would be anchored to the credit of all its holders. The higher the aggregate credit of participants in this currency's circulation market and the greater the number of participants, the firmer its value would stand. And the price of each S-coin would be determined through auction! Though more details remained to be polished, Jixiu was brimming with confidence regarding this brand-new credit currency. If silver coins, which were mere waste paper, could trick away so many chips, why couldn't the credit currency he launched do the same? To demonstrate his sincerity, as the very first participant in the S-coin exchange, he used a single white chip to purchase an S-coin from Fang Chang's hand, depositing it into his own S-coin wallet. This transaction would subsequently be recorded in the transaction ledger. The initial issuance of S-coins would be one million, with each party holding 500,000. The S-coin wallet would appreciate at a rate of 0.1% daily; after one year, those one million S-coins would swell to 1.44 million. This currency featured no complex contracts; the sole way to participate in trading was to spend money buying one from other holders. Buying one S-coin today for one chip would turn into 1.001 coins tomorrow. Without doing anything, an extra 0.001 chips would appear in one's pocket—wasn't that exciting to contemplate? If that one S-coin rose to two chips, it would be even better! As for losing money? Nonexistent. This was a venture endorsed by the second son of the Boulder City Bank president! Would those big shots allow the S-coins in their hands to plummet? Moreover, issuing this currency was intended to raise funds for the "New Outer City" project! No matter which angle one looked at it from, this was a guaranteed, risk-free enterprise! Watching Fang Chang pocket that chip, Jixiu suddenly spoke up with mixed anxiety and hope: "Is a 1:1 exchange ratio too low?" In the future, he planned to use the S-coin as the circulating currency of the new outer city; if it was equal in value to a chip, wouldn't that make it unremarkable? Fang Chang comforted him with a smile: "Starting a bit lower isn't a bad thing. Only that way will participants feel there's a profit to be made." "What do you mean 'feel'?" Jixiu cast a dissatisfied glance at Fang Chang. "Our business plan will cause a sensation throughout all of Boulder City!" Stifling a laugh, Fang Chang coughed. "Quite right... My vision was too narrow." The corners of Jixiu's mouth curled smugly. "I'll leave the transaction terminals to you. We must provide our clients with the most convenient payment methods; if they can't pay using S-coins, they won't believe it's money!" Fang Chang gave him a dependable look. "Rest assured, those are minor matters. Opening the account with Boulder City Bank and generating publicity will be up to you as well... Don't do anything superfluous; just follow the methods I outlined." Jixiu smiled and made an acknowledging gesture. "A piece of cake! I'll head back to Boulder City right now to handle it!" "Won't you stay until after the celebration before heading back?" Fang Chang said with a smile. "I can show you around." "No need! My good buddies still need to host a welcome-back feast for me!" Jixiu politely declined his offer, declaring with boundless enthusiasm, "Time is money!" Although Fang Chang had intended to treat him to a meal out of courtesy, seeing his impatient eagerness to show off, he dropped the thought and politely escorted him to the doorway. Indeed. Watching a bunch of survivors rejoice foolishly in the northern suburbs was hardly as fun as fooling around with his own wealthy pals. After seeing Jixiu off, Fang Chang returned to the dining table in the first-floor dining room, picked up a steamed bun, and took a bite. Though it was a bit cold, it didn't affect the flavor. He wasn't a picky eater to begin with. Just then, Dolly, who had stepped aside earlier to avoid intruding, pushed open the door of the adjoining room and walked over. Looking at the rock-hard bun in his hand, she said with heartache: "It's completely cold... Let me warm it up for you." Gulping down a mouthful of hot tea, Fang Chang smiled and said: "It's fine! Since you bought it, it tastes great even cold!" "Sweet talker! It's not like I made it!" Dolly stuck her tongue out. She had tried making them before, but while kneading dough, she would always accidentally get machine oil on it, leaving the buns with a strange flavor. Now that she had a brand-new arm, she intended to try again in a couple of days. Devouring breakfast in a few quick bites, Fang Chang picked up the unfinished newspaper on the table, planning to read the remaining contents. Although much of the news was posted as announcements on the official website, viewing things through NPC information channels offered perspectives unavailable to players. This made it easier for him to gain a comprehensive understanding of the new version. Seeing Fang Chang focused on the paper, Dolly sat opposite him with her chin propped in her hands, gazing curiously into his eyes. "By the way, what did you talk about with that person named Jixiu?" Fang Chang replied casually: "About... something called SB." "SB?" "Cough... simply put, it allows for more efficient resource allocation." In plain human terms, transferring an SB's money from an SB's wallet into the hands of someone who wasn't such an SB. That wasn't entirely unreasonable. Looking at the half-understanding Dolly, Fang Chang ruffled her hair. "Don't you go writing this into the newspaper... That's a tool for fleecing the inner city nobility. If they find out, your husband is going to go bankrupt." "Oh~ really?" Dolly's eyes lit up. Getting up, she sat on his lap, leaning sideways to trace circles on his chest with her index finger, drawing out her tone with a mischievous smile. "Oh... Mr. Fang Chang, I regret to inform you of some unfortunate news: because you've committed far too many misdeeds, you are now bankrupt. But don't be too sad! The kindhearted Miss Dolly is willing to take you in. She'll work hard to support you! Quick, say 'Thank you, Dolly.'" Amused by her adorable display, Fang Chang bantered with a grin: "Hahaha... If you put it like that, I suddenly feel like experiencing what it's like to live off a woman." He didn't actually care about going bankrupt. Doing all this was merely to verify his speculation: if he could cleanly and ruthlessly fleece their neighbor, then swiftly wipe his hands of any filth, how would the Administrator with GM privileges evaluate his actions? He was very curious to find out. "Wrong answer!" Dolly gave a soft huff and pinched him lightly. "As an experienced villain, you ought to bribe the lady reporter holding the crucial clues! Or capture her!" Fang Chang blinked at her. "Then will you turn me in?" "Wrong answer a second time!" Dolly turned her face away, grumbling discontentedly, "...Who would care about those noble lords with their noses in the air?" Speaking of which, this fellow had been the same yesterday... Even after she had extended such an invitation. Dolly lowered her head, bit her lip, and whispered with a flushed face: "By the way, I feel like... my arm is already doing better." Fang Chang said with relief: "That's good." She raised her head, a layer of mist welling in her eyes. "So..." "No." Looking earnestly into those gem-clear eyes, Fang Chang pinched the cheek that was itching for mischief, scolding her in an unjoking tone: "I don't want you undergoing that kind of surgery a second time. Just recover properly for these two weeks and don't think about too much. It's not like I'm someone who can't wait." Having her little thoughts exposed, Dolly's face flushed bright red, and she glared at him indignantly. "Am I really that fragile?" Fang Chang said seriously: "This has nothing to do with being fragile or not. Just consider it doing it to put my mind at ease." Players didn't feel pain during surgery; administering anesthesia was merely to avoid frightening the doctor. NPCs, however, were different. Especially that day, when he saw her sitting dazed on the operating table, his heart had nearly broken. No matter how cyberpunk the medical technology of the wasteland was, it still meant cutting into flesh and blood. Until he found a vessel capable of housing her "soul," he only wanted her to live well. Dolly hummed softly twice without speaking, burying herself in his embrace. She was an easy person to satisfy. Occasionally saying things that made even herself blush was merely to give a certain guy who often played mischievous tricks a little sweetness, lest he be lured away by wild vixens outside. In any case, as long as it wasn't out of weariness, that was fine... In truth, just feeling each other's warmth like this was already pure happiness. *** On the official forum of *Wasteland Online*. Just as Fang Chang had anticipated, the headline of the *Survivor Daily* flooded the forum board. The most thrilled were, without question, the life-profession players. Someone had tallied the numbers: the new tender notices in Dawn City alone carried a combined total budget reaching 300 million silver coins! This wasn't merely a matter of money; more importantly, it signaled a heavyweight message! It was foreseeable that soon, not just Dawn City, but Daybreak City, Falling Leaves City, and the various departments of the Alliance's central government would all ramp up their flood of funds—no, their pace of infrastructure investment! Visible to the naked eye, the war had not damaged the Alliance's economy in the least; rather, it had made the Alliance wealthier! The revered Lord Administrator had no interest in lavish dissipation, nor had he forgotten his original intentions. Just as when he first announced the establishment of the Alliance, he intended to distribute all the spoils of war among the people who supported him! Tail: "Holy crap! A thousand buildings... There are going to be more NPCs!" Sisi: "Yay, our Alliance is getting livelier and livelier... The next expansion pack will be in the south, right? It will be, won't it? (nervous)" Spare the Blade: "An epic buff for life-profession players!" Brother Mole: "Building houses?! Understood! The meta answer is fleecing the leeks!" Lightning King Professor Yang: "Please let me in, I beg you! T.T" Commander Spring: "Damn, am I about to become unemployed? TAT" Scavenger Level 99: "Head south! Come south with us!" WC Really Has Mosquitoes: "Quack quack quack, they will all fall before our scythes!" Yaya: "I'm crying! The era of life-profession players has finally arrived! Feels like I've been doing side gigs forever. QWQ" Ye Shi: "Hahaha, so here's the question: does Boss Ya know how to build roads or construct houses? (funny)" Yaya: "I! Can't I pick mushrooms?!" Teng Teng: "Don't you dare mock Yaya. She was the one who brought back the rubber mushrooms—they're super useful!" Ye Shi: "I was just kidding!" Jiu Jiu Loves Pineapples: "Bro, you can't be doing this! Learn from your good buddies!" Lao Bai: "Haha, learn from Fang Chang! That guy is young and promising—gotta give it to him! Forget about Kuang Feng and me; we're practically old fogies already. (grinning)" Kuang Feng: "Give it a rest, will you? (side-eye)" Makabaka: "Hahahahaha! That punk Ye Shi ran off! Weakling! Hahahahaha!" Brother Mole: "Speaking of which, where's Fang Chang? How come we haven't seen him chirp up on such a fun topic?" Elaina: "Ghost knows. At this hour, he's probably already in the game. (funny)"