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墨書 Inktalez
After some deliberation, the three of them decided to find a Virtual Internet Cafe to spend their evening.
With the rapid advancement of technology, ever since the invention of the Superbrain Device that can simulate human sensory perception and implant it into the network, Virtual Internet Cafes have emerged and become incredibly popular, with demand far exceeding supply.
The main reason for this popularity is that the Superbrain Device is prohibitively expensive for someone like Lu Fei Fan, who is juggling work and study. He simply cannot afford it at the moment. Therefore, he often accompanies A Teng and Niu Dali to the Virtual Internet Cafe for some leisure time. During their usual days, Lu Fei Fan and A Teng would borrow Niu Dali's virtual wristwatch to access some less-than-appropriate Virtual Networks, secretly indulging in a few romantic adult films for a thrill.
The three of them arrived at a Virtual Internet Cafe named 'Xuan Long'. Inside the main hall, rows of reclining chairs were lined up, each equipped with a fixed Superbrain Device helmet. Many people were already lying back, wearing the helmets and connecting to the Virtual Network.
Lu Fei Fan knew that this type of fixed Superbrain Device was considered outdated; it was a third-generation model. Compared to the more advanced seventh or eighth generation portable devices, it was practically ancient and underwhelming. Moreover, those with poor neural health could experience various adverse reactions like nausea and dizziness after using this third-generation device for a while.
They approached the counter where a freckled girl was working. She looked quite ordinary. While Lu Fei Fan and Niu Dali registered their identities and made payment, A Teng flirted with her, giving off an impression that things could escalate into something inappropriate at any moment. Fortunately, after swiping their cards for two energy points, Lu Fei Fan and Niu Dali managed to drag A Teng away from the counter before he could cause any trouble for the girl.
The reason was that the girl had not yet turned sixteen. Lu Fei Fan considered himself already quite beastly in his thoughts, but A Teng was far worse—he was a predator without standards. Lu Fei Fan did not want to get into trouble because of A Teng's actions; after all, the Free Federation had strict laws against engaging with minors.
The three found three adjacent spots, donned their Superbrain Devices, and lay back. Their bodies remained awake while their consciousness began to interface with the neural stimulation generated by the helmets. On the surface, they appeared to be breathing evenly as if they were simply resting; however, their sensory perceptions were fully active and mobile.
Suddenly, they found themselves traversing through a kaleidoscope of colorful light streams. The surrounding light spots washed over them like warm spring water, carrying them toward a massive Light Screen at the end.
As blinding light enveloped them, their consciousness began to regain focus. The first thing they saw were rows of towering skyscrapers that pierced the clouds—architectural marvels showcasing futuristic artistic styles constructed into a vast steel forest.
Surrounding them was a bustling crowd; hovering vehicles zipped by like dragons in flight. They stood in the center of a busy commercial plaza under a green traffic light, each dressed distinctly.
A Teng sported a trendy look with stylish high-top leather boots and various patterned shirts adorned with flashy necklaces and multiple piercings in his ears and nose. He resembled a rural youth from an urban-rural fringe who had completely given up on any semblance of normalcy. Niu Dali looked more straightforward in athletic wear, resembling an athlete or fitness coach.
Lu Fei Fan presented himself as a playboy in an all-black suit complete with shiny accessories—a pair of sunglasses perched on his nose and various sparkling gold and silver jewelry hanging from his fingers and neck—like a nouveau riche young master flaunting his wealth in the city.
"Ah, every time I enter this dazzling world, I can't help but feel overwhelmed," A Teng remarked wistfully.
"Hehe, yes! This world looks so beautiful compared to ours. Besides some larger islands, there’s no way such grand cities could exist where we come from. If I didn’t want to experience reality more authentically, I might as well live here like those addicts who can't leave the Virtual Network," Niu Dali nodded in agreement.
The so-called addicts are those who refuse to face reality and instead immerse themselves in the Virtual Network for survival—true internet addicts—because that world is too harsh for them; living here is simply much happier.
“Wow, look! It’s Jiang Mengyun, Jiang Mengyun!” A Teng suddenly exclaimed, pointing at a large digital screen on the building ahead. Niu Dali quickly turned to look.
On the massive virtual screen was a poster of a woman with a slim waist and long legs, her face stunningly beautiful. What stood out even more was her bright orange hair, styled in waves, which added to the charm of her smiling glance. Next to the poster was the text: ‘Tickets for Virtual World Superstar Jiang Mengyun’s 14th concert in District 1 are now on sale!’
Niu Dali’s eyes lit up at the sight. Jiang Mengyun had become a goddess for many men in the virtual world. As for whether she was a goddess in reality, that remained unknown; she was said to be beautiful, but neither A Teng nor Niu Dali had seen her in person, so they couldn’t verify it.
A Teng and Niu Dali pondered whether they should buy tickets to catch a glimpse of their goddess, but Lu Fei Fan had already begun shamelessly flirting with nearby girls.
“Ah, beautiful lady, your long hair is so lovely! Can we sit down together for some tea and chat about our dreams?”
“Hey gorgeous, your lips look so sexy! Are you interested in being friends with this handsome guy?”
“Hey girl, have you lost something? What? What did you lose? Hehe, of course, it’s a boyfriend as handsome as me! What? You think I’m just an object? Pfft, I’m definitely not just an object…”
“…”
“Hey, hey, don’t walk away! How can you cruelly hurt the tender heart of a pure-hearted handsome man?”
In just five minutes, Niu Dali and A Teng silently counted how many girls Lu Fei Fan had approached—no less than twenty—and each time he used a different line. He was relentless and persistent, and both of them couldn’t help but admire his thick skin.
After losing one girl he had his eye on, Lu Fei Fan turned around irritably and muttered to himself, “Ugh, this is so frustrating! How can a handsome guy like me not get a girlfriend in the virtual world? It must be my looks that are ruining everything.”
With that, he sighed dramatically and pounded his chest.
“God, please send me a girl! I promise I’ll burn that book of ‘Thirty-Six Ways to Charm a Maiden’ hidden under my bed for you!”
People around him looked at him as if he were crazy, with some even cursing Lu Fei Fan for being insane. Yet he remained lost in his own world, oblivious to everything else. A Teng and Niu Dali covered their foreheads and turned away, pretending not to know him.
The people passing by immediately turned to look at the two fools, as if they were born with a mental disability.
In fact, Lu Fei Fan, A Teng, and Niu Dali often engaged in outrageous antics in this virtual world. For instance, they would go to a magazine stand and spend a long time flipping through adult magazines without buying any.
Or they would visit a top-notch sauna club, asking the Lobby Manager to line up dozens of Female Technicians for them to choose from. Yet, despite waves of women coming in, they remained unsatisfied, often going through several rounds. Each time the managers saw these three, they would be driven to despair. Their deliberate provocations even led to the club's security, Jiang Sanren, kicking them out. Ultimately, the trio was blacklisted by that Virtual Top Club.
The virtual world felt so real, yet everything was just an illusion.
After a series of unsuccessful attempts at flirting, the three moved on to their essential entertainment whenever they logged into the virtual world: each with an ice pop in hand, squatting by the street and watching various women pass by—long legs, slim waists, and all sorts of alluring figures in sheer stockings.
Thus, amidst the bustling crowd by the street, anyone could see three rascals licking ice pops and laughing lewdly. They weren't committing any crimes, so no one could do anything about them. Although many girls felt uncomfortable being openly stared at, they simply quickened their pace to walk past without paying any attention to the trio's whistles and shouts.
After teasing one woman, a flyer suddenly flew over and smacked A Teng right in the face. He pulled it down and saw that it was indeed a flyer.
Upon reading its contents, A Teng's mouth dropped open as wide as a duck egg, his expression one of utter shock.
"Hey! Come over here and take a look!" he exclaimed excitedly, pointing at the flyer for the other two to see.
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