Half an hour later, Long Ming carried a small stool toward the intersection of Haichang Street. As he approached, he saw a very familiar long line stretching out ahead.
Long Ming's expression instantly became quite spectacular. So the line he had seen while eating earlier wasn't for some trending shop opening, but for the release of a new game!
"I'm finished!"
Long Ming's heart instantly went cold. He was truly done for this time.
But he could only brace himself and carry the small stool to the back of the line.
At that moment, Boss Zhao Ku saw Long Ming holding the small stool while queuing and asked with an unnatural expression.
"Long Ming, are you here to be a plant too?"
"Uh, no. This isn't some trendy shop opening—it's a new game release."
Long Ming explained awkwardly.
"Oh, then queue up."
Boss Zhao Ku nodded.
"Alright."
Long Ming smiled.
Early the next morning, Long Ming sat on the small stool, propping his cheek with one hand, drowsy and nearly asleep.
At that moment, several staff members in work uniforms approached with megaphones and shouted.
"Everyone in the back, disperse. There aren't that many helmets for sale. Queuing is useless."
"Ah, no way!"
"Sell them to us. We can pay extra."
The crowd shouted reluctantly.
"Paying extra won't help either. There are only so many helmets. Everyone disperse!"
The staff member explained helplessly.
"Sigh!"
Watching this scene, Long Ming also stood up and left, quite helplessly.
Not long after, Long Ming dragged his exhausted body and carried the small stool into his house. Sales points throughout the entire Lower District had long lines.
One could say there wasn't a shred of hope.
Buzz~
At that moment, Long Ming's phone vibrated. He quickly picked it up to check the message.
"Dear Mr. Long Ming, we are very sorry that your application for an Upper District temporary pass was not approved. The current application quota is full. Please wait patiently!"
"Sigh~"
Seeing that he had failed yet again, Long Ming sighed helplessly.
He wanted to apply to go to Upper District to see if he could buy a helmet, but too many people had the same idea as him, so he couldn't get the application approved at all. Moreover, even if he got it approved, it would probably be sold out.
If he couldn't even buy a helmet, how was he supposed to play?
Long Ming remained silent for a few seconds, then dialed a phone number. The phone interface immediately popped up with the contact name: Bastard.
Beep beep~
Long Ming had excellent grades since childhood and later got into Shanchengshan First Higher Academy. The guy saved as "Bastard" was called Wang Yang, one of his three roommates and also the one he was closest to.
However, back then they were both Upper Citizens. Now he himself had sold his house and moved to Lower District to become a Lower Citizen. Moreover, they hadn't been in contact for so long, so he didn't know if Wang Yang would still be willing to help him.
At that moment, the call connected, and a polite voice sounded from the phone.
"Hello, who are you looking for?"
"It's me."
Long Ming hesitated for a few seconds upon hearing the familiar voice before speaking.
Upon hearing Long Ming's voice, Wang Yang immediately replied in his characteristic cheeky manner.
"Yo, isn't this my Brother Long? What a rare sight!"
"Bastard, can you speak properly?"
"Nope. Who told you to disappear without a word after graduation and not contact us? Our friendship has really faded. I'm truly heartbroken."
"Stop messing around. *Cough, cough.*"
Long Ming took a breath and immediately coughed a few times.
Hearing Long Ming cough, Wang Yang immediately said with a smile.
"Alright, I won't joke with you. Why did you suddenly call me? Did your conscience finally kick in?"
"I need something from you."
"Something? Then should I come find you to chat in person?"
"Sure, I'll send you the address. Oh, when you come, keep a low profile. Best to take the subway."
"Got it."
Wang Yang replied with a grin.
Long Ming immediately hung up, edited a message, and sent Wang Yang the meeting location and transit route.
Nighttime.
By the noisy, bustling street, Long Ming stood beneath a dim streetlamp waiting patiently. Since graduation, he had never seen Wang Yang again. After so many years without seeing him, he was somewhat excited.
Honk honk~
At that moment, a piercing car horn sounded.
Long Ming looked up and saw a very eye-catching red car with a three-ring logo stopped before him.
At that moment, a young man wearing a patterned shirt, black sunglasses, with spiky yellow hair opened the door and stepped out in a very flashy manner. He looked at Long Ming and asked cheekily.
"Handsome or what? This is my new car that I spent 300,000 on."
The corner of Long Ming's mouth twitched slightly, a helpless expression appearing on his face.
"Didn't I tell you to keep a low profile? Why did you still drive here?"
"Can't keep a low profile at all. I'm a successful person now."
"Fine. Drive forward, pass three intersections, and park in the parking lot over there."
"Too much trouble. The roads here are deathly narrow. Just park in the roadside space."
"It's not safe."
"It's fine. Why are you still the same as before, worrying about this and that?"
Wang Yang didn't care at all about Long Ming's reminder.
"Fine, let's go."
Long Ming led Wang Yang toward the night market ahead.
The two found a barbecue stall to sit down at and ordered some meat skewers and a few bottles of beer.
Long Ming opened a bottle of beer, poured a glass, and handed it to Wang Yang.
After taking it, Wang Yang swept his peripheral vision across the noisy, dirty surroundings and asked with a smile.
"You live near here?"
"Yeah."
"Can you get used to it?"
Hearing Wang Yang's words, Long Ming's hand pouring the wine also paused. Then he replied calmly.
"Not too bad."
"It's been two years since we last saw each other, right?"
"About that."
"You little punk, you're really heartless. After graduation, you immediately quit the college group chat and your phone number was disconnected. It was like you vanished from the face of the earth."
Long Ming fell somewhat silent upon hearing this.
Seeing Long Ming sink into silence, Wang Yang immediately said with a teasing smile.
"Long Ming, it's such a pity you quit that college group! It's very lively now. We often chat and joke in there. Not long ago, a girl even mentioned you. Want to know about it?"
"Not interested."
Long Ming replied coldly.
"Wait, did you sell your house in Upper District and move to Lower District because of surgery?"
"Yeah."
"Then let me ask you something. When you had the surgery, they didn't cut off your little brother, did they?"
Wang Yang revealed a cheeky grin.
"Scram, you're the one who got cut."
"Then that's really strange. Life is nothing more than eating, drinking, playing, and having fun. Yet you don't like eating, don't like playing, don't care for women, and aren't interested in anything. What's the point of living?"
"You wouldn't understand. I won't banter with you anymore. I have serious business with you."
Long Ming interrupted Wang Yang irritably.
Right now, staying alive was already a luxury for him. How could he still have interest in those things?
"Speak. What serious business?"
"I want to ask you to help me buy a newly released game helmet in Upper District. It doesn't matter if you have to pay a bit extra."
"Are you talking about the game Civilization Paradise that Shanchengshan newly released?"
"Yes!"
"This thing isn't easy to get, but I can give it a try for you."
Wang Yang also didn't have much confidence.
"Thanks. By the way, do you want to play together?"
"Can't play. I'm a 996 workhorse right now. Really can't play at all."
"Alright, give me your card number. I'll transfer the money to you."
"No rush on that. I'll send it to you later. Drink!"
"Sure."
Long Ming didn't say anything more.
Right now, he could only pin his hopes on Wang Yang, hoping he could help him buy one in Upper District. After all, compared to Lower District, Upper District had a smaller population and a larger release volume.