5: Here's a pen, draw your own future.

Jiang Chuan and Zhang Hao returned to the late-night snack shop.

This time, no one disturbed them again.

With the alcohol going to his head, Zhang Hao spoke of all the good things he had done for Tang Xue over the years, fulfilling her every request, but love ultimately lost to reality.

Zhang Hao was just a very ordinary farmer's son; his parents had worked the land their whole lives. Zhang Hao's academic performance wasn't great either; he barely got into an undergraduate program, and now that he was working in a big city, his parents were very proud.

Zhang Hao had a great talent for gaming.

It was Zhang Hao who had introduced Jiang Chuan to simulation games back then.

If Zhang Hao hadn't introduced him to life simulation games, Jiang Chuan might never have awakened his system in this lifetime, so he was still very grateful to Zhang Hao.

One night.

The two of them drank a lot, Zhang Hao talked a lot, and Jiang Chuan just listened quietly.

As dawn was about to break.

He looked at Zhang Hao, who had already collapsed on the table, and shook his head helplessly. After paying, he found the nearest hotel and booked two of the best rooms.

After settling Zhang Hao, Jiang Chuan returned to his room and immediately fell asleep.

“Beep beep... beep beep.”

The phone kept ringing, finally waking Zhang Hao. Zhang Hao groggily answered the phone, and a furious roar entered his ears: “Zhang Hao, you idiot, do you want to be fired like Jiang Chuan? I'm giving you ten minutes to get to the company. If you're not at the company within ten minutes, then get out.”

Zhang Hao heard the bald boss's enraged voice, and much of his drunkenness faded. Looking at the check in his hand and thinking of how Jiang Chuan was no longer the same, he was filled with rage: “You bald old man, I've been annoyed with you for a long time. From now on, you get out. I'm not working for you anymore starting today.”

Slap.

Zhang Hao hung up the phone and decisively blacklisted the bald boss, feeling a burst of relief in his heart.

“Beep beep beep...”

Zhang Hao was currently immersed in the joy of firing his boss when he suddenly heard the phone ring again. He frowned, thinking the boss was relentlessly bothering him. He picked up his phone, looked at the contact name, hesitated for a moment, then answered the call.

“Zhang Hao, Yang Yong doesn't want me anymore. Let's get back together, let's continue to be together. I swear this time I'll be very good to you and won't treat you as a backup anymore.”

Tang Xue cried, begging Zhang Hao to reconcile, tears rolling down like broken pearls, splashing on the ground and forming tear-flowers. Her voice was filled with despair and helplessness, as if she had lost all hope and courage.

“Hahaha... Tang Xue, you remember this, betrayal is only once or countless times. Since you've already betrayed me once, do you think I'd still want a worn-out shoe like you?”

Zhang Hao heard Tang Xue's words and laughed mockingly at himself. His eyes were filled with indifference and resolve; he would absolutely not be deceived by Tang Xue's sweet words again.

Beep beep.

As soon as Zhang Hao finished speaking, he decisively hung up the phone, not giving Tang Xue any chance to explain.

Tang Xue watched Zhang Hao hang up the phone and kept calling him, begging for forgiveness, but Zhang Hao mercilessly hung up and blacklisted her.

“Whew.”

Zhang Hao looked at his silent phone and softly exhaled a breath. His gaze was unfocused, looking out at the city below from a high vantage point. His eyes became distant, and no emotion could be seen on his face.

Ding-dong.

Zhang Hao remained in this state for two hours until the doorbell rang, bringing him back to his senses.

“Why are you so slow to open the door? Are you hiding a beauty?”

Jiang Chuan saw Zhang Hao come to open the door and couldn't help but tease him.

“No, just thinking about something.”

Zhang Hao heard Jiang Chuan's teasing and smiled bitterly, shaking his head. Although the sadness in his eyes was faint, Jiang Chuan still caught it.

“Old Zhang, what's done is done. We need to learn to look forward. The scenery ahead is better, and there will be better girls who appreciate you.”

Jiang Chuan gently comforted Zhang Hao.

“Go to Magic City!”

Jiang Chuan heard that Zhang Hao was planning to leave North of the River and continue his life in another city. The corners of his mouth curved slightly upwards, revealing a faint smile, and he softly spoke the name of a city.

“Magic City?”

Zhang Hao looked at Jiang Chuan, bewildered, his eyes filled with confusion and incomprehension. He knew that Magic City was one of China's top cities, also known as the wealthiest place in China. It was a place where every inch of land was precious, and for ordinary people, it was not easy to even survive there, let alone find opportunities for development.

“Yes, did you forget? I promised you a gaming club. The location has been chosen, and it's in Magic City. You can go to Magic City anytime to take over this gaming club, and I will have someone transfer the gaming club to your name then.”

Jiang Chuan looked at Zhang Hao, his eyes sparkling with firm light, and spoke seriously.

“Old Zhang, we've known each other for three years now, haven't we? I know your strength in the gaming field very well.” Jiang Chuan stepped forward to Zhang Hao, reached out and gently patted his shoulder, saying with a smile: “Now I'm handing this pen to you. How you draw your own future is up to you.”

Hearing Jiang Chuan's words, a warmth welled up in Zhang Hao's heart, his eyes became moist, and tears welled up, seemingly about to fall at any second.

“Hey, hey, don't try any sentimental tricks on me. Although the company can be transferred to you, you still have to give me dividends every year, otherwise I won't agree.”

Jiang Chuan noticed the tears shimmering in Zhang Hao's eyes and quickly put on a calculating facade, saying to him.

“I understand.”

“But Old Jiang, I sincerely thank you for trusting me so much and for giving me such a rare opportunity!”

Zhang Hao heard Jiang Chuan's playful words and burst out laughing. His expression then became serious, and he spoke earnestly to Jiang Chuan.

“Ding! Congratulations to the host for receiving one sincere thank you. The host will receive an extraction opportunity after receiving ninety-nine more sincere thank yous.”

The system's notification sound rang in Jiang Chuan's mind. He paused, his heart blooming with joy.

As soon as Zhang Hao finished speaking, he bowed deeply to Jiang Chuan, who quickly stepped aside and sincerely said, “Old Zhang, these are the rewards you deserve. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have all the achievements I have today.”

“Old Jiang, what do you mean by that?”

Zhang Hao asked, full of confusion after hearing this.

“It doesn't have any special meaning, just that I think our fate is quite wonderful. So, when are you leaving for Magic City? I'll help you book the plane ticket. Once you get there, just contact this number, and he'll arrange everything for you properly.”

Jiang Chuan smiled slightly and replied. After speaking, Jiang Chuan sent a phone number to Zhang Hao.

Zhang Hao quickly waved his hand, politely declining Jiang Chuan's offer, stating that he could buy the ticket himself. Then, he showed Jiang Chuan the check in his hand and said happily, “Old Jiang, you don't need to bother with the plane ticket. I plan to go home first to visit my family, and then I'll leave. I won't say goodbye to you then. If you ever come to Magic City in the future, remember to look me up, and I'll treat you to a meal!”

Jiang Chuan smiled and nodded. The two left the hotel, had lunch, and then parted ways.