248: Chapter 248 Heavy Mech

"Niece, how do you still have such an antique?"

Zhou Nuoyi: "My dad gave it to me. He said I can only play this occasionally."

Su Nange chuckled: I never expected that Zhou Shuyan, a high-ranking official, was just like any other kid when he was young.

In fact, Zhou Shuyan felt that rather than letting his child get exposed to those violent games nowadays, it was better to let her pass the time with these old cartridge games.

He wasn't a rigid father; he believed in providing his child with appropriate entertainment.

Therefore, he would even find time to play classic games like Battle City and Contra with his daughter.

Su Nange sat down excitedly: "What game are you having trouble with?"

Zhou Nuoyi inserted the cartridge, and seeing that cutscene almost brought tears to Su Nange's eyes.

Accompanied by music full of wasteland epicness, the four metallic characters of the game appeared on the screen.

"Metal Max"!

Su Nange was filled with memories; he didn't know how many times he had played it as a child.

This was an open-world game that had existed since the Famicom era.

It was a top-tier masterpiece that could satisfy every boy's fantasies.

Wasteland, adventure, team, mecha, tanks, and thrilling battles.

And all sorts of legendary BGM!

Unexpectedly, Zhou Nuoyi, a girl, actually played this game too.

Zhou Nuoyi really liked it because the game wasn't just about satisfying combat; some parts required exploration and puzzle-solving, making it very fun and rewarding to play.

Sure enough, after loading the save file, Su Nange saw that Zhou Nuoyi's tank was parked at a hospital.

This hospital was called the Invincible Hospital, located northwest of Rock Town, and it had been taken over by a wanted criminal, who was also a boss in the game named Marshall.

Players could not only earn a high bounty by defeating wanted criminals but also obtain some key items.

For example, in this hospital, one could obtain a vehicle similar to an ambulance.

Zhou Nuoyi asked: "Uncle Nange, the hint here says I need to go to the next map, and I need to find a cave that only appears after the tide goes out. But I can't find it anywhere on the beach."

Su Nange laughed out loud: "Actually, as soon as I saw this, I knew why you were stuck."

"Back in the day, I was stuck here for a long time too."

Zhou Nuoyi said happily: "Really? Then tell me quickly."

Su Nange chuckled: "It's very simple. The NPC says it only appears after the tide goes out. So, stay at the bay for a while and then leave. Go back and check in less than half a minute, and the cave will appear after the tide has receded!"

Zhou Nuoyi followed Su Nange's instructions and tried it immediately. Sure enough, an underwater cave finally appeared on the screen.

This was why Metal Max was legendary; to be able to create an open world for players to explore back in the Famicom era.

Su Nange continued mysteriously: "You really need to explore this underwater cave well. You can discover unexpected things using a metal detector."

Zhou Nuoyi: "Really?"

Su Nange nodded: "But you have to go to the next town first and buy a metal detector."

Zhou Nuoyi followed Su Nange's instructions, and sure enough, she detected a hidden tank in the underwater cave!

Zhou Nuoyi was very excited and then asked Su Nange about the subsequent plot.

Su Nange didn't want to spoil the experience for her, so he said mysteriously: "You should continue exploring. The plot gets even more classic later on. You will even meet Red Wolf."

"Wow, I like Red Wolf the best! Can you tell me who the final big boss is?"

Su Nange thought for a moment: "Strictly speaking, this game doesn't have a final boss."

"If you insist there is one, it's a computer. In modern terms, it's a super AI! It's called Noah! It was the one that turned the whole world into a wasteland!"

However, after Su Nange said the name Noah, he felt his own hair stand on end!

Noah supercomputer, Dr. Noah?

It shouldn't be such a coincidence, right?

The background of this game was simple: the super artificial intelligence Noah, after massive calculations, concluded that humans were the only destroyers of the Earth's ecology.

Thus, this supercomputer detonated global nuclear weapons. It also released pollution and viruses, causing creatures to mutate crazily, and even appeared all sorts of weird mechanical beasts!

The centers of civilization turned into a wasteland, human society collapsed, the population plummeted, and survivors could only huddle in small towns to scrape by.

Su Nange and Liu Yuan were on their way back to the hotel.

Liu Yuan asked: "You were just looking so excited with Nuoyi, why have you suddenly become so deep?"

Su Nange pulled Liu Yuan over and kissed her.

She looked shy: "What are you doing?"

Su Nange replied: "Nothing, I just suddenly wanted to feel reality."

Liu Yuan rolled her eyes at him: "Inexplicable. If you want to take advantage of me, just say so."

Su Nange finally returned to Qiantang.

He wandered around the office for a while and then sent a message.

"Can I come to see you today?"

The other party replied: "No!"

"That's a pity, I can only think about you in my head. You know, I already have a mental image."

The woman on the other side was already trembling!

"You pervert!"

"Hehe, then I'll come to pick you up from work."

In the evening, Su Nange found a remote little village.

Don't look at it as being far from the city; this village was very lively at night and was a very famous place in Qiantang to eat lamb.

Diners came specifically for it in an endless stream.

In this winter, having a bubbling pot of lamb was very cozy.

Su Nange hadn't seen Zhou Wanqing for a while. One reason was that she was very busy, and the other was that they were going to go out together before the new year anyway.

Su Nange deliberately kept some distance to avoid gossip and being seen through for any funny business.

But Zhou Wanqing was a bit unhappy; you stirred me up, but now you're leaving me out in the cold?

Any woman would find that unbearable.

Therefore, she didn't say a word today and kept a straight face the whole time.

Su Nange felt a headache; this woman was so charming even when she was throwing a tantrum.

What else could he do? He could only let his cousin come and coax her well.

Su Nange served a bowl of lamb and placed it in front of Zhou Wanqing. Then he opened a big bottle of cola and poured a full glass for Zhou Wanqing.

Su Nange smiled cheekily: "Older Female Cousin, what should we bring when we go to the capital? I think it's my first time going to the capital. It's so exciting."

Zhou Wanqing didn't speak; she just drank a sip of cola and ate a bite of lamb by herself.

Su Nange moved his chair closer to Zhou Wanqing.

"Is it good? I specifically found this place for you."

Zhou Wanqing still didn't speak.

Su Nange thought: Fine, you're not going to talk, huh? You forced me to bring out my ultimate move!

So, Su Nange took out his phone and asked an AI app: "My girlfriend suddenly won't talk. What is the reason?"

The AI, in a standard female voice, replied: "If your girlfriend isn't talking, first you must rule out physical problems. Is it vocal cord edema, transient cerebral ischemia, nerve compression, or emotional aphasia?"

Su Nange looked at Zhou Wanqing with a serious air.

Then he said to the AI: "That shouldn't be the reason. She can still eat."

Veins were already throbbing on Zhou Wanqing. This damn guy, how does his brain come up with these ghostly things?

The AI on the other end replied: "Then your girlfriend must be angry and doesn't want to talk to you."

Su Nange looked at Zhou Wanqing again and then asked the AI: "Then what should I do?"

The AI acted like it knew everything: "First, the points to avoid: don't engage in a cold war or confrontation; if she's not talking, you shouldn't just stay silent either."

Su Nange nodded: "And then?"

"Don't interrogate her with questions like 'What's wrong with you again? Why are you angry?' and things like that."

Su Nange smiled: "Yo, this AI knows its stuff!"

"Then what should I do?"

The AI replied: "You need to lower your stance and take the initiative to soften up. For example, say, 'I know I made you unhappy, please don't hold it in and not talk to me, okay?'"

Su Nange looked at his phone, then looked at Zhou Wanqing.

Actually, Zhou Wanqing was already having trouble holding it in. This kid was too good at making trouble!

Sure enough, Su Nange held up his phone and, following what the AI said, read word for word: "I know I made you unhappy, please don't hold it in and not talk to me, okay."

Zhou Wanqing really couldn't hold on much longer. But she felt that if she broke down now, it would be really embarrassing.

But how could this guy be so funny? He was simply annoying to death!

Su Nange looked depressed and said to the AI: "Are you any good? She's still not talking."

The AI thought deeply for a moment.

Then it said: "Then you should use physical contact to break the ice; gently pull her hand, nudge her shoulder, and use gentleness to show weakness."

So, Su Nange moved his chair closer again and pulled Zhou Wanqing's hand.

Still no reaction!

Then he rested his head on Zhou Wanqing's shoulder and nudged her.

Zhou Wanqing finally couldn't take it anymore and slapped him on the head.

"Su Nange! You are so annoying! You really are going to make me laugh to death!"