44: Chapter 44: The Complete Guide to Three-Seven Games?

In the Buick.

"Tell me, how is Little Chen such a capable kid? He's only eighteen and can already earn his own money." Mother Lin looked at Father Lin, her tone filled with emotion. "Plus, he's handsome and does well in school."

Father Lin gave a soft grunt of acknowledgment, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly, his tone deepening. "Hmm, he is indeed quite capable and has a sharp mind. It's just that he's too young; I'm afraid he won't be able to keep his footing."

After saying this, he glanced at Lin Xi in the back seat through the rearview mirror.

His beloved daughter was looking down at her phone, the light from the screen reflecting on her face, with a faint, subtle smile playing on her lips.

His heart sank a little.

As someone who had been through it all, he could naturally tell that the relationship between Chen Fan and Lin Xi was no longer just that of ordinary classmates.

The way Chen Fan looked at Lin Xi, the way Lin Xi looked at Chen Fan, the inadvertent little gestures they made while eating—he had been sitting opposite them and saw it all clearly.

Honestly speaking, he had been quite satisfied with Chen Fan initially. He was tall, spoke steadily, had good grades, and his family background was decent.

A son-in-law this outstanding would be hard to find even with a lantern.

But it was precisely because he was too outstanding that he worried.

He feared that because he was so outstanding, there would be many temptations around him in the future.

He feared he would let down his precious daughter.

Upon hearing this, Mother Lin thought for a moment and nodded. "What you say makes sense, but looking at the child, he doesn't seem like the flashy or fickle type. He's quite polite in his interactions with others, so we probably don't need to worry too much."

Father Lin didn't speak, keeping his eyes on the road ahead.

After a few seconds, he gave a soft "Hmm."

But in his heart, he thought: I hope so.

...

Past nine in the evening.

Father Lin leaned back on the sofa, hesitated for a moment, then picked up his phone and dialed a number.

The call was connected quickly, and a young man's voice came from the other end.

"Hello, Section Chief Lin."

"Xiao Sun, I'm really sorry to bother you so late."

"Section Chief Lin, you're too kind. Just tell me what you need."

Father Lin paused. "I remember you read web novels, right?"

There was a second of silence on the other end of the line.

Then the voice became noticeably nervous. "Um, Section Chief Lin, I never read them while I'm at work, really. It's always after I get home from work..."

"No, no," Father Lin interrupted, smiling helplessly. "I'm not trying to criticize you; I just have something I want to ask you."

Xiao Sun breathed a clear sigh of relief. "Please, go ahead."

"Which website do you use to read web novels?"

"I usually use Qidian Chinese Website; it's the largest novel website."

Father Lin held the phone, his tone becoming more casual. "Then, have you heard of a novel called 'High Martial Era'?"

The other end paused for a moment, then Xiao Sun's voice suddenly grew excited. "'High Martial Era'? Of course I know it! Section Chief Lin, do you read web novels too?"

"Just asking casually." Father Lin didn't take the bait.

"This 'High Martial Era' has been really popular lately. The author is called Pen name. He updates very fast and writes well, so a lot of people are following it." Xiao Sun went on enthusiastically. "He was first on the monthly ticket chart last month and first on the tipping chart too. I heard that his royalties alone are several hundred thousand a month. People in the circle are saying he'll definitely be named a Platinum God this year—"

Father Lin's grip on the phone tightened suddenly.

"How much did you say?" He interrupted Xiao Sun, his voice involuntarily raising by half a pitch.

"Huh? It's just... the royalties are several hundred thousand a month. I don't know the exact figure, but that's the rumor in the circle." Xiao Sun was startled by his reaction. "Section Chief Lin, what's wrong?"

Father Lin was silent for two seconds.

Several hundred thousand a month.

He instinctively wanted to do the math, but his mind was a bit chaotic—eighteen years old, several hundred thousand a month, that would be... in a year...

He didn't continue the calculation.

"It's nothing." He cleared his throat, trying to make his voice sound normal. "I'm just a bit surprised that writing novels is so profitable nowadays."

"You can say that again!" Xiao Sun got excited. "For a top-tier hit like 'High Martial Era', he's making at least several million a year. But there aren't many who can write at this level. Pen name is truly awesome—"

Xiao Sun was still rambling on, but Father Lin could no longer take it in.

He leaned back against the chair, his hand holding the phone resting on his knee, his gaze falling into the night outside the window.

Pen name.

Chen Fan.

The pieces fit.

But the money part didn't match. He had originally thought Chen Fan would earn at most a few thousand yuan, but he never expected him to earn several hundred thousand a month.

On the other side, Chen Fan was unaware of Father Lin's actions; at this moment, he was chatting with Lin Xi on QQ.

Thinking back to the nonchalant tone Chen Fan used at the dinner table when he said "it's enough anyway," he couldn't help but shake his head slightly.

This kid was earning much more than he had imagined.

Yet precisely because of this, he felt even more uneasy.

"Alright, I know now. Thank you, Xiao Sun."

"Section Chief Lin, you're too kind. Call me anytime if you need anything." Xiao Sun's tone still carried a hint of wanting to continue. "If you want to read 'High Martial Era', I have pirated resources; you don't need to spend money."

Father Lin's brows furrowed slightly, and his tone darkened.

"Xiao Sun, I don't know if I should say this—reading is a good thing, but can we try to read legitimate copies? The author worked hard to write it, and it's not easy. Don't you agree?"

Xiao Sun was taken aback and quickly replied, "Yes, yes, yes, Section Chief Lin is right. It was my lack of consideration. I'll go back and pay for the subscription."

Father Lin smiled, his tone easing up. "I was just mentioning it casually. Get some rest early."

"Okay, goodnight, Section Chief Lin."

Hanging up the phone, Father Lin placed it on the coffee table, leaned back into the sofa, and didn't move for a long time.

Mother Lin came out of the bedroom and saw him sitting alone on the sofa in a daze. She walked over and sat down beside him. "What's wrong? You were on the phone for so long. Who were you talking to?"

"Xiao Sun." Father Lin paused. "I asked him about that book, 'High Martial Era'."

Mother Lin's eyes lit up. "How was it? Is this the book Little Chen wrote?"

Father Lin nodded, was silent for two seconds, then spoke. "Xiao Sun said the author who wrote this book earns several hundred thousand in royalties a month."

Mother Lin's smile froze on her face.

"How much?"

"Several hundred thousand."

"Are you sure it's written by Little Chen?" Mother Lin recovered, her tone carrying a hint of uncertainty. "There are many people with the same name. Don't make a mistake."

"I asked Xiao Sun, the author's name is Pen name." Father Lin looked at her. "Try reading Pen name backward."

Mother Lin was stunned for a moment, muttering to herself, "Pen name... Chen Fan... Chen Fan?"

After she finished saying it, she was stunned herself.

"It really is." She slapped her thigh, her eyes brightening. "This kid, even his pen name is so—how should I put it—cultured."

Father Lin glanced at her. "Is choosing a pen name all it takes to be cultured?"

"Of course it is." Mother Lin said righteously. "Most people wouldn't think of this when choosing a name. It hides his own name while having artistic flair, which shows the kid is meticulous."

Father Lin didn't respond, but the corners of his mouth twitched, which counted as an acknowledgment.

Mother Lin slapped her thigh. "This kid is so capable! He's only eighteen, and he earns in a month what others earn in several years!"

When she said this, her eyes were bright, and she couldn't suppress the smile on her face.

Father Lin glanced at her and said nothing.

Mother Lin noticed his expression and reined in her smile. "What's wrong? The kid is capable, why are you still looking so worried?"

"I just feel..." Father Lin weighed his words. "This kid earns too much money. He's only eighteen. I'm afraid that in the future—"

"Afraid of what?" Mother Lin interrupted him. "Afraid he'll go astray? Afraid he'll let down Xixi?"

Father Lin remained silent.

Mother Lin sighed and leaned back against the sofa. "Old Lin, you worry too much. You saw it at dinner today; how steady is Little Chen? He snuck off to pay the bill, and even when you scolded him, he didn't get angry or annoyed. He's measured in his words and actions."

"That's just on the surface—"

"Surface or no surface." Mother Lin interrupted him again. "Look at his parents, Wang Mei and Chen Jianjun; how honest are they? We've seen their family situation; their house and car are all clean and decent. A child raised in such a family, how bad can he be?"

Father Lin opened his mouth but couldn't find the words.

Mother Lin continued. "Besides, earning a lot is a skill, not a flaw. Think about it, if Xixi were with someone incapable, wouldn't you be worried again?"

"...That's true." Father Lin's voice dropped.

"So," Mother Lin patted the back of his hand. "Don't think too much. I think Little Chen is a great kid; he's tall, steady in his speech, capable, and good to Xixi."

Father Lin was silent for a moment before suddenly speaking. "The two kids haven't even established a relationship yet, right? Why are you worrying about that?"

Mother Lin was choked by his words, stunned for two seconds, then laughed and patted him. "Weren't you worrying about the same thing just now? Now you're lecturing me."

Father Lin turned his face away, not responding.

Mother Lin shook her head with a smile and stood up. "Alright, alright, let the kids handle their own affairs; we'll just watch from the sidelines. If something really happens, we'll talk about it then."

She walked two steps toward the bedroom and looked back at him. "Aren't you coming in?"

Father Lin grunted and stood up as well.

Walking two steps toward the bedroom, he stopped again and turned back to say, "Oh, by the way, Xiao Sun said he wanted to read pirated copies, but I told him to read the legitimate ones."

Mother Lin was stunned. "Why do you care about that?"

"Writing books isn't easy; you should spend money where it's due." Father Lin said as if it were a matter of course. "Besides, the one writing the book is Little Chen; we especially shouldn't take advantage of that."

Mother Lin looked at him and couldn't help but laugh. "Fine, fine, Section Chief Lin has high awareness. Let's go, time to sleep."

Only then did Father Lin turn and enter the bedroom.

Mother Lin followed behind, a smile still on her lips.

When she turned off the lights, she whispered in the darkness, "Old Lin, I'm telling you, the more I see of Little Chen, the more satisfied I am."

Father Lin didn't respond.

After a few seconds, a voice came from the darkness: "The kids' business hasn't even begun, what are you satisfied with?"

Mother Lin laughed. "Then why were you secretly making phone calls to find out what book he was writing?"

Father Lin didn't say anything else.

After another few seconds, a low "Go to sleep" came from the darkness.

On the other side, Chen Fan was unaware of Father Lin's actions; at this moment, he was chatting with Lin Xi on QQ.

The content of the chat was nothing more than the novel Chen Fan was writing, as well as where to go for the summer vacation, and so on.

They chatted until past 11 o'clock before finishing.

After the chat ended, Chen Fan lay on the bed, waiting for midnight to arrive.

As the hands on the wall clock pointed to the final second.

Chen Fan closed his eyes and opened the wealth store to start checking it.

"Holy crap!!! Golden Legendary~"

As soon as he opened the store, Chen Fan couldn't help but let out an exclamation.

He saw that three special items had refreshed in the store. It wasn't just that which shocked Chen Fan, but the items themselves.

First, the first item.

[Stock Future 30-Day Trend (Random)]

1,000,000 wealth points

Chen Fan focused his consciousness and instantly understood the function of this item.

Although it said "Stock Future 30-Day Trend," it wasn't the trend for all stocks in the A-share market, but rather for one random stock.

Chen Fan realized the problem immediately. It only mentioned "trend," but not whether it was going up or down.

If it were going up, that would be fine; even if it moved very slowly, he could still make money.

But if it were going down, there would be no way to make a profit.

Since his rebirth, Chen Fan had roughly understood the stock market. In the A-share market, one could only bet on the rise, not the fall, meaning one could not short the market.

Therefore, even if he knew which stock would fall, there was no way to profit from it.

If Chen Fan bought this [Stock Future 30-Day Trend (Random)], there would be a 50% chance of profit, and the remaining 50% chance would mean not making money.

If he made a profit, that would be fine, but if he didn't make money, he would also lose 1,000,000 wealth points.

After pondering for a moment, Chen Fan decided to take a gamble.

Anyway, if he lost, he just lost 1,000,000 wealth points.

If he bet correctly, he would have a chance to make money in the stock market.

He currently had a principal of over 9.6 million; if he was lucky, he might be able to double it.

Immediately afterward, he looked at the second item.

[37 Interactive Entertainment Game Collection]

2,000,000 wealth points

Seeing this item, Chen Fan furrowed his brows.

He knew 37 Interactive Entertainment; it was a gaming company.

In his previous life, Chen Fan had scrolled past an introduction to 37 Interactive Entertainment by a financial blogger and learned that this obscure gaming company, founded in 2011, had an annual revenue of over 15 billion and a peak market value of nearly 100 billion.

He had even played one of their tree-chopping games called "Xun Dao Da Qian" and had topped up over 200 yuan.

Just this single game had a peak monthly revenue of over 700 million.

Besides that, there were other games like "Time Grocery Store," "Time Big Bang," "Heroes Don't Flash," and so on, all belonging to their company.

However, Chen Fan was a bit puzzled. What was the use of giving him a game collection? Was it for playing games?

No.

Chen Fan remembered the business guidance from the beginner's gift pack that he had given up on.

Could it be?

He immediately focused his consciousness and looked at [37 Interactive Entertainment Game Collection]

Sure enough, the item description immediately appeared in his mind.

[Item Description: After purchase, you can obtain the complete operational data package for all games released by 37 Interactive Entertainment, including but not limited to: core gameplay design documents, art style settings, operational activity plans, and market promotion strategies.]

It was just as he had expected.

This item was equivalent to operational guidance for all of 37's future games.

It just lacked the source code.

However, although it lacked the source code, it didn't affect things. Knowing the gameplay and settings, he just needed to hire some coding employees and have them complete it according to his requirements.

With this, Chen Fan could also consider earning money by making games.

Writing novels was still too slow for making money.