Chapter 3: The Unlucky One

In Nanhua City, in the office of the boss at Leisure Studio, a young woman sat at her desk, examining something on her computer. She was truly a beauty; her deep chestnut hair, curled into large waves, cascaded down to her waist, lending her a maturity beyond her years. Her large, expressive almond eyes seemed to hold the stars and the endless sea, while her high, delicate nose and gentle, cherry-like lips completed a look of serene elegance.

She exuded such composure and grace that she resembled a living Mona Lisa.

Her name was Han Jiayi. A graduate of the Le Cordon Bleu in France, she had earned high praise from the renowned chef, Lange Williams, before returning home to open her own restaurant. In its first year, her restaurant was awarded a Michelin star. Thanks to her striking appearance and refined bearing, she soon caught the attention of an entertainment company, signed a contract, appeared on several variety shows, and played supporting roles in a few films. For reasons unknown, however, she faded from the public eye.

By then, her assets were already considerable. She invested and founded Leisure Studio, producing the independent game “Desecration,” which received rave reviews on Sheam.

“Boss!” At that moment, a chubby middle-aged man burst in. “Something’s wrong, boss! Oh—no, actually, it’s great news…”

“Don’t rush, Old Liu. Take your time.” Han Jiayi smiled gently, her demeanor as calm and elegant as ever.

“On D-Station… an uploader just posted a video about our game—a kind of review. It’s only been twelve hours since it went up, and the views are about to hit one million!” Old Liu said anxiously.

Han Jiayi raised her eyebrows and searched D-Station on her own computer, glancing through the video.

She watched in silence as the narration played: “The developer says that even if a single finger doesn’t touch the ledge, you can’t climb up. You’ll fall and die, then spend half an hour running back. The bizarre climbing mechanics, combined with countless instant-death traps and Souls-like systems, turn all the game’s strengths into pure torment…”

Old Liu explained, “Even though he doesn’t recommend the game, the video’s popularity has given us a huge sales boost—several hundred copies just today…”

After finishing the video, Han Jiayi glanced at the comments section and smiled faintly. “What’s so surprising? Our game is a Souls-like; not everyone can handle that level of difficulty. We expected this from the start. It’s normal for some players to struggle.”

“But…” Old Liu said nervously, “Miss Han, this uploader—he’s completed every achievement in our game.”

“So what?” Han Jiayi folded her arms.

“Well…” Old Liu chose his words carefully. “There are three particularly tough achievements in our game: ‘Defeat All Bosses Without Healing,’ ‘Clear the First Five Levels in Three Hours,’ and ‘Soul Passage.’ Less than one percent of players have managed them, but he has…”

“And?” Han Jiayi crossed her elegant legs and frowned slightly. “He could’ve used cheats to get those achievements.”

“The ‘Soul Passage’ achievement is a challenging story-related one. Completing it means he understands the game’s lore and narrative very well. Beating bosses without healing proves his skill. Speedrunning the first five levels shows he’s deeply familiar with the game…” Old Liu ventured, “Maybe we should consider some of his suggestions…”

“Since when did you become so easily swayed?” Han Jiayi’s frown deepened. “To be a great indie developer, you have to stand firm. If you change things just because someone suggests it, is it still your work?”

“But… a lot of players do complain about the climbing mechanics, and…” Old Liu scratched his head. “I’ve also worried about the boss fights being too short, like he said. Most of the game time is spent fighting minor enemies and platforming—there’s not much real combat. Maybe…”

“Don’t worry,” Han Jiayi’s breathing quickened. “Our game has excellent ratings, doesn’t it? And it’s selling well.”

“But…” Old Liu tried to continue, but Han Jiayi finally lost her temper. She slammed the table and shouted, “Whose side are you on? Every time I say something, you contradict me! Who’s your boss, him or me?”

“You, you are…” Old Liu nodded hastily and slipped out, “Sorry to bother you…”

As he left, Han Jiayi grimaced, rubbing her sore hand before glaring at the uploader “Old Bai.” She furiously began typing a comment under the video: “If you can’t play, don’t blame the game’s difficulty! Other people do just fine—you’re the only one complaining! Instead of whining, why not hone your skills? Get good, scrub!”

After posting, Han Jiayi snorted, still not satisfied, and prepared to type more.

But then—

“What? How dare they mute me? And delete my comment?!” Han Jiayi shot to her feet in fury. “You—just wait until I meet you!”

By noon, the video had officially surpassed one million views. Bai Renzong headed to a little restaurant below his apartment for a celebratory meal.

The Connoisseur app was even better than he’d imagined. Besides daily tasks, it offered unique “achievement missions” that awarded him impressive abilities.

For example, “Sample One Hundred Specified Ingredients” would grant him the “Tongue of the Gods.” Some, admittedly, were more awkward—like “Go on Fifty Blind Dates” to earn “Attribute Glasses,” which would let him see others’ top three personality traits.

Strange as it all sounded, Bai Renzong had come to trust the app completely.

Arriving at the restaurant, “Willow House” was his personal treasure—a cozy place with warm décor, quiet ambiance, affordable prices, flawless flavors, a friendly owner, and a beautiful proprietress.

Aside from the occasional public display of affection from the owners, which made him feel like a third wheel, it was his ideal spot.

He had no intention of sharing this gem with others.

The place was run solely by the owner and his wife, with only twenty seats. If it became too popular, he’d have a hard time enjoying his favorite dishes.

“You look like you’re in a good mood today,” the owner teased with a smile.

“I am. I think I’ve found what I want to do with my life,” Bai Renzong replied with a nod.

The owner grinned, satisfied. “That’s great! See? No need to rush—time will give you the answers. So, what would you like to eat today?”

“I’ll have the daily special,” Bai Renzong replied without hesitation. “What’s on the menu?”

“Sweet and sour cod, with a small side of braised potatoes and pork, scrambled eggs with onions, cold cucumber salad, and two slices of apple,” the beautiful proprietress replied with a smile. “By the way, when are you going to get yourself a girlfriend?”

“Ah…” Bai Renzong chuckled awkwardly. “I couldn’t before, and now that I’m holed up at home, it’s even less likely.”

“Well, let me set you up with someone. She’s about your age—very pretty and a lovely personality,” the proprietress said, tossing him a flirtatious wink. “She’ll be back in Beichang City in a few days. When she returns, I’ll have you come by for a meal, and you two can meet.”

In the past, Bai Renzong might have lacked the confidence, but now…

“Well, thank you, madam,” he replied with a smile.