In today's world, cancer isn't the death sentence it once was. With advanced medical tech and top - notch healthcare teams, as long as you've got insurance, family support, or personal savings...
Chen Pingan turned off the TV and let out a hollow laugh. "But I've got nothing."
The death notice came today, his girlfriend left yesterday, and he himself collapsed today.
Freshman Chen Pingan's parents, two forest rangers, perished in a firestorm a few years back. Even their bones were turned to ashes, leaving only a modest compensation.
Over the years, Chen Pingan had come to terms with losing his parents. He chose to face life with optimism. Using the compensation money, he lived frugally. He worked part - time to get through college.
His grades were good enough to get him into a top - tier college. It was said he'd be offered a job after graduation. Though the salary might be low, he could at least get by. However, the day before yesterday, he went to the doctor for a chronic ankle pain and was diagnosed with mid - stage cancer.
Knowing he couldn't afford the treatment, Chen Pingan simply moved out of the school. He rented a one - year house near the city's Wetland Park. He intended to spend the rest of his life there. As for what happens after the lease expires?
He gave a self - deprecating smile, feeling he wouldn't live to see that day.
Opening his phone to check his account balance, he still had over 30,000 yuan left.
"With a maximum of six hundred a month for food, plus another four hundred for other expenses, there should still be at least twenty thousand left after a year," Chen Pingan stared at the numbers, lost in thought. These years had been too hard. While other students traveled, gamed, and fell in love, he worked tirelessly, not even noticing his girlfriend's betrayal.
From now on, he intended to live for himself.
Play games, binge dramas, and if his body allows, he also wants to visit the beach.
[Installation complete]
[Come and get your exclusive e - girlfriend!]
On weekdays, when he came across such ads, Chen Pingan would simply ignore them. But today, his finger paused in front of the screen.
An extra APP icon appeared on the main interface, featuring a Q - version ancient - style girl in a green dress with a sword.
"An auto - installed game? Can't be a virus..."
In the past, he would directly uninstall and scan the phone. But today he wanted to explore what this "virus software" was all about.
Anyway, with nothing to lose, he clicked on the APP. The screen turned black, and a prompt box popped up.
This game is restricted to users over 18 years old. Once real identity is activated, the account cannot be destroyed or transferred. Entering the game means agreeing to all terms and conditions.
"Yoho, still know that this is the overbearing clause?" Chen Pingan snorted, still clicking start.
At this point, he was certain that this was virus software.
What exactly was the other party trying to do? Steal identity info? Or chat records? If they knew he was the unlucky one with cancer and no shame, would the developer choose to delete it proactively?
Please choose your electronic girlfriend!
The game's interface was surprisingly polished.
Although the icon was a Q - version, the game itself was extremely realistic. Over a dozen "electronic girlfriends" were displayed, each with detailed information. The current display showed:
[Neon gangster's daughter: Kirishima Kinko]
[Age: 22 Height: 158 Measurements: 89, 55, 86]
From the Live2D model, this character had a curvaceous figure that her kimono couldn't conceal. With her sweet face and gangster background, this contrasting lolita was surely many people's favorite. Unfortunately, she was blonde and from Neon, so Chen Pingan wasn't interested.
After browsing through the other characters, he found that these avatars spanned different times and spaces. There were even intergalactic mech warriors. Eventually, his gaze rested on a young girl in green.
[Female Disciple of Qing Yun Sect: Fang Qing Zhi]
[Age: 19 Height: 169 Measurements: 90, 60, 91]
This was the Q - version prototype of the app icon, now in 3D: gelatinous skin, clear eyebrows, black hair and green robe, sword floating. The most mesmerizing were her eyes — cold, numb, with a hollow void, seeming to pierce through the screen.
"Hiss--! How could a small workshop put down such blood money?"
He began to wonder if this was really a virus. With such a well - made virus, should the developer go to graduate school or a doctorate?
"You're it."
[Confirm choosing 'Fang Qingchi' as your e - girlfriend?]
[Attention! The choice cannot be changed!
If your e - girlfriend dies, she'll disappear permanently and can't be resurrected!
"So serious?" Chen Pingan frowned, realizing this was exactly what the developer intended.
He could almost foresee the game's kryptonite routine. But today, he resolutely clicked OK.
[Your remaining lifespan: 132 days]
The message flashed, and the screen unfolded.
Chen Pingan had expected the typical flow of a subpar Immortal Cultivation handheld game: wild novice village, one - click pathfinding, equipping mounts... But before his eyes was:
In the thatched hut with four leaky walls, the only straw mattress that could be considered a bed was soaked through with rainwater.
In the corner, a young girl in tattered clothes was curled up in a ball. Long, disheveled hair covered her face, and her bare limbs were crisscrossed with bruises and purple, centipede - like wounds standing out on her fair skin.
"This is Fang Qingzhi?" Chen Pingan was filled with doubts.
He noticed the broken sword next to the grass mat, the very same sword from the character page.
[Fang Qingzhi's weakness has increased due to starvation and cold]
[Fang Qingzhi is attacked by fire poison, the pain is unbearable]
[Fang Qingzhi's remaining lifespan: half an hour.]
The moment the three prompts popped up, the girl let out a muffled grunt of pain.
She raised her head slightly, and her hollow eyes and pale lips were reflected in his eyes.
"This..." Even seeing only half of her face, Chen Pingan confirmed that this was the character he had chosen.
"What to do?"
A sense of urgency arose. The character's demeanor, voice, and even the details of her wounds were all too realistic, causing him to instinctively believe that if he did not take action, the virtual girl would really perish after the countdown ended.
At this moment, a prompt popped up:
[Ding! The first charge of 6 yuan is a limited - time gift of a house decoration gift pack, to create a cozy home for your electronic girlfriend!]