Translator's Note:
As a reminder for readers: our protagonist continues to be Li Ge, maintaining the name and cultural context from earlier chapters. His story now moves into a new environment—but the stakes and tension only grow deeper.
Li Ge didn't have much to pack, really.
Most of his clothes were leftovers from college. The only "new" ones were the two sets of suits the company required him to wear. He didn't cook, and since Pengcheng's weather was mild year-round, a single blanket was enough.
In under an hour, Li Ge had everything stuffed into two suitcases. The bulkiest item left was his desktop computer.
There were about a dozen dusty books on the side. He grabbed a towel, wiped them off, and—within thirty minutes—read every single one of them.
Thanks to his photographic memory, he didn't need to re-read anything. Every page, every line—imprinted perfectly in his mind.
But strangely, after finishing, he felt unsatisfied.
It wasn't boredom—it was his brain craving more information, like an addict in withdrawal. It was an itch deep inside, as if every cell in his body was hungry for new knowledge.
Li Ge opened his phone and searched for bookstores near ISS Bar.
He quickly found one: Youlian Book City, just a kilometer away. Open until 10 p.m.
Without hesitation, he changed into a clean outfit and headed out.
By the time he arrived at the bookstore, it was 5 p.m.
The first floor sold musical instruments, toys, and student supplies. The second and third floors were filled with books.
He went straight to the second floor, not looking for anything specific—just letting his eyes drift over titles until something caught his interest.
Once it did, he'd pull the book down and start flipping.
Not reading—flipping.
Each page got maybe one second of his attention. Thin books were done in three minutes. Thicker ones, maybe five or six.
He moved through the shelves like a machine, flipping and absorbing. His odd behavior started attracting glances from other shoppers, many of whom gave him strange looks.
But Li Ge didn't notice. Or rather, he didn't care.
Three hours passed in a blur. He'd read 54 books—more than he had during those 17 days inside the game world.
And yet, it still wasn't enough.
He felt an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Not just in his mind, but in his entire body.
He suspected it was connected to his Transcendent Mind ability.
Weird? Yes. But not harmful. And it gave him an edge.
Li Ge forced himself to stop. There would be more time to learn later.
He left the bookstore and walked toward ISS Bar.
Being fifteen minutes late didn't bother him in the slightest. Hao Jianwei—the client he was meeting—was the kind of man who partied hard enough to forget his own name. He certainly wouldn't care if someone showed up late.
Li Ge walked at a steady pace, mentally digesting the material he had just read. Most of it was on psychology and finance. Thanks to his new cognitive powers, he grasped the content on a profound level.
By the time he reached ISS Bar, he had absorbed and organized everything in his mind.
The bar stood tall, its name glowing in red neon at the top floor of a luxurious tower.
ISS was one of Pengcheng's top nightlife destinations, with an average spend of over 3,000 yuan per person. Upscale ambiance, elite service, and beautiful women—it had become a magnet for the city's wealthy elite.
As he approached the entrance, two bouncers in black suits looked him up and down suspiciously.
He didn't exactly dress the part.
If he hadn't mentioned Hao Jianwei's name and his table, they probably would've turned him away.
Fortunately, Hao was a VIP here—well known to everyone from the owners to the security guards. After verifying the reservation over the radio, the bouncers let Li Ge in.
Li Ge had been here twice before, chauffeuring Hao home. He was familiar with the layout.
The lighting, the sound system, the decor—all high-end. Inside, bodies twisted and moved to the rhythm, the air thick with perfume, sweat, and flashing lights. It was a palace of excess.
He ignored it all and headed straight for the main booth—the biggest and most visible one in the entire bar.
There, four men and seven women were loudly playing dice games, caught up in the excitement. They barely noticed him.
One glance was enough to identify Hao Jianwei, the middle-aged man in the central seat. A pretty young woman curled against him, and three more were seated on either side, forming a harem-like formation.
The other three men sat awkwardly at the edge, clearly out of place. No girls. Just plastered-on smiles and endless cheers.
Li Ge recognized two of them—they were coworkers. Poor souls dragged here by Zheng Shaohua, just like him.
But what surprised Li Ge was one of the girls.
Wen Ruyu.
His long-time office crush.
She wasn't wearing much makeup, but her features were sharp, striking. Among the seven women, she was clearly the most stunning.
She wore tight-fitting blue jeans and a white T-shirt that hugged her curves. Every man in the booth couldn't help sneaking glances at her—including Hao Jianwei, despite already having a girl in his arms.
When Li Ge saw her, his heart gave a slight jolt.
But just for a moment.
The old him would've been a mess of nerves. He would've stared like a fool, trying not to get caught.
But now? After the game world… after everything…
It all felt like a different life.
He looked at Wen Ruyu once, then calmly took a seat at the edge of the booth, quiet and composed.