A New Round of Games

Suddenly, a commotion rose from the crowd. The swaying masses retreated one after another, making way for a path. A man in his thirties, surrounded by a group of men and women, headed toward the cushioned couch where Zhou Zhi sat.

"Master Zhao." Zhou Zhi rose to greet him.

Everyone knew that Young Master Zhao, Zhao Hanyin, was not only wealthy, but that his family also wielded considerable power in Jiangcheng. In this circle, everyone had to respectfully call him Master, and Zhou Zhi was no exception.

"Sit, drink," the other man said with a smile, then beckoned to the people around him. "Come sit."

The group that had been fawning over Zhou Zhi earlier consciously vacated their seats.

For a time, this cushioned couch became the most eye-catching spot in the bar. Those who could sit with Young Master Zhao were practically all rich or influential, with family backgrounds not much inferior to Zhou Zhi's. The women in the venue gazed eagerly in their direction. No matter who took a fancy to them, it would be an opportunity. Perhaps they could soar to success and become wealthy socialites from then on.

Those seated around them drank and bragged together, creating a lively atmosphere.

Zhou Zhi had once enjoyed times like these too. His father did not think much of him at home, and only here did he feel as though he had found a place to belong. But today, he was clearly distracted. When several people raised their glasses to him, he merely lifted a hand to brush them off.

After more than an hour of revelry, Zhao Hanyin finally brought up business.

"I've more or less finished setting up Prosperous Club. If you think highly of me, you can invest in it now. The amount doesn't matter; it's the thought that counts. Once it starts turning a profit, I'll pay dividends according to each person's investment ratio. As long as the club stays afloat, every brother here will definitely get his share."

"What are you talking about, Master Zhao? This business is guaranteed to make a fortune!"

"I've been a little strapped for cash lately, so I'll transfer ten million first. You won't think that's too little, will you, Master Zhao?"

"I wouldn't have invited you if I minded," Zhao Hanyin said with a smile. "You can make up the rest later."

"Then it won't count as founder's shares, right... is that how it works?" someone jeered. "I'll add another twenty million directly!"

"As expected of Brother Guang. That's something!"

"Hey, that's just the money for two fewer luxury cars!"

Zhou Zhi dropped his usual joking manner and remained silent. He knew what kind of project Prosperous Club was—Zhao Hanyin intended to consolidate Jiangcheng's entire underground entertainment industry under unified planning. There would be low-end consumer venues for ordinary people, as well as high-end brands catering to the wealthy. Of course, whether high-end or low-end, much of it would hover around the edge of the law, and the tangled interests involved were considerable. Only a young master of the Zhao Family would dare snatch food from a tiger's mouth.

What Zhao Hanyin wanted from all these rich young heirs was not simply money, but their family backgrounds. The more people who participated, the more weight the club's words would carry. And the wealthy heirs were happy to go along with it—after all, most of them were like Zhou Zhi. Either they were not the eldest sons in their families, or their abilities were not valued by their families. Aside from money, they had no other particular strengths. Since they were going to spend it anyway, they might as well spend it having fun. Besides, if this venture truly succeeded, the returns would certainly be substantial.

Then they could "prove" their abilities to their families and slap their elders in the face.

Zhou Zhi had originally planned to invest a few million himself, if not for the game he had encountered during his trip.

"Sorry, Master Zhao, but I won't be participating for now," he finally said.

The boisterous atmosphere instantly froze.

"Are you serious, Brother Zhou?" Someone immediately patted him on the shoulder.

"Didn't you just go to Europe for fun? How can you not even come up with a contribution? Are you refusing to show Master Zhao any respect?"

"Enough. I said it wasn't mandatory. What nonsense are you spouting?" Zhao Hanyin glared at the man before turning to Zhou Zhi. "What's wrong, Zhou Zhi? Have you run into some trouble lately?"

"Well..." He opened his mouth, but in the end, he could not bring himself to mention Paradise. A virtual game no different from reality? They would only burst out laughing if he said that. Besides... deep down, he did not particularly want to share this unexpected discovery. "I'm fine. I've just spent all my money."

There was still money in his account, of course, but Zhou Zhi knew that he had obtained it from his family through endless pleading. Given his father's temperament, there was no way he would give him another sum anytime soon. And compared to the club, Zhou Zhi truly wanted to visit Paradise once more.

"Then forget it." Zhao Hanyin did not press the matter. "What about the rest of you? Don't tell me you're out of money too."

"How could that be? Even if I had to sell everything I own, I'd still support Master Zhao!"

Amid a burst of laughter, the atmosphere livened up again.

But this time, everyone deliberately or unconsciously ignored Zhou Zhi.

Zhou Zhi had no desire to stay any longer either. Pretending to be drunk and saying he needed the restroom, he staggered out of the bar's main hall.

After passing the outdoor heated pool, he climbed up to the bar's rooftop, the highest point of the building. In fact, this bar was not located along the street, but on the top floor of Jiangcheng's most luxurious commercial tower. Standing by the railing, guests could see the rolling city skyline and the river that cut through the urban district.

The cold night wind cleared Zhou Zhi's head considerably, but it also brought a flicker of unease to his heart.

Perhaps he should not have refused Zhao Hanyin.

He had heard plenty of rumors about the young master of the Zhao Family. No matter what those rumors said, one thing was unlikely to change—he was definitely not an easygoing person.

Besides, everyone was investing so they could continue getting by in this circle. What he had done today was no different from cutting himself off from the comfortable, ideal environment he once had. As long as the young master of the Zhao Family spread a few words, those fair-weather friends who had once flocked around him would probably vanish without a trace.

Maybe... I should invest all the money I have left?

Zhou Zhi could not help thinking.

Without question, if Paradise's admission ticket always cost one million US dollars, he simply could not keep playing with his means. At most, he could go twice more before his savings were completely depleted. To others, he spent lavishly and never seemed worried about money, but he knew the truth well enough. The people who were truly wealthy—or rather, capable of making money—were his parents. If he could not get money from them, he was no different from an ordinary person.

Just as that American had said, "Everyone knows who's really paying."

Just then, his phone rang.

Zhou Zhi took out his phone and discovered a new email in his inbox.

The name in the subject line made his heart suddenly clench!

"Paradise."

It had sent another invitation!

Holding his breath, he opened the email.

—A new round of games is about to begin. Paradise awaits your arrival.

In an instant, all the hesitation and regret circling through his mind vanished. The scenes that had kept resurfacing in his memories appeared before him once more.

He wanted to visit that world again.

He could not give up on Paradise just like that.

Zhou Zhi swiped his finger and pressed the registration button.