Mini World Game Console-Chapter 635 - 636: Ren Suo’s Year-End Summary

I've got a year-end summary too!?

Ren Suo was startled for a moment, realizing only then that the Gregorian calendar had already passed New Year's, and the Lunar New Year was also approaching.

This year, indeed, was a time for him to reflect.

Clicking on the system notification, the main interface morphed into a dimly lit room. Despite the cartoonish rendering, Ren Suo could tell at a glance that the room's layout was very similar to his own living room.

In the dim room, a figure walked over and sat on the couch. The screen then lit up, becoming the only source of light in the darkness.

"Endless Fun in the Mini World"

Below was a line of small text:

"2018 Annual Game Report"

Then, a few seemingly stirring large words:

"It's great to play you"

Ren Suo grimaced. Does this 'you' being played refer to me or the Mini-World Game Console?

In the bottom left corner, another line of small text read: "Last page Easter egg: Find the one who becomes the protagonist of your life."

Ren Suo had a vague feeling. This annual report might not be too kind to me.

Sure enough, upon flipping to the second page, the Mini-World Game Console unleashed its full firepower on Ren Suo: 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"In this year, you played a total of 14 games. Your gaming style lacked any technical skill; it was all Krypton Gold and turtling, and you were keen on grinding late into the night. You desperately wanted to leave your mark on the world, but your abilities were embarrassingly weak. However, you didn't give up, even resorting to letting your game characters show off just to make a point."

"Hey! How can you say I didn't play with any technical skill? Krypton Gold! That's just me buying advantages with my hard-earned money! And turtling? Can you even call what I do in games 'turtling'? That's called development, strategy, playing the long game!"

Ren Suo pointed at the screen, retorting angrily as if the Mini-World Game Console's operators were hiding behind it. "I didn't show off on purpose! Creating impressive backstories for the game characters just makes things more convenient for them later. If they have an easier time, I can act as a middleman and profit from the information disparity. Even the national intelligence agencies benefit! It's a win-win situation for everyone!"

"Let's see how else you're going to slander me!" Ren Suo continued to read angrily.

The screen focused on the blurred figure sitting on the sofa. At first, it displayed a word: 'Goddess.'

"In 2018, the most frequent evaluation your game characters received in the Mini-World Game Console was: Goddess. Hence, you are a goddess-type player. Indeed, men know better how to tease men."

Below were a few examples of evaluations:

"The goddess blooming on the snowy mountain"—from "If You Are Strong, Climb Ten Thousand Meters."

"Food and beauty, food is you, beauty is also you"—from "Midnight Walker."

"I am the Sword Bone; you are my wife"—from "Hand of Fate."

Ren Suo almost choked. This Mini-World Game Console is taking things completely out of context!

He had plenty of male characters in his games too! There was the handsome Assassin Ren Han, the ugly adventurer, the portly Zhao Zili, the Western-style Magician, the very hairy Handsome Monkey King, and even a mysterious and extravagantly luxurious Black Coffin Demon King.

But the problem was that men tended to give direct compliments to female characters, whereas women's compliments toward male characters were less direct. Instead, they preferred to express their affection in other ways—such as writing fanfiction about these handsome male characters.

Characters like Ren Han, the Fairy Palace Assassin, and the adventurer all belonged to Fairy Palace and appeared quite frequently in fanfiction, with titles blatantly indicating various scenarios and pairings. Back when Ren Suo was supposed to be doing research but was often slacking off (jokingly calling himself a 'tax-money thief'), he almost got sucked into another world by these fanfictions.

Knowing they were fanfictions, it should be easy to avoid them, right? Not so easy. Even when Ren Suo searched for images, he would come across fanart—which was far more provocative than text. Fortunately, Ren Suo had a talent for willful ignorance; he would randomly decide one of the parties was female, which at least helped him deceive his own mind and avoid falling into a Boys' Love delusion.

Anyway, this Mini-World Game Console evaluation isn't true! It's because all the men are fans of female characters, unanimously deeming all female characters as idol goddesses, which led to me being evaluated as a goddess.

If the weight of fan-created works by female fans were increased, then I could be rid of the 'goddess' evaluation and instead become what my female fans see me as in their minds...

An image of the fanfiction and comics he had once researched flashed through Ren Suo's mind, and he fell into deep thought. Forget it, goddess it is then.

"June 1st was probably a very special day. On this day, for one woman, you interfered with a game's plot for the first time. And you nearly lost control over your desires for a game character."

Ren Suo recalled for a moment. Wasn't this the date Dong Chengling and I went to Sky Capital to open the Space Gate and meet the Nine-Tailed Fox?

Bullshit! He had never intended to break into the narrative. It was just that Dong Chengling could awaken her Space Spells at any moment. Plus, he had seen in the game that she'd lost a leg for some reason, which was why he had stayed by her side during those days.

At that time, he had merely wanted to witness Dong Chengling's awakened spells and, incidentally, help her avoid a potentially life-altering misfortune.

Looking back now, Ren Suo did change that tiny misfortune for Dong Chengling, but from that day on, he himself also became her destiny.

"On July 5th, you finally landed in a crisis by courting disaster, nearly ruining the game's established storyline. At that moment, the one on your mind was, yet again, a woman."

Ren Suo's lips twitched as he remembered that time. He had been playing "Mage Under the World Tree" and had gone to Ailan Lake in Fragrance City with Gu Yueyan, where they coincidentally encountered the emergence of the first Secret Realm.

Then Gu Yueyan, mesmerized by the Holy Grail, fell into the lake. That was why Ren Suo had to brave the danger to save her.

This was clearly a commendable heroic act, yet the Mini-World Game Console made it sound as if Ren Suo had ulterior motives and was intentionally courting disaster.

He was a safety-first kind of guy: he didn't associate with dangerous people, go to dangerous places, or do dangerous things. Even when he was holding Gu Yueyan in the lake and giving her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, his thoughts had been entirely pure!

Although now, the moment I think of Gu Yueyan, impure thoughts surface... but I used to be very pure!

"This year, you spent 15% of your time immersed in fantastical game worlds, 44% of your time accompanying other women, 40% of your time sleeping and amusing yourself, and a mere 1% of your time on Cultivation and work."

"...If you slander me like this, you'll lose me as a player," Ren Suo refused to accept the Mini-World Game Console's statistics. "How could sleeping and playing possibly take up so much of my time? I barely sleep; my days are 48 hours long!

"And 44% of my time with other women? There's no way it's that much! Are you counting Zhao Huo as a woman too?

"My gaming time is definitely more than 15%!"

Ren Suo contested all the statistics except for the last one.

But, like any cheater caught in the act who denies everything, the Mini-World Game Console ignored him and continued its annual summary:

"This year, the game you reloaded most frequently was 'Inverted World'. In just 20 days, you reloaded over 1,000 times, with a playtime exceeding 200 hours. Among all your games, 'Inverted World' seems to hold a special significance for you."

Ren Suo was slightly taken aback.

"Do you remember the Rebel from 'My Life is Not Your Game'? You once enjoyed using him to type messages, meticulously planning everything for him. We look forward to your next collaboration."

"Eat shit!" Ren Suo was so angry he almost wanted to throw the controller.

The Mini-World Game Console is definitely doing this on purpose!

Back then, it had deliberately blurred the relationship between the Rebel and Ren Suo and obscured the game's background, all to deceive him.

'Looking forward to your next collaboration with him'? What was that supposed to mean? A threat, or a preview of a crime to come?

"This year, Luna from 'Night of the Hunt' spent 91 hours with you. Luna is the game character you've spent the most time with and is also your second-favorite game character of the year. You engaged in a total of 666 intimate interactions with Luna: petting 169 times, kissing 88 times, embracing 81 times, feeding 48 times…"

At this moment, his clone brought out a bowl of wonton noodles. Ren Suo began to eat while scrolling down the list.

This 'time spent with game characters' should have obviously tallied the time Ren Suo spent with characters summoned using 'Rippling Spring Sounds'. However, the Mini-World Game Console had included all his in-game interactions with Luna, naturally making her the clear winner over other game characters.

It was just that if anyone else saw this list of intimate interactions from the Mini-World Game Console, Ren Suo would likely be scorned. Ren Suo, what kind of dating sim are you playing? Probably only Zhao Huo wouldn't look down on him and might even ask about the game.

It was just that Ren Suo felt a bit strange. Luna is only my second-favorite game character of the year?

That can't be right. Although he was fond of both the Truth Seeker and the Kitchen Girl—and this fondness wasn't entirely innocent—Ren Suo knew with certainty that Luna's place in his heart surpassed all other game characters. How could she possibly be only my second favorite?

Could there be another game character with whom I've had even more intimate interactions, for whom my affection is even stronger?

But if such a character truly existed, how could I possibly not remember?

Ren Suo snorted twice. It's settled then. Mini-World Game Console, you're slandering me!

However, the annual summary was drawing to a close, and the Mini-World Game Console delivered its final blow:

"This year marks 300 days since we met. In the world of games, it's been a pleasure playing you."

So, players really are the ones being played!

Ren Suo quickly scrolled past, not particularly angry. He wasn't one to get upset over such a joke, as he had always believed that games and players played each other. When a player plays a game, it is, in essence, the game creator playing the player.

Players observe enemies in the game and react, while simultaneously falling into the logical response mechanisms designed by game creators who have targeted player psychology.

Whether it's the Krypton Gold systems in online games or the leveling mechanics in AAA single-player titles, all are outcomes designed after creators have endlessly analyzed player psychology.

A player's victory in a game is also a victory for the creators; guiding the player to win is precisely their objective.

However, the game creator Ren Suo faced was an entity almost akin to Destiny itself—the unknown higher-dimensional being that had made the Mini-World Game Console. But he didn't dwell on this, nor did it trouble him.

What can be chosen and what cannot, what can be changed and what cannot—all of it is Destiny.

Enjoying every dish served by Destiny, playing every game on the console—this was Ren Suo's way of mastering his own Destiny.

As he scrolled to the last page, the screen suddenly changed from dim to pink. The Mini-World Game Console didn't slander Ren Suo anymore:

"Among Earth's seven billion people, find the one who will become the sole protagonist of your life. Click to begin your search."

Ren Suo blinked. Curious about who the sole protagonist of his life might be, he chose 'Search.'

"Searching..."

"Searching..."

"Searching..."

"Search successful!"

"Search successful!"

"Search successful!"

"Searching..."

"Search has stopped."

"Note: This function is intended for hardcore players so engrossed in gaming they have no time to find a partner for procreation. Depraved casual players are not qualified to use this feature."

"Based on your year-end summary, Naiser Company is issuing your annual bonus... You will receive your reward within 1 to 30 business days."

"Mini World, endless fun."

Ren Suo calmly finished his noodles, then lay flat on the couch, letting his clone give him a massage.

Depraved casual players...

"That's an insult without using any swear words!"

"When was I ever casual?! When was I ever depraved?! I've been toiling away at these games, only to be slandered by the console like this... OHHHHHHHHH—"

A month of Sleep had, more or less, taken a toll on Ren Suo's body. He hadn't felt it before, but now that the clone got to work, those hands, most familiar with Ren Suo's body, barely brushed over his muscles, and Ren Suo's muscles instantly flared with sensation.

Once the clone finished the massage, Ren Suo felt so good he went completely limp on the sofa. He had to ask the clone for a hand to help him to the bedroom. I can't go on. All I want now is to just die in bed.

Once the clone had helped him to bed, Ren Suo said gratefully, "Alright, you can continue cleaning. Close the door on your way out."

Lying in his familiar bed, Ren Suo didn't even bother with the blanket. He nuzzled his pillow, and despite having slept for an entire month, a wave of drowsiness soon washed over him.

"Hmm... Hmm?"

As Ren Suo turned his head, he saw a black strand of hair beside the pillow.

He picked up the strand and examined it for a moment, quickly recognizing whose it was. Only a few people ever slept in this bed. Among them, Qiao Muyi had always had long hair—the longest of all—dyed a wine red that seemed to shimmer in the darkness. Dong Chengling's and Gu Yueyan's hair were about the same length, but Dong Chengling's was very straight, while Gu Yueyan's had a slight wave.

It was Dong Chengling's hair.

It didn't surprise Ren Suo at all that Dong Chengling had slept here; he himself had been somewhat curious about sleeping in her bed...

But while Dong Chengling could Teleport to his place, he would have to make the journey to her home himself, which was too much trouble. Since Ren Suo always avoided hassle, he abandoned the idea—unless Dong Chengling herself was in her bed.

Feeling less sleepy, Ren Suo turned on the light to see if Dong Chengling had left any other traces. She had indeed cleaned so thoroughly that both the bed and the floor were spotless, leaving no trace of her presence.

However, Ren Suo glanced at a gap by the edge of the bed and unexpectedly noticed a piece of white paper underneath. He used "Storm Restraint" to blow the paper up.

There were a few lines of writing on the white paper. The handwriting was a bit crooked, perhaps written in bed, but it was clearly Dong Chengling's.

"Suo:

If you're reading this letter, it means you've awakened and returned before the Lantern Festival.

Gu Yueyan told me that you"

The letter stopped abruptly there.

But when Ren Suo flipped it over, he saw a sketch of a bridal gown on the back: a strapless wedding dress with a puffy skirt and lace sleeves.

This was another draft Dong Chengling had written while on his bed, a draft of the letter she had left for him.

Unlike the official version Ren Suo had seen, in this draft, Dong Chengling wanted to talk to him about Gu Yueyan.

Only then did Ren Suo remember that Dong Chengling hadn't mentioned Gu Yueyan at all, neither in their earlier phone call nor in the letter. Yet, Gu Yueyan had told him she'd already informed both Dong Chengling and Qiao Muyi about what happened on The Dark Side of the Moon.

Although Gu Yueyan hadn't explicitly said so, Ren Suo knew that even if she had been reluctant to talk, Cheng Ling and Young Master Mu would have definitely pressed her for details. So, Ren Suo didn't blame Gu Yueyan in the slightest; after all, he was the ultimate beneficiary and also the one left to take responsibility.

He had thought Dong Chengling didn't care about those things, which was why she hadn't mentioned them at all.

But that wasn't the case. The draft clearly showed that Dong Chengling had originally intended to discuss the matter with him but ultimately let go of the idea.

What was she really thinking?

When in doubt, just ask. Without giving it much thought, Ren Suo immediately took out his phone and made a call. "Cheng Ling, what do you think about our situation?"

"...You're not sleeping at night and calling me just to ask this?" Dong Chengling's laughter came through the phone.

Only then did Ren Suo realize it was already past midnight. Dong Chengling, who kept a regular schedule, was surely fast asleep.

"Sorry," Ren Suo said, lying in bed and looking at the ceiling light. "But you haven't said a word about it, so I..."

"Are you uneasy?"

"Yeah."

"I was planning to talk about it slowly when we met again," Dong Chengling's voice was soft. "You've just woken up. I didn't want to trouble you."

Ren Suo felt his heart clench, a thousand emotions welling up. Finally, he murmured in a low voice, "I'm the one who's trouble for you."

"Don't be upset. Take good care of yourself and go to sleep early," Dong Chengling said softly. "Whether it's troublesome or not, we have lots of time ahead of us. I know your mind is in a whirl; don't rush to tell me. Take your time to sort out your thoughts. I'm not in a hurry."

Ren Suo turned on his side, looking at the white paper sketched with the wedding dress. He suddenly felt a surge of energy in his exhausted and sore body.

"Cheng Ling."

"Hmm?"

Ren Suo said with his eyes closed, "I like you."

But in the space of a breath, he heard Dong Chengling's reply, "Me too."

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Putting his phone aside, Ren Suo then smothered his face with a pillow as if wishing to suffocate himself. But it was clear he was only throwing a tantrum; after all, if he actually passed out, his hands would loosen. To truly suffocate himself, he'd need his clone's help, and his clone presumably couldn't refuse his request.

Ren Suo's mind was in chaos. He decided to turn off the light and go to bed. Troublesome matters can wait until tomorrow!

「PAT.」

The clone, mopping the floor in the living room, saw a Black Cat walk in from the balcony.

As soon as the Black Cat saw him, it excitedly rushed over and began meowing around him. The clone was quite calm; he stopped cleaning and let the excited Black Cat sniff his scent.

After a moment, the Black Cat calmed down, turned, and walked into the bedroom. The clone then resumed mopping the floor.

After cleaning all the other areas, the clone went to the balcony, sat down, and gazed silently at the moon, lost in thought.