Su Yingxue spotted Li Mu by the school gate's payphone, his earlier declaration about Renmin University lingering in her mind. Before she could approach, he vanished into the distance.
Probably a joke, she told herself, yet an inexplicable emptiness settled in her chest.
At Big Spider Internet Cafe, Li Mu buried himself in Stone Age Overlord's code. Zhao Kang arrived, reeking of teenage angst.
"Score?"
"Around 625. You?"
"Fuck's sake." Zhao slumped. "490 maybe. Can't even crack third-tier."
Li Mu leaned in. "What if I said you could study in Beijing? Decent polytechnic. Girls. Money. Future."
Zhao's eyes widened. "My folks'll never—"
"Earn your own tuition," Li Mu cut in. "My cheat tool's the ticket."
As Zhao's resistance crumbled, a pink-bereted penguin icon blinked on Li Mu's QQ.
Snow: Estimated score?
Lee: 625-630.
Snow: Seriously?!
Their exchange ended abruptly with Snow's "Mom's calling!" Li Mu stared at the grayed-out avatar, nostalgia and ambition warring in his gut.
Dinner brought a historic clink of glasses. Father Li uncorked his prized Luzhou Laojiao—a baijiu reserved for weddings and grandchildren.
"To Renmin University!" The liquor burned, but hope burned hotter.
As empty bottles accumulated, Li Mu steered the conversation. "Dad, Xiling Mine's drying up. What's your plan?"
Father Li stiffened. "Twenty-year veteran here. My skills—"
"Coal's a northern game." Li Mu's tone gentled. "When the mine closes…"
The room stilled. Mother Li clutched her apron. "We've savings. Your tuition—"
"I'll handle it." Li Mu tapped his temple. "Internet's booming. I've got ideas."
Father Li snorted. "That computer nonsense?"
"Respectfully," Li Mu met his gaze, "it's how I'll fund my future. And yours."
The words hung—a son's promise, a man's challenge. Father Li studied this newfound steel in his boy's eyes, then raised his beer.
"To new games."
Their bottles met. Somewhere, tectonic plates shifted.