Xu Zhi stepped out of the yard, where Chen Xi was waiting by the gate. They stood talking, framed by the quiet countryside.
"What exactly are you doing these days?" she asked, narrowing her eyes with suspicion. "Do you really like farming that much?"
She peeked into the yard, only to see rows of vibrant vegetables swaying gently in the breeze. Her lips pursed.
"I'm seriously starting to get mad here. Am I not attractive enough? You have such a pretty girlfriend, but you never take me out on proper dates."
Xu Zhi replied calmly, "Don't I go shopping with you? And we ride around on your scooter every morning."
Chen Xi pouted. "That doesn't count. You only spend one hour a day with me, then you run off to tend your garden."
Her cheeks turned pink as she added in a small voice, "I've been working really hard to be a good girlfriend, you know? I'm serious about dating. Am I… not charming enough?"
Xu Zhi chuckled. "What exactly have you been studying?"
"No laughing! If you laugh again, I'm going to hit you!" Chen Xi raised a hand threateningly, though her tone remained playful. "I don't have any dating experience, okay? I'm trying to learn. And anyway, I have to go back to school in four days."
The cheerful energy in her voice faded.
"Summer vacation's almost over," she mumbled.
Xu Zhi blinked as he accepted the lunchbox she handed him. He hadn't even realized how much time had passed. His mind had been consumed by battles with those absurd players, and it was only now that he registered the looming return to reality.
In truth, he had grown accustomed to the warmth of these quiet days. Chen Xi, always by his side, delivering meals, making noise, brightening the silence—she had been a comforting presence in the dwindling summer.
She had come into his life at its lowest point, offering her companionship with no demands. A self-declared girlfriend, helping him through his final days.
"So, does that mean I won't be getting any more food starting tomorrow?" Xu Zhi asked, deadpan.
"Even now you're joking?" Chen Xi glared, though she couldn't stop herself from laughing. "Is that why you made me your girlfriend? Just for the free meals?"
She crossed her arms. "Don't worry. Once I'm gone, Aunt Li will take over."
Xu Zhi nodded thoughtfully. "Long-distance relationships aren't a big deal nowadays. We've got video calls."
"That's not the same!" Chen Xi objected instantly. "It's completely different! A long-distance relationship doesn't feel real. And you—" Her voice caught. "You're going to die soon. I won't be there to hold your hand. I won't even get to say goodbye properly."
Xu Zhi: "..."
Can you please stop reminding me I'm dying?
You say I joke inappropriately, but you're way worse!
He sighed. They really were perfectly matched—annoying and sincere in equal parts.
Then, an idea struck him. "By the way… have you heard of the game Spore Evolution?"
Chen Xi blinked. "Nope."
Of course she hadn't. Chen Xi was the wholesome type, only playing casual games. She claimed to dislike anything violent.
"It's a sandbox game. Really chill. You can build entire worlds—like Minecraft. Ever played that?"
"Yeah, I've played Minecraft before."
"This one's different though," Xu Zhi continued. "It uses miracle-level tech. Completely immersive. It's like a second reality. If we meet there, it'll be just like meeting in person—maybe even better than video calls."
Her eyes lit up. "For real? We can meet in that game?"
"Well," Xu Zhi scratched his cheek, "there's a catch. You need a beta tester's slot. And to qualify, you've got to submit a scientific thesis… on natural evolution."
"…What?" Chen Xi gave him a blank look. "Are you sure this is a casual game?"
"It's fine," Xu Zhi reassured her. "I'll handle that part. You just need to download it when you're back at college. I'll get someone to write the thesis for you and secure a slot."
He added, "Your school computer probably won't handle it, though. I'll buy you a new one—something top of the line. A 20,000 yuan laptop should do the trick."
"LOVE YOU! I love you so much!"
Chen Xi launched forward and kissed him on the cheek before dashing away, her face beet red.
"We'll be together again!" she shouted as she ran.
Xu Zhi stood at the gate, touching the spot she'd kissed.
"Sheesh. Girls really are weak to a little money and a few sweet words."
He smiled softly. If he couldn't even grant his girlfriend this small wish, what kind of god would he be?
Getting a beta tester slot was simple enough. But a high-spec laptop was expensive. He still had 100,000 yuan saved up. After the purchase, he'd be down to 80,000.
"Money might be a problem," he murmured. "I don't mind spending it, but I'll have to figure out a way to earn more."
He wasn't too worried—he had options.
Usually, his dates with Chen Xi were nothing extravagant: just walks, shared laughter, quiet joy.
Soon, those walks would happen in a new world—a miniature paradise under his control. They'd hold hands while exploring strange biomes, watching bizarre creatures evolve, laughing at the players' antics.
It was a fantasy world.
With the lunchbox in hand and a lighter heart, Xu Zhi turned back. He'd done what he could for her.
Now, it was time to return to work.
On the other side of the gate, in the compound:
"What is this?!"
The players gawked.
"Genesis? Why's that word here? Is it a secret quest? Some hidden lore?"
Their eyes gleamed like treasure hunters who'd struck gold.
This wasn't just a sandbox game—it had lore. Real lore.
"Yes! We triggered a cutscene!"
Veterans of MMORPGs, the players instinctively recognized the signs. Games from both East and West had epic background stories, and this was no different.
"I thought it was just a spore evolution sim. But this? This is next-level."
The strange creatures buzzed with excitement, crowded around the massive notebook.
"Quick! Turn the page! This is the Book of Genesis! We have to read more!"
Under Akina's Speedster's command, the crowd scrambled to flip the page.
The Dark Age
Five thousand years of darkness descended. The sun vanished. The moon ruled the skies. Ninety-nine percent of marine life perished. Only one plant, the Blue Moongrass, survived by feeding on moonlight. It flourished in the oceans and reigned supreme.
"What the hell… Is this some kind of ancient era?"
"Stop talking! Start recording! Before the boss comes back!"
Panicked, the players fumbled to document the revelation. Their nerves were shot.
They turned the next page.
The Radiant Age
The moon fell. The sun rose. In the scorching light, Blue Moongrass died en masse. But one of its weaker offshoots, the Violet Herograss, adapted—and rose to dominance.
"What is going on? Are we reading the evolutionary history of this world?"
Next page.
The Revival Age
New life exploded into existence. Invertebrates ruled with their hard shells—until vertebrates emerged and overthrew them, beginning their long reign.
The players blinked. It was overwhelming.
This wasn't just lore—it was science, myth, and fantasy all at once.
Another page.
The Age of Genesis
The Bugape tribes appeared. They built cities, tamed the land, and expelled the beasts. But their cruelty angered the heavens. A great flood came—the third extinction. Ninety-nine percent of all life was erased.
Intelligent life? City-states? A divine punishment?
They couldn't process it fast enough. One more page—
The Age of Magic
Magicians emerged, guiding the world. Hermes, the God of Wisdom, descended. The Three Witches opened the path forward. In the year 198 of Babylon, miracles mourned their passing.
Their hands trembled.
It was no longer a game.
It was a world.
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Read advanced chapters: pat reon/Siuteo