Chapter 0243 Virtual Life

Life is no longer than a firework falling at the corner of the eye; the world is no bigger than the smile in our gaze.

Farewell is a heavy topic, so Wang Zhen and Dong Chenxi were reluctant to part, lingering and unwilling to separate. It wasn't until the next day, when Wang Zhen returned to the dormitory, that his mood remained low.

Zhao Fusheng and the others dared not provoke him and could only keep comforting him, saying that Dong Chenxi wasn't leaving forever—she was just going to work in Binzhou.

Life is a series of letting go, but what hurts is that often we don't have time to say a proper goodbye.

After soothing Wang Zhen for a while, Zhao Fusheng sat on his bed, shaking his head with a bitter smile.

Everyone craves love and family, but time is a sealed letter. Perhaps we are always used to not cherishing it, yet fortunately, when we least expect it, surprises come.

Only those who have experienced the taste of loss know the preciousness of being alive in this world.

That's why Zhao Fusheng understood so clearly the beauty of this world: the trees full of blossoms on sunny days, the silver-clad world when snow falls, the breeze passing through our fingers, sunlight streaming through the glass window onto our faces, the shadows of trees, the people who should have disappeared from memory, the times he had almost forgotten.

"Old Zhao, tell me, can this website of ours succeed?"

Wang Zhen's voice sounded above Zhao Fusheng's head. Clearly, the guy couldn't sleep at all.

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "Believe it or not, you might soon earn the first fifty thousand in your life."

"Nonsense!" Wang Zhen obviously didn't believe Zhao Fusheng's words and scoffed: "If I can get fifty thousand with forty percent, then with sixty percent you'd get over seventy thousand?"

Zhao Fusheng heard this and smiled silently: "Maybe more than that."

No one knew better than him how crazy the internet bubble had become. Even though this virtual community seemed crude in his eyes, with the support of the wo123 navigation page, Zhao Fusheng was sure this website would become a hit.

The energy contained within it was absolutely beyond everyone's imagination.

"Alright, you two, stop dreaming." At that moment, Wen Yu, who was playing games, looked up and said irritably: "The website isn't even set up yet, and you're already thinking about how much money you'll make. I think you two are crazy."

"Exactly. Old Zhao, you're really bold to invest everything." Tan Kaixuan curled his lips: "If you ask me, you'd be better off listening to me and buying a few stocks. In less than six months, I guarantee they'll double."

This guy had been studying stock news in the newspapers lately, acting like a stock guru.

Zhao Fusheng couldn't be bothered with these two idiots. They knew nothing about the internet. In their eyes, the biggest use of a computer was playing games and watching movies—and the movies had to be from Japan.

To that, Zhao Fusheng could only say that when he had enough money on his phone, or if the opportunity arose, he would definitely take them both to Japan to meet some teachers in person.

He originally said it to mock Tan Kaixuan and Wen Yu, but after hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, these two bastards actually shamelessly said that if that day came, they wouldn't miss the good opportunity Zhao Fusheng provided.

To that, Zhao Fusheng could only say that if a person is shameless enough, they can really conquer the world.

"Take a rest. Start working on it tomorrow, and try to get it done within a week." Zhao Fusheng calculated the time and said to Wang Zhen.

Wang Zhen nodded: "Don't worry, I've basically prepared everything. I already applied for the domain name earlier."

He was really serious about this and had made preparations early on.

Zhao Fusheng nodded, glanced at Wen Yu and Tan Kaixuan: "These two guys spend all day in the dorm either playing games or watching videos. They're free anyway. If you have anything to do, get them to help. You can even pay them a salary."

"Damn, really? We get paid?" Wen Yu immediately looked up and blurted out.

Tan Kaixuan was also surprised: "That's great. How much?"

"Three to five hundred at most. No more than that. They're just two laborers." Zhao Fusheng said irritably.

"Hey, hey, hey, heartless capitalist! Asking us to help and only paying that much for a website that cost two hundred thousand!" Given their relationship, of course they knew how much Zhao Fusheng and Wang Zhen had invested. Tan Kaixuan immediately started shouting.

Zhao Fusheng glared at him: "The two hundred thousand all has to go to the website. Just three hundred. Take it or leave it. Be on call, got it?"

In 1999, a salary of three hundred was already a lot. Neither Tan Kaixuan nor Wen Yu cared much about the amount; they just liked the feeling.

After all, given their friendship, even if no money was offered, they would still help out without hesitation.

But Zhao Fusheng wouldn't do that. In his view, friends are friends, but things should still be kept clear.

…

…

When people are truly focused on doing something, they often unleash tremendous energy.

Whether it's a good thing or a bad thing, it's generally the same.

When robbers commit a robbery, they also carefully plan the route and target, thinking through in detail how to strike, how to retreat, and how to launder the money and dispose of the stolen goods after retreating. Those who rush into a bank to rob it without knowing anything can only be called stupid thieves with brain damage.

The same goes for good people. Zhao Fusheng and the others had never seen Wang Zhen work so seriously. He even scheduled every day's tasks down to the minute, starting his entrepreneurial journey like a precise machine.

Purchasing equipment, setting up servers, applying for domain names—a whole series of things—Zhao Fusheng didn't need to intervene at all. He only had to stand there silently, watching Wang Zhen build the website brick by brick.

It is said that knowledge has its order, and expertise has its specialization.

Only then did Zhao Fusheng realize that perhaps this guy Wang Zhen was really a tech geek who had been overlooked.

Barring any accidents, it can officially launch tomorrow.

Having prepared everything, Wang Zhen said to Zhao Fusheng.

At this time, less than half a month had passed since Zhao Fusheng returned from Haidong to Ninghai.

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "You've been working hard lately. Let's go out for dinner tonight and have a good celebration."

Most of the work was done by Wang Zhen alone. Zhao Fusheng's thought was simple: he had to let the guy rest properly; overwork was not a good thing.

Wang Zhen shook his head: "I still need to debug the server a bit more."

"Enough, enough, stop now." Zhao Fusheng grabbed him: "How about this: later you go to the Computing Institute and hire two people to handle the daily maintenance of the website. After all, you can't keep watching it alone forever."

Wang Zhen frowned: "Aren't there Wen Yu and Old Tan?"

"What else can those two do besides watching movies and playing games on the computer?" Zhao Fusheng said irritably.

He knew their level all too well. Forget about having them maintain the server—even if you asked them to test the website's performance, those two would mess up a perfectly good thing.

"Who says that? We also listen to music," Wen Yu said, displeased upon hearing this. "Why do you look down on us so much?"

"Right, I'm telling you, I recently found a chat software that's really interesting. Later I'll download it onto the computer, and you'll see—there are even people from Shanghai on it."

Tan Kaixuan said to the others with a grin, looking quite pleased with himself.

"QICQ?" Zhao Fusheng was startled and blurted out.

"How did you know?" Tan Kaixuan was a bit surprised, then nodded: "That's the software. Chatting on it is really fun, lots of girls on there, from all over the country."

Then he chuckled: "I have a feeling the spring of my life is about to arrive."

"Really? Come on, introduce a few to me." Wen Yu said with a curious look.

Zhao Fusheng gave him a disdainful look: "I won't say anything about Old Tan being a single guy acting all horny, but aren't you and that Han Meimei getting along hot and heavy? Want me to tell her?"

"There's nothing between me and Han Meimei..." Wen Yu smiled bitterly, looking helpless: "She always drags me to study, and I'm afraid she'll get into trouble, so I have to go along."

"Heh, believe it or not, I believe it." Zhao Fusheng gave Wen Yu a contemptuous look for him to ponder, then turned and walked out.

"See, this guy is always like this." Wen Yu pointed at Zhao Fusheng's back, looking helpless: "Acting like he doesn't trust anyone, so annoying!"

"Yeah, yeah, we believe you, okay?" Wang Zhen waved his hand: "Do you guys have anything else? If not, let's head back."

Since Dong Chenxi went to work in Binzhou, the rented house here had few visitors besides them.

Originally Wang Zhen wanted to return the house, but later Zhao Fusheng considered that setting up the server in the dorm would be even more inconvenient, so it was better to keep this place.

Usually, anyone who wanted to come could come, and the neighborhood had good security, with few intruders.

"Let's go back. We'll come back after dinner." Tan Kaixuan knew what was important; Wang Zhen had been under a lot of pressure lately and was exhausted, so he listened to him.

Wen Yu's expression was quite conflicted now; after all this, no one wanted to hear his explanation.

"Alright, just keep your thing with Han Meimei clear in your own mind, don't end up like me and Hu Xia..." Seeing Wen Yu struggling there, Tan Kaixuan sighed, walked over, patted his shoulder, and said in a low voice.

Wen Yu was stunned; when he looked up, Tan Kaixuan was already walking out.

Sometimes, it's not that those who say nothing have no sorrow in their hearts; it's just that they might be very good at hiding it, making themselves appear not so sad.