SAG -Chapter 20 The First Thing He Spent Money On Was a Game

Zhang Ran walked through the dimly lit hallway, the air thick with a musty smell. Most of the apartments in this complex were rented by migrant workers who had come from other cities, so cleanliness wasn’t exactly a priority.

Trash could be seen scattered everywhere.

Zhang Ran didn’t comment on it, but Zhang Sicheng couldn’t help feeling embarrassed.

After working for so many years, he still didn’t own a home of his own. Even the place he rented was in such poor condition. Standing before his father, he couldn’t help but feel ashamed.

They entered the apartment.

It was about sixty to seventy square meters, with two bedrooms and a living room. The floor was still covered with old ceramic tiles, many of them cracked with age.

However, the place was spotless.

It was obvious that Liu Lu kept the apartment meticulously clean.

The television, sofa, and dining table were all crammed into the small living room, making it feel rather crowded.

Zhang Sicheng quickly tidied up the sofa.

“Please, have a seat. I’ll get you a glass of water.”

Although he still couldn’t bring himself to call Zhang Ran “Dad,” he no longer addressed him by name.

Zhang Ran nodded and sat down before casually asking, “What kind of work do you do now?”

In truth, Zhang Ran already knew. Everything was listed in the investigation report. He was simply trying to start a conversation.

“I develop mobile games. You know, games you can play on smartphones like the one you’re holding. Back then… it seems you had already predicted how this market would develop.”

As he poured the water, Zhang Sicheng continued speaking.

Ironically, his career in game development had begun because of Zhang Ran.

When he was little, he’d always envied other children who had computers and could play games.

But he had been an unusually sensible child and had never complained.

Yu Qingwan had noticed his longing. Children couldn’t hide their feelings very well.

So she often told him about Zhang Ran’s ideas regarding computers and video games.

She had once said:

“Your father believed that twenty years from now, people wouldn’t just play games on computers—they’d play games just as sophisticated on their phones.”

Those words had fascinated the young Zhang Sicheng.

After dropping out of school, he taught himself programming while working to support the family, eventually finding his way into the gaming industry.

Zhang Ran nodded.

“The direction of technological progress is actually quite predictable. Take modern society, for example. There’s really only one major bottleneck—energy.”

“If humanity solves the energy problem, technological development will accelerate dramatically.”

“Take controlled nuclear fusion. Scientists all over the world are researching it. If they succeed, and it can be miniaturized for household use…”

“You can imagine how quickly civilization will advance after that.”

“You even know about that?” Zhang Sicheng asked in surprise.

“We weren’t sitting around doing nothing during the past month and a half,” Zhang Ran replied after taking a sip of water.

“There were people teaching us about modern technology. Besides, once you understand the basics, the conclusions are fairly obvious.”

He then smiled.

“So, what kind of game are you developing? Can you let me try it?”

He genuinely wanted to build a relationship with his grown son.

To do that, they needed common interests.

Zhang Sicheng gave a bitter smile.

“It’s not exactly a successful game. It’s only been online for a month, and it’s already on the verge of shutting down.”

“That’s fine. Let me play it anyway.”

“It’s a mobile shooter called Battle Vanguard. Just search for it here.”

Zhang Sicheng wanted to get along with Zhang Ran as well, and games happened to be something he enjoyed talking about, so he gladly installed it and helped him register an account.

Zhang Ran actually knew how to do all of it himself, but he pretended not to.

Then he puffed out his chest.

“Taotao, Susu! Watch Grandpa wipe the floor with everyone!”

Taotao immediately cheered him on.

“Mm-hmm! Grandpa’s the strongest!”

By now, the little boy had been completely won over and had become Zhang Ran’s biggest fan.

Susu curled her lips in obvious skepticism.

Still…

She quietly leaned closer to watch.

The game resembled the old Counter-Strike from Zhang Ran’s previous life, though on a much smaller scale.

The maps were tiny.

Fifty players fought in a chaotic free-for-all, and encounters happened almost nonstop.

Still, it had its strengths.

The graphics looked excellent.

The gunplay felt satisfying.

The game also ran smoothly without noticeable lag.

The problem…

Was the equipment.

Zhang Ran emptied several bullets into another player.

Every shot landed.

The opponent barely seemed scratched.

Meanwhile…

The other player shot him once.

Instant death.

First match.

Zhang Ran survived two minutes.

Second match.

One minute.

Third match.

He lasted a little longer.

Five minutes.

…

“Grandpa! Hurry, shoot him! Someone’s coming!”

“Just watch Grandpa take him out!”

“Quick! Over there! Over there!”

“Ah! Grandpa died again!”

…

When Liu Lu and Zhang Siyan returned from grocery shopping, they heard Taotao and Zhang Ran shouting excitedly before they even reached the door.

The two women exchanged puzzled looks.

After opening the door, they found all four of them huddled around a phone.

Not only were Zhang Ran and Taotao yelling enthusiastically—

Even Susu was staring intently at the screen.

And Zhang Sicheng was just as absorbed.

“What… is going on?” Liu Lu asked, completely bewildered.

How had things changed so much in such a short time?

Seeing them return, Zhang Sicheng hurried over to help carry the groceries.

“What happened?” Liu Lu whispered.

Zhang Siyan also looked at her brother curiously.

“He asked what I did for a living. I told him I make games.”

“And… this happened.”

Liu Lu smiled.

“This is actually a good thing.”

She didn’t interrupt them and simply headed into the kitchen to start cooking, while Zhang Siyan followed to help.

“Hahaha! Did you see that? Grandpa’s amazing!”

Zhang Ran had just scored a headshot and burst into triumphant laughter.

“Grandpa is awes—”

Taotao hadn’t even finished praising him before Zhang Ran was instantly killed with a single shot.

Zhang Ran immediately noticed the look in Susu’s eyes.

It wasn’t admiration.

It was… disdain.

His pride took a direct hit.

No way.

I can’t let my granddaughter look down on me.

No matter what, Grandpa has to look impressive in front of his grandchildren.

So…

He made an immediate decision.

Spend money.

After playing for a while, Zhang Ran had already figured out what kind of game this really was.

It looked like a competitive shooter.

But in reality…

It was a pay-to-win game.

The difference between ordinary equipment and premium gear was enough to make anyone vomit blood in frustration.

While the two children weren’t paying attention, Zhang Ran quietly linked his bank card.

Then…

He bought every top-tier piece of equipment in the shop.

Now…

It was time for Zhang Ran to unleash his true power.

To be fair, pay-to-win games had their own unique charm.

At the very least…

Zhang Ran was having an absolute blast now.

“Wow! Grandpa is amazing!”

“Grandpa won again!”

Looking at the admiration shining in both children’s eyes, Zhang Ran couldn’t have been happier.

To him…

That money had been well spent.