"But the price is so expensive..."
Seeing the price of internet access on the screen, Chtholly felt a twinge of pain. The entire Fairy Warehouse's funds would only be enough for her to go online for a day.
In response, Liu Yuan smiled. As long as there was a desire to access the internet, money was not a problem.
"Money is just a means of exchange. Your lifespan, your magic power, everything you have can be exchanged."
"Everything?"
"Yes. How much is my lifespan worth?"
"Lovely young lady, your lifespan is a full 60 years. One day of lifespan is equivalent to 10 dollars. Your lifespan is only used as collateral, and you can redeem it later when you have the money."
Hearing the number of years she had, a smile appeared on Chtholly's face, but then her expression darkened.
"If I say I only have ten days of lifespan left..."
Liu Yuan shook his head. "I don't know how you calculated it, but you still have at least sixty years to live. If you don't have any money, you can use your lifespan as collateral to go online first."
"Sixty years? Can I mortgage the remaining fifty years?"
An ordinary person would never do that, but Chtholly had no choice. She was a Leprechaun Fairy, and her world had monsters called 'beasts.' As an adult Leprechaun Fairy, she had to fight these beasts. Older Leprechaun Fairies often sacrificed themselves to save the floating island, and she was scheduled to fight in ten days. She didn't know if this battle would require her to sacrifice herself, nor if she would have a chance to meet the man who gave her the hat again.
She longed for love, but as a Leprechaun Fairy, she saw very little hope for it in the future.
Liu Yuan's words had sparked her desire. Spending some of her lifespan, which she probably wouldn't use, to experience a beautiful love story was her only wish.
"Of course, there's no problem. I'll ask if you want to redeem your lifespan when you have only one day left."
Liu Yuan smiled broadly. As an internet cafe owner, he had to exploit human nature, enticing her preferences and making her a bit addicted to the cafe so she would spend money every day. Liu Yuan also had a bold idea: to develop Chtholly's big spending habits.
As for the money? He wasn't worried. If she couldn't pay it back, he would take the collateral of her life.
"Would you like to experience a beautiful love through playing games or watching TV series? I recommend 'Legend of the Sword and Fairy I.' The innocent and heartwarming love story of Li Xiaoyao and Zhao Ling'er will surely fulfill your needs."
"What's the difference?" Chtholly inquired nervously. The luxurious chairs alone gave her an expensive feeling, making her hesitant to sit down.
"In a game, you play as a character and experience the love story by constantly fighting. In the TV series, you watch their love experience from different characters' perspectives. It all depends on your preference."
"What do you recommend?"
"Personally, I play the game first, then watch the TV series. Knowing the details in the game helps better understanding of the TV series."
Chtholly focused on the colorful icons on the computer. Hearing Liu Yuan's recommendation, she opened the game.
Despite the high price, she purchased it without hesitation. Lifespan was important for the average person, but for Chtholly, it was dispensable.
Leprechaun Fairies didn't live more than twenty years. Sixty? That was unimaginable.
If she wouldn't live that long, she might as well use it.
"How do I use it?" she asked.
"Put on these glasses, and the system will prompt you on how to proceed. Once you enter, don't panic and enjoy yourself."
After teaching Chtholly to use the glasses, Liu Yuan returned to the front desk.
As he did, Kisara whispered, "Boss, do you have a feeling?"
"What?"
"You're more of a demon than I am."
"You said that when Riku came in."
Kisara shook her head. "But I still feel it. Is the new game and TV show really good?"
"Yes, both are excellent," Liu Yuan replied, then asked the system, "The plot hasn't changed, right?"
System: "The system produces fine products. Not a single character's fate is altered. At the same time, the system recommends that the boss buy the 'Small Fish and Flowerless' TV series version. Not a single character's fate is altered."
Liu Yuan couldn't help but comment, "System, is this the 'Jade Emperor's Double Pride' version or the 'Chinese Paladin' version?"
"The host already knows."
The one who should live didn't die? It had to be the 'Chinese Paladin.' This TV series would be popular in the future, but until then, a bit more wholesome love TV series or dramas were needed as a prelude. When the time was right, Liu Yuan could introduce it and secretly sell blades, guaranteed to make a lot of money.
Hearing Liu Yuan's reply, Kisara became excited. The old games were either long-term projects or couldn't be rushed. A new game would be a good change of pace.
"Let's play!"
The plot of "Legend of the Sword and Fairy" wasn't long. According to Liu Yuan, fighting through it and skipping the plot should take about ten hours. Even the real experience version took a similar amount of time.
However, this referred to real-time. Like the Red Alert Realism mode, time in the game was stretched. What felt like days in the game might be just a few minutes in reality. This system allowed players to better experience the plot.
While Liu Yuan and Kisara chatted, Chtholly also started the "Legend of the Sword and Fairy I" TV series. The plot wasn't significantly different from the Game version.
But in all seriousness, Liu Yuan's main interest wasn't experiencing the perspective of Li Xiaoyao but defeating the final boss and talking about science with the Moon Worshipping Sect to stop them from causing chaos.
A water demon beast and Demon Locking Tower, these were obstacles Liu Yuan wanted to eliminate. Although achieving true freedom in a game was challenging, it was enough.
Achieving a happy ending for all was desirable, but for now, business came first. These plans would have to wait until after the store closed.
Meanwhile, Chtholly also opened "Legend of Sword and Fairy I" in the Realism mode. Following the system's explanation, she realized only the Realism version could convey the true essence of love.
"I choose the Realism Mode!"
Chtholly's attitude was resolute. She came here to understand love, and just watching virtual love felt meaningless.
After selecting the difficulty, Chtholly made a series of choices. The system emphasized that dying in the game would result in deletion, with all character memories erased, and everything starting from scratch.
Chtholly didn't mind. Reality was the same wen someone dies, there's no chance to start over. Changing the game made it feel real.