The soft hum of the car's engine accompanied the silence as Yi Chang settled into the passenger seat. Liang Huiyuan had offered him a ride home, and while Yi Chang usually preferred solitude, he accepted this time. He sensed there was something more to Liang's recent interest in him.
As they drove through the illuminated streets, neither spoke for a while. The quiet between them felt charged, and Yi Chang, ever perceptive, knew the moment for conversation would come soon. He glanced at Liang, who seemed deep in thought, occasionally casting curious glances his way.
Finally, Yi Chang broke the silence.
"Liang Huiyuan, I've been wondering," he said calmly. "Why exactly are you so interested in me? You and I both know that you're aware of my background and the sale of my shares. Yet, you still chose to approach me."
Liang Huiyuan kept his eyes on the road, but a small smile crept onto his face, one that betrayed his intrigue. He nodded, as if acknowledging that Yi Chang's question had been inevitable.
"You're right," Liang Huiyuan admitted, his tone thoughtful. "I know about your family, about your inheritance, and most importantly, about how you sold your shares in Néngyuán Games for a mere five million. Honestly, that's why I'm intrigued by you."
Yi Chang's gaze sharpened slightly, but he remained silent, allowing Liang to continue.
"Do you realize how absurd that sounds?" Liang asked, glancing at Yi Chang for a reaction. "Five million, for shares in a company like Néngyuán Games, which is about to skyrocket with its new VR game. Most people would have clung to those shares like their life depended on it. But you sold them off without hesitation. That's not something most people do, and it's certainly not something I'd expect from someone in your position."
Yi Chang remained composed, his expression unreadable. "So you're curious because I sold something valuable?"
"Not just valuable," Liang clarified, his voice growing more animated. "Your family wealth, your inheritance—it's all tied up in that company, and you sold it for what could be considered a fraction of its future worth. It's not about the money; it's about the decision. Why would someone like you, born into such, with a stake in a game-changing company, throw it all away? Either you don't know what you're doing, or there's something I'm missing. And from what I've seen, you're not someone who makes foolish decisions."
Yi Chang let out a soft chuckle, a sound that only deepened Liang's curiosity. "You think I'm foolish because I sold my shares?"
Liang shook his head quickly. "No, that's the thing. You don't seem like an idiot, which is what's so confusing. Most people would call it madness, but I don't think you're crazy. I think you know exactly what you're doing. I just can't figure out what it is yet."
Yi Chang leaned back in his seat, his mind already processing the puzzle pieces Liang Huiyuan was unintentionally providing. He had always suspected that his uncle, Yi Fan, was too eager to buy out his shares for a reason, and now it was becoming clearer. The new VR project Néngyuán Games was working on was likely much more significant than he had realized. But instead of feeling regret or frustration, Yi Chang felt a quiet satisfaction. He had already moved beyond the material concerns of the world, and severing ties with the company was a necessary step on his path. If anything, this revelation only reinforced that he had made the right choice.
"Let me ask you something," Yi Chang said, his voice calm yet probing. "Why does it matter to you? Why are you so invested in understanding my decisions?"
Liang paused for a moment, his expression turning serious. "Because you're not like anyone I've met before. Most people would never even consider doing what you did. Selling off a company that's on the verge of a huge breakthrough, selling out inheritance—it doesn't make sense. But you did it, and it wasn't for a life-changing amount of money either. Five million is a lot for most people, it's nothing compared to the potential of those shares. I want to understand because… you don't seem like you care about any of this."
Yi Chang looked out the window, watching the city lights blur past. "Maybe I don't," he said.
Liang's curiosity deepened. "But why? Why would you just walk away?"
Yi Chang sighed, finally turning to face Liang. "There's more to life than wealth, influence, or the latest technological trend. Selling those shares wasn't about the money—it was about freeing myself from the constraints of the old. I don't need to cling to something just because it's valuable. For me, letting go was necessary." he said, more to himself than to Liang Huiyuan.
Liang stared at him, clearly trying to process Yi Chang's words. "So you sold everything… to be free?"
"That's one way of putting it," Yi Chang replied with a faint smile. "Some things are worth more than money or influence. People can spend their whole lives chasing wealth, but in the end, what does it amount to?"
Liang remained silent, contemplating Yi Chang's perspective. For someone like him, born into a world where wealth and power defined everything, Yi Chang's attitude was baffling—and yet strangely admirable.
"Still," Liang Huiyuan began, his voice softer now, "I can't help but feel that there's more to this than just wanting to be 'free.' You're not like most people, Yi Chang."
Yi Chang chuckled lightly. "Maybe one day you will."
As they continued driving, the conversation shifted to a lighter topic. Yi Chang asked about the public's attitude toward games, particularly the VR project that seemed to be causing such a stir.
Liang's face lit up as he launched into a passionate explanation. "VR games are the future, no doubt about it. The level of immersion is something that's never been seen before. It's not just about playing a game; it's about living in a completely different reality. People are losing themselves in these worlds, man. The youth especially—they're captivated by it, even I am. And Néngyuán Games is at the forefront of this movement. Their new game is going to set the standard for the industry. It's not just entertainment anymore. VR is becoming a way of life."
Yi Chang listened carefully, taking in the information. He could see why the VR trend was so alluring to people. The desire to escape into another world, to live out fantasies, was a powerful motivator. But for him, these digital worlds were just another form of illusion.
Liang nodded eagerly. "It's not just a game; it's a revolution. The way people interact with the world is changing, and VR is leading the charge. You should have held onto those shares, man. Néngyuán is going to be huge."
Yi Chang simply smiled. "Maybe. But my path doesn't lie there."
The world of VR games, with its promise of immersion and reality-bending experiences, intrigued him more than he'd care to admit, especialy its similarity to the cultivation world. While he had dismissed such pursuits as frivolous distractions, there was something different about this trend that piqued his interest. It wasn't just a game—there was a potential here, something that resonated with his growing understanding of this world.
As the car pulled up to his stop, Yi Chang stepped out, giving Liang a parting glance. "Thanks for the ride, Liang Huiyuan. You're right about one thing—my game is different."