Chapter 7: What’s wrong with you, man? You’re so excited to play Snake?
After the four introduced themselves, they quickly started chatting.
“Oh, my grades are not good,” Yu Jun said helplessly. “Anyway, there’s no hope for the college entrance examination, so I thought of joining the army to see if I can make a name for myself there.”
Yu Jun explained why he became a soldier. He Dong, a chubby guy sitting next to him, was lively and had just removed his MP3 headphones to join the conversation.
“Don’t mention it. After finishing junior high, my grades were terrible. My parents sent me to a vocational school, but I didn’t achieve much in three years. I was good at playing games, though. Being at home playing games for too long, I gained a lot of weight,” He Dong shared.
“My parents thought, ‘This won’t do. If he stays at home and gets fatter, he won’t find a girl.’ So, they discussed it and sent me to the military camp,” he added.
Hearing their stories, Chen Ming couldn’t help but think, “Four people, none of them excel in studies.”
“Chen Ming, you didn’t look well earlier. Are you feeling unwell?” Yu Jun asked with concern.
Chen Ming smiled wryly, “Without games to play, my hands are itching.”
“I play games, too. My parents sent me to the military camp to cure my internet addiction,” he added.
“You play games, too?” He Dong was excited. “I play all kinds—racing, time travel, and DNF.”
He Dong slapped his thigh hard, and Chen Ming winced just watching. Excitedly, He Dong shared, “I’m good at these games. I rank high in all of them.”
Unfortunately, joining the army meant he couldn’t play games.
Hearing the game talk, He Xue said, “I love playing online games. When I worked, the best thing was having a half-day off on Sundays. I used to play Legends and later got into QQ Dance. I’ve also played QQ Flying Car.”
Seeing everyone enthusiastic about games, Yu Jun joined the conversation, “I also love playing games. I played Super Mario and Tank Wars on a Little Bully console when I was younger. I often played single-player games in high school at my cousin’s house. No internet, but games like Violent Motorcycle and Blood Battle Mordor Beach kept me playing all night.”
As they chatted about games, the atmosphere became lively.
Chen Ming raised his eyebrows, wryly smiling. These three were indeed internet-addicted youths.
Listening to them, Chen Ming’s eyes lit up. He thought about handheld game consoles and button phones in 2008. If he could get one to play small games, he could complete the system sign-in.
So, he asked, “Do you have a phone or handheld game console? Talking with you got me craving a game!”
The three of them looked at each other with troubled faces.
Yu Jun said, “My family didn’t buy me a mobile phone.”
He Dong spread his hands: “I just bought an MP3 player, but I lost my phone at home.”
Chen Ming was thoroughly disappointed. Once you enter the army, there is nothing you can do.
Seeing Chen Ming’s disappointed expression, He Xue thought for a while and took out a Nokia N85.
“I brought my mobile phone, but there are only small games, such as Snake and Sokoban, which are nothing interesting.”
The three exchanged glances, all wearing shocked expressions.
He’s so addicted. Can he even play a basic game like Snake?
Regardless of their expressions, Chen Ming eagerly accepted the Nokia N85. “I also like to play small games. Lend me half an hour to play.”
The others were dumbfounded.
Can he really enjoy playing such an old-fashioned game as Snake?
Chen Ming, undeterred, quickly started playing the game, his eyes fixed on the screen. The snake grew longer, occupying the entire phone screen.
He Dong and the others were shocked.
This guy is so addicted. He’s enjoying playing Snake!
Time passed, and soon, half an hour was up. Chen Ming controlled the snake to bite itself, ending the game. The crisp voice sounded again in his mind, congratulating him on completing the sign-in and rewarding +50% physical fitness.
Chen Ming felt a surge of energy flowing into his body. Excited, he was about to test his improved physical fitness when a powerful arm snatched the phone. The black-faced sergeant, with incredible speed and strength, held the phone and glanced at the Snake game. His already dark face turned even gloomier.
“What’s your name!”