Chapter 29

Previously, I lost my old high-V account, and the new one can't post comments yet! So I have a software-related issue I want to ask those who are knowledgeable: In the early days, specifically at the end of the 1990s, was it technically possible to transition directly from a "card reader + IC card" system to a fourth-generation "centralized operation" management system (cloud computing)?

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By evening, the seats that were already full were now surrounded by customers waiting to use the computers. Most were students from nearby, a significant portion were young white-collar workers, and a small number were non-mainstream youths with colorful hair. Many who were new to computer games stood behind others, watching with great excitement as if they were the ones playing, their expressions even more animated than those of the players.

Song Chen smiled knowingly as he observed. At that moment, a pair of beautiful sisters walked from the far end of the alley, followed by a tall, handsome man. Song Chen looked up and was surprised to see Zhang Ruoxi, Zhao Lin, and Ji Chang.

Seeing Song Chen come out of the shop, Zhang Ruoxi blushed, recalling the wild scenes from last night and this morning. Her heart was sweet, and she let go of Zhao Lin's arm to greet him, "Ah Chen!"

Song Chen naturally wrapped his arm around Zhang Ruoxi's slender waist, feeling her soft and supple body cling to him. He was very content and smiled at Zhao Lin and Ji Chang, "Oh, Master Ji and Princess Lin, your visit truly honors my humble shop! But how did you find this place?"

"Ruoxi told me it's in San Kou Alley. Since we had nothing better to do, we decided to come and take a look!" Ji Chang glanced at the crowded computer room, then smiled and said, "You look so relaxed; your business must be booming! Congratulations on your success!"

Zhao Lin walked in curiously, asking, "What kind of games? Let me see!" Although Ji Chang had also played computer games, he was intrigued by the enthusiastic atmosphere and followed Zhao Lin inside.

Song Chen held Zhang Ruoxi and whispered in her ear, "Does it still hurt?"

Zhang Ruoxi gave Song Chen a seductive glance, her tone unfriendly, "What do you think!"

Song Chen clicked his tongue, feeling disappointed, "No? I was hoping you could stay at my place tonight!"

Zhang Ruoxi's delicate face and ears flushed red as she looked at Song Chen with a pout, "Last night was my first time, and you didn't show any mercy! I won't let you take advantage of me!"

Song Chen chuckled and teased her, "That's how I show my care! Ruoxi, stay at my place tonight!"

"Hmph! I won't talk to you!" Zhang Ruoxi gave Song Chen a flirtatious glance and buried her head in his chest, "I'm going home tonight! I need to rest for a few days!"

As if remembering something, Zhang Ruoxi's face turned even redder as she pinched Song Chen's waist and scolded, "And, wash the sheets from your place and bring them to me. You have to wash them yourself; don't let your mom do it, got it?"

Thinking of the messy bed sheets from this morning, stained with the shocking blood of "peach blossoms," Song Chen smiled proudly and tightened his grip on Zhang Ruoxi's arm, "Got it, Queen!"

On the other side, Zhao Lin and Ji Chang watched for a few minutes behind someone's seat and then returned to the front desk. Zhao Lin sat in Song Chen's seat and smiled at him, "It looks interesting! Everyone is so enthusiastic, it's really fun!"

Ji Chang nodded, "No wonder your business is so good!"

"The first couple of days are always good, but it's too early to say!" Song Chen humbly replied, then asked Ji Chang, "You weren't there that day. Did you contribute to the investment with them?"

Ji Chang shrugged and smiled, "I put in 200,000, just to join in the fun!"

200,000 for fun... Song Chen smiled bitterly, thinking how different the starting point of the rich was from that of ordinary people.

"Internet cafes and computer rooms are a bit different, hehe!" Song Chen humbly waved his hand.

At that moment, Zhao Lin, who had taken over Song Chen's boss chair, saw a black Toyota and a silver Volkswagen slowly stop in front of the shop. She smiled, "Song Chen, you really have a lot of support!"

Song Chen and Zhang Ruoxi turned around and saw Yang De, Liu Jun, Ye Lin, Cui Yao, and Chen Daohui get out of Yang De's Toyota, while Zhai Yue, Jiang Yan, Wang Xiaoxue, and Shi Tao got out of the silver Volkswagen. Wang Xiaoxue, wearing a red neck scarf, was dressed in a tight sweater and a short skirt that barely covered her curvaceous figure. She locked her car with a key, took off her sunglasses, and looked around the quiet alley and the bustling computer room, smiling at Song Chen, "Your shop is easy to find! The name of your sign is quite interesting!"

The last time, perhaps due to oversight by Zhao Lin and Yang De, many people didn't introduce themselves to Song Chen, so he didn't know her name. Fortunately, Zhang Ruoxi, thinking Song Chen hadn't met Wang Xiaoxue, whispered her name in his ear.

Song Chen smiled bitterly, "I thought I was being low-key!"

Liu Jun and the others patted Song Chen's shoulder, said, "Congratulations on your success!" and ran into the shop to observe.

The sight of so many handsome men and beautiful women getting out of luxury cars naturally attracted a lot of attention, even from those playing computers, who couldn't help but turn around for a second look.

Yang De, dressed in a suit, walked over, holding a case of Budweiser beer and a case of drinks, and said to Song Chen, "I was planning to invite you to a bar tonight, but since your shop just opened, and we had nothing better to do, I brought everyone here to celebrate and to discuss something with you!"

Song Chen nodded. At that moment, Qiu Lin and a few classmates were laughing and chatting as they approached from the street corner. One of the girls, with a calm expression and melancholic eyes, was particularly beautiful, and Song Chen couldn't help but look at her for a moment. He then called out to Qiu Lin, "Qiu Lin!"

What the hell! This doesn't look like a broke college student who mortgaged his property to start a business! In the 1990s, cars were a true luxury for ordinary people. Seeing the two cars and the group led by Yang De, Qiu Lin became suspicious and respectful of Song Chen's background. He muttered to himself and ran to Song Chen.

"I have something to discuss with my friends. Can you help me watch the shop?" Song Chen smiled and patted Qiu Lin's shoulder, "I'll be upstairs; call me if you need anything!"

"Sure! No problem!" Qiu Lin smiled, but his eyes kept glancing at the handsome men and beautiful women around Song Chen, wondering who his boss really was.

Song Chen nodded at Yang De and gestured toward the computer room, smiling, "Let's go inside and talk!" He then led Zhang Ruoxi and the dozen or so guests upstairs.

Since the Chen family had just moved out, the room didn't have a musty smell, just a bit stuffy. Opening the windows improved the air quality. In the main bedroom on the second floor, there were no extra chairs, so the women sat on the wooden bed without a mattress, tightly closing their legs under their short skirts. The men each took a can of beer, leaning against the wardrobe, the bed, or standing...

Yang De smiled, "Wow! I didn't expect a college freshman to have such sharp insight, seeing the potential of computer rooms to make money and mortgaging your and your mother's only home to start a business! In terms of courage and vision, we can't match you!"