Chapter Sixty-Four: Preparations Complete

"Alright, I’ll organize some cultivation methods later and hand them to you for unified management." Bai did not disappoint Lan Tian and gave him an answer that filled him with joy.

"Great. Since we have nothing pressing at the moment, should we further optimize the virtual network?" Lan Tian smiled. After all, a so-called virtual network couldn’t just host one game; he wanted to add more features. He intended for the virtual network, upon release, to immediately captivate everyone’s attention, turning all into staunch users.

Ideally, everyone on the planet would become a user of the virtual network—only then could he better carry out his next plan.

"This is trivial, but let me remind you: it’s best if you wrap up previous matters and prepare for what’s coming. You know that once the virtual network is launched, all the major nations won’t sit idly by—they could turn into your enemies," Bai shrugged, offering his warning.

"I know. My idea is, maybe you could make a move first, to intimidate them?" Lan Tian nodded. His thinking was simple: the power of the virtual network was undeniable, but so far, everyone could only guess at its effects. Once it was officially launched and its capabilities fully understood, it would surely draw covetous eyes. Many would try to take advantage, including, no doubt, his own country—and perhaps his own country would be the first to make trouble.

For example, the Bureau of Industry and Commerce, the Tax Bureau, and so on. If no measures were taken, the virtual network company would inevitably face countless difficulties, that much was certain.

Especially the established communications giants—they would surely unite against him, refusing to watch his enterprise grow unchecked.

"What do you want me to do?" Bai asked.

"Let me think," Lan Tian bowed his head in contemplation. After a long pause, he looked up and said, "Forget it, don’t do anything for now. Things are calm; let’s launch as planned, follow proper procedures. As for those petty officials, perhaps Wang Ling’s father can drop a word. When things get serious, you can step in."

"Doesn’t matter. If you ask me, I’d just take control of every nuclear missile on the planet—anyone who resists gets blasted, why complicate things?" Bai shrugged. In his view, these were mere trifles; not just individual countries, even the whole planet was nothing more than a speck, hardly worth the effort. Just solve things with brute force.

Earth—heh—not even worth fifty cosmic coins!

Last night, Lan Tian had asked Fan Ming to arrange for his parents to be brought over today. He hadn’t expected Fan Ming’s efficiency to be so extraordinary. By the time Lan Tian arrived at the company in the morning, his parents were already in his office, having sat there for half the day. Secretary Miki was beside them, chatting and recounting Lan Tian’s legendary feats.

"Little Qi, are you really talking about Lan Tian? My son? It’s hard to believe!" Lan Hua was dumbfounded. Stock market battles, grand entrances at board meetings, epoch-making products that changed the world—each tale sounded like something out of a TV drama. He simply couldn’t connect the protagonist of these stories with his own son.

"Dad, don’t you have any faith in your son?" Lan Tian laughed as he pushed open the door. With his enhanced hearing, he’d caught the conversation from the moment he stepped out of the elevator.

"You rascal, I haven’t settled accounts with you yet! You’ve got wings now, never tell the family anything!" Lan Hua’s eyes showed affection as he saw Lan Tian, but he immediately reprimanded him.

"Alright, enough. Don’t scold the child; isn’t he making you proud? I haven’t stopped answering calls all morning, you’ve been grinning ear to ear. Now that your son’s here you suddenly want to act tough?" Lan Tian’s mother, Zhou Ru, couldn’t stand her husband berating their son and fired right back.

"Haha, Mom, Dad, no need to argue. I won’t have much free time lately, so why don’t Miki show you around Ning City?" Lan Tian smiled, then turned to Miki, "Miki, you have a week’s leave. Your task is to take my parents all over Ning City; all expenses can be reimbursed at the finance office. Any questions?"

"No problem, Mr. Lan. Your parents are very kind, I’ll make sure to complete the task!" Miki smiled, and perhaps because she was in good spirits, she even gave a mock salute, making Lan Tian chuckle.

With his parents settled, Lan Tian felt a weight lifted from his mind and could now devote himself wholeheartedly to the launch of the virtual network.

Everything proceeded in an orderly fashion: the official website began taking reservations, the factories for helmets and consciousness sensors were confirmed, and due to overwhelming demand, several more temporary factories were set up across the country, all working overtime. Barring unforeseen events, the virtual network would be launched within ten days.

The announcement sent shockwaves across the internet; netizens were beside themselves with excitement. In every conversation, the topic quickly shifted to the virtual network. Ning City’s residents were particularly obsessed; if you didn’t talk about the virtual network company or the new richest man, Lan Tian, you were embarrassed to call yourself a local.

In the hospital, Lan Tian sat beside Wang Ling’s bed, peeling an apple for her while monitoring the reservation data on the official website.

"My goodness! Eighteen hundred million orders! Are they insane? How many people are there in our country? Even foreigners, who used to look down on our products, are clamoring for our virtual network!" Wang Ling stared at the numbers on the website, her cute mouth agape, disbelief written all over her face.

After this period of recuperation, she was almost fully recovered—about a week more and she'd be discharged.

"Of course! Take a look at this black technology!" With only Lan Tian and Wang Ling in the ward, Bai had no qualms about appearing, manifesting as a fist-sized miniature projection and boasting, "Eighteen hundred million is just because people are cautious. Once the wonder of the virtual network is confirmed, I guarantee it’ll be on almost every person on Earth!"

"Rich guy, let’s be friends!" Wang Ling’s big eyes sparkled as she looked at Lan Tian, playfully coquettish.

"Friends? I don’t need friends like you!" Lan Tian feigned disdain, then switched to a grin, "You can only be my girlfriend, haha."

"Stop daydreaming, who’s your girlfriend?" Embarrassed by Bai’s presence, Wang Ling retorted bashfully.

"Who else but you?" Lan Tian handed her the peeled apple, grinning.

"Alright, alright, go do your work. I’m fine now; my parents are coming soon. Go on, go." Unable to withstand his affectionate gaze, Wang Ling blushed and turned away.

"Let them come. Uncle Wang and I are getting along great these days!" Lan Tian laughed heartily.

In fact, as Wang Ling’s father became more familiar with Lan Tian and truly experienced the virtual network for himself, his attitude toward Lan Tian changed dramatically.

It was thanks to his help that Lan Tian’s company could proceed smoothly through all the necessary procedures, enjoying green lights all the way.

Yet both he and Lan Tian knew this was only the beginning. Once the virtual network was truly launched, events would quickly outpace his ability to intervene. Even as a deputy governor of the province, he would have to watch helplessly as Lan Tian faced the world’s powers alone.