I've already reached the Nascent Soul stage, and you're saying I didn't time travel?

Chapter 23: Searching for A-Cheng?

Qi Xuan ended the broadcast immediately after speaking, but the impact continues to spread in reality.

The first person to be targeted was the childhood friend whose name he mentioned during the live stream, and countless netizens immediately began searching for him online.

"Ah Cheng? Who is Ah Cheng?"

Does anyone know this Cheng?

"Cheng, did you see Qi Shen's live stream? Hurry up and say something!"

"I really envy Cheng. He actually got in touch with Qi Shen. With Qi Shen's help, he'll be set for life! I want to be Qi Shen's childhood friend too!"

"Hilarious! He's willing to take the blame for Qi Shen and invest two million in Qi Shen's game. Would you be his childhood friend to that extent? Even if Qi Shen carries him to new heights later, he deserves it."

"I'm so anxious, Cheng, hurry up and step forward! Our boss really wants to invite you to dinner, you can choose the time and place!"

"I fell in love with the name A-Cheng the moment I heard it. When are you getting married? We don't need a dowry."

……

Unlike the general public's aimless search for people, some tech enthusiasts started to analyze the situation seriously:
"Since they're childhood friends, it means that Cheng is also from Jiangcheng, and he's very likely to have gone to the same high school as Qi Shennian, maybe even the same class."

"I remember Qi Shen was from Jiangcheng No. 1 High School. Judging from his enrollment year, there shouldn't have been many students with the surname Cheng in the same class, right?"

"Cheng is not a common surname. I just asked a junior from Jiangcheng No.1 High School. She used to be a discipline committee member and often checked for truancy. She is quite familiar with the student list. According to her, there were only about three or four students with the surname Cheng in her year."

"We've contacted the high school teacher who taught Qi Shen. There's only one student in their class with the surname Cheng, but he's from out of town and not a native of Jiangcheng."

"It looks like we'll have to start the investigation from junior high and elementary school."

Why don't you look at the nearby kindergartens?

……

While this analysis is still ongoing, many people online have already proactively come forward to identify themselves by name:
"Ah Cheng? That's obviously talking about me, Cheng Hao! I'm a genuine graduate of Jiangcheng No. 1 High School!"

"Bullshit! Qi Shen was clearly talking about me, Cheng Zhuli! I've even shared a toilet with Qi Shen before!"

"Dude, does your mom know your name is so abstract?"

"Make way, everyone! Qi Shen's childhood friend is clearly me, Cheng Zihan!"

"You call that your childhood friend?"

"Aren't female childhood friends still childhood friends? You're discriminating against women!"

"Here's my ID card. I, Chen Dali, never impersonate anyone. I am Qi Shen's childhood friend! Family members, you can place your orders now. This is personally recommended by Qi Shen's childhood friend."

……

Seeing those exposed names, netizens were practically spitting blood.

The investigation was going well, but now it's completely chaotic.

How the hell am I supposed to find the real Cheng?
……

Jiangcheng.

At the entrance of the Star Moon Hotel.

Xue Cheng, who had already vomited twice while holding the trash can, staggered to the side and sat on the cold stone steps.

With trembling hands, he opened the cigarette pack, fumbled around for a while, and finally managed to pull out a cigarette. He put it in his mouth, but couldn't light it. Instead, his cheeks burned, and he threw the lighter away.

He stared blankly at the cigarette in his mouth, his mind seemingly still recalling the words his client had said as he left the table not long ago:
"...It's not that I'm unwilling to sign, it's just that Mr. Xue, your alcohol tolerance is not good enough. Doing business is like drinking. If you can't even enjoy the drinks, how can you make a deal? Go back and practice more."

Xue Cheng stared blankly at the ground.

He knew perfectly well that this wasn't about drinking at all.

Even if he drinks all the wine on the table, the other person can always find another reason to refuse.

But what can you do when you're under someone else's roof?

With the current economic downturn, his father's illness and hospitalization, and the inability to collect payments from outside sources, coupled with major troubles in his main business, he has no choice but to try every possible way to find orders.

A row of wines is placed in front of you. If you drink it, you still have a sliver of a chance; if you don't drink it, you have no chance at all.

If he encounters the same situation again in the future, he will still drink, and he will drink even more heavily and smoothly than he does now, making the other party completely satisfied and overjoyed.

Perhaps only then will he be considered a qualified successor?

Just as he was thinking, his thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a commotion.

Several students were seen with their arms around each other, chatting excitedly about games, and soon walked into the internet cafe across the street.

Watching their youthful and spirited figures, he couldn't help but think of his own past.

To be honest, his happiest years were probably the two years he spent making games. He didn't have to worry about his studies or socialize in business. Although he lost a lot of money, he and his buddies were genuinely happy together. They could enjoy a 12-yuan Shaxian pork chop rice more than they do now with Boston foie gras. But that's all in the past now.

Sometimes Xue Cheng couldn't help but think—

What if the game crashes?

If that car accident hadn't happened.

If the father does not have a sudden illness requiring hospitalization.

So now...

Unfortunately, there are never so many "what ifs" in the world; there is only cold and cruel reality.

"I wonder how Xuanzi is doing over there."

"Forget it, I'll watch the live stream when I get home tonight. I have a tough battle to fight this afternoon, and I might have to drink again tonight."

After rinsing his mouth and taking a hangover pill, Xue Cheng was about to use a ride-hailing app when he suddenly saw several familiar faces rushing over.

The chubby middle-aged man leading the group was the big boss of his project. The boss had no intention of meeting him and casually sent one of his managers to talk to him.

Meanwhile, the manager who had arrogantly declared at the dinner table that he couldn't drink was now lagging behind like a lackey.

"Mr. Wang, what's going on here...?"

Xue Cheng looked confused.

Previously, Mr. Wang had never given him a second glance, but now he greeted him with a beaming smile:
"Brother Xue, this is where you're wrong. You know Qi Shen, so why are you hiding it from us? If someone hadn't mentioned to me that you're his childhood friend, I would have almost overlooked this. Look at the mess this has made, Xiao Zhang, is this how you treat our distinguished guests?"

Before Xue Cheng could react, he saw Manager Zhang, who was at the very back, stride up to him, his face full of apology, and say:
"Mr. Xue, I was wrong at noon. I didn't recognize your greatness and caused you a lot of trouble. I apologize to you here. I'll drink double the amount you drank before! Consider it my apology!"

As he spoke, he picked up the bottle, uncorked it, and started guzzling it down.

Upon seeing this, Xue Cheng was immediately shocked:
"No! No! Drinking like that is too harmful to your health!"

Manager Zhang, reeking of alcohol, said:

"Mr. Xue, don't stop me. I have to show you my sincerity."

Xue Cheng quickly snatched the wine away.

If you keep drinking like this, something bad is bound to happen.

"This is not Manager Zhang's fault. It's because we are not qualified enough to meet your requirements."

"What requirements can't be met? Where are they not being met?"

Mr. Wang glared angrily.

Manager Zhang hurriedly replied:
“No problem. Mr. Xue’s family has excellent qualifications. They are all veterans in this industry for more than ten years. Choosing them as a supplier is the right choice.”

"Brother Xue, did you hear that? There's absolutely no problem with the supplier. Where's the contract? I'll sign it right away."

Xue Cheng looked on blankly as the other party took his briefcase, pulled out the contract, quickly signed his name, and stamped it with the company seal.

Mr. Wang handed over the contract with both hands:

"Brother Xue, look, we've signed the contract. I have a small personal request, but I'm not sure if I should say it."

"Please tell me."

"After your childhood friend comes down from up here, could you please introduce me to him? I really admire such a young and promising hero and hope to meet him."

"this--"

Before Xue Cheng could answer, his phone rang. The caller ID read: Father.

"Answer the phone first, it's important."

Mr. Wang hurriedly replied.

Xue Cheng smiled apologetically and answered the phone.

The moment the call connected, a burst of unrestrained laughter immediately filled the room.

"Cheng, thanks to your childhood friend, our family is really going to strike it rich this time!"

"The city just called and said our company passed the review for several major projects and became one of the official suppliers. I didn't even submit my name, and we were still selected. It's all because of Xuanzi. When he comes down from the floating continent, we must invite him home to thank him properly!"

Xue Cheng was taken aback.

He looked up at the distant sky and suddenly laughed:

"Dad, don't worry. Once he comes down, I'll make sure he's well taken care of and won't want to leave."

(End of this chapter)