Chapter Fifty-Four: The Conscience of the Industry!

Everyone raised their hands at the same time, including Wang Ling and Chen Xiaoxuan, of course.

Lan Tian immediately smiled and said, “Ladies first. Attorney Wang and President Chen, you may ask your questions.”

Wang Ling, delighted, stood up eagerly and asked, “Lan Tian, are you in need of a wife?”

Lan Tian: “……”

Before Lan Tian could answer, Chen Xiaoxuan also jumped up impatiently, her large eyes sparkling as she covered her mouth and laughed, “Lan Tian, do you need a little wife?”

Lan Tian: “……”

“President Lan! I want to have your babies!” A freckled female reporter at the back also stood up, shouting loudly. In a flash, a group of female reporters stood as well, and even a few male reporters joined in, all declaring they wanted to have Lan Tian's babies.

Lan Tian: “……”

With black lines on his face, he glared at Wang Ling and Chen Xiaoxuan. “What mischief are you two up to? Sit down now!”

“Oh.” The two women sat back down, looking at him with innocent, wide eyes that sparkled pleadingly.

“All right, let’s get to real questions. Any more nonsense, and I’m leaving,” Lan Tian said, half amused.

“President Lan, when will this virtual game be released? When can the public experience it?” The first reporter in the front row asked, finally refraining from mentioning “having your babies.”

“Very soon. The specific date will be announced, but it shouldn’t be more than a month,” Lan Tian replied concisely. “Next.”

“Oh my, so soon? I’m about to faint from happiness. I really want to experience it without any time limits,” the second reporter stood up, face full of excitement.

“Yes, it’s really that soon. Next,” Lan Tian replied.

“Uh… does that even count as a question?!” The reporter looked regretful, but under Lan Tian’s stern gaze, dared not say more and sat down in frustration.

“President Lan, may I ask, when did your company develop this game?” the third reporter inquired.

“Sorry, that’s a trade secret. Next.” Lan Tian shook his head.

“President Lan, apart from ‘Glory of Heroes’, does your company plan to develop any new products in the future?” the fourth reporter asked.

“As I’ve said, this is just the beginning. ‘Glory of Heroes’ is merely the first product of the virtual network. The future holds limitless possibilities for the virtual network. Next.”

“President Lan, is your company planning to open physical stores?” The next reporter asked, a little nervously. “It’s common knowledge that Forest Real Estate, the predecessor of Virtual Network Company, was a real estate firm. With such a sudden shift, can your hardware keep up?”

“We’ll soon set up an official website where everyone can order our products online. Physical stores won’t be necessary.”

“President Lan, how will this game be priced? And what about the virtual network—how will that be charged?” The next reporter asked the crucial question, and the room held its breath.

“This game is free. The only charges are for the access helmet and the connection to the virtual network,” Lan Tian replied with a smile. Money didn’t interest him much at this stage; even if he set an astronomical price, the demand would still be overwhelming. But… there was simply no need.

He was already thinking about the bigger picture. Money? Merely numbers. Still, for a touch of mischief, he teased, “As for the pricing of the access helmet and the virtual network connection, that’s the next question.”

Immediately, the next reporter sprang to his feet—feeling the murderous stares of everyone in the room, each gaze warning: if you ask anything else, you’ll be mobbed!

“P-President Lan, how will the access helmet and virtual network connection be charged?” The reporter, not foolish enough to ask anything else, stammered.

“All right. The access helmet will be tentatively priced at 888 yuan. The virtual network connection fee will be similar to an ordinary broadband subscription, about 1,000 yuan per year,” Lan Tian finally revealed, earning thunderous applause.

“My god! That’s practically a steal!”

“I almost feel guilty paying so little for a product this miraculous…”

“President Lan is truly the conscience of the industry!”

“President Lan, now I really want to have your babies again!”

“……”

The press conference continued until one in the afternoon. Only after announcing the website address did Lan Tian finally manage to escape the still-enthusiastic reporters.

What the journalists didn’t know was that, until the very second Lan Tian announced it, the website address hadn’t existed. But with Bai’s abilities, what didn’t exist a moment ago was up and running the next.

“I’m exhausted. Who knew a press conference could feel like a battle? They’re like glue, impossible to shake off. Are all reporters this clingy nowadays?” In his office, Lan Tian wiped off imaginary cold sweat, grumbling.

“It’s just you. Anyone else and they’d have been cool and aloof!” Wang Ling interjected in amazement. “Do you realize who you are now? Once the media coverage is out, you’ll be the hottest legend in the world!”

“Absolutely! I never would have guessed!” Chen Xiaoxuan exclaimed, standing up and circling Lan Tian, her gaze full of wonder, repeating, “I really didn’t expect this…” The reality of virtual reality games truly existing had left her utterly stunned.

It felt just like a dream!

“I… I want to join Virtual Network Company!” she suddenly raised both hands, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

“Huh? Don’t joke around, you still have Xuanxin Real Estate to manage…” Lan Tian was taken aback.

“I’m not joking. Really. Xuanxin Real Estate can be run by someone else in the family. If I can’t join this dreamlike company, I won’t be able to sleep!” Chen Xiaoxuan pleaded, her large eyes blinking sadly.

“Haha, all right. If you insist, then from now on, our company’s official spokesperson will be our beautiful President Chen,” Lan Tian said with a smile, granting her wish.

“I want to join too! I’ll merge my law firm straight into Virtual Network Company. I don’t ask for much—just let me be the little head of the legal department!” Wang Ling chimed in, not to be outdone.

“Haha, no problem, Minister Wang,” Lan Tian agreed readily. For Wang Ling and Chen Xiaoxuan, he’d never put on airs.