The male supporting character was actually myself.

"Or we can just leave him alone and ignore him. If he likes playing games, let him indulge in his gaming addiction. Anyway, once the host's plan is complete, the virtual game world will eventually shut down."

After copying the clip of their argument, Jiang Chen frowned, pondering how to deal with Si Anrui. "I can't let him get in too quickly. Don't forget that the main battlefield of the protagonist's halo is 'Perfect Kingdom.' I still want to get the key ahead of time, so I have to stall him for a while longer. As for the redemption plan... if all else fails, I'll have to resort to the worst possible strategy."

Fluffy dumpling: ? ? ?

Meow meow meow? What's the worst possible strategy?

"Where are you going, host, meow?"

"The hospital called this morning. Si Suduan's condition was discovered early and treated promptly. In addition, I spent a lot of money to use the best treatment methods for her. She has now recovered, but her body is still relatively weak. She can be discharged in a couple of days." He went out to drive, set his destination, and drove away from the manor. "If you're going to help someone, you should go all the way. She has suffered enough. She can't go back to that sad place in the slums after being discharged from the hospital."

More importantly, Jiang Chen didn't mention that, after all, to prepare a last resort redemption plan, they first needed to resolve Si Suduan's inner conflict, otherwise she definitely wouldn't be willing to part with the nephew she had raised since childhood...

Hospital, VIP ward.

The impatient woman living on the third floor carried a bowl of soup, spooning it into Si Su's mouth one spoonful after another, speaking quickly and sharply, "You know, you've had a tough life, but you're also lucky. You were seriously ill and actually received full financial support from M Technology Company. You came back from the brink of death alive!"

She grew up in such a good place, living a life of luxury like a little princess, but she ended up in a slum.

That's 160,000!

Oh my, it hurts just thinking about it. How can he hold so much money without it getting too hot to handle?

You've got some nerve!

"Hmph, if it weren't for M Technology Company's humanitarian approach in returning the money, what would you have done with this illness? That ungrateful brat never even showed his face once; it makes my teeth itch with hatred..."

"You can drink the rest, I don't have much of an appetite." Being fed spoonful after spoonful of soup until she didn't even have a chance to speak or catch her breath, Si Suduan smiled helplessly and blocked the spoon with her hand. "I've been thinking about these upsetting things ever since I woke up."

Do you think I'm really that bad?

I've raised him with so much care and effort since he was a baby, and that's what he said..."

Recalling her nephew's angry, distorted face, Si Suduan felt as if her heart was being squeezed, making it hard to breathe.

She asked herself honestly if she had ever mistreated the child, nor had she held a grudge against him for losing everything.

They even felt that he had lost his parents' love at such a young age, so they were extra careful in their daily interactions, afraid that their nephew would feel alienated. Who knew that after fifteen years of hard work, he didn't even receive a word of thanks. Instead, every word was like a knife to the heart, making people feel terrible just thinking about it.

"That's an ungrateful wretch!" the impatient woman cursed through gritted teeth. Then, seeing that there was still half a bowl of chicken soup left, she took a spoon and handed it to him. "You should try to eat more and get better quickly. This whole mess is a blessing in disguise, letting you see the true face of that wolf."

From now on, I will earn my own money and spend it as I please, and make good plans for my future.

You're only thirty, you're still young. Work hard for two years, find a reliable man, settle down, and have your own child. That's much better than raising an ungrateful child!

Let me tell you, ingrates are just despicable.

If you really raise him like a slave, making him scavenge for garbage from a young age to support himself, and let him see how those kids who were thrown in by their own parents are doing, he might even think you're incredibly good.

Spending so much money every month sending him to school to learn to read and write, and buying him ridiculously expensive chips and books—you could use that money to eat and drink and enjoy yourself. He's never experienced hardship; he takes advantage of you, thinking that whatever you do for him is his due.

Come on, Duan! The world can keep turning no matter who's gone.

Everyone can live without the other! You can't bear to part with him because you've raised him like your own child for fifteen years, and your feelings for him are like those of a mother and son; but have you ever thought that he might see you as an enemy?

Think carefully about what you're doing all this hardship for...

Her barrage of words made even the little white cat, who was eavesdropping, applaud. "Wow, host, look at her best friend, she's reliable and eloquent. Do you think Si Suduan will ever get it?"

"We have to find a way to make her see the light." Jiang Chen waved the data disk in his hand, stepped forward and slowly knocked on the ward door, preparing to give Si Su a strong dose of medicine.

Ordinary cannon fodder can only have a better life by staying away from the protagonist. Or is it because the scriptwriters love to create orphan protagonists? For those who are destined to be cannon fodder and unable to make a comeback, existing only in legends is better than suffering and dying unjustly and becoming the protagonist's motivation.

As for those who are still alive, of course they should be advised to stay as far away from Si Anrui as possible. Otherwise, they will not benefit from any of the disasters and will only bear the burden of the disasters. Only a fool would be willing to do so!

Chapter Seventeen: Harvesting All of Humanity

"Who is it?" The impatient woman put down her soup bowl and rushed to open the door. When she saw a handsome young man in expensive casual clothes standing at the door, she paused for two seconds, then slapped her thigh excitedly and said, "Aren't you that young master? Oh my, this is really thanks to you!"

Ah Duan is much better now, please come in!

Ah Duan! Ah Duan, look! The young master of M Technology Company has come to see you!

She was busy pulling chairs and greeting people; her thin, dark skin made her seem like she could be blown away by a gust of wind.

Si Su was filled with mixed emotions. When she heard that the young master who had rescued her had arrived, she hurriedly prepared to get out of bed to thank him in person.

When the two met again, the impatient woman was busy running around, and the spacious VIP ward was chaotic for several minutes before it quieted down. Jiang Chen cleared her throat and explained, "To be honest, ever since Si Anrui was exposed online for stealing money to buy a helmet to play games, the calls to ban the game 'Perfect World' have been growing louder and louder thanks to the efforts of certain people. Our M Technology Company really has no way to speak out."

The original intention behind the release of "Perfect World" was to create a perfect world that allows people to see hope and to have more opportunities to make money in the virtual world.

We've put in a lot of effort to connect virtual game currency exchange with reality. Our starting point was good; we wanted to show everyone what Earth used to look like beautifully, and that earning money in the virtual world could drive economic development in the real world and improve people's living conditions.

No matter how we try to guide them, it seems everyone is going astray.

After making money in the virtual world, people want to buy better equipment and make even more money, completely disregarding the poor clothes, bad food, and cramped living conditions in their real lives. More and more people are treating the virtual world as reality with a gambler's mentality. This has already violated the original intention of M Technology Company. If this collective addiction continues, the human world will have no future.

"This addiction has nothing to do with the game, nor with M Technology Company. It's because everyone has failed to understand the rationale and is blindly pursuing virtual stimulation."

Si Suduan smiled helplessly, "There are fewer and fewer people who are clear-headed. Look at me, I've always wanted to raise my nephew properly, but he doesn't understand at all. I guess his ideological education hasn't kept up. I do bear some responsibility..."

“No, it’s not your responsibility that your education is flawless; it’s just that the world is changing too fast.” Jiang Chen connected the data disk to the projector, and a data list clearly appeared in mid-air.

He pointed to the rows of data and explained, “Look, this is a summary of the results of the initial game survey. At that time, 95% of people used virtual games as a tool to make money and improve their family’s conditions; three years later, it dropped to 70%; this year’s results are even more tragic. All the answers from the new generation are that they want to live in the virtual world and not return to reality.”

"The main problem is that reality is just too disappointing," the impatient woman muttered discontentedly. "Games are so much better. There are handsome men and beautiful women everywhere. You can date whenever you want, have sex whenever you want, and you don't have to worry about getting diseases, getting pregnant unexpectedly, or taking responsibility. You just need to spend some time enjoying yourself."

Demonesses, white-haired catgirls, handsome gods, and even devils are incredibly cool—species that could never exist in reality abound in the game. That alone blows reality away, not to mention you don't have to be afraid to die and can enjoy all sorts of thrills!

Humans are driven by sensory experiences, and in this respect, the virtual world simply cannot compete with reality.

From another perspective, if a nationwide survey were conducted, 100% of people would choose to live a simple life, free from worries about food, clothing, and daily necessities, where all they have to do is play games and be happy. They could even have a few virtual wives or husbands to interact with whenever they wanted, making life completely carefree.

But now that life is peaceful and serene, who will bear the burden and move forward?

Are we really going to let humanity in the mission world be completely wiped out?

“G Technology Company has already started developing a holographic gaming pod.” Jiang Chen changed the screen, showing a concept image of a gaming pod, and said with a wry smile, “So in recent years they have bribed many people, starting with school education and network infiltration, and have been advocating malicious guidance to become addicted to the virtual world.”

Once their research and development is successful, people will only need to purchase their gaming pods to enter the updated virtual game developed by G Technology. They won't need three meals a day or even to use the restroom; the gaming pods will handle everything. Humans inside will only need to receive periodic injections of nutrients, and they can eat, drink, play, and rest in the game forever.

Si Suduan stared blankly at the picture, her face turning even paler.

The impatient woman, clearly unaware of any threat, said with slight excitement, "Your M Technology Company should hurry up and develop it too. Based on what happened with A-Duan, I appreciate your company's humane approach to handling this matter even more."

"As soon as they develop the gaming pod, I'll be the first to save up and buy it—I'll definitely support it!"

"Do you think you'll still have personal freedom after buying a game pod?" Jiang Chen patiently guided him, "The so-called game pod is just a cage for players. Once you enter the game world, you can never get out."

G Technology Company intends to use this method to exploit all of humanity.

When everyone can only survive by relying on the virtual world, how can we guarantee that we won't become slaves to it?

The impatient woman was stunned for a few seconds before she reacted, and then she opened her mouth wide but couldn't make a sound.

"Then what should we do? Just like the disasters of previous wars, once Pandora's box is opened, it can never be stopped." Although Si Suduan was not highly educated, she was a person who actively learned, liked to think, and had a long-term vision. She immediately realized that the future of mankind might be destroyed under the control of increasingly sophisticated AI.

What other options are there?

The new generation, represented by her nephew, can no longer understand the attachment of her generation to the real world. She has no doubt that once D Technology Company launches the game pod, countless people will flock to buy it and fall into its trap, becoming slaves who cannot even commit suicide and can only accept being driven!

Jiang Chen then presented another concept image: "This is confidential information that our company's undercover agents obtained with great effort. It's the original design of G Technology's game pod building."

They plan to build an AI-controlled base that links countless game pods to a host computer, where babies will be trapped in game pods and connected to virtual games from birth to old age and death.

People may not even know where they are, mistaking the virtual world for reality.

In reality, these machines are all controlled and operated by AI; human consciousness lives in the game, serving as slaves to the executives of G Technology Company…”

"Meow meow~" The little white cat, who was originally drowsy, suddenly perked up, stroked its fluffy big ears and muttered softly, "Suddenly it feels like a sci-fi blockbuster! Host, just a reminder, we went to a demon dungeon before."

When the clever and brave host escaped, Meow witnessed a shocking scene similar to this—everyone was frozen inside a container. Those containers, row upon row, column upon column, there were countless of them, stretching as far as the eye could see!

Why are they suddenly teaming up for this interactive event?

He raised an eyebrow slightly and continued explaining, "In order to prevent G Technology Company's conspiracy from succeeding, I must consider making 'Perfect World' realize its true value, pull all the distorted ideas back, and let everyone bravely face reality."

So without your consent, I devised a redemption plan.

The original intention was to use the deliberate guidance of M Technology Company employees to help Si Anrui realize his mistakes, correct them, and use his own redemption process to warn the world, advising everyone not to become addicted to games and to face reality in order to truly take control of their lives, rather than falling into a trap and becoming a slave.

But the results don't seem to be very ideal..."

Pressing the remote control in his hand, the screen floating in mid-air changed to a conversation between Si Anrui and Du Xuerui that Jiang Chen had specially edited.

Despite his lack of justification, Si Anrui's actions were as fierce as a tiger, making Si Suduan's hands tremble slightly with anger.

"That little bastard is a real piece of work, a heartless scoundrel!" The impatient woman, her face flushed with anger, put her hands on her hips and launched into a tirade. "Damn it, even a dog would know to protect its owner after all these years."

You fed him, fed him, clothed him, and in the end, you raised an enemy! Ah Duan, listen to this carefully, what have you been after all these years?

After taking a strong dose of medicine, Si Suduan suddenly felt very, very tired.

Even a complete stranger like her could understand her good intentions, but Si Anrui blatantly lied and went against his conscience, turning white into black. She had worked hard even if she hadn't done anything, and she didn't ask for anything in return. Is this what they call being rebellious?

He would have starved to death long ago if he hadn't worked so hard to earn money!

When they rebelled, they not only forgave the kindness they had shown them, but also blamed themselves for everything, filled with resentment.

“You’re right.” She looked at the impatient woman and said in a trembling voice, “I should really think about what’s best for myself. What’s the point of throwing myself into someone else’s child? In the end, he’ll want to grind me to dust. What’s the point?”

Si Anrui is already eighteen years old and an adult. I have devoted myself to raising him for so many years and I believe I have done right by my brother and sister-in-law. Now that he is grown up and has his own wings, I have also fallen ill and I am truly powerless to help him.

"I don't care anymore, whether he lives or dies is none of my business."

She lay down on the bed, her words a farewell to all, yet her eyes involuntarily turned towards the door.

The pretty young woman advised him to buy a gift to apologize after he got his salary. She said that after these few days of calm, he should come to his senses.

Si Suduan made up her mind that if her nephew really bought a gift to apologize, she would give him another chance; if he didn't come today, she would cut ties with him and never see him again, just as he had said!

"I'm currently considering designing a new map for Perfect World, and I want to incorporate G Technology's conspiracy into it. After all, it involves competition between two companies, and even if we directly present evidence, they might turn around and accuse us of malicious speculation and engaging in business competition. I believe you can understand that."

The truth is often right there, but people only want to believe what they want to believe.

The helmet can be removed and the player can exit the game at any time; however, once the game pod is released, the freedom will no longer be in the individual's hands. Jiang Chen handed over the business card and brand-new phone he had prepared beforehand. "The reason I'm revealing this is because I've heard some news."

Relevant departments are currently drafting and revising laws.

Once the new law is implemented, the victims of the fire fifteen years ago will be able to sue the perpetrators to bring them to justice.

I went and looked through the fire case files.

At the time, you were a minor but took on responsibilities that were not yours. After the new law was implemented, you were able to sue to reclaim the portion of the property that was rightfully yours at that time.

The refunded portion will be repaid by Si Anrui, who should bear the responsibility, while he works in prison.