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After returning from the Jade Chamber, Li Mo set his sights on upgrading the internet cafe. Currently, with only twenty computers, the shop's capacity was far too low. Even with a strict time limit, many potential customers were spending their entire day waiting in line without ever getting a turn. The system was clear: if people didn't experience the games firsthand, the emotional points they provided were significantly lower than those of active players.
Therefore, his most urgent task was to increase the number of stations. Spending 5,000 emotional points, Li Mo initiated his first major upgrade. While the exterior of the shop remained the same size, the interior space expanded instantly through a spatial fold. The number of computers jumped from twenty to fifty. With fifty machines, the cafe finally had the scale of a proper small-scale establishment back home.
With roughly 2,000 emotional points remaining, Li Mo decided to add some new content. The rules for drawing new games or films were a bit of a gamble: the minimum bid was 1,000 points, but there was no upper limit. The more points invested, the higher the probability of pulling a high-budget masterpiece or a long-running series. Given his current budget, Li Mo knew he was likely to get something smaller—perhaps an indie title similar to the mountain-climbing game.
Still, he had to take the risk. You can't catch a wolf if you don't bait the trap.
He tossed the first 1,000 points into the system.
Congratulations! You have obtained a video: "Director Hu Tao Teases Employee Zhongli."
"Huh? Is that a 'fan-made' style video?" Li Mo quickly opened the newly added video player on his counter to check the file. Sure enough, it was a short, humorous clip featuring the two Liyue locals. A smirk played across his lips. "This is going to be interesting. I can't wait to see how the Director and Mr. Zhongli react to this."
He turned off the screen with a chuckle and threw the final 1,000 points into the draw.
Congratulations! You have obtained the game: "Super Mario Bros."
"Oh, it's Mario!" Li Mo's eyes lit up as nostalgia washed over him. It was the original classic from the 8-bit era. Looking at the retro pixel art—the blocky plumber and the iconic Goombas—he was transported back to his childhood. Back then, even though his family was well-off, they hadn't bought him a game console. He used to have to wander the village, begging for a turn at other kids' houses, often getting a scolding from his parents for staying out too late.
Super Mario was the perfect addition for today. It was much more accessible than the grueling mountain game and lacked the heart-stopping terror of Silent Hill. Satisfied with the new lineup, Li Mo finally turned in for some well-deserved rest.
The next morning, Li Mo opened the doors at eight o'clock sharp. Despite his newfound physical vitality, the habit of sleeping in was a difficult one to break. The customers who had been waiting outside for hours grumbled as they filed in, but their complaints died in their throats the moment they stepped through the door.
In a single night, the shop had more than doubled in size. There were dozens of new machines lined up in neat rows. Looking back out the door, the neighboring fabric shop was still there, completely unaffected.
"Am I dreaming? How did it get so much bigger inside?"
"I just checked outside... the walls didn't move. What kind of sorcery is this?"
"Adepti arts! It has to be! I've heard stories of pocket dimensions created by the immortals."
"Boss Li Mo really is a man of hidden depths."
Once the shock wore off, the crowd scrambled to pay for their sessions. With the increased number of machines, Li Mo relaxed the time limit to four hours per person. Even so, fifty seats were barely enough to meet the demand. As they logged in, players immediately noticed the new game and the video player icon.
By a stroke of luck, Hu Tao, Zhongli, and Childe arrived at the same time.
"Yahoo! Now this is impressive!" Hu Tao exclaimed, her eyes darting around the expanded room. Childe was equally stunned, while Zhongli remained his usual calm self, simply nodding as if he had expected such a feat from Li Mo.
Childe had been trying to get closer to the knowledgeable consultant lately, hoping to learn more about Liyue's ancient traditions. As a Harbinger, his most effective tool for making friends was his nearly bottomless wallet. He paid a premium to secure three adjacent seats so he could play alongside Zhongli and Hu Tao.
As soon as they logged in, the trio spotted the new content. The video title "Director Hu Tao Teases Employee Zhongli" was particularly eye-catching.
Hu Tao's curiosity was instantly piqued. "Ooh, what's this? A show about us?" She clicked the video without hesitation. Zhongli also opened the file, his expression one of polite, if wary, curiosity. He wanted to see exactly how his Director was "teasing" him in this other-world creation.
Behind the counter, Li Mo leaned back and waited for the show to begin.