Inside a luxuriously comfortable and cozy single-person suite—with one bedroom, one living room, one kitchen, one bathroom, and one study—the decor exuded a soothing atmosphere. A faint scent of fruits and vegetables lingered in the air, seemingly due to years of accumulation, forming an exceptionally fresh fragrance.
The house was filled with numerous exquisitely crafted, purely handmade decorations. They appeared to be the kind of things only someone with an abundance of free time would create. These meticulously detailed ornaments were placed everywhere, to the point of excess; some were even stacked on top of each other.
Traces of life could be felt everywhere. The space seemed like the carefully arranged haven of someone deeply passionate about life. Yet, despite its warmth, a subtle sense of loneliness permeated everything.
At this moment, He Fang was seated in the study, flipping through a thick diary in front of him. Its pages were densely packed with notes written in an extremely personal tone. At first, the entries were sporadic, but gradually, they became more frequent—eventually evolving into a daily habit. The shifting mindset of the diary’s owner was evident.
This was not the only diary; there were many. Yet, He Fang meticulously went through them individually—it was his habit.
His dedication to games bordered on obsession. He would painstakingly read every piece of information within a game, whether useful or not. These thick diaries contained little valuable information, yet he read every word without skipping a single one.
The diary belonged to a man—an agricultural researcher and the sole caretaker assigned to manage this entire facility.
Taking care of such a large facility alone is difficult, yet the city chose to leave only one person behind. Having too many people in such a confined environment could easily lead to various problems. And this reclusive researcher volunteered to stay.
“I don’t know how many people can endure solitude, but loneliness isn’t that unbearable for me. I have things to do, I don’t have to worry about food or drink, and I can conduct the research I love. This is the life I’ve always dreamed of. Perhaps, for me, this job is actually paradise. I volunteered for this—I wanted to stay here and become hope.”
“I know the city has been burned down. Lately, it’s been scorching hot in Land of Hope. I don’t know how much longer the fires will last. My only concern is whether the temperature will affect the crops I’m growing. If it does, that would truly be terrible.”
He Fang pieced together the truth about this place from the diary files. Called “Land of Hope”, this facility was the last spark of hope left behind when the city finally acknowledged that it could not resist the Nightmare Beast Seeds. The entire city above was set ablaze, and an unapproachable cliff was deliberately created to prevent the Nightmare Beast Seeds from reaching the underground sanctuary of Land of Hope.
“Even though it’s fully automated, problems still arise. Today’s repairs were a bit troublesome, but fortunately, I have a wealth of data to reference. By the time others return, I might already be an all-around expert researcher.”
Between the lines, the lone caretaker of this place seemed to maintain an optimistic outlook.
The Land of Hope project was planned for thirty years. If, after three decades, the burned city remained free from parasitic infestation, they might be able to return and use Land of Hope’s last spark to rebuild.
But clearly, this plan had failed. He Fang still remembered the Nightmare Beasts that had easily infiltrated this place. In the man’s records, there weren’t even weapons against the Nightmare Beasts. Their understanding of the Nightmare Beast Seeds had been far too shallow. The evacuation had been forced, and the decision to retreat was undoubtedly made in great haste.
One had to admit that, under such circumstances, making such a choice was remarkable. Perhaps even the man himself hadn’t realized that his future might not unfold as he had envisioned.
His diary was filled with optimism about the future. He firmly believed that humanity had survived through intelligence and could, therefore, solve everything with wisdom.
The diary entries were fragmented. At first, he recorded very little, but as time passed, he wrote more and more. Toward the end, it seemed as if he wanted to document something—repetitive words and painstakingly detailed notes, all revealing how solitude gradually eroded him as he tasted its bitterness.
In this desolate place, the man cultivated vegetables and raised livestock. His life was simple and unhurried, yet endless loneliness accompanied it. Every book on the shelf bore marks of having been read and reread. Despite the abundance of entertainment materials, could he truly find joy in an empty space devoid of others?
His diary always looked forward to the arrival of the thirtieth year. As time passed, his handwriting became increasingly lively and bold, his words filled with anticipation. However, when the thirtieth year finally came—nothing happened.
By the twentieth year, he had already written certain realizations in his diary.
“I once thought I was someone who could adapt to solitude. But later, I realized that what I had enjoyed was the kind of solitude wrapped in the presence of others. Loneliness itself takes many forms.”
Although He Fang read through the diary, he mainly searched for key information. Surprisingly, little truly helped him understand Land of Hope. Most of the entries were filled with the man’s daily life and psychological journey.
The man had started giving names to his livestock and even imagined intricate dramas of love and rivalry among them, seeing himself as their god. Although he wrote in his diary daily, his entries had become increasingly chaotic.
“Today, Little Green launched another attack on Little Round. Such an aggressive fellow, always bullying the others. But I won’t punish it. It’s strong, and I need its genes to continue the survival of the species. I bear the important responsibility of ensuring their lineage continues.”
“I can’t allow this terrible situation to continue. Handsome the Pig has been relentlessly attacking his companions, leaving them covered in wounds. His aggression is far too intense. I can’t let this keep happening. He refuses to breed as I intended, and he even rammed into me, injuring me. I’ve decided to end his life. He can no longer live so recklessly—I must bring justice upon him.”
He Fang frowned slightly. It was clear that the man’s mental state had started to deteriorate.
And yet, despite this, he still remained dutiful at his post. He diligently recorded the problems he encountered daily. He Fang noticed something peculiar—the man’s handwriting had become increasingly refined. It was as if he had channeled all his energy into repeating the same tasks over and over.
Physically, the man had always been in good health—at least, he had never suffered any serious illness. At the beginning of each diary entry, he consistently noted whether he had completed his daily exercise. It was evident that he was an extremely disciplined person.
After the thirtieth year, the man’s writing revealed a newfound maturity. At the same time, his words gradually became filled with a growing sense of indifference and disheartenment.
“They didn’t come back. I had considered the possibility that this day would end this way. Now that I’m facing it, I suppose I can accept it. No… or rather, I haven’t spoken to another human being in thirty years. If I were suddenly surrounded by people again, would I even be able to adapt? Maybe… maybe this isn’t so bad after all.”
However, as time passed, He Fang noticed the handwriting becoming increasingly sloppy—a clear sign that age had begun to erode the man’s mental state in ways no one could witness.
“I can’t leave this place. If I open that door, the world outside might already be something I don’t want to see. As long as I stay here, I will always be the guardian of hope.”
“Does anyone still remember me?”
“Am I still alive?”
“No one is coming back.”
Gradually, the diary entries became fewer and fewer. Yet, as if driven by habit and obsession, the man continued to write.
The final entry, however, was unexpectedly long. Unlike the previous ones, where the handwriting had become so messy it was nearly illegible, this one was neat, precise—almost beautiful. It was as if a man who had long neglected his appearance had suddenly dressed himself in his finest clothes, standing tall with a sense of dignity, making one last effort to present himself at his best.
“I can feel that my time is coming to an end. No, not just the lifespan of my body, but also the lifespan of my mind. I don’t think I can hold on any longer. Soon, I will end my life, just as I originally planned.
“I might still have a few years left to live, but I don’t wish to live that way. I am sick—cancer. It will only continue to worsen, and I have no way to treat myself. So, I have decided to end my life today, ahead of time.
“My body will be perfectly preserved. If someone finds me in the future and reads this diary, then you may use my body and become the new master of Land of Hope. Here, you will never have to worry about food or shelter. If possible, I hope you will have companions by your side.
“Perhaps you do not exist. Perhaps you will never arrive. But at the very least, let me have this hope—that maybe, one day, my story will be seen by you. Farewell, my friend whom I have never met.”
He Fang let out a soft sigh as he read these words.
He rubbed his temples, feeling an ache settle in.
As the caretaker of the Land of Hope, this man had devoted his entire lonely life to this place. In the end, he chose to take his own life—not because he feared death, but because he did not want to face his suffering alone.
He had waited here, endlessly, for people who would never return. He had obeyed his orders to the very end, carrying out his duty even beyond death. And even in accepting his own demise, he still left behind a lingering hope.
His diary revealed the shifts in his emotions, the highs and lows of his mental state. Yet, throughout it all, he had never once defied his orders. Even when he imagined himself as the “god” of the Land of Hope, he still remembered his responsibility with unwavering clarity.
The one forgotten in the Land of Hope, and the Land of Hope that was forgotten.
From its name alone, it was clear that Hope City was likely the descendant of those who once migrated from the Land of Hope. Yet, over the long passage of time, for some reason, they failed to preserve enough information, causing the Land of Hope Project to be abandoned before it could ever be revived. When the man died, Hope City had still not returned.
The city lord of Hope City had probably learned about the Land of Hope Project from the accounts of elders and ancestors. However, the information they had was incomplete. So even when Hope City’s leadership decided to return in search of the project’s resources, they found themselves without any clear direction.
In a place like this, even He Fang wouldn’t have found it without the system’s map. Land of Hope had likely been completely sealed off from outside signals to prevent intrusion, making it impossible to detect from the outside. By the time Hope City was desperate enough to seek it out, they were already on the brink of collapse, with neither the resources nor the ability to continue searching. In the end, the city perished above the ruins of the Land of Hope.
The crops here, once carefully cultivated by the caretaker, had grown wildly out of control after his death, spreading unchecked until they became the overgrown landscape He Fang now saw before him.
Yet, He Fang did not see the caretaker’s body. According to Guo Miaofeng, it was frozen somewhere. But He Fang had no intention of searching for it. If the caretaker’s words in the diary were true, then his body was likely the key to controlling Land of Hope. However, most of the systems that could still be managed had already been destroyed by Guo Miaofeng.
Since the man was already dead, let him rest in peace. There was no need for those who came after to disturb him any further.
He Fang emerged from the diary, feeling a complicated mix of emotions. As he stared at these deeply emotional entries, he wondered whether they were actually written by “Ruins Without Restart” official developers or if they were simply auto-generated by the game’s algorithms. Either way, reading them left an uncomfortable feeling in his heart.
Following the words, it felt as if he had truly walked through the man’s lonely life alongside him.
He Fang carefully put the diary back in its place, feeling a headache coming on. Checking the time, he realized he had been reading for four hours. While the in-game and real-world time flowed differently, once he entered the game, his perception fully aligned with its internal time system. The immersive experience of the sensory simulation pod allowed him to live an entirely different kind of life.
Looking around the study, He Fang noticed that nearly every book had been read—none of them were untouched or new. Over his long and lonely years, the caretaker had tried every possible way to fill his days, desperately seeking a method to escape his solitude.
However, He Fang wasn’t too concerned with the man’s personal story. What really occupied his mind was what Land of Hope could offer.
As the rightful heirs to the Land of Hope, the citizens of Hope City should have full ownership of its resources. If Hope City could take control of everything here, it would give them a foundation of wealth. And with wealth, trade could begin. Surely, many NPCs from other cities would be willing to come to Hope City once the trade was established.
He Fang usually added whatever he found or ate directly into “Ruins Without Restart”, but he had noticed that Land of Hope contained a vast array of vegetables he had never even seen before. These could easily become valuable trade goods.
Moreover, according to the map drawn by Guo Miaofeng, the Land of Hope had abundant underground water sources, cave reservoirs, and nearby mines. These resources alone could help Hope City develop at an accelerated pace.
The railway tracks should already be laid gradually. Once the road connecting the main city and Hope City was fully opened, He Fang could already envision Hope City’s rapid development.
He wasn’t sure whether he was just incredibly lucky or if the game was designed this way, but the fact that Hope City—already perfectly suited to his tastes—could yield such an enormous harvest made him genuinely delighted.
This also made him think—was the “grass” that the residents of Hope City were planting in their fields actually some kind of vegetable?
He Fang fell into deep self-doubt.
“City Lord, have you finished reading?”
A knock on the door pulled He Fang out of his thoughts. However, when he looked up, he was completely stunned.
“Yuan Zhiran?”
He Fang was dumbfounded at the sight of Yuan Zhiran.
At some point, Yuan Zhiran had changed out of his usual sharp and professional military uniform and put on a set of casual, comfortable clothes—a light yellow short-sleeved shirt and fitted long pants. It was a clean and fresh look, reminiscent of a university student. Compared to his usual strict, uniformed appearance, this was an entirely different image.
But the most striking difference was that Yuan Zhiran was wearing an apron.
A white apron, no less, which made his already delicate features exude a homely feel. On top of that, he was even wearing heat-resistant gloves. The usual sternness and sharpness that accompanied his military attire were completely gone.
“I made some cookies. City Lord, you’ve been reading the diary for quite some time—you must be hungry and thirsty. Please wait a moment.” With that, Yuan Zhiran gave He Fang a respectful nod, then turned and left.
He Fang looked completely bewildered. As if compelled by some unseen force, he followed along, only to discover that Min Zhizhou had also, at some point, taken off his armor and was now sitting on the sofa, fully engrossed in crafting a small handmade flower basket.
“What… are you doing?” He Fang asked.
Min Zhizhou looked up and set the little flower basket aside. “Just finding something to do.”
“Huh? If you’re bored, why not grab a book from the shelf and read?” He Fang suggested. He had skimmed through most of the books on the shelves—there were plenty of real-world books, ranging from highly specialized texts to storybooks, mythology, and even detective novels. Judging by their worn pages, they had been read many times before.
“Because you were reading, so I didn’t want to disturb you,” Min Zhizhou replied. He had originally intended to speak up, but He Fang had been so utterly focused that everyone around him had instinctively refrained from interrupting. Seeing He Fang in such deep concentration had unexpectedly given him an air of quiet authority—almost untouchable.
“It’s fine. It’s not like it was anything major,” He Fang said casually before sneaking a glance toward the kitchen, trailing after Yuan Zhiran’s figure.
Min Zhizhou followed as well, whispering to He Fang, “Yuan Zhiran already went back once earlier to report on the situation here. Otherwise, if the City Lord suddenly disappeared for too long, they’d probably send search teams that would trample this place to the ground.”
“Oh, so that’s why he changed his clothes?” He Fang and Min Zhizhou peeked into the kitchen together, spying on Yuan Zhiran as he carefully prepared tea and snacks. The warm, inviting aroma of freshly made pastries filled the air.
Yuan Zhiran placed the freshly baked cookies and tea on the coffee table, saying, “Have some of these to fill your stomach for now. Since the city lord is no longer busy, I can start cooking. You must be hungry.”
He Fang, who had never felt hunger in the game before: “……”
Min Zhizhou, who had never imagined he’d one day get to eat something made by Yuan Zhiran: “……”
The two of them sat in the living room, staring at the cookies. A delightful aroma filled the air, and the cookies weren’t just simple shapes—they were all carefully crafted into adorable little animal figures.
He Fang looked at the animal-shaped cookies with a strange expression before finally taking a bite.
His eyes widened.
They were filled with the sparkle of someone who had just tasted something unbelievably delicious.
Yuan Zhiran’s baking skills were truly extraordinary. The cookies still carried the warmth of the oven, their crispy texture rich yet delicate, dissolving easily in the mouth. A deep, creamy fragrance spread with each bite, filling He Fang with a sense of pure satisfaction. For the first time, he felt as though he could actually experience hunger in the game.
What kind of divine-level baking was this? It was way too good.
He Fang quickly ate several in a row before sneakily taking a sip of tea.
He Fang didn’t actually like tea—or rather, he disliked the bitterness that often lingered in it. Yet somehow, Yuan Zhiran had completely removed that unpleasant taste, leaving only the flavors He Fang enjoyed. The tea gently washed away the excessive sweetness in his mouth while still preserving its unique fragrance. He Fang even suspected there was sugar added, as there was a faint hint of sweetness.
“Is it good?” He Fang eagerly looked at Min Zhizhou.
Min Zhizhou nodded.
The two of them then looked down at the now-empty plate of cookies, completely silent.
Then, at the same time, they both lifted their heads and turned toward the kitchen.
He Fang cautiously peeked inside and saw Yuan Zhiran’s well-defined arms as he chopped vegetables. The knife moved effortlessly in his hands, slicing through ingredients with precision. Under his skilled movements, the vegetables and meat obediently transformed into exactly what he needed.
He Fang retracted his head and asked Min Zhizhou in a whisper, “Where did the ingredients come from?”
“Just picked them from the fields,” Min Zhizhou had seen the whole preparation process.
“And the meat?” He Fang continued.
“Caught and butchered on the spot. Haven’t you seen them running around everywhere?” Min Zhizhou replied matter-of-factly.
“K-killed…?” He Fang choked. “How did he do it?”
“Just slit the throat, drain the blood, scald the skin, then pluck the hair,” Min Zhizhou replied after thinking for a moment. “Not done in here though—the smell isn’t great when processing it, so he did it outside.”
He Fang’s expression twisted. “The way you say it makes it sound like he’s really used to doing this?”
“Well, he sure looked like it wasn’t his first time. Yuan Zhiran seems pretty skilled at handling ingredients,” Min Zhizhou nodded.
“…That skilled, huh?” He Fang suddenly felt that Yuan Zhiran’s delicate “apron-wearing housewife” image had completely collapsed. Instead, it had been replaced by the image of an “apron-wearing master hunter” who sourced his own ingredients from scratch. The contrast was ridiculously jarring.
Just then, the sound of frying oil sizzled from the kitchen. He Fang’s expression grew even stranger. “Wait… don’t tell me he made the oil from scratch too?”
“Seems like it. There were some pigs around, so Yuan Zhiran butchered a small, fat one. He said he used its fat to render the oil, and the rest of the meat is in the fridge, frozen for later.”
As they spoke, the rich aroma of meat filled the air. Min Zhizhou, ever honest, swallowed a mouthful of saliva, fully expressing his anticipation for the meal.
At that moment, Guo Miaofeng suddenly pushed the door open and swaggered in. “Wow, smells amazing! Is Yuan Zhiran cooking?”
“Where have you been?” He Fang finally remembered Guo Miaofeng’s existence.
“I was out mapping the area. There’s so much stuff here, and a lot of it is completely unfamiliar. I made an illustrated guide—no idea if the people in Hope City will recognize any of it,” Guo Miaofeng said as he headed to the restroom to wash his hands. Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, he walked straight into the kitchen. “Yuan Zhiran, need any help?”
Guo Miaofeng’s attitude was completely at ease, like he was already familiar with everything here.
Yuan Zhiran pointed to a small plate of cookies set aside for him. “I already prepared your share. Have some to tide you over before dinner.”
“What’s the next dish? I’ll chop it for you,” Guo Miaofeng said, grabbing a handful of cookies and popping them into his mouth as he peeked over curiously.
“Steamed eggplant. No need to chop it,” Yuan Zhiran replied while seasoning the meat he was preparing.
“I’ll handle the steamed eggplant then. You focus on your stuff—there are two stoves anyway…”
He Fang watched them with wide eyes as they moved smoothly around the small kitchen. Both were clearly experienced cooks, knowing exactly what needed to be done without ever getting in each other’s way.
Seeing them so busy, He Fang hesitantly asked, “Uh… do you need me to help with anything?”
At his words, Yuan Zhiran turned around and gave him a bright, sunny smile. “No need, City Lord. Relax—you’ve been working hard all day. You must be tired. Maybe take a break and lie down for a bit? I already changed the bed sheets and duvet while you were focused on your work.”
He Fang blinked in confusion and looked at Min Zhizhou, his eyes full of questions. When did that happen?
Min Zhizhou explained, “Yuan Zhiran brought them back from Hope City when he returned. He really did change everything. If you want to rest for a bit, you can.”
He Fang was still in shock. “Yuan Zhiran is this good at housework? And Guo Miaofeng can actually cook?”
“This is my first time finding out too, so don’t ask me,” Min Zhizhou replied, looking just as bewildered. He hadn’t been of much use this whole time and was honestly feeling a little embarrassed about it.
“Do you know how to cook?” He Fang asked.
“Nope.” Min Zhizhou shook his head. How could he? He could barely afford food, let alone learn how to make it. Even now, he was just living in a small shack he’d put together near a junkyard. Most of his wages still went toward eating—after spending years starving and never having good food, he was still in the stage of just eating, let alone cooking.
The delicious aroma lingering in the air made He Fang’s stomach growl. He was… kind of craving food too.
The moment He Fang logged out of the game, the first thing he did was grab his phone and order takeout. After eating the food that Yuan Zhiran and Guo Miaofeng had made, he felt like their cooking was unbelievably good. They were simple home-style dishes, but why did they taste that amazing?
Wuwuwu, those sweet and sour ribs were divine! Wuwuwu, that chicken soup was perfection! Wuwuwu, even the cold dishes were incredibly good! Wuwuwu, how could a simple stir-fried vegetable dish taste this delicious?!
At that time, when Yuan Zhiran saw how much they enjoyed his food, the joy on his face made him look even more stunning than usual. He Fang seriously began to wonder if he had chosen the wrong path for Yuan Zhiran—shouldn’t he have been nurtured for the entertainment industry instead?
Just look at those delicate skills, those little tricks, that meticulous attention to detail! If he were in the entertainment industry, he’d completely dominate live-stream cooking shows. No wonder this was a game—NPCs really had no flaws!
Since the game only allowed him to experience the taste of food but couldn’t satisfy his actual hunger, He Fang immediately ordered takeout after logging out.
He decided that whatever he had eaten in the game, he would also eat in reality. However, his hope of savoring delicious flavors in the game without actually getting full was completely crushed. For the first time, he realized how agonizing it was to experience the taste of food without being able to swallow it and feel it fill his stomach.
Before logging out, He Fang made some arrangements: Guo Miaofeng would continue mapping the entirety of Land of Hope; Yuan Zhiran would deploy some troops nearby; Min Zhizhou would work on constructing defensive machinery to guard against Nightmare Beast seeds; and Zhu Yan, along with a group of researchers, would thoroughly analyze all the documents from the Land of Hope.
Additionally, He Fang instructed Yuan Zhiran to summon Chong Ying because they had discovered a massive cache of weapons there.
Within Land of Hope was a gigantic arsenal, where Hope City had stored all its weapons before their departure. These weapons had never been used and were relatively well-preserved. It was clear that the former caretaker of Land of Hope had taken care of their maintenance before his death. Whether these weapons were still functional and how they should be used was something that Min Zhizhou and Chong Ying would have to figure out together.
However, these weapons were completely unfamiliar to them. But as long as they were in Chong Ying’s hands, He Fang believed their full potential could be unleashed.
Land of Hope was rich in resources. After careful consideration, He Fang decided to grant the allocation rights of Land of Hope to the original residents of Hope City, allowing them to trade with the NPCs in the main city. Once the railway was operational, Lu Hu’s people could enter Hope City to regulate the market. As soon as capital began circulating, the national treasury would also start to grow.
Now, He Fang needed to select a resident of Hope City to manage Land of Hope. Since this required careful planning, he decided to handle it personally. He needed to review all residents’ attributes and tags to determine the most suitable candidate.
Once the right person was chosen, they would be tasked with recruiting their own team—just like Yuan Zhiran. Gradually, He Fang would delegate authority. However, to ensure that Hope City’s residents wouldn’t become restless from suddenly acquiring vast resources, he temporarily stationed Yuan Zhiran’s soldiers in the Land of Hope. They could also assist with labor-intensive tasks to help restore order to the area.
Finally, there was the matter of the former caretaker’s journal and funeral. He Fang decided to entrust the funeral arrangements to Hope City’s residents. The caretaker had dedicated his entire life to preserving hope, and He Fang wanted to pass that hope on to future generations of Hope City.
If Hope City could quickly develop a stable structure and integrate the main city’s legal and educational systems, it might even help elevate its NPC population.
He Fang was curious—could these “inferior attribute” NPCs overcome their limitations through education and experience?
From Yuan Zhiran, He Fang saw a glimpse of that possibility—the potential for transformation. Yuan Zhiran had originally been just a university student. But this time, He Fang saw a more fundamental side of him: homey, cheerful, passionate about cooking, meticulous in cleaning. These were clearly not the skills of a soldier.
Among all the job applicants, Yuan Zhiran’s attributes were considered upper-tier, though none of them stood out significantly. However, after being appointed as the Minister of the Armed Forces, his attributes grew at an astonishing rate. He acquired many new tags that he had never possessed before.
In various games, there were always “inferior” units—whether they were cards, shikigami, or souls, expressed in different forms. But that didn’t mean they couldn’t grow.
Some improved through synthesis, others through training, and some through proficiency accumulation. Even the weakest units could become formidable with enough refinement. He Fang wondered if this concept could apply to his city. Could exposure to his high-attribute NPCs allow the ordinary—or even “inferior”—NPCs to unexpectedly grow stronger?
He Fang opened the in-game statistics panel on his computer, pulled up the event log, and waited for his food.
With anticipation, he watched Hope City’s event statistics update, showing that Zhu Yan had already arrived at the Land of Hope. As expected, this researcher simply couldn’t sit still. Wherever there was a problem, he would be there—was he trying to force himself into becoming an all-purpose researcher?
“Researcher Zhu Yan has analyzed the operational model of ‘Land of Hope’ and sees value in it. He is currently repairing and enhancing the automated facilities that were damaged by the Director of the Land and Resources Bureau, Guo Miaofeng, in an effort to restore full automation.”
He Fang couldn’t help but laugh when he saw this update. So Guo Miaofeng went in and destroyed things, only for Zhu Yan to follow right behind him and fix them? That was too funny.
That said, He Fang understood Zhu Yan’s reasoning for insisting on restoring the Land of Hope. Most of the current residents were elderly, weak, or disabled. While they might have the desire to manage things, they lacked the ability. Automating everything was the most practical solution—it would make oversight much easier.
Once they could fully transfer the administration of the Land of Hope to the NPCs of Hope City, the city’s food problem would essentially be resolved. At that point, He Fang would reduce the supply of food from the main city to Hope City, allowing its NPCs to become self-sufficient and gradually transform into an independent city capable of trade and interaction.
As for the weapons from the Land of Hope, He Fang had no intention of taking them away. Instead, once Chong Ying thoroughly understood the situation, they would redesign and manufacture the weapons, leaving all of them to the NPCs of Hope City. Firstly, because these weapons rightfully belonged to them, and secondly, because once the issue of sustenance was resolved, the next step would be to build defenses.
Regarding defenses, He Fang considered the possibility of studying the principles behind mobile cities to construct mobile defenses.
Thinking about the many tasks still ahead, He Fang slumped into his chair. The game was fun, sure, but it was seriously time-consuming. It had been a long time since he played anything else—most of his time seemed to be spent here, and whenever he had a moment, he was making videos.
He Fang opened his account and saw a significant surge in earnings, the result of his recent viral traffic spike. That made him ecstatic.
“If I had known, I would’ve ordered more dishes to celebrate,” he murmured to himself.
Just then, his phone buzzed with a message. Seeing the familiar number, he hesitated for a moment—it was that blonde-haired delivery guy.
“Dear customer, I’ve arrived downstairs! Your friendly delivery guy is happily waiting for the elevator. Your food will be at your doorstep very soon!”
The image of that golden-haired delivery guy flashed through He Fang’s mind. Perhaps it was because he had been immersed in the game for so long that he suddenly found himself wondering—why had this person chosen to be a delivery worker?
Up until now, He Fang had only ever remembered two things about him: his dazzling golden hair and his seemingly well-built physique. His personality was cheerful and outgoing, too—someone naturally sociable and talkative. If he had to guess, He Fang felt that a person like him would be better suited for sales. He had that easygoing familiarity and persuasive charm.
For some reason, an odd curiosity crept into He Fang’s heart—he wanted to see the delivery guy’s face.
It had never even crossed his mind before. But now, he couldn’t help but wonder—if the guy had an exceptionally good-looking face to go with that striking hair and impressive build, wouldn’t he be better off as a model than a delivery worker? So why had he chosen this job instead?
Was it for freedom? Better pay? Or was it because he had no other options?
With a heart full of curiosity, He Fang pressed himself against the door, secretly peeking through the peephole, waiting for the golden-haired delivery guy to step out of the elevator and approach his door.
For some inexplicable reason, he felt a bit nervous.
Did he really need to see the guy’s face? Whether he was good-looking or not, wasn’t that just normal either way?
But before he could talk himself out of it, the chime of the elevator arriving suddenly rang out. He Fang didn’t have time to move away. Through the peephole, he saw—for the first time—the delivery worker whose face he had never truly seen before.
The peephole was a little dirty. The inside was clean, but the outside had smudges, making the view slightly blurry. Even so, he could still make out the man’s face with striking clarity.
At that moment, He Fang was utterly stunned.
He had no words to describe just how perfect that face was. Or rather, no words could possibly capture the impact it had on him.
In an era obsessed with beauty, where everyone used every method available to enhance their looks, no one—absolutely no one—could compare to this man. He was beautiful in a way that inspired awe.
There really were people like this in the world.
He Fang wondered if he was dreaming—otherwise, how could he possibly be seeing a face more unforgettable than even the most famous top-tier celebrity? Vivid and full of life, with eyes that seemed to hold the entire universe within them. His long hair wasn’t the kind that was dyed just for the sake of looking cool—it simply suited his face, as if it was always meant to be that way.
It was the kind of beauty that seemed like it could only be crafted by human hands, yet here it was, walking in the flesh.
When the elevator doors slid open, the deliveryman appeared to be adjusting his helmet. His hair had gotten caught, so he reached up and simply removed the helmet altogether. Along with the motion, golden hair cascaded down his shoulders, obediently resting against them—until his slight movement caused a few strands to sway and fall.
The deliveryman’s hands were large, easily gripping the helmet. Slender, pale, with well-defined joints—yet they were not weak hands.
At that moment, he lifted his gaze, looking toward He Fang’s door. He walked over at an unhurried pace, placing the food by the entrance. Then, tilting his head slightly, he lowered his eyes, seemingly checking his phone. His long lashes fluttered like a resting butterfly. No matter the angle, his profile exuded a breathtaking beauty. He Fang found himself utterly transfixed.
Then suddenly—
A message notification rang from He Fang’s phone.
Panicked, he fumbled to silence it, but it was too late.
He could only watch, helpless, as that stunningly beautiful man looked up in mild surprise, seemingly having heard the sound from this side of the door. A fleeting hint of understanding flickered across his face, followed by a soft, knowing smile.
He turned back toward the peephole and, through it, gave He Fang a gentle, kind-hearted smile.
At that moment—
He Fang felt like he had been struck by beauty itself.
SOME ROMANCE DEVELOPMENT?? 😧
After 50+ chapters lol