Chapter 87

Chapter 87: Applying Pressure

Damn it, I already have this much money, so how can there still be something that money can’t solve…

Mei Fang had savings of 10,000 yuan in the first half of 2008. The iOS game he launched, “Flappy Bird (Stupid Bird First to Fly),” gradually gained popularity and positive reviews after its release. Over the course of a year, the game’s advertising fees and one-time purchase fees brought him a total revenue of 6,000 yuan.

The sudden explosion of “Flappy Bird” on Chinese websites was quite accidental. For a long time after its release, it remained relatively unknown, so Mei Fang was quite satisfied with the current profit.

The extremely difficult score requirements, the extremely simple gameplay, and the relatively high recognition of rough pixel graphics—this method of increasing user engagement by tormenting players was exemplified by “Yang Le Ge Yang” in 2022.

Mei Fang never expected it to become a huge hit, as he had more opportunities for greater success.

Because in the first half of 2009, Bitcoin finally truly came into existence and entered the Chinese web.

It took Mei Fang three months to contact a channel seller from the United States through the bitcointalk forum. He bought 10,000 Bitcoins for less than 800 yuan.

Yes, these were genuine 10,000 Bitcoins. When Mei Fang confirmed the price with the seller using broken English, he was surprised himself. The seller was also very happy, thanking Mr. Mei for his generosity, planning to use the money to buy two deluxe pizzas.

After obtaining these 10,000 Bitcoins, Mei Fang immediately sealed away the wallet key and never again involved himself in the crypto world.

Of course, he could get more Bitcoins, but he was also afraid that too much involvement might lead to unexpected consequences.

After all, the butterfly effect is real, and he had indeed experienced many changes in his life.

Enough is enough… It would be impolite to do more.

He wasn’t sure if he could handle it.

So, aside from Bitcoin, Mei Fang’s total assets now amounted to about 15,000 yuan.

At the age of 13, Mei Fang had already become a ten-thousand-yuan household. Now, he was worried about what birthday gift to give his childhood friend, Xia Yuan, who was turning 13.

Money isn’t an issue, but a girl’s heart isn’t something easy to guess.

After all, Yuan Yuan has seen a lot and is no longer the little angel who used to be happy for days over a lollipop.

Expensive gifts aren’t suitable; unique ones are needed.

This seems beyond my capacity as someone lacking imagination.

Perhaps asking some peers would be more effective to understand what they really want.

Leveraging the opportunity when Lin You Xi and Xia Yuan were close, Mei Fang approached Lin You Xi’s deskmate, Yue Xinyi.

“Yue Xinyi, I have a question.”

“Team Leader Mei, you’re actually talking to me?”

Yue Xinyi felt very happy because Mei Fang usually ignored her.

And since he didn’t ask Lin You Xi, the class leader, it must be about something related to her.

She was ready to pour in endless glucose!

“It’s rare for the usually aloof Team Leader Mei to talk to me! Ask whatever you want, I’ll answer!”

“Perfect… So, what kind of special birthday gift should I give to a good friend?”

This is for the class leader’s birthday gift!

(Note: Yue Xinyi has been Lin You Xi’s deskmate for almost a year and still doesn’t know when her birthday is.)

Yue Xinyi suppressed her impulse to go wild with sugar and pretended to cough, “Boy or girl?”

“Um… Girl.”

Yue Xinyi suddenly felt a sweet sensation.

“Cough, then… Have you given her any gifts before?”

Mei Fang nodded, “I’ve given all the usual ones. Now, I’m thinking of something unique.”

Ah!

She has given all the usual gifts!

Yue Xinyi felt like she was falling into an endless quicksand made of sugar, the natural purity exactly reflecting the unique charm of childhood friends!

“Hey, are you okay? You look like you have a fever.”

Yue Xinyi shook her head frantically, “I’m helping you think! So, ordinary birthday gifts won’t satisfy your friend anymore?”

“Yes, she says she’s in middle school now, and only different gifts will do.”

“Oh wow.”

Yue Xinyi tried hard not to laugh, fearing that if Lin You Xi found out, it would be troublesome.

Thus, Yue Xinyi quickly reviewed Mei Fang’s previous gifts and analyzed them:

“Have you always bought her gifts from the mall? This time, why not make a handmade gift yourself? Such a handmade item best represents your sincerity and is special enough! For example, you could make a box of small stars…”

“I see, thank you for the advice…”

Mei Fang had been thinking about what to give, but hadn’t considered how to give it properly.

Yuan Yuan was good at handicrafts. She had always liked making cute cloth dolls for Mei Fang, like the orange little tiger as a graduation gift, which he still keeps in his drawer.

As for folding stars, this was a very girlish idea, but Mei Fang recalled a joke he saw before he died:

A boyfriend gave his girlfriend a box of stars, which she and her friends mocked. The boyfriend smashed the box and pulled out a car key, breaking up with her regardless of her pleas and curses.

Of course, our Yuan Yuan wouldn’t be like that, but Mei Fang thought folding stars seemed too common… Also, he couldn’t make such crafts, feeling it would take too much time and effort.

Mei Fang went to the toilet and met Zhang Ming. He stood behind Zhang Ming, pondering better gift ideas.

Making a handmade item was a good direction, but was there a simpler way to fold stars…

Zhang Ming remained motionless. Mei Fang patted his shoulder, “Can you urinate? I’ve been waiting for a while.”

“Mei Fang, are you crazy? There’s space next to you, yet you insist on standing behind me to apply pressure!”

“This is to temper your will, to face difficulties calmly. Remember, you used to say this to me.”

“When did you ever say that?”

“In my past life.”

Mei Fang was petty.

“Alright, stop babbling, go away.”

Folding stars might be the most feasible option…

When Mei Fang came out of the toilet, he met Peng Xue chatting with friends near the stairs. Seeing Mei Fang, she greeted him warmly and ran over.

With her hands behind her back, she leaned over curiously, “Mei Fang, what gift are you planning for Yuan Yuan’s birthday? Can you tell me in advance?”

Mei Fang was puzzled, “Why are you asking suddenly? Did you buy a gift for Yuan Yuan?”

“Yuan Yuan said not to buy anything, but if you insist… I took a photo with her, and she looked super cute. Do you want to see?”

Peng Xue, taking Yuan Yuan around again…

Mei Fang thought for a moment, “Do you have it with you?”

Peng Xue nodded, “Of course. But you need to tell me what gift you’re giving.”

“So, you’re really interested in my gift?”

“Well, I don’t really want to, but… Yuan Yuan keeps bragging about how Alfonso is going to give her a big surprise. Tell me, maybe I can help if it’s not good enough.”

“My gift isn’t suitable to show, don’t worry about it.”

Mei Fang knew that if he told Peng Xue about the star idea, she might mock him like in the story.

“Okay! Can I tell Yuan Yuan that you’re giving her a mysterious gift that can’t be shown?”

“Don’t mess with me!”

“Just taking notes, why are you so aggressive…”

Peng Xue pouted and put down the pen.

Mei Fang was about to emphasize the importance of not spreading rumors when he noticed a sharp gaze from Class 8 through the window, even sharper than their homeroom teacher Li Shibing.

“Looks like Yuan Yuan saw us whispering… We can’t let her get jealous.”

Peng Xue stuck out her tongue, patting Mei Fang’s shoulder, “Anyway, be careful, Mei Fang. Don’t disappoint Yuan Yuan.”

Is this karma?

I just applied pressure to Zhang Ming, and now Peng Xue is doing the same to me.

Then I was caught by Yuan Yuan chatting with Peng Xue, and she applied pressure again.

Sigh…

Mei Fang sighed deeply.

It seems I have to use my true abilities as a reincarnated person to resolve this…

(End of Chapter)