Chapter 141: As Long As You're Happy!

Seeing no one supporting him, Daxu felt a bit dissatisfied. "Don't you guys think the gaming industry is about to see a massive explosion?"

Yeah, right. Indeed, no one thought that. The news they saw was always about how games ruin youth, and that staying away from games is everyone’s responsibility.

Everyone had heard of people working their way up to become "emperors" of their fields, right? Even if their credentials were fake, they had at least been pulling in eight-figure salaries for years. But had anyone ever heard of a "gaming emperor"?

"Daxu, treating gaming as a career is truly impulsive," Yuhang said.

"I’ve given it serious thought," Daxu replied. "I believe that as computers become more widespread, gaming will inevitably become a universal pastime. When that time comes, the gaming market will definitely be huge."

No one argued; on the surface, that did seem to be the case. Many people’s home computers were becoming increasingly powerful, and they weren't expensive either. But in their minds, they were convinced: gaming could never be a means of making a living.

Games were just entertainment, nothing more.

"I’ve been looking at this software lately called YY Live. People stream themselves playing games, and viewers send them gifts. Could this become a viable profit model for gaming in the future?" Daxu voiced his thoughts.

He spent all his time online and was well-versed in such things. But the others just looked at him, completely bewildered.

How do you send gifts online? How much money could virtual trinkets actually be worth?

"High school courses are so difficult, and I have no heart for studying. I might as well just give up now instead of wasting my time."

No one knew if this was a genuine plan Daxu had made for his future, or just a high-sounding excuse for not wanting to study.

Minghan said to him, "Regardless, you have to get your dad’s permission. Otherwise, you’ll just end up homeless, like the little matchstick boy."

Daxu looked distressed. "My dad is too stubborn; his thinking is set in stone. He won’t even listen to my explanations!"

"If that’s the case, pack your bags and get back to Jinhua to finish high school!"

Daxu put on a sycophantic expression. "Brothers, for the sake of my dream, aren't you going to support me a little?"

Everyone looked up, pretending not to hear him.

"The weather is nice today, the sun isn't that hot!"

"Yeah, that's right!" the group echoed.

A thousand profanities raced through Daxu’s mind. How the hell could they see the sun from inside a private room?

"You guys are investing. When I become famous in the future, you’ll be my major shareholders," Daxu explained. "By then, I’ll be yours to command."

The group collectively gagged.

"Daxu, come back to reality! You’re daydreaming," Zheng Yuan said, patting him on the shoulder.

"Since I’ve made this decision, I won’t change my mind," Daxu said, his tone suddenly shifting. "This time, I’m going to achieve something to show you all."

Daxu speaking like this always felt awkward. He was supposed to be that carefree, degenerate kid who only knew how to play games. Hearing him suddenly spout passionate, inspirational chicken soup to motivate himself felt truly ridiculous.

"Daxu, are you serious this time?" Minghan asked.

Daxu nodded. "Minghan, I know you all think I’m a loser with no goals, only caring about games. But I really do love gaming! And I truly believe it can support me."

"Back in Class 13, so many students looked down on me. I was the template for the 'underachiever' they talked about. Every day, I worried about being kicked out of the key classes. I don’t want to feel that way during high school anymore."

"Minghan, everyone says you have infinite potential and might be a basketball star in the future. As your brother, I don’t want to be that ordinary. I want to be someone big, too. My parents are just workers; they can’t give me much help, so I want to take a different path, one with a better chance of success."

…

This was the first time in the three years Minghan had known Daxu that he had heard him spew such crazy motivational nonsense.

Minghan nodded. "Then I’ll support you."

The others protested, "Minghan, aren't you just adding fuel to the fire? Letting Daxu continue this madness."

"Daxu is just making excuses for himself because he doesn't want to study."

…

The group argued incessantly, but Daxu couldn't hear any of it now. At this moment, his world consisted only of Minghan and himself.

Daxu leaped over, lunging at him. "Minghan..."

He drew out the name in a long, melodious tone, and an ambiguous atmosphere began to brew.

Just as Daxu was about to tackle him, Minghan pressed a hand against his face. "Hold on..."

"No matter how great your dream is or how feasible your future plan seems, you have to convince your parents right now. Otherwise, none of this will ever be possible."

Everything required financial support, no matter what you did.

Daxu’s face fell. "If I tell them, you might never see me again."

"That’s on you," Minghan said. "Since you talk such a big game, you need the resolve to back it up. That includes convincing your dad to let you pursue the esports path."

Daxu lowered his head, pondering for a long time before saying, "Minghan, I’ll listen to you."

Daxu was the first to take his leave, looking as if he were heading off to his execution. "I hope we have a chance to meet again. Dad, here I come!"

After he left, everyone complained to Minghan.

"Aren't you just sending him straight into the path of his father’s whip?"

"You actually supported him playing games; you’ve gone crazy too!"

…

Minghan smiled. "Actually, I think that if a person has the chance to do what they love in this life, that should be the happiest thing."

"What’s the point of being happy? Life is very realistic," Chen Bao said.

"That's right! You have to put food on the table first," Zheng Yuan agreed.

Minghan knew they were right. Dreams were precious, but without food, they were just bubbles—just total garbage.

But Minghan thought of Tank, and he thought of Xiao Hei.

Tank loved basketball, but life didn't even give him the chance to play.

Xiao Hei was still just a child, so cute, so optimistic. He deserved the right to enjoy the beauty of life. Yet, he had a heart condition at such a young age and knew nothing of the outside world. There were many little girls out there, even cuter than Xiao Hong, but Xiao Hei might never have the chance to see them.

Damn this life!

Minghan thought, we only have one life, and we never know when it will end. It’s better to live in a way that makes you the happiest.

What’s the point of living such a tiring life, always worrying about this and that?

Finally, Minghan said to everyone, enunciating each word: "Actually, just being happy is enough! Really! It's enough!"