"What the hell?"

Gu Sheng nearly spat out the cod in his mouth!

"You and me? Together? Meeting your dad? Tomorrow?"

What sudden whim had possessed this little ancestor now?

Gu Sheng felt uneasy and waved his hands to indicate he absolutely couldn't go:

"Come on, it's just a father-daughter meal - wouldn't it be weird for an outsider like me to join?"

But then!

Shen Miaomiao grinned awkwardly: "Um... it wasn't my idea. It's Lao Shen who... wants to see you."

Gu Sheng: ...

The news was so sudden it left him completely unprepared, with no room to react.

Shen Wanlin wants to see me?

Why does he want to see me?

What will he say?

Is this business or personal?

Business would be manageable.

Whether discussing the company's current development or future direction, he could respond fluently and systematically.

Not necessarily impressing Shen Wanlin, but at least demonstrating his competence as Vice President and Chief Director.

But if it's personal... that would be troublesome.

Although Gu Sheng hadn't witnessed Shen Wanlin's methods firsthand, he'd heard stories from Little Nezha about Lao Shen's "ironclad defenses."

Back in high school, the lovely and charming Little Nezha had been the secret crush of many boys.

But crushes remained just that - not one dared confess their feelings to her face.

Because before they could, they'd all received warnings.

For academically strong students, the approach was gentler - teachers would have private talks, hinting they should focus on studies, not other distractions.

As for delinquent types with dyed hair? They'd suddenly find themselves dragged into a van by seven or eight burly men one day, taken to the outskirts for a "heart-to-heart" talk featuring steel pipes.

High school punks and local hoodlums had never seen such scenes!

No violence needed - just being hauled into the van scared them pissless, making them avoid even looking at Little Nezha at school afterward.

And this!

All these unlucky souls!

Were just guys who harbored secret crushes on Little Nezha!

But him!

Gu Sheng!

Now lived with Shen Wanlin's precious daughter!

Cold sweat broke out on Gu Sheng's forehead.

Fragments of imagined scenes flashed through his mind—

Flames, frying pans, butter, flambéed rum, fragrant basil leaves, a pristine plate serving "veal shank," with Shen Miaomiao's father sipping red wine while enjoying this delicious dinner...

Holy shit!

Gu Sheng shuddered and waved his hands frantically: "Seriously no... I'll have a fever tomorrow..."

"Huh?" Shen Miaomiao had never heard of scheduling fevers: "How do you know you'll have a fever tomorrow?"

"Don't worry," Gu Sheng said, "I'll definitely have a fever, 100%. Just spare me this time."

"I might spare you, but my dad won't,"

Shen Miaomiao gave an awkward yet polite smile:

"Unless you plan to be feverish every day, when he wants to meet someone, they've never failed to show up."

"No way, you're kidding,"

Hearing this, Gu Sheng laughed, thinking Little Nezha was exaggerating, clasping his hands and bowing slightly upward:

"Could your esteemed father possibly have divine connections?"

Shen Miaomiao didn't respond, just stared silently at Gu Sheng as if everything was self-evident.

Gu Sheng gulped.

A full five seconds of silence passed!

"...Then can you at least give me a heads-up about the nature of this meeting?"

Gu Sheng looked miserable, hanging his head like a condemned man:

"Business or personal? Corporate or family dinner? Let me at least die knowi— I mean, prepare myself mentally?"

"Business-family dinner hybrid,"

Shen Miaomiao recalled her phone call with Lao Shen and shrugged:

"No idea what he'll ask about. He didn't tell me."

Silence fell between them, an atmosphere of nervous tension spreading through the apartment.

But fortunately!

Right then, Shen Miaomiao's scheduled alarm suddenly rang.

It was time for To the Moon's first-week sales results!

Shen Miaomiao flipped open her phone and went straight to CDEA's official statistics backend.

Normally, she'd prepare thoroughly, given this was her first game as producer and with cashback at stake—proper ceremony was essential.

But now, with the "big enemy" approaching.

Shen Miaomiao couldn't bother with formalities and checked directly.

Accessing the backend, she pulled the data.

The next second, Shen Miaomiao gasped sharply, her face lighting up with joy!

"Hiss— holy shit!!!"

Seeing this, Gu Sheng across from her also brightened!

"What? Is your dad busy tomorrow? No dinner?!"

Black lines appeared on Shen Miaomiao's forehead: "Give up on that idea. I'm looking at To the Moon's first-week sales..."

She pushed her phone toward Gu Sheng.

Looking down, Gu Sheng also gasped in shock!

"Holy shit! One... one hundred seventy thousand copies?!"

What kind of monster was this?!

Clearly, these sales figures exceeded even his projections!

170,000 copies in one week!

Total sales: 25.5 million yuan!

Across China, even all of Asia, this was an earth-shattering achievement!

A pixel-art indie game with about 500,000 yuan investment selling 170,000 copies for 25.5 million in its first week!

Maybe not unprecedented forever!

But certainly unprecedented so far!

While amazed and delighted, Gu Sheng also felt retrospective fear—

Thankfully President Yan of Yiyou was honorable (and concerned about reputation), waiving To the Moon's platform fees after hearing Golden Wind would donate all proceeds.

Otherwise!

The platform's cut from 25.5 million would have been over 5 million!

Almost simultaneously!

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Both their phones received multiple push notifications!

Since charity project data was publicly transparent, numerous media outlets had been waiting to report:

[Charity Miracle! Charity Week Concludes! 'To the Moon' Raises Over 25 Million in Donations!]

[MiiaShen's First Production! 'To the Moon' Sells Over 170K Copies Globally in One Week!]

[Record-Breaking! 'To the Moon' Makes History! This Is the Power of Charity!]

[Official Endorsement! State Media Praise! 'To the Moon' Lives Up to Expectations, Sets Charity Week Record!]

[...]

A flood of reports arrived!

Players' cheers erupted simultaneously!

Among these 170,000 acts of kindness, surely some came from them!

This proud sense of participation reignited players' enthusiasm!

CDEA's massive promotion!

Universal acclaim across industries!

State media's full-page commendation!

Who says video games are just mindless entertainment? That we're a generation poisoned by games? That games offer no social benefits?

We have sincerity and ideals; we care about the vulnerable; we shoulder social responsibility!

We're never a decadent, aimless generation!

These 170,000 copies represent our collective kindness like scattered sparks!

These 25 million in donations embody countless players' sincere hearts!

This historic achievement had players celebrating and spreading the news—

'Woo-hoo! 20 million donations achieved! I contributed!'

'May the children recover soon!'

'May there be no lonely lighthouses in the world, may we all connect!'

'No offense! People like you—your moms will live to 100!'

'Then I hope your mom always finds money while shopping!'

'Is that how you bless people where you're from?'

'Well, aren't you sweet...'

'Not sure whether to say thanks...'

'This is too ridiculous hahaha'

'You guys rock! Little Huang rocks! CEO Ou rocks!'

'The Laba Garlic Couple rocks!'

'Lock the Laba Garlic Couple together forever! I'm crazily shipping them! 360° Thomas spin shipping!'

'Increase the dosage...'

'Too bad Charity Week was only one week, could've hit 200K'

'Already amazing...'

'Hell yeah, everyone gave their all...'

'...'

Scrolling through the universal praise and endless "hell yeahs," Shen Miaomiao felt delighted.

Of course!

Even more delightful was the "ding" notification:

[Your debit card 1118 received mobile transfer of 255,000 yuan on Feb 16, balance 894,523.68...]

Though only 1% cashback, the sheer volume made up for it!

I have 900,000 now!

Shen Miaomiao was overjoyed!

She recalled that last year, German yacht builder Lürssen had launched a new A+ class luxury yacht for billionaires—about 102 meters long, four decks, private helicopter, capacity for 24 guests and 40 crew, priced at $500 million.

Converted that was... 3.5 billion yuan.

And now!

I have 0.00025 of a yacht!

Emoooo... okay, thinking that way is kinda depressing.

But still fantastic!

After all, money snowballs—initial accumulation is slow, but it'll grow faster later!

But first!

She needed to protect Old Gu.

Because Old Gu was key to filling her coffers—without him, she'd never own that yacht.

Hmm?

Suddenly, inspiration struck!

Since Lao Shen wanted to meet Gu Sheng tomorrow, why not dress him up nicely and sing his praises, showing how crucial he was to the company—even conveying "this family would fall apart without Old Gu"!

That way, Lao Shen would view Gu Sheng differently and pay special attention!

Then whether Golden Wind expanded domestically or globally, she'd never worry about poaching again.

Because by then, Comrade Lao Shen would handle it!

Brilliant! Shen Miaomiao! You're so clever!

Mentally praising herself, she looked at Gu Sheng, who after brief celebration had returned to family dinner dread.

"Hey, don't look so miserable,"

Shen Miaomiao stood and moved behind Gu Sheng, massaging his shoulders:

"You've got me! I'm his actual daughter! My word counts!"

"Relax! I've got your back!"

Then she chuckled:

"Besides, Dad just wants to meet you, not eat you. What are you scared of?"

Gu Sheng shivered.

That made it even scarier.

"Please don't mention eating people, I'm scared enough..."

...

Next morning!

Gu Sheng groggily checked the time.

Almost 9 AM.

Oddly, in his past life he'd met many industry leaders and successful people.

Though none as prominent as Shen Wanlin, they were still highly distinguished.

Yet he'd never been this nervous.

Last night, he'd actually lost sleep, tossing until nearly 3 AM.

All he could think about was what gift to bring Shen Wanlin.

First meeting, family dinner—showing up empty-handed wouldn't do.

Getting up to wash, he found Shen Miaomiao had already left.

Huh?

Gu Sheng was puzzled.

About to call Little Nezha, the doorbell rang.

Knock knock—knock knock—

"Old Gu, open up!"

Little Nezha's voice came through the door.

"Coming!"

Confused, Gu Sheng opened the door:

"What were you doing so early... HOLY SHIT!!!"

The sight at the door shocked him!

There stood!

Little Nezha loaded down!

Cigarettes, premium liquor, tea, health supplements, massagers—bags upon bags of gifts!

Gu Sheng gaped: "Did you... go wholesale shopping?"

"Take these... I can't hold them..."

Shen Miaomiao handed the items to Gu Sheng, shaking her reddened hands with relief:

"Whew—so heavy."

Staring at the mountain of expensive gifts, Gu Sheng was dumbfounded: "This is—?"

"Gifts for my dad!" Shen Miaomiao said. "I went shopping first thing with Sister Chuchu."

"Wait—"

Gu Sheng was stunned:

"You... bought all this... then what about me???"

This was way too extravagant!

Most importantly!

If Shen Miaomiao brought this much, he'd need even more!

Money wasn't the issue—he just couldn't think of anything beyond what she'd already bought!

"These are yours!"

Shen Miaomiao pointed at the gifts matter-of-factly:

"You thought these were from me? That's my home! Why would I bring gifts to my own house?"

Hearing this!

Gu Sheng froze.

Looking between Little Nezha and the luxurious gifts:

"So... you went out early to buy gifts for me?"

"Duh, lazybones slept in,"

Shen Miaomiao wrinkled her nose at him playfully:

"Besides, you don't know Dad's preferences. Things like tea and liquor—I handled it!"

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com