Chapter 19: The Sudden Grandeur of Li Ping'an

After replying to the official staff at Warwick, Li Ping’an’s heart brimmed with joy like a spring about to burst forth, impossible to contain any longer. That excitement felt like an invisible force, lifting the corners of his mouth into an involuntary smile. If not for the concern of his sister at home—fearing that his uncontrollable laughter might make her think he had gone mad—he would already have thrown all caution to the wind and fully unleashed his happiness.

So this was what success felt like: exhilarating, intoxicating, utterly fulfilling!

Li Ping’an knew that the unexpected rise of the Pet Spirit software was largely thanks to that short video blogger. Perhaps to the blogger, it was simply sharing a software they found handy and adorable with their followers. But for Li Ping’an, it was undoubtedly a turning point in his fate.

He was deeply grateful to this blogger. While they might have shared the software out of simple fondness, for him, it meant a destiny-shaping moment.

After liking and following the blogger who recommended Pet Spirit, Li Ping’an had mentally noted this person down. One day, when he had the means, he would follow the wealthy and generously reward them.

Immersed in hopeful visions of the future, Li Ping’an sat lost in thought for quite a while before gradually returning to reality. He whispered softly, “Things will get better. Everything will get better.”

With the Spring Festival approaching, Li Ping’an keenly realized the necessity of launching a new software update before the holiday, complete with a few charming pet characters. After all, users couldn’t be expected to keep interacting with and nurturing the same dull egg-shaped icon forever.

He planned to carefully select the most adorable pet character and set it as a paid purchase. After all, the New Year was when people had the most disposable income. He was confident that among the vast user base, some would happily pay for their favorite cute pet.

Right now, he eagerly hoped Li Nan could speed up the design work to complete the related tasks smoothly before the holiday. Meanwhile, he himself would use these few days to meticulously transfer, optimize, and integrate the AI voice input and output modules.

---

But with the New Year coming, Li Ping’an couldn’t avoid a headache: buying New Year’s supplies.

Gifts for visiting relatives and friends could wait until closer to the visits, but food and drinks for the holiday needed to be purchased now.

Could he haul all the goods back on his small donkey cart? He shook his head—riding a donkey was less convenient than taking the bus.

Taking his wallet from his backpack, he carefully counted out ten hundred-yuan notes. After putting the wallet away, he stood up and slowly walked downstairs.

Outside, the sun shone warmly. Li Ya had moved a chair into the yard and sat basking in the sunshine, leisurely cracking sunflower seeds. She looked as if all the world’s troubles had nothing to do with her.

An uninformed observer might mistake her for someone who had already finished all her winter homework and was now thoroughly enjoying the holiday.

Li Ping’an approached his sister and placed the ten hundred-yuan bills in front of her.

“Tomorrow morning, get up early. We’ll first go to pay respects to Mom and Dad, then take the bus into town to buy New Year’s supplies.”

“Take this money. If there’s anything you want to buy, just go ahead.”

Li Ya was momentarily stunned by the sudden wealth. Then she fixed her gaze on her brother with a look full of surprise and doubt. This was far from normal—compared to previous years, this was a huge difference. In past New Years, he might have given only one hundred-yuan note, but this year it was tenfold!

How could she not be astonished?

“Don’t look at me like that. Our good days are coming soon,” Li Ping’an said with a smile, seeming to read her thoughts. “If all goes well, after the New Year, we won’t have to worry about money anymore.”

He hesitated briefly, then added cautiously, “Of course, that’s assuming we don’t spend recklessly.”

After all, he wasn’t sure how many users would truly be willing to pay for a pet skin. Even with the wildly popular King’s Glory, which he had played for many seasons, he had never spent a single cent.

---

“No way? Then I won’t be polite—I’ll take it!” Li Ya’s eyes sparkled with delight and hope, though she still wasn’t fully convinced.

Without another word, Li Ping’an stuffed the money into her hand. “Here, just take it. No more fuss.”

“Don’t forget what I said—get up early tomorrow, we’ll go pay respects to Mom and Dad.”

“Okay~”

---

In the vast world of the internet, when any software suddenly goes viral, it is like a stone thrown into a still lake, inevitably drawing the intense attention of major internet companies.

Just as when the short video industry first emerged—initially a niche innovation by a few platforms—it soon captivated the market with its unique charm and enormous potential, prompting a wave of imitation across the industry.

A short video craze swept through, transforming the internet landscape profoundly.

At that moment, in a bright and spacious office somewhere in the city, the hearts of all the workers had already taken flight, longing to return home.

With the Spring Festival near, the festive atmosphere acted like an invisible magnet, drawing everyone’s thoughts homeward.

Conversations each day revolved almost entirely around going home for the holiday; work had long since become a distant afterthought.

In the meeting room, where the team leader had suddenly called a gathering, the mood at first remained light and cheerful, filled with chatter and laughter.

Until the leader frowned, looking serious, and shared the Pet Spirit download link in the group, loudly announcing:

“Everyone, download this app immediately. I’m giving you ten minutes to try it out. After that, I want a clear answer from you.”

“If we want to imitate this software, how many days would it take us to produce a finished product?”

As soon as the leader finished speaking, the previously relaxed atmosphere froze instantly. Faces took on various expressions.

Sure enough, they were about to be assigned this kind of task again.

---

PS: Please support with recommendation votes! Please support with monthly votes!