Chapter 10

 Chapter Ten: Professional Class

"Ah?"

Lu Zhixing was instantly bewildered.

Lu Yixiao, who had accidentally interrupted, felt a bit embarrassed. "Sorry, Brother Lu, you were about to say something. Please go ahead."

Lu Zhixing quickly shook his head, "No, no, you go first. I want to know how a streamer managed to capture this person."

Lu Yixiao quickly found a video on his computer. "It's this video. You guys know Xu Jing, right? She's a well-known gaming streamer in the gaming community. She captured this footage while jogging in Longtan Park that day."

"At the time, neither she nor her fans paid much attention to it. They thought it was just a performance art piece. However, when 'Zen' started gaining popularity, internet users turned into detectives and realized that this person might very well be the creator of 'Zen'!"

Liu Bo looked at the screen with curiosity. 

In the video, Xu Jing used her phone's camera to clearly capture this person. In the dim lighting, he stood inside a tree pit, posing as a tree, occasionally swaying gently with the breeze.

During the video, Xu Jing even spoke to him a few times, but he remained completely unresponsive.

Liu Bo was puzzled, "Why would he be the creator of 'Zen'? You can't just connect two people because they both seem a bit unconventional, right?"

Lu Zhixing's lips twitched slightly. Are you being polite?

Lu Yixiao quickly explained, "No, no, it's not just that. There's a lot of evidence to support this."

"First, this person with the nickname 'Stranger' is located in Jinghai City."

"Second, Xu Jing's livestream video was recorded on a Friday evening, and 'Zen' officially appeared on the official platform on Saturday morning."

"Third, someone did some research, and the stone bridge in 'Zen' is located in the old city area of Jinghai City, not too far from Longtan Park."

"Fourth, this person's performance art clearly took place in a tree! In 'Zen,' the second chapter is a 'tree simulator,' and even the swaying in the wind is similar to this person's portrayal."

"When you put all these pieces together, can you still call it a coincidence? This person is very likely the creator of 'Zen'!"

Liu Bo suddenly understood, "I see! In that case, it does seem suspicious!"

They both focused intently on the video of this person, who was completely covered with a black mask, a duckbill cap, and even the hoodie's hood was pulled up, fully concealed.

Only his two eyes were visible.

"This person seems quite young, even though we can't see his face, I get the feeling he's quite handsome."

"Yeah, it's a shame his mental state seems a bit off."

"Hmm, that's strange. The more I look, the more familiar he seems..."

Both of them fell into deep thought.

Lu Zhixing quietly reached into his pocket and pushed the black mask inside, eliminating the possibility of it accidentally falling out. Thankfully, he rarely wore that hoodie, only using it when helping out at the internet café. Otherwise, he might have had to endure a crisis back in the dorm today.

This video from Xu Jing's livestream was turning out to be quite the boomerang!

Before, Brother Lu had specifically checked, and Xu Jing's livestream replay hadn't caused much of a reaction. It had only circulated among her fans on a small scale, so he thought the crisis had passed.

Perhaps after some time, people would forget about it.

But he had never expected that with the popularity of "Zen," this video would resurface!

What should he do now?

"Oh right, Brother Lu, what were you about to say just now?"

Liu Bo and Lu Yixiao both looked at him.

Brother Lu was momentarily tongue-tied. "I was about to say... Oh... I wanted to say that this matter, I've actually heard about it, but I think it's completely unnecessary to pay attention to it. Games like this trash can only become popular due to luck, it's definitely an irreplicable success! So we don't need to belittle ourselves, there's no need to worry about it at all! Yeah, that's it.

Now, it's time to go to class!" 

With that, he picked up his textbook for the professional class, pushed Liu Bo and Lu Yixiao out of the dorm, locked the door, and headed straight for the elevator.

Liu Bo and Lu Yixiao were a bit surprised, "What's wrong with Brother Lu?"

……

9:50 AM, the three of them arrived at the professional class on time.

It was a large lecture hall, and most of the seats were already taken.

The course was called "Fundamental Theories and Overview of Game Design," and from the name, it was apparent that it was a fundamental and highly theoretical course.

The professor teaching the course was named He Cheng. Rumor had it that he was a retired top-tier game producer from a major company who had been responsible for the design of many excellent games. He had a good network in the gaming industry and had already achieved financial freedom.

He Cheng had been specially recruited by Jinghai University's Game Design School to strengthen the faculty and help students better connect with the industry.

According to reliable information from senior students, Professor He Cheng, despite his friendly demeanor, had high expectations and was quite strict, so no one dared to skip his classes.

Lu Zhexing and his two friends scanned the lecture hall, and the back row, which they referred to as the "golden position," was already filled.

They couldn't see Zhao Haoyan anywhere.

"Huh, Old Zhao should have arrived early; he didn't find a seat? Well, sitting in the last few rows isn't that bad."

Their gaze shifted to the middle of the lecture hall, but even there, they couldn't spot Zhao Haoyan.

"What's going on? Is the competition for seats this intense?"

The entire lecture hall was almost full, and only the first three rows still had available seats. Obviously, most students didn't want to sit so close to the professor.

Where could Zhao Haoyan be?

Just as the three of them were getting puzzled, they heard someone calling out to them, "Brother Lu! Liu Bo! General Lü! Over here!"

They turned their heads and saw Zhao Haoyan waving at them, seated right in the middle of the first row.

In the central seat of the first row, which most students were avoiding, Zhao Haoyan had spread out several books, occupied seats that weren't in high demand, and had a triumphant expression on his face.

Liu Bo's mouth twitched slightly, "You're occupying seats like this?"

Zhao Haoyan nodded, "Of course, isn't this the best spot?"

This guy!

After entering college, most students had rapidly transitioned from being top students to slacking off, so Lu Zhexing and Liu Bo had neglected the few straight-shooting boys who hadn't had the chance to change, like Zhao Haoyan.

But now they didn't have much of a choice because all the other seats were already taken.

"No problem, let's sit here. Maybe being closer to the professor will help us focus better," Lu Zhexing said. While he didn't mind, he could see the awkward expressions on Liu Bo and Lü Yixiao's faces, so he tried to comfort them.

Liu Bo and Lü Yixiao exchanged glances and, having no other option, reluctantly took their seats.

Next time, we should make it clear to old Zhao that when we reserve seats, it should be in the last row! It's comfortable during class, and it's convenient to leave after class. We're in college now; who sits in the front row during class anymore!

Soon, the class bell rang.

A professor who appeared to be in his sixties walked to the podium. He was Professor He Cheng, the instructor for this class.

Professor He had only partially gray hair and looked quite energetic, always wearing a smile on his face.

However, that smile was likely a facade.

When it comes to professors in college, one shouldn't judge them by their appearance. The friendlier they appear, the more likely they might surprise you with unexpected challenges, while those who seem stricter might be more lenient and forgiving.

Some upperclassmen had already inquired about Professor He and found that he was very strict when it came to his subject, and the more challenging part was that he didn't follow a set curriculum. He often posed questions that were far beyond the current level of the students or assigned assignments that were too advanced, making older students struggle.

"All right, everyone, please settle down. Let's begin the class."

Professor He Cheng started with a brief self-introduction, talking about his background and notable works. In short, it was as impressive as the information they had gathered earlier - a true expert in the field.

There's a saying: For most students, the professors they encounter in college might be the most accomplished individuals in their field that they'll ever meet in their lives. This statement was undoubtedly accurate.

Then, he proceeded with the actual course content.

The name of this class was "Fundamental Theory Overview of Game Design." Therefore, Professor He began with some basic design theories. However, as he explained, he cited numerous examples from well-known games and shared some industry insights, making the lecture engaging and informative.

It seemed that this professor did indeed have a lot to offer.

Lu Zhixing listened attentively. Although these were basic theories that might not be directly applicable to game design, he, as a self-taught game designer in his previous life, lacked these fundamental theories.

As Professor He continued, he suddenly changed the topic and asked a question.

"Recently, there's been a popular indie game called 'Zen.' Have any of you played it?"

"Come on, the tall student sitting in the first row, can you answer?"

Zhao Haoyan looked puzzled, "Me?"

Professor He nodded, "Yes, you."

Zhao Haoyan stood up in confusion, feeling awkward, "Professor, I, I haven't played this game..."

Professor He's expression immediately soured, "Haven't played it? What were you doing over the weekend?"

"As a student majoring in game design, I don't expect you to spend your weekends studying or reading professional books. I don't even require you to work on design drafts. But shouldn't you at least experience some of the latest games? If you don't even play the latest games and aren't familiar with the latest trends in the gaming industry, how can you personally work on game development in the future?"

"Please have a seat!"

Seeing Professor He Cheng's sudden change of expression and hearing his stern tone, the other students who hadn't played the game also felt a chill.

Indeed, he was a tiger in sheep's clothing!

Despite the initial friendliness, as soon as a student displeased him, he immediately turned stern.

No wonder the older students were afraid of him. During lectures, he randomly called on students to answer questions not found in textbooks, and his requirements were very strict. He was a truly formidable figure!

They all shrank back and silently prayed that the professor wouldn't pick them.

As for Liu Bo, he couldn't help but smirk: Serves him right! Old Zhao, who told you to take the first row without saying a word? With your towering height, you stand out so obviously; how could you not become the professor's target?

However, he was clearly celebrating too soon because Professor He Cheng continued, "The student next to the tall one, you can answer."

Liu Bo: "?"

He looked around and realized that there was an aisle to the left of Zhao Haoyan and an empty seat to his right.

He had no escape.