Chapter 1909: Family Resource Allocation Dinner
The so-called floating castle was actually a flying house built with starship technology that could turn invisible. Since activating it cost a lot, and it was located above the Platinum Eye, it wasn't available every day. Ordinary people had to queue up and make reservations.
The floating castle was quite large in scale. The flying sphere could enter and experience the immersive feeling brought by high technology, even restoring the sense of touch.
"Unfortunately, there's a strict rule that the floating castle can't be too terrifying. If this were a high-risk instance, how exciting would that be?" Xin Rong said.
"Don't C-class wormhole points have such simulation instances?" Xu Huo raised an eyebrow.
"They do, but it's a bit far, inconvenient to go there." Although Xin Rong maintained his player identity and had a unique obsession with clearing levels and upgrading, he wasn't someone who single-mindedly pursued personal strength. He preferred to clear levels with the help of props and instruments, so he wasn't particularly fixated on improvement.
"Not as interesting as this floating castle." He reached out and grabbed a ball of simulated cloud cotton candy floating past him, stuffing it into his mouth. "It comes in all kinds of flavors. Try some."
Xu Huo wasn't interested and instead asked, "Is it possible for the Lang family to attack the Platinum Eye?"
"No, they wouldn't dare." Xin Rong answered without thinking. "The Platinum Eye became famous in the game because of its advanced weapons. Those weapons naturally include defensive weapons and armed robots. Look at the law enforcement robots on the streets. They use hundreds of types of signal-sensing chips. No matter how powerful a jammer is, it can't control all the robots at the same time. And the Platinum Eye has many more such robots in reserve. If the Lang family dares to start a war, these robots will teleport through space and air-drop into their cities."
In other words, a war of annexation fought by the decision-makers was different from a true city-destroying war.
"Then we can let them see just how thick the foundation of the famous weapon-exporting city really is."
Xu Huo didn't speak, watching the two children lying on the bubbles looking outside.
"You're not worried that the Platinum Eye isn't safe enough, are you?" Xin Rong seemed to guess his thoughts and laughed heartily. "Don't worry. If even the Platinum Eye isn't safe, then there's no safe place in the game."
Xu Huo gave him a deep look. "Do you know that sometimes you shouldn't speak too confidently?"
Xin Rong didn't care at all. "Don't believe in those superstitions. No matter where you are, strength is the ultimate truth. Even if someone wants to attack the Platinum Eye, they have to see if they have the ability. The Lang family? Not worth mentioning."
"For the Platinum Eye to truly become a battlefield, there would have to be a war between wormholes. But if it really is a wormhole war, then no place is safe enough."
"Don't overthink it. Settle down here with the children and feel at ease."
"But these two kids aren't old. They'll definitely have to go to school in the Platinum Eye. Did Miss Koukou recommend a school for you? If not, I can help you ask around."
Xu Huo thanked him.
"Good friends don't need to say that." Xin Rong was cheerful.
After coming out of the floating castle, it was dinner time. To fulfill his duties as a host, Xin Rong specially invited Xu Huo to be a guest at the Xin family home.
Xu Huo felt that showing up uninvited was a bit of an intrusion, but under Xin Rong's strong insistence, he still brought some gifts and went.
The manor where Xin Rong's grandparents lived had a no-fly zone, so the cars all traveled on the ground. As they approached the manor, they saw a line of cars slowing down and queuing up.
"Is something going on at your place?" Xu Huo raised an eyebrow at Xin Rong.
Xin Rong immediately reached out and pressed his shoulder, his face full of smiles. "Small scene, small scene. It's just relatives bringing friends over to liven things up. In these occasions, you bring your closest friends. I consider you a good brother, so I brought you along. Don't refuse me."
"What about the friends you grew up with?"
"They all know each other's families. Besides, in the eyes of the elders, most of the younger generation are useless. They don't like to join in the fun either... You're different. You're a player friend I made, and also a Super Evolver with a bright future. Not to mention my parents, even my grandparents will think highly of me..."
Xu Huo gave a half-smile but didn't waste words. "When a friend has something to do, I should help. Since that's the case, I'll have Yan Fang take the two children back to the hotel first."
"That works, that works." Hearing him agree, Xin Rong quickly nodded with a smile.
As Xin Rong had said, it was indeed a small banquet. The guests were all related to the Xin family by blood or marriage. There weren't many young people like Xin Rong bringing friends to play.
"Brother, you've got to help me save face later." Xin Rong glanced sideways at Xu Huo's pants pocket, which held Bai Kou's platinum badge.
After entering, Xin Rong first went to greet his parents, then left Xu Huo alone while he went to pay his respects to his grandparents.
Xin Rong's grandparents hadn't come out yet. In the main hall, those chatting or resting were either Xin Rong's parents' generation or the younger generation like Xin Rong.
The Xin family members were all very polite. When people came over to greet Xin Rong's parents and heard that Xu Huo was Xin Rong's friend, they all offered friendly greetings.
The Xin family had a large population. Xin Rong alone had nearly thirty uncles and aunts. They weren't all full siblings of Xin Rong's father. Half were cousins, and the other half were half-siblings.
From the conversations of others, it could be learned that Xin Rong's biological grandmother was his grandfather's legal wife. Xin Rong's father was the youngest among his full brothers, but there were younger half-brothers below him. Today's banquet was because Xin Rong's grandfather had recently been seriously ill. Now that he had recovered, he wanted to see the younger generation of the family.
It was said that this wasn't even all their relatives, because Xin Rong's biological grandmother and the mothers of his other uncles and aunts also had other children. They just weren't descendants of the Xin family and didn't attend this banquet.
Anyone who saw it would have to say it was a thriving and prosperous scene.
The Platinum Eye had advanced technology. Pregnancy and childbirth didn't necessarily require women to do it themselves. This had created super-large families like the Xin family. As long as family resources weren't stretched thin, everyone was happy to see it happen. After all, the more people there were, the higher the chance of producing talented individuals, and the easier it was to secure a place in this fiercely competitive game world.
Soon, Xu Huo understood why Xin Rong had "tricked" him into coming. Because his grandfather was pushed out in a wheelchair. This family patriarch looked ill, seemingly on his last legs.
This was probably a dinner meeting to discuss the allocation of family resources.
The main hall fell silent. Xin Rong's grandfather slowly swept his gaze over the people standing before him. "Everyone, sit down."
After everyone had taken their seats, the old man said to Xin Rong beside him, "Go to your parents."
Xin Rong bowed slightly and walked back to his parents' position. At that moment, the servants began to serve the dishes.
"Today is the last time I, as the head of the Xin family, will gather the whole family for a meal. You all, have a good meal with me."