"The child, after waking up, didn't mention anything besides New Century Paradise, right?" Chen Ge asked rapidly.
"Your priorities are certainly… unique." Uncle Xu took back his phone. "You should discuss the specifics with
"Got it. I'll go find him right now." Chen Ge grabbed a jacket, threw it on, and rushed out of his haunted house in a flurry.
"The child who fell into a coma after the car accident—his willpower and lingering soul were very likely drawn into the Medium-Sensitive Ghost School through the doors. He left with me last night, which is why he's awakened now. The timing works out perfectly, and it explains why the first thing out of his mouth was 'New Century Paradise.' Before they left, I repeatedly emphasized to them that if they ever ran into danger out there, they could come find me at New Century Paradise on the western outskirts of Hanjiang."
At its root, this was no medical miracle—it was Chen Ge's doing.
He sprinted all the way to Director Luo's office. After getting permission, he pushed the door open and barged in.
"Director Luo, you wanted to see me?" Chen Ge was panting, his jacket buttons still undone.
"Why are you in such a panic? Have some water first, come sit down."
"I heard the media came knocking?"
"No rush. Let me show you something first." Director Luo turned the laptop on his desk toward Chen Ge and pressed play.
On the screen, a promotional video for Virtual Future Paradise played out—the seamless fusion of virtual and reality outclassed New Century Paradise in every conceivable way. Just watching it from the side was breathtaking; actually experiencing it in person would be on another level entirely.
"Xiao Chen, do you think we could produce a promo like this?" Director Luo looked at Chen Ge. "Give me your honest assessment."
"No. Our park is still a fourth-generation one—we mainly rely on physical machinery. In terms of tech, we can't compete with them at all. It'd be nearly impossible to create that kind of stunning effect." Chen Ge realized he had underestimated Virtual Future Paradise. This rival was cunning—they had prepared five promotional videos in total, three of which Chen Ge had never seen. The last one even involved horror movies, practically a direct challenge to his haunted house.
This was Virtual Future Paradise's confidence on full display. Not only did they want to beat him—they wanted to defeat him in the very field where he was strongest, stealing away all the loyal visitors he had painstakingly built up.
"Even if our park could achieve that kind of effect, we don't have the time or budget to produce a video like this right now." Director Luo took out his phone and opened several popular social media, entertainment, and video platforms. A single scroll revealed ad after ad for Virtual Future Paradise. "They've poured an obscene amount of money into promoting themselves, and it's working—incredibly well, at that. Tons of people want to visit their park. The online advance tickets sold out a day early."
"They're coming in full force, and the situation is very unfavorable for us." Chen Ge stared at the overwhelming flood of Virtual Future Paradise's ads, a pang of envy twisting in his chest. Here he was, making short videos and livestreaming just to promote his haunted house—risking life and limb, nearly dying in the process. People really shouldn't compare themselves to others; it only led to misery. "Director Luo, so how much have we spent on advertising?"
"That's exactly why I called you over." Director Luo took a sip of water from his cup, walked to the window, and gazed down at New Century Paradise below. "Our budget is limited, and the market doesn't have faith in us. If we want to survive, we'll have to take a gamble."
"What's the plan?" Chen Ge didn't even ask what Director Luo was planning to do—he went straight to how. He trusted Director Luo completely and knew that in the business world, the man's vision extended far beyond his own.
"Let me ask you something first. I need an honest answer." Director Luo picked up his phone and pulled up the very same news article Uncle Xu had shown Chen Ge earlier. "Is this real or not?"
"Director Luo, I'm not entirely sure what you mean."
"A man who's been in a coma for five years, and the first thing he says when he opens his mouth is 'New Century Paradise'? The accident happened nowhere near us. His life trajectory has absolutely no connection to us whatsoever. So why would he say those words?" Director Luo personally poured a cup of tea for Chen Ge. "Does this have something to do with you?"