Chapter 17: Grand Prize Promotion (Part Two)

Chapter 17: Grand Prize Announcement (Part 2)

Qian Du.

On the “Desert Bicycle” forum.

The moderator, “I Am Dazhuang,” began updating a featured post.

The title was eye-catching.

“Shocking! On this day, the most stunning ending in gaming history is born! Witness to a world record, a master who has broken human limits, whose true identity is…”

Upon seeing the title...

Those looking for cheats or walkthroughs couldn’t help but click in.

Breaking human limits?

What’s this about?

A Guinness World Record?

Pure clickbait.

But after clicking in...

On the first page of the post, they saw this passage:

“The Universe Tech S1 competition officially concluded just half an hour ago…”

“As everyone knows, Desert Bicycle is a game that tests the extreme limits of human focus and rhythm!”

“Countless Chinese players, after engaging with this game, were both attracted by its reward system and shocked by its extreme difficulty…”

“In truth, the core of this game is a test of human endurance and willpower. While earning points early on is easy, every second in the later stages is a trial of limits!”

“Many have claimed this game cannot be completed, some desperately searching for walkthroughs, others for cheats, and some even calling it a scam…”

“Many say it’s impossible for anyone to win the 30,000 yuan prize. The official organizers are just mocking players, as no one could possibly have such terrifying rhythm skills and astonishing focus!”

“However…”

“There is one player who has turned the tables in adversity, defied the odds, and surpassed human limits in a desperate situation, shaking the entire game’s official team to their core. Even the chairman of Universe Tech, Zhang Yang, was stunned on the spot…”

“S1 marks the birth of a new gaming era and a master!”

“…”

“…”

Below the text, several images appeared.

The first showed the background wall of Universe Tech. Beneath it, a young man in a suit, looking refined, was leaning over a computer desk, staring at the screen in shock.

Then...

Another image was posted.

This one depicted several figures holding trophies and banners, standing by the roadside, leading a group beating drums and gongs.

The banners fluttered in the wind…

Seeing this scene,

many netizens were stunned!

“Holy crap, someone actually finished this game?”

“Looks like it…”

“There definitely has to be someone who cleared it—it’s our internet café’s master player, Master Ge! This guy’s a real legend!”

“Are they here for an award ceremony? Why does this place look so familiar?”

“Same here!”

“No way, isn’t this our Star Internet Café?”

“Oh my god!”

“I hear the sound! The award ceremony really is here!”

“No kidding, I’m at the café right now. I’ll go check it out and update you all later!”

“…”

“Hey guys, where are you? Stream the award ceremony live! Take some photos and share them!”

“…”

Star Internet Café.

Several netizens who had been looking for cheats on the forum heard the rhythmic beating of gongs and drums.

They instinctively stood up.

Soon after...

They saw a group of smiling, jubilant young men leading a band, carrying cameras and microphones, entering the café.

The sound of the suona horn was loud and festive, full of celebration and joy. Outside, firecrackers exploded, reminiscent of ancient times when top scholars were honored.

They surrounded Ge Yumiao, handing him a microphone in front of the cameras!

An interview?

Damn!

This is incredible!

Several people’s eyes widened as they gathered around him...

---

“Congratulations, Master Ge! Congratulations on winning the grand prize!”

Zhang Yang’s voice appeared beside Ge Yumiao.

Ge was stunned!

He was at a loss, his face flushed red.

The more people gathered, the more nervous he felt…

When he saw the trophy and banner,

his mind went blank with excitement.

He had always been a poor student, branded a loser by teachers, destined to beg on the streets — this was the first time he had ever felt such grandeur.

The suona’s sound grew even louder and more joyous, and the crowd watching seemed dazed, as if a feast could begin at any moment!

“The Universe Tech S1 season, Desert Bicycle champion!”

Zhang Yang solemnly handed him the trophy…

He took it, feeling dazed. Lowering his head, he saw the inscription.

At that moment, he was overwhelmed by emotion; his nose tingled with an unexpected sting, and he was at a loss for words.

Applause erupted throughout the café.

He felt even more dazed!

People were applauding for him?

He instinctively turned his head, only to see he was already surrounded by people, while cameras zoomed in on him relentlessly…

I’m actually on camera?

I’m playing a game, and now I can…

I…

“Master Ge, let’s take a photo together! You’re the first champion of our S1 season and the first champion for Universe Tech — this is incredibly significant!”

“I’m honored to take a photo with you!”

Ge Yumiao saw the young man at the forefront excitedly grasping his hand, then saying these words with sincerity.

After the photo, they handed him a sign that read “30,000 yuan prize,” and took another photo.

He hadn’t yet fully grasped what this spectacle meant.

He was still somewhat dazed.

But his nose felt even more sore.

For some reason, he felt a lump in his throat.

The sound of drums and gongs attracted more people into the internet café.

Many came just to see what was happening.

The café owner, Li Zongnan, watched the scene with wide eyes…

Then, Zhang Yang seriously pulled out a black bag and handed it to Ge Yumiao.

He keenly sensed…

---

It was money!

Cash!

Heavy cash.

“Thank you all for supporting Desert Bicycle and Universe Tech!”

“Everyone thinks Desert Bicycle is just a game…”

“But I can see from the backend how many sleepless nights people have poured into this game…”

“I’ve witnessed failure after failure, and one person after another refusing to give up…”

“Many players don’t even care about points; they just want to complete the game, to see the story’s ending!”

“And now, that ending has arrived!”

“At this moment, it may be a little bittersweet, much like many lives — imperfect, with trade-offs…”

“But once again, congratulations to Master Ge! Congratulations to him and to us all — when no one else believed in this game, he chose to believe and sacrificed all his points and efforts to bring the story’s ending to everyone!”

“No matter how the story ends, friends, keep striving in the future!”

“Now, let’s invite Master Ge to share his thoughts at this moment?”

“…”

After Zhang Yang’s passionate speech, applause broke out again.

With his clapping, the crowd felt their blood stir and joined in.

Ge Yumiao saw the microphone placed before him.

The heavy cash, the symbolic trophy…

It all felt unreal.

A year ago, he was scolded by his homeroom teacher, advised to leave school. He drifted aimlessly day after day.

Everyone despised him, thinking he had no future. Even he believed his life was over.

A complete failure…

He had stumbled upon Desert Bicycle by chance, just hoping to earn some money, nothing more.

But he never imagined he would persevere to this point…

Was he trying to prove something?

At this moment…

Seeing everyone’s eyes on him…

Hearing the applause…

His eyes suddenly welled up.

“I… thank Desert Bicycle…”

“…”

---

Mustang Technology.

Several staff members saw the homepage of the forum.

They saw a hot post with over ten thousand replies.

Instinctively, they clicked on the Desert Bicycle thread.

Then…

“What’s going on with Desert Bicycle? Why is it so popular?”

“This game really is blowing up recently. My brother’s been playing it non-stop…”

“Really?”

“Yeah! Its marketing is unprecedented. I thought it was just an ordinary game, but now it’s insanely popular…”

“Wait, isn’t that guy in the post... the one you eliminated?”

“Huh?”

(End of chapter)