Chapter 1: 5 hours and 59 minutes left before the start of the Destruction Era

"A slightly spoiled egg fried rice."

"After consumption, it provides +3 satiety and +3 stamina."

"There is a 10% chance of negative effects, causing cramps."

Nancheng.

Suburbs, a farm.

Li Tianran looked at the words floating in the void and stood up, picking up the plate of fragrant egg fried rice in front of the girl across from him. He smiled and said, "It's been sitting for a while, it might be bad. Let me get you another one."

"I wasn't planning to eat it in the first place." The girl's posture was somewhat reserved, and her attire was exquisite, contrasting with the slightly worn-out surroundings. She frowned slightly and said, "Li Tianran, I've had enough! If you refuse to move from this rundown estate, I'm breaking up with you."

Li Tianran, who was about to take the plate away, paused upon hearing her words. He looked at his girlfriend, correcting her expressionlessly, "Please get it clear, this is not a rundown estate, but a farm that integrates dining, cultivation, and fishing."

"Furthermore, all the expenses you've had over the past year were earned from this so-called rundown estate of yours."

"Including that Chanel worth thirty thousand."

Li Tianran.

Male.

26 years old.

Unemployed, managing the rundown estate passed down by his ancestors. His specific work... farming and raising sheep.

The girl in front of him, Zhong Ling, was his girlfriend, and they had a good relationship.

To be precise, they used to have a good relationship.

"Li Tianran, I'm not joking! My colleagues at work mock me for having a farmer as a boyfriend. If you don't get a new job, we won't get married." Zhong Ling frowned, staring at Li Tianran's eyes, emphasizing each word.

Li Tianran furrowed his brows.

Their wedding was in three months.

He looked up at the slightly dilapidated farm outside the window, feeling annoyed.

A series of data appeared before his eyes once again.

"A poorly managed estate."

"Area: 30 mu."

"Suitable for fishing, farming, and construction."

"Profit/Loss Status: Loss."

Seven days ago, his body suddenly underwent a mutation, and all things would appear with this series of notes in front of him.

However, after testing it, he found that this ability had no other significant purpose besides being more intuitive in exploration. Moreover, the most important thing was that this ability could only be used within his estate. Once he left, he was no different from an ordinary person!

Perhaps this was the existence of a so-called "cheat code," but unfortunately, its appearance did not change Li Tianran's life.

He still didn't become rich overnight or reach the peak of life.

And now he was even faced with the embarrassment of being dumped by his girlfriend.

After a long silence, Li Tianran finally compromised and sighed, "Alright, I can go out and find a job."

A smile appeared on Zhong Ling's face, seemingly celebrating her victory.

At that moment, a sudden mechanical female voice resounded in Li Tianran's ears.

"The matchmaking for the Apocalyptic Game players has ended, officially loading, please wait..."

Li Tianran was stunned for a moment, thinking there might be something wrong with his ears. He asked softly, "Zhong Ling, did you hear anything?"

Mutation of the cheat code?

"Don't change the subject!" Zhong Ling crossed her arms in front of her chest, feeling that she should take advantage of her victory and resolve the final obstacle between her and Li Tianran. She continued, "If you want to get married, I have one condition: get rid of that little tag-along."

Li Tianran's train of thought was suddenly interrupted, and his expression froze. He furrowed his brows and asked, "What did you say?"

"I said, send Li Han to the orphanage. After all, she has no blood relation to you..."

"Nonsense!"

In the room, a suppressed and low voice suddenly erupted.

Li Tianran threw the tray in his hand directly in front of Zhong Ling, shattering it into countless pieces. The warm rice splattered on Zhong Ling, instantly staining her Chanel scarf!

"Li Tianran, what are you doing?!" Zhong Ling screamed.

Li Tianran had an expressionless face as he pointed outside and said, "Get the fuck out of here, or I'll smoke you."

"You're crazy!" Zhong Ling, in a sorry state, angrily said, "Don't think no one wants me! Let me tell you the truth, the vice president of our company has been pursuing me for a long time. If I give in, I can immediately have a life a hundred times better than this!"

...

The door of the estate reception room was forcefully pushed open.

Zhong Ling left angrily and resentfully.

Li Tianran stood expressionless with his hands in his pockets, in front of the windowsill, and muttered to himself, "The vice president of the company, such a grand authority! I hope you won't regret it... whore."

At that moment, two small heads peeked in at the door.

To be precise, it was a little girl and... a menacing-looking black German Shepherd.

The little girl had delicate features, but her hair was slightly dull, suggesting some malnutrition. Her chubby face had a neatly cropped ear-length haircut.

The black German Shepherd's tail wagged frantically upon seeing Li Tianran, and its gaze was fixed on the chicken leg on the table, but unfortunately, its ears were tightly held by the little girl, making it unable to move. It could only continue to whimper pitifully.

Li Tianran's gaze paused on the little girl.

Li Han.

Identity: Human child

Age: Seven years old

Strength: 1

Intelligence: 3

Speed: 1

Spirit: 9

Hunger level: 99

Evaluation: This is a weak, pitiful, and helpless little rascal, but she always has high spirits and a big appetite.

"Big brother, I saw Sister Zhong leave angrily just now. Did you two have a fight?" Li Han curiously asked.

"... " Li Tianran nodded vaguely, not giving a direct answer.

"Is it because of me?" Li Han pouted and asked timidly.

To be honest, she was the third girl to break up with Li Tianran because of her...

Even though she was only seven years old, she already understood some things.

Li Tianran's gaze softened, and he affectionately ruffled the little girl's neatly arranged hair into a mess. "It's because she's not worthy of having someone as great as you, Hanhan! Out with the old, in with the new. Brother will find you an even prettier sister-in-law in the future!"

"Mmm!" Hanhan nodded vigorously, then clutched her little stomach in distress and said, "Big Brother, I'm hungry again..."

Li Tianran laughed.

The sense of loss from the breakup didn't make him depressed. Just seeing this little one could immediately lift his spirits.

Although they had no blood relation, they had already considered each other as indispensable in their lives.

Blood relation wasn't really that important.

"I'll cook rice for you right away." Li Tianran cleaned up the mess on the floor, put on an apron, and walked towards the kitchen.

Before entering the kitchen, he glanced at the black-back German Shepherd that was being held down and beaten up by Hanhan on the ground for trying to sneakily eat something.

Xiao Hei.

Identity: Czech German Shepherd

Age: 3

Strength: 5

Intelligence: 2

Speed: 12 (adult standard is 10)

Spirit: 5

Hunger: 35

Evaluation: This is a loyal and fierce Czech German Shepherd that shows gentleness only to those it trusts! Note: Do not attempt to harm its companions. If you see it arching its body, baring its teeth, and growling...Run! Run immediately!

Li Tianran felt somewhat helpless.

To be honest, what kind of strange cheat was this? Was it a master appraiser or a body scanner?

He suddenly remembered the prompt sound that had occurred during his conversation with Zhong Ling earlier.

Apocalyptic game...

Come to think of it, some strange things had been happening lately, like sudden climate changes with snow in June, or large numbers of cattle and sheep inexplicably dying in certain farming areas.

Li Tianran rubbed his forehead and walked into the kitchen, pouring an appropriate amount of rice from the bag and washing it.

At that moment, the prompt sound rang in his ears again.

"Ding, game loading complete, shelter bound successfully, point mall activated, newbie rewards distributed! Please explore on your own!"

The crisp female voice startled Li Tianran.

However, before he could react, an unbearable headache suddenly struck his head!

In an instant, he felt as if his mind had been connected to a high-capacity USB drive, with a flood of information pouring in. After a moment, he gasped for breath and opened his eyes in astonishment, discovering a brand new virtual interface in front of him!

"Apocalyptic Game

Player: Li Tianran

Shelter: a poorly managed estate (LV1)

Shelter LV1 Skill Reward: True Sight (all objects and creatures will be displayed as data in front of the host)

Level: Inn level! (Points required to upgrade to Fortress level: 8,000,000!)

Area: 30 mu!"

Existing areas: Accommodation Zone, Planting Zone, Pasture Zone, Rugged Terrain!"

And at this moment, the vast farm was segmented by virtual light and shadow lines, divided into seven or eight different sections!

"Sunny Level 3 area, suitable for planting, accelerates crop growth!"

"Lush pasture, where cattle and sheep can graze on the most fertile grass!"

"Edge rugged terrain, suitable for building defensive structures, more efficient!"

Li Tianran's mouth slowly fell open. Then he saw a striking crimson character in the upper right corner of the virtual interface.

"Apocalypse has arrived, cataclysmic disasters, the shelter is your only fortress to rely on. Seize hope and establish a new civilization on the ruins!"

"Player's sole mission: survive in the apocalyptic game and make your shelter the strongest fortress!"

"Time until the arrival of the Destruction Era: 5 hours, 59 minutes, 36 seconds!"