Old Cao, your judgment of people... is spot on

"What exactly is needed?"

Cao Cheng looked at the report submitted to him and felt a headache coming on.

He never expected that creating a helmet to connect to the Core of the Pivot World would require so many components:

A neuromorphic chip!

A quantum-assisted computing module.

Sensors.

A transcranial direct current stimulation array.

At least a 5G millimeter-wave antenna, preferably 6G.

Flexible batteries.

A brand-new brain-computer interface system.

Non-invasive neural decoding algorithms.

Neural synchronization calibration technology.

And...

A whole lot more!

This was the report submitted by the research team.

Cao Cheng rubbed his temples in frustration.

He had a photographic memory and had studied a fair bit, but even he found many of these requirements baffling.

Still, after reviewing the list, Cao Cheng knew these components could be developed—it was just a matter of time.

Six months if things went smoothly, several years if they didn’t...

The best approach would be to quickly establish an entire supply chain for the product.

That would require the involvement of numerous companies.

Cao Cheng had no intention of building factories himself; his role would be limited to providing technology and services.

And once the helmet was ready, there’d still be game adaptations to handle—PC, mobile, VR...

Someone would need to oversee all that.

And Cao Cheng definitely wasn’t going to be that person!

Not out of laziness, but because he saw no need. Such a valuable learning opportunity should go to someone with ambition.

The problem was...

Eldest Sister, Third Sister, and The Fourth were all busy.

Then there was Second Sister... but she had her own job.

The mixed-blood girl was responsible for the medical side.

Tang Xin... was planning for a second child.

"Sigh..."

"Not enough hands on deck."

"Too few women around me."

"Maybe I should ask Old Cao?"

"He’s the only one at home with nothing to do."

"Could work..."

That evening, back at home.

Cao Cheng pulled Old Cao aside.

"Dad."

"Huh?"

Old Cao, who had just lit a cigarette, flinched in surprise and stared at Cao Cheng.

"Wait, just call me Old Cao. I don’t deserve being called 'Dad' by you," Old Cao cut him off immediately.

Cao Cheng shot him a sidelong glance: "Old man."

"What the hell?"

Old Cao was furious. "Are you incapable of anything but extremes? Either pretending to be filial or being a damn rebel? Ever heard of moderation? Just spit out what you want—no need for the small talk."

Cao Cheng sighed. "I just figured since Little Cao’s gone to the capital, I’d check in on you. See how you’re holding up. Experts say older men need to take care of their mood—staying happy means living longer. Otherwise, even the medicine I gave you won’t work as well."

"I’m just worried you’ll get bored. The sixth kid’s already in elementary school, and you’ve got nothing to do all day. Wouldn’t want you to fall ill from sheer boredom."

"Ren’s mother’s fine—she spends time shuttling the kid around and tutoring homework at night. That’s tiring enough. But you?"

"A grown man, just lazing around at home, eating and drinking for free."

Old Cao’s face darkened.

Cao Cheng quickly added, "Of course, you’re my dad. It’s only right that I provide for you. Who else is as filial as me? The Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars—lying on ice to catch fish, fetching deer milk for parents, moving heaven with devotion—those stories are ancient. If we included modern times, my name, Cao Cheng, handing you a cigarette, would be right up there."

As he spoke, he passed another cigarette to Old Cao.

Old Cao narrowed his eyes.

This kid was definitely up to no good.

And shameless, too—praising himself like that without batting an eye.

No wonder he’d become the richest man. With that kind of audacity, he was born to make money.

Seeing Cao Cheng about to continue, Old Cao cut in again: "Get to the point. No need to dance around it, dragging the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars into this. After that 'old man' remark, you’re disqualified anyway."

Cao Cheng grinned. "Here’s the thing—since you’re bored and don’t have any hobbies, not even the patience for fishing, I thought I’d find you something fun to do."

"Something fun?" Old Cao squinted. No, this felt off.

Cao Cheng explained, "I’ve developed some new tech and need to set up an entire supply chain. But the middle stages require someone trustworthy to oversee things."

"And don’t worry, it’s not hard work. In fact, it’s a chance to show off."

"Let me put it this way—do this well, and your name goes down in history."

"And not just national history—global history. This will change the lives of everyone on the planet."

"Most people wouldn’t get this opportunity. But you’re a Cao, and my dad. Otherwise, why would I even consider you?"

Old Cao didn’t look the least bit excited.

After a brief pause, he asked solemnly, "So, you’re just trying to make me work, huh?"

Cao Cheng rolled his eyes and took a drag. "Work? No, no. Think of it as being a supervisor, a foreman, a CEO, a captain—you’re steering the ship. I can’t trust outsiders with this."

He sighed. "I wouldn’t even hand this to my father-in-law. This is a chance for fame and fortune, and I know who comes first. That’s why I thought of you."

"But personally, I don’t need the recognition. I just worry about you at home. Sure, no one minds now, but what about later?"

"So,"

"After a month of careful consideration, I decided this is the perfect way to gild your legacy."

"Pull this off, and you’ll be the founding father of an entire industry—its revered patriarch!"

The pitch was grandiose.

And oddly enticing.

Old Cao’s interest was piqued.

"Don’t sweet-talk me yet. First, tell me what this is about."

Seeing Old Cao’s curiosity, Cao Cheng immediately adopted a more formal tone. He pulled out his phone and searched for something before handing it over.

"Here’s a novel."

"A novel?"

"Yeah, a web novel. It inspired this whole new direction. Read it, and you’ll understand."

Old Cao took the phone.

On the screen was the title—"MMORPG: [Title Redacted]..."

Cao Cheng continued, "Once you read it, everything will make sense. What we’re doing is bringing this gaming helmet to life, and then..."

He launched into another grand vision.

Old Cao didn’t get it.

But he could read the novel.

He had nothing better to do anyway.

Back in the day, he’d read period dramas.

This was his first time diving into an MMORPG story.

And once he started, he was hooked.

The concept was fascinating—wearing a helmet to enter another world.

A game that could change the globe.

A game with its own independent monetary system.

A game... that could even develop one's own abilities, strengthening the body in the game while also enhancing it in reality.

This...

is pretty damn awesome.

Seeing Old Cao completely absorbed, Cao Cheng stood up straight.

This... is a done deal!