Chapter 70: The More Confident, the Quicker They Fall Flat on Their Face!

Chapter 70: The More Confident, the Quicker They Fall Flat on Their Face!

Zhang Lin had thought Zhao Han was worried about some major issue, but it turned out to be a maze blogger named Arlo who posted a video announcing he would play the Bamboo Forest Maze.

Just a popular blogger, no need to get so worked up over it.

He opened Arlo's video on the maze and felt even more confident after watching it.

Most of Arlo's videos were about maze challenges, but after watching a few, it was clear that the mazes he played were quite simple. The only one that was a bit more challenging was the Noah's Bamboo Forest Maze.

This Bamboo Forest Maze was the first and most famous maze in the country, created by the Miao people.

He watched Arlo's video of completing the and felt felt like.. just. Compared to the game’s version, it seemed rather basic.

Arlo spent a considerable amount of time on the Bamboo Forest Maze, and it was uncertain whether he could even find his way out of Zhang Lin’s maze.

In short, Arlo was just well-known in the maze community, but fame didn’t always equate to skill, especially in niche circles where there was little competition. It was like a monkey claiming to be the king in a tiger-less mountain.

Arlo was probably that monkey.

His fame in the maze community didn’t mean he was any smarter than the average person; it just meant he received more attention in a less competitive environment.

He might even perform worse than many ordinary people in a real maze.

Zhang Lin put down his phone, not giving it much thought, and checked on the sweet potato seedlings Liu De had transplanted. Then he headed to the Bamboo Forest Maze.

This time, there were some noticeable changes at the entrance to the Bamboo Forest Maze.

Several special LCD screens were hung up, installed overnight, to display information for visitors.

Whenever a visitor attempted the maze, their name and time would be shown on these screens.

At the same time, other visitors could see the progress and rankings of those attempting the maze during the same time slot.

This was to increase the challenge and excitement.

Zhang Lin had an idea: the Bamboo Forest Maze could be developed into a competitive activity, not just a tourist attraction.

Just like how a simple game show could grow so popular, the Bamboo Forest Maze had far better potential.

Zhang Lin called Lin Hong, who had been mentioned in Chapter 69, and asked, "How’s the adjustment of these LCD screens going?"

Lin Hong explained, "The installation company is still testing them, but it will take some time to get the data linked and synchronized!"

"Alright," Zhang Lin nodded.

There was no need to rush them, considering they had been working overnight.

Soon, the Tourism Bureau Director, Zhao Han, hurried over.

The director immediately asked, "Mr. Zhang, have you seen the situation online? The blogger just landed in Ming City and posted a video. He’s now on the bullet train to You City."

Zhang Lin hadn’t expected the director to rush over for this, so he quickly reassured him, "Director Zhao, don’t worry. He’s just a small-time blogger with 300,000 followers, someone who considers himself the best in a small, competitive circle."

"I believe that once our Bamboo Forest Maze opens, the circle will grow, and more people will join in. By then, he won’t be a big deal."

"Are you doubting me, Director Zhao?" Zhang Lin added.

"Of course not!" Zhao Han quickly replied.

If he didn’t trust Zhang Lin, he wouldn’t have suggested allocating the 10 million yuan support fund to Linyuan Farm.

If Linyuan Farm failed, he, as the proposer, would bear the responsibility and might even have to retire early.

But given the current situation, that was highly unlikely. This support fund would turn into a significant achievement, and the magnitude of that achievement was considerable.

As they were talking, a group of tourists rushed hurried rushing.

.

"Here’s the the Bamboo Forest Maze!"

"Here it is, and we seem to be the first to arrive!"

"That means we have a chance to win the 200,000 yuan!"

"The 200,000 yuan is mine! I’m going to get my ticket first!"

One tourist said, rushing toward the entrance to get their ticket.

Xiao Zhenjie, mentioned in Chapter 68, was also in this group of tourists, having brought his fiancee early to try for the prize. If they didn’t win the 200,000 yuan, they could at least get 2,000 yuan.

But with the current situation, his chances of winning 200,000 yuan were quite high, as he was the first to arrive.

His fiancee, Zhu Li, wanted to visit the rapeseed flower sea first, and she was a bit upset that he had dragged her here instead.

"Xiao Zhenjie, you’re so unromantic! I came here for the flowers, not some maze. What’s so fun about this Bamboo Forest Maze?" Zhu Li complained, her face full of dissatisfaction.

Xiao Zhenjie hurried to explain, "Zhu Li, don’t be unreasonable. Didn’t you see the reward for the Bamboo Forest Maze? 200,000 yuan for the first to complete it, and even if we’re not first, there’s 2,000 yuan for others. If we win the 200,000 yuan, you can have the a car, and we can put down a down payment."

He was very confident, even a bit anxious, as he said, “Look, others have already rushed in. We’re going to be late.”

As he spoke, he urged her on.

Julie, however, looked at her boyfriend as if he were a fool. “You’re ruining my mood for this? Are you fresh out of college? Are you really that naive, thinking you can win those rewards? They wouldn’t set up such a prize if it were that easy to claim.”

Xiao Zhenjie replied with a hint of helplessness, “Julie, don’t you understand? They’re spending money to generate buzz. How could they not let anyone win? Besides, the Tourism Bureau and the Agriculture Bureau are guaranteeing it. There’s no way they’d rig it.”

Trying to reassure his girlfriend, he added, “If I don’t complete the challenge, I’ll take care of all the clothes, cleaning, and household chores for the next month. How about that? If I do complete it, you’ll give me an extra $1000 in pocket money each month.”

“Three months!” Julie immediately extended the period.

“Three months, then. Deal.” Xiao Zhenjie smiled, quickly pulling his fiancee toward the entrance.

He was increasingly excited. Not only would he get to play for free, but he’d also earn an extra $1000 each month.

That would be great.

If he got lucky, he might even win the $200,000 prize.

With these pleasant thoughts in mind, Xiao Zhenjie finished checking their tickets and led his fiancee into the bamboo maze.

He had done his research on how to navigate such mazes. A blogger named Alo, who was a top expert on mazes, had recommended using the sun to orient oneself. For example, in the morning, the sun would be behind the entrance. By keeping the sun behind him, he could determine the direction and find his way out.

With this in mind, he confidently led his fiancee into the bamboo maze after checking their tickets.

At the first fork, he checked the sunlight behind him. This method seemed effective, and he kept his back to the sun as he navigated through the next three forks.

His confidence grew. By continuing to walk in the direction where the sun was behind him, he was sure he could complete the challenge.

But when he reached the fourth fork, his confidence faltered.

There were two paths, one to the left and one to the right, and neither was directly away from the sun.

This...

Xiao Zhenjie felt a sense of confusion. But then he thought he could correct his path at the next fork.

However, the next two forks also didn’t lead away from the sun.

Worse still, after walking through another passage, he found that the bamboo was so dense and the terrain so uneven that he couldn’t see the sun at all.

How could this be?

Damn, that Alo tricked him.

What a fraud, calling himself the top maze blogger. His method was useless.

Xiao Zhenjie had no choice but to continue, hoping to find his way. After two more forks, he was completely lost in the bamboo maze.

As they continued, he said to his fiancee, “Julie, we’ll be out of here soon. But I think a man doesn’t need that much pocket money, so let’s call off the bet. That $1000 is better left for you to buy clothes.”

“Do you think I’m a fool?” Julie glared at him coldly. “Three months, clothes, cleaning, and household chores, not a single day off. Otherwise, I’ll call off the engagement. This is a test of your love for me. If you can’t even keep a simple bet, how can I trust you? How can I entrust my life to you?”

Xiao Zhenjie was stunned.

This was not good. He had been outmaneuvered.

At this point, not only was Xiao Zhenjie lost, but the first group of visitors who had entered the bamboo maze with confidence had also become disoriented.

At the maze entrance, Zhang Lin and Zhao Han had already picked up a walkie-talkie and were monitoring the movements of the first batch of visitors.

There were staff at the first rest area who would report when visitors arrived.

However, after a long wait, they received no reports from the first rest area, indicating that the first batch of visitors had likely failed.

The queue at the maze entrance was growing longer as more and more visitors arrived, drawn by the allure of the $200,000 prize.

The second batch of visitors soon entered, followed by the third...

But as time passed, there were still no reports from the first rest area, making the situation clear.

This realization prompted Zhao Han to remark, “It seems that my failure wasn’t due to a lack of intelligence or being stupid. This bamboo maze is genuinely difficult!”

With this understanding, his smile grew wider.

Just then, a commotion arose, and a group of people approached, carrying cameras and looking quite conspicuous.

At the head of the group was a young man who, upon reaching the entrance of the bamboo maze, declared loudly, “This bamboo maze isn’t small. It looks like it will provide a bit of a challenge this time.”

“It’s him!” Zhao Han exclaimed in surprise.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end