After receiving Brother Jiang's funding, Notch finally let out a long sigh of relief.
Because of producing the standard version of Minecraft, Notch's savings had already been nearly exhausted. Without financial support, it would have been very difficult for him to complete the holographic version of Minecraft.
Fortunately, Brother Jiang came from a well-off family. He proactively suggested lending Notch money by investing in the project, and only then did Notch accept Brother Jiang's support.
After confirming that they would be making the holographic version of Minecraft, Notch couldn't wait to share the good news with D and J.
So he invited D and J out and explained in detail how ZeroPoint Company had tried to buy out Minecraft for 3 million, and how he had refused.
J quietly listened to Notch's account, and a genuine sense of joy welled up in his heart.
He knew that ZeroPoint Company being willing to offer such a high price meant that Minecraft, the game Notch had created, had enormous potential and value.
Although J had only been in the industry for a short time and didn't have deep credentials, he knew very well ZeroPoint's standing in the gaming industry. Their recognition was undoubtedly the best proof of Notch's efforts.
J couldn't help but sigh, saying, "ZeroPoint being willing to pay three million to buy Minecraft fully proves this game's unique charm and commercial value."
There was admiration for Notch's talent in his voice, along with optimism for the future.
However, J understood that Notch's dream wasn't just about selling a game, it was about personally creating a world that belonged to all players.
If the game were bought out by a company, then their operations would definitely prioritize profit first.
So J understood that Notch wanting to continue independent development wasn't entirely about making more money, but more about fulfilling his own dream.
J could understand Notch and truly admired him. After hearing Notch's plan, he encouraged him to stick to his beliefs and devote time and energy to perfecting the game.
"I believe that if we work together, we can definitely create a game that will be recorded in gaming history!" J said firmly.
J accepted the proposal to develop the game with Notch without any hesitation, not even raising a single demand or condition.
He knew very well that this game called Minecraft might turn Notch into a millionaire, or even a multi-millionaire, and help him achieve financial freedom.
Although deep down he envied the huge success Notch was about to obtain, J felt not a shred of jealousy.
In J's eyes, Notch had always been shining gold, full of limitless potential.
He was extraordinarily talented, dared to think and act boldly, and wasn't timid at all. Someone like Notch was bound to succeed sooner or later.
Therefore, in J's view, those achievements and that wealth were simply what Notch deserved.
In addition, J understood Notch's emphasis on loyalty and friendship, and believed that once Notch succeeded, he would definitely support and help him.
J still planned to develop his career in the gaming industry. Following Notch wouldn't change his life path, in fact, it would allow him to advance even further in the field he loved.
And if Minecraft truly became a massive success, then J, as one of its contributors, would also gain fame.
So even though Notch never discussed compensation with them, J wasn't worried in the slightest.
The fact that Notch invited them to participate in making this game was already giving them a chance to become known.
There was no need to even talk about salary, J would have been willing to work even if it meant taking out loans.
Based on all of this, J firmly accepted Notch's invitation.
However, D did not make his decision as decisively as J did.
Compared to D, J was slightly older, more composed, and saw things more clearly.
J knew that Notch was essentially part of the same whole as them. If Notch succeeded, they would experience upward mobility as well, avoiding many of the difficulties and setbacks common in the field.
Although they might not achieve financial freedom as quickly as Notch, once Notch succeeded, he would definitely help them realize their own dreams, and it would only be a matter of time before they achieved financial independence too.
Furthermore, J had a more laid-back personality. He wasn't competitive and took everything in stride.
J had once been saved by Notch, so he could accept being the "supporting green leaf" beside him.
But D could not accept such a role.
His thinking wasn't as far-reaching as J's, and he was extremely competitive.
When he was young, he had always trailed closely behind Notch, constantly trying to catch up.
Perhaps because he had been chasing for too long, changes had slowly taken root in his mindset.
He often silently compared himself to Notch in every aspect.
Height and weight, academic rankings, even the number of cavities, he compared everything to Notch.
Because of this, when he heard Notch's words, a ripple rose in his heart.
D genuinely treated Notch as a brother. His feelings toward him were sincere and pure, without a trace of falseness.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have rejected Notch's earlier offer to let them invest without hesitation.
However, at that time, D never anticipated that Minecraft would end up being so valuable.
Now, watching Notch about to achieve financial freedom through this game, while he himself was still a poor, penniless young man with nothing to his name, D naturally felt unwilling to accept it.
Just like the saying goes, "You're afraid your brother will suffer, yet also afraid he'll drive a Land Rover."
D was stuck squarely in that complicated emotional state.
He hoped Notch would amount to something, but the speed at which Notch was doing so was far beyond his expectations.
This made him feel an overwhelming sense of crisis.
D's talent in programming wasn't bad either. During his year of self-study, he had made several small games with decent reputations.
He had thought that the gap between himself and Notch wasn't that wide anymore, that he was finally about to catch up.
But Notch suddenly took a huge step forward, throwing him far behind. He could no longer even see Notch's silhouette.
The blow this dealt him was even greater than what he experienced during that fateful meet-up with J…
Actually, at this moment, if he had talked things through privately with J and voiced his inner thoughts, J would definitely have helped him analyze the pros and cons and sort out his emotions.
But he didn't speak up.
Instead, he buried everything deep in his heart.
Seeing J agree, D also reluctantly agreed.
Little did he know that this unresolved knot in his heart would bring about an irreparable tragedy…