Clara Quinn, who was sitting nearby, glanced at Tony Snow with a puzzled expression. She knew her graduate program didn't require a math entrance exam, and since Tony aimed to apply for the same field, she assumed he wouldn't need to take math either.
"Maybe the university he's applying to has different requirements?" she thought. Clara didn't ask Tony directly. After all, they were in the library, and the room was filled with students quietly studying. She didn't want to disturb anyone.
When the library closed that night, Tony had just finished the third section on Taylor Series. He frowned, dissatisfied with his pace.
"Volume 1 of Advanced Calculus has seven chapters, and the next volume has five. These two alone will take me months," he calculated mentally. "And there are still eight more books to go... I might not even get to run the simulator again until summer break."
That thought made Tony regret his earlier decision. But it was already made—he couldn't go back.
However, Tony had underestimated himself.
As they walked out of the library, Clara noticed his troubled look and asked gently, "What's wrong? Is the calculus giving you a hard time?"
"No," Tony shook his head. "Just taking it slow."
By Sunday, Tony had returned to his weekend part-time job. But that day, a notification in the "Tutoring Job Listings" group caught his eye.
The gig required a 200-dollar placement fee but paid $120 per hour. If things worked out, Tony figured his money troubles would be solved for a while.
He immediately added the parent's contact.
"Hi, this is Mr. Hu. Can we meet in person about the tutoring?" came the reply.
"Sure, I'm Tony. When are you available?" Tony responded promptly.
"The sooner the better. Can we meet today?"
"Today? That's pretty sudden," Tony thought but replied, "I'm available. Where shall we meet?"
Mr. Hu sent the address of a coffee shop, about 70 minutes away by subway.
"All right. It'll take me at least 80 minutes to get there. Is 4 p.m. okay?"
"Perfect. If things go well, I'd like to schedule the first session tonight. My son's really struggling with math."
"Understood."
They didn't even discuss how many days per week the job would be—just the urgency of the first meeting. Tony set a reminder on his phone to make sure he didn't lose track of time while studying.
That day, Tony had just finished the fourth section of Chapter 4 in Advanced Calculus: rational function integrals. He'd noticed the job posting during a restroom break, immediately accepted it, and headed off in the afternoon.
At the coffee shop, he met Mr. Hu. They quickly finalized the terms: $120 per hour, two hours every Saturday from 2–4 p.m., running until final exams. Also, there would be no session that night.
Two hours a week for $240 was by far the best-paying job Tony had landed.
Tony's schedule filled up fast. From Monday through Friday, he attended classes and spent his free time at the library. Saturdays were for tutoring, and during the long subway rides, he studied Advanced Calculus on the go.
Three months passed quickly.
During that time, Tony's transformation influenced even his roommates. Though not as diligent as Tony, Nick Hall (formerly Liu Xiao) now studied regularly in the library. He'd set his sights on a graduate program that required only passing the national cut-off score.
Even Brian Turner (formerly Zhao Letian), once glued to video games, now spent time watching civil service exam prep videos and practicing mock tests.
Only Lucas Taylor (formerly Liu Tianlu), who had a girlfriend off-campus, remained unchanged.
The simulator had reshaped more than just Tony's life.
During these months, Tony often invited Clara Quinn to study together in the library. Though their time together was innocent, their frequent presence side by side began to stir gossip among classmates—especially among Tony's roommates.
But Tony never made a move. For now, it was just study and self-improvement.
[Do you want to use the Life Simulator?]
Tony's heart raced. After three long months, he had completed all ten books under the simulator's requirements. He was finally eligible to run it again.
"Yes," he whispered without hesitation. He was determined to live past twenty-seven this time.
[Age 22]
Through your diligence, you successfully passed the graduate entrance exam. On the day you received your admission notice, you confessed to the girl you liked. She said yes.
You graduated with distinction and were named an Outstanding Graduate. Over the summer, you secured a part-time research role through a university professor.
[Age 23]
You completed your graduate coursework early and earned your master's degree with another excellent thesis. You enrolled in a doctoral program overseas.
[Age 24]
You completed your Ph.D. and returned home. Before leaving, you made a modest but smart investment in the stock market. You proposed to your girlfriend—now a Master's student—and she accepted.
You started teaching at Nankai University.
[Age 25]
You published another exceptional paper and were promoted directly to professor. You made another investment in the stock market.
[Age 26]
You were selected for the National Youth Science Grant. Your previous investments matured, and you earned millions. Your first daughter was born. Life was fulfilling.
[Age 27]
You shifted your focus to math and computer science. You began teaching online but didn't publish any outstanding papers this year. Your wife became pregnant again.
[Age 28]
Life slowed down. You juggled teaching, research, and family time. You continued studying new disciplines. Your wife had a miscarriage and could no longer have children.
[Age 29]
Life settled into a rhythm. You and your team published several papers, though none were groundbreaking. You remained engaged in your fields of study.
[Age 30]
You obtained additional Master's degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science.
[Age 35]
You completed your second doctorate, this time in Mathematics.
[Age 41]
Your daughter hit her rebellious phase. You caught someone slipping her love letters.
[Age 54]
She got married—to her high school classmate.
[Age 81]
You passed away peacefully.
[Achievement Unlocked: Octogenarian]
[Legacy Summary]
Your life burned brightest during your early years. People remember you as a dazzling talent during your student days, though some say you lost focus in your pursuit of too many disciplines.
Your later research was solid but unremarkable. To many, you were a brilliant star that faded too soon. To your family, you were a kind and thoughtful man.
Though your name wasn't etched into history books, you left a quiet mark on the world—and that, too, was meaningful.