Life-Extending Blind Boxes

Old Wang has recently become obsessed with "life-extending blind boxes."

It’s not that he’s particularly afraid of death, but lately, he’s been seeing red and white advertisements everywhere - on the subway, in the elevators, even on his own toilet seat: “Life balance insufficient? Don't panic, blind boxes are here to help!” The accompanying picture is a metallic, gleaming cube, mysterious and alluring.

Initially, Old Wang scoffed at it. These days, everything can be put in a blind box, even life? That’s just absurd! But the advertisements were inescapable, and before he knew it, his old neighbors in the community started discussing the "life" they had drawn.

“I got a 'Cure for Insomnia' coupon! They say I won't have to suffer from sleepless nights anymore, that's a great score!” said Grandpa Li, beaming.

“Well, I wasn't so lucky, I got a 'Discount for Movement Slowdown' coupon. Sigh, I can only get an 80% discount on exercising from now on, what's that about?” Grandma Zhang said, looking dejected.

Old Wang was intrigued. He’d been feeling off lately, and just climbing three flights of stairs would leave him breathless. So, with a “what if” mentality, he also downloaded the "Life-Extending Blind Box" app.

The app interface was simple, a huge golden blind box dominated the center of the screen, with a prominent button below: “Draw your future.” Old Wang hesitated for a moment, then clicked the button.

After a dazzling flash of light on the screen, a line appeared: “Congratulations, you've drawn a 'Midlife Crisis Relief Coupon'.”

Old Wang was a bit confused, what the heck was that? He quickly searched in the forums and found that it was a consolation prize. People who drew this would temporarily forget the anxiety brought by the midlife crisis, but the price was a temporary decline in memory.

“Pah, what’s so good about that?” Old Wang muttered, closing the app.

He felt like he had been scammed, but it was as if all his neighbors in the community were bewitched. When they met, they no longer asked "Have you eaten yet?", but "What did you draw today?"

Grandpa Wang next door was walking with a spring in his step ever since he drew an "Organ Rejuvenation 50% Discount Coupon.” Grandma Chen downstairs was leading the square dances with an even straighter back since she drew a "Square Dance Leader Promotion Coupon.”

Looking at them, Old Wang felt like he was being left behind by the entire world. So, he opened the app again.

This time, he was determined to draw something good. He closed his eyes, muttered, "I want to live to be a hundred years old," and then fiercely clicked the draw button.

This time, the screen showed: “Congratulations, you've drawn a 'Life Extension Seven-Day Coupon'.”

Old Wang was stunned. Seven days? That was too short! He hurried to the forums for help.

“A seven-day coupon? That’s a good thing! Most people don't draw those!”

“Yeah, I keep drawing useless coupons. The seven-day coupon can give you seven extra days of life!”

"That's right, but the seven-day coupon is time-limited, you have to use it within three days, otherwise, it will expire."

Seeing the overwhelming envy in the forum, Old Wang felt a little better. He began to think about how he would live those seven days.

He didn't tell his family or his friends. He decided to use those seven days to experience life to the fullest. He went to the places he had always wanted to go, and ate the foods he had always wanted to eat. During those seven days, he felt happier than ever before.

The three days passed quickly. At the last moment, Old Wang activated the "Life Extension Seven-Day Coupon." He felt refreshed, as if his body had returned to its youth.

However, he soon realized that things were not quite right.

Seven days had passed, and he had not felt the approach of death, but rather he felt healthier. He opened the app again and found that his "Life-Extending Blind Box" account was empty.

He panicked and ran to Grandpa Li, "Grandpa Li, the seven-day coupon I drew, it’s used up and nothing happened!”

Grandpa Li smiled and said, "Old Wang, don’t you understand? These 'Life-Extending Blind Boxes' aren’t really extending your life, they just let you experience the state of life you desire, and make you love life more. The seven days you enjoyed, that's the real 'life extension'.”

Old Wang was stunned. He looked around, and the old people in the community were still living their lives as usual, dancing and strolling. He suddenly realized that he had been wrong from the beginning. Blind boxes cannot determine life and death; what truly determines the length of one's life is one's attitude towards life.

He smiled and slowly walked to the entrance of the community, ready to go grocery shopping.

At this time, he saw a new advertisement posted at the entrance of the community, red letters on a white background, very eye-catching: "'Life-Extending Blind Boxes' ultimate internal testing version is here! 'Life Bank' is launching soon, your life value is now in your control!"

Old Wang's smile froze on his face as he looked at the advertisement. He suddenly realized that the real "blind box" had only just begun.