That was Boss Pei’s smile of confidence!
Clearly, Boss Pei also viewed Bullet Hole as their greatest competitor and that was why they were here at Sun Strike Studios – to understand more about Bullet Hole’s current situation!
But despite the differences between Bullet Hole and Ocean Stronghold, Boss Pei’s smile only meant one thing – he was sure that Bullet Hole was bound to fail! That was why he could smile with such open confidence! It was because he knew Ocean Stronghold would succeed!
Huang Sibo could not help but lament over how Boss Pei was always someone that was so sneakily playful and yet farsighted!
As to why Boss Pei felt that Bullet Hole would fail while Ocean Stronghold would succeed…
Who knew? How could commoners understand the thoughts of a farsighted visionary such as Boss Pei?
By the looks of it, Boss Pei’s understanding and knowledge of games even surpassed that of Zhou Muyan; that must be why he could give off such a relaxed smile!
At that thought, Huang Sibo calmed down as all his initial worries flew out of the window.
With Boss Pei’s confidence, Ocean Stronghold would definitely do well!
…
Zhou Muyan’s explanation had Pei Qian feeling elated.
Indeed, great minds think alike!
Based on Zhou Muyan’s points, Ocean Stronghold was bound to be a flop!
Furthermore, Bullet Hole and Ocean Stronghold were clashing directly. The end result would definitely be a massive smack in the face for Ocean Stronghold!
Sun Strike Studios had the manpower and resources. Be it in terms of game quality or marketing, they were far superior than Tengda!
With a competitor like Bullet Hole, Ocean Stronghold stood no chance!
That was why Pei Qian could not help but give off a relaxed smile. After worrying for so long, he could finally relax.
This time round, he would definitely be able to lose!
Before long, Zhou Muyan was done.
Pei Qian shook hands with him and both sides exchanged pleasantries once more.
“I’ve really learnt so much today. Thank you for everything,” Pei Qian started.
Zhou Muyan responded in kind, “No, no. Your talent is impressive at such a young age. I’m truly in awe.”
Next up was a free and easy segment where everyone could roam about Sun Strike Studios and chat around casually.
That would conclude the day’s schedule at the studio.
“Boss Pei, I’ve got something on so I’ll be leaving first. Sun Xi, accompany Boss Pei. Make sure you make them feel at home.”
Zhou Muyan left some instructions before bidding Pei Qian farewell.
They arrived at a cafe within Sun Strike Studios and ordered something to drink each, prepared to leave after resting for a little.
Just then, a girl who had been eavesdropping during the meeting came before Pei Qian expectantly. “Hi, Boss Pei, I’m Lin Wan. Can I have a few minutes of your time for some questions?”
Stunned, Pei Qian sized up this girl named Lin Wan.
She was rather pretty with decent features and a sweet countenance. Even though she had no makeup on, her fair cheeks still blushed slightly rosy, looking extremely cute.
“Sure thing,” Pei Qian nodded.
Lin Wan hesitated for a moment before asking, “Boss Pei, is earning money the main goal of creating a game?”
Pei Qian was stunned – why did she start off with such a deep question…!
‘Was earning money the main goal of creating a game?’
‘That might be the case for most people, but for me, the main goal is to lose money…’
‘Of course, I can’t say that though.’
Pei Qian coughed. “Of course not! I think that the main goal should be to provide joy for the gamers.”
Suddenly, Lin Wan’s huge eyes shone brightly!
That was the answer she wanted!
Chapter 54
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
When he saw the twinkle in Lin Wan’s eyes, Pei Qian could not help but freeze momentarily.
‘What’s going on? What did I say?’
‘Why is her reaction so huge?’
Lin Wan composed herself. “Boss Pei, I suppose your company doesn’t have an elimination system, right?”
Last place elimination system?
Pei Qian had heard of that system before but he would definitely not employ it.
The people he wanted gone were those that were hardworking! How could he possibly get rid of the slackers?
He should have a first place elimination system instead…
“No,” Pei Qian shook his head. “Every employee is like family to me. Even if they might be lacking at times, we have to progress and rise together. How can we get rid of anyone casually.”
Lin Wan nodded her head before turning to Ma Yang.
‘Indeed, Boss Pei must be telling the truth if he isn’t even giving up on someone like this!’
She then asked again, “Erm, do your employees do overtime, Boss Pei?”
“Oh, that’s a troubling question,” Pei Qian sighed. “I’ve been trying my best to get them to go home. However, some people would still choose to stay back voluntarily. As such, I can only compensate them with overtime pay.”
“What about the games, Boss Pei? Are you creating them to fulfill your personal dream?” Lin Wan’s gaze was getting fervent.
Caught in awkwardness, Pei Qian smiled and shook his head. “No, actually, it’s because of money as well…”
“Haha, you must be joking, Boss Pei! If it was for the sake of money, you could have raised the paywall of Ghost General tenfold! But, you didn’t do it! I know that you’re a man with dreams, Boss Pei.”
Lin Wan looked as though she had found her answer. “I understand now, Boss Pei. Thank you for your valuable time in answering my questions!”
Walking away, Pei Qian was left scratching his head.
‘Who… is that girl?’
‘She seemed to have been present at the sharing session earlier.’
‘She must be some new employee of Sun Strike Studios then…’
Pei Qian was not too bothered.
…
Pei Qian’s group spent a total of five days in Guangzhou visiting various gaming companies.
However, all them were inferior compared to Sun Strike Studios.
The initial passion of Xiao Lu and the rest was slowly turning into boredom.
Weren’t they supposed to be here to expand their horizons and learn more?
They had thought that Guangzhou was a hot spot for the domestic games industry and that the companies here would be amazing. Yet, none of them seemed decent!
They were one worse than the other!
The best one amongst them was Sun Strike Studios which they had visited on the first day.
Everyone had thought that the working environment at Sun Strike Studios was bad enough only to find out later on that the other gaming companies were even worse! Their image of the gaming companies in Guangzhou was dragged down even further.
By the time the fifth day arrived, no one had the mood to visit and learn from any other company anymore.
Some of them wanted to go shopping for local produce.
Some of them wanted to seize the chance to eat as many local delicacies as they could.
There were even some who could not wait to return to Tengda so that they could slog their guts out for Boss Pei…
All in all, the learning exchange had created a reverse effect.
They were supposed to be seeing the world, but it turned out to be a comparison of the worst between the gaming companies of Guangzhou.
It was especially so for Sun Strike Studios whose image in the eyes of everyone was shattered.
On the contrary, all of these employees had gained a valuable lesson in the tender loving care of Tengda Network Technology Co., Ltd.!
Huang Sibo and the rest carried their
luggage and boarded the return flight without any regrets.
Time to get back to slogging for Ocean Stronghold!
…
…
At the same moment, Sun Strike Studios.
“Boss Zhou, I’ve decided. I want to resign,” Lin Wan handed a resignation letter to Zhou Muyan.
Zhou Muyan froze momentarily before bursting into joy.
‘Have you finally realized that the gaming industry is a shit hole and you’ve decided to go back and inherit your immense family fortune?’
‘Doesn’t that mean that the task given to me by Boss Lin is completed?’
“Are you leaving the gaming industry?” Zhou Muyan asked expectantly.
Lin Wan shook her head. “No.”
Zhou Muyan: “???”
‘You don’t want to leave the gaming industry but you’re resigning?’
‘So, you’re looking down on Sun Strike Studios then?’
‘Wait a minute. We didn’t even look down on you but you’re the one turning your back on us…?!’
Zhou Muyan’s head was thumping.
Of course, even though he was cursing internally, he maintained a smile.
“What’s wrong? Is there anything you don’t like about working here?” Zhou Muyan forced out a kind smile.
If this was any other intern, he would have let her leave without asking a single question more.
However, Lin Wan was different; she had a good father…
Zhou Muyan was bearing the heavy responsibility of bringing down the image of the gaming industry in Lin Wan’s eyes – he can’t let her go just like that.
Even if he can’t retain her, he had to find out why and where she wanted to head off to next.
Otherwise, it would be difficult for him to answer the next call from the president’s office of Shenhua Corporation!
“Thank you for taking care of me all this while, Boss Zhou. But… I don’t think I can realize my dreams towards games here,” Lin Wan looked out of the window wistfully. “I want to change to another place.”
“Where?”
Zhou Muyan was troubled.
Sun Strike Studios was already a top tiered gaming company domestically.
Could it be that she wanted to head abroad to join some overseas company?
Yes, that was a possibility as well…
“I plan to join Tengda,” Lin Wan’s gaze was resolute as though she had decided on it long ago.
“Tengda?”
Zhou Muyan did not immediately recall which company that was…
Even though he had just welcomed Pei Qian and Tengda’s employees a couple of days ago, it wasn’t exactly a significant event and he dumped it at the back of his head soon after.
After he recalled who they were, he was bewildered.
Tengda… was a startup company!
All they did was create a mobile game! Compared to Sun Strike Studios, they were not even on the same level!
‘I won’t stop you if you want to continue pursuing your dreams in games. In fact, I’ll take it even if you were to join some overseas company. But what can you do in a stupid startup?!’
Zhou Muyan coughed. “Have you thought about it properly? They… definitely won’t have a working environment as great as ours. There’s a high chance you’ll end up disappointed.”
Lin Wan shook her head. “I believe in Boss Pei. I see something different in him; traits that are different from you and the other designers… it’s as though he radiates with the brilliance of an idealist! I’m certain of my guts!”
Zhou Muyan’s mouth gaped slightly open, wondering if Pei Qian had bewitched this girl through black magic.
They’ve only met once a couple of days ago and this girl was already jumping ship to his side!
However, he knew that nothing he said would help seeing the resolute conviction in Lin Wan’s eyes. Furthermore, he did not dare to stop her.
He knew that even though she looked amiable on the surface, she had a terribly stubborn temper.
Shenhua Corporation’s president was a famously renowned entrepreneur domestically. If even he could not handle this daughter of his and had to go with such a roundabout method to try to get her home to inherit their business, Zhou Muyan knew that this was not someone he should go against head on.
He thought about it and could only let her be.
However, she was headed for a small company at the end of the day. There’s a chance that she might see an even darker side of the industry.
By then, Lin Wan would finally realize the truth about the industry and return home to inherit her grand fortune; the end would still be the same.
At that thought, Zhou Muyan accepted the resignation letter. “Alright, I wish that you’ll be able to fulfill your dreams of games one day! Sun Strike Studios will always be open for you!”
“Thank you, Boss Zhou!” Lin Wan turned and left without a shred of regret.
Chapter 55
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
2010 was fast approaching by the time they returned to Jingzhou City.
Everything was functioning well in the company and salary as well as rental was paid out timely with the System Funds covering all the expenses. As long as he could spend all the money with the game becoming a flop, Pei Qian would be able to earn his 500,000 easily.
It was exam week for school as well. Because he did not want to fail any subjects, Pei Qian rarely returned to the company.
In any case, he wasn’t bothered about the outcome of the game. It would be for the best if it failed…
January 7th, Thursday.
Pei Qian was done with another paper and returned to his rental apartment, laying down on the sofa with an indescribable comfort.
The system’s settlement date was approaching and Pei Qian’s money losing goal was hitting its target – that finally set his nerves at ease.
He summoned the system and checked on the System Funds.
He had done it!
His money was finally about to be spent completely!
Pei Qian was so touched that he wanted to cry. Through all his heart work, most of the profits were finally being converted into losses!
Right now, there were a few large expenses on Tengda’s side: rental of office space, employee salary, overtime pay, electricity bill, daily expenses and various company purchases. From time to time, he would even organize a company dinner to spend money out of the blue.
Through those, he had finally managed to spend most of the money earned from Ghost General and the System Funds no longer had much profit left in it!
The current state of the System Funds was considered to be in a loss compared to the initial 500,000.
Next up, Pei Qian only had to ensure two things.
He had to get Ocean Stronghold uploaded online so as to fulfill the system requirements of not having any unannounced products a week before settlement.
Next, he’d have to spend money randomly so that the remaining sum could be splurged completely!
Thereafter, he could just wait to earn money post settlement!
As to how they should market Ocean Stronghold…
Pei Qian had no intention of marketing it at all. He considered the job to be done the moment it was posted on the official platform. IN fact, it would be best if no one discovered it at all!
Since they wanted to lose money, they had to try and prevent gamers from discovering the game!
“For safety measure, I should organize a cohesion event after the game’s developed so that I can spend the remaining money. The less I have left, the better.”
“Since everyone worked so hard for the game, I don’t think it’ll be crossing the line
to have the company watch a movie, have a meal and go for karaoke, right?”
At that thought, Pei Qian gave Assistant Xin a call.
“Assistant Xin, please make the necessary arrangements for a cohesion on Friday evening to celebrate Ocean Stronghold’s completion. We’ll start off with a movie followed by a meal and end with a karaoke session. For places we can book, book them!”
“Yes, there’s nothing wrong with the date. Friday evening.”
“Saturday and Sundays are rest days. How can we make use of the rest days to organize a cohesion? Wouldn’t that be cheating?”
“That’s right, just set it on Friday evening.”
“Alright. Send me the schedule after you’re done planning it. The requirements are the same – everything must be high end, got it?”
Pei Qian gave a few simple instructions and just as he was about to hang up, Assistant Xin continued, “Please hold on, Boss Pei. There’s something else.”
“Do you remember a girl who spoke to you when we went to Sun Strike Studios in Guangzhou? Her name is Lin Wan.”
Lin Wan?
Pei Qian had some vague recollections of that name.
“What about her?”
“She’s in Jingzhou City now and said that she wants to join our company. She is adamant about it and claims that she’s fine even if there is no salary.”
Pei Qian froze up. “Huh? Where is she?”
“In the office. She just arrived not too long ago and I’m attending to her.”
‘Wasn’t she doing well in Sun Strike Studios? Why is she in Jingzhou now?’
‘She wants to join our company, even without a salary?’
‘How could that do!’
Pei Qian pondered for a moment and asked, “Assistant Xin, what do you think about her?”
Xin Hailu went silent before replying seriously, “Boss Pei, I think she might be from quite a powerful background. She should be a scion of a rich family. I’ve noticed that her clothes and bag are all famous designer brands. Her outfit alone cost at least tens of thousands yuan.”
“However, she has no airs at all and has a good character too. I’m just worried she might be a little too silly and naive about things to make her a good employee. But of course, you’ll be the one to decide whether or not we should accept her.”
‘Silly and naive?’
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