They were drinking red wine which was less likely to make people drunk. Moreover, Pei Qian did not set a requirement for how much they had to drink. It was acceptable if his employees merely sipped a mouth.
His main purpose was to encourage them to eat more food. Everyone’s mood was a little down. Drinking some wine would increase their appetite and could ease their moods. Of course, after a few rounds of drinks, the mood evidently turned for the better!
Pei Qian was very happy. He got some delicious food for himself and started eating to his heart’s content.
He had never been so happy in ages!
Up to this point, everything was going smoothly. The internet cafe was losing about three hundred thousand yuan each month. There were no signs of any possible profits.
Although the short video became popular, he had declined all those little sponsored partnerships. He had yet to receive any bigger customized requests. Therefore, the revenue was zero.
The reputation of Game Designer was alright, and so were its sales figures. According to the current trend, there was no way the game would be able to recuperate its loss!
Pei Qian felt that his food seemed even more delicious due to that thought.
Happy!
Chapter 120 - What Kind of Website is Aili Island?
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Lu Mingliang was a little puzzled as to why Pei Qian was eating to his heart’s content. “This is weird. Boss Pei seems pretty happy today. He was completely different during the previous company dinner.”
This was a little strange. According to Bao Xu, Pei Qian should be very lonely. He shouldn’t be behaving this way.
Bao Xu shook his head and said, “You’ve got it wrong.”
“Huh? Brother Bao, what do you mean?” Lu Mingliang was very confused.
Bao Xu heaved a sigh and explained, “Currently, the only person who must not be in low spirits is Boss Pei himself. Think about it. Game Designer did not do well. Both its reputation and sales figures were not up to expectations. Everyone’s mood was already low.
“Boss Pei is our spiritual leader. If he appears to be worried and solemn as well, what will become of today’s company dinner?”
Lu Mingliang was enlightened. “So that was the reason! Boss Pei was trying to influence us with his positive outlook!”
“That’s right.” Bao Xu continued saying, “A true leader must have a natural influence on people. He must be powerful spiritually! When faced with obstacles, he must be the most optimistic person. When everything went smoothly, he must be the most vigilant person.
“Not only must he be the first to become concerned with the world’s troubles and last to rejoice in its happiness, but he must also maintain a positive mindset when facing adversity and encourage the others.
“Boss Pei is a person like that. He is a realist who would carefully predict and ensure that everything went according to his plans. At the same time, he is also an idealist who would do some things without regard for its consequences.
“Therefore, we cannot let Boss Pei down. We must quickly become optimistic again. I believe that Tengda will definitely be able to sail through this storm. Everything will turn for the better! Moreover, I have a feeling that given Boss Pei’s confidence, he definitely has a back-up plan.
“Boss Pei has yet to give up. It is too early to be talking about our failure now!”
Lu Mingliang slowly regained the sparks in his eyes. “That’s right. Boss Pei has not given up. How can we say that the game has failed? We will definitely be able to turn the tables in our favor. We must have faith in Boss Pei!”
…
On the other side, Huang Sibo, Zhu Xiaoce, and other employees from the Fei Huang Workspace were eating to their heart’s content. Huang Sibo seemed a little apprehensive.
“Is this an appropriate time to tell Boss Pei about this?”
Zhu Xiaoce contemplated for a while and said in a serious tone, “I think that now is the most appropriate time. The sales figures for Game Designer had come to a standstill. Although Boss Pei didn’t show it on his face, I believe that he must be a little disappointed internally.
“This good news could help lift the spirits of our co-workers and give Boss Pei some assurance. Although the game might have caused us to suffer a loss, there is still hope for us to have a comeback.”
“It’s still too early to say that we will have a comeback.” Huang Sibo shook his head. “After all, the other party is a newly established website. This can only be considered a piece of ordinary good news. Let’s not exaggerate about the good news.”
Zhu Xiaoce thought for a while and agreed with Huang Sibo’s opinions. “Let us just report the facts.”
They held their wine glasses and walked towards Pei Qian. “Boss Pei, we will like to offer you a toast.”
Pei Qian was in a good mood. He raised his wine glass, clicked it with their wine glasses, and drank it all in one gulp.
After he had drunk the wine, Huang Sibo hesitated for a while before saying, “Boss Pei, I have good news.”
Huh?
Good news?
Pei Qian became alert at once.
Don’t you guys upset me during such a happy occasion!
Pei Qian tried his best to keep calm. “Okay. Say it.”
“Boss Pei, this was what happened. There is a newly established video website that hopes to sign an exclusive broadcasting rights agreement for our video series. After signing the contract, Boss Pei’s Daily Life will only be aired on this website.
“Although this is only a new website, it has been developing well recently. Moreover, they had recently pushed out a stimulus plan to reward video producers based on the views they received.
“After signing this exclusive broadcasting rights agreement—as a high-quality video creator, we will be able to receive a considerable amount under that stimulus plan.
“To put it simply, we will attract viewers to their website with our Boss Pei’s Daily Life series, and they will split the profits with us based on the number of views!
“According to what you said, we must protect our company, value our reputation, and assert the value of our IP. We must not sacrifice those factors for money.”
Huang Sibo could not hide the excitement in his voice. They had been propelling themselves solely with their passion for so long. Now that they finally saw the opportunity to earn profits, how could they not be excited?
Although the amount may not be much, this profit would definitely not ruin the reputation of the video. It was not trying to earn money through bad partnerships that blatantly promoted the products. It had similar effects to the high-end, custom-made sponsored advertisements that Boss Pei wanted to include in the videos. Rather, its effect was much better!
Pei Qian was solemn for a while. He felt that something amiss was about to happen. “A newly established video website? This video website… does its name start with an A or a B?”
If the website was something like Bilibili1, something terrible was about to happen!
However, Huang Sibo stoned for a while before saying, “Neither, Boss Pei. It is a small site called Aili Island. Some people call it the I-Site.”
Pei Qian was very confused.
I-Site? Aili Island?
Never heard of it…
As long as it’s not the A-Site (AcFun) or B-Site (Bilibili), all was well.
Pei Qian heaved a sigh of relief. He knew clearly that in the next few years, Tudou.com, which was the Potato Web in this universe, would slowly experience an irreversible downfall.
B-Site managed to attract most of the viewers from these traditional video websites using its bullet screen comments feature1, its no-ads promise, and its high-quality original content. Several emerging live-stream platforms had also attracted some viewers from traditional video websites.
However, what kind of website was Aili Island? Never heard of it.
The name itself sounded like the website w
ill fail in the future. It must be an insignificant website that would soon be lost in the river of history.
Since this website was about to fail…
He must sign the contract immediately. If he was any slower, he might not even have the chance to sign the contract anymore! Furthermore, the agreement was not one that gave them the money directly. It rewarded them based on the number of views. That assured him even more.
This small website had low viewership volume to begin with. The Boss Pei’s Daily Life series would definitely lose some crucial viewers when it moved its location to another platform. How much profit could he earn with that low viewership numbers?
Not only would he not profit, but the video series would also lose some of its popularity. The contract also made it impossible to be popularized on other video websites. That was simply killing many birds with one stone!
Pei Qian nodded his head immediately. “Great. Good job!”
Although it was just casual praise, Huang Sibo was still very happy. Boss Pei did not compliment others usually! Earning Boss Pei’s praise made him even happier than if he received a thirty thousand reward. Huang Sibo nodded his head vigorously. “Rest assured, Boss Pei. We will work even harder!”
Pei Qian continued enjoying his food.
He had received two pieces of good news today!
In the midst of his happiness, he heard cheers suddenly erupt from beside him!
“Amazing!”
“Is that true? We’re going to be invincible!”
“Hahahaha! The official platform pointed us out and complimented us. With the publicity on the home page, we are going to be popular!”
The Bluefin tuna that Pei Qian had just picked up with his chopsticks almost dropped on the floor.
What was going on?
Pei Qian became alert at once!
He could tell that although he tried to warm the atmosphere, most people were still pretty down. However, the cheers that he was hearing now seemed abnormal! He heard snippets of their conversation and felt that it emitted a warning for danger!
That made Pei Qian a little nervous!
Did… something bad happen?
Chapter 121 - This was also Within Your Plan, wasn’t It?
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Lu Mingliang ran over at once. “Boss Pei! Good news!”
“I realized that over this period, the volume of sales of our game has been increasing rapidly. Our reputation has also been showing signs of improving! I looked further into it and discovered that someone had indeed realized the meaning in this game that you created and the significance of the performance art-style of marketing you used!
“Boss Pei, your marketing strategy is amazing indeed! We did not realize it in the beginning, but everything was in your plan! Our game is finally being understood by gamers!
“Your efforts did not go to waste!!”
Boss Pei said nothing. His expression became dazed.
What was that?
Did my extreme joy just turn to sorrow? The volume of sales increased, and our reputation improved? Holy sh*t, how is that possible? I didn’t do anything!
And what the hell was ‘performance art-style of marketing’ supposed to be?!
What in the world is happening?!
Seeing everyone looking at him passionately, Pei Qian tried his hardest to maintain his cool. He put on an expression that showed he had everything under control and then said, “Don’t be over-excited. Speak slowly.”
Lu Mingliang handed his cell phone over to Pei Qian excitedly. “Boss Pei, see for yourself!”
Pei Qian took Lu Mingliang’s cell phone suspiciously. It was a video on Potato Web. It looked very popular, and its title was: First Episode of Products of the Gods: Game Designer and large-scale performance art! He glanced down at the content creator… Teacher Qiao!
Pei Qian put his earphones on and watched the video as the employees cheered and clapped.
Silence.
Confusion.
Shock.
He even began doubting life’s meaning…
What the hell was happening?!
When he heard ‘performance art’, Pei Qian completely broke down. When he heard the analysis of Game Designer later on, he became completely speechless. What made him feel even more helpless was the comments section below!
Teacher Qiao, who had been cursed upside down, was now a performance artist. He had been given a new lease of life! Even his sponsored partnerships were no longer called sponsored partnerships. They were now being referred to as ‘paid art’!
After this video of his became popular, his previous video and the video that other content creators posted rose to fame as well. More and more people were imitating them. ‘Qiao-logy’ did not become less popular because of this. Instead, during this period, it was becoming more popular. It was almost explosive!
The scariest thing was that Pei Qian could not explain any of this.
Even if he stood up and said that all of this ‘performance art’ business was nonsense and that he had just been trying to disgust gamers…
They would not believe him!
Not only would they not believe him, but they might even take this as a new form of art. Then, the entertaining netizens might spread it like wildfire and cause it to pop up as a hot search…
That would make it an uncontrollable mess!
Pei Qian watched the entire video, and his hands trembled.
This…
He was in deep trouble!
This was bad!
Lu Mingliang stood by the side, watching Boss Pei’s reaction and feeling moved. Indeed, Boss Pei had too much on his hands. Now that he had found someone like Teacher Qiao online who could understand him so well, it was understandable that he would be moved to the point that he was trembling.
They could probably continue working with Teacher Qiao for future games. This was a beautiful win-win situation for them all!
Lu Mingliang continued, “Boss Lu, there is more good news. Earlier on, ESRO’s official platform sent us an article, specifically praising Game Designer. They have put Game Designer on the first page of their platform!
“After they saw the sincerity behind our game, they encouraged all domestically-produced games to be updated, so that they no longer modeled after foreign games. Whether in terms of gameplay or content, they greatly appreciated Game Designer. They even want to offer us good recommendation spots for all our future games!
“What’s more, many well-known game reviewers and leading players have given good reviews for our game. You’ve hidden many deep meanings in the game that even we did not understand. These people understood them all!
“Boss Pei, our game’s reputation has turned over!”
Pei Qian immediately leaned back in his chair, raising his chin and heaving a long sigh.
A moment later, he regained his composure. Through his forced smile, he mumbled two words. “Not bad.”
Lu Mingliang could not help but feel moved.
Boss Pei was indeed made for big things. This was such an exciting thing, and yet he expressed no visible emotion. It only took him a moment to regain his composure. Nevertheless, that long sigh exposed him. Indeed, the happiness that Boss Pei displayed at first was all an act. He had been worried this entire time. Finally, he could relax!
“Boss Pei, do you want to address everyone?” Lu Mingliang asked.
Pei Qian waved his hand. “There’s no need. This is only a temporary success. We should not be arrogant.”
Lu Mingliang nodded profusely. “Alright, Boss Pei. I understand!”
He then turned around and went out to have some celebratory drinks.
The atmosphere in the office this time was highly charged. Everyone in the design team was celebrating and feasting.
Yet, Pei Qian’s heart was extremely cold. He had no appetite at all. His entire mind was filled with question marks.
What the hell is happening?
&nbs
p; I only gave Teacher Qiao money for one video. Why did he do two videos? Was it a one-for-one promotion? Was he taking revenge?
He must have been!
Yet, that doesn’t make sense. I turned you into the creator of ‘Qiao-logy’. You should hate me; why did you reward me instead? Why did you promote Game Designer on my behalf?
How was he planning to take revenge?!
Still, this was not the most infuriating thing.
This video was the fuse that strangely lit up the flames: everyone’s over-reading into Game Designer! The official platform and many other game reviewers were now praising Game Designer non-stop!
The official games platform, especially, was specifically recommending Game Designer. What’s more, it gave the game a place on its first page. In other words, it was sending a clear signal to the other domestically-produced game manufacturers to learn from this game because it was the kind of domestically-produced game that the official games platform supported!
Pei Qian felt paralyzed.
From the looks of the current situation, he had been working so hard in vain again!
…
…
April 14th…
“Alright, pack up!”
“Boss Pei’s acting is getting better and better.”
“Well, that’s a wrap on the third season of Boss Pei’s Daily Life for now. Thank you for your hard work, everyone!”
Everyone in Tengda Network Technology Co., Ltd.’s office applauded. Ever since they started filming Boss Pei’s Daily Life, Fei Huang Workspace had produced thirty episodes worth of content. That was three seasons in total.
The first episode of the first season and the last episode of the third season were all filmed in Tengda’s office. One could say that was a perfect ending. The first two seasons were published on huge video websites like Potato Web and were very well-received.
Until now, the total number of views that the last episode of the second season had was more than two million. Boss Pei’s Daily Life was now worthy of its title as the most popular series on the internet!
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