Thus, Lu Zhiyao, Zhang Zuting, and the others were taking the opportunity to gather in Jingzhou and celebrate.
Of course, Pei Qian wondered if their real intention was to feast at the nameless restaurant. Why else would they have decided to be in Jingzhou on the 20th?
Zhang Zuting knew very well that Boss Pei had reserved the nameless restaurant on the 20th of every month.
By now, Pei Qian could not be bothered to deal with those people’s little schemes. It was just too bad that Thriller Hostel had not been completed yet. Otherwise, he would have sent the entire group of them there to play until they puked.
He needed to teach them that it would be alright if they had incurred losses and tried to get a meal out of Boss Pei; the latter would have welcomed them with open arms. However, they were trying to get a meal after generating a lot of profits. Sorry, but they would have to feel the hospitality that locals of Jingzhou show their guests!
On top of that, Tengda Games and Shang Yang Games had officially started competing in the esports arena.
Shang Yang Games had successfully persuaded several long-standing local esports clubs to form a team for IOI. They had also invited a few overseas clubs to take part in a competition in the city.
Of course, Tengda Games would not be left behind. A few esports clubs in the country had also agreed to form GOG teams.
The wealthier esports clubs decided to spend more money pleasing both sides by setting up teams for both games. On the other hand, the poorer clubs had no choice but to pick a side.
At the moment, GOG and IOI each had their merits. GOG had a big base of gamers in the country, but IOI had better potential to make it to the international arena. As for Tengda Corporation… it looked like it was leaning towards GOG.
However, its multiple attempts at resuscitating IOI’s local server made others doubt that it had given up on the game completely. Thus, to the clubs, the situation was looking very confusing once again.
Pei Qian did not want to think about those things for now. After all, things had just started, and there was not much he could tell. Now, his biggest concern was whether to eat with Zhang Zuting, Lu Zhiyao, and the others or not.
If he did, his corpse would be repeatedly lashed at right at the dinner table. He could already imagine what the other men would say to him.
For example: “Boss Pei, you had so much foresight to insist that all dialogue should be in English. Although ticket sales weren’t the best, the concept has conquered the entire world.”
They might even start talking about every detail related to Cannes as well.
There was no doubt about that. After all, Zhu Xiaoce had even gone so far as to thank Boss Pei by name at the end of his speech. It would be natural to expect everyone to take a stab at Boss Pei at the dining table. Yet, what excuse could Boss Pei give for not turning up? He was too busy?
Yes, that excuse did seem to be a panacea of sorts. After all, it had become common knowledge that Boss Pei was a very busy man. He could use that excuse as a shield against anything. At last, Pei Qian decided to use the ‘work shield’. Tomorrow is Beautiful was a beautiful mistake. It would be best if everyone just left it in the past.
As he sipped his coffee, Pei Qian spotted a familiar-looking long face with his peripheral vision.
“Brother Qian! You’re here indeed!” Ma Yang looked excited to have ‘caught’ Pei Qian.
“Old Ma? What are you doing here?” Pei Qian was stunned.
Ma Yang had nothing to do with Fish-Catching Internet Cafe now. He was mainly in charge of Dream Realization Ventures, and he was meant to be working on the Fully-Automated Bickering Machine with Zhang Wang.
Initially, Ma Yang had spent some time at DGE Esports Club. However, ever since he lost 0-28, he stopped going over.
Ma Yang sat down opposite Pei Qian and giggled. “Brother Qian, I’m here to apply for funding!” “Huh? Apply for funding?” This piqued Pei Qian’s interest. “What, has something gone wrong with the manufacturing of the Fully-Automated Bickering Machines?”
Ma Yang quickly shook his head. “No, no, no. Manufacturing of the Fully-Automated Bickering Machines has been going well. Apart from the fact that we can’t sell a single one of them, everything is fine.
“I’m here to apply for funding on behalf of DGE Esports Club. Many clubs have been inviting DGE to play friendly matches with them. I’ve been thinking about going with them to other clubs and making a few connections.”
Pei Qian was overjoyed. “Have you forgotten your feud? You lost to those young internet addicts 0-28!”
Ma Yang sniggered. “Brother Qian, that’s where you’re wrong. Since when have I been one to bear grudges? I went back to Dream Realization Ventures to help share your burdens! It was not because I accidentally died a couple of times! The world can testify on my behalf!”
Pei Qian could not be bothered to expose him. He asked, “Why isn’t Zhang Yuan applying for funding if he wants to take the club to play friendly matches against other teams?” Ma Yang smiled. “Zhang Yuan feels embarrassed. DGE Esports Club has only been spending money until now. It hasn’t earned a single cent.
“He thinks that it would be ridiculous to apply for funding to send the club to various cities to participate in friendly matches. That’s why he’s too ashamed to ask. He thinks playing friendly matches online would be good enough.”
Friendly matches online? Those cost nothing! No way!
In fact, Pei Qian thought that it would be best not to take part in any friendly matches. It would be safest to make DGE Esports Club remain in the villa all day and entertain themselves.
However, their appearance at Fish-Catching Internet Cafe’s Live Esports Museum showed many people—especially other clubs that were interested in GOG—that they existed.
He had no reason to turn down other clubs’ invitations for friendly matches. Since there was no avoiding it, Pei Qian decided to let nature take its course and spend as much money as possible while he was at it. Could he invite the other clubs to Jingzhou and provide food and accommodation?No, that seemed inappropriate.
He wanted to invite other clubs to Jingzhou to spend as much money as possible. Of course, he would book the best restaurants and hotels. Yet, what if those clubs became so touched that they misunderstood him? What if they kept investing more money in their GOG teams?
Wouldn’t IOI collapse?
Thus, Pei Qian couldn’t do that!
On further thought, it seemed like buying the best airplane tickets for DGE’s members to travel to various cities and participate in friendly matches was the best option.
He could spend on food, air tickets, and other things as well; but he would not cause other clubs to enjoy GOG anymore. They would just play a couple of matches without affecting the bigger picture.
Pei Qian nodded. “Alright, approved. You, Zhang Yuan, Li Yaling, and the Management Trainee of the club will go together with the team members. Go to the other cities and play friendly matches with the other clubs. Keep to the same standards as other Tengda business trips; we will cover all expenses!”
Ma Yang raised his thumb in excitement. “I knew you would understand, Brother Qian! I knew you would agree! i’ll tell Zhang Yuan the good news right now!”
Chapter 558 - Some Help from Zhang Zuting
In the afternoon, at the nameless restaurant..
Lu Zhiyao, Zhang Zuting, Lin Ruyi, Zhu Xiaoce, and Huang Sibo… along with the entire production crew, editing crew, and other core employees of Fei Huang Workspace gathered for a meal. As they enjoyed the delicacies in front of them, they drank alcohol and chatted.
“That’s why I still think that Boss Pei had great foresight from the beginning because he made all the dialogue English! Why else would the film have been so well-received both within and outside the country? Look at the blockbusters over the last few years. How many of them managed to get tens of millions of US dollars overseas?!” “That’s right. Boss Pei really gave this film its own s
oul!”
“At least fifty percent of the praise that the film got from film critics belonged to Boss Pei.”
“Just fifty percent?” “Sorry, I’ve underestimated it. I’ll punish myself by downing this glass of wine.”
“Director Zhu, have you brought the trophy with you?”
“Yes, I have, I have. Come on, pass it down carefully, everyone. If you break or scratch it, we’ll have to wait until next year to get another one.”
“Director Zhu, that’s where you’re wrong. Are you so confident that you would receive the same award next year? What if you get the Palme d’Or instead?”
“That’s right! For all we know, this might be the last Jury Award that we would ever win from Cannes. From now on, we might just keep winning Palme d’Ors. This is too memorable. We have to be careful with it!”
“We really have Boss Pei to thank! It’s a pity that he can’t be here because he’s too busy.”
“Everyone, let’s raise a toast to Boss Pei!”
“That’s right, let’s raise a toast to Boss Pei!”
Everyone raised their glasses with their faces flushed. Obviously, all of them had been celebrating so hard that they were now feeling light-headed.
However, for some reason, they looked like a family from the same village, drinking together.
Lu Zhiyao also uncharacteristically drank two glasses of wine. He asked Zhu Xiaoce, “Director Zhu, have you started preparing for the next film already?”
Zhu Xiaoce waved. “Don’t talk about it. We’ve been given ‘shock therapy’ by Boss Pei. The entire department is on paid leave! Still, we took that chance to gather inspiration and strengthen our foundation.
“Honestly speaking, I think Tomorrow is Beautiful could have done better if we had a better grasp of our skills. I feel like our skills didn’t do justice to Boss Pei’s idea-it’s a pity. We have to work harder not to drag Boss Pei down for the next film!”
Lu Zhiyao nodded. “Speaking of which, I feel like I haven’t matured in certain aspects of my acting. I have to work even harder. Indeed, working with Boss Pei would cause anyone to think harder about improving.”
Zhang Zuting took a bite of his barbecued meat and asked Huang Sibo, “What’s Boss Pei busy with? Is he so busy that he doesn’t even have time to have a meal with us?”
Huang Sibo smiled. “Uncle Zhang, don’t you know Boss Pei well enough yet?
“He doesn’t enjoy celebrations to begin with.
“Actually, Boss Pei has always been like that. He was like that when we were working on games together, too. Each time a game became popular and profitable, everyone would happily celebrate, but Boss Pei would move on to think about the next project. He has never been one to be too happy with himself.
“I really can’t grasp that. “Of course, on top of that, Boss Pei is really very busy. Look at all the projects he has to work on at the moment: the internet cafes, the take-outs, the Sloth Apartments, the gym, two game companies…”
Huang Sibo started counting, but because he had had too much alcohol, he could not think straight. After a long time, he still couldn’t finish counting.
“In short, he’s a very busy man. If it were anyone else, they would get dizzy trying to take care of so many businesses at the same time. The connections between each department would be an absolute mess.
“They would have no way to stay on top of it all.
“However, Boss Pei is different. He is still very clear about the inter-departmental connections. He can still cause the various departments to work together and carry out his plan. No ordinary human would be able to achieve this.”
Zhang Zuting nodded. “That’s true. However… even if Boss Pei doesn’t have time for a meal, he should still be able to spare some time to meet us and talk to us, right?
“I haven’t seen him in quite a while.
“Why don’t we pay Boss Pei a visit? We can leave after we greet him and catch up with him for a while, and we won’t take up too much of his time. How does that sound?”
Lu Zhiyao nodded. “Alright, but I don’t think too many of us should go. We shouldn’t interrupt Boss Pei’s work.” Zhu Xiaoce said, “Most importantly… do you know where Boss Pei is now? It doesn’t seem appropriate for us to call and ask him, right?”
Pei Qian considered it for a moment. “It is inappropriate to call him. If we do, Boss Pei will take our call very seriously and try to make time to meet us. Wouldn’t we be interrupting his work, then?
“How about this? We can go to the few places that Boss Pei normally visits and try our luck. If we bump into him we can greet him. Otherwise, we can forget about it.”
“Alright!” Lu Zhiyao and the others nodded in agreement.
At 4 PM, in Tengda Games…
Huang Sibo seemed frustrated. “If Boss Pei is not here, we will really be helpless.” After the gathering ended, they had visited Fish-Catching Internet Cafe’s Handong University branch, Deposit Fitness, and Boss Pei’s office on the 16th floor of Shenhua Views. Yet, they had not been able to find him.
Finally, they decided to try their luck at Tengda Games. If he wasn’t there, they would give up.
After all, Tengda had too many departments, and it would not be practical for them to visit every single one.
Everyone walked into Tengda Games’ office, hoping to spot Boss Pei’s familiar figure.
At that moment, Hu Xianbin was at his desk, scratching his head. Suddenly, from the corner of his eyes, he saw a couple of people walk through the entrance. When he looked up, he was shocked! Zhang Zuting? Lu Zhiyao? Huang Sibo? Zhu Xiaoce?
Weren’t they the two lead actors and directors of Tomorrow is Beautiful?
Hu Xianbin was overjoyed! He ran towards them and grabbed Huang Sibo’s hand.
“Brother Huang! Do you know telepathy? How did you know that I wanted to contact you?”
Huang Sibo paused. “Contact me? What for?”
Hu Xianbin replied, “I wanted you to contact Director Zhu for me so that he can guide the actors’ acting!”
The four of them felt light-headed. “Acting? What acting? Is Tengda filming another movie?
Hu Xianbin quickly explained, “The motion-capture actors’ acting! It’s for Boss Pei’s new game, Struggle!”
As he explained, he retrieved Struggle’s script from beside him and handed a copy to Zhang Zuting and Lu Zhiyao.
Zhang Zuting read the script, his expression becoming increasingly exaggerated.
After briefly scanning through the two-page-long story outline, Zhang Zuting smacked his thigh. “Why isn’t Boss Pei turning this good script into a movie? The message is so deep. Although I don’t know if it’ll do well in the box office, it’ll definitely win an award!”
Huang Sibo had a different opinion. “Uncle Zhang, the game is to be split into two versions
-rich and poor. There seems to be a special meaning behind that. It won’t be easy to bring that message across through a film.”
“Why not? We just have to think of a way to merge them together! This has to do with emphasizing the gap between the rich and the poor. If we do it well, the film could have a lot of potential!” Zhang Zuting still insisted that the script would be better as a movie.
From the side, Zhu Xiaoce brought the discussion back to the main point. “It’s alright, Uncle Zhang. We’ll still have time to consider turning the game into a movie after it becomes popular. I’m sure Boss Pei has thought about that.”
Turning to Hu Xianbin, he said, “You were saying you need help directing the acting? What’s that about?”
Hu Xianbin answered, “I’m worrying about that right now. All the scenes in our game require real motion-capture actors. We need to capture every single expression and detail of the actors.
“What’s more, according to Boss Pei’s instructions, the game is to take on a more exaggerated style. Each actor’s unique facial features are to be emphasized as much as possible.
“However, that requires
a lot from the actors. Emphasizing the actors’ features means that more exaggerated acting is required. However, all the motion-capture actors are bit-role actors who don’t have much experience in this area…”
At once, Zhang Zuting understood. “That’s easy. I can go and direct the actors, can’t I? I have a lot of experience acting as both a poor person and a wealthy person. I also know a lot about exaggerated acting. Just leave it to me!”
Hu Xianbin was pleasantly surprised. “Really? Thank you so much! But… would that affect your travel itinerary?”
Zhang Zuting waved his hand. “No, it wouldn’t. Boss Pei has helped me so much. I’ll return the favor by directing the acting. It’s a small matter.”
Elated, Hu Xianbin exclaimed, “Then, I’ll really have to thank you, Mr. Zhang!”
Zhang Zuting grinned. Although he could not meet Boss Pei this time, helping out behind the scenes didn’t seem like a bad idea!
June 22nd, Wednesday…
At Jingzhou’s old industrial zone…
Pei Qian looked at the Thriller Hostel, which was being built up at a rapid speed, along with the surrounding facilities. An unspeakable sorrow began to fill his heart.
The progress was too quick! Pei Qian hoped that it would slow down, but no one seemed to be able to hear his secret wishes.
Over the last two days, Pei Qian had already visited the old industrial zone twice. He wanted to be clear on Thriller Hostel’s current situation so that nothing could be sprung on him at the last minute.
However, after seeing things for himself, he realized that the situation was not looking
good!
Thriller Hostel was meant to be a lonely haunted house in the industrial zone. There wasn’t meant to be any facilities around it, and it was supposed to look very unimpressive.
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