Chapter 130 Interview!

April 20th…

After work, Ma Yiqun quietly went to the small cafe next to the office and met Hu Yue for the interview. Hu Yue took out the shorthand notes she made in the morning. They had already agreed beforehand not to expose any video material and not to expose Ma Yiqun's true name and identity.

Although this would greatly discount the reliability of the interview, Hu Yue was very satisfied. This was because she could interview an employee of Tengda and catch a glimpse of the tip of the iceberg of this up-and-coming company.

Hu Yue even discovered that she was slightly nervous. After calming herself down, she recapped the important questions in her head. She had only decided on these questions late into last night after much thought.

The two reached a common understanding: First, they were not to reveal the true name and identity of the company's boss. Second, Hu Yue could not ask about the exact benefits and remuneration the employees of the company got.

Thus, Hu Yue was prepared to avoid both of these points. "Don't be nervous. I am a professional journalist. Please trust my professionalism.

"An outstanding journalist would surely be able to allow the conversation to develop smoothly and naturally. He would be so good that even the interviewee would not notice any break in the rhythm of the interview. All you have to do is to coordinate with me."

Hu Yue sounded extremely confident.

Ma Yiqun nodded.

"Let us begin, then. First of all, I want to ask how long you have been with Tengda, and what your job scope is. "Don't worry, I will not write your actual position in the manuscript. I just want to roughly understand what you're in charge of in the company. That would make it easier for me to ask questions about the industry and work."

Hu Yue picked up her notebook and prepared herself to take notes. Ma Yiqun pondered for a moment and answered truthfully, "I joined Tengda about a month ago. My main job scope is to learn."

Hu Yue was in the midst of furiously writing notes, but she paused suddenly. His main job scope was… to learn?

"Could you tell me more?"

Ma Yiqun nodded. "Tengda Games is very different from other games companies. Here at Tengda Games, we do high-quality design work. New people have no right to assist or do work. We can only watch and learn! What's more, this learning period would extend over a long time.

"I am under great pressure every day. I need to learn the initial thought process behind the game from Boss Pei and the way that the seniors contemplate and draw conjectures from this thought process. Speaking of this makes me feel guilty; until now, I am making very slow progress.

"Until now, I still cannot understand even a fraction of what Boss Pei does. I still need to ask my seniors before I can understand Boss Pei's thought process."

Hu Yue was shocked. She quickly recorded these answers down. Even employees who worked for half a year in other companies could only watch and learn in this company. One could only imagine how terrifying the standard in this company was!

Speaking of which, the boss in this company was recruiting employees and paying them a salary each month to watch and learn. Not every company had such power and abilities!

There was so much more to behold; this was only the beginning!

Calm down, I am a professional journalist!

Hu Yue calmed her own emotions and moved on to the next topic. "Let's talk about Game Designer, the newest game that just became extremely hot. This game made use of performance art-style marketing. Was that a strategy that your company thought of from the beginning?"

Ma Yiqun shook his head. "No. Actually, all of us were kept in the dark. Up until the company gathering, all of us were still worrying about the game's prospects.

"Boss Pei decided from the start that he would employ performance art-style marketing. He kept this from everyone in the office. When the sales of the game hit an all-time low and when we were all desperate, the sales suddenly picked up; and we achieved a great comeback!

"Speaking of it makes me guilty again. We did not do anything to help."

Hu Yue's eyes lit up.

This was one valuable company; he was one valuable boss!

"Can you tell me more about your Boss Pei?" Hu Yue was writing furiously in her notebook.

Ma Yiqun's expression turned into one of deep admiration and respect. "Boss Pei is a talented designer. Sometimes, Boss Pei would give us several simple pointers and directions. Once we follow them, we would be able to produce excellent games. Ocean Stronghold is one example.

"Sometimes, Boss Pei would do the work on his own. He would have many requirements for the details, and he would polish the game with his own efforts until it became outstanding. That was what happened for Game Designer.

"What's more, Boss Pei has a very unique and charming personality. Countless elites would be drawn to him, wanting to work with him.

"The great artist-Ruan Guangjian—and the top-class content creator-Teacher Qiaoare all good friends that Boss Pei has made. Their friendship is not contaminated by any selfish interest!

"Boss Pei is a lonely prodigy. His understanding surpasses our generation. That's why he's always misunderstood by people. However, Boss Pei does not mind this. Again and again, he exceeds himself."

Hu Yue was taking all of this down as quickly as she could.

Although Ma Yiqun was singing beautiful praises of Boss Pei and one might think that he was sucking up to his boss, Hu Yue knew very well that this was highly unlikely.

This was because it was an anonymous interview!

From the start, both of them had already agreed that Hu Yue would not expose Ma Yiqun's identity or position in the manuscript for the interview. Even if Ma Yiqun's high praises of Boss Pei reached the latter's ears, the latter would not know who he was.

There was no incentive.

Thus, all of these represented Ma Yiqun's honest thoughts!

Hu Yue could not help but feel moved. She rarely met such a harmonious boss-and-employee duo.

"Out of a hundred points, how many points would you give your boss, Boss Pei?" Hu Yue asked.

Without any hesitation, Ma Yiqun answered, "Two hundred points! Perhaps some bosses in this world would be able to achieve ninety points by giving their employees good overtime pay, employee welfare, and the like.

"But Boss Pei can achieve two hundred points!

"Boss Pei is generous toward every employee. He cares for our health and does not hold back when spending on us. However, according to the seniors in the company, Boss Pei is very strict with himself. One might even say he is extremely thrifty!Read more chapter on

"I can only say that before I came to Tengda —if someone had told me that a boss like Boss Pei exists, I would never believe him! Of course, if people tell me now that there is another boss like Boss Pei in this world, I would still not believe them!"

Hu Yue continued to take these answers down in her notebook. Just hearing these answers moved her. She was finding it hard to control his own emotions.

It was almost as if Ma Yiqun had infected her!

From Ma Yiqun's words, Hu Yue could sense the immense admiration and gratefulness Tengda's employees felt towards Boss Pei. She could also vaguely imagine Boss Pei's noble and illuminating image…

Hu Yue looked down at the notes in her notebook and felt satisfaction at what she gained from this interview.

Once this interview was edited and published, it would be explosive for sure!

"Finally, let's talk about Boss Pei.

"Game Designer has caused many people to think that this was Boss Pei's personal experience. As a designer, did Boss Pei experience these setbacks as well? Was that why he could infuse such deep meaning and sentiment into the game?"

Hu Yue felt that now that the interview had entered this stage, it was time to raise the bar for one's thinking and imagination!

For such a talented designer like Boss Pei, he must not have had it smooth-sailing all the time. If not, how could he have been able to so accurately describe a content creator's predicament in Game Designer, resonating with so many?

However, Ma Yiqun scratched at the hairs on his head, "I don't think so."

"Ah?" Hu Yue was shocked.

Ma Yiqun said, "As far as I know, Boss Pei has not seemed to have experienced any setbacks; he has always been rather smooth-sailing…

"The Lonely Desert Road, Ghost General, Ocean Stronghold, and Game Designer… Boss Pei had only done these four games, and all of them have been a roaring success.

"So if you ask me if Boss Pei had actually managed to design this game because he resonated with it, I am actually not very sure. However, I am very sure that other designers and developers have experienced those trials and tribulations…

"While Boss Pei hasn't."

Hu Yue,"…"

Was this what a genius was like?

Just like those admirable and great reformers in history. Although they were in high positions and had smooth-going lives, they had actually managed to feel the pain and agony the lower strata of society felt.

This was a very powerful quality!

"One last question…

"The short video series Boss Pei's Daily Life that had gained popularity on the internet; it seemed to have used some of Tengda Games' material. Could I ask if Tengda had collaborated with this short video series on this?"

Ma Yiqun nodded. "En, actually all this could be found out if you investigated. Boss Pei's Daily Life is a production of Fei Huang Workspace while Fei Huang Workspace is Tengda's subsidiary."

Hu Yue's eyes lit up.

"No wonder! That means that one of the reasons why this short video series had gained in fame has to do with the fact that it adapts some of Boss Pei's personal life experiences, right?"

Ma Yiqun hesitated, "I'm sorry; I can't comment on this. I might actually divulge some information regarding Boss Pei.

"Boss Pei is a very low-profile person. He hopes that gamers could pay more attention to the games that he creates; he doesn't want them to chase him like fans go after their idols. He doesn't want them to lose objectivity regarding his games."

Although she didn't get the answer she wanted, Hu Yue wasn't angry; she actually smiled. Although she did not have cold, hard statistics; this had all in all been a rather extraordinary interview!

Indeed, only with such special employees, such a special boss-could they have created such a special game, right?

Amusement Times, Jingzhou City division…

Although it was a games media company that the entire country knew about-as the Amusement Times' Jingzhou City division was just a normal worksite, its set-up was rather normal. Only three journalists, two editors, and a chief editor were stationed here.

Even its office was in a co-working space. The editor looked at the draft Hu Yue had sent as he was stunned. "Little Hu, you are a veteran journalist; why is it you have submitted just a piece…?

"Without a source, without pictures and footage, without other supporting evidence. You also can't even divulge a little about the target of the interview? We are not some road-side small media outlet. This piece… even if I gave the go-ahead, the chief editor wouldn't…"

This editor was now nursing a headache. Hu Yue had just wanted to explain when the chief editor Brother Zhao had already rushed over. "Little Hu, are you done with the draft?"

The editor hurriedly handed the draft to the chief editor.

"Brother Zhao, this draft…"

She hadn't even finished speaking when the chief editor slapped his thigh and said, "Good! Great job, Little Hu!"

The editor, "…"

Brother Zhao hurriedly read the news' draft. "Little Hu, you are really good at adapting and striking the iron when it's hot; you deserve commendation! All the domestic players in the country now are very curious about Tengda. Although this piece might not be that substantiated, I trust in Little Hu's professional integrity; the reliability is rather high!

"Let's get a move on this and release it to create a new hot topic. Who knows? We might be able to hold our heads high up to headquarters after this!

"Let's release this as it is!"

Two days later, a news article appeared on Amusement Times's official site. It soon was carried by all the established games media outlets!

Getting a closer look at the mysterious Tengda Games: the domestic games industry Utopia!

Hu Yue's piece had not mentioned Ma Yiqun even once; she did not even state she had interviewed a Tengda employee. She had started her piece by referencing the very popular Game Designer and Boss Pei's Daily Life before diving into all the content Ma Yiqun had provided her!

"Accompanying the game called The Lonely Desert Road, Tengda's name had steadily become well-known among the domestic gaming community.

"In less than a year, Tengda Games had consecutively released four games. They were a standalone game, a card game, an FPS game, and a standalone metagame. Tengda Games had used a powerful and unconstrained imagination and a bold creative spirit to win the praises of official games platforms. It is now seen as the new standard-bearer for the domestic games industry!

"Today, Amusement Times will help everyone unveil the mysterious Tengda Games; to let everyone have a peek at this up-and-coming games company!"

"In any case, Tengda Games is a company that has a strict requirement for new employees; it also dares to be bold in using new hires. It is a company that dares to innovate and also one that emphasizes the importance of imparting skills and knowledge.

"As Tengda's chief creator and lead designer —the Boss Pei in Boss Pei's Daily Life, not only does he have a calling for designing but is also extremely adept at game publicity. He has a unique charisma that attracts countless talent to him, wanting to work with him.

"However, he is also a lonely prodigy. His understanding surpasses our generation. Hence, he is always misunderstood by people.

"He treats his employees generously while he is rather thrifty himself.

"This place… is where dreams take off; this is Tengda Games, the Utopia of the domestic games industry!"

Not long after this article was released, all established media outlets started to carry and forward it! This actually was a little unprofessional; after all, this piece wasn't substantiated. It did not have a source, any pictures; it didn't even have any supporting evidence.

This was a standard 'article without substantiation'. However, all the media outlets were still furiously forwarding and carrying this piece. Furthermore, netizens also started to comment and debate this!

The crux was that any piece on Tengda was very rare!

Since Ghost General and Ocean Stronghold, Tengda was already considered a rather famous game developer. However, a veil of secrecy enshrouded the company, and it had never appeared clearly in front of players before.

In the eyes of many insiders in the industry, this company called Tengda was also full of mysteries. Even many Jingzhou City-based games companies knew nothing about this company.

Although this was an article without any pictures and just words-as Amusement Times was after all a known games media outlet domestically, it had a certain amount of reliability to it. That was how this article had exploded!

"It is praising Tengda nonstop! It feels as if this mysterious boss of Tengda had become the hope of the domestic games industry. Could it be that Amusement Times had also started to do sponsored partnerships?"

"That can't be. If it was a sponsored partnership, why don't they put some pictures or other things? This ambiguous writing… it doesn't seem like a sponsored partnership, right?"

"Why are you guys concerned about this? We should debate the reliability of this article, right? Which industry big boss that knows something can confirm how much of this is true?"

"I think that the phrase "his understanding surpasses our generation' is a little exaggerating; as for 'treats his employees generously while he is rather thrifty himself', I don't believe this!"

"However, to say that Game Designer surpassed our generation; that isn't wrong, right?"

"I am a Tengda internal employee; I can verify that these are all true!"

"I am the boss of a dumpling shop across the street from Tengda. Tengda employees always come to my shop to eat dumplings. I can confirm that these are true!"

"I am the security guard of the office building next to the one Tengda is in; I can verify this

as well!"

"I'll give you guys a nugget; have you guys seen Boss Pei's Daily Life? That's right, the person acting as Boss Pei is actually the real boss of Tengda!"

"Why is the acting in Boss Pei's Daily Life so good? That's because the boss himself is acting in it!"

"This is getting a little absurd. You sucky netizens are letting your mouths run wild! I don't believe Tengda's boss is so young."

"That's right. This seems to be an insult to my intelligence!"

"However, most of the things in the article are probably real; I'll go and take a look at Boss Pei's Daily Life again!"

"I'll go to Boss Pei's Daily Life's video page and publicize Game Designer; everyone, remember to tag along and press on the like button!"

Fish-Catching Internet Cafe…

Pei Qian sat in the coffee area as he drank a dry martini that Zhang Yuan had just mixed. Although he wasn't appearing that sad, his eyes carried his dejection. In the sparse internet cafe, Boss Pei was just like a firefly in the night; he stood out that much.

Zhang Yuan and Ma Yang hid behind the counter as they softly discussed.

"What should we do? Has Boss Pei come to punish and denounce us? Brother Ma, you are on great terms with Boss Pei; you have to find a way to settle this…"

Ma Yang's face grew very serious. However, he carried a certain determination in him. "Don't worry. I'll take care of this; I'll bear full responsibility! If it came to that, even if you can't remain here in this internet cafe, based on my relationship with Brother Qian; I can definitely find somewhere else for you to go.

"Aye, however, to be honest; we have indeed been a little disgraceful this time. Huang Sibo had actually managed to film such a sensational series of short videos. What's more, even the game Lu Mingliang led had resulted in a roaring success! Only we are still bleeding money. This feeling sucks!"

Zhang Yuan said a little begrudgingly, "Brother Ma, it's not that I'm shirking responsibility. However, we have indeed tried to explore different ways and means; however, Boss Pei had always rejected our ideas."

Ma Yang shook his head, "You can't think like that. Brother Qian is thinking more long-term. As for our ideas of reducing prices and promoting sales; those are things that would damage our reputation. Hence, Brother Qian had not agreed to them.

"At the end of the day, we are inept. We had not managed to abide by Brother Qian's thinking to find a good way to realize profits. Look at Huang Sibo. Although I have also felt that he isn't that much more brilliant than me, he had indeed done a splendid job this time.

"Brother Qian didn't allow them to accept low-class and low-paid sponsored partnerships as that would spoil their reputation. They actually managed to make the first two seasons of the videos out of love without looking forward to gaining from it… while Aili Island had then gotten the exclusive rights for the third season. They had managed to make a killing all of a sudden!

"We are just lacking in that."

Zhang Yuan nodded, "Brother Ma, you're right. If we think this way, then there's no one else to blame but me."

"Ay, you can't say that. The primary responsibility lies on me." Ma Yang shook his head. "You have given your all to help me, taking on three jobs at once. Sometimes, you will also pay attention to the finances of this internet cafe; it's very hard on you."

Zhang Yuan was feeling a little sad. It seemed that the good days of earning three salaries at once were about to come to an end.

The internet cafe was bleeding money profusely; Boss Pei was definitely going to say he wanted to restructure the internet cafe. When that happened and personnel changes happened and it was the time to appropriate blame, as Ma Yang had a strong relationship with Boss Pei, that meant that Zhang Yuan was going to bear the blame for everything…

Ma Yang and Zhang Yuan were now very uneasy and apprehensive.

Finally, Ma Yang steeled his heart as he walked towards Pei Qian.

Pei Qian drank his martini as he looked at the street outside through the glass wall. In his vision, the system screen had appeared.

Dejected!

He had already spent all the money he could while he had given so many benefits to his employees. He really didn't have any other ideas. Looking at the System Funds increasing rapidly, Pei Qian could only be resigned to his fate. However, on the bright side, every time the System Funds increased now, his Personal Wealth would grow as well.

At a rate of 100:1. As he couldn't generate losses anymore, this was considered a small win…

Pei Qian could only comfort himself like this.

As he was feeling melancholic, Ma Yang came over.

"Brother Qian, I know that you are very conflicted about this. However, since you have given the internet cafe to me to manage, all the losses should be on me! I can resign and take responsibility. However, Zhang Yuan is really someone with talent; you must continue to use him heavily!"

Ma Yang looked very agitated, like a general in ancient dynasty times who had lost a war and wanted to be sentenced to death-albeit in a different format.

Pei Qian was confused.

He wanted to take the blame and resign? Was he messing with me?

Don't!

My only hope now is in you!

Pei Qian hurriedly put his glass down as he pulled a chair next to him. "Old Ma, sit. Why are you suddenly thinking of quitting?"

Ma Yang looked very embarrassed as he said, "Brother Qian, the internet cafe isn't doing well… that's on me. I know this very well. Although we are solid friends, we can't let me continue to cripple this business. Please criticize me!"

Pei Qian hurriedly raised his hand to ask Ma Yang to stop talking. "Old Ma, what are you talking about? I actually want to commend you! With you and Zhang Yuan helping me keep an eye on this internet cafe—among everyone, I am actually most happy with you guys. You guys have not let me down either!

"I have told you that although the internet cafe is still incurring losses, this internet cafe project is actually much more important than the other two!

"I need to take the time to commend you properly!"

Ma Yang was a little flabbergasted. He looked at Pei Qian's expression intently; Pei Qian didn't seem to be kidding.

He was genuine and earnest!

Pei Qian was afraid Ma Yang would misunderstand as he gestured at Zhang Yuan frantically to call him over. These two were now his only remaining right-hand men! Originally, Pei Qian had thought that Bao Xu and Huang Sibo would live up to his expectations. However, he had now realized the two had deceived him!

At the end of the day, he really could only rely on his brother!

Pei Qian thought about it deeply. From the moment he had received the system and since he had founded Tengda, he had not successfully made a loss once! The only exception was Fish-Catching Internet Cafe. Furthermore, it had managed to generate losses successfully due to Ma Yang!

The others were too good at twisting Pei Qian's words and intentions. Huang Sibo and Bao Xu had misinterpreted Pei Qian's intentions and had actually made Ocean Stronghold—which Pei Qian had been sure to flunk-into Cross Fire; how could Pei Qian stand that?

However, Ma Yang was different. Whatever Pei Qian said, Ma Yang would seriously carry his orders. This was exactly what Pei Qian needed the most now!

Pei Qian looked at Ma Yang with an expression filled with warmth. This was a flame that he had managed to preserve! Pei Qian had actually started to lose all hope in incurring losses; however, Fish-Catching Internet Cafe had rekindled that hope in him.

A Fish-Catching Internet Cafe could successfully generate three hundred thousand in losses monthly while the initial capital of three million could not be recouped as well.Read more chapter on

What about ten Fish-Catching Internet Cafes?

As long as he kept on opening chain stores, wouldn't he be able to make as many losses as he wanted?

Hence, Pei Qian looked at Ma Yang with a renewed warmth and passion. Ma Yang and Zhang Yuan had evidently felt this as well.

Boss Pei's expression… wasn't right.

He really seemed to not be criticizing them but actually wanted to reward them? The two were a little confused. However, they finally managed to feel more at ease now.

Pei Qian looked at Ma Yang and then Zhang Yuan, "You guys have done a good job; you must continue like this!

"Next month, I want to open other Fish-Catching Internet Cafes in other places within Jingzhou City.

"Prepare yourselves. Until now, it has been a trial run; the real battle is coming!"

Ma Yang was a little stunned; his eyes then welled up. "Brother Qian, even though things had deteriorated to this stage you still trust me. I really…"

Pei Qian patted Ma Yang's shoulder and then looked at Zhang Yuan. "Remember, I always have high hopes for you two; that has not changed! So what if we made losses of three hundred thousand monthly? This is peanuts! Tengda is now a big company, and there's no point in having so much money lying around. It needs to be put into good use!

"I will repeat this again: Fish-Catching Internet Cafe is an important step for Tengda Corporation. I look at this project very highly, and so I have tasked it to you two. You two can now forget about profits completely. You cannot lower the fees that we are charging. All you have to do is maintain the status quo, understand?

"Ma Yang, don't think about the three hundred thousand. Even if it's three million or thirty million, as long as you honestly follow my instructions, no matter how much you might lose; I will not frown even once!

"Rest assured and be bold. I'll say this again: no matter how much loss you guys make, I'll take care of it!"

Pei Qian looked at the uneasy employees in the internet cafe.

"It is the same for you guys. I don't want you guys to have any emotional burdens. I will guarantee here and now that no matter how much loss Fish-Catching Internet Cafe makes, I will never retrench any one of you brothers!

"All my brothers working in this internet cafe will all get an across-the-board thirty-percent raise. I hope that everyone will continue to be filled with passion and give the best possible service to each customer!

"Next month, we will actually be opening new internet cafes in Jingzhou City. When that happens, all of you will have the chance to become a branch manager at the new outlets!"

Pei Qian's words were filled with fervor and excitement that it made everyone's morale shoot through the roof.

The few servers' eyes lit up! Across-the-board raise!

Furthermore, branches were going to be opened soon; and the new branch manager would be chosen from existing employees!

Nuts! This was nuts!

Originally, everyone had been afraid Boss Pei would give up on this endeavor because of the persistent losses the internet cafe was incurring; they were afraid that someday, they would find themselves out of such a good job. Instead, Boss Pei did not intend to abandon anyone; he actually wanted to lift everyone up altogether!

Now, everyone's hearts only had one thought: to give their all for Boss Pei!

"Alright, i'll head back first. Leaving the internet cafe to you, I am very assured." Pei Qian patted Ma Yang's arm as he turned and left.

Watching as Pei Qian sat in Assistant Xin's Cayenne and left, Ma Yang's emotion welled up. "I will think of new ideas now; I will not lose to Huang Sibo!"

Zhang Yuan was also full of gusto. "It's almost night. I will sing a few more songs tonight; I will try and get more customers to come and buy alcohol!"

In the car…

Pei Qian was very clear what impact his morale-boosting actions and speech would have for the Fish-Catching Internet Cafe employees.

However, he wasn't worried. So many things have already gone wrong; no matter how much they tried to buck up now, it was futile!

Ma Yang was very excited; so what?

Pei Qian wasn't worried at all that he would be able to do anything outstanding. Even if Zhang Yuan did his best to sell more alcohol and sang his songs with more gusto, so what? Even if the other servers treated every customer like a king, so what?

The price range and location of this Fish-Catching Internet Cafe was more than sufficient to dissuade the majority of customers from coming.

Even if all the employees did their best-to set prices so high at this location, ballers wouldn't come. Normal people who couldn't afford it wouldn't patronize as well. Not much would change.

Furthermore, once Pei Qian started to open branches next month, the losses would continue to snowball; wouldn't everything start to look better then?

Pei Qian was back at the office. He felt that he had nothing better to do now, and he waited quietly for the settlement to come. This time, the company employees have been given free rein; they could do whatever they liked.

However, when Pei Qian entered the office today, he felt that the atmosphere wasn't right.

It seemed a little boisterous!

Quite a few people were surrounding Lu Mingliang; he wasn't sure what they were looking at, but everyone was smiling gleefully. Furthermore, Pei Qian actually saw Huang Sibo and Zhu Xiaoce among them as well.

What were the two doing here?

Pei Qian instinctively grew cautious! These two were his jinxes; whenever Pei Qian saw them, nothing good would happen!

I need to rethink and see; did I miss out on something?

Game Designer had already gained in popularity. So had Boss Pei's Daily Life. I had just come from the internet cafe; it was making losses splendidly, and nothing was amiss, right?

Boss Pei was already someone buried in the ground now; what other bad news could there be? What was this group of people furtively discussing?

He was feeling rather diffident now…

"Boss Pei's back!" Someone yelled out.

Huang Sibo walked to Boss Pei, looking very excited as he said, "Boss Pei, I never expected that you had laid all the groundwork so splendidly! I really have so much admiration for you!"

Lu Mingliang also sighed with emotion, "Indeed, who could have thought that a casual remark by Boss Pei could actually have so much meaning!"

Ma Yiqun raised his thumb, "Devising a strategy for a victory far away; this indeed refers to Boss Pei!"

Pei Qian was being praised by everyone as his mind drew a blank.

What were they talking about? Why didn't I understand anything?

Pei Qian tried hard to maintain his composure. "What has happened?"

Bao Xu came in front of Pei Qian. The normally calm and steady Bao Xu's face was also now filled with admiration. "Boss Pei, you had said before to not allow us to divulge your true identity as well as Tengda's employee benefits and salaries. Initially, I had only realized the first layer of your intention behind this.

"I thought that you didn't want Tengda's extremely high benefits to negatively impact the entire domestic games industry. Now, I finally know that there was another layer to this!

"Boss Pei, look at this article!"

Bao Xu handed over his phone as a news article read: 'Getting a closer look at the mysterious Tengda Games: the domestic games industry Utopia!'

Pei Qian's brows were raised high instinctively.

What the f*ck?! Who did this?!

As he scanned through the article, Pei Qian breathed a sigh of relief.

Okay, not much damage had been done!

In this article, it had not mentioned his real name and nothing regarding Tengda's benefits. The entire article didn't even mention who the interviewee had been; it was not very reliable. However, what was it about this article, then?

Why was everyone so happy?

Seeing that Pei Qian had finished reading, Bao Xu couldn't contain himself anymore as he carried on. He wasn't someone who liked to boast. However, today, he really wanted to brag! On one hand, he hoped that he could gain Boss Pei's recognition. On the other hand, he hoped that he could share with everyone such an elaborate plan!

"Boss Pei, you have purposely hidden your true identity as well as Tengda's benefits; this strategy of misleading the enemy is really brilliant! Game Designer had relied on its high quality and exceptional 'performance art-style marketing' to create such a reputation for itself domestically.

"While Boss Pei's Daily Life had also accrued much interest in the short video industry, resulting in much debate on it. However, I never would have thought that they were both parts of your strategy!

"Game Designer and Boss Pei's Daily Life are like two burning flames. All Boss Pei had to do was lightly toss a spark, and the two had immolated and formed an even bigger flame that is now burning brighter and brighter!"

"This spark… was your misleading strategy!

"After this article came out, players and short videos viewers suddenly have grown much more interested in our company! If it was a real article, perhaps they might not be able to sustain their excitement."

"However, this article's misleading reporting has instantly triggered a huge amount of revelations, with the real and fake news mixed together. This topic has instantly become hot!

"Tengda Games' as a topic has become a hot topic on Weibo, with a huge group of netizens being redirected. Some have been redirected to our current games while others have been diverted to the short video series! These two days, the popularity of all our games has increased; even The Lonely Desert Road as well!

"The short videos have done even better. Everyone episode's average viewership has increased by three to four hundred thousand. Many are also curious: is Tengda's boss like the Boss Pei in the short videos?

"I believe that the day Boss Pei's real identity is made known, it will spark an even bigger wave! I'm just not sure when Boss Pei is preparing to toss this grenade; perhaps when we release our next game?

"I'm really looking forward to it!" Facing this surge of bootlicking, Pei Qian was really stunned to the core.

What was the meaning of this? I have already been buried in the ground. I thought that things couldn't get any worse. Yet, you guys have even excavated my body?

Pei Qian did not fully understand Bao Xu's words. However, he was certain of something. Something bad had happened again!

Originally, Pei Qian thought that he was suffering enough. Boss Pei's Daily Life was making money; Game Designer was as well. He couldn't seem to finish spending the System Funds.

Could anything else be worse?

The answer was… yes!

Due to an article, passers-by suddenly became very interested in Tengda. That led to a renewed wave of popularity for its games!

Pei Qian was even more dejected now.

What was this? This was the ups and downs of life…

However, thinking from another perspective, this wasn't exactly bad news. He already couldn't finish spending the System Funds! As he had no hopes left of making a loss—the more money he made, the more could be converted to his Personal Wealth. From this perspective, it seemed…

Not bad?

Pei Qian started to doubt his life.

"Today is a very joyous day. I suggest that we can take a group photo?" Zhu Xiaoce raised his DSLR as he shouted.

"Good idea!"

"Right, right! Let's take a family portrait!"

"Come, everyone, stand properly!"

"Boss Pei, Boss Pei needs to be in the middle!"

Everyone started to shout over each other as they pushed Pei Qian to the middle.

Zhu Xiaoce half-squatted as he adroitly adjusted his DSLR. "Come, everyone, smile. One, two, three! Everyone, shout— 'Congrats to our huge sales!'"

"Congrats to our huge sales!"

Everyone shouted in unison as broad smiles appeared on their faces.

Pei Qian stood among his employees as he heard everyone's genuine 'congratulations' as he felt very conflicted. He was very sad that no matter how he tried, he was not going to be able to incur a loss this settlement. However, he actually somehow managed to convert a huge sum of money to his Personal Wealth, and that was a silver lining for him.

Hence, whether he should be happy or otherwise…

Pei Qian's dejected expression was a little uncertain as he suddenly let out a slight grin.

Ka-cha!

Zhu Xiaoce pressed the shutter as a light flashed, and this scene was perfectly captured by the DSLR.

Pei Qian sighed slightly as he headed straight for his office. He just wanted to take the time to really calm down now and then seriously think about what was going on with this

world.

Zhu Xiaoce sent the photograph to his computer as everyone crowded around.

"Quick, send it to me."

"Director Zhu's photography skills are really good; he is indeed a professional."

"Aye? What's up with Boss Pei's smile?"

"Enlarge it."

"Enlarge it again."

Everyone took a closer look at the computer screen. In the photo, Pei Qian had already been enlarged many times. Thanks to the DSLR's high resolution, Pei Qian's expression was crystal clear.

His eyes seemed to carry a faint melancholic feeling. However, his lips were curled upwards; he wasn't forcing his smile, and it was a genuine one.

Zhu Xiaoce looked at Huang Sibo, and then at Bao Xu, and the others.

"Boss Pei's smile…

"What does it mean?"

In the office…

Pei Qian was casually scrolling through the internet. Bao Xu's words rang true! "Tengda Games' had become a hot keyword search on Weibo, and netizens were passionately discussing this matter; some people had started to shoot out their ideas.

As this article was not substantiated, no one knew how much of it was true and how much was fake. Some people were actually providing some explosive revelations. However, with the real and fake being mixed together, no one could actually distinguish between the two in a short time!

Pei Qian had managed to keep all this information a secret so well; that was mainly due to his reputation and presence in the company. Every Tengda employee felt indebted to Pei Qian and worshipped him. As Pei Qian had already clearly requested for no one to divulge his identity or the company benefits, everyone strictly abided by this.

Even if people like Ma Yiqun had secretly helped to publicize Tengda and had accepted an interview, he had kept in accordance with Pei Qian's wishes. He was also never going to publicly state he was a Tengda employee!

Hence, the rumors flying now had both the real and the fake altogether; no one could confirm the information source.

This exclusive interview had stated it wanted to lift the veil off the mysterious Tengda. In the end, the veil had only been half-lifted; and no one could see behind it clearly! However, this feeling of guessing and uncertainty had made people even more curious!

Game Designer and Boss Pei's Daily Life had joined together to form a blurry image of Tengda. As these two talking points merged, it had generated a perfect second wave of publicity!

Pei Qian opened a platform to take a look at the game statistics for the various games. Although the increase in players was not that fast, the increase was being seen across all four games! Even The Lonely Desert Road had welcomed a small high in downloads.

As for Boss Pei's Daily Life and Aili Island's exclusive agreement, every click on the former would be generated into actual earnings.

Pei Qian closed the platform. He was starting to doubt himself like never before. Was he really too gifted and whatever he did struck gold, and even if he meddled in things casually they could become successes?

That wasn't possible.

Pei Qian knew his limits very well. Recalling his past successes, had they all been based on luck?

No, that wasn't right.

Luck had indeed played a part. For example, if Teacher Qiao had not coincidentally found The Lonely Desert Road, this game would have flunked. However, to say it was all about luck; that wasn't right. Besides that, there seemed to be deeper reasons; things that had been neglected by Pei Qian.

Pei Qian took his time to think deeply.

The Lonely Desert Road's success had been its uniqueness. As for Ghost General, Ocean Stronghold, and Game Designer…

It was the same for these games! Although there was an element of chance to their success, there was a certain degree of assurance that they would have done well. On one hand, Pei Qian had wanted to go against the market flow and gamer's tastes; he had pulled a stunt and done things a little more unique.

On the other hand-in order to make more money, Pei Qian had spent a huge amount of money on exquisite art resources, given out many bonuses and benefits while his employees' motivation and eagerness had been raised to the highest level.

As such, a good quality new game had been born!

Pei Qian slapped his head.

"…so this is the reason; I had gone on the wrong track! I can't do things this way! I'm really stupid! I actually should go with the flow while making games?"

"No, wait; that's not right either…"

Pei Qian immediately rejected this notion.

Cases, where some companies had modeled their games on existing games and achieved resounding success, were plenty. Pei Qian's company name had the word 'Teng'[1] in it; this was not a joking matter.

"I need more time to think about this. Before I figure this out, all research and development of new games will stop. I can't take any more risks. I have three money-making trees now. If I grow another one, I will be doomed."

Pei Qian immediately decided to put a halt to any development of new games. Just nice, he had previously promised gamers to update and release new editions of previous games.

I'll let Lu Mingliang and the others busy themselves with the existing games next week.

As per usual, he should be having a 'first place elimination system' next month.

However, Pei Qian didn't want to eliminate Lu Mingliang. From the current situation, Lu Mingliang was someone who would be loyal to Pei Qian's instructions; he wouldn't add things here and there like Huang Sibo or Bao Xu.

Pei Qian was rather pleased with this.

Game Designer's failure this time had more been Pei Qian's fault. It wasn't logical for him to push the blame to Lu Mingliang. Although the dubbing Lu Mingliang had done had made the game a success as well—as long as Pei Qian didn't let him continue doing that for the next game, that would be fine.

As Pei Qian still had faith in Lu Mingliang, he wasn't going to eliminate him easily. Most importantly, he was worried that if he changed Lu Mingliang for a second Huang Sibo, he would be doomed!

Hence, after consideration, Pei Qian decided to continue letting Lu Mingliang be the chief planner to just create some new editions for the current games. He would then fix a low price for the new editions. Although he would still make money, he'd try his best to make as little as possible.

If he wanted to incur losses, he had to find other ways to do so.

"I need to rectify my thinking. In that case, it's clear what I should do to incur losses now. I need to bring Fish-Catching Internet Cafe's success to greater heights.

"I will open branches of it in Jingzhou City!"

One more week was left before this cycle ended, and it was time for settlement again. However, Pei Qian was already thinking ahead for the next settlement cycle.

Just like some BO5 competition-if one was already losing so badly, everyone could start to think about the next match already…

To date, Pei Qian's most successful endeavor was Fish-Catching Internet Cafe! He had not been able to recoup the three million in initial capital while he was losing another three hundred thousand monthly; it was Pei Qian's most successful experiment!

Hence, if he could use this experience and open more branches…

Wouldn't he be able to make as much loss as he wanted?!

[1] 'Teng' in Chinese means to leap and jump higher.