“That was a quick answer. Playing Plants vs. Zombies? Didn’t interrupt your game progress, did I?”

Gu Sheng smiled.

“Uh… hmm!”

Shen Miaomiao hesitated for a moment, then nodded and grinned:

“No worries, it pauses automatically.”

“That’s good.”

Gu Sheng made a noncommittal expression, then began discussing work:

“I just had dinner with some people from Komera and had a brief chat…”

As he spoke, Gu Sheng reported the banquet details to Little Nezha.

She wasn’t familiar with game matters anyway.

Besides, Gu Sheng always had the final say in these things.

Judging by his tone, this demo project concept had even stunned Komera’s top executives.

Her job was just to cheer with a ‘awesome’ here and there.

What caught her attention was Gu Sheng’s latter part of the report, about learning Komera’s business model and their plan to “build a game-centric company that revolves around broad entertainment.”

Now that was interesting.

She knew her system mode had main projects and sub-projects.

Main projects had to make money; sub-projects were allowed to lose.

Originally, she planned to let the main game profit while sequels and derivatives took losses.

The success of Titanfall plus APEX had proven her idea viable.

But!

Gu Sheng’s grand new vision undoubtedly gave her a whole new perspective—

The system never said the project had to be a game!

So why not take the main project as a game, and extend sub-projects into other industries?

That way!

The game projects Gu Sheng cared about would all succeed!

As for derivative branch industries, even if they lost huge amounts with terrible reputation, Gu Sheng wouldn’t be upset; it would actually motivate him to create even better games!

Two birds with one stone!

Then!

Gu Sheng could focus wholeheartedly on climbing to the throne of the gaming king, while she rode the system to soar high on various rich lists!

He wanted fame, she wanted profit. Together, the two saints ruling side by side, fame and fortune gained—how wonderful would that be?

Thinking this, Shen Miaomiao felt her mind open wide.

However, with Golden Wind’s current financial level, it wasn’t enough to launch multiple industries. Extending outward required at least billions in capital.

So, Shen Miaomiao cautiously shelved this plan for now.

It was a rare perfect plan; though not usable immediately, it wouldn’t be long before she could activate it.

“Mm—yoshi!”

Thinking that, Shen Miaomiao nodded with satisfaction, joking in a big boss tone:

“Not bad, Gu-san! First day on a business trip and already big gains! You got a bright future!”

“Arigato gozaimasu, Shen-san!”

Gu Sheng cooperated, bowing at a ninety-degree angle imitating Moriya’s style:

“Since I worked so hard, can I visit Akihabara in a couple of days to check out those Neon girls’ work?”

Shen Miaomiao: …

Silent for three seconds!

Then she sat up from the sofa, looking at Gu Sheng on camera with a slightly eerie smile.

“Is it okay or not… you’ll know soon enough.”

She answered with a half-smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

Though calm in tone, it sent a chill down Gu Sheng’s spine!

He nervously swallowed:

“Forget it, forget it, I dare not try…”

“Hey, just try it, it’s okay! At worst, you’ll be a hero again eighteen years later.”

“No no no! No way! I, Gu, don’t indulge in women!”

Seeing Gu Sheng trembling yet trying to sound righteous, Shen Miaomiao couldn’t help but laugh out loud:

“You’re gonna talk yourself to death every day. Alright, it should be nearly eleven over there, lots of work tomorrow, right?”

Gu Sheng also laughed and nodded:

“Yeah, tomorrow we officially start development. According to Moriya, Komera has pulled together a thirty-person team from four studios with experience making horror games. I need to unify morale and coordinate the team.”

“Whoa, no wonder big companies are big—just one transfer and thirty people show up, more than our whole company,”

Shen Miaomiao teased with a smile, her tone softening:

“Thanks for your hard work, General Gu.”

Gu Sheng raised an eyebrow: “At your service, boss.”

Shen Miaomiao giggled: “Go get some sleep, battlefield awaits tomorrow.”

“Mm…”

Gu Sheng nodded, opening his mouth.

This time, he didn’t swallow his words:

“Good night.”

Hearing this, Shen Miaomiao was stunned.

Despite knowing each other so long and even living under the same roof, Gu Sheng had never once said good night to her personally.

Her heart fluttered.

For a moment, her cheeks flushed: “Good, good night.”

Beep—

The video call ended. Shen Miaomiao stuck out her tongue, then happily hugged her phone and buried herself in the sofa, quietly giggling:

“Hehehehehe…”

…

The next morning!

Komera Building, 8th floor, Game Division Meeting Room!

Applause broke out!

Under Moriya’s introduction, Gu Sheng, dressed in the sharp suit carefully picked by Little Nezha, walked to the front of the room and began speaking fluent English:

“Thank you, Mr. Moriya, for the introduction.”

“Hello everyone, I am Gu Sheng, chief game director from Golden Wind, China, specially appointed as chief game director for the Silent Hill PT project.”

“You can call me by my real name or Sam.”

“In the coming period, we will work together to create the greatest horror game in history.”

Another round of applause!

Everyone on the team was clearly excited.

‘The greatest horror game’ sounded like a bold claim.

But those who had read the proposal knew it wasn’t empty talk.

Silent Hill PT’s unique features gave it the potential to create miracles.

And this!

Was only a demo!

The atmosphere was very lively.

After a brief self-introduction, team leaders reported to Gu Sheng one by one.

First was Sato Muneki, 33, lead planner. Though not nearsighted, he often wore plain glasses, smooth and capable.

Next was Okura Kazu, 28, lead programmer. A bit dull and rigid, always polite, with his desk full of beautiful girl figurines, perfectly matching Gu Sheng’s stereotype of an otaku.

Lastly was Kamikawa Yuki, 25, lead artist. A Japanese-American mixed-race with golden princess-cut hair, resembling Lisa from BlackPink. Cheerful personality; reportedly studied abroad in China.

The three came from different studios, with different personalities, but were all top talents.

After introductions, the project was officially underway.

Though the team had already reviewed the proposal, Gu Sheng went through it again with them to ensure smooth future work and explained some details.

Hearing this, the dozens of team members were amazed, gasping repeatedly.

Without a doubt, this “Gu-style psychological horror” design was a powerful shock to the entire horror game genre.

Especially the ‘ghost encounters’ segments—Gu Sheng’s originality was truly chilling.

Even without visuals, just the verbal descriptions gave goosebumps and screams of terror!

“…OK, that’s the basic situation. We’ll develop and communicate as we go.”

After reviewing the proposal and development schedule again, Gu Sheng placed both hands on the table:

“Any questions?”

The team members looked at each other and shook their heads.

Gu Sheng nodded with satisfaction.

Clapping his hands!

“Let’s start!”

…

The project began.

Gu Sheng, following his habit, moved his workstation into the big office where the team was, taking a cubicle for himself.

This shocked the team!

In Neon, workplace hierarchy was extremely strict!

Seniority and rank were taken very seriously. The interaction between superiors and subordinates was rigid, and workplace bullying rates were among the highest worldwide.

Exaggerating a bit, meetings between bosses and employees were akin to ancient ministers meeting the emperor.

Kneeling and kowtowing might be too much, but formal language and ninety-degree bows were essential.

Under such pressure, Gu Sheng, as a high-ranking parachuted director, actually “lowered himself” to work alongside the team in cubicles. This was simply unbelievable to them.

The project team was abuzz.

When lunchtime came, Gu Sheng announced he had ordered simple meals from the Intercontinental Hotel and invited everyone to eat together.

The whole Komera was stirred up!

Because the PT team members were pulled from various studios, within half a day!

Director Sam’s ‘friendliness’ reputation spread throughout the company!

PT team members excitedly praised the Chinese director in their groups:

“You won’t believe it! Our director moved his workstation into the cubicles! Working with us!”

“Big news! Big news! Guess what we’re having for lunch? Ta-da! Director Sam personally paid for the meal!”

“Wow! This is the most charming gentleman I’ve ever met! Not only talented but also so kind!”

“Honestly, guys, I don’t want to leave. The PT project is too fascinating.”

“Can you believe it? Our director even told us to drop formal language in daily talks to improve communication!”

“Oh man… I’m already worried about work after leaving the PT project…”

“He’s like a character straight out of a manga! My anime dream came true!”

“…”

Other employees heard the news with awe, suspicion, envy, and jealousy!

PT team quickly became the most eye-catching temporary studio at Komera.

At the same time, it was the most enthusiastic project!

You could tell from employees’ states after work.

Those dragging their feet, exhausted, like walking corpses leaving Komera mostly came from other departments or studios.

Those striding confidently in groups discussing projects, inviting each other to a tavern for yakitori afterwards, were mostly PT team members.

Also!

You could tell PT team from others by their chat topics.

If you heard people openly talking about ‘murders’, ‘dismemberment’, ‘throat slitting’, ‘giant sightings’, ‘reincarnation’, ‘monsters’, etc., don’t be scared; they were probably PT team members.

The free and relaxed work atmosphere, combined with the team’s rising reputation as maniacs, spread like spring breeze through Komera.

A month passed in a flash.

That day, Yuki came to report project progress to Gu Sheng as usual.

No doubt, with the high budget and the convenient Phoenix engine, their art team’s progress was flying.

Watching the screen showing the ghost Lisa twitching unnaturally, whether cloth simulation or model skinning, everything was lifelike, fooling the eye. Gu Sheng nodded:

“…Okay, this effect meets standards, but considering more animations later, your animators need to coordinate with Sato’s motion planners.”

“Okay, rest assured,”

Yuki said:

“Sato-senpai and I already discussed this.”

She glanced at the time:

“Want some afternoon tea, Director? I’m going to buy white peach oolong. Can get you something too.”

“Sure,”

Gu Sheng nodded:

“I’ll have white peach oolong too.”

“Ah…”

Yuki hesitated ambiguously:

“But usually, girls drink this kind of drink. Guys usually go for green tea or straight oolong.”

“Soo… what?”

Gu Sheng thought for a moment:

“Then please help ‘me’ get white peach oolong, thanks.”

After a month in Neon, Gu Sheng’s Japanese had improved; now he could say some daily short phrases.

Here, he used a slightly feminine self-reference, humorously claiming he could drink white peach oolong too.

Sure enough, Yuki chuckled.

No doubt, Gu Sheng was an extremely charming gentleman.

Witty, approachable, with astounding creativity and talent that raised his natural leadership to a new level.

Working with him was truly a pleasure.

Thinking this, Yuki responded and went downstairs to get tea.

But Gu Sheng called out: “Yuki.”

“Hm?” Yuki turned back.

He handed her his wallet: “Thanks for your trouble.”

“Ah, no, no need.”

Yuki quickly waved her hand, saying it was just two drinks.

But Gu Sheng insisted, tossing the wallet to her: “Half sugar only.”

Snapping the wallet open, Yuki shrugged helplessly, smiling and bowing politely: “Hai~”

Turning left after exiting the company building, Yuki entered the tea shop.

“Excuse me, I’d like two white peach oolong teas, half sugar.”

“Okay, please wait.”

The cashier went to the order machine:

“That will be 832 yen.”

Though Neon had mobile payments, cash was still more common.

“Oh, okay.”

Yuki nodded and opened Gu Sheng’s wallet.

Unlike in China, in Neon when a superior explicitly says they will pay, the subordinate must comply or be seen as disrespectful.

But!

As Yuki opened the wallet, she saw a photo tucked inside the business card holder.

Heaven and earth!

Yuki swore she wasn’t spying on someone’s privacy.

The wallet was given by the director, and the photo was openly placed there; she couldn’t avoid seeing it even if she wanted to.

In the photo, Gu Sheng was sitting on a sofa in casual home clothes, giving a peace sign with a mischievous smile.

Leaning on his shoulder was a girl wrapped in a velvet blanket like a resting little beast, delicate features, small fan-like eyelashes, peacefully napping.

Originally a warm scene.

But!

When Yuki saw the girl’s face next to Gu Sheng, she couldn’t help but exclaim in disbelief:

“Miaomiao?!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com