"...As long as you're happy. Ahem, I mean, it's pretty much as you said, right?"
Although Li Yue's understanding was a bit strange, Su Luo felt that explaining it clearly would probably be very troublesome. So, to save himself some effort, it was better to just let the misunderstanding continue.
"However, even though President Su, you are very capable, I still think you should join Penguin. A strong alliance would be better for miHoYo, for Honkai Impact 3rd, and for your future development," Li Yue still hadn't given up on trying to recruit Su Luo.
"My answer is still the same."
"Is that so." Li Yue ended the call with Su Luo, a look of regret on his face.
Not long after he put down his phone.
Knock, knock, knock~~
Someone knocked on the office door.
"Please come in."
Click.
With the crisp sound of the latch opening, a middle-aged man, neatly dressed and looking sharp, pushed the door open and entered.
"Manager Li, you're not busy right now, are you?" the middle-aged man asked.
"I'm free at the moment. Secretary Zhang, do you have something to tell me?" Li Yue looked at the middle-aged man who had sat down opposite him.
Hearing this, a trace of hesitation appeared on Secretary Zhang's face. He then placed his clasped hands on the table.
"I'll be direct then. Your department's failure with 'Desert Showdown' this time... the higher-ups... you should know what I'm trying to say, right?"
Li Yue slowly nodded.
"So, the higher-ups hope you can... Honkai Impact 3rd is a good example to learn from, isn't it?" Secretary Zhang reminded Li Yue cryptically.
"I believe... if Penguin Games wants to grow bigger and stronger, resolutely following an original path is essential."
"When you first took this position, the higher-ups believed in your ability and gave you a chance to try. It's just a pity... the results weren't quite satisfactory."
"But..."
"Manager Li, no, Old Li!" Secretary Zhang stood up, leaned over, and patted Li Yue's shoulder. "With Penguin Games' current resources, how many years do you think you'd need to independently develop a work that surpasses Honkai Impact 3rd?"
"This..."
"Think about it carefully."
Secretary Zhang left.
Li Yue sat in his office, lost in a long silence.
......
......
Li Yue: [Are there any relatively quiet bars in Modu? I suddenly feel like having a drink.]
Sit-ups: [I do know a quiet bar. Mr. Minus Thirty Degrees and I both like it a lot; we go there often.]
Sit-ups: [Location Pin]
Li Yue: [Thanks.]
Night fell. In a remote, quiet bar in Modu city.
Warm yellow lighting, a long bar counter, and countless compartments in the wooden wine cabinet displayed a dazzling array of fine wines.
Li Yue was sitting at the bar, waiting for the bartender in a black and white uniform to mix his drink.
To drink one's fill without restraint. This was the most luxurious way for an adult to relieve stress.
A man wearing a black shirt and dress pants, with brown hair, brown eyes, and black-framed glasses, pushed open the bar door and walked in.
"A Godfather, please."
The brown-haired man sat down next to Li Yue and skillfully ordered a drink from the bartender. He then turned to Li Yue and asked, "Why the sudden urge for a drink today?"
Li Yue didn't answer, but instead asked a question in return.
"Can I ask you, back when you were doing so well as a history teacher, why did you suddenly switch to being a lawyer? What were you thinking at that time?"
"Hmm..." The brown-haired man pondered for a moment, then chuckled lightly twice. "Haha, probably because I saw too many of those Nanshan's 'Always-Wins' jokes, and it just didn't sit right with me."
"Just like that?"
"Just like that."
"Welt, you truly are an impressive person."
"You flatter me, you flatter me," Welt waved his hand. He picked up the 'Godfather' the bartender had pushed over and took a sip. "Now it's my turn to ask you. Why did you suddenly ask me this question?"
"I want to resign from Penguin Games," Li Yue didn't hide his thoughts.
"Everything was fine, why the sudden desire to resign?" Welt asked curiously.
"If you're asking for a reason, it's like Zhou Shuren once said, 'Studying medicine cannot save our nation.'" Li Yue paused slightly before continuing, "I feel like if I stay at Penguin Games, I can't make real games either."
"Ha."
"What are you laughing at?"
"Let me be honest," Welt didn't hide his thoughts. "Your idea, for an adult, is a bit too naive."
"If that's the case, I think you're much more naive than me. With my qualifications, I can still live well if I change companies. But you... you even changed professions. That's like starting life all over again."
"Hmm, that's true. It seems... we're all idealists of some sort, including a certain Mr. Minus Thirty Degrees." Welt thought for a moment, then smiled and sipped his drink.
...
Next, Welt just chatted casually with Li Yue, having a few more small drinks. He let Li Yue voice all his thoughts, acting as a quiet listener.
It was late into the night when Li Yue left. Welt drank the last bit of liquor in his glass and was about to get up.
Another man, with a short white ponytail and a handsome face, walked into the quiet bar.
"Mr. Minus Thirty Degrees?"
"I've told you several times, don't call me by that weird name in real life," the white-haired man reminded him calmly.
"Alright, Kevin," Welt conceded. "Why are you here so late today?"
"I just couldn't sleep." Kevin still had that same lukewarm demeanor.
Welt, however, pressed with curiosity, "Couldn't sleep? Did something happen?" He paused, then guessed, "Could it be you met a girl, a case of unrequited love, so you're tossing and turning, unable to sleep?"
"..." Kevin fell into a very strange silence.
"Don't tell me I accidentally guessed right?" A mischievous glint appeared in Welt's eyes. "I didn't expect you, Kevin, to also stumble when it comes to women."
Kevin used to be called 'Prince Charming' back in school.
"Don't make me sound like a playboy. Although I did recently meet someone... ahem, but I couldn't sleep tonight because..." Kevin's gaze swept over Welt's gloating face. Then, he took out his phone and unlocked the screen. He showed Welt a square Kiana icon.
"Welt, have you heard of Honkai Impact 3rd?"
"Uh, I've heard a little. I hear it's a healthy, positive, and uplifting game."
"That's right. Especially the main story that just updated today; it's very, very heartwarming." Kevin recommended to Welt with utmost sincerity, "So, would you like to try playing it?"
"Trust me, Honkai Impact 3rd is really, really fun. All thirteen of us give it our unanimous approval."
"It's this year's most 'healing' game."