At Fish-Catching Internet Cafe…
“Old Qiao, let’s play a round of GOG!
“We could also play Be Quiet if you want to.
“Old Qiao?
“That’s strange… why is Old Qiao so quiet today?”
A few of Qiao Liang’s fans had been asking Qiao Liang to play games with them, but Qiao Liang had his headphones on in front of his computer. He did not seem to hear a single word that they were saying.
Instead, he was repeatedly refreshing the webpage to observe the number of views and other data on his newest video.
That’s not right! That wasn’t how things were supposed to go!
His newest video had not achieved the effect that he had imagined!
His videos under the Products of the Gods series had become viral on the day that they were uploaded. Within a few hours, they had also made it on the charts for the entire website and completely turned the games’ reviews around.
Yet, his newest video had not achieved the same effect.
Although it had served to publicize Thriller Hostel, it had not yet become viral, and the reaction was not as intense as he had imagined. Instead, many viewers continued to harbor a ‘wait and see’ attitude.
To Qiao Liang, this was an unbearable failure!
It was not that Qiao Liang had been confident in his latest video’s ability to become viral no matter how much effort he had put into it. If it had been about a game developed by any other designer, Qiao Liang would not have considered an ineffective video as a failure.
However, this was Boss Pei’s project!
From the bottom of his heart, Qiao Liang believed that Thriller Hostel was good and that Boss Pei had invested as much effort into it as he had for any other game. Yet, what did it mean that the video had not achieved its desired effect?
It meant that Qiao Liang had misunderstood Boss Pei’s project!
He could make a simple comparison. Other game developers could be likened to merchants who provided ordinary ingredients. Even if the final dish tasted bad, one could blame it on the ingredients.
However, Boss Pei was a merchant who only provided exquisite ingredients. If Qiao Liang—the chef—whipped up a horrible-tasting meal, the problem would clearly lie with his skills!
More importantly, Qiao Liang had already expected this.
He had already felt like the video was missing something before he uploaded it. However, even after pondering about it the entire day, he could not figure it out. To not miss the ‘right time’, he had no choice but to upload it.
Yet, it had not achieved its desired effect, just as he had expected.
Qiao Liang saw his relationship with Boss Pei like that between an outstanding student and an examiner.
Each time the examiner set a paper before, he would answer it quickly, check it once through, and then hand it up after making sure that the other party would be satisfied. He had always gotten a hundred marks after that.
However, this time was different. He had felt uneasy after finishing the script, and he kept feeling like he had missed a step or a theory somewhere. When time was up, he had had no choice but to hand in his paper. After that, he had only scored ninety points—a world of difference from his expectations.
To Teacher Qiao—an outstanding student who had always gotten full marks, this was unacceptable!
Thus, he could only feel confused, defeated, and sorry towards Boss Pei.
Boss Pei had handed such good ingredients into his hands, but he could not whip up an outstanding dish. It was an utter waste!
Qiao Liang really wanted to do something to make up for his mistakes, but he could not think of anything.
“I’m afraid that Boss Pei is the only person who could offer me proper guidance now…
“Yet, how can I face him…?”
Qiao Liang picked up his phone and clicked on Boss Pei’s contact. However, even after a long time, he could not bring himself to send the latter a message.
He felt like a chef who had failed to whip up a good dish—too embarrassed to call the merchant and ask how best to cook the latter’s ingredients.
Just as he was struggling internally, he received a message from Boss Pei.
“Do you have time tonight? Come to the nameless restaurant at 7 PM. I’ll treat you to a meal.”
Qiao Liang was stunned. He even thought he was imagining things. However, on closer inspection, he realized that Boss Pei had indeed sent him a message!
“What a coincidence! Just as I was struggling and hesitating to call Boss Pei, he invited me to a meal. Could it be…?
“Boss Pei already saw the video and guessed my predicament?
“No, I can’t say for sure. No matter how well Boss Pei can predict the future, he would not be able to achieve something like that. Perhaps he just wants to comfort me.”
Qiao Liang was very moved and quite hopeful. No matter what reasons Boss Pei had, Qiao Liang had to have a meal with him!
He quickly replied, “Alright, Boss Pei! I’ll be there on time!”
…
In the evening…
At the nameless restaurant…
“Boss Pei!”
Qiao Liang shook hands with Pei Qian, his expression filled with disappointment and guilt. He had mixed feelings, but no idea how to put those feelings into words.
Pei Qian smiled and said, “Come in, let’s eat and talk.”
The two men entered the private room in Ming Yun Private Kitchen. Soon, plates of delicious food were served in front of them. When he saw the dishes, Qiao Liang felt even more conflicted.
Obviously, Boss Pei was still treating him according to the highest standards. Somehow, that made Qiao Liang feel even worse.
On the other hand, when Pei Qian saw Qiao Liang’s expression, he rejoiced inside.
It was worth every penny! It was worth every penny!
Pei Qian had achieved his goal. He happily picked up his chopsticks and dug in.
I don’t care if you have the appetite, but I definitely do.
Did you think that you would see a day like that when you stabbed me in the back?
It was a pity that there was limited space in the private room. If it were wider, Pei Qian would have been glad to ask Teacher Qiao to sing or dance for him.
At first, Pei Qian had thought that Qiao Liang would feel enraged by the former’s gloating and that he would leave in a huff.
However, Qiao Liang gave him a comforted smile. “Boss Pei, I am very touched that you’re trying to lighten up the atmosphere so that I don’t feel too depressed by my failure. However, I would appreciate it even more if you helped me to resolve my problems.”
Pei Qian: “?”
Who’s trying to lighten up the atmosphere so that you don’t feel too depressed by your failure? I’m gloating, understand?! Gloating!
Before Pei Qian could say anything, Qiao Liang continued speaking. “Boss Pei, I know you must have watched my latest video. What exactly do you think the video is missing?”
Pei Qian fell silent.
I have indeed watched your latest video, and I also know full well that it hasn’t met your expectations. Why else would you think I’m treating you to a meal?
Yet, you’re seeking hints from me?
Go to hell!
Ask around in Tengda; who doesn’t know how tightly my lips are sealed?
Pei Qian had already incurred enough losses by trying to ‘guide others’. Thus, he decided to lower his head and focus on the food in front of him. “I have no way to help you.”
Qiao Liang sighed softly. “Is that so…?
“This video wasn’t done well. I didn’t properly explain Thriller Hostel’s special characteristics, and I didn’t draw enough attention or direct enough traffic to Thriller Hostel.
“In fact, I already had a feeling that I was missing something before I uploaded the video, but I couldn’t find out what it was. I… really should have given it much more thought.
“Yet, it seems too late to think about it now.”
Pei Qian: “?”
You had a bad feeling about it before you uploaded the video? You even wish you had given it more thought before uploading?
Thank goodness you hadn’t!
If you had, I might have been destroyed!
“Come, eat, eat. Don’t think too much about these things. They’re all in the past so leave them there.”
Pei Qian quickly comforted Qiao Liang for fear that he would keep thinking and end up filling the gaps. If he posted another video to do that, wouldn’t Pei Qian be in big trouble?
As Qiao Liang ate, he sighed again. “Since you don’t want to tell me, I have no choice but to try and figure it out on my own, Boss Pei…”
Pei Qian: “?”
What do you mean ‘I don’t want to tell you?’ You have already decided that I know the answer, haven’t you? Well, I don’t know a thing!
Pei Qian was speechless. This was where the conflict was:
If he didn’t say anything, Qiao Liang would think that he was hiding something on purpose, and he would try his best to figure out Pei Qian’s deeper intentions. On the other hand, Pei Qian could be helping Qiao Liang if he said anything.
How should he choose?
Once again, he had arrived at a fork in the road.
After considering the problem for two minutes, Pei Qian decided that he could not leave Teacher Qiao any room to imagine. Otherwise, he could come up with seriously dangerous ideas!
Take Yu Pingan’s earlier answer, for example. It was very appropriate for a setting like that.
Pei Qian’s expression became somber. “Alright, let me tell you the truth. Didn’t you ask what your latest video was lacking?”
Qiao Liang nodded. “Yes!”
Pei Qian continued speaking. “Your video was not lacking anything. You’ve covered everything, from an introduction of Thriller Hostel’s gameplay to an explanation of the pricing strategy and an analysis of the details.”
Qiao Liang was evidently confused.
Everything was covered? It couldn’t be, right?
He remained silent for a moment and then asked, “Well… why didn’t it have the desired effect, then?”
Pei Qian was nearly stumped. “Well…
“Sometimes, that’s the way life is. Communication between people is often pale and listless. The other party might not understand a few simple sentences or lines of words. Isn’t that normal and to be expected?
“That’s life!
“I can only say that your past videos went too well or that you were too lucky. The norm in the world is that what you express would be misunderstood.
“That’s not your fault, and there’s nothing you can do to change it. After all, being misunderstood is the destiny of any expresser!”
The more Pei Qian spoke, the more emotional he became because he completely understood. Although both of them were talking about completely different things, Pei Qian’s tone was genuine and persuasive enough.
Pei Qian thought that it would be enough to make Teacher Qiao give up this time.
However, after a moment of silence, Qiao Liang shook his head. “Boss Pei, if you were someone else telling me this, I would believe you. Yet, I don’t believe it when it’s coming out of your mouth.
“That doesn’t match your character!”
Pei Qian: “?”
What character? Don’t try to assume my character!
Qiao Liang said, “Boss Pei, I know that you’re a lonely expresser who is often misunderstood. Yet, even then, you continue trying to express your thoughts using various methods. I believe that you’re not one to give up easily because you’ve been hanging on this whole time.
“Why are you asking me to give up then? Are you not telling me because it’ll be too difficult to persist, and you’re afraid that I would spend too much effort?
“Boss Pei, please speak your mind. No matter how ridiculous it is, I’ll try my best to achieve it.”
Pei Qian: “…”
He was completely speechless.
Are you going to refuse to leave if I don’t give you an answer today? Alright, if that’s the case, I will give you an answer now! Don’t blame me if you get tricked.
Pei Qian pondered for a moment and then said, “There’s one way, but it requires a huge sacrifice.”
Qiao Liang’s eyes lit up. “Tell me, Boss Pei!”
Boss Pei paused. “You shouldn’t create another video in Products of the Gods for Tengda’s next game.”
Qiao Liang was evidently stunned. After a long silence, he said, “I shouldn’t create another video in Products of the Gods for Tengda’s next game? Is there a link between those two issues?”
He was very confused. The series in which he interpreted Thriller Hostel and that in which he interpreted Tengda’s games were totally unrelated!
What’s more, how would giving up on Products of the Gods help to resurrect this video on Thriller Hostel?
It didn’t make sense!
Seeing Qiao Liang’s confused expression, Pei Qian gave him an inexplicable smile. “Don’t think about it now if you can’t figure it out yet. Come, let’s drink!”
