Dream Creation Game Company Building.
President Liu walked in with his entourage. Others who saw him still greeted him politely.
"I still have some things to pick up. Why was no one at the company when I came by a couple days ago? Where's your Zhou General?" President Liu thought it was likely his withdrawal of funds had too big an impact on the company.
But for no one to be working on a Monday was a bit extreme. Did everything fall apart as soon as he left?
"Zhou General is very busy today, not in the office," said the receptionist.
President Liu pondered - was that Zhou fellow still out there trying to find people and figure things out?
He chuckled inwardly. It was useless now, everything was a futile effort. The over 5 million he got from that kid had already been reinvested in another company.
Though his shares weren't as much as here, that company's CEO had more drive and a sharper mind. More importantly, they were open-minded!
That company had directly copied the general outline of the two ace games Zhou General had up his sleeve.
Of course, President Liu knew Zhou Qiang had some talent for making games. But what use was that if they couldn't get a license?
The other company just copied the basic form, but had more connections. They could secure a license this month. By then, that Zhou fellow would really be left in the dust.
"I was hoping to have a drink with your Zhou General, but seems that won't be possible now." President Liu shook his head with a smile. He hadn't walked more than a few steps when he ran into President Xiao.
President Liu immediately put on an even more surprised expression, his face nearly splitting from smiling: "Oh my, President Xiao, you're still here!"
Good thing he got out fast - clearly the remaining shares couldn't be sold off.
President Xiao also smiled, beaming: "What brings President Liu back?"
"I came back to pick up a few things I left behind."
"Oh, I thought President Liu..."
"Thought I was coming back to the company? Haha, I won't be coming back. We'll have dinner together sometime when we're free."
"Oh, okay. I thought you'd heard..." President Xiao suddenly stopped.
"Heard what?" President Liu looked at him suspiciously.
"The game launched today."
President Liu froze: "What did you say?"
"Zhou General should be with our major shareholder right now. I'm about to head over there myself." President Xiao glanced at his expression, knowing President Liu was slyly malicious and just wanted to see them in dire straits.
President Xiao added: "Actually, our major shareholder is quite good! You really can't find many like that..."
With that, President Xiao hurried off.
What? What did he mean?
How did they suddenly start praising the major shareholder? Was he talking about that kid? Or that cripple?
President Liu tilted his head and instructed his secretary: "Go online right away and see what the official account posted."
"Yes sir!"
What items had President Liu really left behind? He'd deliberately left two bottles of wine so he could come back later to see their misfortune.
But today's show wasn't entertaining at all.
He picked up the wine and walked to the reception desk, still unable to resist asking: "How's your major shareholder doing?"
At this, the receptionist perked up, praising with a big smile: "The major shareholder is great, really great. Even took us on an overseas team-building trip. We stayed in villas. We just got back..."
That cripple was so rich? Really the foolish son of a wealthy family, huh? Throwing money around without a care?
"How come I haven't seen the major shareholder come to the company? Does he not manage anything?"
"That's right. He's good-tempered, doesn't manage much. During those two days of team-building, he just let us play freely, all expenses under his name."
"What about the other one?"
"You mean Miss Li? She left by helicopter while we were on the island. Haven't seen her since." In comparison, the company employees' impression of Li Xiaoya wasn't as deep.
After the trip, they just remembered that Miss Li had many wealthy relatives abroad.
President Liu fell silent.
He could only be considered to have a bit of money.
Clearly, someone who could casually take a helicopter whenever they wanted was in a class far above his.
President Liu was still standing there stunned.
Suddenly, a door not far away was forcefully pushed open, slamming against the wall with a "bang".
"Daily revenue has broken 3 million! Still rising!" someone shouted in a frenzy.
The whole company quickly became lively.
Like wolf pups who hadn't seen meat in ages.
Just 3 million? President Liu sneered.
Wait, daily revenue?
President Liu grabbed the person: "Which game?"
"The new game."
"New... game?"
"Didn't President Xiao just say? The game officially launched today," the receptionist chimed in.
President Liu's eyelids started twitching uncontrollably.
Breaking 3 million on the first day, wouldn't that be over 100 million in a month? 100 million! And in a year? How many hundreds of millions would that be?
No, no, I can't believe this so easily.
President Liu swallowed hard: "Let's go back first."
President Liu made several calls trying to gather information, but to no avail. Fortunately, the trending topics answered his questions.
Zhou General's new game... was trending.
The hashtag was #The Incredible Money-Making Power of New Domestic Games#.
President Liu's vision went black. What was there left to not understand?
"This was all a trap! I fell for it!"
*
Li Xiaoya was at school, so she found out the news a bit later.
She stood at the school gate taking Zhou General's call, learning the good news.
"Okay, I got it," she said after hanging up, then immediately called her second uncle.
"I'm having tea with Zhou General," Wei Wenjuan's voice sounded relaxed and cheerful.
Li Xiaoya's face immediately brightened with a smile. She said to him: "Uncle, go buy some gifts."
Wei Wenjuan agreed right away: "Sure, what do you want?"
"Not for me. You and little uncle should buy some gifts for grandpa."
Wei Wenjuan was silent for a moment, but still responded: "Xiaoya, I understand."
Li Xiaoya hung up, feeling happy. She was about to call Sheng Yuxiao to invite him to a celebratory dinner.
Suddenly someone approached her: "Miss Li!"
The person's face was gloomy, his chubby features twisted with displeasure.
Li Xiaoya tilted her head, recognizing who it was: "President Liu?"
President Liu gave a cold laugh: "I thought you high and mighty types were forgetful and wouldn't remember me. Are you wondering how I knew you attend this school?"
"You followed Zhou Xiaoshu?"
"That's right! I've already figured out this whole thing was a scheme set up by Zhou General. I figured a kid like you can't be found just anywhere. You're the same age as his daughter, so you must be her classmate, right? I don't know where you live. But I know where his house is." President Liu showed off his burst of intelligence.
But the burst came a bit late.
And wasn't very appropriate.
Li Xiaoya didn't say he misunderstood. She just calmly asked: "So why are you looking for me?"
President Liu hadn't expected this child to be so composed.
He had planned to play both good cop and bad cop.
Now the bad cop act was done... but the kid had no reaction. Still, he had to continue with the good cop.
President Liu bent down and said in a low voice: "Zhou General is just using you. Do your parents know what he's doing? Look, you spent 5.8 million to buy shares from me, right? I'm willing to buy them back from you now for 7 million."
Li Xiaoya sighed softly.
Did she look that easy to fool?
"I need to go home," Li Xiaoya said.
President Liu hadn't expected that when he was selling shares before, he had to coax this little brat, and now to buy the shares back, he still had to coax her.
His blood rushed to his head, but he still tried hard to suppress it.
"This time... what gift do you want?" President Liu asked in a low voice.
"I don't want anything. I'm leaving."
"You can't leave yet!" President Liu anxiously grabbed her. He had no choice - he had to settle this quickly. Otherwise, as the revenue kept rising, people outside weren't stupid. Everyone would know this kid was the easiest breakthrough!
By then, he wouldn't even get a sip of the meat soup!
Li Xiaoya's classmates were hiding behind the school gate at this point, peeking out and whispering: "Is that person trying to kidnap Li Xiaoya?"
Zhou Xiaoshu's eyes widened: "That's Uncle Liu. Why is he looking for Xiaoya?"
"You know him?"
Zhou Xiaoshu didn't answer. She quickly took out her phone to call her dad.
Meanwhile, An Ying was already running to the high school section to find Qin Sui.
Outside the school gate.
Li Xiaoya's phone suddenly rang.
She blinked and was about to answer.
President Liu was thoroughly irritated. Seeing the child's nonchalant expression made him even more furious.
He reached out and hung up Li Xiaoya's phone for her.
Then, making an effort to soften his tone, he said, "Miss Li, how about 8 million? How old are you? With just one transfer of equity, you'll make a clear profit of over 2 million. Your family will think you're a genius! This money can be in your hands immediately, it's real and tangible! Isn't that great?"
Li Xiaoya's phone rang again.
President Liu quickly hung up for her again.
What if it was Zhou General calling... If he intercepted the person, how could they continue negotiating?
"Miss Li, why don't we find another place to sit down and talk slowly? You can bring your driver and bodyguard, it'll be very safe..." President Liu went on and on.
Li Xiaoya looked down at her phone screen.
Missed call — Ke Muning.
You've hung up on him twice, that's quite bold. Li Xiaoya looked at President Liu.
President Liu: ?
Why is this kid so unresponsive?