Losing Money to Be a Tycoon

September 23rd, Friday…

Pei Qian felt that he had tided over the most trying period and could go out for normal activities from now.

Pei Qian had not dared to go to the streets after Huang Sibo posted the video last Sunday; neither did he go to Fish-Catching Internet Cafe. He had, instead, been paying attention to the changes online.

So far, people who knew the real Pei Qian were either Tengda's employees or 'friends' such as Qiao Liang, Ruan Guangjian, and Li Shi. They had all established a consensus which was to keep the secret for Boss Pei.

Most curious fans no longer delved into the true identity of Boss Pei but chose to regard the actor in Boss Pei's Daily Life as Boss Pei.

People's attention to the true identity of Boss Pei seemed to have been successfully transferred.

Of course, there would still be some trouble when Boss Pei heads out now. Most people would ask him for a group photo, thinking that he's an actor; but there would be no other troubles.

Therefore, Pei Qian felt that he could get up and about to welcome his 'new identity'.

He would first go to the Fish-Catching Internet Cafe at Handong University for a cup of coffee.

However, Pei Qian decided that it was better to arrive about three to four in the afternoon since there were likely to be more people during noon.

…

At the same time, Ruan Guangjian—who had just finished his Fish-Catching Take-Out—stretched… ready to walk around to digest his food, look at the greenery in the studio, and relax.

His work was only left with the design of concept art for GOG after 'Struggle' was launched. It was a lot easier, and he had more time to rest.

At the same time, he saw a middle-aged person in his forties walk into the Halo Workspace.

Ruan Guangjian was taken aback for a moment. It was really unusual for strangers to come to them.

Halo Workspace might have rented a shop diagonally across from the Tengda Games or the official ESRO games platform. The nature of this place was not a shop—but an office—so there usually would not be anyone visiting.

He looked at him again carefully and realized that this person was a little familiar, but he could not put where he had seen him before.

"Hello?" Ruan Guangjian greeted politely.

The middle-aged person smiled: "Hello, I am He An from Mengguo Games who just passed by here. I saw Halo Workspace's signboard and thought to come in to take a look.

Ruan Guangjian suddenly realized.

This was that Big Boss who comprehended 'Struggle'!

He An was a predecessor of domestic standalone games. Ruan Guangjian had definitely seen his photo before, but there was definitely a gap between photos and the real person. Moreover, his memory was a little fuzzy so he did not recognize him at first.

"Boss He is our senior! This way please. I'm the person-in-charge of Halo Workspace, Ruan Guangjian."

He An was a little surprised: "Are you the person-in-charge of Halo Workspace? The one who had been working with Boss Pei? What a fortune!"

He was a little surprised at Ruan Guangjian's youthfulness.

The two of them had heard about each other so they immediately hit off after a simple introduction.

Professionals often had the same strait—that was to respect other professionals.

Ruan Guangjian knew that He An was the pioneer of domestic standalone games. He An also knew that Ruan Guangjian was currently a top artist and concept designer. There were many contents that they could communicate about.

Ruan Guangjian got his staff to buy coffee from the opposite store, and they sat down in the studio and started talking.

"Is this the first time Big Boss He An is in Jingzhou?" Ruan Guangjian asked.

He An smiled slightly and shook his head. "No, I've been here many times."

"I had been giving lectures to Boss Ma of Tengda Corporation in a small cafe nearby recently. The course had ended, but the video from Teacher Qiao renewed my interest in Jingzhou. I suddenly wanted to come here to tour this weekend.

"I just wanted to walk around here. I didn't expect to see the Halo Workspace. I entered because I was a little curious."

Ruan Guangjian was a little confused. "Boss Ma of Tengda Corporation?"

He An nodded. "Yes, Boss Ma, Ma Yang from Dream Realization Ventures."

Ruan Guangjian tried his best to recall. He vaguely seemed to know that such a person existed. He knew that Boss Ma earned 500 million yuan for Tengda, but he had never seen him before.

However, why did Boss Ma want to take lessons from Big Boss He An?

Could he feel that investment was too easy, holding no joy for him, and wanted to make games instead?

If that was the case, why did he not receive lectures from Boss Pei instead?

Hmmm… perhaps Boss Pei was too busy with work and had no time to do so?

It was possible.

Ruan Guangjian did not think too much about it as he asked casually. "Has Boss He met Boss Pei? Boss Pei should know about Boss Ma asking you to lecture, right?"

"I did not have the good fortune of meeting Boss Pei. Boss Ma's tuition was paid by Boss Pei after he obtained the outstanding employee award so Boss Pei must know about it," He An said with some regret.

Ruan Guangjian frowned a little. "Then, it shouldn't be the case. Boss Pei has always been hospitable and treated all friends who came to Jingzhou very well. There is no reason for him not to meet an old senior like you."

He An was not too bothered about it. "Perhaps Boss Pei is too busy. Tengda had developed rapidly during this period after all. Boss Pei must have spent so much energy to develop 'Struggle'; it was normal for him to be unable to get away.

"However, I'm really curious about Boss Pei. You probably see Boss Pei often, right? Can you tell me about Boss Pei?"

Ruan Guangjian nodded. "Of course!

"Boss Pei treats his friends very sincerely. He is also a good game producer. He has a good grasp of the details of the game. The style of 'Struggle' was determined by him…"

Ruan Guangjian was fascinated when he spoke about that scene.

At the time, the first batch of original concept art of 'Struggle' had just been done. Ruan Guangjian handled them completely in accordance with the ultimate realistic style. Boss Pei was aware of their problems from the first time he saw the concept art and proposed to change them to be the same, highlighting the typical characteristics of the characters.

As expected, the style of the game was a huge success when it went online.

After which, Ruan Guangjian spoke about his experience of cooperating with Boss Pei in other games such as Ghost General and GOG.

He An nodded often, exclaiming in awe from time to time.

The cooperation between designers and artists had always been a difficult problem. Once the communication went south, then it was easy to drag each other down.

However, the cooperation between Boss Pei and Ruan Guangjian seemed to have no such problem at all. They could always cooperate seamlessly. That was truly amazing!

He An was filled with emotion. He spoke about the theories he had imparted to Boss Ma in Jingzhou, especially when he focused on Boss Pei's game as a case study, allowing Boss Ma to achieve the effect with half the effort.

The more they chatted, the more they felt like kindred spirits.

Ruan Guangjian was a friend of Boss Pei's, and He An was a friend of Boss Ma; Boss Pei and Boss Ma were friends. Rounding all these up, these two could also become very good friends!

Moreover, they were all well-known characters in the domestic game circle. There might be opportunities for cooperation in the future. It was even more necessary to get acquainted.

They were so engrossed that two hours slipped by without them realizing it.

He An looked at the time. "Aiya, I didn't notice the time. I must be disturbing your work?" he said.

Ruan Guangjian shook his head. "Not at all, my working time is very flexible. You are not disturbing at all."

He An still stood up. "I won't bother you anymore. How about this? Tomorrow is the weekend. I would like to treat you to a meal if you have the time. We'll chat again at the dining table. How about it?"

Ruan Guangjian also got up hurriedly. "No problem! However, I have to be the one to host since we are in Jingzhou."

He An smiled. "You don't have to be polite about this. Alright, I'll get going now. Let's keep in touch."

Ruan Guangjian sent He An out of Halo Workspace personally after they exchanged their contact details.

They saw a familiar figure approaching just when they were out of the door.

Ruan Guangjian's eyes shone. Speak of the devil!

Wasn't this too much of a coincidence?

"Boss Pei!" Ruan Guangjian was elated. "We were talking about you!"

Pei Qian was at the entrance of Fish-Catching Internet Cafe after plucking up his courage to get out of his apartment. He met Ruan Guangjian and He An exiting the Halo Workspace by chance.

Then, Pei Qian, who froze in place, witnessed He An's expression change from happiness to surprise then to being dazed and shocked.

Everything became awkward suddenly.

Numerous question marks floated above Pei Qian's head. He never thought this would happen!

Why was He An here?

Didn't he leave Jingzhou? When did he come back?

When did he get to know Ruan Guangjian?

How am I supposed to explain…?

The question mark above He An's head was no less than Pei Qian's.

He was very happy when he saw 'Boss Ma'; he felt that fate was extraordinary.

However, Ruan Guangjian's 'Boss Pei' made He An's smile freeze in place.

Boss Pei? Ruan Guangjian actually addressed Boss Ma as Boss Pei?

Recognizing Pei as Ma?

Oh, no, it should be recognizing Ma as Pei?

That didn't seem right as well.

Did Ruan Guangjian address him wrongly?

Impossible. Ruan Guangjian cooperated with Boss Pei so many times; he could not be wrong!

There must be a huge problem here!

Both of them stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to say.

Ruan Guangjian looked at He An and then at Boss Pei and realized that neither of them spoke. He was still wondering what was going on.

However, he understood it immediately upon thinking about it. Both of them must be a little excited at a historical meeting like this; it was totally understandable!

Don't bother them; just let them enjoy this moment exclusively.

Ruan Guangjian smiled slightly when he thought about it. "You two must have a lot to talk about. I'll head back to work first. See you!"

Ruan Guangjian returned to Halo Workspace.

A gust of wind blew and rolled up a leaf on the ground; everything seemed to be still.

Pei Qian and He An faced each other with different expressions, both choking silently.