tkworld #222 - Everything must be Lu Yu's conspiracy (2 in 1 order required)
#222 - Everything must be Lu Yu's conspiracy (2 in 1 order required)
“Peach… Peach Blossom Paradise?!”
Liu Lan was shocked and astonished.
Honestly, after realizing that Xia Shangyu had found a new employer, countless possibilities had flashed through her mind, but they were nothing more than large enterprises including Tenghui, or multinational corporations on the Fortune Global 500 list.
She hadn't expected that Xia Shangyu would offend her by resigning, only to end up going to a small place like Peach Blossom Paradise?
“Director Xia, I asked you to poach people from Peach Blossom Paradise, but you're telling me that you couldn't poach a single one, and instead you were poached by them. Shouldn't you give me an explanation?”
Liu Lan's gaze was very sharp.
“I'm sorry, Sister Liu, I failed your expectations, but I have made up my mind. I will use this one-month buffer period to do my best for the group until the very end.”
“You know that's not what I want to hear.”
Xia Shangyu understood Liu Lan's implication, so she changed her tone and spoke in a tone between close friends.
“Sister Liu, after this trip accompanying Peach Blossom Paradise on their team-building trip, I understood a principle. I'm not young anymore, and from now on, I want to live for myself.”
“What? Peach Blossom Paradise went on another team-building trip?”
As a business manager, Liu Lan subconsciously focused on certain key points first.
It seemed like it was only a few months ago that they went to Dongming Island for a trip.
“How many team-building trips does their company have to go on?”
“It seems to be every month,” Xia Shangyu answered honestly.
“……”
Liu Lan became even more confused. The employees spend more time eating, drinking, and having fun than sitting at their desks doing serious work. How did this company, with its Buddhist management style and corporate culture, manage to build its business to its current scale?
“Keep talking, I'm listening. Why did you say you want to live for yourself? Did the group imprison you or something?”
Liu Lan slightly restrained her astonishment, still maintaining the overbearing aura of a chairman.
If it had been before, Xia Shangyu would have been so overwhelmed by this aura and pressure that she wouldn't have been able to say anything at all, but now, she understood that she had to get through this.
“Sister Liu, how should I put it? I felt a whole new world when I accompanied Peach Blossom Paradise's employees on this trip.
This world is something I've never felt since I was a child.
In my worldview, from the moment I was born, everyone has been instilling in me that only those who win first place are successful and deserve respect, and everyone else is a failure, a loser.
So, whether in school or in my career, I've been more competitive than anyone else, to the point of being a little unscrupulous…”
Xia Shangyu closed her eyes, and when she thought of the days when she had gone deep into dangerous situations to fight for the group, she felt dizzy and the past was unbearable to look back on.
“Isn't that how it should be? The business world is like a battlefield, and opportunities are always fleeting. You did a good job, otherwise I wouldn't have promoted you to director of the headhunting department.”
Liu Lan's voice was cold, and she lit a cigarette for herself, but it took her several tries to aim the flame at the cigarette.
She frowned slightly, annoyed at her rare mistake.
“Sister Liu, it's not that I'm against the wolf-like culture of the Liu Group, I just feel that I'm already 28 years old, and the best years of my life have been spent in the cubicles of office buildings.
I don't want to look at my list of life wishes when I'm old and can't go anywhere, and feel sad and regretful about those wishes that I didn't have time to fulfill.
I don't have any resentment towards the Liu Group, I just feel that I should change the way I live.
A way of living that can realize my own value.”
“So, you can realize your value by changing jobs?” Liu Lan continued to sneer.
“Sister Liu, how should I say this? Peach Blossom Paradise is really different…”
In Xia Shangyu's eyes, she recalled the scenes from the trip.
Although Peach Blossom Paradise's benefits were indeed tempting, Xia Shangyu asked herself what her heart truly desired.
The most important reason that convinced her to jump ship was not these things, but the atmosphere of Peach Blossom Paradise.
That atmosphere was really both relaxed and unrestrained, and the sight of them getting together to eat and discuss game development was really enviable.
It seemed that for them, the game development itself was really enjoyable.
That feeling of making something interesting and then sharing it with players all over the world, waiting for players to immerse themselves in it, sometimes feeling happy and sad for the fate of the characters in the game, and being completely immersed in it…
This matter itself was enough to be both cool and fulfilling.
Moreover, she had never seen that kind of satisfied expression on the faces of Liu Group employees.
No, it should be said that in the entire world she had experienced since she was a child, no one had ever had this kind of satisfied expression.
So, although her profession was not game development, she was also very curious about what kind of possibilities and answers she could see in Peach Blossom Paradise…
When mentioning Peach Blossom Paradise, the light in Xia Shangyu's eyes also deeply shocked Liu Lan.
Xia Shangyu, like Wang Su, had been by her side for many years, but she had never seen this kind of look in the other person's eyes before.
It was a kind of pureness that had washed away all the戾qi, fatigue, and distractions, a pursuit of authenticity.
She knew that she couldn't keep Xia Shangyu anymore.
So, she signed the resignation letter with a blank expression.
“You don't need to hand over anything. Pack your things and you can leave now.”
This girl's heart was already with Cao Ying. Even if she stayed in the group for another month, she would only make things worse for herself.
“Thank you, Sister Liu.”
Xia Shangyu nodded gratefully.
At the moment she pushed open the door to leave, Liu Lan leisurely spoke from behind:
“After this, we will be competitors, and the group will not be lenient with those who have left.”
Xia Shangyu was stunned for a moment, then nodded: “I understand. Then, goodbye, Sister Liu.”
……
After Xia Shangyu left, Liu Lan lit another cigarette, walked to the glass curtain wall behind her, and looked at the traffic outside the window.
“Living for yourself, it's easy to say.”
Liu Lan chuckled a few times, recalling the expression and words of Liu Mengyuan when she ran away from home at the beginning of the year, which were almost exactly the same as this little girl.
She also recalled what the elders of the family had said to her when she was a child:
“Lan'er, everyone who is born into the world has their own mission, without exception.
And you, even more so, are the chosen one, your mission is extremely important.
So, although your sisters in kindergarten can play with dolls, you can't. You have more important things to do. You have to learn English, learn arithmetic, you have to learn to read people's expressions and how to maximize the use of teachers and other children to achieve your own goals.”
The great-grandfather earnestly taught Liu Lan, who was only five years old.
“But Grandpa, why don't they have to learn these things?” Liu Lan pouted, a little unhappy.
“Hehe, I said just now, because everyone's mission in this world is different.
Don't look at them playing with dolls happily now, but this is already the happiest time in their lives. After they grow up, they will have a lifetime of hard work.”
“What is hard work?”
“Burning their lives and contributing value for people like us. From the moment they are born, their fate is doomed.”
“But……”
Liu Lan tilted her little head.
“But the fairy tales in kindergarten clearly say that all children are born equal, and everyone will be happy in the future……”
“Silly child, why do you think these words are printed in fairy tales?”
“……” Liu Lan nodded, seemingly understanding.
“But, you can't relax either, you have to work even harder than them, because how to maximize the benefits from them is a very advanced management question.”
……
Liu Lan opened her eyes and came back to her senses from her memories.
The education she received from childhood made it a little difficult for her to understand Xia Shangyu's words.
Does a world where everyone can relax and leisurely do what they want to do really exist?
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
This era is destined to become more and more competitive, and all walks of life are filled with zero-sum games.
Just as she was thinking this, the sound of knocking on the door rang again.
Wang Su pushed the door open and walked in.
Liu Lan's expression softened, hoping that Wang Su could bring her some good news.
“Chairman, has Director Xia really resigned?” Wang Su asked nervously.
“Heh, don't mention her. Tell me, how is the progress on your side? Did that Lu Yu mention any conditions?”
Wang Su took a deep breath and mustered up the courage to say:
“Chairman, before I formally report, I have some things I want to say to you from the bottom of my heart.”
Liu Lan's slender hand holding the cigarette paused in mid-air, her expression filled with astonishment.
You have something to say too?
What's wrong with you all?
Did you get cursed after going on a mission?
Wang Su continued:
“Chairman, although I know you won't be happy to hear this, I think we shouldn't interfere too much in the young lady's private life.
She is an adult now and should have the right to live her own life and like the people she likes.
If we forcibly interfere, it will have the opposite effect, and even the spirits of the world may bring down punishment…”
Wang Su muttered to herself, such as spiders, fish, mice, etc., oh, and the disgusting tentacles of that octopus.
Her face flushed again.
How should I put it, although in Greek mythology, those orc warriors who invaded the sacred mountain were very presumptuous to the gods, but every time after the warriors reached the top, the Gaia secret treasures growing on the earth would undergo some subtle changes.
The fruits are fuller and the colors are more vibrant.
In the myths, Gaia must also feel ashamed about this. Who would have thought that the sacred relics most well-protected by the gods would also raise their proud heads from the earth.
If this continues, I'm afraid it will open some strange new world doors.
……
Liu Lan didn't notice the change in Wang Su's expression. Listening to these words, her expression was indifferent. After all, Xia Shangyu's matter was shocking enough, so Wang Su didn't bring her much impact.
Her heart was filled with helplessness.
Okay, so all of you want to be like this, right?
Since becoming the chairman of the Liu Group, this was the first time Liu Lan had felt a deep sense of powerlessness.
She felt that her subordinates were gradually getting out of her control.
“You go out first, I want to be alone.”
After dismissing Wang Su, Liu Lan lit her third cigarette.
The nicotine calmed her brain down a bit.
Actually, thinking carefully, the reason why these subordinates of hers now seem like different people is because they have been in contact with this kid Lu Yu.
She even had reason to suspect that the reason why her daughter would defy the family's authority and run away from home was also to secretly meet with this little lover Lu Yu.
What exactly is going on with this man?
Why do all the women who have been in contact with him become different people?
Liu Lan pondered, just in time to see a calligraphy on the wall, which was a warning proverb:
「Existence is reasonable.」
When a person encounters something they cannot understand, it is almost a subconscious behavior to look for explanations for it from their existing knowledge and common sense.
So Liu Lan thought for a long time, and when a cigarette was about to be finished, she finally understood——
The case is solved!
How could there be such a coincidence in this world that Xia Shangyu and Wang Su were both changed by this man?
He must have been planning step by step from the beginning!
From Liu Mengyuan running away from home, to using the Liu Group's game platform to start a business, to establishing himself and having the capital to compete with the Liu Group, to blocking the Liu Group in the live broadcast platform and game development platform businesses,
even being able to humiliate Liu Lan by reverse poaching,
I'm afraid that every step is in this Lu Yu's calculations.
If any of these links were miscalculated, Peach Blossom Paradise would not have been able to reach its current scale!
Even the Liu Group's highest-level actuaries are no better than him!
……
In Liu Lan's eyes, a serious look appeared for the first time.
Usually, she would only use this kind of look on competitors who she felt threatened by.
The cigarette in her hand trembled a few times,
As a person who is used to controlling everything, Liu Lan felt unable to accept these changes,
Heh, this man, she really underestimated him at first.
She initially thought that the other party was just an ordinary young man,
After all, she had already done a background check on Lu Yu's family, a retired father who was a water and electricity engineer, and a retired mother who was a middle school teacher, an unremarkable background and an unremarkable life.
Who would have thought that in such a short period of time, the Peach Blossom Paradise he was running could expand to this extent.
I'm afraid that her current predicament of smoking frantically in the office is also in this man's calculations, right?
In the depths of Liu Lan's heart, there was even a trace of imperceptible admiration in an instant.
Okay, since you like to calculate and like to plan, then I will add a little more intensity to you.
……
Liu Lan opened her notebook and began to search for recent game industry news.
She quickly found information about the Heavenly Venerate Cup, especially learning that Peach Blossom Paradise was also going to participate in this action game development carnival.
So, she called Shi Yi.
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Shi Yi was quite surprised and flattered that the chairman actually called him.
The Liu Group has dozens of business lines of all sizes, ranging from real industry to the internet industry.
So the chairman of the group is naturally very busy with numerous affairs every day.
He didn't expect the chairman to personally inquire.
On the other end of the phone, Liu Lan got straight to the point:
"I heard that Mileyou's 'Honkai Impact 3' premiered on our Youyi Workshop, is that right?"
"Yes, Chairman, the 'Honkai Impact 3' project currently uses the Youyi Workshop engine, but they internally feel that the engine's scalability is not very strong, so they bought our authorization and heavily modified the engine middleware themselves."
Liu Lan didn't understand these professional technical terms, she just said:
"Youyi needs to raise the support for this project to a higher strategic level. In any case, we must let this project win the championship of the Tianzun Cup and become the new flagship project of Youyi Workshop, and drive the business recovery of the Leopard Tooth live broadcast platform."
Hearing that Liu Lan wanted to elevate this matter to a strategic level, Shi Yi felt flattered, but also under great pressure.
Recently, the number of small game developers and players on the Youyi platform has been declining more and more seriously, and they have all run to the game platform of Shangri-La.
Many independent game studios have already announced that they will premiere their new works on the Shangri-La Illusory Realm platform.
Seeming to perceive Shi Yi's pressure, Liu Lan's tone softened a bit:
"Don't worry, this time the group will mobilize the power of other business lines to support Youyi's support for the 'Honkai Impact 3' project. Before... the group did not have enough understanding of the potential and threat of Shangri-La and that General Manager Lu, but now, the group has officially listed him on the competitor list."
The implication of Liu Lan's words was obvious. In the past, Shangri-La was not even considered a nobody in her eyes, at most a small shrimp, but now, she plans to take a serious look at him and treat him as a competitor worthy of attention.
Shi Yi mustered up the courage to ask: "General Manager Liu, have you also realized that that General Manager Lu of Shangri-La is really a scheming person?"
Liu Lan was noncommittal, but her brief silence said it all.
Shi Yi's heart suddenly had a feeling of liberation.
Finally!
The chairman finally understood his difficulties!
She finally realized that that General Manager Lu was a king disguised as a bronze!
The thickest layered pancake in the world is not as calculating as him!
The reason why Shi Yi was so excited was because recently, Shangri-La can be said to be in full swing, and "Eating Banquet Simulator" is even a surprise move, which caught Youyi off guard and made them miserable.
If the group can pay attention to it, his pressure will be less.
Liu Lan: "If we mobilize the power of the group, are you confident to defeat Shangri-La in the Tianzun Cup?"
Shi Yi suddenly became serious:
"General Manager Liu, don't worry, 'Honkai Impact 3' itself is Mileyou's flagship project. With our help, the strong will join forces, and we will definitely turn the tide.
On the other hand, the employees of Shangri-La have no experience in action game development.
Moreover, the size of the staff is small, and facing the tight schedule of the Tianzun Cup, they will definitely be unable to attend to both, so—
The advantage is on our side!"
...
On Tuesday, the organizing committee of the Tianzun Cup Action Game Carnival released the first trailer on the official media account.
At the beginning of the trailer, the screen went black, and suddenly a thunderous sound effect sounded, as if the power of the universe converged.
The screen lit up, showing a shocking mixed cut of the participating works.
Sparks splashed, and huge machines disintegrated in explosions, accompanied by burning flames.
"At this carnival, players will feel the strong impact of action games."
The screen instantly switched, and various game screens were presented in an interweaving manner.
There are science fiction future cities, hard-hitting mechanical warriors, and ancient battlefields, with samurai sword shadows. Every frame is a stunning picture.
The perspective shifted, and a Invincible Swordsman -like hero leaped up, with swords and swords intertwined in the air, and swift fist and foot fighting.
"Every action is full of design ingenuity, showing the game makers' ultimate pursuit of details."
Then, some unprecedented innovative elements appear from time to time in the picture, such as the next-generation cartoon rendering of Honkai Impact 3, and some virtual reality action games.
Suddenly the screen switched, and some interview clips of game developers appeared on the scene.
They shared their game concepts and creation process with high spirits and passion.
"At this carnival, every developer is showing their professionalism and love for action games."
The picture finally freezes on the smiling faces of the players.
Some people frantically tap on the keyboard, screaming in fierce battles,
Some people hold the gamepad, exclaiming the shock of the game screen, and some people excitedly stand up when they see a special skill.
"Dedicated to all of you who love games."
"Tianzun Cup Action Game Development Carnival is coming soon!"
"The future is here!"
...
As soon as this trailer was released, it instantly set off new expectations and carnivals on the entire network!
At the first time the trailer was released, players quickly spread the long-awaited news. Major social platforms instantly boiled, and excited discussions surged like a tide.
The trailer broke 10 million views on D station as soon as it premiered, and the barrage was like rain.
"This trailer is good, family members, let's just say that the whole thing is expected."
"Damn, not only Mileyou and Shangri-La, but also foreign manufacturers are participating. This carnival is simply a battle of gods!"
"I'm crying to death, the news of the Tianzun Cup is already my weekly life."
Carnivals have also been set off on social media. On social media such as Tieba, Weibo, and short video platforms, players have forwarded, liked, and some have written down their most anticipated game works,
Some people excitedly @ their game friends and shared this expectation together. This is a commonly used publicity method.
Soon, some players ran to the official Weibo of Shangri-La and left a message:
" Shangri-La, you have been in the limelight recently, "Eating Banquet Simulator" has directly broken the circle. If your main course can't come up with something better, it's unreasonable, right? Hurry up and serve it, I can't wait!"
This comment quickly exceeded 50,000 likes.
At this time, Lu Yu, who saw this Weibo, was confused.
Damn it?
What is "Eating Banquet Simulator"?
Did we develop this thing?