Chapter 100 Inquiries and Suspicions

Those present were all from the same industry. They looked as close as family, but in reality, they were fierce competitors, constantly scheming against each other. Today's allies could be tomorrow's enemies, and there were far too many past grievances between them. The spokesperson's request that everyone refrain from discussing past events wasn't just aimed at Yunteng and Yingqi; their dispute was only one of many.

Seeing everyone nod in agreement, the spokesperson added, "Furthermore, could both sides temporarily halt development work while we discuss the plan?"

"Of course, of course!" Many people immediately nodded in approval. Gaishi Qiying was infuriated. What did this suspension have to do with them? Who were these guys to nod on behalf of him and Yunteng? However, he had to admit that this pause was reassuring. These studios might appear united, but they harbored secret distrust of each other. Especially now that Yingqi had forcefully entered the business, their previous agreements with Yunteng were at risk of being reshuffled. Everyone suspected that other studios might be secretly colluding with the two companies, using the conference as a cover to trade already-developed main cities...

Suspending development meant that Yunteng and Yingqi would also temporarily lack resources, allowing everyone to sit down and discuss how to divide the main cities without suspecting anyone of stabbing them in the back.

Yaxiaosuangen looked at Gaishi Qiying, who was sitting directly opposite him. Not long ago, he was just a nobody that Gaishi Qiying wouldn't even glance at. But now, they were equals, two giants at this meeting. As Yunteng, one of their three bosses, had said, the change in status alone made this whole affair worthwhile!

Yunteng was right next to Yaxiaosuangen. He was thoroughly enjoying the feeling of being an industry titan. Yaxiaosuangen could only smile wryly. This Yunteng was their biggest investor, but he understood the business the least. Fortunately, he knew his limitations and never tried to micromanage. He usually just joined in on the fun, offered suggestions, and felt proud when he hit the mark. If his ideas were absurd, he would just laugh it off and ignore them. He was simply there to have fun.

Yaxiaosuangen handled most of the operational matters for Yunteng Studio. Wu only started sharing some of the pressure after returning from Yingqi. But overall, Yaxiaosuangen was still more in charge, so he was the one attending this meeting. Yunteng came along because he had nothing better to do, and Wu decided to skip it because meeting Gaishi Qiying might be a bit sensitive. Besides, her being one of Yunteng's three bosses hadn't been revealed yet!

Gaishi Qiying still wore a smile. When Yaxiaosuangen looked over, he even nodded in a friendly manner. But Yaxiaosuangen had poached almost all of Yingqi's first and second-tier talent; how could he not know what kind of person Gaishi Qiying was? He didn't take this friendly attitude to heart at all. He simply asked, "What does Boss Gai think?"

Gaishi Qiying was, of course, reluctant to agree to this proposal because he knew that his development progress was actually far behind Yunteng's. But then he thought, even if he didn't stop, Yunteng wouldn't either, and he wouldn't be able to close the gap. So, he simply nodded, "I have no objections."

"But how can we supervise?" Yaxiaosuangen said. He also knew that he currently had the upper hand in this business. He wasn't afraid to stop, but he was afraid that he would stop while the other side secretly continued.

"That's easy. We all know that this efficiency leveling method can only be developed by specific people. Let both sides' personnel log off and rest, and the development will naturally have to stop, won't it?" the first spokesperson said.

"Oh? Does that mean we have to add these developers as friends to supervise them?" Gaishi Qiying asked.

"Naturally," the first spokesperson said.

"Then, will Boss Ya and I supervise each other, or will we leave it to a third party?" Gaishi Qiying asked.

"This… I think it's best if everyone supervises each other," the first spokesperson said.

"Boss Ya, do you have any objections?" Gaishi Qiying asked with a smile.

"No."

"Good. The person on my side is called Chen Qiyi. I'll let him know, and anyone who wants to supervise can add him," Gaishi Qiying said.

"Baishi Jinglun," Yaxiaosuangen simply said.

Very well, these two names were added to everyone's friend list.

"I'll return to the city and log off now," Gaishi Qiying said.

"Same," Yaxiaosuangen nodded.

The meeting room fell silent. Everyone's expression was dark and uncertain. Both Yaxiaosuangen and Gaishi Qiying knew that these two talents were treasures right now. The other studios were probably extremely regretful that they hadn't found such people first. As for poaching, no one could guarantee that they wouldn't try. But neither Yaxiaosuangen nor Gaishi Qiying tried to prevent it. They casually gave everyone the opportunity to contact these two.

The two men glanced at each other, enemies, yet exchanged a look that only they could understand.

Indeed, they were cut from the same cloth. Both were thinking. Yaxiaosuangen had contact with Baishi Jinglun, and Gaishi Qiying with Chen Qiyi. From both of them, they could see very similar personalities: they valued promises and kept their word. Even if they hadn't signed contracts, they believed that these two wouldn't be bought off. They didn't know why, as businessmen, they shouldn't have such high trust in anyone, but they both had an inexplicable trust in these two.

They said nothing and waited until the names of Baishi Jinglun and Chen Qiyi went dark.

"Gentlemen, do you both only have one developer?" the first spokesperson then spoke again.

"That's right," Yaxiaosuangen nodded. Actually, he knew that these bosses probably already knew how many developers he had, and may have secretly tried to win over Baishi Jinglun.

"Boss Gai, what about you?" the first spokesperson looked at Gaishi Qiying.

"I only have one. I don't know if you believe it," Gaishi Qiying said.

"Since Boss Gai has said so, then naturally there's only one," the first spokesperson said.

Gaishi Qiying smiled and nodded, "Whether there's one or two is obvious. Everyone may not know now, but they'll eventually find out. Could I possibly say a lie here that will inevitably be exposed?"

"That's right," the first spokesperson laughed. That's what he thought too.

"That's not necessarily true," someone suddenly said. Gaishi Qiying frowned, because the person who said this was the only one in the room who had equal weight as him... no, he should say that on this matter, he currently had more weight than him—Yaxiaosuangen.

"Boss Ya has doubts?" Gaishi Qiying asked calmly, not revealing his emotions.

"That's right. I'd like to ask, when did Boss Gai start developing the efficiency leveling method?" Yaxiaosuangen said.

"What's the meaning of this?" Gaishi Qiying said.

"Because I'm quite clear about the development progress of the efficiency leveling method. The efficiency leveling method is actually a rather complex skill. It's not just that different classes have different routines; players with different attributes will also have different methods. So, it takes quite a bit of time to develop a full set for each leveling zone. Boss Gai's side, according to your advertising, has already developed at least ten leveling zones. I'd like to know when you started developing, so we can easily verify how many developers you have," Yaxiaosuangen said, making Gaishi Qiying secretly curse.

This second-rate guild guy, who looked listless and lacking charisma, had long suspected that the ten main city ads on his side were smoke bombs. His question was quite cunning. This guy knew the development progress of the efficiency leveling method very well. If he told the truth, he could immediately determine that he had only developed four main cities. Then, according to the progress of ten main cities that he had reported, it would mean that he had two to three developers. But the problem was that he didn't have any, and he couldn't produce them, so he could only admit that he had only four main cities. Exposing this would still allow Yingqi to earn something, but the goal of taking the opportunity to bluff and weaken Yunteng would be somewhat unachievable.

But what if he made up a time? Gaishi Qiying thought, making up a time that would allow one person to complete the progress of ten main cities. This lie was very simple! Could the other party not have thought of it? Were they waiting for him to say this lie before setting a trap for him? The clever Gaishi Qiying was suffering because of his cleverness. Seeing that everyone would become suspicious if he continued to think, he gritted his teeth and made up a false time.

Reporting the real time would definitely expose the truth that he had only developed four cities, and Gaishi Qiying didn't want to see that consequence. So, he decided to take a gamble. He wanted to see if this second-rate guild guy had really set up a trap waiting for him to jump in.

"Oh, that time…" Yaxiaosuangen muttered. Everyone looked at him. The other guild bosses didn't have an accurate understanding of the development progress.

"If you work hard, one developer can indeed complete it," Yaxiaosuangen said.

"Your words seem to have a hidden meaning?" Gaishi Qiying felt that he needed to maintain the scene and not be forced into a passive position by Yaxiaosuangen.

"No, I just want to say, we don't seem to have a way to know whether the time provided by Boss Gai is true or false, do we?" Yaxiaosuangen said.

"Damn it!" Everyone had chairs at this meeting, but there were no tables. If there was a table, Gaishi Qiying estimated that he would have flipped it by now. This guy asked for the time, and now that he said it, he said he couldn't believe it. Was he playing him?

"What do you mean? Are you toying with me?" Gaishi Qiying sneered.

"No, no, no, of course not. Actually, I want some time to do some investigation," Yaxiaosuangen said.