At noon, Xiao Xun went to the second-floor cafeteria to eat as usual. He found that the cafeteria had a new staff and menu, with more variety and better service than before, showing a trend towards emulating Ding Tai Group.
As soon as Xiao Xun sat down, someone sat opposite him – it was Ike from the game company.
"Mr. Xiao, it's been a long time. I heard you were back and even visited the game development department. I had something on that day, so I didn't see you."
Xiao Xun shook his chopsticks and said, "The technical department has been busy lately. I saw that the mobile game company wasn't doing much, so I didn't bother to worry about it. Anyway, the mobile games I wanted to develop couldn't run on the current configuration."
Ike glanced around, seeing no one, and lowered his voice, "Since you're not busy now, I wanted to ask for your opinion on something."
Xiao Xun, who was focused on his meal, looked up when he heard Ike and asked, "What is it?"
"Do you know about a playback software called Xunfang?"
How could Xiao Xun not know? This software carried the dreams and happiness of countless otaku. "Of course, I do. What's wrong?"
"This software wants to dominate the mobile app market and is looking for venture capital. Are you interested, Mr. Xiao?"
Xiao Xun thought for a moment, "That's not right! Shouldn't you be talking to the venture capital manager or our president about this? Why are you telling me?"
Ike leaned back and said, "I just submitted it, and it didn't even pass the risk control center. I don't know what those people are thinking, but I think this is indeed a good investment project. Regardless of anything else, look at the number of users. Who isn't watching videos on their phone now? The CEO of Xunfang is also a tech guru. His mobile playback software is much better than similar ones. It can play any video, and it's very high definition."
Xiao Xun held up his hand, stopping Ike from continuing. "I don't understand investing, but I know Xunfang is a good software. However, I think our company's risk control center is quite capable too."
He then stood up and said, "I'm full, you take your time."
Ike was stunned. "This... isn't it pretty good?"
However, Ike's words also reminded Xiao Xun of something. The content playback platforms nowadays were of uneven quality, and it was time to think in that direction. There might be "big profits" to be made. But ever since he learned about the doomsday prophecy, Xiao Xun no longer cared about such things. Anyway, the money he earned would be more than enough to spend even without the end of the world.
He took a walk around the game company. Most of the staff were still eating in the second-floor cafeteria and hadn't returned. Only two concept artists were diligently drawing game characters.
Xiao Xun stood there and watched for a while. The two artists didn't notice anyone behind them. They held their drawing tablets and pens, drawing rapidly on the tablets, faster than he could type. It seemed like their hands were leaving afterimages. A drawing, including coloring, should normally take two to three days to complete, but at their current pace, it would take less than a day.
Seeing the two artists put down their drawing pens, Xiao Xun clapped from behind, startling them. They quickly stood up.
"Hello, Mr. Xiao."
Xiao Xun gestured for them to sit, "Both of you are quite fast! What did you do before?"
"We used to serialize comics online in our spare time."
Xiao Xun nodded and asked kindly, "I see! No wonder. Have you eaten?"
"We've already asked a colleague to bring us food. Thank you for your concern, sir."
Xiao Xun signaled them to continue and then turned to the game design director's office. The office was plastered with game promotional posters and character CG art, looking quite messy, with no one tidying up.
Various pens were scattered on the desk, along with candy. The mug was a classic one that revealed a photo when hot water was poured into it.
Xiao Xun sat on the chair, crossed his legs, and took out his phone to read the news.
After waiting for about half an hour, the game design director of Zhuoyue Mobile returned to the office.
Xiao Xun looked at his enthusiastic smile and asked expressionlessly, "Is there something happy going on recently?"
The design director was taken aback. He didn't expect the General Manager Xiao, whom he hadn't seen in a long time and who had never entered his office before, to suddenly appear in his office.
"Mr. Xiao, why do you have time to visit today?" he asked, standing beside Xiao Xun with a puzzled look.
Xiao Xun leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs, almost to the point of putting them on the desk. "Nothing much. I happened to have some free time today, so I came to take a look."
The design director stood there without speaking. Xiao Xun said expressionlessly, "Don't you have anything to tell me?"
Despite the air conditioning in the room, sweat beaded on his forehead. "I don't know what you're referring to, Mr. Xiao?"
Xiao Xun snorted, "You know what I'm talking about, don't you? What's the deal with those two concept artists outside?"
"Them?" The design director clearly flinched. "Is there a problem?"
Xiao Xun stood up from his chair and slammed the desk. "I pay you a salary. Is it for you to work for others during work hours?"
Then he pointed at his nose, "Don't tell me you have nothing to do with this."
The design director lowered his head. "Mr. Xiao, I admit, I took on some freelance work, but I was forced into it!"
Xiao Xun was furious. "Forced into it? You take the company's salary and earn money for other companies during work hours, and you call it being forced into it?"
The design director looked bitter. "I'm over thirty this year. My girlfriend and I have been together for six years. Her mother said that if I don't buy a house before the end of the year, she'll make her daughter break up with me. But the housing prices here are just too expensive."
Xiao Xun looked at him. "How much do you earn per month?"
The design director mumbled, "Thirty thousand..."
Xiao Xun pointed to the door. "Go to the finance department and collect thirty thousand and leave."
The design director looked up at him incredulously. "Mr. Xiao, I am the design director. If I leave, who will be responsible for the games here?"
Xiao Xun said expressionlessly, "Someone will take over your position."
The design director pointed outside. "Most of these people were brought in by me. Also, President Mi..."
When Xiao Xun heard this, his tone became even harsher. "What about President Mi? If you think President Mi's place is better, you can go to him. I have no objections."
The design director lowered his head. "Mr. Xiao, it was my fault. Can you give me another chance, just one?"
"Some things, once missed, are missed forever. I'll give you half an hour to pack your things. After half an hour, I don't want to see you anywhere in Saint Roman." With that, he walked out of his office.
The design director didn't lash out but quietly packed the things on his desk. When he first joined this industry, his girlfriend disapproved. After so many years, he had always been working for others, not earning much money, and also suffering from illness due to overwork. He often had to get up in the middle of the night for overtime, all for that meager salary.
He had finally managed to get acquainted with President Mi, and President Mi also appreciated him. He didn't expect the company to fail and President Mi to jump ship.
Just when he was disheartened and considering switching industries, a call from President Mi saved him. His career was rekindled with hope, and this younger leader also appreciated him, promoting him within a few days. This could be considered the peak of his life.
Just as he was about to roll up his sleeves and work hard, his future mother-in-law poured a basin of cold water on him, saying extremely unpleasant words about how much his daughter had suffered with him, not even having a place to settle down, and becoming an old maid. He had to give her an explanation.
To take responsibility as a man, he had to find ways to earn extra money. Introduced by an old colleague, and due to the great success of Zhuoyue Mobile, major companies in the same industry noticed him and hoped he could help them with similar games, offering substantial compensation.
Unexpectedly, despite his best efforts, he ultimately failed.
Thinking about this, he slapped himself. His career in this industry had come to an end. He couldn't blame anyone else; he could only blame himself for being incompetent.
He looked at the sun outside and shed tears for the first time.
At this moment, the person who introduced him to outside work called, asking for progress.
Upon hearing this, the other party directly offered a higher price to poach him, instantly reigniting his fighting spirit. "This is what they call 'there's always a way out.' Xiao Xun, just you wait. Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river."
Then, he excitedly hugged his box and left.