Chapter 1 The Fish-Touching Net Cafe

"Old Qiao, let's play a game of GOG!"

"Or we can do a *BeQuiet* black ops."

"Old Qiao?"

"Strange, why is Old Qiao so silent today?"

Several of Qiao Liang's fans were calling him to play games together, but Qiao Liang sat in front of the computer wearing headphones, deaf to everyone's calls.

He was repeatedly refreshing the page, checking the number of views and other data for his new video.

Something's not right!

The script shouldn't be like this!

This video completely failed to achieve the effect he had imagined!

His previous videos of "Masterpieces" had exploded the day they were released, reaching the top of the site's charts in a few hours, and even completely reversing the game's reputation.

But this video completely failed to achieve that effect.

Although it did have a promotional effect, the heat didn't explode, and the response wasn't as strong. Many viewers were still taking a wait-and-see attitude and hadn't been moved.

This was an intolerable failure for Teacher Qiao!

It wasn't that Qiao Liang was so arrogant that he thought any video he made would be a hit.

If it were another designer's game, Qiao Liang wouldn't feel like he'd failed if the video didn't work.

But this was President Pei's project!

Qiao Liang sincerely felt that *Terror Hotel* was very good, and that President Pei had put no less effort into this project than he had into the game, but this video hadn't had the corresponding effect. What did this mean?

It meant that Qiao Liang's own interpretation of President Pei had gone wrong!

To put it simply, other game producers provided ordinary ingredients, and if the dishes they made were unpalatable, they could blame the ingredients. But President Pei provided top-notch ingredients, and Qiao Liang, as the chef, had made an unpalatable dish. This was a problem with his cooking skills!

More importantly, Qiao Liang had a premonition of this.

Before the video was released, he felt that something was missing, but he couldn't figure it out after thinking about it all day. In order not to miss the heat, he could only release it.

After the release, it indeed didn't achieve the desired effect.

Qiao Liang felt that his relationship with President Pei was like that of a top student and an examiner.

In the past, after the examiner handed out the test paper, he would answer it quickly, check it over after he finished, and feel satisfied in all aspects. After handing it in, he would indeed get a hundred points.

But this time, after finishing the test paper, he always felt uneasy, feeling that some steps or arguments were missing. When the time came, he could only hand in the paper, but after handing it in, he only got 90 points, which was a world apart from his expectations.

This was unacceptable for Teacher Qiao, a top student who always scored a hundred points!

Therefore, he felt confused, frustrated, and sorry for President Pei.

President Pei had entrusted such good ingredients to him, but he had failed to cook a good dish. This was simply a waste of God's gifts!

Qiao Liang wanted to do something to salvage the situation, but he couldn't find the key.

"Now, the only person who can really guide me is probably President Pei..."

"But, how can I be so presumptuous..."

Qiao Liang picked up his phone and opened President Pei's avatar, but he couldn't make up his mind to send a message.

It was like a cook who hadn't cooked a dish well, but instead called the vegetable seller to ask how to cook the ingredients. He really couldn't bring himself to do it.

But just as he was struggling, President Pei actually sent him a message.

"Are you free tonight? Come to No Name Restaurant at 7 pm, I'll treat you to dinner."

Qiao Liang was stunned. He almost thought he was seeing things, but after a closer look, it was indeed a message from President Pei!

"Such a coincidence?"

"When I'm in trouble and hesitating whether to call President Pei, President Pei happens to invite me to dinner?"

"Could it be..."

"President Pei also watched that video and guessed my current predicament?"

"No, not necessarily."

"Even if President Pei is as good as a prophet, he shouldn't be able to reach this point. It's also possible that he just wants to comfort me."

In addition to being moved, Qiao Liang also had a little expectation.

No matter what the reason, he definitely had to go to this dinner!

Qiao Liang hurriedly replied: "Okay, President Pei! I'll be there on time!"

...

In the evening.

No Name Restaurant.

"President Pei!"

Qiao Liang shook hands with Pei Qian, with a hint of loss and guilt on his face.

His emotions were complicated, and he didn't know where to start.

Pei Qian smiled slightly: "Come in, let's talk while we eat."

The two came to the private room of Ming Yun Private Kitchen, and soon, delicious dishes were served one after another.

Seeing these dishes, Qiao Liang's expression was complicated.

Obviously, President Pei was still treating him to the highest standards, which made him even more uncomfortable.

Seeing Qiao Liang's expression, Pei Qian couldn't help but feel secretly happy.

Seeing Teacher Qiao's expression, this meal was worth it!

Worth it!

Pei Qian's goal was achieved, and he happily picked up his chopsticks and ate heartily.

I don't care if you have an appetite, but I have quite an appetite.

When you stabbed me in the back, did you ever think you'd have this day?

It was just that the space in the private room was limited. If the space was spacious, President Pei wouldn't even mind showing Teacher Qiao what it meant to sing and dance.

Pei Qian originally thought that Qiao Liang would be very angry when he saw his gloating expression, and even walk away in a huff.

But Qiao Liang showed a gratified smile: "President Pei, I'm very touched that you're trying to create an atmosphere and prevent me from wallowing in failure. But I hope even more that you can solve my doubts."

Pei Qian: "?"

Who's trying to create an atmosphere and prevent you from wallowing in failure?

I'm gloating, okay? Gloating!

Before Pei Qian could say anything, Qiao Liang continued: "President Pei, I know you must have watched my new video. What do you think is missing from this video?"

Pei Qian fell silent.

I have indeed watched your video, and I'm also very clear that this video didn't meet your expectations.

Otherwise, why do you think I invited you to dinner?

But you want to get information from me?

No way!

Go ask around Tengda, who doesn't know that I have the tightest lips?

Pei Qian had already suffered enough losses from "guiding others" and decided to eat his food in silence: "I really have nothing to solve your doubts."

Qiao Liang sighed softly: "Is that so..."

"This video wasn't made perfectly. It didn't answer the essence of *Terror Hotel* very well, and it didn't bring enough heat and traffic."

"Actually, I had a vague feeling before the video was released that something was missing, but I couldn't find it. I... really should have thought more about it."

"But, it doesn't seem too late to think more about it now..."

Pei Qian: "?"

You had a premonition before the video was released? You originally planned to think more about it before releasing it?

Fortunately, you didn't think more about it!

Maybe if you had thought more about it, I would have been screwed by now!

"Come on, eat, eat."

"There's no need to think too much about these things. They're all in the past, so let it go."

Pei Qian hurriedly comforted him, fearing that Qiao Liang would keep dwelling on it and really make up for this shortcoming. If he released another video to remedy it, wouldn't that be a disaster?

Qiao Liang sighed while picking up food: "Since President Pei doesn't want to tell me, then I can only try to find it myself..."

Pei Qian: "?"

What do you mean I don't want to tell you? You've already presupposed in your mind that I know the answer, right?

I don't know anything, okay!

Pei Qian was very speechless. This was the paradox he encountered:

If he didn't say anything, others would think he was deliberately hiding something and would try to dig out the deep meaning. But if he said it, he might accidentally hit the mark.

What should he choose?

He had come to a fork in the road of fate again.

Pei Qian considered for two minutes and felt that he must not leave Qiao Liang with any room for imagination, otherwise he really wouldn't know what terrible things he would come up with!

Like the reply he gave to Yu Ping'an before, it would be very suitable to use in the current situation.

Pei Qian's expression became serious: "Okay, then I'll tell you the truth. Aren't you asking what's missing from your video?"

Qiao Liang nodded: "Yes!"

Pei Qian continued: "Your video doesn't lack anything, including the introduction to the gameplay of *Terror Hotel* itself, the explanation of the charging model, and the analysis of the details. Everything is in place."

Qiao Liang was even more confused.

Everything is in place?

That can't be, right?

He was silent for a moment and asked, "Then... why didn't it have the desired effect?"

Pei Qian was almost stumped by the question: "This..."

"Sometimes life is like this. Communication between people is pale and powerless. A few simple words or a few lines of text, the other party can't understand. Isn't this the most normal thing?"

"This is life!"

"It can only be said that your previous videos were too smooth, or rather, too lucky. It's normal for people not to understand you."

"This is not your fault, nor is it something you can change."

"After all, not being understood is the fate of the expresser!"

The more Pei Qian spoke, the more emotional he became, because he empathized with him.

Although the two were talking about completely different things, Pei Qian's tone was indeed sincere enough and persuasive enough.

Pei Qian felt that Qiao Liang should give up now, right?

But Qiao Liang was silent for a moment and shook his head: "President Pei, if someone else said this, I would believe it. But I don't believe it when you say it."

"This doesn't fit your persona!"

Pei Qian: "?"

What persona do I have?

Don't just give me a persona!

Qiao Liang said: "President Pei, I know you're a lonely expresser who's often misinterpreted. But even so, you're still constantly expressing your thoughts in different ways."

"I believe you're not someone who would give up easily, because you've been persistent all along."

"So, why are you advising me to give up?"

"Is it because the method of persisting is too difficult? Are you worried that I'll put in too much effort, so you're not telling me?"

"President Pei, you can say it. No matter how outrageous it is, I'll try my best to do it!"

Pei Qian: "..."

Completely speechless.

So, if I don't give you an answer today, you're going to stay here and not leave?

Fine, since that's the case, then I'll give you an answer! Don't blame me if you get tricked.

Pei Qian thought for a moment: "There is a way, but the sacrifice is great."

Qiao Liang's eyes lit up instantly: "President Pei, tell me!"

Pei Qian paused and said: "Don't make any more 'Masterpieces' for Tengda's next game."

Qiao Liang was stunned. After a long silence, he said: "Don't make any more 'Masterpieces' for the next game?"

"Is there any connection between the two?"

He was very confused, because the column explaining *Terror Hotel* had nothing to do with the column explaining the game!

Moreover, will giving up the "Masterpiece" definitely allow the video on *Terror Hotel* to be reborn from the ashes?

That doesn't make sense!

Looking at Qiao Liang's confused eyes, Pei Qian showed a meaningful smile.

"Don't think about it if you can't figure it out. Come on, let's drink!"