Chapter 1 Qiao Liang's Bewilderment

Qiao Liang was both surprised and delighted to see the call from President Pei.

In that instant, many thoughts raced through his mind.

How did President Pei know I was at the Thriller Hostel?

Did someone tell him in private?

Or perhaps President Pei didn't know and just happened to remember me, an old friend, and was calling to invite me to visit the Thriller Hostel?

He quickly answered the call.

"President Pei!"

For some reason, even though he hadn't said anything yet, Qiao Liang was as excited as if he were reuniting with an old friend.

On the other end of the line, Pei Qian felt a chill run down his spine when he heard Qiao Liang's deeply affectionate greeting.

Unexpected courtesy conceals ulterior motives!

This Qiao Liang must be plotting to stab me in the back, otherwise he wouldn't be so affectionate!

Of course, in order not to provoke Qiao Laoshi and create a counter-effect, Pei Qian tried his best to calm down and guide him gently.

"Old Qiao, I heard you've arrived at the Thriller Hostel, ready to challenge 'Ultimate Horror'?"

In order not to waste time and send the wrong message, Pei Qian went straight to the point, focusing on the topic.

Qiao Liang was stunned for a moment, then inexplicably touched.

As the saying goes, the most frightening thing is a friend's sudden concern.

If it were anyone else, it would just be a simple greeting.

But President Pei is so busy! He has so many things to deal with every day!

Even the opening of the Thriller Hostel didn't give President Pei time to take a look.

Even so, President Pei has always been concerned about me, knowing that I came to the Thriller Hostel and even knowing that I was going to challenge "Ultimate Horror," and he specially called to inquire.

This friendship is truly touching!

Qiao Liang was very moved: "President Pei, you don't need to say anything, I understand! Everything is implied!"

Pei Qian: "?"

What did I say that you understand? Just answer my question honestly, damn it!

Has communication between people become so difficult?

I got straight to the point, and you still misinterpreted me? Has your ability to make up stories reached such a terrifying level?

Pei Qian coughed lightly, feeling that he had to speed up the pace, otherwise, this conversation would really go off track.

"Old Qiao, I must sincerely remind you."

"The Thriller Hostel project was originally intended to torture tourists. What kind of depth can simple horror have? I really didn't put any riddles in it, really!"

"Were you fooled by Ruan Guangjian? That guy has a twisted sense of humor, he always pretends to be scared, but in reality, he likes to trick people into haunted houses to be frightened. Don't be fooled!"

"Fighting for momentary satisfaction will only hurt your body and waste your time. It's not worth it at all!"

Pei Qian tried to make his tone sound very sincere.

Qiao Liang was even more moved.

"Yes, President Pei! I've noticed it too!"

He looked at Ruan Guangjian's position and lowered his voice: "There's definitely something wrong with Ruan Guangjian! This guy is too bad! Only someone as broad-minded as President Pei can be friends with him!"

Pei Qian: "?"

When did I become friends with him? Don't spread rumors!

And I'm not broad-minded at all, I'm petty!

Then, Qiao Liang changed the subject: "President Pei, I appreciate your kindness, but going to experience 'Ultimate Horror' was my own decision, I wasn't fooled!"

"I believe that you, who once created *Game Producer* and *Turn Back the Shore*, will not let me down! Even if 'Ultimate Horror' is really scary, I've decided to give it a try!"

Pei Qian: "?"

Damn it, he won't listen.

Qiao Laoshi has obviously dug himself into a dead end!

Pei Qian was speechless. Did you think I wanted to waste my breath trying to persuade you? Go die if you want, I'm too lazy to clean up your corpse!

If I wasn't afraid that you'd come back to life and stab me in the back, making a video promoting the content of "Ultimate Horror," I wouldn't care whether you lived or died!

But it seems that Qiao Laoshi has fallen into a cognitive trap.

The more I emphasize how terrifying it is, the more counterproductive it will be.

Pei Qian decided to change tactics.

If hard doesn't work, then come soft. Qiao Laoshi is a loyal practitioner of the "it tastes good" principle.

Pei Qian considered for a moment: "Old Qiao, you need to be clear on one point: you are a well-known upgrader, your time is very valuable, and your health is very precious. Why not do something more meaningful?"

Qiao Liang was stunned: "Such as?"

Pei Qian considered for a moment: "For example, come to the Wu Ming Restaurant to enjoy some delicious food? Come to the esports hall to experience some *gog*? Or, feel the local customs of Jingzhou, that would be good too!"

"How about this, why don't you come to Tengda headquarters right now? I can allow you to try out a part of the new game, how's that?"

"If you still insist on experiencing 'Ultimate Horror'..."

"Then you won't get any of these things."

Pei Qian threw out a big move, forcing Qiao Laoshi to choose one of two!

Do you want to tour Jingzhou as a VIP, with all expenses paid, eat at Wu Ming Restaurant, and play games for free at Moyu Internet Cafe 3.0?

Or give up these things just to suffer in "Ultimate Horror"?

As a rational person, this should be easy to choose, right?

Pei Qian also made a great sacrifice to say these words.

Because he never forgot that Qiao Liang is a very influential upgrader. No matter where he takes him, there is a possibility of making that place popular.

It was for this reason that Pei Qian didn't mention the Managed Fitness Center and Sloth Apartment, but only mentioned some projects that had already become popular and wouldn't be harmed by further exposure.

As for *Struggle*... Qiao Liang would definitely buy it to play after the game was released anyway, and the backstabbing of the "Divine Work" series of videos was probably unavoidable.

Throwing this out as bait, letting him play it in advance, as long as it can protect the Thriller Hostel, it's still a profit.

On the other end of the phone, Qiao Liang fell silent.

President Pei's words had dealt him a double blow.

The statement that "'Ultimate Horror' has no substantial content, and you are a well-known upgrader who should devote your time to more meaningful things" undermined the theoretical basis for his desire to experience "Ultimate Horror";

And the series of generous benefits undermined his material basis.

Obviously, he was tempted!

On one side was a suffering haunted house, and on the other side was delicious food, a high-end internet cafe, and new games. Any fool would know which to choose!

Qiao Liang unconsciously swallowed, hesitated for a few seconds, and then said: "Well... okay, President Pei. I'm someone who listens to advice."

Pei Qian was very happy.

Look, look!

Qiao Laoshi is still sensible!

This way, everyone is happy, and we don't hurt each other. Isn't that good?

"Okay, then I'll arrange for someone to set up an empty machine for you at the esports hall. Be sure to come!" Pei Qian hung up the phone happily.

Qiao Liang hung up the phone, looking at the golden lantern in his hand, with mixed feelings.

So much mental preparation for today was all in vain.

I'm not going!

Since President Pei, this friend, has personally spoken, why should I go and suffer that? Wouldn't it be better to go to the internet cafe to play games and try out President Pei's new work in advance?

Qiao Liang made up his mind and prepared to put the golden lantern back.

His actions immediately aroused everyone's vigilance.

When he answered the phone earlier, although he deliberately lowered his voice in the middle, the initial "President Pei" still gave him away.

Now seeing him hang up the phone and prepare to put back the golden lantern, it was obvious that he was backing down!

Ruan Guangjian immediately stepped forward and asked with concern: "What, do you want to challenge a higher difficulty? The little devil headband is over there."

Qiao Liang almost laughed out of anger.

Little devil headband, I think you look more like a little devil!

Do you wish I would die in there?

Look at President Pei, he specially called to care about me and inquire about me.

What about you? You're afraid I won't die fast enough!

Why is there such a big difference in how people treat each other?

Fortunately, President Pei has already exposed your hypocritical mask to me!

Qiao Liang smiled: "No, President Pei just called and said that this 'Ultimate Horror' is just a simple haunted house, with no philosophical thinking at all, and has nothing to do with the new game. There's no need for me to go in at all!"

"Not only that, President Pei has also arranged a series of receptions for me. If I go to 'Ultimate Horror,' all these receptions will be gone."

"So, goodbye everyone, I'm going to find President Pei and have a good time!"

Everyone was shocked.

Damn it!

Why did President Pei call specifically to sabotage things?

Looking at Qiao Laoshi's appearance, he was obviously persuaded and had no intention of experiencing "Ultimate Horror" anymore!

They wanted to persuade him again, but how could they?

President Pei had already personally called to make a final decision, saying that there was no philosophical thinking in this project, just a simple horror house.

All the points that had moved Qiao Laoshi before had been deconstructed by President Pei!

"Ahem."

At this moment, Li Shi, who had been wandering around, walked over and coughed lightly to attract everyone's attention.

"Little brother Qiao, you seem to have made a very serious mistake."

"Don't you... don't you understand President Pei enough?"

Qiao Liang was stunned, and his face was filled with disapproval.

I don't understand President Pei enough?

Don't be ridiculous, I'm the person in this world who understands President Pei the most!

Do you know who proposed the view that "being misinterpreted is the fate of the expresser"? It was me!

Do you know who made several episodes of "Divine Work" and comprehensively interpreted President Pei's game design philosophy? It's still me!

You actually said I don't understand President Pei enough? What a joke!

However, before Qiao Liang could refute, Li Shi continued.

"Don't misunderstand, I know your ability to interpret President Pei's games is one of a kind, but... you don't spend much time with President Pei in daily life and work, right?"

"You shouldn't be very familiar with his speaking and acting style, right?"

Qiao Liang was stunned.

It seems... that's really the case.

He and President Pei mostly had spiritual communication, President Pei made a game, and he solved the puzzles in the game.

In real life, one was in the Imperial Capital and one was in Jingzhou, so there was really not much communication, and understanding President Pei's style was out of the question.

Seeing Qiao Liang's expression, Li Shi knew he had guessed correctly.

He said proudly: "In this regard, I am more knowledgeable!"

"President Pei has a habit of 'testing' others. Like us investors, when we try to follow up with President Pei's project, President Pei will try to persuade us to withdraw."

"Only those who follow unswervingly can gain President Pei's trust!"

"Think about it carefully, is it credible that President Pei said this is just a simple horror house?"

"Is it possible that he didn't add any philosophical thinking here?"

"President Pei is a person who strives for perfection and doesn't take the usual path. Even a single shopping mall is made into a golden maze! The 'Ultimate Horror' project is the best project in the Thriller Hostel, is it possible that it's just an ordinary horror house?"

"If the answer is no, then you might as well think about it again."

"Since this place has invested a lot of President Pei's effort and funds, then from what standpoint would he advise you not to experience it?"

"This is obviously a test to see if your will is firm enough and whether you have the ability to experience the entire 'Ultimate Horror' and make a wonderful video!"

"If you are persuaded to retreat... then I can only say with regret, it ends here."

"With your understanding of President Pei, combined with what I just said, think about it carefully."

Qiao Liang was stunned.

He didn't expect that there were so many twists and turns in this?

But carefully considering what President Li said, it seemed... very reasonable?

Yes, President Pei's motives seem to be very problematic. Why would he give so many generous conditions just to prevent me from entering "Ultimate Horror"?

This is indeed a bit unreasonable!

Then... President Li's analysis is probably the truth.

President Pei is really testing me!

Does he think that I have the ability to interpret games, but not necessarily the ability to interpret the haunted house of Thriller Hostel?

If I back down, will I forever lose the opportunity to understand "Ultimate Horror"? Like those investors who were persuaded to withdraw, and forever lost the opportunity to follow up with the investment?

Qiao Liang had always prided himself on being the person who understood President Pei the most, but he didn't even guess President Pei's implied meaning.

This made him feel a little ashamed.

After thinking it over and over again, Qiao Liang finally made up his mind and picked up the golden lantern again.

"I, Qiao Laoshi, will never be inferior to others in my life!"

"The puzzles left by President Pei must be solved by me!"