Slackin’ Internet Café, Handong University Branch.

A server brought three cups of coffee.

Sitting across from Pei Qian, besides Lin Chang, was a woman who appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, somewhat resembling Lin Wan, but looking much more mature and steady, naturally exuding the aura of a leader.

Without Lin Chang’s introduction, Pei Qian knew that this was most likely Lin Wan’s older sister, Lin Yu, who was in charge of Shenhua Group’s mobile phone business.

It could only be said that different family backgrounds, to some extent, determined the ceiling of one’s career.

Assistant Xin was about the same age as Lin Yu, but without such a prominent family background, no matter how hard she worked, her upper limit was just being a CEO’s assistant.

Lin Chang still looked as energetic as before.

After mutual introductions, Pei Qian exchanged pleasantries with Lin Yu, and they all took their seats.

“Mr. Pei, long time no see.”

Lin Chang smiled: “I heard from Wan that Mr. Pei opened a nice restaurant that’s very popular on All-People Reviews, with very high ratings, and has become the most popular high-end restaurant in Jingzhou. I wonder if I have the good fortune to try it? Don’t worry, Mr. Pei, I’ll treat.”

Mingyun Private Kitchen?

Hehe, please don’t mention it.

Pei Qian took a sip of coffee, looking extremely troubled: “Sorry, for dining, you’ll have to wait until the 26th, which is this Sunday. All reservations are full, and I can’t eat there anytime I want either.”

“Pfft.”

Lin Chang almost laughed out loud: “It’s that popular? Reservations are already booked until this Sunday?”

“No, this Sunday was reserved by me a long time ago. To be precise, reservations are booked until the middle of next month,” Pei Qian became even more troubled.

Lin Chang couldn’t help but marvel: “Impressive, Mr. Pei.”

“I remember when we last met, you hadn’t opened this restaurant yet. It’s only been a little over two months, and the restaurant is already this popular? Mr. Pei has something special.”

Lin Chang’s words weren’t flattery; they came from the heart.

Because when it came to restaurants, it truly wasn’t something that could be established simply by throwing money at it.

Lin Chang knew many business owners who, having some spare money, wanted to open restaurants to make money, but a large portion of them lost money.

Moreover, high-end restaurants with particularly high pricing were even more likely to incur losses.

But Mr. Pei had managed to make this restaurant profitable in just over two months, with rave reviews and reservations booked until next month—that skill was truly impressive.

However, hearing these words, Pei Qian felt somewhat uncomfortable.

It was similar to Qiao Laoshi’s earlier epitaph, “You can do it.”

Upon hearing that they couldn’t eat at the nameless restaurant tonight, Lin Chang wasn’t upset: “Alright, then I’ll adapt to local customs. For such a high-end restaurant, what’s the big deal about waiting for a table? I’ll stay in Jingzhou for two days and wait until this Sunday.”

Pei Qian nodded: “No problem, I’ll treat you then.”

Lin Chang hurriedly shook his head: “No, no, no, Mr. Pei, I’ll treat.”

Pei Qian was firm: “I insist on treatment.”

It wasn’t because he had any special preferential treatment for Lin Chang.

Mainly because treating someone to a meal would all be paid from system funds—the more spent, the better. Pei Qian would not miss any opportunity.

If Lin Chang paid for the meal, wouldn’t Pei Qian be making money again?

Inside and out, it would be a double loss of money, which was unacceptable!

Seeing Mr. Pei’s firm attitude, Lin Chang didn’t insist. After all, it was just a meal, not a lot of money.

“Why do you two have time to come to Jingzhou? Could it be because of Lin Wan’s matter?” Pei Qian asked casually.

He was very clear that Lin Yu and Lin Chang coming to Jingzhou together must be for something, and it was most likely because of Lin Wan.

Lin Chang nodded: “Yes.”

“The old man pretends not to care, but he’s quite worried. He forced me and my eldest sister to come this time, still because of that previous reason.”

“And compared to before, the difficulty has increased this time…”

Pei Qian: “…”

It seemed that way—the situation had deteriorated.

Previously, Pei Qian planned to arrange for Lin Wan to go to the Shangyang Games, to be in charge of the “Hot Blood Battle Song” project that was bound to fail, and then he would invest money crazily in that direction.

In this way, money would be lost, the game would fail, and Lin Wan’s confidence would be severely hit, so she might give up the gaming industry and dutifully go back to inherit her billion-yuan family fortune.

By all accounts, the original plan should have been flawless.

But now, things had gone unexpectedly wrong.

The mobile version of “Hot Blood Battle Song” was a huge success, and Lin Wan’s confidence was at an all-time high.

Now, she probably couldn’t be driven away even if she tried.

What could be done about this?

Pei Qian silently took a sip of coffee—how depressing!

Lin Chang also seemed a bit melancholic: “This time, Wan has gained face.”

“In our family, the old man and my eldest sister are strongly opposed, while my second brother Lin Zhou and I support Wan. However, our support is limited to spiritually supporting her to go out and make her way; we didn’t think she could make a name for herself in the gaming industry.”

“After all, the gaming industry is very cruel, and Wan’s personality is a bit too idealistic. So, although Lin Zhou and I both support her, we only thought she should experience some setbacks in reality, understand the difficulties of this industry sooner, and come back dutifully.”

Pei Qian listened and nodded silently.

Yes, I think so too!

But come to think of it, it turns out that all of Lin Wan’s family members thought she couldn’t succeed.

Although Lin Zhou and Lin Chang supported Lin Wan, they only supported her effort to pursue her dreams, not believing she could succeed…

Lin Chang continued: “So, the success of the ‘Hot Blood Battle Song’ mobile game was unexpected for us too.”

“Including the featured spot provided by the Shenhua App Market—we never thought it could be profitable.”

“These past two days, Lin Wan has been sending a lot of information about ‘Hot Blood Battle Song’ in our family group chat, such as player reviews, official platform recommendation text, profit data, etc., and even tagged my eldest sister.”

“Although only 10% was given to the Shenhua App Market, this is money that Wan earned through her efforts, and she’s very proud.”

“So, the old man is getting restless and urged me to think of a way quickly.”

Pei Qian: “…”

Indeed, I’m getting restless too.

Pei Qian could imagine how smug Lin Wan must be in her family group chat.

Originally, no one in her family thought she could make a name for herself in the gaming industry, so she ran off to Yangcheng and then to Jingzhou by herself, persisting quietly for so long.

As a result, she created a hit game that even received official praise, which perfectly proved her ability.

How could she not show off?

It was foreseeable that after this, Lin Wan would work harder to shine in the gaming industry, greatly reducing the possibility of going back to inherit the family business.

But at this point, Pei Qian felt indignant.

He looked at Lin Yu sitting across from him, his heart full of grievances.

After all, wasn’t it because you insisted on giving Lin Wan that featured spot?

If you hadn’t given Lin Wan the featured spot, she wouldn’t have thought of turning “Hot Blood Battle Song” into a mobile game, and the game wouldn’t have become popular.

So, 90% of the blame is on you!

Of course, Mr. Pei just thought this to himself and couldn’t say it out loud.

After all, they were all victims.

Fellow sufferers in the same boat—in an avalanche, no snowflake is innocent.

Strictly speaking, Mr. Pei had also made many mistakes.

Thinking of this, Pei Qian silently sighed.

Let’s quickly think of a way to remedy this!

Pei Qian tentatively asked: “So, what are your attitudes now?”

Lin Yu, who hadn’t spoken much, opened her mouth: “My attitude hasn’t changed. I still hope Wan can come back soon.”

“Although she has proven herself this time, I believe there were many coincidental factors involved. I don’t think Wan has fully recognized the cruelty of this industry, nor do I see any meaning in her continuing.”

Pei Qian nodded silently.

Exactly right!

There were indeed many coincidental factors involved—I think so too!

Lin Chang added: “The main thing is that Wan is carefree, just waving her hand and living freely outside. The old man can’t do anything about her, so he keeps putting pressure on me. Mr. Pei, I’m struggling.”

Pei Qian was silent for a moment: “I remember, you previously regretted not becoming a band vocalist and have always supported Lin Wan in pursuing her dreams.”

Lin Chang nodded: “Yes, that was the case before.”

“But Wan has already fulfilled her dream—she’s already made a successful game! And my dream never had a chance to be realized; it completely shattered!”

“So I’m very unbalanced inside. I’ve switched sides!”

Pei Qian: “…”

Indeed, a superficial sibling relationship immediately fell apart under the pressure from old man Lin.

Lin Yu continued: “Of course, I also know that Lin Wan is now your trusted lieutenant, Mr. Pei, serving as the director in your newly acquired Shangyang Games, and you must be very reluctant to part with her…”

Reluctant?

No, no, no, on this point, my attitude is highly consistent with old man Lin’s.

I just hope she can leave soon!

Pei Qian immediately raised his hand: “Director Lin, you’re being too polite.”

Lin Wan’s talent can be better utilized in Shenhua Group. I’m not that kind of selfish person!”

“Please take her away as soon as possible!”

Lin Yu was very pleased: “Mr. Pei, it’s wonderful that you think this way!”

“But we still face the same problem as before—Wan is too stubborn.”

“If our methods are too harsh, it will only be counterproductive.”

“I’m afraid this matter still requires Mr. Pei to think of a good solution.”

Pei Qian drank his coffee, silent.

He could see that Lin Yu and old man Lin had run out of ideas with Lin Wan.

But even if you entrust this matter to me, I don’t have any ideas either!

If I could make Lin Wan go back to inherit the family business, I would have done so long ago. Would I have waited for you to come to me?

Pei Qian silently shook his head: “To be honest, I don’t have any clues about this matter either. I’m afraid I can’t help.”

Lin Chang hurriedly said, “It’s okay! I believe a genius like Mr. Pei will think of a solution. Moreover, Wan trusts you very much now, so your success rate is higher than all of ours.”

“Rest assured, Mr. Pei, you’re not fighting alone. If there’s anything you need, Shenhua Group will certainly do everything possible to support you!”

“After the matter is settled, there will be additional rewards!”

Hmm? Additional rewards?

The kind that can bypass system funds?

Seeing the sincere looks in their eyes, Pei Qian reluctantly nodded: “In that case, I’ll think of something.”