December 12th, Wednesday.

Yangcheng, Tianhuo Studio.

Min Jingchao was busy with his work, not noticing that Sun Xi had already quietly pulled up a chair and sat down beside him.

“Brother Chao, I heard that the Suffering Journey is officially opening for reservations today. Are you sure everything has been properly arranged?” Sun Xi’s face was full of anxiety.

He was panicking!

Previously, Zhou Muyan had already said that he would arrange the Suffering Journey for everyone in the project team. Sun Xi couldn’t help but watch Qiao Laoshi’s livestreams more often lately, and the more he watched, the more his heart sank.

This was only the training phase in the first month, and it was already this miserable. Next month would be the real suffering—what kind of scene would that be?

However, there had been some new developments in the past couple of days. Min Jingchao said he had already properly resolved this issue and told Sun Xi to wait and see.

Min Jingchao hadn’t revealed exactly how he resolved it, so Sun Xi couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

Seeing Sun Xi’s panicked expression, Min Jingchao couldn’t help but smile.

Who was it that said they envied Tenda employees for being able to go on the Suffering Journey?

People are all the same—they only see thieves eating meat, not getting beaten.

Only when it’s your turn do you know regret.

But fortunately, big brother is here!

Min Jingchao patted his chest loudly: “Don’t worry, I’ve already taken care of both sides!”

“I also casually explored Mr. Zhou’s bottom line and set a price that Mr. Zhou would most likely give up on.”

“If it were just sending one or two people, it wouldn’t matter, but at the current price for the entire project team, Mr. Zhou definitely won’t be willing to spend that much. So don’t worry!”

Sun Xi’s face broke into a smile: “Really? Then I’ll wait and see!”

After temporarily putting his mind at ease, Sun Xi returned to his workstation and continued working.

After more than an hour, Sun Xi came back.

Only this time, his face no longer wore that anxious expression, but was filled with excitement.

“Brother Chao, you’re really amazing!”

“The Suffering Journey just released an announcement, officially starting external reservations and sign-ups. The price is fifty thousand per person!”

“At this price, Mr. Zhou definitely won’t be willing to send the entire project team. This is great!”

Min Jingchao couldn’t help but smile: “Hehe, it’s nothing, it’s nothing, all within my plans.”

On the surface, he appeared calm and collected, but inside, he was silently giving himself a thumbs up.

What about Bao Xu? He still fell for my few persuasive words!

Min Jingchao temporarily put aside his work and opened the official website of the Suffering Journey to check the announcement.

“Oh, they’ve added a lot of benefits. It looks like they’ve collaborated with other departments.”

“As expected, after all, if you want to raise the price, you must add value.”

“Hmm… I must say, it’s quite attractive. But it doesn’t matter. These benefits are very tempting for individuals, but for someone like Mr. Zhou who plans to send employees as a group, they don’t have much appeal.”

“…Why does this mechanism seem tailored for people like Qiao Laoshi? With all these upgrades, game experiences, game privileges, and even grand medals—isn’t this especially attractive to streamers, content creators, and self-proclaimed loyal fans of Tenda games like Qiao Laoshi?”

“Could it be deliberately targeted?”

“Ahem, no way, no way. People can’t, or at least shouldn’t, be so black-hearted. I believe Brother Bao still has a hint of conscience that hasn’t been extinguished. Besides, he has no grudge against Qiao Laoshi, why would he target him?”

Min Jingchao didn’t carefully look at the content of these benefits because he didn’t care at all.

Aren’t they just some fake titles? Life goes on without them too.

As a clear-headed person, one must never be tempted by such petty benefits.

Anyway, the goal of persuading Bao Xu to raise the price had been perfectly achieved.

Just as Min Jingchao and Sun Xi were secretly rejoicing, they saw Zhou Muyan send a message on the internal chat software: “Jingchao, come to my office with Sun Xi.”

“Hmm?”

Min Jingchao couldn’t help but feel a rush of joy.

This was obviously calling them over to discuss canceling the Suffering Journey!

Zhou Muyan was still a boss who fully respected employees’ opinions on the surface. He had previously agreed to send everyone in the project team to the Suffering Journey, but now because of the price, he wanted to cancel it. He definitely needed to put on a show of communicating with the two of them.

It wouldn’t be completely canceled, but rather replaced with other options.

This was perfect—Min Jingchao and Sun Xi could take this opportunity to go with the flow, express their firm support for Zhou Muyan’s wise decision, and seize the chance to propose a few comfortable and constructive alternatives.

This major crisis of the Suffering Journey could then be easily put behind them.

Min Jingchao and Sun Xi exchanged a smile, quickly aligned on their approach, and then went to Zhou Muyan’s office.

Zhou Muyan’s expression was somewhat conflicted. Seeing the two of them, he said somewhat embarrassedly: “The Suffering Journey started accepting reservations today, and the price has been announced. You both know about this, right?”

Sun Xi hurriedly shook his head: “No, I haven’t been paying attention to this at all. Mr. Zhou, you can arrange as you see fit. Actually, I think this Suffering Journey is just so-so. It doesn’t matter whether we go or not. We should focus on development work now.”

Zhou Muyan coughed lightly and then looked at Min Jingchao: “Ahem, Jingchao, your inside information was really accurate. The Suffering Journey’s price really is fifty thousand yuan per person.”

“I think that fifty thousand per person does indeed lack cost-effectiveness. There are actually many better options to choose from.”

“Moreover, arranging for the entire project team to go at this level of expense isn’t very appropriate. On one hand, the cost-effectiveness is poor; on the other hand, everyone has different habits and hobbies. This one-size-fits-all approach is somewhat unsuitable.”

“Why don’t we consider other options? A budget of twenty to thirty thousand per person can provide a very good experience.”

Min Jingchao and Sun Xi immediately nodded vigorously: “Exactly, that’s what we think too!”

“The cost-effectiveness of the Suffering Journey is indeed too low. Mr. Zhou, you can arrange as you see fit. We’ll go along with whatever you decide!”

Zhou Muyan was very satisfied with the attitude of the two and nodded slightly before saying: “Good. Actually, I’ve had people preliminarily explore several options. If we stay domestic, we can play for a relatively longer time and visit some scenic spots. If we go abroad, we can consider skiing in Europe, soaking in hot springs in Japan, or vacationing on an island—those are also good choices.”

“What do you think?”

Min Jingchao and Sun Xi tried hard not to show their wild joy: “Mr. Zhou, you can arrange as you see fit. We’ll go along with whatever you decide!”

Wow, skiing, hot springs—any of those would be a hundred times better than going on the Suffering Journey!

We’re not picky; as long as we don’t have to suffer, anywhere is fine!

Sun Xi knew very well that the previous Zhou Muyan would never have organized such a large-scale team-building activity.

This time, it was obviously thanks to Min Jingchao. Zhou Muyan had previously promised to send the entire project team on the Suffering Journey. After changing his mind, he felt a bit embarrassed, so he offered these options as a kind of compensation.

In any case, it was like going from hell to heaven!

“However…” Zhou Muyan changed his tone: “As a boss, I can’t easily go back on my word. It was you who specifically expressed a desire to go on the Suffering Journey. For other members of the project team who don’t have such a strong desire, that’s fine, but for you, I feel I should fulfill this request.”

“So what I’m thinking is, the rest of the project team will follow the alternative plan, but you key members will still go on the Suffering Journey! Although your position and treatment are higher than others, you’ve certainly contributed more to the project team. I believe the others won’t have any complaints.”

Sun Xi’s face changed on the spot.

Oh no!

What kind of act was Mr. Zhou putting on? Don’t scare me like this—my poor heart can’t take this kind of torment!

Min Jingchao reacted quickly, as expected from someone who had been trained at Tenda, and hurriedly said: “Mr. Zhou, this is very inappropriate!”

“As key members, we especially should not enjoy special privileges. We should stand in close solidarity with ordinary members. Wherever they go, we go too. We absolutely cannot have special treatment!”

Sun Xi also reacted and immediately agreed: “That’s right, Mr. Zhou. We absolutely refuse special treatment. We must share the same joys and sorrows as the rest of the project team!”

Zhou Muyan was still hesitant: “This doesn’t seem right. Actually, I think the Suffering Journey is quite good; it’s just that the price is a bit expensive. You did strongly request it at the time…”

Min Jingchao hurriedly said: “No, no, no, we didn’t strongly request it at the time. We just mentioned it casually. Please don’t overthink it, Mr. Zhou. It really doesn’t matter whether we go or not!”

While they were still debating, the phone on Zhou Muyan’s desk rang.

The three temporarily stopped their discussion; obviously, Mr. Zhou’s important matters took precedence.

Zhou Muyan picked up the desk phone: “Hello? Ah, yes, it’s me. You are…?”

“Oh, oh, oh! I’ve heard so much about you. I remember we met once before. Alas, things have changed, it’s quite saddening.”

Min Jingchao and Sun Xi silently exchanged glances, thinking, is this an old friend of Mr. Zhou’s?

They were a bit hesitant about whether to leave and give some privacy, but seeing that Mr. Zhou didn’t seem to mind, they stayed.

“What?”

“Well… I did have this plan, but the price is slightly, just slightly beyond the budget, so…”

“Hmm? A discount? Half price?!”

“Oh my, I have quite a few people… all at half price?”

“How could I accept such generosity! Thank you, thank you so much!”

“Yes, yes, yes, next time you come to Yangcheng, I must treat you to drinks!”

Min Jingchao listened in confusion. What was Mr. Zhou’s old friend saying about half price? Was Mr. Zhou buying something from his old friend?

Zhou Muyan’s face was wreathed in smiles: “Then let’s settle on that. Keep the spots reserved for me, and by the way, send my regards to Mr. Pei. Bye-bye.”

Upon hearing the words “send my regards to Mr. Pei,” Min Jingchao and Sun Xi’s hearts sank, instantly turning cold.

Oh no, this isn’t right!

Could Mr. Zhou’s so-called “friend he had met once”… be…

Zhou Muyan was all smiles: “Great, this issue has been properly resolved! You don’t have to compromise anymore!”

“Jingchao, Bao Xu asked me to send his regards to you.”

“He’s arranged a 50% discount for the entire ‘Bullet Mark 2’ project team!”