Zhou Muyan immediately agreed: “No problem! I’ll go notify the Longyu Group right away.”

“Even if you hadn’t suggested it, Mr. Pei, I would have requested it myself. After all, I’m afraid your design concepts might be too profound and unconventional. Since you can’t constantly supervise the project development, what would I do if I couldn’t keep up with your thinking or understand your intentions?”

“If we can arrange for an experienced lead designer to drive the project forward, that would be ideal. I’ll just observe and learn from the sidelines, providing whatever assistance I can.”

Pei Qian fell silent for a moment.

Director Zhou, we’re indeed thinking along the same lines, though the process has a tiny billion-fold difference.

Zhou Muyan was delighted: “Great, then it’s settled! I’ll talk to Longyu Group and have them expedite Zhao Xuming’s resignation paperwork. We’ll try to have him in Jingzhou within a couple of days!”

The matter was resolved. Pei Qian had proposed an idea and successfully secured Mr. Zhao, Eric’s golden partner, in return.

Now they just needed to wait patiently for Longyu Group to send him over.

As for the specific game design…

It didn’t matter. Mr. Pei always improvised on the spot anyway, and regardless of his approach, Min Jingchao would successfully fill in the gaps.

From Pei Qian’s perspective, whether the game would fail or become hugely profitable was beyond his control.

If he could control it, wouldn’t he have been bleeding money long ago?

So they would follow the previous process, and success or failure would be left to fate.

The situation with Tianhua Studio was different from Tenda’s gaming department. Even if Mr. Pei provided the ideas and Min Jingchao implemented them, there was no guarantee the game would succeed.

If it succeeded, one could only say it was destiny.

If it failed, they could at least learn some lessons to provide material for future money-losing ventures.

Pei Qian wasn’t in any rush. He waited patiently.

——

October 16th, Tuesday.

Zhao Xuming arrived at the company for work as usual.

After driving into the company parking lot and turning off the engine, Zhao Xuming noticed it wasn’t quite time to clock in yet. He lit a cigarette, planning to sit in his car for a while.

He missed Eric who had left.

For now, he was overseeing all IOI national server matters. He hadn’t received any news about Eric’s current situation.

Previously, Eric made all the decisions while Zhao Xuming happily assisted, sharing the credit but leaving Eric to shoulder any blame. It couldn’t have been more comfortable.

Now he felt constantly exposed, as if a pot lid might slam down on him at any moment. It was unsettling.

“Ah, all for work’s sake.”

Zhao Xuming stubbed out his cigarette, locked his car, and walked toward the parking lot elevator.

He was just going through the motions, grinding through each day. What else could he do?

Based on what Eric had said before leaving, the chances of him returning to continue as Greater China Regional Director were slim. Zhao Xuming felt he needed to prepare himself to work with someone new soon.

But what would the new Greater China Regional Director be like? What if they didn’t collaborate well?

These concerns weighed on his mind.

After arriving at his office and sitting down for just a few minutes, he heard someone knocking.

Looking up, he saw it was Longyu Group’s HR Director—or more formally, the Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Administration.

Zhao Xuming quickly stood up: “Oh? Director Kang? What brings you here? Please, have a seat.”

In terms of rank, Zhao Xuming was slightly below Director Kang. Considering the HR Director’s position required frequent interaction with the boss and control over everyone’s appointments and promotions throughout the entire group, Zhao Xuming didn’t dare to be negligent.

Director Kang sat down on the sofa with a smile: “Mr. Zhao, how’s work going recently?”

Zhao Xuming personally poured tea instead of asking his subordinates to do it: “Thanks to your support, everything’s going smoothly. I just hope Dyarch Group sends a director back soon, otherwise it’s difficult to handle matters that require communication with the parent company.”

Director Kang nodded: “Yes, that’s the inconvenient part of dealing with foreign companies.”

“Well, let’s skip the pleasantries and get straight to the point.”

“Mr. Zhao, I have an agreement here. If you don’t have any objections, please sign it.”

As he spoke, Director Kang took out a prepared agreement and handed it over.

Zhao Xuming was confused but reached out to accept it.

“Contract termination agreement?!”

“What… what does this mean?”

Zhao Xuming was stunned when he saw the title of the agreement.

They’re firing me?

That’s not right. I’ve been passing the buck quite well… I mean, I’ve been doing my work well recently and haven’t made any major mistakes. Why would they want to terminate my contract?

This was a mutual termination agreement, meaning both parties agreed to end the contract, essentially an amicable separation. Aside from continuing to observe the confidentiality clauses, all other provisions including non-compete agreements were being waived.

Zhao Xuming was bewildered.

What’s this about? Encouraging me to jump ship?

Otherwise, why specifically remove the non-compete clause?

Judging from the content of the agreement, it didn’t seem like he was being fired for any major work failure; otherwise, the terms wouldn’t be so generous. But if this was supposed to be an “amicable separation,” why hadn’t he received any prior notification?

It was far too sudden!

Zhao Xuming’s expression kept changing as he struggled to find words.

Director Kang observed this and asked, “Mr. Zhao, is there anything you’re not satisfied with? If so, we can discuss further adjustments.”

Zhao Xuming looked up at Director Kang, then back at the agreement.

Then back at the agreement, and up at Director Kang again.

The whole scene felt extremely bizarre.

It was as if the boss was firing you while considerately asking which termination clauses you weren’t happy with and whether they needed revision. It felt somewhat passive-aggressive.

After reading through everything, Zhao Xuming took a deep breath and asked, “Director Kang, I don’t quite understand. Could you please explain what work failures I’ve committed, or what’s going on? Even if there were failures, shouldn’t I be demoted or reassigned rather than having my contract terminated?”

Director Kang was also taken aback, his face showing confusion.

He hesitated for a moment before asking, “What? Mr. Zhao, don’t you already know about this?”

Zhao Xuming countered, “What… should I know about?”

Director Kang fell silent. He carefully examined Zhao Xuming’s expression and realized he wasn’t pretending.

This was strange indeed!

Director Kang and other Longyu Group executives had assumed Zhao Xuming had already established connections with Tenda!

Logically, if Mr. Pei personally requested to poach someone, wouldn’t he have met with Zhao Xuming many times and had numerous discussions before deciding on him?

So, during executive meetings, they hadn’t notified Zhao Xuming, and Director Kang had come today with the agreement in hand, skipping any explanatory preamble.

Everyone assumed Mr. Zhao already knew everything, so what was there to explain? It would be redundant.

But from the current situation, it seemed Mr. Zhao knew nothing…

Had Mr. Pei specifically requested him without any prior communication with Zhao Xuming?

That… seemed excessively hasty.

Or was Zhao Xuming acting?

But he had no reason to act!

Director Kang tentatively asked, “You don’t know that Mr. Pei personally requested you from our company?”

Zhao Xuming: “Re-requested me?”

Director Kang nodded: “Yes, he asked for you by name. The executives have already reached a consensus to let you go to Tenda, but on the condition that you co-develop a game with Tenda and Tianhua Studio.”

“Once you sign this termination agreement, Mr. Zhao, you’ll be free to join Tenda.”

Zhao Xuming was shocked: “Wait!”

“Why wasn’t I consulted about this?!”

“I never said I wanted to go to Tenda! In fact, I’m quite satisfied with our company and wasn’t planning to leave!”

Director Kang gave a meaningful smile, as if saying “stop pretending.”

“Mr. Zhao, which gaming company in China—no, which internet company doesn’t want to join Tenda? To be honest…”

He lowered his voice: “I’d like to go myself.”

Zhao Xuming’s mouth opened slightly: “You…”

He looked at the agreement in his hand: “What if I don’t sign? What if I don’t go to Tenda?”

Director Kang looked troubled: “In that case… the game collaboration with Tenda would fall through, and the executives would probably be very upset…”

Zhao Xuming: “…”

He’d heard enough.

So even if he stayed, he’d be treated poorly!

Zhao Xuming suddenly understood how princesses in feudal times felt when they were sent far away to marry for political alliances.

The peace treaty had been signed, the tribute from foreign tribes accepted—you think you can just refuse to go? Impossible!

They’d drag you there if they had to!

“But my home is in Magic City, and my wife and children are all there. I…” Zhao Xuming still felt the situation was too sudden, and he wasn’t prepared.

Director Kang patted his shoulder: “Old Zhao, you’re overthinking this.”

“Going to Tenda, do you still need to worry about these things? Whether it’s taking flights, high-speed trains, or relocating your entire family, these are easily solvable issues. You know Tenda’s status in Jingzhou—how could Mr. Pei not be able to arrange such minor matters?”

“Anyway, sign quickly. The sooner we send you over, the sooner the new game development can begin.”

“The sooner the development starts, the sooner it launches and makes money.”

“With games, a difference of one day can mean several million in profits.”

“Be sensible and don’t act coy after getting such a good deal. Hurry up.”

Zhao Xuming: “…”

How is this “acting coy after getting a good deal”!

I’m a loyal servant of Longyu Group! I’ve already said I don’t want to go anywhere!

Well, Tenda isn’t bad either…

After wrestling with his thoughts for a while, Zhao Xuming suddenly realized his hesitation was meaningless.

If he had to apply to Tenda himself, he definitely wouldn’t go—it would be too embarrassing.

But now that Mr. Pei had personally requested him, he felt… well… quite valued. Why not go?

With that thought, Zhao Xuming picked up the pen and quickly signed his name on the agreement.

Director Kang took the agreement, flipped through it, and nodded with satisfaction. His mission was successfully completed.

“Good, I won’t disturb you anymore. Please pack your things quickly, Mr. Zhao.”

Watching Director Kang leave, Zhao Xuming felt like he was living in a dream.

If not for his copy of the agreement still sitting on the desk, he might truly have thought he was dreaming.

After a daze, Zhao Xuming silently opened his phone and booked a high-speed train ticket to Jingzhou.