Seeing Mr. Pei’s incoming call, Qiao Liang was both surprised and delighted.

In that instant, many thoughts flashed through his mind.

How did Mr. Pei know I was at Thrillseeker Lodge?

Did someone privately tell Mr. Pei?

Or perhaps Mr. Pei didn’t know, and just happened to remember me as a friend, calling to invite me to visit Thrillseeker Lodge?

He hurriedly answered.

“Mr. Pei!”

For some reason, though not a word had been exchanged yet, Qiao Liang was as excited as if reuniting with an old friend.

On the other end of the call, hearing Qiao Liang’s emotion-filled voice, Pei Qian couldn’t help but feel a chill down his spine.

Unsolicited favors—either treachery or theft!

This Qiao Liang must be gearing up to backstab me; otherwise, why would he sound so friendly?

Of course, to avoid angering Qiao Laoshi and causing a counterproductive effect, Pei Qian still tried to remain calm and gently persuasive.

“Old Qiao, I hear you’re already at Thrillseeker Lodge, preparing to challenge ‘Ultimate Horror’?”

To avoid wasting time or conveying the wrong information, Pei Qian got straight to the point, focusing on the main issue.

Qiao Liang was momentarily stunned, then felt inexplicably touched.

As the saying goes, what’s most frightening is a friend’s sudden concern.

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

But how busy was Mr. Pei! How many matters did he have to handle every day!

Even for the opening of Thrillseeker Lodge, Mr. Pei didn’t have time to come take a look.

Despite this, Mr. Pei had been keeping an eye on him, knew he had arrived at Thrillseeker Lodge, and even knew he was going to challenge “Ultimate Horror,” especially calling to check on him.

Such friendship was truly moving!

Qiao Liang was deeply touched: “Mr. Pei, say no more, I understand! Everything is understood without words!”

Pei Qian: “?”

What the hell did you understand from what I said? Just answer my question directly!

Has communication between people become so difficult?

I got straight to the point, yet you still misunderstand? Has your ability to overthink developed to such a terrifying level?

Pei Qian coughed lightly twice, feeling he needed to speed things up, otherwise, this conversation would go off track.

“Old Qiao, I must very sincerely remind you.”

“The Thrillseeker Lodge project was created to torment visitors. What profound meaning could pure horror have? I didn’t put any puzzles in there, truly!”

“Were you fooled by Ruan Guangjian? That guy has a twisted sense of humor; he always pretends to be scared but loves tricking people into haunted houses to get frightened. Don’t be deceived!”

“Satisfying a momentary impulse harms your own body and wastes your time—it’s not worth it!”

Pei Qian tried to make his tone sound very sincere.

Qiao Liang was even more moved.

“Yes, Mr. Pei! I noticed that too!”

He glanced at Ruan Guangjian’s location and lowered his voice: “Ruan Guangjian is suspicious! He’s too despicable! Only someone as broad-minded as you, Mr. Pei, could 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 quite petty!

Next, Qiao Liang changed his tone: “Mr. Pei, I appreciate your kindness, but going to experience ‘Ultimate Horror’ is my own decision, not because I was fooled!”

“I believe that you, who once created ‘Game Producer’ and ‘Turn Back to Shore,’ will not disappoint me! Even if ‘Ultimate Horror’ is truly terrifying, I’ve decided to give it a try!”

Pei Qian: “?”

Great, he’s not listening.

Qiao Laoshi has gotten himself stuck in a mental trap!

Pei Qian was speechless. Do you think I want to go to all this trouble to persuade you? Go ahead and die if you want; I couldn’t care less about collecting your corpse!

If I weren’t afraid of you coming back from the dead to backstab me, making a video promoting the content of “Ultimate Horror,” I wouldn’t care whether you lived or died!

But it seemed that Qiao Laoshi had fallen into a cognitive bias.

The more Pei Qian emphasized how terrifying it was, the more likely it would have the opposite effect.

Pei Qian decided to change tactics.

If the hard approach didn’t work, try the soft one. Qiao Laoshi was, after all, a faithful practitioner of the “actually, this is nice” principle.

Pei Qian thought for a moment: “Old Qiao, you need to understand one thing: you’re a well-known content creator, your time is very valuable, and your health is precious. Why not do something more meaningful?”

Qiao Liang paused: “Like what?”

Pei Qian considered for a moment: “For instance, enjoying food at the Nameless Restaurant? Experiencing GOG at the E-sports Life Hall? Or even just taking in the local culture of Jingzhou!”

“How about this: come to Tenda headquarters right now, and I’ll allow you to preview a part of the new game. How does that sound?”

“But if you still insist on experiencing ‘Ultimate Horror’…”

“Then all of these offers will be off the table.”

Pei Qian played his trump card, forcing Qiao Laoshi to choose!

Would you rather be a VIP guest in Jingzhou with all expenses paid, dining at the Nameless Restaurant, playing games for free at Slackin’ Internet Café 3.0?

Or would you give all that up just to suffer in “Ultimate Horror”?

As a rational person, this should be an easy choice, right?

Making these offers was also a big sacrifice for Pei Qian.

Because he never forgot that Qiao Liang was an influential content creator, and wherever Pei Qian took him could potentially become popular because of him.

It was precisely for this reason that Pei Qian didn’t mention Tuoguan Fitness or Sloth Apartments, only projects that were already popular and wouldn’t be harmed much by additional exposure.

As for “Struggle,” Qiao Liang would buy and play it after its release anyway, so the backstabbing “Masterpiece” series was probably unavoidable.

Using this as bait, letting him play it a bit early, as long as it could protect Thrillseeker Lodge, it would still be worth it.

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

Mr. Pei’s words had hit him with a double blow.

The claim that “‘Ultimate Horror’ has no substantial content, and you as a well-known content creator should invest your time more meaningfully” struck at the theoretical foundation of his desire to experience “Ultimate Horror.”

And the series of generous offers struck at his material foundation.

He was tempted!

On one side was a suffering-inducing haunted house, on the other were delicious food, a high-end internet café, and a new game—even a fool would know which to choose!

Qiao Liang unconsciously swallowed and, after a few seconds of hesitation, said: “Well… alright, Mr. Pei. I’m someone who listens to advice.”

Pei Qian was pleased.

See, see!

Qiao Laoshi is quite sensible!

This is good for both of us, not hurting each other, isn’t that better?

“Good, I’ll arrange for someone to reserve a spot for you at the E-sports Life Hall right away. Make sure to come!” Pei Qian happily hung up the phone.

Qiao Liang put down the phone and looked at the golden lantern in his hand, filled with mixed emotions.

All the mental preparation he had done today was for nothing.

He wasn’t going!

Since Mr. Pei, his friend, had personally spoken up, why should he go through that suffering? Wouldn’t it be better to play games at the internet café and preview Mr. Pei’s new work?

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

His action immediately alerted everyone.

Earlier, when he was on the phone, although he had deliberately lowered his voice midway, the initial “Mr. Pei” had given it away.

Now, seeing him hang up and prepare to return the golden lantern, it was obvious he was backing out!

Ruan Guangjian immediately stepped forward and asked with concern: “What’s wrong? Want to challenge a higher difficulty? The little devil headpiece is over there.”

Qiao Liang almost laughed from anger.

Still talking about the little devil headpiece? I think you look quite like a little devil yourself!

Do you just want me to die in there or what?

Look at Mr. Pei, especially calling to care for and check on me.

And you? You’re afraid I won’t die quickly enough!

How can the difference in how people behave be so vast?

Thankfully, Mr. Pei has already exposed your hypocritical mask to me!

Qiao Liang chuckled: “No thanks. Mr. Pei just called and said this ‘Ultimate Horror’ is just a simple haunted house, with no philosophical thinking behind it at all, and no connection whatsoever to the new game. I do not need to go in!”

“Not only that, Mr. Pei has arranged a series of reception activities for me. If I go to ‘Ultimate Horror,’ all these reception activities will be canceled.”

“So, goodbye everyone, I’m off to enjoy myself with Mr. Pei!”

Everyone was shocked.

It’s over!

Why did Mr. Pei call to sabotage things?

Looking at Qiao Laoshi’s expression, he had been persuaded and had completely abandoned the idea of experiencing “Ultimate Horror”!

They wanted to persuade him further, but how?

Mr. Pei had already personally called to settle the matter, saying there was no philosophical thinking in this project, that it was just a simple haunted house.

All the points that had motivated Qiao Laoshi earlier had been deconstructed by Mr. Pei!

“Ahem.”

At this moment, Li Shi, who had been wandering nearby, stepped forward and cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention.

“Young Brother Qiao, you seem to have made a serious mistake.”

“Could it be that you don’t understand Mr. Pei well enough?”

Qiao Liang was stunned, then his face filled with defiance.

I don’t understand Mr. Pei well enough.

Don’t be ridiculous, I’m the person who understands Mr. Pei best in the world!

Do you know who proposed the concept that “being misinterpreted is the fate of the expresser”? It was me!

Do you know who made several episodes of “Masterpiece,” comprehensively interpreting Mr. Pei’s game design philosophy? It was still me!

You say I don’t understand Mr. Pei well enough? What a huge joke!

However, before Qiao Liang could retort, Li Shi had already continued.

“Don’t misunderstand, I know your ability to interpret Mr. Pei’s games is unparalleled, but… You probably haven’t interacted much with Mr. Pei in daily life and work, have you?”

“You probably don’t understand his style of speaking and acting, do you?”

Qiao Liang was dumbfounded.

It seemed… this was indeed the case.

His interaction with Mr. Pei was more of a spiritual exchange—Mr. Pei would create a game, and he would solve the puzzles within.

In real life, one was in the capital, the other in Jingzhou; they didn’t interact, let alone understand Mr. Pei’s style of action.

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

He proudly said, “In this aspect, I have more understanding!”

“Mr. Pei has a habit of ‘testing’ people. Just like when we investors were following up on Mr. Pei’s projects, Mr. Pei would find ways to discourage us.”

“Only those who steadfastly followed through would gain Mr. Pei’s trust!”

“Think carefully, is it believable that Mr. Pei said this is just a simple haunted house?”

“Is it possible that he said he didn’t incorporate any philosophical thinking into it?”

“Mr. Pei is a perfectionist who doesn’t follow conventional paths. Even a shopping mall was turned into the Golden Maze! ‘Ultimate Horror,’ the crown jewel of Thrillseeker Lodge, could it possibly be just an ordinary haunted house?”

“If the answer is no, then think again.”

“Since this place has had so much of Mr. Pei’s heart and money invested in it, from what standpoint would he try to dissuade you from experiencing it?”

“This is a test, to see if your will is strong enough, if you can experience the entire ‘Ultimate Horror’ and produce an excellent video about it!”

“If you’re dissuaded… then I can only regretfully say, it ends here.”

“With your understanding of Mr. Pei, combined with what I just said, think it over carefully.”

Qiao Liang was stunned.

He hadn’t expected there to be so many twists and turns in this matter.

But carefully pondering Li’s words, it seemed… quite reasonable?

Yes, Mr. Pei’s motives did seem questionable. Why would he offer so many generous conditions just to prevent me from entering “Ultimate Horror”?

This indeed seemed a bit unreasonable!

So… Li’s analysis was probably the truth.

Mr. Pei was testing me!

Did he think I could interpret games but not necessarily the ability to interpret the haunted house of Thrillseeker Lodge?

If I retreat in the face of difficulty, would I forever lose the chance to interpret “Ultimate Horror”? Just like those dissuaded investors who forever lost the opportunity to invest?

Qiao Liang had always claimed to be the person who understood Mr. Pei best, yet he couldn’t even guess Mr. Pei’s implied meaning.

This made him feel somewhat ashamed.

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

“I, Qiao Laoshi, am second to none in my life!”

“The puzzle left by Mr. Pei must be solved by me!”