At this moment, inside the “Desperate Plan” incubation base in the imperial capital, Qiu Hong was in a state of worry.

Because in his view, the games produced by this incubation base were somewhat lacking.

It had been two months since the incubation base started operating, and many independent game developers had already been working on their games for some time before coming to the incubation base. Logically speaking, they should have been able to produce some results by now.

After all, these were independent games – the investment and workload weren’t that large, aiming for a small but beautiful approach.

However, just fixing bugs alone had exhausted everyone thoroughly.

Two games had been released, but for various reasons, the reception could hardly be called good.

Qiu Hong briefly summarized the situation and felt it was mainly due to capability issues.

Even providing these independent game designers with relevant support didn’t guarantee their games would succeed.

Because game development itself was something with very low success rates, and independent game development was even more so. This was because independent game creators themselves had plenty of inspiration and passion but lacked capability – otherwise, they could just work for proper game companies instead of choosing the path of independent games that neither made money nor was easy.

This put tremendous pressure on Qiu Hong.

He knew Mr. Pei had high hopes for this independent game incubation base, never hesitating when it came to providing funds. He himself was a small but notable successful game developer, yet after all this time, he had failed to produce any results – it was truly embarrassing.

“Ink Cloud Smoke” and several other games that Qiu Hong had been closely monitoring were still unable to release due to various bugs and details, possibly needing to be delayed to next month.

No matter how anxious Qiu Hong was, without any games ready for release, it was all for nothing.

Just then, his phone rang – a call from Mr. Pei.

Qiu Hong’s heart skipped a beat: Could Mr. Pei be calling to question him?

Earlier, when he submitted the weekly work report from the incubation base, he had an ominous feeling. Now that Mr. Pei was personally calling, didn’t this mean his premonition had come true?

Qiu Hong quickly answered the phone: “Mr. Pei!”

On the phone, Mr. Pei’s voice was very amiable, even carrying a hint of cheerfulness: “Qiu, I’ve already understood the situation at the incubation base – you’re doing extremely successfully! Things are going great, you must keep it up, understand?”

Huh?

A question mark slowly appeared above Qiu Hong’s head, almost thinking he’d misheard or that Mr. Pei had dialed the wrong number.

But thinking carefully, there shouldn’t be a mistake – Mr. Pei was talking about the incubation base.

Things are going great? Extremely successful?

Qiu Hong felt very confused: “Mr. Pei, you’re calling the current situation extremely successful? Is there some discrepancy in my definition of ‘success’?”

“The two games we’ve released clearly had poor sales…”

Pei Qian chuckled: “This certainly counts as extremely successful!”

“Qiu, clearly your evaluation standards are problematic. You should think of it this way: these independent game designers couldn’t even complete and release their games before. With the incubation base’s help, they were able to finish their games and present them to players – isn’t this tremendous progress and success?”

“Don’t think about what score you got on the test. At least you could independently complete the entire exam paper, filling in all the questions that needed answers, submitting it normally – this itself is progress!”

“People need to take things slowly. How could an independent game incubation base start making money just two months after being established? Too eager for quick success! This mentality won’t do.”

Qiu Hong listened in bewilderment, looking somewhat dazed.

Although what Mr. Pei said made sense, something still felt off.

Could it be that my work is actually excellent, I just haven’t realized it myself?

The sudden praise almost threw Qiu Hong off balance.

“However…” Pei Qian’s tone shifted, “there are still some problems with your work that I must point out now for you to correct quickly.”

Qiu Hong exhaled in relief – this was more like it!

How could my work be perfect? I wouldn’t believe it myself.

He quickly said: “Please speak directly, Mr. Pei. I’m all ears.”

Pei Qian said: “I saw in your work report that you plan to have the creators of these two games rest a bit before starting design and development of another independent game? This isn’t appropriate.”

Qiu Hong was silent for a moment, then said: “Mr. Pei, you mean…”

“Should we fire them?”

Qiu Hong could tell Mr. Pei was obviously dissatisfied with his arrangement.

These two designers had finished their games, and market reception was poor, so Qiu Hong planned to have them immediately start new games. The incubation base couldn’t support freeloaders.

But Mr. Pei felt this wasn’t appropriate – could it be because he thought these two weren’t worthy and should be kicked out and replaced sooner?

On the other end of the phone, Pei Qian nearly choked on his breath.

This Qiu Hong – what comprehension skills!

Such a trusted lieutenant, and you want to fire them?

Pei Qian quickly said: “Your understanding is way off base! What I mean is, modify, optimize, and remake these two games until they’re accepted by the market, understand?”

“Every independent game is a crystallization of a designer’s inspiration and wisdom. If a game doesn’t win players’ favor, that doesn’t mean the concept is bad – it only means the way of expressing this concept isn’t mature enough!”

“If every idea is just superficially attempted and then abandoned, how could it possibly succeed?”

“Games that don’t succeed – just pour money into remaking them until they become successful!”

Qiu Hong listened in astonishment.

Other game companies promptly cut failed projects to stop losses; but Mr. Pei was doing the opposite, increasing efforts to keep failed projects alive!

By common sense, this was very foolish behavior. After all, if the game itself had already been rejected by the market, rather than making major changes, it would be better to make something new.

But Mr. Pei’s tone was extremely firm, so confident that it made Qiu Hong feel: what he’s saying makes perfect sense! It’s me who was wrong?

Qiu Hong thought for a moment: “Well… there must be some upper limit to investment, right? One million? Two million? Independent games can’t handle more!”

Pei Qian was silent for a moment, then said: “Don’t let money limit precious imagination.”

“If a game can only achieve its best effect with a five million investment, but you limit it to two million, how could it possibly succeed?”

“Since we’ve decided to do it, we must do it to the best, understand?”

Qiu Hong: “…Alright.”

…

After hanging up, Pei Qian continued reviewing reports from other departments.

Just then, knocking came from outside – it was He Desheng.

“Mr. Pei, I’d like to briefly report on the situation with Cold Noodle Lady. The written report doesn’t cover it clearly in just a few words, so I thought it better to report in person.”

Pei Qian nodded: “Mm, go ahead.”

He Desheng briefly explained the situation with Cold Noodle Lady.

After Meng Chang sold off all his shares, he completely severed ties with Cold Noodle Lady and abandoned it. However, most of Cold Noodle Lady’s original employees remained.

Although the company had no money and salary payments were delayed, finding new jobs isn’t that quick.

Many people heard the company was finished and were dejectedly looking for work, but before they found new jobs, they heard their original jobs were saved.

These people had been reassigned back to their positions. Cold Noodle Lady’s stores would soon reopen and begin normal operations.

Of course, Dream Venture Capital had allocated another sum of money for the normal operation of Cold Noodle Lady’s various stores.

He Desheng asked: “Mr. Pei, should we continue with Cold Noodle Lady’s previous marketing activities?”

Previously, Meng Chang spent money like water, mainly because marketing costs were excessive – buying trending topics, advertising, and even renting venues for conferences.

If only subsidizing and maintaining daily store operations, spending would be relatively slow.

Pei Qian thought for a moment: “Let’s put everything on hold for now and consider our options.”

Although continuing these marketing activities would spend money quickly, Cold Noodle Lady had changed ownership from Meng Chang to Tenda. Considering Tenda’s influence, publicizing this might have some unknown impact on Cold Noodle Lady.

So Pei Qian decided to observe first. Having finally found something that could steadily lose money, he didn’t want to mess it up immediately after taking over.

Moreover, many marketing activities wouldn’t work without Meng Chang at the helm – like those conferences. Pei Qian certainly couldn’t replace him – that would be inappropriate.

He Desheng hesitated briefly, then said: “Mr. Pei, other marketing activities can be paused, but there’s one ‘Street Food Vendor Competition’ where significant effort has already been put into finding participating vendors from across the country. The competition is scheduled for next week. Should we still proceed?”

Pei Qian was stunned.

Street Food Vendor Competition?

Meng Chang was quite creative – how did he come up with this marketing activity?

Pei Qian immediately understood Meng Chang’s intention: He wanted to invite food vendors from across the country to serve as supporting cast to make Cold Noodle Lady look better by comparison – this would definitely create buzz and good advertising effect.

Pei Qian was genuinely interested. He nodded: “This sounds good, let’s proceed as planned.”

He Desheng nodded: “Alright, Mr. Pei. Then there’s nothing else.”

Just as he was about to leave, Pei Qian called him back.

“What’s Meng Chang doing now?”

He Desheng replied: “He seems to have approached many investors but was rejected by all of them. His chances of recovery are essentially zero.”

“Some failed entrepreneurs appear to have comeback opportunities, but that’s usually because they have either a good family background, connections, resources, or a fan base… Meng Chang actually has nothing except personal ability. This is fatal.”

“However, if Meng Chang humbles himself and takes on work he looks down upon, working steadily for a decade or so… the money should eventually be repaid.”

Pei Qian thought for a moment: “If he really has nowhere else to turn and comes to me, I might consider giving him work.”

He Desheng: “Alright, Mr. Pei. Should he still manage Cold Noodle Lady?”

Pei Qian shook his head: “No. We’ll discuss it when the time comes.”