After touring the entire “Inspiration Class” facility, Cui Geng discovered the environment far exceeded his imagination!
The TVs, single-person recliners, even the dedicated theater room – while not surpassing actual cinema experiences, they absolutely outclassed all other viewing venues.
Beyond movies, the space offered abundant story-rich single-player games, novels, and manga, creating an immense inspiration treasure trove.
Most importantly, the “Inspiration Class” eliminated “dark rooms” entirely, placing zero restrictions on authors’ creative time. If desired, one could spend two straight weeks watching movies without writing a single word – perfectly acceptable!
For Cui Geng, this environment felt dreamlike.
Setting up such equipment personally would cost at least thirty to fifty thousand yuan, not counting the substantial licensed Blu-ray movies, books, and exclusive theater room – combined costs beyond most creators’ means.
Not only did they provide food and lodging, but written works would earn extremely high buyout rates. Such conditions were beyond imagination!
Previously, Cui Geng considered himself an author with ideals and pursuits – how could he accept buyout work?
But now? Irresistible!
Bring on more of this buyout model!
Seeing Cui Geng’s thrilled expression, the editor smiled: “Ah, truly envy you all. I’d love joining this ‘Inspiration Class,’ but lack qualification.”
“Once ‘Inspiration Class’ officially opens tomorrow, experience three days first.”
“Oh, heard Mr. Pei will visit tomorrow to observe the ‘Inspiration Class’ effectiveness.”
“During this period, experience first, then decide whether to accept the buyout model and specific genre direction.”
Cui Geng’s eyes lit up: “Ah? Mr. Pei’s coming too?”
What a pleasant surprise.
Cui Geng had encountered Mr. Pei several times – like when Mr. Pei found time for dinner and granted him “special observer” status.
Cui Geng’s current success deeply connected with Mr. Pei’s inspiration.
Somehow, Cui Geng always felt good fortune accompanied meeting Mr. Pei or any connection to him.
This personal inspection might spark inspiration through casual discussion?
Cui Geng anticipated eagerly.
…
…
February 9, Thursday.
Morning. Pei Qian arrived at “Inspiration Class” by car to check authors’ current situation.
While Endpoint Chinese Network wasn’t among Tenda Group’s most profitable ventures, Pei Qian valued it highly.
Especially the “Inspiration Class” – his own brainchild. Success meant capturing all Endpoint Chinese Network’s top authors, significantly slowing the site’s earning pace. Truly significant.
Thus, Pei Qian felt personal inspection necessary.
Arriving at “Inspiration Class,” Pei Qian first observed from the entrance.
Endpoint Chinese Network authors comfortably lounged in recliners, some deeply engaged in movies, others gaming with controllers, reading physical books.
Initially resembling an internet caf̩, but distinct Рmore like a massive entertainment room.
The adjacent “writing zone” stood empty, completely deserted.
Only regrettably, “Inspiration Class” currently hosted few people – merely ten or so, occupying minimal seating.
Many top authors’ novels remained incomplete, still serializing. They couldn’t simply abandon current works for buyouts.
More authors would arrive gradually.
These ten arrivals, like Cui Geng, had completed previous works before joining “Inspiration Class.” With finished works, they lacked update pressure, explaining the abandoned writing zone.
Pei Qian felt immensely satisfied.
Excellent!
Keep watching movies, gaming – delay writing indefinitely.
Among the crowd, Pei Qian immediately spotted Cui Geng, focusing attention on him.
Cui Geng was among Endpoint Chinese Network’s earliest successful authors, directly popularizing the site’s urban fiction section – marking a pivotal moment for Endpoint Chinese Network.
More infuriatingly, despite high expectations and granting “special observer” status, Cui Geng hadn’t diminished departmental efficiency; instead, he produced another hit novel, stabbing Pei Qian in the back!
But this time surely differed.
As widely known, Cui Geng lacked motivation, a chronic procrastinator. Could such a spirit create seriously in comfort? Impossible!
Thinking this, Pei Qian entered, wandering to observe.
Simultaneously, authors struggled with genre selection.
Zhu Xing’an had emphasized: they must write commissioned works related to Tenda IPs, not original creations.
Mr. Pei had established this rule, non-negotiable.
Tenda’s current IPs included three categories: Tenda’s games and films, GOG’s purchased domestic IPs, Hurricane Comic Company’s various comic IPs.
Which genre to choose? Quite agonizing.
Obviously, selection couldn’t be random – requiring thorough research to find optimal approaches.
Authors occupied themselves variously: some playing Tenda games, others watching films like “Better Tomorrow,” some browsing Hurricane Comics publications and classic films, lacking clear direction, testing fortune.
Cui Geng pondered deeply when spotting Mr. Pei wandering.
“Mr. Pei, you’ve arrived!” Cui Geng happily moved to stand.
Pei Qian pressed him back down: “It’s fine, just casually browsing. Continue working.”
The adjacent seat empty, Pei Qian sat down, planning to experience “Inspiration Class” amenities himself.
Cui Geng felt thrilled – Mr. Pei actually seated beside him, feeling specially valued.
While browsing “Inspiration Class” resources, Pei Qian casually inquired: “Decided on genre?”
Cui Geng constituted Pei Qian’s primary surveillance target.
Among the first batch’s dozen authors, Cui Geng achieved highest success, possessed sharpest mind, most likely to cause issues. Pei Qian inquired casually to assess Cui Geng’s threat level.
“Oh, Mr. Pei, currently lacking clear direction,” Cui Geng hastily replied.
“But general direction exists – deeply mining Tenda’s games and film genres!”
“After all, Tenda’s most influential cultural content centers on games and films – original content with highest public acceptance. Recently heard the new game ‘Mission & Choice’ represents a major production with science fiction setting, vast framework, good expandability.”
“Planning to research similar genres, aiming to write novellas building upon ‘Mission & Choice’s’ existing narrative!”
“Not claiming to surpass current ‘Mission & Choice’ storytelling, just achieving style and characteristics suffices!”
Pei Qian felt alarmed.
What? Already targeting “Mission & Choice”?
Absolutely not!
“Mission & Choice” represented a massive investment project, allowing no mishaps. Currently, it’s merely one game, one film. But if numerous authors crowded in with fanfiction, any successful novel could boost all associated works including films and novels!
So, definitely not!
Can’t involve Tenda’s core business!
Thinking this, Pei Qian quickly said: “I think… this genre selection isn’t ideal.”
“Because Tenda’s games and films generally have complete narratives. Any ‘gaps’ might be officially filled, relating to future development plans.”
“Writing ‘Mission & Choice’ fanfiction might conflict with setting deviations in sequels – quite awkward, essentially wasted effort.”
“Not absolutely forbidden, but suggesting lower priority, considering other directions first.”
Cui Geng nodded: “Uh… Mr. Pei speaks reasonably.”
“That leaves GOG’s purchased domestic IPs and Hurricane Comics’ IPs. Let me think…”
“Though these domestic IPs are older, they maintain recognition. Writing fanfiction might revive childhood memories, possibly revitalizing these genres. Plus, GOG collaboration potential…”
Pei Qian frowned again.
This also problematic, still risky!
Many classic IP characters could potentially resurge, like obscure old films suddenly going viral with BGM edits – not unprecedented.
Moreover, while these domestic classic IPs lost relevance, they represented generational memories with traditional cultural characteristics. Successful revival would prove difficult to control.
Combined with GOG’s domestic influence, incident probability greatly increased.
Naturally, Pei Qian believed “Inspiration Class’s” creative model predetermined low success rates regardless of genre choice – commissioned writing meant dancing in shackles.
But Pei Qian hoped these authors, particularly Cui Geng, would select the lowest success probability genre.
Thinking this, Pei Qian spoke somewhat disappointedly: “Cui Geng, as an author with ideals and pursuits, why continuously choose easy modes?”
“What heights could such genres achieve even with serious effort?”
“With self-confidence, directly tackle maximum difficulty – write Hurricane Comics’ superhero characters!”
Cui Geng froze: “Ah? Mr. Pei, you overestimate me…”
Write superhero genre?
I’m merely an ordinary web fiction author!
Superhero themes remain American comic giants’ exclusive domain; only they masterfully handle it. Other countries, other authors writing it loses authenticity.
Beyond writers’ objective capabilities, cultural background plays crucial roles.
Western individualism nurtures superhero narratives. Western audiences particularly embrace superhero concepts, ensuring profitable productions.
American comic giants’ decades-long superhero development created unshakeable foundations. Their casual character introductions could completely surpass Hurricane Comics’ offerings.
Making breakthroughs in this field?
Cui Geng considered it delusional.
He anticipated consequences: as a web fiction author attempting superhero genre, he’d likely retain strong web fiction flavors, ultimately pleasing neither audience.
So Cui Geng immediately hesitated.
“Mr. Pei, I write web fiction. Asking me for superhero genre? Isn’t that impossible?”
“Web fiction versus superhero genre have completely different narrative structures and excitement elements. Forcing it would create incoherent results.”
“Besides, Hurricane Comics creators couldn’t popularize these superheroes – how could I possibly succeed?”
Seeing Cui Geng’s attitude, Pei Qian confirmed his route selection: “Don’t belittle yourself!”
“What’s ‘Inspiration Class’ for? Gathering inspiration?”
“Why no word count restrictions? Enabling meticulous craftsmanship.”
“Following web fiction methods – forcing thousands daily updates – you’d struggle creating quality superhero narratives. But slowing down, refining carefully, given sufficient time and attempts, eventual success awaits!”
“You’re premier authors, storytellers all. Given adequate research time, you’ll master any genre!”
Cui Geng remained confused: “But Mr. Pei, we have cultural barriers with the West. Superhero genre stems from Western culture. Forcing myself to write it means challenging their strengths with my weaknesses!”
“This isn’t simply accumulation-based improvement.”
Pei Qian paused, reluctantly acknowledging: “True.”
“But who mandates superhero genre serves Western audiences only?”
“Write for domestic readers instead!”
“Domestic-focused superhero genre might still succeed.”
Cui Geng scratched his head: “But I cannot create original content, only using existing IPs. Hurricane Comics characters neither gained foreign nor domestic popularity. These characters fundamentally lack appeal – writing for domestic audiences alone seems futile since people dislike these superheroes…”
“I doubt I could make domestic readers like them. Too difficult.”
Pei Qian considered: “Why focus on liking these superheroes? Kill them all, or make them suffer worse than death. Since nobody likes them anyway, this grants you greater creative freedom!”
“Don’t let constraints limit your thinking – dare to innovate!”
Cui Geng: “…”
He recognized Mr. Pei’s determination to push him toward maximum difficulty: Hurricane Comics’ superhero genre!
Regardless of reasoning, Mr. Pei redirected discussions back to this genre.
But how to write it?
A web fiction author forcibly writing superhero genre? Absurd!
Cui Geng strongly resisted, but realizing Mr. Pei’s debating prowess quickly left him speechless.
Finally, he reluctantly nodded: “Fine, Mr. Pei. I’ll review Hurricane Comics this week, brainstorming…”
“But don’t expect much. Buying garbage with buyout funding isn’t my responsibility.”
Pei Qian rejoiced immensely – producing garbage? That’s exactly what he wanted!
He immediately patted Cui Geng’s shoulder: “Relax, unsuccessful works still valuable as meaningful experiments!”
“Experimentation always involves failure!”
“Buyout systems exist for Endpoint Chinese Network absorbing risks, enabling pressure-free creative freedom!”
“Boldly experiment. Any issues, I’ll handle them!”