In the afternoon, the official platform’s interview team arrived at the incubation base on schedule.

The interview team consisted of five people: the lead text editor Xia Jiang, an intern editor, a photographer, a videographer, and a business representative.

Although not the highest-ranking interview team, this lineup was quite impressive, showing that the officials attached considerable importance to this interview.

Xia Jiang was a rather senior reporter from the official side who had previously been responsible for an exclusive interview with Tenda Group, which had turned out exceptionally well.

Her “blank space” interview approach, while not directly interviewing Mr. Pei on video, had portrayed his character through interviews with other key Tenda employees. To this day, it remained essential reference material for many players to understand Mr. Pei.

Xia Jiang herself had also gained widespread fame from that interview, with her career flourishing ever since.

“Editor Xia, hello, hello.”

Qiu Hong greeted them in advance downstairs, his attitude extremely warm.

Xia Jiang was also pleased: “Mr. Qiu! A pleasure to meet you!”

Everyone exchanged pleasantries for a few moments before heading towards the incubation base in good spirits.

Qiu Hong said somewhat embarrassedly, “We should have arranged a higher standard of reception, but our conditions here are limited. Please forgive any discourtesies.”

Xia Jiang waved her hand dismissively: “Mr. Qiu, you’re too polite. The ‘Path of Poverty’ project supports domestic games and benefits so many independent game developers—these minor details aren’t important.”

Everyone arrived at the incubation base, and after drinking some beverages and resting briefly, Qiu Hong began showing Xia Jiang and her team around.

The independent game developers were busy developing their games, and Qiu Hong introduced the entire operation mode of the incubation base to Xia Jiang and her team, including the daily dietary, fitness, and gaming arrangements for the developers. They also tried several game demos, and everything progressed very smoothly.

After understanding the situation at the incubation base, the formal interview finally began.

As a professional reporter, Xia Jiang had naturally done some investigation on the incubation base and Qiu Hong before coming, gaining a preliminary understanding.

What particularly caught Xia Jiang’s attention was Qiu Hong’s career path in the gaming industry.

Qiu Hong had initially entered the industry inspired by numerous classic domestic games, dedicating himself to single-player games. He had spent two years polishing one game, even working for passion without pay for two months, but ultimately the project died before completion.

After that, Qiu Hong began making pay-to-win games. Although he earned quite a bit of money, he never made another single-player game.

And yet, such a game developer suddenly started the “Path of Poverty” project one day, establishing independent game incubation studios in the Imperial Capital and Magic Capital, and began investing money to support the development of independent games!

How exactly did this mindset change?

Where did his money come from?

What catalyst made him abandon pay-to-win games and redirect all his energy back to independent games?

Xia Jiang felt this would be a perfect interview angle—the key to this interview.

As the interview began, Xia Jiang first asked some questions about the incubation base.

For instance, the daily work arrangements at the incubation base, what conditions independent game developers needed to meet to join, and the successful games that had already emerged from the incubation base, and so on.

Qiu Hong answered each question honestly, neither exaggerating nor being overly modest.

Xia Jiang quickly took notes, and finally, feeling the timing was right, she changed the subject and entered the main topic of the interview.

“Mr. Qiu, there’s one question I believe gaming enthusiasts are very curious about.”

“From what I understand, you entered the gaming industry relatively early, but spent most of your time creating online games, achieving a certain level of success.”

“However, starting last year, you suddenly turned your attention to domestic independent games, launching the ‘Path of Poverty’ project to provide financial support to these independent game developers.”

“May I ask, what was your mindset at that time? Why did such a transformation occur?”

Qiu Hong smiled somewhat embarrassedly: “About this matter, I must admit it’s rather humbling.”

“Although I appear to be the initiator of the ‘Path of Poverty’ project, in reality, this wasn’t my own proposal, nor did the funding come from me. I’m merely an agent, an executor.”

Qiu Hong chose to tell the truth, partly because he didn’t want to take undeserved credit, and partly because this matter couldn’t be concealed anyway.

Qiu Hong himself didn’t have that much money—anyone could see he couldn’t possibly fund the incubation base out of his own pocket. Sooner or later, someone would inquire about the source of this money.

Rather than hiding it, it was better to openly acknowledge it, saving himself from looking like a thief while doing something good.

Xia Jiang nodded slightly; this was within her expectations.

Because although Qiu Hong was considered a successful game developer with an income significantly higher than ordinary people, it was far from enough to sustain these two incubation bases.

Moreover, using one’s own money to support an incubation base—any sane person probably wouldn’t do such a thing.

So, Xia Jiang had long suspected that Qiu Hong had other investors behind him, providing financial support.

Now Qiu Hong’s answer confirmed this point.

Xia Jiang asked, “Can you reveal who your investor is, or which institution?”

Qiu Hong shook his head: “I’m sorry, I cannot disclose his identity.”

Xia Jiang was slightly surprised: “This investor does good deeds without seeking recognition? But is there really a need to be so secretive about this?”

The “Path of Poverty” project supporting domestic independent games was clearly a great achievement no matter how you looked at it. If someone else were doing such a thing, they would definitely spend money on advertising to publicize it everywhere—after all, isn’t the point of burning money to do good deeds to gain a good reputation?

But this investor invested money and did good deeds, yet didn’t want others to know their identity. This was truly… somewhat unusual.

Qiu Hong sighed with emotion: “I can’t be certain exactly why, but from his words and actions, I can make a general guess.”

“I once asked him what the purpose of the ‘Path of Poverty’ project was.”

“He asked me in return: why must there be a purpose?”

“In other words, he’s not doing it for fame or profit. He doesn’t want to make money from this, nor does he want others to say he’s seeking fame. He simply wants to quietly do something meaningful for this industry.”

“Like the name ‘Path of Poverty’ suggests, it’s purely meant to help those independent game companies and developers who have reached the end of their rope and can barely continue.”

Xia Jiang couldn’t help but feel deeply moved: “I never expected there would be someone who cares so much about domestic games. Such noble character is truly admirable!”

“Of course, Mr. Qiu, although you haven’t directly invested, you’ve managed both incubation bases in an orderly manner. You must be a capable assistant to this investor, and I imagine he must be very grateful to you.”

Qiu Hong smiled: “I’m definitely more grateful to him.”

“Strictly speaking, the ‘Path of Poverty’ project not only redeemed many domestic independent game developers but also redeemed me.”

Xia Jiang’s eyes lit up: “Oh? What do you mean by that?”

Qiu Hong explained: “I don’t mind admitting this—the main reason I’ve been making online games, pay-to-win games, was primarily out of spite.”

“When I first entered the industry, I was also full of passion for domestic games, but this passion was completely worn away during the two years I spent making my first single-player game. The chaos in the domestic game industry and the impoverished lifestyle gave me a kind of reverse psychology—hatred born from love.”

“I was young then, and in a fit of anger, I went to make pay-to-win games. The only thing on my mind was how to make more money.”

“Later, when I no longer had to worry about food and clothing, that reverse psychology had long since disappeared without a trace. But I didn’t dare return to the realm of single-player games because online games had become my comfort zone.”

“As I reached middle age, the pressure of life suddenly increased, and I didn’t have the courage to leave this comfort zone to chase after the elusive dream of single-player games again.”

“But this investor of mine, who should also be considered a good friend, said something that deeply moved me. I shouldn’t let the tragedy of the times become my own tragedy.”

“The great depression of domestic single-player games back then was the result of various factors. Although my passion was betrayed, I shouldn’t harbor resentment towards anyone.”

“In fact, I understood this principle in my heart long ago; I just didn’t want to leave the comfort zone of online games and didn’t want to admit it.”

“The ‘Path of Poverty’ project also gave me a second chance, allowing me to help independent game developers fulfill their dreams. They are just like me when I was young, full of passion but lacking experience and money. Being able to help them makes me genuinely happy and fulfilled.”

“So, regarding this friend and investor, I am the one who should thank him the most.”

Xia Jiang took careful notes, feeling inexplicably moved.

If what Qiu Hong said was true, then this investor who did good deeds without seeking recognition was truly noble!

Not only did he help struggling independent game developers in their time of need, investing real money to support the development of domestic games, but he also rescued Qiu Hong, a game developer who had lost his way, helping him pick up his dream again and set off anew.

And such an investor, who had done so many good deeds, still didn’t even want to reveal his name.

What kind of spirit was this!

Xia Jiang still wouldn’t give up: “Mr. Qiu, regarding the identity of this investor, is it really impossible to reveal anything? Even a hint from the side would be good.”

Qiu Hong shook his head very firmly: “Really, I can’t.”

Xia Jiang felt somewhat regretful, but since Qiu Hong’s attitude was resolute, she couldn’t press further.

With so many big names and companies in the gaming industry, and domestic investment institutions and funds being as numerous as they were, guessing the identity of Qiu Hong’s investor without much clue would be very difficult.

Although Xia Jiang was curious, she didn’t have a good way to proceed, so she could only set it aside for now and complete her professional duties.

After asking a few more questions and taking many photos and videos of the incubation base, Xia Jiang and her interview team prepared to leave.

The interview team had already visited the Imperial Capital once before, interviewing Wu Zhicheng, the creator of “Water Ink Cloud Mist,” and had also collected a large amount of material.

By organizing the materials from both the Imperial Capital and Magic Capital, and integrating the interviews with Wu Zhicheng and Qiu Hong, this interview focusing on the “Path of Poverty” incubation base would be considered successfully completed.

Earlier, when “Water Ink Cloud Mist” was available for pre-order, the “Path of Poverty” project had already gained attention once, attracting many players. Now, with the official interview coming out, it would definitely go a step further, attracting even more attention!

“Mr. Qiu, our interview ends here. Thank you very much for your cooperation,” Xia Jiang said, preparing to say goodbye.

“Not at all, this is what we should be doing.”

Qiu Hong exchanged a few more pleasantries and originally wanted to invite Xia Jiang and her team to stay for a meal, but they politely declined.

Qiu Hong didn’t insist and escorted the interview team all the way to their car before returning to the incubation base to continue with his own work.

In the car, Xia Jiang flipped through the notes she had taken and looked at the photos and video materials captured by the photographer.

As she looked, her brows slightly furrowed, and a special feeling lingered in her heart that she couldn’t shake off.

“Strange, why do these two incubation bases give me a sense of déjà vu?”

“Very spacious workstations, excellent working environment, everyone’s work enthusiasm is very high.”

“Regular arrangements for designers to play games to accumulate inspiration, and scheduled fitness training to maintain physical health.”

“Why is it so similar to Tenda’s style?”

“Could it be… that the ‘Path of Poverty’ incubation bases are related to Tenda? The friend and investor Qiu Hong mentioned is actually Mr. Pei?”

Xia Jiang didn’t know why, but she inexplicably recalled her previous experiences interviewing Tenda, and they matched the situation at the incubation base!

She was startled by this thought herself, but once she accepted this premise, she found that everything seemed to make sense!

The investor Qiu Hong described seemed a bit too noble, even making one doubt his authenticity and whether he really existed.

But if this person were Mr. Pei, then it wouldn’t be strange at all!