Chapter 26: The Star-Echo Strike Force

“Not the person, but the song is really good.”

Meng Juju drowned her sorrows with cola, eating chicken while dreaming of the future.

“I love you walking alone through dark alleys, love how you refuse to kneel. Love how you faced despair head-on, unwilling to shed a single tear.”

As she listened, Meng Juju recalled the day she was fired, how she fought fiercely under the company building and ultimately emerged victorious. A surge of pride and determination welled up inside her.

“I am the Queen Juju of Maodou. I will never kneel, nor will I cry!”

“That Gu Meng fellow personally buried Maodou’s legacy, now he wants to make those boring, conventional games. The true spirit of Maodou will still depend on me!”

“I can’t just be discouraged. I’ve reviewed everything. Yes, Gu Meng contributed a little to the game’s success, but my writing was the key!”

“I also possess great talent, but I’ve been constrained by Gu Tian and his father, along with the Chinese censorship system!”

“Remember ‘Special Restaurant,’ my plan to empower women to earn through their bodies? If it hadn’t been forcibly taken down by oppressive forces, Maodou would have dominated the market long ago under my guidance.”

“I, Meng Juju, am the true hero of Maodou!”

“In this latest project, if it weren’t for me writing such an outstanding heroine, all Gu Meng’s twists and flashy gimmicks would be useless.”

“Hmph, my talent will surely be recognized.”

Meng Juju’s confidence was absurd. Her writing barely reached mediocre industry standards, and her foundation was shaky at best. Unchecked, she would inevitably go astray. Where this confidence came from was anyone’s guess.

“Speaking of which, how annoying… I submitted to the urban section of Endpoint Chinese web novels, posted twenty thousand words on the first day, but six days later, no contract?”

“The few idiots in the comment section don’t appreciate me either, calling the male lead a ‘turtle man’?”

“How is that male lead a turtle man?”

“I’ve already lowered my status to become a web novelist and restrained my overly advanced talent. Isn’t that how men are in real life?”

“What does ‘suspended updates’ even mean?”

“Why haven’t they signed me yet?”

“Can I get paid without a contract? I’m short on money now; two thousand yuan per thousand words would suffice.”

“‘Not yet meeting contract standards’… Damn, they have no eyes!”

“If they don’t pay me, can I sue them...”

“Tsk... Anyway, web novels are a sunset industry. Trash businesses fade eventually; better to stick to game writing.”

“Let me see what jobs are available.”

“Big companies recruiting top talent... women preferred?”

“Renni’s 5v5 first-person shooter, mainstream gameplay, aiming to be like ‘Overwatch’?”

“‘Overwatch’ is fine except the female characters have waists too thin and butts too sexy. That’s discrimination. They should be confident and a bit chubby like me.”

“Let me see… tentative title ‘Starcall Special Ops.’ Oh my, 400 million yuan to create the game industry’s first transgender Black character!”

“That’s over two billion RMB, and that’s just the initial cost! They want to perfect it, aiming for the annual best. If not enough, they’ll add more.”

“A blockbuster! No wonder Renni is a giant. Even when Maodou made the historical epic ‘Special Restaurant,’ the cost didn’t exceed fifty million. This single early plan has a fiftyfold difference.”

“And transgender, and Black too, that’s so—”

“Bold! Truly a free country!”

“Genius!”

“Other characters also embrace such diversity—I love it.”

“This is exactly my type.”

“I wonder if they’ll notice my talent.”

“Let me send in my resume.”

“If it works out, going to America to find Black partners will be easier. After all the hardships, I’ve become stronger. Next time, I want twelve Black men!”

At this moment, Meng Juju didn’t know her job application would go remarkably smoothly.

Starting next month, she would work at a major North American company as a special consultant and character designer, where her talent would fully flourish.

From then on, she would step onto the world stage; China could no longer contain her.

When that blockbuster finally launched, her name might forever be etched in gaming history, remembered by hundreds of millions worldwide.

…

A month later, Meng Juju sneaked back to the company for a look.

The original Maodou, now called Game Metaphysics, had undergone all its renaming procedures.

Seeing the company no longer bore the Maodou sign, Meng Juju inexplicably shed a tear.

Her ten years.

Walked away alone.

Where milk is not nurtured here, it will be nurtured elsewhere!

Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—never underestimate Juju’s poverty!

Next time I return, I will make everyone see me in a new light!

The whole city will hold me in high regard!

Of course, Gu Meng had no idea that Meng Juju had been downstairs; he was busy.

The first matter: the sequel to Pure Love.

The first portion of the final payment had arrived; the company’s account now held nine figures, with more expected next month.

They issued a bonus.

Although the previous game was mainly made by Brother Tongzi, the remaining staff were generally fine. A small bonus was given to boost morale and stability.

After a month on sale, Pure Love Warrior Simulator had sold 10 million copies and had thoroughly broken out of its niche.

It was renowned in the gaming world; even Gu Meng earned thumbs-up when mentioned.

The only complaint was that on short-video apps, people often saw children or teenagers frowning or closing eyes, deeply moved, sometimes grimacing fiercely and shouting passionately, or tearfully lamenting.

They fully immersed themselves in passionately acting out the tale of the lone brave soul.

The comment sections were left with the weary, numb cries of souls behind the internet: “Dragon King, please take back Shentong!”

But it was all in jest; the reputation remained intact.

Second matter: company management.

The company recently hired many newcomers, some of whom Gu Meng was particularly watching as potential talents.

He felt his judgment was quite accurate—

Well, he was cheating, relying mainly on Brother Tongzi.

Brother Tongzi couldn’t directly see attributes like programming skills 11, writing 45, composing 11, but he could test indirectly.

After joining, for the same task—say, re-arranging a piece of music—the newcomers would redo it, then the system would optimize it. The amount of paid optimization revealed who did better.

Brother Tongzi’s keen insight was equivalent to Gu Meng’s.

Several newcomers showed exceptional talent, scoring very high in some tests despite unimpressive résumés. These were key to nurture.

During previous layoffs, some departments only lost a few leaders, others were entirely cut.

Rebuilding was troublesome.

Secretary Wu had been so busy she was losing hair.

If not for Gu Meng’s generous bonuses, she would have broken down.

Capable people can’t work this frequently!

Women age quickly from staying up late!

This was just Wu Mengyou’s inner monologue.

Her mother was gravely ill; she was a real-life warrior.

Though exhausted, as long as Gu Meng continued paying high overtime, she had no complaints.

But Gu Meng was no demon; he didn’t want her to work forever.

Once this phase of training newcomers passed, things would ease up and she would be promoted.

Also, there was a third matter.

What would the next game be?