Starting as a Manga Editor-Chapter 208: So What If We Bully the Small Fish!

"How's the situation going?"
That afternoon.
At Jiuxiao headquarters.
Shen Lun finished signing several documents before raising his head to ask the question.
Standing before him was a middle-aged man in a tailored suit.
His name was Yan Yun, Vice President of Jiuxiao in charge of the Online Game and Interactive Entertainment Division - one of the top executives in the entire conglomerate.
At this moment.
He stood waiting respectfully, none of his usual domineering attitude toward subordinates visible.
No matter how arrogant he acted toward others, as a professional manager, he remained... well, not exactly humble before Shen Lun, but somewhat obsequious.
This might not show on his face or in his tone.
Yet the impression was unmistakable... quite subtle.
We've all met people like this in real life, though most aren't as skilled at hiding it.
Yan Yun belonged to the exceptionally skilled category.
"...They stopped answering our calls."
Hearing Shen Lun's question.
Yan Yun paused deliberately, as if carefully considering how to phrase his response before finally saying: "During our initial contact, while they didn't outright refuse, I could tell they weren't happy about it. They just avoided saying so directly to save face."
"So you're saying..."
Shen Lun looked up from his documents, raising an eyebrow: "They're unwilling?"
"I'm still following up. Should I try contacting them again?"
Yan Yun avoided giving a definitive answer, instead posing the question back.
Just as Shen Lun was about to respond.
A knock sounded at the door.
Frowning slightly, he called out "Come in." A staff member hurried inside, first apologizing to Shen Lun before whispering something to Yan Yun.
After listening briefly, Yan Yun waved the staff member out before casually remarking: "My apologies, President. I instructed them to inform me immediately of any updates."
Shen Lun remained silent, waiting.
Yan Yun didn't beat around the bush: "They've blocked our liaison's number."
"Oh?"
Shen Lun blinked in surprise before slowly setting down his pen, leaning back in his chair with an amused chuckle: "The newborn calf truly fears no tiger."
"Indeed."
Yan Yun echoed the laugh, his smile dripping with sarcasm.
"If they're unwilling, then so be it."
Shen Lun lightly tapped the armrest: "How many mobile games does our Online Game and Interactive Entertainment Division currently have?"
"Three."
"FGO-style ones?"
"Two."
"..."
Shen Lun nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer: "Have those games sent to me. I'll try them myself. I wanted to give these youngsters an opportunity, but if they refuse... then negotiations are off."
Yan Yun: "Understood."
"..."
After a moment's thought, Shen Lun asked another question: "...Does the group still hold shares in Wenxin Press?"
"Uh..."
Yan Yun hesitated.
Shen Lun caught on and waved his hand: "Have Liu Hai from Strategic Investments come see me."
"Right away."
Without another word, Yan Yun turned and left.
The moment he stepped outside.
All traces of obsequiousness vanished, replaced by his usual haughty demeanor.
The subordinate who had just delivered the waited by the door, immediately approaching: "Vice President Yan, since they've blocked us, should we..."
"If they can't recognize their own position."
Yan Yun sneered: "Then there's no need for further contact."
He found it genuinely amusing.
Did they really think one hit game could change anything?
The venture capital world had a saying about game investments - you had to answer two questions: Would Jiuxiao create a copycat? And if they did, how would you survive their competition? If you couldn't answer these, no matter how good your game was, it would all come to nothing.
That was how terrifying Jiuxiao's dominance was.
Only recently had Jiuxiao shifted focus to overseas expansion, temporarily easing up domestically.
Yet how quickly this company called Avalon forgot its place.
Now with Jiuxiao's overseas struggles and a new gaming frontier opening domestically, judging by Shen Lun's attitude, they were clearly refocusing on the home market.
There was no way they'd let this mobile gaming goldmine slip by.
First-mover advantage? Worthless!
Jiuxiao would teach them what real financial power meant - how to walk others' paths until they had nowhere left to go.
Bullying the small fish? So what if we bully the small fish!
Business wasn't some polite dinner party - there was no room for gentle courtesies.
Originally.
If Avalon had cooperated, surrendering full control over their game's distribution through Jiuxiao's channels - including updates, rebranding, even removal - without complaint, they might have gotten scraps from the table.
Now?
They could cry all they wanted.
Even if they came begging later, it would be too late!
Ungrateful, delusional upstarts!
...
At Avalon.
Tang Yao remained blissfully unaware she'd been labeled 'ungrateful' and 'delusional'.
She was currently writing FGO's next main story content.
Crossover events were fine once or twice.
But long-term, they wouldn't sustain revenue and might alienate core players.
Having achieved her current objectives... she planned no more crossovers for the foreseeable future.
FGO's next major update.
Would be Chapter 6 - The Divine Realm of the Round Table: Camelot.
This marked the point where FGO's narrative depth and gameplay difficulty would undergo qualitative transformation.
...Copy FGO to leave FGO with nowhere to go?
As if nobody had tried copying FGO in her previous life - the platform hosting FGO had gone public riding its success, with global revenues soaring endlessly. Everyone knew how profitable it was.
Did no one consider imitation?
Of course they had.
Yet none succeeded.
Moreover, this world's FGO had already passed its buildup phase - explosive growth was imminent.
Unless.
Jiuxiao could summon Nasu Kinoko himself to write their game's story!
Otherwise, Tang Yao genuinely feared no copycats.
Besides... FGO wasn't even Avalon's next major focus!
The rhythmic clatter of keyboard keys continued.
Nearly an hour later.
Tang Yao finished another section, lifting her hands from the keyboard to stretch slightly.
Then... she noticed the webcam atop her monitor. After scratching her cheek sheepishly, she adjusted it to face away.
Yesterday Kang Ming had mentioned completing that livestream software they'd discussed before New Year's, installing a camera on her computer to test it.
But Tang Yao hadn't tried it yet, still psyching herself up... because the idea felt unbearably embarrassing.
She'd never faced so many viewers directly as Tang Yao before - only through prerecorded videos.
Even with her avatar... pretending to be tsundere before a live audience sounded terrifying.
Yes.
Tang Yao planned to start livestreaming...
While unafraid of Jiuxiao's bullying tactics, that didn't mean preparing nothing would be wise.
After discussing with Li Xue yesterday and further reflection, she decided to leverage Avalon's current advantages.
She intended to capitalize on the crossover event's popularity - once the first batch of crossover games finalized in a few days, she'd host a preview livestream.
Mainly... to promote those collaborative games.
While evaluating potential optimizations before promoting Dou Pai... no, promoting Hearthstone.
Only.
The plan sounded perfect in theory, yet actually sitting before the camera... made her skin crawl.
The urge to quit grew overwhelming...
Tang Yao stared at the averted camera, still mustering courage when-
"Tang Yao."
Li Xue's voice called out urgently, footsteps approaching quickly: "They've made their move."
"Huh?"
Tang Yao blinked in surprise before realizing what Li Xue meant: "Who? Jiuxiao?"
"Mhm."
Li Xue pulled up a chair, expression grave: "An investor just tipped me off."