Starting as a Manga Editor-Chapter 218: The Slap

"You don't agree?" Tang Yao was surprised by Wei Chi's expression, then said with difficulty, "Personally, I strongly advise against adding commercial designs to this game. It's best to keep it purely experience-oriented."
"...No, I agree! I couldn't ask for more!" Wei Chi snapped back to reality and immediately shook his head, then hesitated, "I just didn't expect you'd also think commercialization would ruin the game's atmosphere... And also."
He looked down at the documents in his hand: "Avalon could easily make a similar game, right? Why do you still need me..."
He didn't finish.
But Tang Yao understood his meaning.
After thinking, Tang Yao replied: "Because your game is unique... Though I've given many suggestions for improvement, fundamentally they're just technical and presentation-level changes. Avalon might replicate similar gameplay, but could never duplicate your perspective, your inspiration, or your expression of this world."
"Commercialization and technology are just tools—I can't replicate what you want to express. That's why I sought you out. I look forward to seeing your game fully completed."
Tang Yao wasn't lying.
Avalon could certainly make something like "Monument Valley."
But that assumed no creative collisions.
Now that they'd collided, frankly, there was no point.
If she really wanted money, many games from her past life had excellent commercial success—no need to compete with this world's native creators for ideas.
After all, if she made it, it would just be a copy of "Monument Valley"... But what this native creator might make could be entirely different.
Tang Yao was also a player.
She loved games and wanted to play good ones unique to this world.
So she'd give Wei Chi some help, sharing successful game experiences from her past life to improve his game, but wouldn't interfere with its core—letting Wei Chi express his own vision.
This was her gift as a transmigrator to this world.
Planting a seed.
Perhaps someday,
Tang Yao could play piles of great games in this world completely unlike anything from her past life.
"......"
Hearing this, Wei Chi stared blankly at Tang Yao, gripping the documents tightly.
This was the first time
someone told him his expression mattered.
Honestly, Tang Yao didn't seem like a traditional company boss... She lacked an imposing aura or deliberately maintained distance.
When discussing game design, her beautiful eyes would suddenly light up.
Then her beauty wasn't just static and ornamental, but carried an almost feverish infectiousness.
For some reason, Wei Chi suddenly recalled a long-buried memory—perhaps his original inspiration for making "Essence." As a child, he'd draw mazes on walls with crayons, and once when his mother opened the door, afraid of being scolded, he'd frantically tried to wipe it away with his palm, only to have her gently hold his shoulder—"Xiao Chi draws so well, like magic."
He still remembered his mother's gaze from back then.
"Alright then, from now on you'll be in charge of 'Essence.' I'll assign some staff to your project team."
Meanwhile,
Tang Yao, unaware of Wei Chi's expression, began shooing him: "Go familiarize yourself with the environment first."
Wei Chi came to but didn't leave immediately.
He looked at Tang Yao, then at the documents, then at Tang Yao again...
Repeating this three full times.
Just as Tang Yao grew puzzled and was about to ask what he was doing,
Wei Chi suddenly raised his hand and slapped himself hard across the face.
*SMACK*
"???"
Tang Yao flinched, instinctively raising her arms protectively as she scooted her chair backward fearfully.
Wei Chi's cheek reddened instantly, but he wore a relieved smile: "So I'm not dreaming..."
A beautiful girl boss, genius game producer, who also appreciated his creativity...
What kind of anime plot was this!
Finally understanding, Tang Yao lowered her guard and fell silent: "What kind of thought process is that?"
Seriously, was this producer nuts?
Realizing his actions, Wei Chi embarrassedly rubbed his reddened cheek: "Sorry... I got too excited."
Tang Yao: "...Never mind, just go get familiar with things."
"Right."
Wei Chi stood up, then bowed deeply to Tang Yao with utmost solemnity: "Thank you for this opportunity. I won't let you down."
With that,
he turned and strode out, his very silhouette declaring—'He was filled with determination at this moment.'
But Tang Yao just found it baffling...
Meanwhile, waiting nearby, Li Xue shook her head and escorted Wei Chi out.
Ten minutes later.
Li Xue returned to the meeting room.
Inside,
Tang Yao leaned casually against the chairback, her long, shapely legs crossed in relaxation.
She held her phone with both hands, browsing something while idly swiveling her chair.
Only upon hearing the door open
did she set the phone down, look up, and beckon Li Xue over.
Li Xue approached.
Tang Yao grabbed the hem of Li Xue's clothes and whispered conspiratorially: "Miss Li, that Wei Chi... is there something wrong with him?"
She subtly pointed to her head.
"Don't blame him."
Li Xue looked down at Tang Yao—whose figure remained elegantly curved even while seated—and shook her head amusedly: "He just couldn't believe it. After all, he's at his wit's end now, and 'a scholar would die for one who appreciates him'..."
"But slapping himself is too much."
Stopping her chair's rotation, Tang Yao sighed: "Feels weird. Hope the game won't turn out weird too..."
Li Xue leaned sideways against the conference table, watching Tang Yao's muttered complaints without speaking.
She just felt contemplative.
She suddenly had a premonition...
This girl before her might completely transform the domestic gaming industry.
After all, a genius producer alone wasn't scary—what was scary was one willing to selflessly nurture newcomers.
"Whatever, enough about him. We'll see when his game's fully done."
Meanwhile,
Tang Yao shook her head, deciding not to overthink it, then turned to Li Xue: "With recent channel restrictions, how's FGO doing?"
"Short-term impact seems minor—data hasn't dropped."
Li Xue also refocused, replying: "But..."
She paused before continuing: "Outside our platform, FGO's discussion heat has indeed cooled. In contrast, Jiuxiao's 'Stellar Ode' is trending heavily."
Knowing about 'Stellar Ode's' insane recent marketing blitz, Tang Yao wasn't surprised: "Well, with their promotion scale, that's expected..."
"Mm."
Li Xue acknowledged, then looked at Tang Yao.
Though well-hidden, claiming she wasn't worried would be false.
"...Don't worry, there'll definitely be a reversal soon."
Li Xue suddenly reached out, gently smoothing Tang Yao's furrowed brows, saying softly: "Soon our beautiful boss will make her appearance, bringing a new game. It's impossible to go completely unnoticed."
"You're appearing too."
Tang Yao's face reddened as she glared: "Beautiful manager."
"You're the protagonist."
"Bullshit, you're the protagonist."
Tang Yao grasped Li Xue's hand still on her forehead, gazing at her leaning against the table—especially those temptingly curved long legs: "Wear black stockings and heels then. Even if not the protagonist, you'll upstage everyone."
"But there's a mascot suit?"
Li Xue asked curiously: "The audience won't see."
Tang Yao said matter-of-factly: "I can see! Haven't seen them in ages..."
Li Xue laughed: "Fine, I'll wear whatever you want."
Tang Yao instinctively exploited the loophole: "How about nothing?"
"......"
Li Xue froze momentarily, her gentle face flushing as she rolled her eyes: "What do you think?"
Embarrassed, Tang Yao averted her gaze without answering.
What was she saying?
Of course not.
Idiot.
......
Li Xue hadn't lied.
Recently, "Stellar Ode" was indeed trending.
No helping it.
Apart from FGO's channels, ads for this game were everywhere.
So currently, it truly dominated the spotlight.
Even many gaming forums were flooded with "Stellar Ode" discussions lately.
In contrast, with channel restrictions, FGO's popularity was quietly declining.
"That heavily advertised 'Stellar Ode'... seems pretty good."
"Yeah, the artwork looks gorgeous."
"Hey... why haven't I seen FGO ads recently?"