My Virtual Girlfriend-Chapter 42 When is a Man Most Handsome? (Vote for monthly tickets!)

Chapter 42: Chapter 42 When is a Man Most Handsome? (Vote for monthly tickets!)

While several big shots were looking forward to Cheng Tianxiang, he, too, was feeling tumultuous waves in his heart.

As a veteran in the gaming industry, he had heard of the few people present: not top-notch, but each was considered an expert in their respective fields.

The young-looking Mr. Chen, who had brought together so many experts and was familiar with everyone’s backgrounds, could it be that he genuinely had something in mind, planning to achieve some results?

Was his coming here really not a secondary exile?

Just as the five individuals were gaining confidence from knowing each other’s identities, Chen Yan smiled, picked up five documents from the table, and handed them to the group, humbly saying,

"Seniors, this is my game design proposal."

"It’s also the first game our company will be making."

"Please offer your guidance."

Those who had struggled and thrived in the indie game circle were, without a doubt, passionate about games.

Hearing Chen Yan talk about games, they too gradually calmed down from their previously uplifted spirits.

Taking the design proposal from Chen Yan one by one, the big shots began to read slowly.

They frowned as soon as they started looking.

The game was positioned as a "video-based deduction and puzzle game," which strictly speaking, tended more toward film and television and not games.

This did not particularly appeal to them.

But as they continued reading, they found themselves increasingly captivated by the game’s story.

With the unfolding of the story, a vast stage appeared before them, performing a blood-and-flesh hymn, with war running rampant—eradicable only was the patriotic sentiment. Spies and espionage, good and evil, intertwined in the mix.

And with each different choice leading to a different ending, their emotions changed with the various outcomes.

Finally, when the last happy ending appeared in the design proposal, they slowly detached themselves from the story.

Still, they lingered in that era for a long time, relishing the impact of the grand drama that had played out.

Cheng Tianxiang was the first to finish the design proposal, and he looked at Chen Yan with a complex gaze.

Frankly... he didn’t like the game—because such rudimentary game mechanics barely qualified it as a game.

But... the story was genuinely outstanding.

And the method of unlocking and advancing the plot with choices perfectly matched the story.

So even he had to admit that the game was indeed not bad.

Placed in the indie game market, it might not be top-tier, but a solid second-tier was achievable. If done well... sales in the hundreds of thousands were definitely within reach.

In the indie game domain, that already counted as a decent accomplishment.

Especially since this game was obviously low-cost and simple to make, likely finishing in just a few months—the return on investment was staggering!

Aside from Cheng Tianxiang, the others were also coming back to their senses from the game’s spell.

Chen Yan, who had been observing their expressions, could roughly gauge their affirmation of his design proposal.

So he said with a smile, "Seniors, in the coming period, we’ll be collaborating to make this game."

"This is the first game I’m formally producing, as well as the first game for our company. I hope for a successful start."

"When planning this game, I had no idea that you would join, so I craftily planned the least ’game-like’ game."

"But I promise. For the next game, we’ll definitely make a true game."

With Chen Yan’s candid speech, coupled with the outstanding design proposal, everyone quietly agreed to come on board.

At that moment, Fat Phoenix spoke up, "By the way, Mr. Chen, you mentioned this is the first game you’re formally producing—have you made games informally before?"

Talking about this, Chen Yan laughed awkwardly, "Ahem... yes. They were just playful projects from my college days."

Fat Phoenix persisted, "What were they called?"

Chen Yan was even more embarrassed, "They’re hardly worth mentioning. One was called ’Wilderness Driving.’ Just a little game. Made for fun."

"Wilderness Driving?" The big shots looked at each other, none having heard of this name.

Then, always sitting quietly to the side, the reticent Tank spoke up, "I’ve played it. It’s quite interesting..."

As a well-known planner in the indie game circle, Tank’s comment suddenly piqued the interest of the others.

"Quite interesting? What kind of game is it?"

"Is it fun?"

And Chen Yan on the side: ...

With an expressionless face, Tank explained, "You just drive, keep driving. For 18 hours straight. You cannot stop."

Fat Phoenix: ??

Cheng Tianxiang: ??

The rest: ????

Yu Qiao Qiao blinked her big eyes, curiously asking, "Then what?"

Tank glanced at her, "That’s it." fгeewebnovёl.com

Yu Qiao Qiao: ?

"That’s it?"

Tank nodded, "Yes."

"This game is known in some circles as the most boring game ever made. It makes you realize that gaming can be as numb and boring as reality."

"After playing this game, you understand how life is truly worth loving."

"And me..." Tank turned his head, his face expressionless, looking at Chen Yan,

"I truly didn’t believe anyone would make such a boring game."

"I trusted you had hidden Easter eggs or some variations, like a new path would appear in the third hour, or a sunset scene at the eighth turn."

"So... I played for 18 hours straight, without eating or drinking."

"In the end, all I got were the words ’You’ve completed it.’"

"Nothing else."

Everyone: ...

Chen Yan could only laugh wryly, "Back then I was just bored in college, not very good at programming or creating materials, so I whimsically made a little game and threw it up on a forum."

Tank nodded, offering, "But I actually think it’s a mark of your talent."

"Such games are indeed very rare. They also hit the sore spots of some players."

"That’s why I also played your second indie game..."

...

Chen Yan really hadn’t expected to find among these big shots a "little fan" of his own.

Even though Tank spoke about Chen Yan’s games in a flat, expressionless tone, the appreciation that seeped through his words was palpable—it was clear he recognized Chen Yan’s talent.

This further reassured the new big shots, who saw promise in the company.

Even Tank, a seasoned game planner, had high regards for this young Mr. Chen; the company truly seemed hopeful!

To Chen Yan’s own surprise, just a short afternoon chat had brought everyone closer together, and momentum and confidence began to build within the company.

The most noticeable change was in the eyes of these new big shots.

From the numbness and confusion they bore upon entry, to the smiles and hope that filled their faces after the conversation, Chen Yan felt he had successfully "awakened" these tycoons.

In the evening, Chen Yan played the host and treated everyone at the company to dinner.

At the dinner table, he raised his glass and promised everyone that he would make games well, with heart, aiming to build the company into one of the best in the world.

The big shots were all smiles throughout.

If it wasn’t for the love of the game, why would they step into this niche circle of indie gaming?

Previously, forced to compromise by various circumstances, now, with the opportunity to merge reality with their dreams, their once ardent hearts were heating up again.

And during dinner, Yu Qiao Qiao who had been quietly sitting by Chen Yan’s side looked up at the boy whose face beamed with pursuit of dreams and felt something lightly stirred inside her...

In that moment, she seemed to understand something:

When is a man at his most handsome?

When he has dreams and aspirations, that’s when he’s the most handsome...

...

After dinner, Chen Yan gave Yu Qiao Qiao a ride back to school.