NOVEL NEXT Chapter 69
15% stake.
It wasn’t an overwhelmingly large amount, but one that could potentially threaten an ill-positioned CEO’s managerial control and thus could not be dismissed.
However, Feng Wei was unlikely to turn down this 15% stake. Unlike the random middle players, Feng Wei had undoubtedly managed his shares well, and most importantly, he clearly understood the value of the company he currently ran.
An exchange of this 15% stake in the burgeoning small to medium-sized game development company — one with fewer than a hundred employees — for the 3D modeling technology they had been ardently aspiring to develop for a major corporate company.
In any rational mind, refusing this would be a clear sign of incompetence as a CEO.
Still, handing over any stake inevitably meant introducing a variable into the company’s administration.
Perhaps it was due to his concern over managerial control, but Feng Wei, who for a moment appeared lost in thought, then turned to me and began speaking.
“Department Head, if the price of this support is a stake in our company, we would willingly transfer it to you. However….”
“However?”
“Could you make a single promise to me?”
“I will consider it after hearing the nature of the promise.”
“I would like you to promise not to interfere with managerial rights through the stake acquired.”
‘As expected, typical Shundi behavior, the reaction is identical.’
Won-jung and Feng Wei, both having been CEOs of game companies that were practically unmatched in China before the reset. For that reason, their hypersensitivity to managerial control seemed quite alike.
In response to Feng Wei’s request, I nodded without much thought.
After all, there was never any intention of interfering in managerial rights using the acquired stake — an act akin to slaying the goose that lays golden eggs.
“Understood. I’ll ensure an additional clause about managerial rights is added to the contract, so let’s proceed with drafting it.”
“Thank you.”
***
After returning to the conference room and finalizing the support program contract, the meeting with Feng Wei came to a successful conclusion.
Through this contract, I secured 15% stake in Huayang Games, destined to become China’s largest mobile game developer in the future, while Feng Wei obtained the technology to develop the crucial Meltdown3.
An ideal contract where both parties were satisfied saw Feng Wei offering a gift in appreciation before heading back to China.
“See you next time, Shundi.”
That the fact that I was now his ‘Shundi’ was merely an add-on, was a small yet enlightening glimpse into the Guanxi culture of the Chinese.
***
With the storm caused by Feng Wei finally settling, time began to pass swiftly.
Once the noisy month of November, marked by the G-Star event and the visits by Feng Wei, was over, December arrived.
December, seemingly affected by the end-of-year atmosphere, passed relatively quietly compared to the previous month.
The heavy snowfall brought on by unusual weather anomalies even became the biggest talking point in the first half of the month.
As even the bustling Christmas season came and went, it was finally the end of the year.
On December 31st, at 8:00 PM, the office was currently completely empty.
No matter how it felt, pushing staff to work until the end of the year felt far too harsh.
However, there were still two people yet to leave; Yerin and myself.
I was still tied down with the end-of-year financial report that needed to be submitted by today, while Yerin appeared to be dealing with some skin illustration modification work destined for the New Year package.
Had there not been so many required revisions in the reports following the contract with Huayang Games, I would have already been lying on the bed in my rented room enjoying the end-of-year vibes.
Finally, with the closing and uploading of the report, the feeling began to sink in that the year 2015 had truly ended.
As I prepared to leave, considering buying a can of beer on the way, a single Chocolate Talk message arrived.
[Yerin: Did you finish your work, Senior?]
[Me: About to leave. Why?]
Shortly after sending the message, I received a call from Yerin.
“Senior, are you not leaving the office yet?”
“I’m just about to leave. Why?”
“Since I’ll be done soon, would you like to have a drink together?”
“A drink? Why is that?”
“I thought it would be nice to have a drink with those of us who couldn’t clock out cleanly this year-end.”
“Alright then. When do you plan to leave?”
“I’ll come out when I see you waiting at the entrance of the lobby.”
“Got it.”
***
At a tavern somewhat distant from Enson GT’s headquarters.
Due to the year-end season, all the bars around the company were fully booked.
Having wandered around with no place left to go, we eventually entered this tavern, which was also more than half full, thus it was quite noisy.
Of course, neither Yerin nor I were particular sensitive to the noise, so it wasn’t a large issue.
“Let’s start with what?”
“I’ll order beer first.”
“Sure.”
Yerin flagged down a passing server and ordered two 500ml beers and some chicken.
After finishing work, Yerin’s expression seemed fairly relaxed.
“Senior, you’re quite interesting.”
“Me? Why?”
“Despite not being able to clock out cleanly and even having to work overtime during the year-end, you don’t seem as bad-tempered as I would have expected.”
“Do I not seem bad-tempered? Working overtime at the year-end shouldn’t make anyone feel good.”
“Is that so? To me, it looks like–”
Right as Yerin was about to voice her thoughts, a server arrived with two 500ml beers.
“Sorry for keeping you waiting! Two 500ml beers, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Enjoy your drinks.”
The server, busy with the many patrons, left the two 500ml beers and a bill on the table and quickly disappeared to another table.
After toasting and each taking a sip, we both couldn’t help but exclaim at the pleasant fizz of the carbonation and the unique bitterness of the beer.
It seemed that Yerin also shared a similar impression, as she was exclaiming in delight too.
“What do you think will come next?”
“Not exactly. It’s just that… looking at you, Senior, it seems like you are not just working, but enjoying what you do. It’s a bit enviable.”
“Is that so? Well, though I do enjoy creating the games I’ve always wanted to, I’ve never genuinely enjoyed the process itself.”
“Is that so? Then maybe I was mistaken?”
Yerin tilted her head while sipping her beer.
“Speaking of which, Senior, there’s something I’ve been curious about for a while.”
“What is it?”
“Why did you choose to transfer jobs?”
“Why the sudden question?”
“Generally speaking, the dream of directors like you is not to be a salaried employee at a large company but to start your own game company — much like Mr. Won-jung or Mr. Feng Wei.”
“Generally yes.”
“However, since you are very capable, it seems curious why you chose to transfer jobs instead of attempting entrepreneurship.”
Yerin’s question was certainly pointed.
After all, this was a matter I had given quite a bit of thought to.
Just as I was about to reply to Yerin’s question, a server conveniently arrived with our fried chicken order.
“You ordered a half-and-half fried chicken, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Enjoy your meal!”
As usual, busy with customers, the server quickly disappeared back into the kitchen after setting the plated chicken down.
Having watched the server leave, I grabbed a chicken leg with my fork and handed it to Yerin.
“Have it.”
“You go first, Senior.”
“No, I’m not that hungry right now.”
Accepting my statement, Yerin nodded and carefully brought the chicken leg to her mouth.
“Thanks, I’ll eat it.”
“Alright. Now, what were you saying again?”
“You were going to tell me why you chose to transfer jobs.”
“Ah, right. The reason is simple. Back then, the desire to make the game I wanted outweighed the dream of becoming an entrepreneur.”
“I see…”
“Nowadays, with the subculture genre somewhat established and with some freedom, I do feel a twinge of regret, but back then, I was under a lot of pressure. We were in a situation where the market had not yet formed fully.”
Pressured by the notion that things must not unfold the same way as before the reset.
Facing the harsh realities of an unformed market.
With various issues intertwined, Su-yeon timely reached out to me.
Thus, between the dream and the reality, I was left with no choice but to choose the latter.
“Certainly, on reflection now, I feel a little regret over not choosing entrepreneurship, but I have no regrets.”
“Hm…”
With that, a moment of silence fell upon our table.
I had paused for a moment to collate my thoughts.
And Yerin, too, seemed deep in thought, fidgeting with the breast of the chicken with her fork.
“Alright then, your turn to share.”
“Me?”
“Anything interesting happened in the art team this year?”
“Um… not really any big stories worth sharing…”
Despite her initial declaration of nothing much happening, Yerin began to chatter away on various topics.
“Is it about factions forming within the art team?”
“It’s not clear yet. They’re not overtly showing off or causing trouble, but us women have an intuition about these kinds of things. It’s that same sensation I felt during university.”
Though she claimed it wasn’t confirmed yet…
Given Yerin’s nature of not mentioning anything unless certain, it seemed the factions were indeed forming.
“Still, there have been no issues caused by these factions, right?”
“Of course not. If it affected our work, I would have approached you directly, but so far, it hasn’t reached that level.”
“Alright, then keep a close watch on the team members you suspect. If anything happens, contact me right away, understood?”
“Sure, I’ll do that.”
With a slight drowsy expression, perhaps influenced by the alcohol, Yerin nodded.
As we toasted and continued our conversation, a group suddenly stopped near our table as they passed by.
“Oh, isn’t that Director Jihojin…?”
Turning around at the sudden name, I saw three men in suits looking down at me.
I recognized them as likely being from the PC Game Development Team.
‘Judging by their expression, they don’t seem to harbor any good intentions…’
“Isn’t the person at the front Team Leader Seung-jin from the PC Game Development Team 3?”
“Is it an honor to have you remember the name of a Team Leader stuck in perennial mediocrity, despite these days when you’re rising to prominence?”
There was undeniably an undertone of mockery in his tone.
Though his companions tried to calm him down due to his abrupt hostility, the alcohol clearly had him under its influence, as his words wouldn’t cease.
“Come on, why are you stopping me? Isn’t it the truth? Creating those card scraps that suck money out of users with games of chance…—”
“Excuse me!”
I stopped Yerin, who couldn’t help but want to interject, and turned to Seung-jin to speak.
“So, Mr. Seung-jin, precisely what is it you’ve come here to say?”
Despite his direct provocation, my calm tone visibly flustered Seung-jin.
“Ah, no, well… it’s because of people like you that the image of game companies is…,”
“Discussions related to the company should be held after sobering up and within the office. What kind of disgraceful behavior is this outside the company? It’s embarrassing.”
Upon hearing that, realizing the attention from the surrounding patrons, Seung-jin’s expression warped.
“Let’s see if you’re still this confident next year.”
And with that retort, accompanied by a disapproving tongue-click, he left the bar with his colleagues.
“What a pain. These troublemakers, what’s with them?”
“Let’s just take it as stepping in poop.”
“Senior, are you not angry after hearing comments like that?”
In reply to Yerin, I simply shrugged.
Though receiving such open insults about only developing gambling games should naturally provoke anger.
However, knowing Seung-jin’s future through experiences from before the reset, I decided not to say much.
After all, he was the prime culprit and the most significant victim of the gender-conflict controversy that once brought turmoil to the gaming industry before the reset.
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