Chapter 26: Zhang Yang’s Business Partnership?

June 28th, morning.

Inside Star Internet Cafe, a link from "Cosmic Technology" was officially posted. In fact, it wasn't just Star Internet Cafe; even other internet cafes had posted this same promotional link at this very moment. When all the internet users walked in and saw the link, they were stunned.

"What? Cosmic Technology is developing a new game so soon?"
"What are they up to this time? A script creativity contest?"
"What kind of script is this?"
"Please state: who is the person you hate the most, and why do you hate them? Write a script based on this."
"What does this even mean?"
"What kind of game are they actually trying to develop?"

Many people were shocked the moment they saw the "script" creativity contest. However, when they noticed the statement, "For selected scripts, the planning department will work together with the development department to build the game with you," they suddenly felt it was quite novel!

While they found it novel, not many people actually participated. Most took one look, decided they had no talent for storytelling, and walked away. *Warcraft Battles* had just launched a new server today, and many couldn't resist the draw of the new server, already diving in to level up and claim rewards.

However...

"Holy crap, you can actually play like this?"

Inside Star Internet Cafe, Qian, a hardcore "all-nighter" gamer, saw the words and a surreal image suddenly appeared in his mind. He envisioned the story he wrote being adapted into a game plot, and then being played by countless players who were completely enthralled by it. He shook his head vigorously, then looked at the internet cafe owner, Li Zongnan, with some confusion.

"Boss Li, is this stuff for real?"
"It's real. We went to a meeting yesterday..."

Li Zongnan had drunk quite a bit yesterday. Even now, his head felt a bit fuzzy. Although the quality of the barbecue stall was just average, Zhang Yang had been such a generous host, pouring drink after drink, that everyone had ended up getting quite high-spirited. The atmosphere had been fantastic.

"Oh, so I click here to enter the contest?"
"Yeah, that's right!"

After hearing this, Qian hesitated for a moment, then immediately turned on a computer, logged into the "Cosmic Technology" official website via the link, and read the entry terms.

What? Once a script is adopted, not only will designers follow up to develop the plot, but the scriptwriter's name will also be included as a hidden easter egg for all participating players to find? And! The first-place script even comes with a ten-thousand-yuan prize! Second place gets three thousand, third place two thousand...

The top ten all receive cash prizes! My goodness! When Qian saw this, he was even more pleasantly surprised.

***

Liu Ruohan walked down the street. She saw that many taxis had overnight been plastered with advertisements for the new "Cosmic Technology" game. Besides these taxis, some "motorcycle taxis" had also sprouted high-decibel loudspeakers, constantly blaring about the "New Game Script Competition."

Liu Ruohan was stunned. What shocked her even more was when she arrived not far from the "Cosmic Technology" company. Looking at the low-rise building and the somewhat dilapidated, cluttered street, she found it hard to believe. Is this really... the "Cosmic Technology" company? A tech game company? What kind of impression should a tech company give? Even if it didn't look high-tech, shouldn't it at least be in an office building?

But the location of "Cosmic Technology" was just... completely out of place, wasn't it? If you didn't know better, you’d think it was a massage parlor that had opened on a street corner!

She frowned slightly. Just as she was deep in thought, she saw the door to "Cosmic Technology" open. Then, she saw Zhang Yang, chewing gum and stretching, walk out of the room carrying a stack of advertisements. As he walked out, she saw him yawn and pull out his phone. His originally slightly weary expression suddenly became incredibly spirited, and his eyes began to shine.

"Hello?"
"You're almost here?"
"Haha, good! With your participation, our new game will definitely be a success. It’s like adding wings to a tiger! Haha, have you guys eaten yet..."
"You have? Ha, don't worry about starting work yet; come join me for some business cooperation first. This is the first lesson I'm teaching you..."

On the other side of the alley, four or five young people appeared in Liu Ruohan's line of sight. Not long after, Zhang Yang met up with them. Zhang Yang seemed like a very capable person; although she couldn't hear exactly what he was saying to them, the bursts of laughter and the various excited voices from the group were constant. Gradually, these people took the advertisements from Zhang Yang and disappeared into the crowd.

She subconsciously followed them. Not long after leaving the alley, she saw Zhang Yang stop in front of a mobile phone shop named "A-Wei."

"Boss... can I take a few minutes of your time?"
"Uh, who are you..."
"You've heard of *Desert Bicycle*, right?"
"I've heard of it, *Desert Bicycle* is a very popular game... why do you ask, who are you..."
"Haha, I'm the person in charge of *Desert Bicycle*, Zhang Yang..."
"You're... President Zhang?"
"Yes, that's right!"
"President Zhang, what is this..."
"We can help you advertise for free. We're developing a new game, right? If you're willing, we can design your shop into the game..."
"What the heck?"
"Your A-Wei mobile shop, we can put it inside the game to promote you for free!"
"Huh?"
"And all you have to do is put up these ads. If you have relatives or friends who own shops, we can help them too..."
"You can put us in the design?"
"Of course I can!"
"Haha, that's interesting!"
"By the way, Boss..."
"What?"
"While you're putting up this promotional poster, go online, register for a merchant channel, and sign up."
"Sign up?"
"Yes, go sign up... You're the first shop I've personally visited, so I'll give you special benefits. Other merchants will have to pay to cooperate!"
"Okay, okay, how do I do it?"
"Like this..."

Liu Ruohan watched as Zhang Yang left the "A-Wei Mobile Shop" after having a few young men take a photo of him and the shop owner, and then he walked into a barbecue restaurant not far away...

***

"Cosmic Technology's new game cordially invites all merchants and players to cooperate!"
"The in-game plot will be designed into the scenes on a one-to-one scale..."
"Congratulations to 'A-Wei Mobile' for being selected as the first cooperative scene!"
"Congratulations!"

On the message board, someone immediately posted the photo of Zhang Yang cooperating with the mobile phone shop owner. Subsequently, all the users were bewildered.

"What exactly is President Zhang trying to do?"
"Holy crap? A phone shop? First he’s asking for scripts, then he’s talking about design concepts... what on earth is he doing?"
"I don't know, you're asking me, but who should I ask?"
"By the way, did you sign up for the script contest?"
"I signed up! I feel like this project is pretty interesting..."
"Me too..."