Chapter 25: Enemy secretly cares

Tong An’yu didn’t know who told her this.

“Once something new appears in this world, the remaining onlookers have two choices: imitate it or join it. Then, large amounts of attention and investment flood in, quickly occupying the entire market and leaving latecomers empty-handed.”

Colin Interactive Entertainment and Quantum Particles were probably such a story.

Colin Interactive Entertainment was originally a gaming company that caught the fast train of online game development in an era when desktop computers were becoming widespread.

It made the second choice: to join.

The domestic gaming industry started late, so it collaborated with large, established overseas gaming companies, purchasing their copyrights at high prices, introducing and localizing many online games.

After accumulating sufficient initial capital, Colin Interactive Entertainment bought a small overseas company on the verge of bankruptcy,  took over its entire content production team, and then, with the team’s efforts, created “Olympus Hall,” the most popular CRPG (computer role-playing game) at the time.

In 2007, Apple released the first iPhone, and in 2008, Google developed the first Android system; the smartphone market gradually flourished.

Si Corporation saw an opportunity at this time and began to enter the mobile gaming market, establishing the company Quantum Particles.

Supported by a powerful capital chain, it developed exceptionally fast, choosing another path: imitation.

Initially, it simply imitated classic mobile games like “Tetris” and “Snake,” adding some art design and interactive features to the original gameplay, effortlessly attracting a large number of fans.

Then it saw the popularity of “Olympus Hall” in the PC gaming market, so it quickly replicated its gameplay, creating the mobile game “Shan Hai Tu” with Chinese cultural elements.

As soon as “Shan Hai Tu” launched, it caused a huge sensation. Relying on early accumulated fans and Quantum Particles’ overwhelming marketing, this game easily dominated the mobile market.

By the time Colin Interactive Entertainment reacted, the timing was already wrong.

However, its founder, Lin De, was arrogant and extremely stubborn, determined to compete with Quantum Particles in the mobile game market.

So he spared no expense, hiring more engineers, managing audit relationships, pouring all his accumulated wealth into it, and hastily launched the mobile version of “Olympus Hall.”

Making the game was just the first step; promotion was the most expensive. To snatch market share from Quantum Particles, he borrowed a lot of money from various sources, and shareholders continually increased their stakes under his lobbying and demands.

Once a business war started, with sunk costs involved, it was difficult to stop.

Lin De was too confident in his product and user loyalty. In his promotions, he constantly emphasized original gameplay, independent design, and respect for creation, implicitly suggesting that “Shan Hai Tu” was merely a low-quality replication of gameplay.

However, mobile users didn’t care about these things; they were more familiar with Chinese cultural elements, and they had encountered “Shan Hai Tu” earlier. No one would abandon their accumulated gaming experience for the sake of “original creation” and turn to “Olympus Hall.”

The business war lasted for two full years. In 2013, the year smartphones exploded, Colin Interactive Entertainment was completely dragged down, while Quantum Particles welcomed another rapid development.

Lin De, unable to accept it, sued Quantum Particles in court, claiming that “Shan Hai Tu” infringed on their rights.

The copyright lawsuit was time-consuming and exhausting. Unfortunately, the law has its gray areas, and gameplay is not protected. Quantum Particles provided original code, and even though “Shan Hai Tu” was extremely similar to “Olympus Hall” except for the art design and character design, Quantum Particles still won the lawsuit.

After that, Colin Interactive Entertainment went bankrupt, and all shareholders suffered heavy losses. Although Lin De was not legally burdened with debt, he cleared out his family assets and incurred substantial “human debt.”

This past event often circulated as a classic case, and new generations of entrepreneurs frequently said that Colin Interactive Entertainment’s painful lesson made everyone see the truth of the market.

To be defeated and then disappear completely is to be called a vanquished foe; history is written by the victors.

To be defeated but rise from the ashes is to be called an entrepreneurial model, a business legend, and thus become a belief and an example.

Lin Huaixu was that legend.

His presence here today was truly a way for Colin Interactive Entertainment to vent its frustrations.

As soon as the question was asked, everyone tacitly looked around, whispering, their expressions quite intriguing.

“Who dares to ask such a bold question? So exciting.”

“That’s the Sun family, who made their fortune in energy. The one who asked the question, Sun Yingqi, just returned from studying abroad. She also seems to be planning to go into chips, since semiconductors are so hot right now.”

“Is Si Corporation also here today?”

“Look, towards the back, I think his daughter came.”

“Which one?”

“The one drenched like a drowned rat.”

“Oh my god, seriously?”

“Lin Huaixu is stealing the show today, and she’s hiding in the back, not daring to speak. It’s a belated boomerang, I guess.”

Tong An’yu felt the chill.

The gaze from the stage finally fell upon her, deep and profound, but then turned to mock her damp, limp hair and her unavoidable awkwardness.

She wasn’t sure if it was amusement or more hatred.

With Lin Huaixu’s current sophistication, he had already considered it.

There was a full five seconds of silence.

Finally, the sound of knees shifting broke the oppressive atmosphere. Lin Huaixu stretched his long legs, withdrew his gaze, looked at Sun Yingqi who had asked the question, and said calmly, “Si Corporation taught me a lesson.”

There was no discernible hint of sarcasm, but it certainly didn’t sound like it was truly in the past.

The host announced a short break, opening the venue.

The restroom in the emergency exit was much warmer. She rubbed her arms, stood in front of the vanity mirror, took the hairdryer from its hook, and began to dry her hair.

Fortunately, her hair was only damp; it dried quickly after a moment of blowing. She simply combed it, looking much more presentable.

If she had initially planned to sneak away, after Sun Yingqi’s question, she wouldn’t leave.

At this moment, she represented Si Corporation, the power behind Hexin Technology. Leaving would mean losing face for Si Corporation.

After hanging up the hairdryer, just as she was about to leave the restroom, two sets of footsteps echoed in the emergency exit: the crisp click of high heels and the muffled tread of leather shoes.

She didn’t expect them to stop near the restroom.

“Mr. Lin, I can tell you have a lot of resentment towards Si Corporation.” The high heels clicked another step, and the voice was Sun Yingqi’s.

Hearing the words “Si Corporation,” Tong An’yu immediately held her breath, standing firmly by the door, not making a sound.

Lin Huaixu did not reply.

Sun Yingqi continued, “Actually, I don’t really admire Si Corporation either. Although the business world is like a battlefield, they were too arrogant and bullied others. If they had just given a little breathing room back then, the Lin family wouldn’t have gone bankrupt.”

Having a common enemy could quickly bridge the distance, and Sun Yingqi was well aware of this.

Lin Huaixu remained noncommittal, not confiding in her as she had expected.

“We’ll be partners in the future, how about adding each other on WeChat?” Sun Yingqi thought he was just being overly cautious and didn’t want to leave himself open to gossip, so she changed her approach.

“Haven’t we already?” Lin Huaixu finally spoke.

Sun Yingqi laughed: “I mean your personal account. Your work account is practically a ruthless promotional machine.”

“Which makes it suitable for discussing cooperation,” Lin Huaixu said very politely, but it was as if he had returned to his indifferent self of seven years ago.

Tong An’yu leaned in, putting her ear slightly closer to the door crack.

‘What cooperation?’

‘Cooperation to deal with her family?’

Sun Yingqi was indeed a good networker, and immediately joked, “What, you have a girlfriend so you don’t even want to add personal accounts anymore?”

Under normal circumstances, the other party would laugh and say, “Of course not,” then, to avoid appearing petty, would amicably add the personal account and politely say they’d keep in touch.

Unexpectedly, Lin Huaixu directly admitted, “Yes.”

Tong An’yu: “……”

Sun Yingqi: “……”

Sun Yingqi’s smile faltered, and Tong An’yu’s face crumpled in bitterness.

‘Oh, good, good. Why is it the same no matter who he dates? Lin Huaixu is clearly so good with others!’

Tong An’yu felt an indescribable ache in her heart, and her head throbbed and swelled, so much so that by accident, the metal buckle on her dress strap hit the door with a “clang,” making all the blood in her body congeal.

Sun Yingqi reacted faster outside the door; she clutched the women’s restroom doorknob with one hand and yanked it open violently: “Who’s there!”

Tong An’yu didn’t have the superhuman speed to hide, so she simply appeared before the two with a stern face.

Lin Huaixu had already intended to leave, half-turned away, but seeing Tong An’yu standing at the doorway, he stopped, tilted his head slightly, and looked at her with that deep, profound gaze.

“You were eavesdropping?” Sun Yingqi’s face was grim.

Tong An’yu’s resentment was almost turning into bitter acid, ready to gush from her pores. She was equally impolite: “Not interested.”

“You’re trying to hide it, but you were standing right by the door!”

“Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known you have such a face behind the scenes,” Tong An’yu retorted.

“You—” Sun Yingqi knew she was in the wrong and turned to Lin Huaixu for help, “Mr. Lin…”

She thought Lin Huaixu, facing Tong An’yu, would surely believe Tong An’yu was in the wrong.

Tong An’yu’s heart tightened. She didn’t know if Lin Huaixu would speak up to defend Sun Yingqi. She could only try her best to remain composed, holding her head high and standing tall, enduring.

‘Don’t say anything.’

‘Please, arch-nemesis.’

‘Let’s just be two bad people who meet and part ways. Just pretend you didn’t see anything this time.’

‘I promise I won’t participate in any of your events in the future.’

Lin Huaixu seemed to smile slightly, very faintly, fleetingly, so fast it felt like an illusion.

But it gave Tong An’yu the chance to leave.

She quickly walked out of the restroom, leaving Sun Yingqi behind, and calmly headed towards the conference hall.

As she brushed past Lin Huaixu, she heard the sound of a lighter being flicked, probably an S.T. Dupont; the unique “clink” sound when it opened was particularly pleasant to hear.

She vaguely recalled that once at the Louis Vuitton art exhibition, she, wearing an expensive evening gown, shivered with cold, yet shyly and excitedly lit a cigarette for him.

And he, looking at her trembling eyelashes, his eyes deep, slowly cupped the flame.

She was such a lavish and exquisite ornament, meant to be pinned to his lapel, yet he seemed utterly indifferent.

It was a pity she discovered it too late.

Returning to the conference hall, Tong An’yu was surprised to find that the room had become warmer, and there was no longer the whooshing sound of the air conditioner from above.

On stage, the CEO of an MCN company was sharing his experience. Tong An’yu quietly returned to her seat, letting out a comfortable sigh. Her legs no longer had to press together for warmth.

The entire symposium lasted about four hours. Afterwards, the sky had cleared, and strong crimson sunlight poured through the windows. As she stood up to leave, Tong An’yu heard someone complain, “It’s scorching hot. Why did the air conditioning stop halfway through?”

“Someone probably felt cold and asked for it to be turned off.”

“Ugh, I give up. My clothes are soaked with sweat.”

This was why Tong An’yu hadn’t asked the concierge to adjust the air conditioning.

Most of the entrepreneurs attending were men, and wearing suits from head to toe was quite warm. The few ladies in dresses also maintained elegant postures throughout. She couldn’t very well make everyone accommodate her.

But as she reached the door, she still reached out and tugged the constantly nodding concierge, asking, “Why was the air conditioning turned off later?”

“Weren’t you caught in the rain? Thank you for not blaming us for our inadequate service.”

Tong An’yu released her hand. So that was it.

Because of her small act of kindness, the concierge had responded with a thoughtful gesture.

“You’re very thoughtful,” Tong An’yu praised, thinking of giving the concierge a good review as a diamond member when she returned.

“You’re too kind. It was actually a gentleman who reminded me, otherwise I wouldn’t have noticed.”

Tong An’yu nodded dismissively, not really listening, because she saw Lin Huaixu bowing and getting into a car at the hotel entrance.

He was wearing a dark blue suit today, his jacket already removed. His shirt clung to his slender, toned back, now damp with sweat; he had clearly been uncomfortably hot during the latter half.

The sun was very strong, making his crisp suit trousers gleam, and his long legs were still as striking as ever.

The car door closed, the driver scurried back to the driver’s seat, and the car sped off, leaving a trail of dust.