Xia Wen, with the air of experience, smiled and said, "And besides, Star Rail is such a big pie, too tempting. Even without all this, they've long wanted to tear MiHoYo apart. We're just pushing the timeline forward and taking the initiative."
Silver Wolf nodded.
For a moment, everything was quiet.
This plan, in the current world, was simply explosive.
"Boss, you're truly evil."
"Right back at you, we're both cut from the same cloth."
"Hehehehe."
---------------------------------------
In the next few days, an amusing little game emerged within the MiHoYo company.
It was about trying to find which hidden troublemakers had yet to be discovered.
Just as Xia Wen had expected, after Silver Wolf registered the company and simulated the financial reports, before any real action was taken, a flood of smear articles suddenly appeared online, spreading to all major social platforms almost instantly.
There were too many sources to count.
Entertainment companies, individual studios, and even the platforms themselves.
The entire city (crossed out)—no, the entire internet was in chaos.
Fans were utterly shocked. Just yesterday, everything was fine, praise was everywhere,but after waking up, MiHoYo had suddenly become a global enemy.
#PenaconyFinaleDisaster#
#MiHoYoOutOfIdeas#
#LettingDownFansExpectations#
Hot searches like these appeared before everyone's eyes in an instant.
They didn't even have to look for them—the notifications, app pushes, and relentless bombardment made them impossible to ignore.Many rational fans tried to stop it, but in the face of such premeditated attacks, their efforts were in vain.
What seemed like baseless paranoia to most people, once fueled by mass emotional manipulation, became impossible to resist.
Passersby could no longer think critically:
Why does this "Penacony finale disaster," which hasn't even happened, feel like it already has?
And even if MiHoYo truly had run out of creativity, what did that have to do with them?
But in this era, the narrative is the truth.
MiHoYo had been trending heavily for a while.
Although their fanbase was large, there were still many outsiders.
With deliberate manipulation of public opinion, it was easy to spark conflict between fans and outsiders.
And once conflict starts online, there's no way to resolve it peacefully.
After all, behind the screen, if you insult me, I'll definitely curse you back.
On top of that, MiHoYo naturally attracted a lot of attention.
Some people attacked just for the sake of attacking, to draw eyes and gain traffic.
The involvement of these people made the situation even worse.
But within MiHoYo, no one was worried.
Because all the negative press was built on the premise that the Penacony finale was a disaster and MiHoYo had exhausted its creativity.
The current wave of sentiment was simply laying the groundwork and fanning the flames for that belief.
Those companies might not truly think MiHoYo was finished; they simply wanted to frustrate Xia Wen, generate some hate, and perhaps benefit from the fallout.
But what Xia Wen had to do, was to make them truly believe that MiHoYo was finished.
...
"When is this financial report from?"
"Reportedly from a foreign firm—a big investment company—meant specifically for insiders."
"Damn, fully exposed?"
"Allegedly a leak!"
Inside XYZ's subordinate video group, an emergency meeting was underway.
The group leader Zhao Long was trying hard to suppress his excitement while discussing the potential implications with his subordinates.
You have to understand, MiHoYo had expanded globally.
Their market was unimaginably vast.
If there was even a possibility of this being true, and they got in early, they might soar to the top.
If Honkai collapses, XYZ Video rises!
"Find out if the source is reliable!" Zhao Long said, eyes bloodshot.
If the news was true, they would immediately gather funds for investment and publicity, and try to poach more users from Honkai.
Similar scenes were playing out in other companies as well.
Video producers, entertainment firms.
Big companies, small companies—all were rattled by the news.
They scrambled to investigate whether the downfall was real.
"Could it be XYZ? They try to copy everything. If they can't copy Honkai, they must be dying of envy."
"Could be ABC. Honkai's always trending, stealing all the big ad revenue."
"Anyway, we suspect XYZ the most."
"But ABC's also possible.""Even if it's BCD, I'd believe it."
"Damn, what's this company with the weird name in the beginning—'How About We Explore The Area Ahead Of Us Later?'?"
When the executives saw this bizarre name, they were stunned.
"How About We Explore The Area Ahead Of Us Later?"? That's a company name?
Looking at the registered location—Russia. Legal representative: Bronya.
A Russian female executive?
Impressive.
Russians really name things differently.
The strange name didn't draw too much attention. They didn't even know what it meant.
At most, they just found Russian naming odd.
Once they confirmed the legal representative was a tough Russian woman, they relaxed completely.
In terms of legitimacy and value, Ningguang had clearly arranged everything perfectly.
In the hands of company executives, it was simply a weirdly named company with no obvious ties to MiHoYo or any of its sponsors.
And all of its subsidiaries were think tanks related to economics and entertainment, providing services to the entertainment hubs of various countries.
In other words, what was placed in front of them was a professional report prepared by professionals.
It was specially prepared for entertainment industry.
All previous hesitation was completely shattered.
What is there left to hesitate about?
Even Honkai: Star Rail's market isn't offering a mere 200% profit anymore.
It has to be 1000%!
All in!
No more pretending!
....
Inside miHoYo.
A relaxed atmosphere.
Xia Wen was lying on the sofa, eyes closed, enjoying Miss Tingyun's massage service.
Mmm.
Just played mahjong and lost an entire month's salary at the betting point.
Now, he could only perform to repay the debt.
Meanwhile, Silver Wolf was chatting with Fu Xuan, Firefly, and others.
"XYZ announced an investment of 500 million to create a space epic, already signing contracts with actors and directors, and renting venues to produce the highest quality series as quickly as possible."
"ABC announced an investment of 500 million to establish a space production center, already signing contracts with multiple VFX companies to ensure the series' effects meet standards."
"No way, is this for real?!"
Fu Xuan was dumbfounded.
Not just because she couldn't understand the mindset of these rich people.
More importantly, Firefly had just bet with her and Silver Wolf that someone had invested shares.
The bet: to test whether the boss is truly a pervert, the loser would wear the outfit the boss likes and satisfy all his requests for a day.
And Fu Xuan lost.
"Aiya, little Fu Xuan, you really lost completely."
Firefly gleefully wiggled her fair little feet and giggled: "Now we can finally find out if the boss is a real pervert."
"I—I refuse to accept this!"
Fu Xuan stubbornly said: "Shouldn't things like this be triple confirmed before investing? They made decisions too rashly!"
"You don't get it."
Silver Wolf said while snacking: "These people would sell the rope used to hang themselves for 200% profit. Honkai: Star Rail, to them, is 1000%. You could ask them to kill someone and they wouldn't even blink."
"Damn it…"
"I—I really have to…"
Fu Xuan hung her head in despair, biting her lip.
Put on stockings.
Voluntarily go to Xia Wen, and say to this big pervert, I'll fulfill all your requests today.
Doesn't that make her... So humiliating!!
"A bet's a bet."
Firefly had zero empathy, her eyes full of amusement: "Otherwise, I'll tell everyone about this bet!"
"No, don't!!"
"I'll do it, okay!"
Fu Xuan turned pale with fright at Firefly's threat, then mumbled softly: "At least... at least let me prepare a little… It's too sudden. How about after episode 3 airs?"
"Hmm… fine!"
Firefly pretended to think it over, then smiled after seeing Fu Xuan's pale face.
Fu Xuan no longer had the energy to argue with Firefly. She nervously glanced at Xia Wen enjoying the massage not far away.
A flood of 18+ thoughts filled her head.
"T-The boss couldn't really be that perverted, right…"
Fu Xuan's face turned bright red.
But she couldn't stop imagining things.
And the more she thought, the more she started wondering what kind of outfit she should wear.
Even Fu Xuan herself didn't realize—
She only felt shame, but not disgust.
On the contrary… Was she a little excited?
As Fu Xuan was in turmoil.
Next door, Xia Wen was humming in pleasure.
"Boss~"
"Benefactor~"
"Are you satisfied with this lady's service~?"
Tingyun whispered into Xia Wen's ear while massaging him.
This ASMR-like feeling was high-end craftsmanship!
Especially her deliberately weak demeanor, it really stirred up a strong desire to protect.
But what good ever comes from a vixen's flattery?
"Since the boss is pleased, then… regarding this little lady's resurrection—could it be considered?"
Tingyun smiled slyly, quietly stating her wish.
As her breath tickled his ear, Xia Wen opened his eyes and happened to see Tingyun's enchanting face gazing at him gently.
"It's already done. Called it Fugue."
Xia Wen smiled faintly.
Tingyun's eyes lit up—she was just asking casually, didn't expect to actually get an answer. But the title made her curious: "Fugue?"
"Is that some special role?"
Xia Wen was about to explain—
Suddenly someone shouted nearby.
"Crap, Blade Bro's about to fight!"
"Where's the boss?!"
"Boss, hurry! We can't hold him back!"