Chapter 88: Side Story 1 – After Winning the Award

Chapter 88: Side Story 1 - After Winning the Award

In addition to the Best Newcomer Award, *Disaster* also competed for the Best Art Award with other game developers.

And they won.

The celebration had not officially ended yet, but gamers who had learned the results through Huaxia Games' official account had already started celebrating on their own platforms.

[Congratulations to our *Disaster* game on winning the award!]

[Today, I won’t allow you to call yourself a small, struggling game anymore. Today, we are Niohulu Tianzi!]

[Ahhhh, I thought our game could only compete for the Newcomer Award. I didn’t expect we could also bring home the Art Award. Our game has really made it!]

[But upon closer reflection, it makes sense. The art style of *Disaster* is indeed top-notch. We have to give credit to Jiang Sijie! He’s brilliant!]

[……]

Just as everyone was having a heated discussion, someone suddenly posted a short video.

[Video.avi - I’m wondering, is Dida Studio really not making this keychain? I kind of want it.]

[!! Where did this video clip come from? Where did the keychain come from? Are there other designs?]

[I checked, it’s from the latest clip posted by Huaxia Games' official account, from the moment the Best Newcomer Award was won. It’s a bit difficult to comment on, though. Even though they won two awards, Dida Studio is still that inexperienced, struggling game that doesn’t know how to make money.]

[I understand. Considering most of them are still in school, it’s impressive that they can spare time to make games for us. Their studies come first, so we should probably wait a bit longer for merchandise. At least until they hire more people.]

[……So, you’re this understanding of a studio?]

[Normally, I wouldn’t be so understanding of a game studio, but the thing is, they are still students. Especially students from Jing University. If they delay their graduation due to stress, I would feel terrible for them.]

[……That makes a lot of sense. Well then, I’ll go and urge them to hire more people on their studio’s page!]

[Their official website has been hiring for a while, but previously, because of their status as students, people might have thought they were just fooling around and likely to run off after one project. So, hiring hasn’t been going smoothly. But after the New Year, their studio seems to be gradually becoming more formal. Now that they’ve won awards, it should be easier to hire people.]

[Spectator.jpg - I’m not interested in those things. It’s their studio’s concern. What I care about more is that Dida Studio has always been quite generous. Before the New Year, they gave us a bonus because no one failed their exams. Now that they’ve won two awards, the bonus should at least be double what it was before!]

[!! I almost forgot about this. I need to go ask. The bonus absolutely cannot be missed!]

As a result, Dida Studio’s account was flooded with comments saying, 'Congratulations! Now give us some bonuses!'

When Shi Ling and the others saw this, the celebration had just ended.

They were waiting for a car they called at the entrance of Huaxia Games, and that’s when they saw the comments under their official account.

Fang Lingyun pouted, “They’re not even saying anything complimentary. They’re just asking for welfare!”

Shi Ling glanced at it and continued scrolling, “But they did congratulate us.”

Fang Lingyun, “It’s so insincere. They should at least acknowledge how amazing we are. How, at such a young age, we achieved such an incredible accomplishment. Then they should discuss the significance of this award, and finally……”

Shi Ling gave him a sideways glance, “If I have to write an essay just to get a bonus, then I’d rather not have it.”

Jiang Sijie nodded in agreement, “Agreed.”

Fang Lingyun hummed lightly but was obviously not angry, continuing to scroll down, “But we should still give out bonuses, right? What scale should we follow?”

Mo Jin looked at a certain comment under the official account and said, “How about we follow this comment and give out three times the bonus we gave during the New Year!”

Fang Lingyun blinked, feeling that something was not quite suitable: "At that time, most players were farming low-tier materials, but now they have progressed quite a bit in their quest lines, and most of them need mid-tier materials. Some who are fast at leveling are even farming high-tier materials. Isn't this a bit unsuitable?"

Jiang Sijie said, "Then we can align the materials with the current stage and distribute them in two rounds."

"Since we won two awards, the first distribution will be sponsored by the Best Newcomer award, and the second by the Best Art award. Perfectly done!"

As they spoke, they had already made their decision.

Shortly after, the car they had called arrived.

Once everyone was in, the car headed towards the hotel.

Shi Ling glanced out the window towards where they had been standing: "It seemed like someone was there just now."

Ji Mingxiu nodded, "Yes, it was someone from Baiyun Studio."

Shi Ling blinked, "Really?"

At that moment, at the entrance of the Huaxia Games building, a copywriter who once had connections with Jiang Sijie was standing there.

Her colleague next to her asked, "Are you feeling a bit regretful?"

She paused for a moment, then shook her head firmly, "No, since it was my own decision, I won't regret it."

"Moreover, hasn't the PR department already analyzed it? The success of *Disaster Arrival* is the result of a combination of favorable circumstances. If I hadn't made that choice, at least the 'harmony among people' aspect would have been missing."

"Game quality is the most crucial factor for success, but besides that, there are numerous other factors. No game can completely replace another. Even if Dida Studio’s current team worked on our game, they might not be able to replicate their current success. So, there's no need to regret it."

Her colleague winked at her, "But your expression just now was very serious, especially during the Huaxia Games celebration."

She paused for a moment, then said with some self-mockery, "A person's rationality and emotions are not always in sync. Besides, I do want to succeed."

Especially now, when there is an overwhelming amount of praise for Jiang Sijie online, even the occasional negative comment is tinged with an unmistakable sour tone, which makes her feel a bit lost.

But people have the advantage of being rational.

At that moment, her colleague smiled and patted her on the shoulder, "No wonder you're a top student from Jing University. You have a great perspective."

"Don’t worry, our current project, though it hasn’t exploded in popularity like *Disaster Arrival*, is still considered a top-tier game within Dust Heart. The higher-ups are paying quite a bit of attention to it. As long as you focus on writing the next part of the storyline, success isn’t far off."

She nodded and glanced in the direction Jiang Sijie and the others had left, but soon turned her gaze away.

Then, she got into the car with her colleague and headed back to the hotel as well.

——

As soon as Shi Ling and the others returned to the hotel, they posted an announcement on the official account, releasing the planned material distribution.

However, since they were all still in S City and there was no one in Beijing with the authority to distribute the welfare, they would have to wait a few more days.

Upon seeing the first part of the announcement, where high-tier materials were included, the players were excited, but when they reached the latter part, they were disappointed.

[We can wait, but why does it have to take so long? Monday distribution? It's only Friday today.]

Fang Lingyun replied with the official account: [We're already in S City; how can we go back so quickly? Since we're here, we might as well go out and enjoy ourselves! Are there any good places to visit in S City? Recommend a few! We'll check them out with the others tomorrow!]

Mentioning this got the local players in S City excited.

[The Water-Sky Scenic Area is highly recommended; the scenery is stunning and it's free! Here are a few pictures to help you appreciate the wonders of nature!]

Official reply: [Thanks, cutie, game]

[There’s a water park in the North District, it’s really fun, but it’s been cold lately, so make sure to stay warm if you go to play in the water! If you catch a cold, you won’t be able to create games for us!]

Official reply: [Are you worried about us, or the game? Tell me!]

[Also, there’s a Fairy Temple in the southern part of the city, it’s said to be very effective, especially for matchmaking. You can go and pray if you’re free.]

Official reply: [I'll pass this to the couples; I won't go, it's not my cup of tea.]

Shi Ling found Fang Lingyun’s recommendation of the Fairy Temple rather speechless, but judging by Ji Mingxiu’s reaction, he seemed quite interested in this fabled temple known for granting happiness and fulfillment.

Ji Mingxiu searched for the address of the Fairy Temple and said, “Isn’t a happy and fulfilling life a good thing?”

Shi Ling lay in bed and said, “Of course, but it seems a bit far.”

Ji Mingxiu: “We can always get a car.”

Shi Ling tilted his head and thought for a moment, “That works as well.”

However, the next day, they didn’t go anywhere; even their meals were ordered through hotel services.

And on the third day, Ji Mingxiu vanished for the whole morning.

It wasn't until just before their flight back to Beijing that Ji Mingxiu, who had been missing for a while, finally appeared.

He placed a protective charm in Shi Ling’s palm, “I went to the Fairy Temple to pray for this.”

“Better safe than sorry; we must be happy and fulfilled.”