Becoming the richest man by playing games that help cure depression

"I like you because you're old, and because you don't shower."

Old Zhang walked in carrying two cups of coffee, placed one on Li Zhujian's table, and said in a teasing tone.

"Hey, hey, hey, Lao Zhang, stop stirring up trouble!" Li Zhujian picked up his coffee, took a sip, and looked helpless.

"Honestly, I think I'll have to leave for a while to deal with design matters."

"Go to hell, the studio is perfectly stable now, it won't miss you." Old Zhang sipped his coffee, looking completely unconcerned.

"Why does what you're saying sound so awkward?" Li Zhujian raised an eyebrow, about to say something more, when Lu Bian interrupted him.

"Maybe there's poison in this coffee," Lu Bian leaned closer with a wicked grin. "Old Zhang wants to drug you so he can take over the studio!"

"Huh?!" Li Zhujian exaggeratedly leaned back and slumped into the chair.

His hands gripped his neck tightly, his face flushed red, "You...you actually tried to poison me! I treated you like a brother, but you plotted to usurp the throne!"

Old Zhang rolled his eyes: "His acting is absolutely terrible, zero points."

"I'll give you zero points too," Lu Bian added.

Li Zhujian reluctantly released his grip, sat up straight, and muttered, "You guys are really disrespectful. What's wrong with cooperating a little?"

Old Zhang suppressed a laugh, put down his coffee, and said, "Let's get down to business. Secretary Jiang told me before that you were prepared all along?"

"Of course!" Li Zhujian slammed his hand on the table, pulled a drawing from a folder, and handed it over triumphantly.

"I drew a sketch when I had nothing else to do, take a look."

Lu Bian and Lao Zhang leaned over, stared at the drawing for a long time, their faces darkening, and they both stammered in unison, "That's it?"

The drawing was just a square box with a spring head sticking out its tongue on top, as simple as a child's doodle.

"What is this thing?" Lu Bian couldn't help but ask.

"Isn't it lifelike?" Li Zhujian took the sketch back, looked at it, and scratched his head a little embarrassedly.

"Oh right, my drawing skills are indeed a bit lacking."

As she spoke, she picked up a pen and drew a few crooked ribbons around the box.

"How about this? Isn't it much better?"

Li Zhujian could see it clearly; it was as if a flock of crows had flown over the foreheads of Lao Zhang and Lu Bian.

He chuckled and smoothed things over: "Hey, just get the gist of it. The key is the idea, not the drawing skills!"

This is a real scare box, it's so much fun!

On the day the voting results were announced, the lead planner for League of Legends in Riot Games' China region approached Li Zhujian.

Li Zhujian had previously learned about the structure of Fist, but the Fist and Fujin in this world were very different from what he had imagined.

In the previous life, although the fist was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tencent, it was able to operate independently; in this life, after Tencent acquired it, it directly controlled all the power, and even the top management was replaced by its own people.

At the beginning of the year, Tencent replaced its original chief planner and chief designer, Wick, with Huang Yu, the former chief director of Zero Corridor Studio, who was brought in from outside.

This caused an uproar, with players condemning Tencent for betraying them and petitions flooding the internet demanding that Wick be brought back.

Huang Yu is under immense pressure. His Zero Corridor Studio has been reorganized by Tencent. Taking charge of League of Legends is a do-or-die situation for him; the slightest mistake could lead to utter ruin.

League of Legends itself is already mature, with a popular league and a stable player base, but Tencent sent him here not to maintain stability.

Huang Yu gritted his teeth and planned this "Vote for Hero Designer" event in order to rekindle players' enthusiasm and generate another wave of buzz.

In the chief planning office of Riot Games' China headquarters, Huang Yu sat on pins and needles, his backside burning. Author Flying Little Ji presents "Becoming the Richest Man Through a Depression-Relieving Game" on Cola Novels.

Looking at the voting results, he had a terrible headache: Li Zhujian, that up-and-coming designer known for "torturing players."

Two months after the controversy at the Game Expo, he became a sensation in the Chinese gaming industry, and his PlatinumGames studio was highly regarded by the industry. Even Tencent's offer to acquire him was politely declined by him.

Huang Yu has been in the gaming industry for almost twenty years and could tell at a glance that Li Zhujian was no ordinary person.

Regarding the tourism expo incident, although Li Zhujian seemed to remain completely hidden, Huang Yu knew in his heart that Li Zhujian was definitely involved.

Otherwise, how could a new designer force Zhiyou and the organizing committee to apologize in person?

He dared not be careless at all when communicating with Li Zhujian this time, even though the other party had not even graduated from undergraduate school.

The phone suddenly rang. Li Zhujian answered casually, his tone nonchalant: "Hey? Li Zhujian from Platinum Studio, what's up?"

A polite yet slightly reserved voice came from the other end of the phone: "Hello, Mr. Li Zhujian, I am Huang Yu, the chief planner of League of Legends."

Only Li Zhujian and Shen Yunshi were in the office. Li Zhujian's drawings were worse than even a third-grade elementary school stick figure.

The lines were crooked and twisted, making the hero's image look like he'd been struck by lightning. He relentlessly clung to Shen Yunshi, demanding her help.

The heroes designed by "tidying up" are basically drawn by Shen Yunshi from scratch, and he only gives verbal instructions.

As the two were pulling at the drawing paper, Li Zhujian's phone suddenly rang, and the words "Huang Yu" appeared on the screen.

Just as Shen Yunshi was about to speak, Li Zhujian raised his hand and patted her, giving her a "don't make a sound" gesture with his eyes.

He looked like he was eavesdropping, but the corners of his mouth were turned up high.

Upon answering the phone, Li Zhujian laughed heartily twice, his tone very warm:

"Mr. Huang! It's an honor to meet you. What brings you here?"

After saying that, he immediately shut his mouth, even his breathing became soft, and he waited quietly for the other person to speak.

Huang Yu on the other end of the phone almost laughed in exasperation, secretly rubbing his forehead and muttering: Well, this kid isn't a hothead at all.

The online buzz surrounding the new League of Legends champion designer poll is bound to be huge. How could a game studio owner not know about it?

He was clearly pretending to be confused on purpose, just waiting for him to come begging. He's really cunning!

Huang Yu knew perfectly well that Li Zhujian's small studio was only worth a few million, which was not even a fraction of what Tencent, a giant with tens of billions in assets, could offer.

Anyone else would have been bowing and scraping, but Li Zhujian didn't. Instead, he took the initiative, putting on airs and insisting on maintaining a level playing field.

So what if your family is big and powerful? It's not like he begged to be a designer. If he really pushes you too far, I don't care who he is.

Huang Yu had no choice; he had heavy responsibilities and couldn't afford to waste time. He could only lower his stance and awkwardly try to smooth things over with a forced smile.

"Haha, Mr. Li, I'm sorry to bother you."

I know your company is busy with a new project lately, and I feel really bad for bothering you.

Li Zhujian was not one to push his luck; he knew when to stop, softening his tone but still concealing a sharp edge in his words:

"Mr. Huang, you're being too polite. I'm overjoyed that someone as important as you is calling me personally."

I've been really busy lately. The new project has just started, and sometimes I'm so busy I don't even have time to eat.

Huang Yu immediately understood that this was a call for him to show his sincerity. He couldn't help but think to himself: This Li Zhujian looks carefree, but he's actually a seasoned veteran!

He quickly echoed, "Mr. Li, you're too kind. Our head office has approached your company before to discuss cooperation."

Being valued by the head office shows that General Manager Li is exceptionally talented.

"Hahaha, Mr. Huang, please don't make fun of me!" Li Zhujian laughed so hard his voice was loud.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the atmosphere on the phone finally eased.