How to raise a random guy's wife

“Modeling and motion capture are still underway; I’ll give you the results after this is finished.” Bei Ran pinched the bridge of his nose. “The progress was going so smoothly, but then this unexpected problem occurred—what are you planning to do?”

"It's not a big problem, but it will take time," Kobayashi Sora said frankly. "The company needs to deal with internal issues, assess external risks, communicate with partners, make business trade-offs, collect information about the enemy, and finally, when we have an open and honest conversation with the other party, we also need to consider my personal safety—sometimes business warfare is very simple and brutal, and we have to be careful."

"That sounds like a lot of trouble," Du Ruo said, tilting her head and resting her chin on her hand. "Can you manage by yourself?"

“In my opinion, your magic tricks don’t seem like something one person could do alone,” Kobayashi Sora smiled indifferently. “Everyone has their own strengths. What looks difficult to others is actually not that difficult.”

“You can handle it yourself, but it will take time.” Bei Ran tapped the table lightly. “How about this, I’ll give you some money and I’ll do you a favor to shorten the time.”

"Wait a minute." Kobayashi Sora didn't react for a moment. "Did I hear that right?"

“How can I explain this to you…” Bei Ran paused, “Helping you is helping me. In this process, I will gain more benefits, so I will share some with you.”

“That sounds like fun,” Du Ruo said with a smile. “Count me in.”

“I can understand Bei Ran’s involvement… but I don’t entirely understand it either,” Kobayashi Sora said, puzzled. “You don’t need to get involved in this mess.”

“I invested,” Du Ruo patted Kobayashi Sora on the shoulder. “Let’s help each other out, so let’s not be so formal.”

“That makes sense.” Kobayashi Sora tapped her forehead to gather her thoughts. “Right now, the two most time-consuming aspects are information gathering and security. I have to work on the former by myself, while the latter requires the milk tea shop to send staff from various locations.”

“I can help with information gathering.” Bei Ran took out her phone. “Tell me what you need, and I can find any content that has appeared online for you.”

Upon hearing Bei Ran's words, Xiao Lin Kong Qing immediately realized that the other party might be a top-tier hacker.

No wonder I couldn't find any information about the specific members of the Ghost Castle before.

Considering Ghost Castle's superior technology compared to its peers, it's reasonable to assume that Bei Ran is a top-tier hacker.

“I can help with personal safety,” Du Ruo said with a bright and kind smile. “I’m very confident in my abilities.”

Indeed, Kobayashi Sora nodded to himself.

As a famous magician, Du Ruo knows many important people. Just by standing there, without even lifting a finger, others dare not touch him.

"I need Hirai's experiences over the years, the people around him, his close and distant partners..." Kobayashi Sora stopped rambling and directly stated his needs; he didn't want to waste too much time on this matter.

“No problem,” Bei Ran nodded. “There’s so much information; just reading through it would take a long time, not to mention organizing it…”

“This is exactly what I’m good at.” Kobayashi Sora tapped her forehead lightly. “Three hours is enough.”

-

“RER is basically shut down now,” Maekawa said with a smile. “All that’s left is for that kid to come to us.”

Hirai put down the documents in his hand and looked at Maekawa beside him. "I've waited nine years. I don't want to wait any longer."

"But......"

“My biggest mistake was giving him time to prepare.” Hirai stood up and went to the window. “The longer it takes, the greater his advantage will be, so we can’t wait. Tomorrow we’ll go to the RER and take back what’s rightfully mine.”

"Yes."

"Let's go." Hirai walked out of the office. "Have a coffee with me, and then..."

"Hey! Hirai!" An arm put its arm around Hirai. "It's been so long since we last met."

"Huh?" Hirai didn't react for a moment, moving his feet according to the other person's momentum while turning his head to observe the other person's profile. "You are...?"

"You've got a bad memory, haven't you? Now that you're the chairman, you don't remember your old friends? I was the one who introduced you to so-and-so from that family... This way."

Hirai carefully examined the other person's face. Although it looked somewhat familiar, he couldn't recall the person's name. "I don't understand what you're talking about."

“That’s a bit unfair of you,” the man patted Hirai on the shoulder. “You’re giving me the same look you’re giving me for the first time. If I’d known you’d react like this, I shouldn’t have come over.”

The other person's tone was too natural, and given that this was a company, it was impossible for someone to barge in without permission. Hirai even began to doubt his own memory. "Could it be that you are... no...?"

He searched his memory carefully, and this feeling of familiarity yet strangeness left Hirai somewhat confused.

Could it be a friend from nine years ago, or even earlier?

The other person's kindness seemed genuine; Hirai could even imagine the complex expression on their face when he left, filled with reluctance and wishing him a safe journey.

"Remember now? Stop pretending with me." The other person put their arm around Hirai and turned a corner, heading towards the reception room. "Come on, I'll take you to see someone, you'll never guess!"

Hirai: "..." I really can't guess, I don't even remember who you are.

But if you have such a good relationship, it would be quite hurtful if you really couldn't remember.

Hirai composed himself, controlling his expression. "Who else could it be... Kobayashi Sora?"

Sitting in the reception room was none other than Kobayashi Sora.

"The coffee is good." Kobayashi Sora raised her coffee cup. "But I still prefer Ramune soda."

Hirai's expression suddenly darkened.

Finally, Maekawa, who had been following behind, asked the question, "Who are you?"

"Me?" Du Ruo extended the hand that was on Hirai's shoulder to Hirai's face. "My name is Du Ruo. Nice to meet you. Please take care of me."

Hirai adjusted his expression. "How did you get in?"

"It's just a little magic trick," Du Ruo waved her hand. "Don't worry about it."

"Security!" Maekawa shouted, and soon hurried footsteps could be heard.

"You two talk." Du Ruo released Hirai's hand, took Maekawa with her, and closed the door behind her.

Hirai sat down opposite Kobayashi Sora, "What exactly do you want?"

“That’s…” Kobayashi Sora put down her coffee cup. “I should be the one asking you that.”

Chapter 966 is unnecessary

Kobayashi Sora knew the trip would go smoothly, but she didn't expect it to go this smoothly.

Bei Ran hacked into Hirai Company's system and forged an appointment, allowing Kobayashi Sora and Du Ruo to easily enter the meeting room.

Du Ruo said she was going to the restroom and came back with Hirai.

Hirai had regained his composure. "How did you get in?"

“I heard you were looking for me,” Kobayashi Sora replied calmly, “so I came.”

“Okay, very good.” Hirai glanced at the door; there was no sound outside, the security guards seemed to have vanished. “I want Malz.”

“Malts is long gone,” Kobayashi Sora said bluntly. “Now there’s only the RER game development department.”

“What your name is doesn’t matter,” Hirai leaned forward slightly, “Give it back to me.”

"Nine years have passed, and we've gone through layoffs, restructuring, and rehiring. You're still saying you'll give it back to me..." Kobayashi Sora's eyes narrowed into crescents. "I'll have someone search the warehouse to see if there's any sign left from back then. If not, I'll have someone forge one and give it to you. Two will do."

"Is this your attitude now?" Hirai said expressionlessly. "In that case, I'll just have to take it myself."

"So confident."

"Nine years ago, in Maltz's conference room, you single-handedly destroyed all my future plans, forcing me to obey my father's arrangements and start from scratch in a place I didn't know. In these nine years, I've been thinking constantly about why I failed back then and how I can succeed now."

"Hmm..." Kobayashi Sora smiled sincerely, "Shall I compliment you?"

"I should praise you. After defeating me, you acted as if nothing had happened, as if you had completely forgotten about me."

"Um..." Kobayashi Sora looked guilty. "I'm sorry?"

"Do you realize that the tone of your question sounds like a provocation?"

"I know," Kobayashi Sora nodded. "Otherwise, what do you think I'm doing?"

"..." Hirai closed his eyes, took a deep breath, "It seems you don't understand the current situation enough. Let me tell you."

Kobayashi Sora made a gesture of invitation.

"I have to admit that you have done a very good job developing RER over the past nine years. You have won by sheer numbers, supplemented by the old-to-new operation method, and completed the image upgrade program, which has enabled the virtual idol business to expand rapidly in a short period of time and provided RER with a healthy cash flow."

"With the help of Akane Akasaka's distribution channels, we have integrated print media, variety shows, TV animation, online radio, and offline events, maximizing the use of resources."

"Using the fans of these virtual idols to promote their own content, including light novels, comics, anime and games, with virtual idols even participating in content production."

"It's not about linking various forms of works through content, but about treating the production team as connecting nodes."

"This is a very clever move. While ensuring the independence of each work's content, it maximizes the popularity of the collaboration between the works."

"With the revenue from mobile games and sufficient cash flow, you have the ability to further expand your business. RER Novel Network and RER Comic Network have made the adaptation of novels into comics and comics into animations very smooth. RGW has given the already stable revenue of galgames more fresh blood and improved room for trial and error."

"Like a snowball rolling downhill, you've gradually transformed what started as a fan community into one of the most influential companies in the industry."

"I didn't realize I'd done so much," Kobayashi Sora said with some emotion. "Nine years is indeed a very long time."

“That’s not all, you want more.” Hirai listed them off as if they were his own treasures. “You reorganized Maltz, developed many different types of games as a technological reserve, all for the sake of the current ‘Virtual Heaven.’ You started making movies to obtain greater profits. You collaborated with local communities to develop pilgrimages to enhance your influence, while also reaching out to peripheral manufacturers and investing in several animation production companies.”

“You might not believe it,” Kobayashi Sora said, spreading his hands. “I spend most of my time enjoying life. What you’re talking about is just me making plans, handing them over to the right people to execute, and then waiting for feedback.”

"And that's precisely why you're in such a predicament right now." Hirai slowly loosened his tie. "Virtual idols have healthy cash flow, but it's too unstable. One controversy can destroy a virtual idol, or even several others. Everything built on this foundation is a castle in the air, and a precarious one at that. You've expanded too much, to the point that you can't control it as easily as before, especially when you want to enjoy life. As for the other production teams, as long as there's this unreasonable, privileged team led by Kasumi Eri, the others will never have a chance to rise. In nine years, how many have actually been given important responsibilities? All this accumulated discontent only needs a tiny spark to ignite it. And what follows is the fluctuation of the stock price... I don't need to elaborate on that."

"Hmm." Kobayashi Sora nodded. "That makes sense. And then what?"

"Either you listen to me and hand over Malz," Hirai concluded, "or you can just watch RER be destroyed."

“Actually…” Kobayashi Sora clicked her tongue, “You don’t need to imitate me on purpose.”

"I do not have."

"Then why did you loosen your tie?"

"It's too hot."

"Turn on the air conditioner."

"It's too cold." Hirai couldn't hold back any longer. "Answer my question and tell me your choice."

"When Kasumi Eri was first founded, our goal was to surpass Akane Akasaka." Kobayashi Sora fiddled with her coffee cup. "Those impetuous high school students, ah... one of them has graduated. Back then, we had just created an excellent game when we were crushed. Completely defeated, we were single-mindedly focused on surpassing that legendary multimedia queen—guess what happened?"

Hirai suppressed his anxiety, "Did we win?"

Kobayashi Sora shook her head. "No."

"That means we've lost."

Kobayashi Sora shook her head again, "No, not either."

"What do you mean by this?" Hirai stared at Kobayashi Sora. "A draw?"

Kobayashi Sora reminded her, "You're not as rational and calm as you were back then."

Hirai took a deep breath, leaned back in his chair, and adjusted his posture. "What exactly are you trying to say?"