Started as a comics editor

Chapter 329 Matters Before Tang Yao Temporarily Flees Away

"Miss Li...you really can't lie."

Li Xue was a little embarrassed, but still forced herself to say, "What lie?"

"It's all better now."

Tang Yao lifted her head from her flat stomach and chuckled, "Isn't your hint a bit lacking?"

Li Xue's forced composure crumbled instantly when Tang Yao looked at her with those mischievous, smiling eyes. She could even feel the temperature rising in her earlobes, and she immediately averted her gaze from that overly bright look: "I didn't hint! I just realized..."

As soon as she uttered these unreasonable words, she realized they were untenable. Her moist lips tightened slightly, and her gaze drifted to Tang Yao, who was curled up on the edge of the chair, her long, shapely legs.

Under the light, her delicate skin seemed to be enveloped in a soft glow, and her slender ankles were fragile and exquisite.

Even so, she was really looking forward to seeing Tang Yao in a dress...

"Do you think an ordinary person would think of rubbing their friend's leg if they saw the leg was numb?"

"I'm different from you."

"What's the difference?"

"I... am different!"

"Ok."

Tang Yao couldn't help but chuckle, but didn't point it out. The two of them had been getting along quite well lately, with everything understood without being said.

Especially after that shopping trip.

Once you accept things, they're not such a big deal after all.

As Tang Yao thought about it, she grabbed Li Xue's clothes and moved her ankles slightly. The soreness and numbness had completely passed, leaving only a warm feeling of relaxation.

She stopped looking at the screen and instead turned her gaze to the dazzling city lights outside the window.

The office fell silent for a moment, with only the low hum of the air conditioner blowing air.

The light from the screen shone on Tang Yao's face, outlining the soft contours of her profile.

"Miss Li."

After a while.

She finally spoke softly, breaking the silence: "AG platform's summer gaming festival has finally come to a successful end... Aren't we Avalon super strong now?"

Li Xue's thoughts were instantly pulled back. She smoothed Tang Yao's long, smooth hair again, then gently divided it into two sections and replied softly, "Yes, the three small-scale games, Plants vs. Zombies, To the Moon, and Rusty Lake, have far exceeded expectations in terms of both word-of-mouth and sales."

She paused, then added, "Not to mention the revenue generated by the Summer Game Festival itself... Add to that the continued popularity and steady revenue from mobile games, PC games, and older games, and Avalon's cash flow has never been so abundant."

"Abundant..."

Tang Yao pondered the word, then a look of emotion appeared on her face: "Yes, the numbers on the account, the reputation among the player community, and the corresponding scale... Next, we're just waiting for the two big ships, 'Vagabond' and 'LOL,' to be launched and set sail."

Speaking of which.

She turned her head slightly to look at Li Xue and smiled brightly, "Once they are truly on their course, everything... should be on the right track as we have planned."

Li Xue met Tang Yao's gaze, then hesitated for a moment: "So... are you really going to do what you said before, that after the two big projects, 'Rogue' and 'LOL,' you'll only propose the core concept and direction for the new project, and then let the project team develop freely?"

"I thought so."

Tang Yao nodded, her smile shining brightly in the dim light of the screen: "Didn't we say before that once the project is finished, we'll try to let go, find a quiet place to hide away, and try sleeping in until we naturally wake up... Oh, and I also want to try on a dress at your place. You've hinted at it so many times, you've practically never forgotten it."

The last paragraph hit the nail on the head.

Li Xue immediately looked away and focused on playing with Tang Yao's smooth long hair, sometimes holding it and dividing it into pigtails, sometimes into a single ponytail, without saying a word.

"Anyway, when the time comes, I'll take you with me even if I wear it, so don't even think about running away."

Tang Yao let her run her fingers through her hair, then added a sentence before looking back at the screen: "But even so, it feels like asking them to come up with a concept is too much to ask. I feel like they'll explode. The next game, even if I were in charge, would be quite troublesome."

"so……"

Upon hearing this, Li Xue immediately stopped pretending to be mute and cautiously confirmed it.

"So I still need to make some preparations."

Tang Yao explained, "Besides concepts, we also need to teach them some essential things, otherwise they won't feel at ease even when they're resting."

She was referring to the experimental project that was launched alongside "Vagabond" and MOBAs.

Actually, this project has been progressing during this period.

Most of the time, Tang Yao would come up with ideas, and then the staff would try to figure them out, verify them, and achieve something. Although it wasn't a systematic approach, there were still some results.

Upon hearing this, Li Xue paused slightly as she combed Tang Yao's hair, a few strands of soft black hair slipping from her fingers: "You mean... that experimental project we've been working on?"

She remembered Tang Yao mentioning that project a few times. It was something with a small investment, a long cycle, and a bit of a wild imagination, like a secret workshop that constantly tries out new toys.

"correct."

Tang Yao responded and leaned against Li Xue with a relaxed posture: "Although I feel that the timing is not right yet, there are still problems with technology reserves, experience accumulation, and even market acceptance. So I have been holding back and only dare to do some small-scale technical verification. Like a child building a sandcastle on the beach, I am afraid of the waves coming, but I can't help but want to build it higher."

"However, I think that after the release of 'Vagabond' and the official launch of LOL, the staff can get some practice. Both the single-player and online game departments can try it out... After all, now we have the AG platform, our own distribution channels and user base, and players trust Avalon and are more tolerant of innovation."

Even if the project ultimately fails, it will let them know what my ultimate goal is, and at the same time, I can accumulate relevant experience in the process.

"But if it's that project, I can't just give a concept; I need to prepare some other things... Miss Li, that project is much more complicated than you imagine."

Because the inspiration for that long-term experimental project... was none other than The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which redefined the open world in Tang Yao's memory, and the later groundbreaking Genshin Impact.

How could it not be troublesome?

Li Xue's fingers began to move again, gathering Tang Yao's long hair into a bunch and loosely holding it in her palm, feeling its smooth coolness. After a moment of silence, she asked with a hint of mischief, "So, according to what you said... you really won't be begged to come back and save the day?"

"That's what I'm afraid of, so I'm going to start preparing. My goal is to not be disturbed until I've had enough rest."

"...A proposal?"

"more than."

Tang Yao explained, "I want to tell them that the purpose of an open game world is not to fill players' schedules with task lists and map markers, but to stimulate their deep-seated curiosity and desire to explore."

What is it that naturally arises in my heart when I stand atop a towering mountain, gazing at the strange, luminous tower in the distance? It is the urge to go and see it.

It is the discovery of a forgotten ancient site, from which one can conjure up an epic tale of a lost civilization simply by looking at the broken walls and weathered murals.

The core driving force is the pure attraction inherent in the unknown itself.

"And then there's the physical realism, the freedom of interaction, the power of environmental narrative and implicit guidance, the chemical engine..."

Tang Yao spoke at length, and the magnificent and free game continent seemed to be vividly emerging from her description.

In fact, there are many things that Li Xue doesn't understand.

But she could sense Tang Yao's ambition and expectations...

"It feels so tiring."

Li Xue slowly released Tang Yao's long, smooth hair: "Can this be done in a short time?"

Tang Yao chuckled and asked, "What's wrong, Miss Li? Can't you wait to run away and rest?"

"It's not that I can't wait, it's that..."

Li Xue gently shook her head and replied, "I feel you've been working too hard lately. Now that the AG Summer Game Festival has ended and the concept trailers for two major titles have been released, they're in the final polishing stage. It's time for you to take a good rest. Think about it, since FGO, apart from that time the three of you went to the hot spring inn, you haven't had a proper break... If this continues, with game after game being released, it feels like you'll never get a break."

Besides, isn't Kaoru on vacation right now? If we keep dragging this out, she'll have to go back to school soon..."

"to be honest."

Tang Yao gently patted Li Xue's tummy.

"..."

Li Xue was a little shy, but after a moment of silence, she spoke the truth: "I want to rest, I want to see you in a dress, and I want to invite you to my house..."

"really."

Tang Yao stood up barefoot, her snow-white feet exposed. She reached out and pinched Li Xue's soft cheek, saying irritably, "I told you you couldn't forget me! You were just pretending not to hear me! And who's going to your house! Going to my house!"

"..."

Li Xue was silent for a moment, then said shyly, "But Xun is here..."

Tang Yao tilted her head, a few strands of soft hair sliding down her cheek, revealing her flushed, fair face: "What does Xun have to do with it!?"

"..."

Li Xue looked away and did not answer.

Tang Yao realized what was happening and chuckled, "Wait, you didn't already buy a whole bunch of dresses, did you?"

Li Xue remained silent, her beautiful face flushed.

"Wait, you didn't buy it again..."

"I don't!"

"I haven't even said what it is yet!"

"Anyway, there isn't."

"No."

Tang Yao lay on top of Li Xue and pinched her face hard.

Li Xue felt a slight pain as her cheeks were pinched, but she didn't struggle at all. Instead, she obediently turned her face slightly to the side, letting Tang Yao knead her tender cheeks with a punitive force.

Seeing Li Xue's expression, Tang Yao was both annoyed and amused. She loosened her grip and started to cup her instead of pinching her.

She tiptoed slightly, bringing her body even closer.

The soft light from the office overhead lamps poured down, casting their shadows clearly onto the polished floor.

Under the lights, the two women's distinctly different beauty was vividly portrayed.

Li Xue wore a well-tailored off-white business suit, elegant and capable. The fitted skirt perfectly hugged her shapely figure, extending her two long, straight, and voluptuous legs encased in thin stockings. Her usually cool and capable face was now flushed with a light blush, her eyelashes lowered, carrying a hint of embarrassment as if her secret had been exposed. She was breathtakingly beautiful.

Tang Yao, on the other hand, exudes a completely different charm. She wears simple light blue slim-fit jeans and a T-shirt. Although the clothes are loose-fitting, they cannot hide her shapely figure. She is full of youthful vitality and elasticity, with a fresh and full beauty that blends girlishness and maturity.

At this moment, she stood on tiptoe, tilting her head back. Her oval face was a masterpiece of creation, with porcelain-white and delicate skin that seemed to be bathed in soft light under the dim light of the screen. Her features were exquisite, as if they had been carefully sculpted.

One is as cool and elegant as a secluded orchid under the moon, the other is as bright and lively as the blazing sun in spring.

Despite their age difference, both are stunning beauties from every angle.

...Just standing there together is a beautiful sight to behold.

Not to mention that the two of them were embracing at that moment.

"You'll never get married, Li Xue."

Tang Yao vigorously rubbed Li Xue's delicate and warm face.

"Ah."

Li Xue nodded gently, then carefully leaned close to Tang Yao's ear and shyly whispered something.

Her voice was small.

Tang Yao didn't actually hear clearly, only catching the words "give" and "you," but she still glared at Li Xue lightly, her beautiful face turning red. Feeling guilty, she changed the subject, saying, "Alright, don't worry. I've already pretty much finished organizing the core framework of those open-world ideas I just mentioned. Otherwise, what do you think I've been doing all this time?"

Say it.

She released Li Xue's face, sat back down in the chair, and tugged at Li Xue.

Li Xue obediently sat down, gently kicking off her high heels, which landed on the floor with two soft thuds.

Tang Yao felt a weight on her legs, but she was used to the weight of the mature older sister. She immediately showed her what she had written during this period.

a lot of things.

Li Xue didn't understand most of the things.

But soon.

She understood something.

Character design.

Tang Yao said with some pride, "These are character designs for the online game team to reference. Aren't they beautiful?"

"It looks good, but it feels..."

"This is art, and I want to see you wear it later."

"Eh?"

"You can't just allow me to wear skirts but not allow me to dress up, can you?"

"But you can't find clothes like that in real life..."

"This...this is similar to a kimono, we can modify it."

"Okay, I'll wear it for you... but you're not allowed to laugh at me..."

The two huddled together in front of the computer screen, whispering to each other.

The character on the screen was a beautiful and charming high priestess with long, flowing pink hair.

……

at the same time.

In fact, many Avalon staff members are still there.

For example, Kang Ming and Yu Lili, the leaders of the two major projects, Rogue and MOBA, are still here.

They're thrilled because the two concept trailers received such a great response.

They are leading their teams, working tirelessly on their respective projects, burning with passion and creativity.

...They couldn't wait to bring the game to the players.

At this moment, the two ambitious project leaders, along with their equally enthusiastic team members, were completely unaware that in another office in the same building, the soul of Avalon, their beautiful young boss Tang Yao, was quietly, systematically, and premeditatedly preparing to abscond.

(End of this chapter)