They promised to promote history, but what the hell is this Three Kingdoms Kill game?!

Chapter 20: Two Visits to the Thatched Cottage!

After seeing Wang Lin of Tencent off, Lin Lang knew that the other party would definitely make some underhanded moves.

Therefore, they attached great importance to this update and could not afford any problems. This also made Shen Qi and Chen Nan pay extra attention to confidentiality during this period.

During this period, every employee put in 200% enthusiasm to complete the tasks assigned by Lin Lang.

Lin Lang has also designed the next game's CGs and plans to outsource them to Apocalypse Studio, just like last time.

After finalizing his ideas, Lin Lang put his thoughts on a USB drive and went to Apocalypse Studio.

It's been three days since we last met, so it's time for a second visit!

So he called Chen Nan into his office again, intending to have him go with him.

"Chen Nan, come with me to Apocalypse Studio in a bit. We'll hand over the CG to them and also talk about what happened last time."

Lin Lang walked into the display case, picked up a brand new version of "Three Kingdoms Kill" and planned to give it to their studio as a gift.

When Chen Nan heard about this, he really didn't want to go.

The last time we met, I was just a driver; he wouldn't let me say a word, and I couldn't help him with anything.

It's better to stay in a company than to go back to the past.

"President Lin, I still have work to do here. Why don't you ask Shen Qi to go with you?"

Chen Nan directly pushed this task onto Shen Qi, intending to let her experience what it's like to be mute.

"Shen Qi went to the factory to design the general expansion pack, she doesn't have time." Lin Lang put on his clothes, shook his head, and rejected the suggestion.

What does that mean?

I absolutely have to go!

After thinking for a while, Chen Nan proposed another solution.

"I'll find someone from the design department to be your driver. It'll be a good opportunity for you to learn how they design, since you'll be working together anyway, so it's good to exchange ideas beforehand!"

Lin Lang didn't think much of it and agreed to the matter. It was just a matter of finding someone to drive, and it didn't matter who drove.

A few minutes later, in the parking lot downstairs.

"President Lin! President Chen asked me to come and follow you. Where are we going?" Bai Xiaotong's sweet voice came from behind.

When Chen Nan came to the design department looking for someone, she raised her hand to volunteer!

This is a chance to go out alone with my idol, I definitely have to seize it!

Lin Lang handed her the keys: "Let's go to Apocalypse Studio. Just use the navigation."

After saying that, he opened the car door, sat in the passenger seat, and waited for Bai Xiaotong to drive.

Just then, Bai Xiaotong knocked on the car window, bit her lip, and said pitifully:

"Mr. Lin... I can't drive..."

Upon hearing this, Lin Lang raised an eyebrow and took a deep breath.

How did Chen Nan find these people?!

They didn't even ask if I could drive!

"I can call a designated driver!" Bai Xiaotong quickly raised her hand when she saw Lin Lang's expression.

She hadn't expected to drive out; she should have contacted a designated driver sooner!

"Never mind, I'll drive."

Lin Lang didn't blame her, but instead turned his anger towards Chen Nan.

I'll deal with you when I get back!

"Mr. Lin, send me your location! I'll give you directions!"

"...No need, I can do it myself..."

And so, boss Lin Lang sat in the driver's seat, turned on the navigation, and headed to Tianqi Studio.

It's alright, Bai Xiaotong didn't sit in the back, otherwise Lin Lang would really have become a Didi driver.

After getting into the car, Bai Xiaotong took out her phone and took various photos, which she then posted on her WeChat Moments as souvenirs.

This is the first time I've been out alone with my idol, to put it another way.

Isn't this just like going on a date?

As soon as I posted it on WeChat Moments, I received a message from my grandfather saying that he wanted to find a time to meet with Lin Lang.

This puzzled Bai Xiaotong. Why did her grandfather want to see her?

Is Lin Lang really that charming?

Just as Bai Xiaotong was pondering how to tell Lin Lang, the two unknowingly arrived at Tianqi Studio.

After parking the car, Lin Lang told Chen Nan what he had told her last time.

"Okay, Mr. Lin, I guarantee I'll complete the mission!" Unlike Chen Nan, Bai Xiaotong didn't care why and simply gave an OK sign.

As for the message from Grandpa, just pretend you didn't see it!

The atmosphere at Apocalypse Studio was different from the last time I visited; the employees were all resting.

It seems I haven't received many orders lately.

When the employees saw Lin Lang, they greeted him warmly. After learning the purpose of his visit, they went to report to Zhang Yang.

"Mr. Lin, Brother Zhang is in the conference room. He asked me to take you there."

"It's okay, I can go by myself. Xiaotong, give them the gifts and wait for me outside."

After saying that, Lin Lang walked into the conference room by himself.

Upon entering, they discovered that Zhang Yang was not alone in the meeting room.

Another familiar face was Wang Lin, who had come to discuss the acquisition a few days earlier.

"Mr. Wang, let me introduce you to Lin Lang, the owner of Langyu Studio. And this is..."

After Zhang Yang met Lin Lang, he introduced Wang Lin to him, but Lin Lang interrupted him just as he was about to introduce Wang Lin.

"Brother Zhang, I've known Boss Wang for a long time. He even gave me a big gift last time we met!"

Lin Lang sat down with a smile in the seat opposite Wang Lin.

He didn't expect to run into Wang Lin this time, as for what he came here for.

Lin Lang could guess with his toes that, like him, they were there to win over Apocalypse Studio.

Unexpectedly, the acquisition failed, so they decided to use this tactic to punish them, starting with the game's CG!

Who knows, next time they might start poaching employees from their own company!

"Haha, old acquaintance!" Wang Lin said, but his hands clenched involuntarily.

Wang Lin never expected to run into Lin Lang here today. Ever since Lin Lang refused to let him return to the company, he had been scolded by Boss Zhang quite a bit.

Fortunately, he successfully acquired the small studio that produced "Hero Kill" for less than 1000 million yuan, which made Mr. Zhang somewhat satisfied.

There is only one purpose for me to come here today: to recruit Zhang Yang again!

The game's CG is a major factor in the positive reviews from players of "Three Kingdoms Kill," and this particular CG has generated a lot of buzz online.

If we can recruit Zhang Yang, it will be like cutting off Lin Lang's arm!

Thinking of this, a smile appeared on Wang Lin's face. He was quite confident in recruiting Zhang Yang, after all, he had once been a member of Tencent.

Although he didn't become a manager because of certain issues, he has brought enough sincerity today.

"Haha, you all know each other! I was just thinking of introducing you!"

Zhang Yang's thinking was simple. Seeing the two smiling, he genuinely assumed they had a good relationship and had no idea what had happened between them.

It was quite a coincidence that the two of them were able to meet today.

Wang Lin arrived suddenly without prior notice, and before the two could even exchange a few words, Lin Lang arrived.

As for Lin Lang's visit today, he vaguely guessed why. Perhaps it was to win him over, just like last time.

Or they're here to discuss the CG for the upcoming generals.

Then, Zhang Yang, true to his hospitality, poured tea for the two of them.

"Haha, Mr. Wang, I didn't expect you to still remember me! Let me know next time you come, and I'll definitely treat you well!"

Wang Lin smiled and picked up his teacup.

"Haha, how could I forget! I had high hopes for your skills when I was at the company, and look at what's happened now, it proves it!"

"The Guan Yu CG you created went viral in the company. After watching it, General Manager Zhang personally said four words—'Irreplaceable!'"

Zhang Yang was genuinely startled by these words. He knew Zhang Zong from his time at Tencent, but could he really have said something like that?

Zhang Yang wasn't sure if it was true or not, but replied with a smile, "Thank you so much for the compliment, Mr. Zhang!"

Lin Lang shook his head when he saw Wang Lin's insincere manner. He thought to himself, "It wasn't a wasted trip after all."

We can still enjoy a good show!

He was curious to see how Wang Lin would recruit Zhang Yang, since Zhang Yang had previously refused him.

If Zhang Yang really agrees to Tencent's offer, there's nothing he can do but find someone else to do it.

It was a bit of a hassle, but nothing serious.

Sure enough, after Zhang Yang finished speaking, Wang Lin directly stated his purpose for coming.

"Old Zhang, I won't beat around the bush. Tencent wants to rehire you, plus your team, and triple your salary as a project manager!"

Wang Lin offered his price, believing that Zhang Yang left Tencent for this very reason, and that with such a sincere offer, he was sure Zhang Yang wouldn't refuse.

Wang Lin really wanted to see Lin Lang get his comeuppance!

But as soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Yang's expression changed.

You should have said you were here to recruit me earlier, otherwise I would have let Lin Lang in!

By bringing two competitors together, isn't that digging a hole for yourself?

Seeing his expression, Wang Lin assumed he was still hesitating, so he began to praise him from every angle.

"Old Zhang, you know that Tencent has always valued talent. It was just a mistake on our part that we didn't discover your gem."

"But look at this now! How many netizens love the Guan Yu CG you created! The ink-wash style effects, the details of the character!"

"The most important thing is the story! Guan Yu's solo journey of a thousand miles, passing five passes and slaying six generals—what kind of person could design that!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Lang couldn't help but cough, "Cough cough!"

Can you at least do your research before praising someone?

Yes, many game CG creations are designed by the production team, with the client only providing a direction.

But... this CG is different!

You're praising me more than praising Wang Lin!

Thank you! Thank you so much!

Wang Lin also noticed Lin Lang's meddling and gave a light "humph," thinking, "You must be feeling bad about poaching the design team right in front of you!"

Therefore, the efforts were intensified once again.

"Your time at Tencent played a part in making this design possible. Without the experience gained from previous projects, we wouldn't be where we are today!"

I know you weren't comfortable with those restrictions at Tencent back then, but now you're at the highest level in the design line, and nobody's questioning your designs!

Zhang Yang put down his cup and sighed heavily. "Mr. Wang, what does 'the highest level of design line' mean?"

"Literally, as T12 (the group's technical leader), within the entire art team, you only need to report to the producer!"

"The producer..." Zhang Yang repeated, his tone flat, "What if the producer thinks my design is wrong?"

"It's negotiable."

"And what happened in the end?"

Wang Lin opened his mouth but didn't speak; his meaning couldn't be clearer.

Zhang Yang chuckled to himself. Sure enough, Tencent was still the same Tencent it always was.

Even if you become the general manager of the design department, your final idea will still be rejected by the producer.

It's still the same as before!

"Old Zhang, I know you mind this, but think about it, every piece of work you create at Tencent can be seen by tens of millions of players."

What can outsourcing do? The platform isn't yours. Do you think anyone will even know the name Apocalypse Studio? And can you guarantee it will always be like this?

If we disregard Lin Lang, it is indeed as Wang Lin said.

Outsourcing results in the end, and it's difficult to consistently produce such high-quality work.

Moreover, Apocalypse Studio is just a small studio.

Lin Lang's order was the largest one he had placed in recent years.