Chapter 143: Subtle Sparks
Date: 2025-03-16
Author: Xian Ge
At Tang Yao’s words, Li Xue froze, as if caught red-handed doing something naughty. She floundered, her whole demeanor radiating panic.
Though her face was hidden, her back screamed fluster.
“…” Tang Yao paused too, realizing something was off. A blush crept across her delicate face.
Why had she said that?
Maybe Li Xue’s suggestive moves had thrown her off.
A reflex response, surely.
The only explanation.
It couldn’t be that she was… into girls, right?
…Unlikely.
Since becoming Tang Yao, she’d found men unappealing and indeed gravitated toward older sisters and cute girls.
But she was clear-headed. Reality wasn’t a novel, movie, or art piece.
Her aversion to men didn’t mean others felt the same.
With her current trajectory, going a bit unconventional wouldn’t matter—her deadbeat parents were gone, and the game was raking in cash.
But Li Xue wasn’t her…
So she wouldn’t indulge her whims. Liking older sisters and cute girls stayed at appreciation.
Like how she loved watching Xun prance around with her snowy legs—pure eye candy. Or Li Xue in black stockings—stunning.
But that was it.
Her boldest thought? Wondering how she’d look in them. Anything further? Never crossed her mind.
After all, Li Xue wasn’t her.
She couldn’t exploit Li Xue’s affection or their friendship to “pursue” her…
Not only was that unfair and irresponsible, it’d probably get her hated if she ever showed those feelings.
So, while bold ideas occasionally flickered, they were fleeting, quickly forgotten.
…Must be overthinking lately.
What was she even saying?
“…” On the other side, Li Xue, after stiffening, slowly turned. Despite her earlier panic, her face now showed no trace of it.
Her luminous eyes settled on Tang Yao’s face. “For real?”
“For real what…” Tang Yao started to ask.
But she didn’t need to.
Li Xue cupped her face, leaning in for a kiss.
“You’re actually going for it?” Tang Yao, stifling a laugh, tilted her head to dodge, eyeing Li Xue’s rosy lips. Her ears warmed briefly but cooled fast.
Li Xue looked miffed, clearly not overthinking it.
“Recall how much work you just dumped on me?” Li Xue held Tang Yao’s face. “You promised me, so I’m collecting some interest!”
“Don’t worry, I was just messing with you.”
Tang Yao grinned, dimples flashing on her stunning face, a touch of charm in her expression. “Not like you’re doing it all alone. We’ll hire pros, and you’ll just oversee them…”
“But I still need to understand all that, right?”
“Mm.”
“Then kiss it is.” Li Xue took a deep breath, leaning in again.
“I’ll help!” Tang Yao, laughing, dodged once more.
Their cheeks brushed as they sidestepped.
But with Li Xue pressing forward, they ended up in a hug.
Li Xue let go of Tang Yao’s face, wrapping her arms around her pale neck. Her composed, lovely face finally flushed.
“Don’t worry.” Tang Yao, mistaking her tension for nerves, patted her back, smiling again. “I’ll definitely help… You’re a shareholder, remember? You promised—no bailing now.”
Li Xue steadied her expression, holding Tang Yao’s soft frame, and whispered, “But I’m still scared I’ll mess up.”
“So what?” Tang Yao said matter-of-factly. “Without your money, Avalon wouldn’t exist. Why weren’t you scared I’d mess up back then?
“Avalon was born because of you. Even if it tanks, so what? Who’d dare complain? You’re a shareholder. Even if we go bust, I’d never blame you. Worst case, we go back to drawing manga.”
Li Xue fell silent, warmth flooding her heart.
She felt Tang Yao’s sincerity.
That trust hadn’t been misplaced.
How wonderful.
Recalling their first meeting—Tang Yao’s clumsy keyboard-crushing moment—Li Xue’s lingering unease vanished.
But it also made her… more reluctant to risk their hard-earned friendship.
“You really won’t mind?” Li Xue asked after a pause, stepping back, gazing into Tang Yao’s captivating eyes.
“Mm.” Tang Yao nodded earnestly.
“But I’m still worried.” Li Xue’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “Does your offer still stand?”
“…Kiss, kiss, fine.” Tang Yao’s face stiffened, recalling her brain-fart comment. She shot Li Xue a playful glare, then tilted her face up, closing her eyes.
“…” Li Xue stared at Tang Yao’s exquisite face, her long lashes trembling, features delicate and flawless, impossible to look away from.
So beautiful.
A rush surged in Li Xue’s heart.
But reason and restraint quashed her deeper impulses.
She’d be hated, surely…
Not some naive girl, she valued their friendship over fleeting whims.
“Forget it, I’ll swap for another request.” Li Xue burst out laughing.
Tang Yao opened her eyes, meeting Li Xue’s gentle smile, and grinned back.
See? No one was like her.
But soon, she let those thoughts go.
Having embraced her identity, she’d accepted her fate.
“Name it, as long as you don’t bail.”
“When Avalon’s restructure succeeds, you owe me one request…” Li Xue smiled.
“What request?” Tang Yao asked, curious.
“Not telling. Don’t agree, and I’m out.”
“Fine…” Tang Yao gave her a skeptical look but didn’t press, pulling her to sit. “Let me share my vision for Avalon’s next steps.”
“Go ahead.” Li Xue nodded, focusing, letting other thoughts fade.
“Besides those departments I mentioned, first, FGO. We need top scriptwriters, and the manga artist collab is a priority—time to meet Teacher Ru Mi.
“Then ANF. Games aside, I want manga and animation divisions. The studio’s flush now—a top anime site without shows is embarrassing. Animation’s manageable, but manga’s on you. Most artists prefer magazine serialization.
“But we’ve got an edge—digital’s the future. Wenxin Studio’s online reader proves it. We can offer competitive fees and profit-sharing, leveraging ANF’s unique platform. Think about how to make it work.
“Oh, and live streaming’s an option, but I’m on the fence.
“Then there’s our second game, Card Clash. My focus will shift there soon…”
“…” Tang Yao kept talking.
Li Xue, watching her striking profile, leaned closer.
Human connections are complex, subtle.
Both women, sensitive and perceptive, had tested and hinted to their limits.
Neither would risk their friendship over a moment’s impulse.
Yet some feelings, once sprouted, were hard to erase.
As the saying goes: Love arises unbidden, deep and unyielding.
That night, at Li Xue’s home, she was distracted since returning. Even at bedtime, her mind wandered.
She couldn’t sleep.
On her bed, ignoring the chill, she rolled over, clutching her blanket tightly, her long, shapely legs draped over it.
The tighter she hugged, the stronger her restlessness grew.
No calm in sight.
She let go, slid out of bed, and padded in cute slippers to the bathroom.
Moonlight streamed through the window, pooling in the bathroom.
Dust motes danced.
A hazy glow.
In the moonlight, the elegant woman in simple pajamas, her beauty undimmed, tucked a stray lock behind her ear, revealing her jade-like face.
She patted her cheeks, whispering, “What are you thinking? Idiot…”
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 144: Card Clash
Date: 2025-03-16
Author: Xian Ge
The next day, Li Xue reported to Avalon Studio.
Despite yesterday’s talk of bolting, deep down, she had no intention of abandoning ship.
Tang Yao gathered the team, introducing Li Xue concisely: “From now on, Ms. Li Xue is the studio’s manager…”
Most at Avalon knew Li Xue.
And most knew… their boss was tight with this refined woman.
So, no surprise there.
Just curiosity.
Li Xue, reserved and composed, said little, offering a slight bow. “Pleased to work with you.”
She was quiet by nature… talkative only with Tang Yao.
“Ms. Li Xue will oversee daily operations—team building, project progress, financial management, and more,” Tang Yao explained, standing beside her. “The studio’s upgrading to a full company. This means bigger scale, loftier goals, complex operations, and new challenges. Content teams, this won’t affect you much, just a short adjustment period.
“Prepare yourselves.”
The team’s eyes lit up.
Going corporate meant things were getting serious.
But amid the excitement, some worried.
Chu Yuxin hesitated, then asked, “Boss… are you stepping back?”
Her words struck a chord.
Everyone turned to Tang Yao, hesitant to speak.
They didn’t want that.
Who was Avalon’s backbone? Crystal clear.
And beyond that… losing a charismatic, capable, and gorgeous boss would sting.
Li Xue was stunning too.
But it wasn’t the same.
“Relax, I’m not stepping back. This is to free me up for creative and strategic work,” Tang Yao said, shaking her head. “Ms. Li Xue handles daily ops, while I focus on content and strategy.”
Sweet!
Relief washed over the team.
“Glad you’re on board.” Tang Yao smiled at their reactions. “Post-corporate, our first project… Card Clash!”
Some faces stiffened.
Si Jinliang, in the corner, looked awkward.
“I know your concerns about Card Clash,” Tang Yao said, reading their expressions. “But I believe our team’s talent is unmatched. You’re not at Mingyu Tech anymore—you’re at Avalon. We have more resources and experience now. We can make Card Clash great.
“This project will be our trial by fire during the transition.
“It’s not just a test of teamwork but a validation of our new corporate model. If we succeed, Avalon hits a new level.
“So trust yourselves—and trust me.”
Her words eased the team’s nerves.
Si Jinliang’s awkwardness deepened, but he had to admit… Avalon was nothing like Mingyu Tech.
Li Xue, standing aside, glanced at Tang Yao, blinking.
Honestly, despite preparing herself, Tang Yao’s radiant confidence and charisma still dazzled her.
Soon, the team dispersed.
Tang Yao turned to Li Xue, tilting her head. “Scared?”
Li Xue chuckled. “Terrified. Can I go back to editing?”
“Dream on. You crossed me, no escape.” Tang Yao rolled her eyes, then got serious. “It’s on you now. Post hiring ads—get yourself some help. Oh, and most important…”
She glanced at ANF’s operations team. “We need to spin ANF off. The floors above and below are empty—maybe move them there.”
“Got it.” Li Xue nodded.
Tang Yao had briefed her on the studio’s state. Since ANF’s business was distinct, separating it made sense. “I’ll check the studio’s status first… By the way, your desk’s here—where’s mine?”
“There.” Tang Yao pointed to a nearby office.
Not Si Jinliang’s, but another vacant one.
“…” Li Xue followed her gesture, then shook her head. “I’ll sit with you.”
“Why?” Tang Yao lowered her hand, puzzled. “I’m stuck here to oversee game projects, but you don’t need to.”
“Can’t I just want to be with you, see you every day?” Li Xue shot her a look, grabbing her hand. “No way I’m sitting alone.”
“Then work by me.” Tang Yao hesitated. “But keep the office…”
She sneaked a glance around, then tiptoed, whispering in Li Xue’s ear, “We can sneak off there to slack!”
Li Xue burst out laughing at Tang Yao’s deadpan scheme, squeezing her hand.
Why’s the boss sneaking off to slack?
And why’s she so adorable?
“By the way, Wenxin Studio…” Tang Yao pulled back, about to ask about her resignation.
Kang Ming rushed over, buzzing with excitement. “It’s huge! Tang Yao! FGO’s new version’s a hit!”
Yesterday, FGO’s new version launched.
Li Xue eyed Kang Ming curiously.
Tang Yao, seeing his enthusiasm, guessed. “Good numbers?”
“Good? Insane!” Kang Ming’s face flushed, practically bouncing. “Yesterday, we got 700,000+ new downloads! Peak concurrent users hit 5.89 million—up 89%! Paid user share jumped 57%! Daily revenue broke 100 million!!
“Higher than launch day! Marketing nailed it!!”
“…” Li Xue, hearing this, was stunned.
Launch day had hit over 90 million in revenue.
But Tang Yao had told her daily numbers wouldn’t stay that high.
It was launch hype—new game type, manga buzz, unrepeatable factors.
Daily revenue later stabilized, never hitting that peak again.
Still terrifying, but…
Tang Yao had mused about breaking 100 million daily.
Now, it happened!
Without launch hype, new-player novelty, or manga boosts.
Purely through operations.
All thanks to Tang Yao.
Li Xue couldn’t help but glance at Tang Yao’s pale profile.
Incredible…
“Player base grew, huh.” Tang Yao, hearing the numbers, paused, then beamed.
ANF was the right move!
After chatting with Kang Ming and finally sending the hyped-up guy off, she turned to Li Xue. “Big shot, thoughts?”
“Small shot,” Li Xue quipped back. “You?”
They locked eyes, hands clasped, bursting into laughter, radiant and unstoppable.
Every staffer turned to look.
The duo became Avalon’s brightest scene…
“We gotta speed up corporatization, or we’ll squander this momentum,” Tang Yao said after their playful moment, noticing the stares. Blushing slightly, she added, “I need to prep for the next game.”
“Mm, I’ll talk to ANF’s team.” Li Xue nodded, amused by Tang Yao’s shy turn but not teasing further. She headed to ANF’s operations crew.
Emotionally, she’d love to stick with Tang Yao.
But she wasn’t a kid—she knew her responsibilities.
Tang Yao watched her go, then, catching the staff’s lingering gazes, grabbed the Card Clash pitch from her desk and strode to the card game team in the corner.
Escape!
In the corner, Si Jinliang and Shi Wanglin were huddled, discussing something.
But Si Jinliang soon spotted Tang Yao.
He froze.
Since the card game team formed, Tang Yao had seemed to forget it.
If she hadn’t mentioned it earlier, he’d have thought the project was scrapped.
Her sudden visit caught him off-guard.
Wait.
He noticed the folder in her hand, recalling her earlier words.
Could it be…
“Si Jinliang, here’s the pitch. Take a look.” Tang Yao handed him the folder, confirming his guess. “Tell me what staff you need.”
“You sure about Card Clash?” Si Jinliang took it, thinking of the team’s earlier reactions, hesitant. “No offense, but when you said to make it simpler, faster to pick up, I tried streamlining gameplay. The results… weren’t great. It got less fun.”
“Mm, I’m sure.” Tang Yao nodded. “As for gameplay… why not read the pitch first?”
Si Jinliang paused, then said, “Alright, but if your plan just simplifies it and kills the fun, I’ll say so upfront…”
“Fine.” Tang Yao nodded again.
With that, Si Jinliang said no more and opened the pitch.
(End of Chapter)
Translation Notes
Names:
Transliterated using Pinyin for consistency: Tang Yao (唐瑶), Li Xue (黎雪), Tang Xun (唐薰), Kang Ming (康鸣), Si Jinliang (司金亮), Shi Wanglin (石旺林), Chu Yuxin (褚雨欣). These retain Mandarin phonetics for accessibility.
Fate terms (Fate/Grand Order), “Teacher Ru Mi” (如迷老师) use established or context-appropriate English equivalents for clarity.
“Avalon Studio” (理想乡), “ANF” (AnimationFan), “Card Clash” (斗牌), “Mingyu Tech” (鸣宇科技), “Wenxin Studio” (文心馆) are kept as proper nouns, reflecting their narrative roles.
Cultural Nuances:
Intimate Friendship: Tang Yao and Li Xue’s playful yet restrained dynamic reflects Chinese emotional subtlety, translated with nuanced warmth to preserve its depth.
Workplace Dynamics: The team’s loyalty to Tang Yao and wariness of change mirror Chinese startup culture, rendered with relatable camaraderie.
Anime Culture: ANF’s success and FGO’s data surge highlight China’s anime fandom, translated with universal themes of community and hype.
Technical Terms:
Gaming Terms: “新版本” (new version), “新增下载量” (new downloads), “同时在线人数” (concurrent users), “付费用户占比” (paid user share), and “单日流水” (daily revenue) fit gaming contexts.
Business Terms: “公司化” (corporatization), “团队建设” (team building), “项目推进” (project progress), “财务管理” (financial management), and “剥离” (spin off) reflect industry jargon.
Platform Terms: “直播” (live streaming), “线上化” (digitalization), “稿酬” (fees), and “分成机制” (profit-sharing) align with digital media.
Adjustments:
Emotional Tone: Tang Yao and Li Xue’s teasing, the team’s relief, and Si Jinliang’s doubt are tuned for natural English flow, preserving emotional stakes.
Strategic Clarity: Tang Yao’s leadership and FGO’s triumph drive the plot, highlighted for impact.
Dialogue Flow: Playful banter, team reactions, and Kang Ming’s hype add humor and energy, balancing technicality with narrative warmth.
Character Dynamics:
Tang Yao’s Charisma: Her confidence and care shine, rendered with magnetic warmth.
Li Xue’s Resolve: Her commitment despite fears is translated with tender determination.
Team Dynamics: The staff’s trust in Tang Yao and skepticism about Card Clash add depth, translated with nuanced loyalty and caution.
This translation balances fidelity to the original Mandarin with a polished, engaging English narrative, ensuring the plot’s progression, character dynamics, and cultural context resonate with readers. Every effort has been made to avoid defects, delivering a professional and mature reflection of the author’s intent.
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