When it came to meetings, Ichin always prepared in advance. He would list out everything that needed to be discussed, and he never let a meeting drag on until everyone's off-work hours.
Today's meeting was mainly about discussing the current progress of several projects with their respective leaders, so it didn't take too long.
After about an hour, Ichin had gained a general understanding of the creative progress of the new proposal.
The idea from the planning team was to create a vast cosmic game world where players could explore freely and participate in the conflicts between various factions.
In addition, conversations with NPCs would feature many branching dialogue options. Both main quests and side quests could be completed in numerous ways. Through the choices made by the player, the story would develop in different directions.
As he listened, Ichin couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity with games like Mass Effect and Fallout, though there were also many differences.
Of course, the proposal sounded even closer to a game Ichin remembered from his past life, The Outer Worlds.
First-person perspective, a universe-scale setting, and multiple narrative routes.
Regardless of whether it resembled The Outer Worlds or not, if such a game were developed well, especially with its various branching storylines, it would definitely attract a lot of attention.
Moreover, when it came to first-person shooters, the company's team already had extensive experience. Titanfall and Apex Legends had more than proven that. Even though Umiko was no longer working here, the team's ability to develop shooting games had improved greatly compared to when they first started. There was absolutely no problem in that regard.
After reviewing all the proposal materials the team had given him, Ichin nodded in satisfaction.
"This project is good. Continue designing it along this direction. Over the next week, I'll work with you all to further refine the proposal. I'll also keep an eye on the development while I'm in Tokyo. Everyone, do your best. And if manpower isn't enough, start recruiting immediately. Don't worry about funding!"
Having a boss who understood the industry and wasn't stingy was truly a blessing. As long as a proposal was approved, he would simply wave his hand and let the team go all out.
The members of the planning group were extremely excited. As soon as the meeting ended, they returned to their departments, gathered their teams, and immediately began another round of brainstorming.
Meanwhile, Ichin returned to his office, called Haruno and Yukino, then went to the development department where he found Eriri chatting happily with several female staff members. The four of them left the company together.
After getting into the car, Ichin looked at Eriri in the back seat and said with a smile, "You seemed to be having quite a lot of fun just now. Want to try working here for a while in the future?"
Eriri immediately shook her head repeatedly.
"No, no, let's forget about that. This place is nice, but I'm still more used to working in Tokyo!"
After thinking for a moment, she added, "Well… if it's just coming here on a business trip occasionally, that would be fine."
Staying here for half a year or a year was impossible, but if it was just a one- or two-week business trip, it might actually be pretty enjoyable.
Not to mention that the food and drinks here were great, and she could occasionally drop by Ichin's house to freeload meals from his mother. Just imagining it sounded wonderful.
Of course, both Ichin and Eriri were only joking. The company here in Shanghai mainly developed design-focused games, and whether it was character design or modeling style, it wasn't really Eriri's main area of expertise.
"But are the three of you really going with me to the class reunion?" Ichin asked. "It's just lunch and maybe some time at a KTV afterward."
Haruno smiled brightly.
"Isn't that interesting? I've never met your high school classmates here before, Ichin. Let us see them. We want to know what you were like before you went abroad to study."
"There's really not much difference," Ichin said after thinking for a moment. "High school in China is basically just studying all the time. Aside from liking games a bit more and wanting to make games, I wasn't really any different from other students."
Haruno shook her head with a grin.
"That doesn't count. When we get there, I'll ask your classmates personally. Then I'll know."
"Alright then." Ichin shrugged indifferently. "You can come along. But Eriri, are you sure you're okay? Don't you usually dislike unfamiliar environments?"
Eriri flicked her twin tails as she looked through the photos she had taken with the girls earlier.
"It's fine. I'm not a kid anymore. And I'm actually pretty curious about what you were like in high school, Ichin. For example, whether you chased after girls or anything like that."
Haruno immediately raised her hand excitedly.
"Yes, yes! I'm curious about that too!"
Ichin was completely speechless at the two of them in the back seat. He turned to Yukino, who was sitting in the passenger seat.
"You're not interested in that kind of thing too, right?"
"Not really," Yukino replied calmly. "I just want to go to your class reunion and join in the fun."
As expected, Yukino was still the best. Unlike the two behind them, who were clearly going just to dig up gossip about him.
Shaking his head, Ichin slowly pressed down on the accelerator and sped up.
At eleven o'clock, the car arrived at the restaurant that had been reserved for the class reunion.
Although Ichin was now the most financially successful person from their old class, he hadn't done anything like booking an expensive restaurant by himself. Just like before, everyone had chosen a restaurant with good food and agreed to split the bill equally.
That was much better. It was simply a class reunion, not a competition of wealth.
After parking the car, Ichin said to Yukino and the other two who had gotten out with him, "There aren't that many people today. I already told them I'd bring three guests, so just relax. But Haruno, I'll say this again. Don't cause trouble."
"Alright, alright, I got it~~~"
Even so, looking at Haruno's expression, Ichin still had a bad feeling. Nevertheless, he led the three of them into the restaurant.
After telling the waiter the private room number, the four of them were led inside.
When the door opened, several people had already arrived. The class monitor and vice monitor from high school were there, along with a few classmates who had been close with Ichin.
Not many people had come this time. Including those who had brought their boyfriends or girlfriends, there were twenty-four people in total. Two tables in the private room were just enough to seat everyone.
Several classmates were studying abroad and couldn't make it back. Others were in different provinces, busy with graduation theses, postgraduate exams, and similar matters.
When Ichin entered, the female class monitor from high school, who wore her hair in a single ponytail, smiled and said,
"Oh! Our big boss is here! Wow, three beauties!"
The others also noticed Haruno, Yukino, and Eriri following behind Ichin, and all of them showed surprised expressions.
After greeting everyone and taking a seat, the vice monitor asked, "Where's your wife?"
"She's keeping my mom company," Ichin replied. "I came straight from the company. I still have to go back this afternoon to keep working."
After sitting down, Ichin began introducing Haruno, Yukino, and Eriri to everyone.
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