Chapter 242: Barefoot Welcome?
August 20th, Friday.
It was the first time Qiao Liang had ever set foot in Jingzhou, and he found the experience quite pleasant.
The weather was about the same as in the capital—just as hot—but today was slightly overcast, with a gentle breeze blowing, making it feel much cooler than the past two days.
Qiao Liang soon located the staff member responsible for picking him up, then got into the car heading toward the hotel that had already been booked for him.
The one picking him up was a young man surnamed Sun, a full-time driver for Tengda. He looked energetic, spoke politely, and carried himself with poise and courtesy.
Sitting comfortably in the spacious back seat of the business van, Qiao Liang felt very much at ease.
The car moved smoothly—clearly, this Sun had plenty of driving experience.
It was the first time Qiao Liang had ever been treated with this kind of VIP pickup service, and it made him think even more highly of Tengda.
Watching the scenery outside the window, he couldn't help but sigh from the heart.
This was his first time in Jingzhou. He hadn't expected much from the city, but once he arrived, he realized it was far more prosperous than he had imagined.
Qiao Liang had lived in Beijing for years—a drifting northerner—but his life there had always been financially tight. Though the capital was undeniably lively, he'd rarely been able to enjoy its finer sides.
At most, he could occasionally afford to attend a stage play or concert. Apart from that, his day-to-day life wasn't all that different from living in a regular second-tier city.
Coming to Jingzhou, in contrast, he felt much more relaxed.
Before long, they arrived at the hotel.
"Mr. Qiao, I'll handle the check-in for you first," said Xiao Sun politely. "After you've gone up to unpack, I'll park the car. Let's meet back at the hotel entrance in ten minutes. The company's nearby—only a three-minute walk."
Everything went smoothly.
The lodging expenses for this trip were all covered by Tengda, so Qiao Liang didn't have to pay a single cent.
When he reached the sixth floor, he discovered that Tengda had even booked him a suite.
Outside was a small sitting room with a coffee table, sofa, desk, and writing table. A fruit platter was neatly arranged on the coffee table. Beside it was a coffee cabinet with a coffee machine, capsules, and a mini fridge.
Inside was a spacious bedroom with floor-to-ceiling windows and a large bathroom complete with a bathtub.
"Tengda's President Pei really knows how to treat people!"
"Looks like I must have some real influence after all, otherwise they wouldn't go to such lengths."
Qiao Liang couldn't help but feel a little proud.
Truth be told, he himself hadn't expected Tengda to invite him as their Chief Game Experience Officer—to try out a new, unreleased game.
Granted, his video channel had a decent following, and he had indeed been covering Tengda's games ever since Lonely Desert Road.
But for a game company like Tengda, there really was no obligation to pay special attention to a small content creator like him.
That was exactly why President Pei's show of sincerity felt so meaningful—and deeply moved Qiao Liang.
Not only had they offered him a generous appearance fee, but they also sent a car for pickup and arranged his entire stay.
Naturally, his impression of Tengda—and of President Pei—was very positive.
"Who could've imagined," he mused, "that the same company that made a scammy little game like Lonely Desert Road would, in less than a year, transform into such a major success?"
"Life really is unpredictable."
After tidying up his luggage a bit and eating some fruit, Qiao Liang lounged on the sofa in the living room to rest for a while.
He hadn't brought much with him—just his personal laptop, some tech gear, and a few changes of clothes.
The hotel offered laundry service too; all he had to do was put his dirty clothes in a laundry bag, and the staff would collect them, wash them, and return them fresh and folded.
Before coming, Qiao Liang had been a little worried about the accommodations—whether it would be convenient to do laundry or not—but clearly, his worries had been completely unnecessary.
The sofa was very comfortable. If only the sun had been out today, it would've been perfect to lie there and bask in the sunlight.
But even under the cloudy sky, his good mood remained unaffected. After a short rest, he went downstairs to the hotel lobby, where Xiao Sun was already waiting to escort him to Tengda Network Technology Co., Ltd.
The thought of finally meeting President Pei made Qiao Liang's heart beat a little faster with excitement.
Qiao Liang had always believed that he and President Pei were kindred spirits—like the fabled "high mountains and flowing water" that symbolize a meeting of true understanding.
Only someone like him could truly grasp the profound meaning behind creations like Game Designer or the "performance-art-style marketing campaigns."
If not for him, who knows how long President Pei's artistic spirit might have continued to be misunderstood by the masses?
Surely, President Pei must think the same way, right?
As the saying goes, a soulmate is hard to find. For someone like President Pei, who pours such deep thought into his games, finding a kindred spirit must be a rare and precious thing.
That must be why President Pei had gone to such lengths to invite him all the way from Beijing—to serve as the tester for Tengda's new game.
Smiling smugly at the thought, Qiao Liang followed Xiao Sun into Tengda's office area.
His first impression was—spacious!
The workplace was almost absurdly nice. Just the amount of space each workstation occupied was proof enough that this company was definitely not short on money.
More importantly, the atmosphere was vibrant and relaxed—completely unlike the lifeless, suffocating environment of most companies.
Qiao Liang hadn't visited many companies himself, but after graduating, he had gone through several job interviews and seen plenty of office environment videos online.
Most offices looked stifling and dull.
But here, that oppressive feeling was nowhere to be found.
Employees looked completely at ease—snacking, sipping coffee, and chatting casually as they worked. Yet when they focused, their expressions showed deep concentration, a clear sign that their initiative was fully engaged.
At first, Qiao Liang suspected it might be an act—a show put on for his benefit.
But then he thought about it again. That idea was a bit too self-important, wasn't it?
He was just a small-time video creator, not a government inspector or an influential media figure. Why on earth would anyone bother pretending in front of him?
Besides, that kind of effortless comfort couldn't be faked.
This realization made Qiao Liang even more intrigued by President Pei.
For a company to operate in such a healthy, balanced way, it was clear that President Pei wasn't just a talented designer—he was also an exceptional leader and manager.
He couldn't help but wonder: What kind of person is he really, beneath the surface?
Xiao Sun stopped in front of a door and knocked gently.
"President Pei, Mr. Qiao has arrived."
. . .
Inside, Pei Qian was in his office, playing Turn Back Before It's Too Late.
At the moment, he was deeply irritated.
Strictly speaking, there was no such thing as not being irritated while playing Turn Back Before It's Too Late.
Every time he suffered through the game, Pei Qian found himself questioning why on earth he had ever made it—then flipping open his little notebook to silently record the names of everyone responsible, one by one, for future vengeance.
When he heard that "Teacher Qiao" had arrived, Pei Qian immediately flung his controller onto the desk and stood up.
Finally! You're here!
If you hadn't come soon, I really wouldn't have been able to take it anymore!
Outside the office, Qiao Liang heard a sharp smack from inside—something had clearly been dropped or thrown.
A smile spread across his face.
President Pei is so considerate!
It reminded him of the story of Cao Cao and Xu You—when Cao Cao heard his old friend had arrived, he was so delighted that he ran out barefoot to greet him.
In modern terms, he hadn't even bothered to put on his shoes before rushing to the door.
Surely, that was what was happening here!
He didn't know exactly what President Pei was doing inside, but judging from the sound, President Pei must have tossed aside whatever he was working on the instant he heard the news—rushing out to greet him personally.
Such enthusiasm! Such respect!
Qiao Liang suddenly felt a little embarrassed.
Ah, what have I done to deserve such honor? Truly unworthy, truly unworthy…
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