The Tycoon’s Enchanted Mermaid

Chapter 47: Chapter 47: The Identity Bug of Growing Up Abroad

Under the scrutiny of all present, Liao Wenyang had no choice but to steel himself and rise. “Chairman, the gaming industry has always been like this. The lion’s share of the profits has long been carved up. Latecomers to the game can at best sip at the leftovers, and that’s an indisputable fact.”

Qin Yu drummed his fingers on the tabletop sporadically, his face carrying a faint smile. “Are you saying that you’ve done your best, Uncle Liao? Have I wronged you?”

Liao Wenyang’s brows twitched wildly, cursing Qin Yu inwardly for pushing him so relentlessly, though it didn’t show on his face.

“It’s not so much about being wronged. As the main person responsible, I certainly can’t shirk my duties. I failed to accurately grasp the market trends, leading to many detours, but I can guarantee that in the next five years, the key projects of the Star Dream Plan will have a significant advantage. Now, it’s just a matter of time.”

Liao Wenyang stated with conviction.

Qin Yu, however, laughed and even boasted that another five years were needed. Only a fool would fall for his pie in the sky. Liao Wenyang, this old fox, really had some wild ideas.

It seemed he hadn’t had his fill of the profits over the past years.

Leaning back lazily, Qin Yu spoke lightly, “No need for five more years. Since Uncle Liao is aware that he is not up to the task, you may as well apply for leave and go home to rest properly.”

“During next week’s routine meeting, we’ll re-elect someone who is capable of taking over the Star Dream Plan. Does anyone have any objections?”

As these words were spoken, they struck like a thunderclap from a clear sky.

Liao Wenyang’s complexion turned deathly pale, barely holding back from bursting into curses then and there. Just a light sentence, and they wanted to kick him out of the Star Dream Plan? It hurt him deeply; how could he accept that?

A few years ago, due to the proliferation of smartphones and the internet, domestic games began to rise, and many businessmen keenly smelled the future exorbitant profits of the gaming industry and started betting on it. Quin Group also kept up with the times and established a studio called Star Desire. Its first game achieved an ultra-high daily revenue of 1 billion, and to this day, it’s still the undisputed national mobile game, firmly atop the charts.

The Star Dream Plan was formulated based on the success of Star Desire, advocating for a ‘game-nourishes-game’ model, constantly excavating and developing other new games with the aim to seize the market first.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated on Ɲ0νǤο.ƈο

The gaming industry has high costs and high risks, but it also means that success brings in massive profits. It can be said that Qin Group has invested a massive amount of capital into the Star Dream Plan over the past few years.

Regrettably, so much money was spent, yet it didn’t cause a splash. Under Liao Wenyang’s leadership, the studio launched more than a dozen games, but not a single one had a daily active user count over a million. Not to mention not making money, they even had to spend money to maintain them.

Considering Liao Wenyang’s deep roots in Qin Group and the fact that he was still part of Qin Huaiming’s faction, Qin Yu had not kicked him out upon his return. To thoroughly clear out the pest, he needed to slowly weed them out.

Recently, Qin Huaiming and his son didn’t dare to make any moves because of Minghuai’s incident, which presented an excellent opportunity to set an example.

The vast conference room fell eerily silent.

“With no objections, today’s meeting is hereby adjourned.”

Qin Yu stood up and left the meeting room, leaving behind a roomful of directors in a silent and disconsolate state, each feeling vulnerable.

No one had expected Qin Yu to execute Liao Wenyang so suddenly, delivering a fatal blow without the slightest warning.

Some people had been bottling up their words and only dared to speak out after Qin Yu had been gone for a while.

“How can Mr. Qin act like this? What are we going to do?”

“The young man is too arrogant, Old Mr. Qin wouldn’t dare to be so brazen when he was alive. He doesn’t cherish the old affection at all. After all, he had to call Liao Uncle since he was a child.”

Merely blaming was one thing, but to resort to moral coercion—the directors who had already pledged allegiance to Qin Yu couldn’t stand it and immediately retorted, “Profit is paramount. Why talk of high principles? The Qin has always been a place for the capable. Instead of complaining, you’d be better off going back to figure out how to deliver results on your projects, rather than just collecting dividends without making money.”

This was clearly a dig at those unhappy with Qin Yu’s methods, suggesting they were worthless and incompetent.

Liao Wenyang’s teeth were nearly crushed from the rage, anger flooding his heart, eyes glaring deathly at everyone. Just a small setback, and already people were stepping over him. It was a humiliation beyond belief.

Amid everyone’s sighs, Liao Wenyang slammed his chair down and left.

…

After washing up, Ah Da came downstairs to eat. Initially intending just to symbolically nibble and get it over with, she found herself unable to stop after trying the food, especially the fruit-filled pastries—they were just too delicious.

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Fluffy as clouds, it melted upon the tongue.

As Ade was sweeping through the food, Uncle Wen carefully took note of her preferences to facilitate meal preparations next time.

After finishing the last sip of soup, Ade let out a light burp of satisfaction, sat stunned for a moment, and then prepared to set off. Now that she was full, it was a good time for her to go outside and test her hypothesis from last night.

To her surprise, just as she stepped into the hall, she saw a tall girl walking in. She was wearing a blue dress, her face adorned with light, elegant makeup and a pair of thin-rimmed glasses that lent her a sharp and determined look, further accentuated by her neat, ear-length bob.

Ade stopped dead in her tracks.

There was a trace of astonishment in the girl’s eyes, and she approached with a smile, asking, “Hello, you must be Miss Su, right? I’m the home tutor hired by Mr. Qin. My name is Fang Yuan.”

“A tutor?”

Ade was dumbstruck. Qin Yu hadn’t mentioned anything about hiring a tutor. What was going on?

At that moment, Uncle Wen came over and explained to Ade, “Miss Su, this is the home tutor that the young master arranged for you. You’ve just returned to the country, and you can ask her anything you’re unfamiliar with.”

The more Ade listened, the more confused she became. “Returned to the country?”

What did he mean, returned to the country?

Uncle Wen continued, “You are Miss Ade’s older sister. The young master mentioned that you have been abroad since you were young. Considering your unfamiliarity with domestic affairs upon your return, he specially instructed us to urgently hire a tutor to teach you at home, making your future life here more comfortable.”

Been abroad since she was young?

She was her own older sister?!

Everything was turned upside down.

Ade’s brain couldn’t quite handle the information at once. She hadn’t expected Qin Yu to explain her presence this way, which also explained why Uncle Wen did not question her similarity to Little Ade. Indeed, Qin Yu had arranged everything behind the scenes.

Not only did he take liberties, but lying also came effortlessly to him, and he hadn’t even bothered to inform her, the person concerned!

Uncle Wen nodded to Fang Yuan, “Miss Fang, thank you for your troubles.”

Fang Yuan smiled with ease, “It’s no trouble at all, it’s my duty. May I begin now?”

Uncle Wen looked towards Ade for her opinion.

Ade sighed reluctantly. The guest had arrived, and the money was spent; it would be ungracious of her to reject the offer now.

It was all Qin Yu’s fault. Why hadn’t he warned her in advance? If she’d known earlier, she wouldn’t be in this confused and embarrassed situation.

Blame him!

Meanwhile, Qin Yu, who was reading documents in his office, suddenly sneezed and his brows knitted together slightly.

As arranged by Uncle Wen, Ade started her first lesson in the parlor, with the student and teacher sitting face to face.

What baffled Ade was that this young teacher began the lesson by taking out only a sheet of white paper and a pen.

Fang Yuan, noticing the confusion in Ade’s eyes, clasped her hands together on the table and began, “Miss Su, forgive me for asking, but are you currently a high school or college student?”

Seeing the young girl’s silence, Fang Yuan quickly realized her grave mistake. Generally speaking, the wealthier the person, the less they liked divulging their privacy to others.

That was a major taboo.

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