In the "Labor Remuneration and Company Profit Distribution" section of the contract, there are very clear restrictions.
The basic salary for employees at "Nitiandang Games" is: 80% of the highest basic salary one could make at any other Human World company.
Why would Lilith implement such a restriction?
Clearly, this was a trap she deliberately set.
Because in Lilith's view, the sole value of "Nitiandang Games" lay in creating games to harvest negative emotions, so the company didn't actually need to make money.
The clause "The contract will automatically be dissolved when Nitiandang Games becomes the highest-valued game company in the Human World" was also a worthless promise Lilith offered Gu Fan, one that could never be achieved.
That's why Lilith intentionally limited the base salary, so Gu Fan wouldn't be able to hire very reliable employees.
The less reliable the employees were, the worse the games would be, and the more negative emotions they could collect.
But now, Gu Fan could turn this rule around to his advantage, using it to persuade employees he didn't want to leave.
Even if Lilith questioned him later, he could rebut her with full confidence.
...
Soon, the time reached 3 p.m.
In that time, Gu Fan intermittently interviewed two job seekers, both of whom were unsuccessful.
The latest interviewee was a young girl, and just looking at her resume made Gu Fan break out in a sweat.
Su Tong, female, 22 years old, a recent graduate of the Literature Department of Imperial Capital University.
No student work experience, no internships, but she had won the national scholarship for four consecutive years.
A top-notch student genius indeed!
Gu Fan cleared his throat twice and asked seriously, "With your grades, you should have been guaranteed a spot for postgraduate recommendation, right?"
Su Tong nodded, her voice clear and pleasant: "Yes, but I have already given it up."
She was hardly made up and dressed simply, yet her bright eyes and white teeth, along with a constant smile, exuded a vibrant and youthful energy.
This unconsciously reminded Gu Fan of a morning drama heroine from Neon Nation, an eternally optimistic and energetic girl.
"Why?" Gu Fan was somewhat puzzled.
Su Tong said earnestly, "Because I suddenly developed a strong interest in the gaming industry, and I want to join it to become an excellent designer, making fun games for players all over the world!"
Giving up a postgraduate recommendation for this reason?
Well, I don't understand the world of student geniuses.
Gu Fan thought for a moment, then asked, "How many games have you played?"
Su Tong's voice softened, "Not... not too many... about four or five, I guess..."
Gu Fan continued, "And what about your talent for gaming? Have you played 'Agriocide'? What tier can you reach?"
Su Tong's voice grew even fainter: "Gold... Gold 4... "
Seeing Gu Fan's shocked expression, she quickly added, "It's mainly because I haven't played for very long! If I had more time, I think I could reach... oh no, Diamond Tier!"
You could tell she had wrestled with her conscience before uttering the words "Diamond Tier."
In her mind, this must be a quite challenging level to achieve, even a bit of a boastful claim.
Gu Fan was silent for a moment: "If I'm not mistaken, this isn't your first time interviewing at a game company, right?
"You've interviewed for a game planner position before? Without success?
"Then you even interviewed for a tester position? Still no success?"
"How did you know?!" Su Tong was surprised, and then visibly deflated, "Am I really that bad..."
Gu Fan wasn't quite sure what to say.
This kind of thing was really not hard to guess.
At this time of the year, the best time for campus recruitment had already passed. And Su Tong made the decision to "forgo the opportunity for postgraduate recommendation" even earlier.
During that period, she certainly sent out some resumes.
But why haven't they led to success?
Obviously, this was a question that puzzled even Su Tong.
In theory, just the four words "Imperial Capital University" should have been an impressive knock that could open the doors of most companies in the country.
But Su Tong's situation appeared to be an anomaly.
Her lack of gaming experience and inadequate gaming talent did not meet the fundamental hiring criteria of gaming companies!
Gu Fan never imagined that in a game like "Agriocide," where the average player was at the King tier, there were still people lingering in Gold 4; it was truly an unsolved mystery.
You have to understand, although this game has Bronze and Silver tiers, losing in those tiers wouldn't cause a player to lose stars, which means playing a few more rounds would usually be enough to promote to Gold.
And Gold 4 is the lowest tier in Gold.
I suddenly feel a bit sorry for her teammates who encounter her in the game.
Could this be the legendary "female college student" who is ten thousand times more terrifying than the so-called "little kids"?
Indeed, terrifying as such!
For gaming companies, there are no set standards for recruiting fresh graduates, after all, there's no specialized game design major in the domestic market. But one thing is for certain: at least have some extensive experience in gaming, and gaming talent is also a plus.
Because the former can represent a person's interest in the gaming industry, while the latter shows their understanding of game mechanics.
Su Tong clearly does not meet the basic requirements of a normal entrant in either aspect.
But after all, she is a top student from Imperial Capital University. Shouldn't that count for something?
Turns out it really doesn't...
Judging by academic qualifications alone, it indeed proves that she's highly intelligent, and her major is also rather suitable for a role in narrative planning.
But the problem is, the broader the options available to top graduates from prestigious universities, the better the treatments they can get elsewhere.
Most game companies offer a starting salary of about 3,000 or 4,000 to rookie planners, and even less for testers.
Whereas Su Tong could easily find a clerical job in a big company with a salary of no less than 10,000.
Clearly, these game companies are very much aware of their limits; they know Su Tong isn't cut out for the gaming industry, and also feel that even if they hire her, she is likely to leave at any moment, that's why they all respectively declined.
Of course, if Su Tong persists and applies to a few more companies, maybe some would recruit her just for the "Imperial Capital University" name.
But as of now, her luck hasn't been so good, and she hasn't encountered such a company.
Seeing that the atmosphere was becoming a bit stagnant, Su Tong hurriedly said, "Although my understanding of the gaming industry was very limited before, I'm determined to stick with it and confident that I'll improve! So, I hope you can give me this opportunity, even if I start as a Tester, it's completely fine!"
Gu Fan thought about it, then asked, "What was the highest base salary offer you got before?"
Su Tong's face turned slightly red, "None."
Gu Fan was momentarily speechless, "I'm including from non-gaming companies as well."
Su Tong thought for a moment, "Non-gaming companies too? I casually interviewed at an internet company when I accompanied my roommate, and they offered me 8,000. My roommate said it was too low and didn't let me take it.
"After that, I only applied to game companies and haven't received any other offers.
"Don't worry, I have my salary expectations, 3,000 is fine..."
Gu Fan picked up the calculator beside him again.
"Reset!
"8,000, multiplied by, 0.8, equals, 6,400."
He looked at Su Tong, "So, I'll offer you a base salary of 6,400. After the game profits, there might be a bonus or other benefits. The position is Test Team Leader, are you okay with that?
"Although currently, you can't participate in the design work, you can be involved in the entire game development process and gain some relevant knowledge. How much you learn will depend on yourself.
"If that's okay with you, we can sign the contract."
An incredibly joyful expression flashed across Su Tong's face, "Really? That's amazing! Rest assured, I will definitely work twice as hard!"
Gu Fan smiled slightly, "No worries, you don't need to work twice as hard, just perform at your normal level and complete the basic testing tasks."
Su Tong didn't quite understand what he meant, always feeling there was a hidden meaning behind Gu Fan's smile.
But she didn't mind it, taking it as a kind of recognition and encouragement!
"Then from tomorrow on, we will start developing the new project.
"I wish us a pleasant cooperation!"
Gu Fan was happy, today's recruitment work was successfully completed!
...
5 PM.
Ren Yu was playing a game at his place when he suddenly felt like he had forgotten something.
What was it?
Right, it was supposed to be the time for that company to call and notify him!
Ren Yu had even thought out a way to refuse, but as he waited from left to right, it was almost six o'clock and the phone hadn't rung.
"My phone isn't out of credit, is it?"
Ren Yu was puzzled, because everything pointed to one fact: the game company, it seemed, didn't intend to hire him!
"This is utterly ridiculous, outrageous!"
Ren Yu scratched his head in annoyance and continued to the next game.