Mo Li sat confidently at the head of the table, his eyes sweeping across the group of women before him. With calm determination, he began narrating the gameplay mechanics and the expansive world-building behind his vision for Honkai III.
"This game," he explained, "is a project I've been conceptualizing for a long time. It combines a gripping story, exhilarating combat mechanics, and visuals that will redefine the mobile gaming industry."
The girls exchanged glances, intrigued but still cautious.
"I came here with sincerity," Mo Li added, his tone earnest. "I want to make this game, and I want to make it with all of you. I believe this could be something extraordinary, something the world has never seen before."
Bronya, sitting next to Youlan, leaned over and whispered. After a moment, she turned to Mo Li and spoke calmly. "Mr. Mo Li, could you give us a few minutes to discuss?"
Mo Li smiled warmly. "Of course. Take your time. I have all the time in the world."
With that, he stood up and left the room, giving the team the space they needed.
The Discussion
Once Mo Li was out of earshot, the room grew quiet.
"What do you think?" Youlan asked, her gaze fixed on Rita.
Rita smiled faintly. "I think we should hear Ji Zi's thoughts first."
Ji Zi stretched her arms, her trademark smirk playing on her lips. "Well, for one, this Mo Li guy seems... alright. He's not bad to look at, at least."
The room erupted into groans, but Ji Zi raised her hands defensively. "Relax! I'm just saying. He seems genuine about wanting to create a great game, and let's be honest—our current situation isn't exactly rosy. We're barely scraping by. If we don't do something soon, we might not survive as a studio."
Rita nodded thoughtfully. "That's true. But if we're going to agree, we need safeguards. For starters, the intellectual property rights for Save the Girl should remain under Youlan's name. That way, if we ever decide to leave, we can take our work with us."
The group murmured in agreement. Save the Girl was their first game, and they had poured their hearts and souls into its creation. Even though it wasn't a massive success, it held sentimental value, and they were already brainstorming ideas for a sequel.
"I agree," Bronya added. "If Mo Li accepts this condition, then I have no objections."
The others nodded. If their terms were met, it seemed there was little reason to refuse.
With their decision made, Youlan stood and called for Mo Li to return.
A New Chapter for Mi Huyou
Negotiations progressed smoothly. To Mo Li, the terms were reasonable. He had no interest in Save the Girl—the game wasn't profitable, and its rights being retained by Youlan would lower the overall acquisition cost.
The deal was finalized the following day. Mi Huyou Studio was officially placed under Mo Li's name, and not a single team member left. The studio's new era had begun.
The First Meeting
The air in the office was charged with nervous energy as the team gathered for their first official meeting with their new boss.
Mo Li strode in confidently, glancing at the group of women seated around the table. He nodded, satisfied.
"You're all here. That's a good start." He smiled warmly. "Let me begin by saying how glad I am that none of you decided to leave. You're now the core team of this studio. Once the game launches, I promise you'll share in its success. You have my word."
The group exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of skepticism and curiosity.
Ji Zi, ever the jokester, leaned forward with a smirk. "Boss, you're awfully confident for someone who just joined us. Are you sure this game will even make money?"
Mo Li chuckled. "If I didn't believe in this game, how could I expect players to believe in it? Confidence is the first step to success."
"Alright, enough small talk," he continued, opening his laptop and connecting it to the room's projector. "Let me show you what we'll be working on."
Enter Honkai III
Mo Li began by presenting the background story of Honkai III. He explained its apocalyptic setting, its complex characters, and the emotional depth woven into the narrative.
Unlike the day before, when he'd only shared vague ideas, today he laid everything bare: the main plot, the core gameplay mechanics, and the unique selling points that would set Honkai III apart from every other mobile game.
The room was silent, the team hanging on his every word.
"Wait," Gan Yu interrupted, her brows furrowed. "A game can... do all this?"
Mo Li nodded. "Yes. And it's not just possible—it's already been done."
Before anyone could ask what he meant, he clicked on an icon on his laptop.
The icon depicted a winking girl with white hair and blue eyes, her playful expression hinting at a mischievous personality. Beneath the icon were the words Honkai III.
"What's this?" Ji Zi asked, leaning forward in curiosity.
Mo Li smiled mysteriously. "See for yourselves."
He launched the game, and the screen lit up with the logo of Mi Huyou Studio.
The girls gasped.
As the opening cinematic played, showcasing breathtaking visuals, dynamic action sequences, and characters who looked eerily familiar, the room erupted into murmurs of amazement.
"This is... incredible!" Gan Yu exclaimed.
"The graphics are stunning!" Rita added. "How is this even possible on a mobile platform?"
Bronya stared at the screen, her usually stoic expression betraying a flicker of surprise. "Wait. That character... her name is Bronya?"
The room fell silent.
Not only was the character's name the same, but her appearance matched Bronya's childhood likeness almost perfectly.
"It's not just Bronya," Fu Hua said, pointing at the screen. "There's Kiana, Youlan's little sister, and even Ji Zi. And... is that me?"
All eyes turned to Mo Li, who coughed awkwardly.
"Uh, well..." he began, scratching the back of his neck. "This is... just a coincidence?"
The girls weren't buying it.
"Seriously," he added, holding up his hands defensively. "I swear, it's the first time I've met any of you in person."
The room remained silent, skepticism evident on every face.
Finally, Mo Li sighed. "Alright, let's focus on the game itself. What do you think of it so far?"
The tension eased as the team shifted their attention back to the game.
"It's incredible," Youlan admitted. "The combat feels smooth, the visuals are breathtaking, and the characters... they're so well-developed."
"It's unlike anything I've ever seen," Rita agreed. "This could really be a game-changer."
Mo Li smiled, his confidence returning. "And this is just the beginning. The version you're seeing now is a beta. Once the full game is released, there will be even more surprises."
Bronya, still somewhat skeptical, raised an eyebrow. "This isn't the full game?"
Mo Li shook his head. "Not even close. Now, let's talk about what comes next."
Assigning Roles
Mo Li stood and addressed the team. "I've already completed the bulk of the game's development. From here on, your primary responsibilities will be operations and voice acting."
He gestured to Youlan. "Youlan, you'll oversee operations as the director. Assign tasks as you see fit."
Then he turned to Bronya. "Bronya, I'll need your help setting up the servers and managing the client-side updates."
"And as for the rest of you," he continued, "I'd like your voices in the game. It wouldn't feel right without them."
The group exchanged glances, their earlier doubts giving way to a renewed sense of purpose.
Mo Li smiled, taking a sip of his coffee. "Let's get to work, everyone. The future of Mi Huyou starts now."
End of Chapter 4