"No... I can't do it."
Upon hearing Tang Yao's words.
Li Xue instinctively refused, because at her core, her personality actually somewhat resembled Tang Yao's.
Neither particularly enjoyed being in the spotlight.
Normal business activities were fine, as was going out to meet with manga artists.
But transitioning from normal social interactions to suddenly performing in front of a crowd... that was entirely different.
Fundamentally, although Li Xue had worked longer, her nature was still introverted and prone to shyness.
"You're perfect for it."
Tang Yao placed her hands on Li Xue's shoulders and said earnestly: "How could you not be? Just think of it as accompanying me."
"......"
Li Xue didn't want to agree, but facing Tang Yao's expectant gaze, she couldn't bring herself to outright refuse, only managing an evasive response: "Let's talk about it next time..."
Then quickly.
She realized what she'd just done, instantly understanding how Tang Yao must have felt earlier.
So this was what being brushed off felt like...
"......"
Hearing this familiar phrase, Tang Yao fell silent and locked eyes with Li Xue before saying: "How could you brush me off like that?"
"Who's brushing off who?"
Li Xue grasped Tang Yao's fair wrist, pursing her glossy red lips as she looked at Tang Yao like a sulky girlfriend.
"I didn't brush you off."
"Then neither did I."
"...So when exactly is this 'next time' you're talking about?"
"Whenever your 'next time' is, that's when mine will be."
"...After Hearthstone launches!?"
Tang Yao lightly glared at Li Xue: "By then it'll be far too late!"
Li Xue shook her head slightly, unwilling to yield: "That's not my problem, I just can't do it..."
"......"
Tang Yao fell silent for a moment, then released her shoulders, her fair arms reaching forward to encircle Li Xue's slender neck as she slightly lifted her snow-white chin and asked softly: "Really not possible?"
She was simply trying any last resort, wondering if pretending to use feminine wiles might work.
...Completely unaware.
Just how devastating this half-coquettish posture of hers actually was.
"......"
Li Xue momentarily froze, her attitude instantly softening as she lightly grasped the fabric at Tang Yao's waist, unconsciously responding: "Alright..."
"Huh?"
Tang Yao blinked in surprise.
That worked so easily?
That shouldn't be possible?
Meanwhile.
Li Xue immediately regretted her agreement.
Ugh... tricked.
She looked at Tang Yao, seeing those beautiful eyes filled with astonishment.
Clearly, she had no idea just how devastating her earlier actions had been.
"Tang Yao."
Realizing this, Li Xue glanced around before pulling Tang Yao to sit down, no longer caring about being tricked, and said earnestly: "Remember not to do that gesture with anyone else, not even with other women..."
Tang Yao looked at Li Xue with confusion: "Why would you think I'd do that with others?"
Li Xue: "......"
Tang Yao blinked.
Her sitting posture was prim, with her back straight, showcasing her full, graceful figure to perfection, her beautifully curved long legs slightly pressed together and tilted to the side, exceptionally striking.
The perfect image of a lady.
Li Xue didn't know whether to say Tang Yao was self-aware... or completely lacking self-awareness.
Clearly knowing she shouldn't make such gestures with others, yet completely oblivious to just how devastating her earlier actions had been.
"What are you looking at? You agreed."
Tang Yao waved her hand in front of Li Xue's face as a reminder.
Li Xue took a deep breath and pressed down on Tang Yao's waving hand: "I'm wondering if you have some misunderstanding about your own charm."
Tang Yao paused at this, then laughed: "What charm?"
"It's just..."
Li Xue's gaze involuntarily returned to Tang Yao.
Today she had simply tied her hair in a ponytail, with a few strands framing her face, accentuating the graceful lines of her neck, every unconscious detail radiating an effortless beauty.
Forget it.
Li Xue averted her gaze: "I agreed... but didn't you only prepare one avatar? How would two people stream?"
"Duplicate the avatar and appear together?"
Tang Yao tilted her head, her ponytail swaying slightly with the movement. After brief consideration, she waved her hand: "Don't worry, just agreeing is enough. I'll handle these details."
"Then can you tell me now what's special about this Fantasy Journey to the West?"
Li Xue didn't press further, instead looking at the materials on the table.
Although she was introverted and prone to shyness.
That didn't mean she would retreat from challenges.
Having made her decision, she would commit fully.
Tang Yao asked: "You know FGO is turn-based too, right?"
"Mmm... but since you chose this game, there must be differences?"
"Right. If FGO combines card-style gameplay with turn-based mechanics, focusing on Servant cultivation..."
Tang Yao nodded in explanation: "Then Fantasy Journey to the West is that traditional 2D turn-based MMORPG... focusing on player-created characters, with combat emphasizing strategy, tactics, anticipation and evaluation... prioritizing social aspects over story."
"What attracted me to this game is how it replicates the charm of traditional 2D turn-based games on mobile."
Speaking of 2D turn-based games.
Tang Yao's past life could hardly avoid mentioning Fantasy Westward Journey.
Though frankly, as time passed, this game could barely be called a 'game' anymore.
Not just new players - even existing players barely 'played' it anymore.
It was profitable, extremely so.
But over time, it gradually stopped resembling a 'game'.
In contrast, another product... created by a former planner who left, felt more like a real 'game'.
Yes, precisely that series of turn-based MMOs created by the former Fantasy Westward Journey lead planner after leaving, or rather his company's products.
Although that lead planner was notorious... one had to admit his expertise in turn-based systems.
And this Fantasy Journey to the West Tang Yao selected bore some resemblance to those games.
"......"
After listening, Li Xue fell into thought, recalling turn-based MMOs from her youth before nodding lightly: "Traditional turn-based... I understand."
"Mmm, though this game has several innovative points, nothing particularly unique."
Tang Yao added: "Setting aside the mobile aspect, as a PC game it would just be an ordinary 2D turn-based MMO with some innovations. Mainly I want to gauge ANF users' reception to this genre, since an endless stream of gacha games leads to fatigue."
"Consider this an experiment... Of course, like Essence, this game has its rough edges. Ask if they're willing to polish it further - if not, forget it."
"Alright... I'll contact them now."