Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Wei reveals to Huang Yu that Platinum's top-secret project with Team One has completed its first internal test, with a development cost of 14 billion yuan (approximately 2.1 billion USD).
• Wu Wei intentionally leaks this information to Huang Yu, asking him to spread the word among his industry friends.
• Wu Wei aims to use this revelation to build hype for the upcoming Cologne Game Show and put pressure on rival manufacturers.

Character Developments

• Wu Wei demonstrates his strategic thinking and willingness to take risks by revealing the project's development cost, showing his confidence in Platinum's capabilities.
• Huang Yu is shown to be well-connected in the industry, with friends who are high-level executives at independent game studios.

Significant Themes

• The theme of secrecy and information control is explored, as Wu Wei decides to reveal certain details about the project while keeping others confidential.
• The theme of competition and rivalry in the gaming industry is highlighted, as Wu Wei aims to put pressure on his rivals.

Character Interactions

• Wu Wei and Huang Yu interact over the phone, with Wu Wei intentionally leaking information to Huang Yu.
• Huang Yu shares the information with his industry friends at a tea party, sparking their curiosity and excitement.
• Wu Wei and Shen Yunshi discuss Wu Wei's decision to reveal the project's development cost, with Shen Yunshi expressing confusion and Wu Wei explaining his strategy.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Wei shares his new project's progress with industry executives, who are amazed but keep the news confidential.
• The news leaks rapidly through word-of-mouth, with investment figures escalating dramatically.
• Players and international gaming communities discuss the upcoming game, speculating about its type, cost, and potential impact.

Character Developments

• Wu Wei: Confident in his new project, he openly shares it with Yukina but is puzzled by her unusual behavior.
• Yukina: Nervous and hesitant after learning about Wu Wei's new project, she contemplates discussing a matter with him.

Significant Themes

• The power of word-of-mouth and rumors in shaping public perception.
• The impact of a game designer's reputation on industry reactions.
• The tension between secrecy and anticipation in the gaming industry.

Character Interactions

• Wu Wei interacts with industry executives, sharing his project and emphasizing its secrecy.
• Wu Wei speaks with Yukina about his new project, noticing her unusual behavior.
• Players and international gaming communities discuss Wu Wei's new project, expressing curiosity and skepticism.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Wei, a game designer, receives a call from Yukina, the chairwoman of Sakurajima Studio, now part of Sony Group.
• Sakurajima Studio, previously acquired by Zhihua Games, left after a dispute over a project's budget five months ago.
• Sakurajima Studio recently expressed a desire to work with Sony Group, aiming to get revenge on Zhihua Games.
• Wu Wei suspects this might be a counter-espionage tactic by Zhihua Games.
• Yukina calls Wu Wei to discuss a new profit-sharing cooperation regarding Sakurajima's unfinished project.

Character Developments

• Wu Wei: Becomes suspicious and cautious after learning about Sakurajima's recent actions, maintaining a formal tone with Yukina.
• Yukina: Struggles to separate personal feelings from business, trying to maintain a professional demeanor despite Wu Wei's cold response.

Significant Themes

• Business rivalry and espionage.
• The tension between personal relationships and business negotiations.
• The struggle between creative freedom and corporate interests.

Character Interactions

• Wu Wei and Yukina's conversation is tense and formal, reflecting Wu Wei's suspicion and Yukina's sadness and professionalism.
• Wu Wei's past interactions with Yukina are mentioned, suggesting a previously friendly relationship that has now cooled.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Wei learns that Sakurajima Studio, backed by Sony, poses a threat to his company's market dominance.
• Sony plans to use Sakurajima Studio to counterbalance Wu Wei's influence and increase their revenue share in the contract.
• Wu Wei, enraged by Sony's ingratitude, calls a meeting with his executives to discuss the situation.

Character Developments

• Wu Wei: Shows sharp business acumen and is furious at Sony's betrayal.
• Akiyama Yukina: Realizes the gravity of the situation after Wu Wei hangs up on her.
• Old Second (Executive): Exhibits loyalty and anger towards Sony's ungrateful behavior.
• Lu Bian (Executive): Maintains a calm demeanor and hints at a secret plan Wu Wei has in motion.

Significant Themes

• Gratitude and betrayal in business relationships.
• The cutthroat nature of the gaming industry.
• The importance of strategic planning and foresight in business.

Character Interactions

• Wu Wei and Akiyama Yukina: Their conversation reveals Sony's intentions and Wu Wei's anger.
• Wu Wei and his executives: They gather to discuss Sony's betrayal and strategize their response.
• Old Second and Lu Bian: Their interaction highlights Old Second's impulsiveness and Lu Bian's calm, hinting at a secret plan.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Wei secretly sends Old Zhang and Secretary Jiang to secure Cherry's support for Cherry's keyboard switches.
• Simultaneously, he dispatches Lu Bian to liaise with Ubisoft about servers.
• Wu Wei reveals his plan to diversify Platinum's servers to avoid Sony's leverage.
• He plans to use Ubisoft's servers (45%) and Chinese national servers (55%) to reduce reliance on Sony.
• Wu Wei expresses regret for his foresight coming into use so quickly, hinting at Yukina's actions.

Character Developments

• Wu Wei demonstrates strategic thinking and long-term planning, comparing himself to ancient kings and generals.
• Liu He (Old Second) expresses resentment at being left out of the secret missions in Europe.

Significant Themes

• Strategic Planning: Wu Wei's long-term strategies and contingency plans.
• Diplomacy and Connections: The importance of relationships and networks in business, as seen in Wu Wei's dealings with various parties.
• Adaptability: Wu Wei's ability to adapt to changing circumstances and use his foresight to mitigate risks.

Character Interactions

• Wu Wei and Old Zhang/Secretary Jiang: Wu Wei entrusts them with securing Cherry's support, showing trust in their abilities.
• Wu Wei and Lu Bian: Wu Wei sends Lu Bian to negotiate with Ubisoft, demonstrating their working relationship.
• Wu Wei and Liu He: Liu He feels slighted at being excluded from the European missions, leading to tension between him and Wu Wei.
• Wu Wei and Sony: Wu Wei's strategic moves aim to reduce reliance on Sony, hinting at potential conflict.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Wei and his team discuss their strategy to deal with Sony's potential provocation.
• Wu Wei reassures Liu He (Second Brother) by appointing him as the 'anchor' of the team, boosting his confidence.
• Sony's board, led by Yukina, initiates a board meeting with Platinum to discuss reducing Platinum's revenue share on the PS5 platform.

Character Developments

• Wu Wei: Shows strategic thinking and assertiveness in dealing with Sony's potential challenge. He also demonstrates empathy and understanding towards Liu He's insecurities.
• Liu He (Second Brother): Gains confidence and a sense of purpose after Wu Wei's reassurance, showing growth in his role within the team.
• Yukina: Struggles with her decision to challenge Platinum, feeling conflicted and uneasy about facing Wu Wei.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and Trust: Wu Wei's trust in Liu He and Liu He's renewed loyalty to the team.
• Business Rivalry: The tension between Sony and Platinum, highlighting the cutthroat nature of the business world.
• Personal vs. Professional: Yukina's struggle between her personal feelings towards Wu Wei and her professional responsibilities.

Character Interactions

• Wu Wei and Liu He: Wu Wei boosts Liu He's confidence by appointing him as the 'anchor', showing his understanding of Liu He's character and needs.
• Wu Wei and Yukina: The tension between them is palpable due to the upcoming board meeting, highlighting the strain in their professional relationship.
• Yukina and Heijing Jirou: Heijing Jirou advises Yukina to prioritize Sony's interests over personal feelings, reflecting the mentorship dynamic between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sony proposes reducing Platinum's revenue share from 83% to 50% for PS5 games.
• Wu Wei initially agrees, then rejects the proposal, stating Platinum's value extends beyond game revenue.
• Wu Wei reveals Platinum's games have become a key selling point for the PS5.
• Sony threatens to use Platinum's game platform as leverage, but Wu Wei counters by terminating their server hosting agreement and transferring user data.
• Negotiations end without resolution; Wu Wei refuses to agree to Sony's terms.
• Wu Wei demands Sony allocate over one-third of their Cologne Game Show resources to Platinum, or he'll license major titles to Microsoft's console.

Character Developments

• Wu Wei demonstrates strong negotiation skills, strategic thinking, and resolve in protecting Platinum's interests.
• Heijing Jirou, Yukina, and Isayama Maku from Sony are shown to be calculating and manipulative, but ultimately outmaneuvered by Wu Wei.
• Yukina appears distracted and unwell throughout the negotiations, hinting at internal conflict or distress.

Significant Themes

• Business as war: Wu Wei's perspective on negotiations and competition in the gaming industry.
• Value beyond revenue: Wu Wei emphasizes Platinum's brand value and impact on console sales.
• Manipulation and counter-manipulation: Both parties attempt to use leverage, with Wu Wei ultimately outplaying Sony.

Character Interactions

• Wu Wei vs. Sony representatives: Wu Wei dominates the negotiation, leaving Sony with few options.
• Wu Wei's concern for Yukina: Despite her company's actions, Wu Wei shows brief consideration for Yukina's well-being.
• Sony's internal dynamics: Heijing Jirou, Yukina, and Isayama Maku work together but seem to have differing levels of understanding and acceptance of their situation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• PlatinumGames announces server adjustments, leading to speculation about their relationship with Sony.
• Rumors circulate about Sony's acquisition of Sakurajima Studio and their new project, a potential competitor to PlatinumGames.
• The gaming community discusses the possibility of PlatinumGames breaking up with Sony.
• PlatinumGames announces a new game project, "Epic," with their core development team reuniting.

Character Developments

• No significant character developments in this chapter as it focuses on the gaming industry dynamics and rumors.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics and competition within the gaming industry.
• The impact of rumors and speculation on public perception.
• The anticipation and expectations surrounding new game announcements.

Character Interactions

• The chapter primarily features interactions and discussions among gaming community members, both casual players and industry professionals, through online forums and discussions. There are no direct interactions between characters in the gaming industry.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Old Thief's new game announcement sparks excitement and panic in the gaming community and industry.
• Capcom announces "Devil May Cry 5," a sequel to the controversial "DmC: Devil May Cry," featuring familiar characters and a new character, Nico.
• Sakurajima Studio, acquired by Sony, reveals "Shogun's Shadow," a stealth assassination game set during the Warring States period with supernatural elements.

Character Developments

• Dante and Vergil return in "Devil May Cry 5," with Vergil's design inspired by Shen Yunshi (the little painter).
• A new character, Nico, is introduced as Nero's assistant in "Devil May Cry 5."

Significant Themes

• The impact of a major game announcement on the industry and player expectations.
• The influence of previous games (e.g., "Sekiro") on new game designs and player perceptions.

Character Interactions

• Players discuss and speculate about "Devil May Cry 5" and "Shogun's Shadow" on gaming forums and social media.
• Capcom thanks Shen Yunshi for her contributions to "Devil May Cry 5," sparking discussion about her potential involvement with Old Thief.
• Players compare "Shogun's Shadow" to "Sekiro," debating whether it's a spiritual successor or a copy.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Platinum Games and Sakurajima Studio are developing rival games, with Platinum's being a combination of Assassin's Creed and Sekiro.
• Platinum Games, led by the Old Thief (Wu Wei), remains unfazed by the hype around Sakurajima's game.
• Wu Wei releases an original artwork for his game, depicting a desolate, post-apocalyptic scene with a total solar eclipse, a knight, and a spiral sword stuck in the ground.
• Players speculate that both games might be 'suffering games' (high difficulty, high death penalty), leading to anticipation and tension.

Character Developments

• Wu Wei (Old Thief) shows confidence and calmness in the face of competition, focusing on his game's development.
• Players are shown to be excited and engaged, eagerly discussing and speculating about the games.

Significant Themes

• Competition and rivalry in the gaming industry.
• The impact of game difficulty and mechanics on player experience.
• The importance of world-building and narrative in game design.

Character Interactions

• Wu Wei interacts with the gaming community through his artwork release, sparking discussion and anticipation.
• The gaming community interacts with each other, speculating about the games and expressing their excitement.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Wei, the game designer, watches a trailer for "Shogun's Shadow" and finds it uninspiring.
• He releases the first trailer for his own game, "12 Dark Souls," which features a dark, epic, and atmospheric medieval fantasy setting with monstrous creatures and a grand musical score performed by the National Symphony Orchestra and Choir.
• The trailer creates a sensation among players, who praise its artistic quality and compare it favorably to "Shogun's Shadow."

Character Developments

• Wu Wei demonstrates his confidence and ambition in his game design, aiming to create a masterpiece that stands out from the competition.

Significant Themes

• The power of artistic collaboration (with the National Symphony Orchestra and Choir) in enhancing the impact of a game.
• The importance of world-building and exploration in games, as Wu Wei reflects on his past work.

Character Interactions

• Wu Wei interacts with a photo of himself and Yukina, expressing concern about her decisions regarding the company.
• Players react enthusiastically to the "12 Dark Souls" trailer, comparing it to other games and praising its quality.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sony announces 'Shogun's Shadow', a game aiming to compete with Wu Wei's 'Dark Souls'.
• The promotional materials for 'Shogun's Shadow' are poorly received compared to 'Dark Souls', causing Yukina (Sony's representative) to feel despair.
• Wu Wei invites Sony to the Cologne Game Show, maintaining a seemingly peaceful relationship despite rumors of a rift.
• Yukina and Wu Wei discuss promotional matters for 'Dark Souls'. Sony offers a 32% promotional share, significantly less than previous collaborations.

Character Developments

• Yukina: Realizes the vast gap between Wu Wei's and her own capabilities, feeling despair and pressure. Struggles to maintain a professional demeanor while dealing with Wu Wei.
• Wu Wei: Shows disdain for Sony's game and maintains a cold, professional attitude towards Yukina. Reveals his frustration with the offered promotional share.

Significant Themes

• Power Dynamics: The relationship between Sony and Platinum Games shifts, with Sony trying to assert dominance despite Platinum's global standing.
• Creative Differences: The disparity between Wu Wei's and Sony's game design philosophies is highlighted, reflecting on their business relationship.
• Business Realities: The harsh realities of the gaming industry are shown, with promotional shares being used as a tool to control and influence game developers.

Character Interactions

• Yukina and Wu Wei: Their interaction is tense and formal, with Wu Wei maintaining a cold demeanor and Yukina struggling to maintain professionalism.
• Wu Wei and Shen Yunshi: Shen Yunshi subtly tries to calm Wu Wei during the meeting, indicating their close relationship.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Wei discovers that Sony has reduced Platinum's promotional share for their upcoming game from 75% to 32%.
• He learns that other manufacturers have a 40% share, and Sakurajima Studio, Sony's new collaborator, has 28%.
• Wu Wei is furious about the minimal difference between Platinum's and Sakurajima's shares.

Character Developments

• Wu Wei: Starts as calm and collected but becomes increasingly angry and restrained when he learns about the reduced share.
• Yukina: Initially confident in her collaboration with Wu Wei, she becomes flustered and speechless when trying to explain the situation to him.

Significant Themes

• Power Dynamics: The shift in promotional shares reflects the changing power dynamics between Sony and Platinum, with Sony growing stronger and more independent.
• Loyalty vs. Business: Wu Wei's anger highlights the tension between loyalty (to Platinum) and business decisions (Sony's need to diversify collaborators).

Character Interactions

• Wu Wei and Yukina: Their interaction is tense and uncomfortable, with Wu Wei's coldness and Yukina's flustered explanations creating a strained atmosphere.
• Heijing Jirou and Yukina: They exchange worried glances, realizing the severity of the situation and Yukina's thoughtless revelation of Sakurajima's share.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sony aims to regain dominance by partnering with Sakurajima Studio, which prompts Yukina to reduce Platinum Studio's share to maintain stability.
• Akiyama Kazuo, Yukina's father, falls into a coma, leaving Yukina to handle the situation alone.
• Wu Wei and Yukina have a tense conversation about the share reduction, with Wu Wei accepting the decision but ending the call abruptly.
• Despite the rift, both Platinum and Sony maintain a public facade and actively promote Dark Souls ahead of the Cologne Game Show.
• Dark Souls' trailer release and blind pre-orders are announced, with players paying a fixed price that will be refunded upon launch.

Character Developments

• Yukina: Struggles with balancing personal emotions and business actions, ultimately deciding to reduce Platinum Studio's share based on her teacher's advice and the board's support.
• Wu Wei: Feels betrayed by Yukina's decision but maintains a professional demeanor in public. Privately, he expresses frustration but accepts the situation.

Significant Themes

• Business vs. Personal: Yukina grapples with separating her personal feelings from business decisions.
• Trust and Betrayal: Wu Wei feels betrayed by Yukina's decision, while Yukina might also be acting under duress, as suggested by Shen Yunshi.
• Public Facade vs. Private Reality: Despite the tension between Platinum and Sony, both parties maintain a public image of cooperation.

Character Interactions

• Yukina and Wu Wei: Their conversation ends awkwardly, with Wu Wei accepting the decision but ending the call abruptly, leaving Yukina unable to explain her situation.
• Wu Wei and Shen Yunshi: Wu Wei shows patience and understanding towards Shen Yunshi, asking to see her chat logs with Yukina, suggesting he's considering Yukina's perspective.
• Platinum and Sony: Both parties maintain a public facade of cooperation while privately dealing with their issues, as seen in their official Weibo interactions and joint announcements for Dark Souls.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Platinum Games announces a 10% discount for pre-orders of their new game, "Old Thief," sparking controversy in the gaming community.
• Sakurajima Games, a competitor, immediately follows suit with their own blind pre-order offer for "Shogun's Shadow," at an 85% discount.
• Wu Wei and Lu Bian discuss the situation, deciding to ignore Sakurajima's actions and focus on their own plans.

Character Developments

• Wu Wei: Shows leadership and responsibility towards his team and company, acknowledging the weight of his decisions on others' lives.
• Lu Bian: Supports Wu Wei, understanding the complexities of their situation and offering humor to lighten the mood.
• Jiang Wanning: Demonstrates her multilingual abilities, impressing Wu Wei.

Significant Themes

• Competition and copycatting in the gaming industry.
• Leadership and responsibility in business.
• The power of nostalgia in gaming.

Character Interactions

• Wu Wei and Lu Bian: Share a friendly, humorous rapport, supporting each other in decision-making.
• Wu Wei and Jiang Wanning: Wu Wei is impressed by Jiang Wanning's language skills, showing respect for her talents.
• Wu Wei and Yukina: Their relationship is hinted at being awkward due to recent events, but they maintain a friendly demeanor.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Wei and Jiang Wanning encounter Yukina, who appears exhausted and unwell despite trying to hide it.
• Wu Wei, concerned, walks with Yukina while Jiang Wanning intentionally delays Heijing Jirou to give them privacy.
• Wu Wei decides to ask Yukina three personal questions, using their long-standing friendship as collateral.

Character Developments

• Wu Wei: Shows concern and sympathy for Yukina's condition, indicating a deeper personal connection. He also demonstrates strategic thinking by asking Jiang Wanning to delay Heijing Jirou.
• Yukina: Reveals her exhaustion and stress, hinting at the heavy burden she carries. She agrees to Wu Wei's request, showing trust in their friendship.

Significant Themes

• Friendship: The chapter explores the depth of Wu Wei and Yukina's friendship, with Wu Wei using it as collateral to ask personal questions.
• Trust: Yukina's agreement to Wu Wei's request shows her trust in their friendship, despite the seriousness of the situation.
• Vulnerability: Yukina's appearance and behavior highlight her vulnerability, contrasting with her usual strong and composed demeanor.

Character Interactions

• Wu Wei and Yukina: Their interaction shows a level of familiarity and understanding, with Wu Wei expressing concern and Yukina trusting him enough to answer his questions.
• Jiang Wanning and Heijing Jirou: Jiang Wanning delays Heijing Jirou to give Wu Wei and Yukina privacy, showing her loyalty and understanding of Wu Wei's intentions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Wei suspects Sony's recent decisions targeting Platinum Studio were influenced by Akiyama Kazuo's deteriorating health.
• Wu Wei learns from Yukina that Akiyama Kazuo has liver cancer and has gone to the US for treatment, with less than half a year to live.
• Wu Wei asks Yukina if the decisions regarding Platinum Studio were made by her, hinting at a potential power struggle within Sony.

Character Developments

• Wu Wei shows concern for Akiyama Kazuo's health and is willing to take a tough stance against Sony if necessary.
• Yukina struggles with balancing her loyalty to her father and her responsibilities as the acting head of Sony.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and succession in corporate leadership.
• The impact of personal health on business decisions.
• The tension between loyalty and responsibility.

Character Interactions

• Wu Wei and Yukina's conversation reveals the delicate balance of their relationship, with Wu Wei pushing for information and Yukina trying to maintain secrecy.
• Wu Wei's relationship with Akiyama Kazuo is shown to be one of mutual respect and understanding, influencing Wu Wei's approach to the situation.
• The dynamic between Wu Wei, Yukina, Heijing Jirou, and Jiang Wanning hints at potential alliances and rivalries within the group.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Wei reminds Yukina of his previous warning not to accept radical proposals, causing her to realize she had forgotten his instructions due to her father's illness.
• Wu Wei and Yukina discuss the seriousness of the situation and agree that they must succeed at the Cologne Game Show.
• Wu Wei shares his suspicions with Jiang Wanning that silver merchant capital is involved in the matter, and Sakurajima Studio's involvement might not be as simple as it seems.

Character Developments

• Yukina: Realizes her limitations in managing the company without her father's guidance, feels overwhelmed, and becomes more aware of Wu Wei's capabilities.
• Wu Wei: Demonstrates his foresight and strategic thinking, showing concern for Yukina's well-being while remaining focused on the company's survival.
• Jiang Wanning: Shows understanding and support for Wu Wei's concerns, displaying her loyalty and commitment to the company.

Significant Themes

• Power Dynamics: The struggle for control within the company and the industry, with Wu Wei and Yukina trying to maintain their position against external threats.
• Responsibility and Burden: Yukina grapples with the weight of her father's legacy and her own limitations, while Wu Wei feels the responsibility to protect the company and its employees.
• Trust and Betrayal: The potential involvement of silver merchant capital and Sakurajima Studio raises questions about trust and loyalty within the industry.

Character Interactions

• Wu Wei and Yukina: Their interaction highlights Wu Wei's guidance and Yukina's growing dependence on him, as well as her realization of his capabilities.
• Wu Wei and Jiang Wanning: They demonstrate a strong working relationship, with Jiang Wanning showing understanding and support for Wu Wei's concerns and decisions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Wei, a silver merchant capital representative, discusses strategies to counter Sony's growing influence in the gaming market, driven by Platinum's success.
• Wu Wei plans to use Sakurajima Studio, a subsidiary, to infiltrate Sony, aiming to dismantle Platinum's influence from within.
• Wu Wei's plan involves manipulating Sony's board of directors to provoke Platinum, weakening their alliance, and allowing silver merchant capital to enter the market.
• Wu Wei reveals that if his plan succeeds, Sony will be left with no advantageous masterpieces, making it easier for silver merchant capital to take over.

Character Developments

• Wu Wei demonstrates his strategic prowess and ruthlessness in business, showing no qualms about manipulating others for his gain.
• Jiang Wanning, initially amused by Wu Wei's moniker 'Old Thief', comes to respect his strategic acumen and realizes the severity of the situation.
• Yukina, Sony's leader, is shown to be indecisive and unfit for her role, as she has been misled by attacks from both inside and out, and is unaware of the silver merchant capital's scheme.

Significant Themes

• The ruthless nature of business competition, where companies will stop at nothing to gain an advantage.
• The importance of strategic planning and foresight in business.
• The consequences of poor leadership and decision-making.

Character Interactions

• Wu Wei and Jiang Wanning discuss Wu Wei's plan, with Jiang Wanning initially amused but later becoming nervous and concerned about the potential consequences.
• Wu Wei's monologue reveals his strategic thinking and lack of empathy for those he considers pawns in his game.
• The conversation between Wu Wei and Jiang Wanning highlights the power dynamics between them, with Wu Wei clearly in the dominant position.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Wei decides to travel to the USA at the last minute, four days before the Cologne exhibition, leaving Jiang Wanning bewildered.
• Wu Wei's goal is to 'save' Sony from the influence of silver merchant capital, which is trying to manipulate the market through Sakurajima Studio.

Character Developments

• Wu Wei: Reveals his strategic and cunning nature, showing that he's not just a game designer but also a shrewd businessman. He's determined to protect his partners from the silver merchant capital's influence.
• Jiang Wanning: Demonstrates loyalty and trust in Wu Wei, even when she doesn't understand his decisions. She's also shown to be competent and capable, handling the exhibition preparations in Wu Wei's absence.

Significant Themes

• Business rivalry and manipulation: The silver merchant capital's interference in the market highlights the cutthroat nature of the business world.
• Trust and loyalty: Wu Wei's actions show his commitment to his partners, while Jiang Wanning's unwavering support for Wu Wei emphasizes their trust in each other.
• Strategic planning: Wu Wei's decision to travel to the USA at the last minute showcases his ability to adapt and strategize under pressure.

Character Interactions

• Wu Wei and Jiang Wanning: Their interaction shows a clear dynamic of boss and secretary, with Jiang Wanning following Wu Wei's orders without question, even when she doesn't understand his plans.
• Yukina (Sony Group): Although not present in this chapter, her concern for Wu Wei's absence and her dedication to the exhibition setup highlight her professionalism and commitment to her role as Sony Group's president.