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A few years ago, the world the original owner lived in had made a breakthrough in holographic imaging technology. As holographic technology matured, the entertainment industry developed further as well, including the rise of virtual idols from the anime subculture.

Following this trend, many tech companies and entertainment companies launched their own virtual idols, generating plenty of buzz and traffic.

It so happened that one of the original owner's friends had ridden the wave of virtual idols, left a major tech company with his team, and struck out on his own. Short on funds, he sought investment from the original owner. Since the original owner also had resources in the entertainment industry, it was only natural for the virtual idol they developed to be affiliated with Xie Ran Studio as an artist.

Two days ago, Xie Ran Studio announced that it would hold a press conference on the first weekend of the new year to officially launch its first virtual idol.

Xie Ran had a huge fanbase and came with his own publicity, so the announcement shot onto the trending searches as soon as it was released. Everyone eagerly anticipated what kind of virtual idol he would introduce.

Unfortunately, judging by the original owner's memories received by Xie Ran, the project's outcome had been far from impressive.

In the original owner's memories, the virtual idol they launched this time had been mediocre, not much different from the virtual idols already on the market. Still, thanks to Xie Ran's popularity, it had drawn some attention after its debut.

But before long, Ambition Studio launched its own virtual idol, Nangong Xu.

At the time, the original owner and Fang Huiwang had already gotten back together. Their interactions were great, and their ship was at the height of its popularity. Nangong Xu debuted directly tied to Xie Ran Studio's virtual idol, fiercely riding that wave of attention.

Nangong Xu became an instant hit, then brought Ambition Studio a major technological investment. Ambition Studio also used this opportunity to complete its initial capital transformation.

Meanwhile, Xie Ran Studio's virtual idol was poorly managed afterward. Once the ship's popularity faded, it quickly slipped away into obscurity and was forgotten.

Xie Ran had gotten up early to work today precisely because of those memories.

The original owner knew nothing about technology and was practically a black hole when it came to investments. That was why, after his acting career was ruined, he had no other business to support himself and had been forced to leave in disgrace.

Xie Ran would not allow the same thing to happen to him.

What surprised him was that Ambition Studio had actually moved Nangong Xu's release date forward. It seemed they still could not bear to let go of the ship's popularity. This time, Xie Ran had not cooperated with Fang Huiwang like the original owner had, so Ambition Studio had no choice but to force the issue themselves.

It had to be said that their move was quite effective.

Under the trending topic "Ambition Studio, Nangong Xu," netizens who loved nothing more than drama were lined up to watch the show.

[Woooo, Xie Ran and Fang Huiwang were just onstage together last night, and today Fang Huiwang announced he's going head-to-head with Xie Ran. Everyone, savor that. Really savor it!]

[Is Fang Huiwang getting revenge for Xie Ran's heartlessness last night? Tsk tsk, is this love turning into hate? doge]

[This is Wangran! They debuted together ten years ago, and ten years later they're launching virtual idols at the same time too, following each other every step of the way. If this isn't love, what is?!]

[It's real, it's real! Wangran will always stand side by side, always in sync, kswlkswl!!!]

[I'm done with ship fans. You can ship this too????]

[If they launch on the same day, then it's a direct showdown. Won't the loser get publicly executed? Wow, a truly authentic

love-hate relationship

!]

[Virtual idols again? Aren't you sick of them? A dozen virtual idols can launch in a month now. Even celebrity studios want a piece of the action. Do you even have the technology? With that effort, you might as well take on a couple more good scripts.]

"Xiao Ran, I know you can't let Fang Huiwang go. If you insist on working with him, I can accept that. But now you're even releasing virtual idols on the same day. Are you afraid you two aren't tied together tightly enough?" Guan Shunan's tone was clearly displeased.

Everything about Xie Ran was good, except that he was too ruled by his feelings. Regardless of whether Fang Huiwang's feelings for Xie Ran were genuine or false, anyone with eyes could see what Ambition Studio was trying to do with this move.

If Xie Ran did not even care about this, she would be deeply disappointed.

"You and Fang Huiwang are on different paths now. Promoting a ship brings you limited benefits. It'd be fine if nothing went wrong, but if something does, do you know how badly it could affect you..."

Before Guan Shunan could finish, Xie Ran cut her off directly. "This has nothing to do with me."

"Huh?" Guan Shunan froze for a moment. She had assumed that Xie Ran and Fang Huiwang had rekindled their old relationship, and that Fang Huiwang must have discussed this arrangement with Xie Ran. That was why she had been trying so earnestly to persuade him.

She was somewhat surprised. "It has nothing to do with you?"

"No."

"Then what does Ambition Studio mean by this?" Guan Shunan immediately grew angry. "Hurry up and tell Fang Huiwang to change the date."

"Why should he change it?" Xie Ran said blandly. "The attention is so high. Isn't that a good thing?"

"It isn't worth tying yourself to Fang Huiwang for this little bit of attention." Guan Shunan sighed and voiced her real concern. "Besides, I heard that Nangong Xu, the one Ambition is launching this time, is jointly produced with the Black Star Team."

If the two studios were launching virtual idols together, it would be one thing if Xie Ran Studio were strong enough to overpower the other side.

But the Black Star Team was currently the best-run virtual idol management company in the country. Several of the virtual idols making waves on the market right now were Black Star productions.

Guan Shunan did not think they could beat a Black Star product. Releasing at the same time under such circumstances would only let the other side use them as a stepping stone.

Guan Shunan continued persuading him. "Xiao Ran, they clearly came prepared this time. Otherwise, why would they dare deliberately set their date on the same day as ours..."

"Mm. They're pretty bold." Xie Ran's voice remained calm. He merely lowered his eyes to look at the computer screen before him, which was filled with densely packed technical information.

He had spent the entire morning compiling and analyzing this world's virtual idol technology. Combined with the original owner's memories, he now had a general understanding of the current technological landscape.

Although this world had achieved a breakthrough in holographic technology, the development of its other related technologies remained roughly similar to his original world's, and in some respects was even slightly behind.