Su Luo didn't insist, merely handing over one of his business cards. "This is my card."
Raven accepted it and then offered Su Luo one of her own.
"Raven Studio? Natasha Cioara."
Su Luo glanced at the details on the card and offered a standard polite remark, "I wish Raven Studio continued success and prosperity."
Raven suddenly fell silent. After a moment, she replied with a deadpan expression, "Actually... Raven Studio is about to disband."
"..."
"Miss Cioara, are you planning not to continue in the game industry then?"
"I think I might just not be cut out to be a game producer," Raven said, shaking her head.
"Miss Cioara, don't be so disheartened. Perhaps you're just facing a temporary setback."
Su Luo paused, then continued, "It's a bit of a coincidence, but the members of miHoYo Studio were much like you. There was a time when they also thought they weren't suited to be game producers."
"Oh?" Raven finally showed some interest in Su Luo's words.
Su Luo, seeing the curiosity flicker in Raven's eyes, narrowed his own slightly.
"If Miss Cioara is curious, why not find some time to visit miHoYo? We're quite willing to exchange experiences with industry peers."
"Let's forget it. Your miHoYo is so impressive, and you have such a great game like Honkai Impact 3rd. What is there to discuss with me? You should be exchanging experiences with those successful major companies." Raven's tone wasn't pleasant, but her words were sincere.
"As the saying goes, 'In any group of three, one can always find a teacher.' Perhaps miHoYo can learn something from you that we can't learn elsewhere?"
"...Now I understand why your miHoYo is becoming more and more successful."
Raven fell silent for a moment, then couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
She then paused briefly before adding, "As for exchanging experiences, I'll ask the others. If they're interested, we'll contact you."
"I look forward to your visit."
Their conversation came to a temporary close.
Afterward, the awards ceremony officially began.
If one had to describe the entire process in detail, it went something like this:
The host announced:
"Best Domestic Mobile Game: Honkai Impact 3rd!"
Su Luo went on stage. The audience applauded enthusiastically.
After a while, the host announced again:
"Most Innovative Award: Honkai Impact 3rd!"
Su Luo went on stage again. The audience applauded again, though noticeably less enthusiastically than the first time. Everyone wore an expression that seemed to say, "Why him again?"
As it turned out, after another while, the host announced yet again:
"Game of the Year: Honkai Impact 3rd!"
The same routine repeated.
This cycle continued until the gazes of the others shifted from envy and jealousy to a sort of numbness.
It made them wonder why on earth they had come to attend this game awards ceremony today.
Were they here specifically to watch Su Luo flex?
...
...
The awards ceremony concluded.
For Su Luo, the biggest gain this time was clearly not winning so many awards, but rather encountering Raven.
He held a pile of trophies, yet he seemed somewhat troubled.
"So many trophies, it's a bit inconvenient to take them back."
"I say... could you spare a thought for the feelings of those who are returning empty-handed?" Raven, still beside Su Luo, was speechless.
"My apologies, a slip of the tongue! I forgot you didn't get any... cough cough."
"..."
Su Luo's apology made the corner of Raven's mouth twitch. Thinking of her own island villa, she felt even more wounded.
She waved her hand, her enthusiasm dampened. "If it's inconvenient for you, I can drive you back to your hotel."
"Then I'll have to trouble you."
Raven drove Su Luo back to his hotel.
Nothing particularly special happened after that. Su Luo spent a few more days in Hangcheng with the girls, playing and relaxing, before they embarked on their return journey.
Everyone returned safely to Linjiang and threw themselves back into work.
And on the third day after Su Luo's return to Linjiang, following some communication and discussion during this period:
Island Villa: [Can we visit miHoYo today?]
Su Luo: [Of course, you're very welcome.]
Island Villa: [There might be quite a few of us coming this time, is that okay?]
Su Luo: [No problem.]
Su Luo: [Comparatively, I'm more worried that you'll be too surprised when you meet the people at miHoYo Studio later.]
Island Villa: [What do you mean?]
Su Luo: [It's a secret for now.]
Island Villa: [...Then we'll see you later.]
Su Luo finished his chat with Raven but didn't close the chat interface. Instead, he started replying to another person's message.
Elysia: [Su Luo~~ Eden has agreed to sing the theme song for "Skyfall Meteor."]
Su Luo: [Really?]
Elysia: [Of course~~ I talked to Eden, and Eden really likes Honkai Impact 3rd, so it's perfectly normal for her to agree.]
That was true.
Su Luo nodded silently. With Elysia putting in a good word, Eden was likely to be accommodating.
Besides, Eden was now also a fan of Honkai Impact 3rd, so it truly wasn't surprising that she agreed to sing the theme song for "Skyfall Meteor."
Elysia: [Oh, right, right, I want to sing a duet with Eden for this song. Can I?]
Su Luo: [Huh? Why?]
Elysia: [Hmph hmph~♪ Just think, if everyone sees me and Eden on the singer list together, wouldn't that be super interesting~~]
Even through the screen, Su Luo could feel Elysia's bubbling excitement.
Elysia: [Some people who don't know the situation will definitely think... 'Ah! Who on earth is she, to be able to sing a duet with the big star Eden!' ... Just thinking about it is so much fun, right?]
Su Luo: [To be honest, that's true.]
Elysia: [Heehee~~ Su Luo, you agree then? Aiya, I just knew you'd understand me, Su Luo.]
Elysia: [My compatibility with you is really good, Su Luo~♪]
Elysia said, her words carrying a hint of intrigue.
Su Luo, however, 'ruthlessly' exposed the truth.
Su Luo: [Elysia, you say that to all your friends, don't you?]
How could he not know Elysia's personality?
There was a brief silence on Elysia's end, then after a short moment:
Elysia: [Aiya~~ Su Luo, you're so direct and you understand me so well, that's practically cheating!]
Elysia: [Miss Elf has to make a temporary retreat now~♪]
Elysia slipped away.