novelraw Chapter 177: It Was Always Meant to Be Like This
Chapter 177: It Was Always Meant to Be Like This
Honestly, there’s nothing particularly exciting about the New Year itself.The real joy lies in the days leading up to it.After all, for most people, the feeling of anticipation is always more delightful than actually having something.
It’s like how Friday afternoons are often more thrilling than relaxing at home over the weekend. People feel the happiest when they’re almost touching happiness.
And the New Year is no different.For most people.Once the New Year actually arrives, chances are they’ll start feeling down. As the first, second, and third days of the lunar new year slip by, a vague, indescribable melancholy and sense of loss often creep in.That anxiety could stem from farewells, aging, or financial pressure.
For adults, the New Year usually ends the moment Unforgettable Tonight begins playing.
But Tang Yao was relatively lucky.She’d experienced all those feelings countless times in her past life.Yet this was her first New Year in this parallel world, and she didn’t feel that way at all.Probably because she didn’t have much to worry about. She had money now, her little sister was by her side, and there was no homesickness to deal with.
So this year, she had a genuinely good time.But no matter how happy a New Year is, it always comes to an end eventually.
The seventh day of the lunar new year.
Tang Yao shook off her holiday mood, got up early, and headed to the office.After all, she had to be there to hand out the start-of-work red envelopes.
Just because she was in a good mood didn’t mean everyone else was.That post-holiday slump? Tang Yao had felt it many times in her past life…
And the best way to ease that slump for the team was with those red envelopes on the first day back. You can’t skip work, sure—but at least give people something to look forward to, right?
Tang Yao understood that feeling, and she was happy to give her staff something to lift their spirits.That’s why she was up and out so early.
At the office.Since it was still early, there weren’t many people around.But Li Xue had already arrived.Of course, Tang Yao had coordinated with her in advance to come in early.
And maybe it was the rest over the holidays, but… Li Xue looked even more stunning than usual. She wore a simple yet elegant coat that hugged her figure, highlighting her long, slender frame. Paired with tight black pants that traced the curves of her legs and high-heeled boots, her charm was through the roof.
But—
Miss Li… seemed to have gained a little weight.
Not like a big belly or anything dramatic.Her figure was still balanced, curvy in all the right places, but she just… looked a bit more full and rounded overall.
“Li Xue.”Tang Yao quickened her pace at the thought.
Li Xue heard her voice and looked up. Her eyes lit up when she saw Tang Yao.Even though they’d chatted over the holiday, they hadn’t seen each other.Truth be told, Li Xue really missed her…
But just as she walked up—
“Did you gain weight?” Tang Yao asked.
“…”
Li Xue froze in place. Her joyful mood instantly evaporated, and she looked crushed.This was the exact thing she didn’t want to hear.Because… yeah, she had noticed. Maybe she had gained a little.
But she did watch what she ate!
“Hm? What’s wrong?”Tang Yao noticed Li Xue step back, looking puzzled.
Li Xue gave Tang Yao a once-over.Tang Yao hadn’t gained any weight over the holiday… Her figure was just as curvy and striking as ever.
That only made Li Xue feel worse. She pursed her lips and averted her gaze, murmuring with a hint of grievance and defiance, “Is it that obvious? Maybe the coat just makes me look thicker…”
“Oh~”Tang Yao finally understood why Li Xue had backed away. Seeing her like this, she couldn’t help but laugh.
Li Xue was always so graceful and composed—it was rare to see her this flustered. It made her seem even more lively and adorable. Tang Yao deliberately stepped closer and looked her up and down teasingly. “Then let me have a closer look—”
She reached for her coat.
“No peeking!” Li Xue immediately blocked her, the tips of her ears turning red. “...Wait until I lose the weight, then we’ll talk.”
“I don’t mind.”Tang Yao looked at her flushed ears and found her even more endearing.
She retracted her hand but tilted her head, eyes glinting with mischief as she continued to gaze at Li Xue. “Honestly, I think you look even better now. You were too skinny before. Now…”
Her eyes swept across Li Xue. “You look healthier and more energetic. I actually like this figure—it looks like it’d be really comfortable to hug. I was just about to try it, too. Too bad you stopped me…”
Li Xue blinked, stunned. Maybe it was her imagination, but her regret looked even more obvious now.
On the other side—
Tang Yao, not noticing, pulled out a fat red envelope from her pocket and handed it to her. “Anyway, Happy New Year, Miss Li. Here’s your first red envelope.”
“…Thanks.”Li Xue came back to her senses and took it.
“You’re welcome. Come with me, we’ve got a bunch more to hand out.”Tang Yao stretched lazily. Sunshine streamed through the window, bathing the two of them in a soft, golden glow.
Footsteps echoed from down the hall as more coworkers arrived.The new year had officially begun.
Next, the two of them started handing out red envelopes to the team.
What caught Tang Yao off guard was…She had fully prepared herself to see forced smiles and weary expressions from the post-holiday crowd.
But when she saw them in person, the reality was different from what she imagined.Most people were smiling—genuinely. They actually looked happy to be back at work.
After finishing the last red envelope, Tang Yao returned to her desk and muttered in confusion, “What’s going on…”
In her past life, going back to work after the holiday felt like attending a funeral.
“What’s going on with what?”Li Xue walked over with a mug in hand and caught her murmuring.
Tang Yao looked back and asked, “Why do the staff seem… actually happy to be back?”
“Because of their boss—you,” Li Xue said with a chuckle, taking a seat. “Remember that massive year-end bonus? Everyone saw how generous you were. Plus, Avalon’s in a rapid growth phase. Those who got bonuses felt recognized for their work. Those who just joined? They’ve got hope. Everyone’s got something to look forward to.”
She sipped her drink and continued, “I’ve heard from a few people who switched jobs that Avalon’s vibe is totally different from other game companies. In other places, the team leads only care about one thing—squeezing money out of players. But here? From the bottom-level staff all the way up to the project leaders—and even you, the boss—you’re still debating whether a dragon should be allowed to blow a hero back to fifteen HP…”
“Not a single person brought up monetization.”
“And now this beautiful boss is handing out red envelopes, telling everyone they’ve worked hard… who wouldn’t be happy?”
“…I see.”Tang Yao paused. Maybe it was because she used to be an employee, and a gamer herself.
She just naturally believed that hard work should be rewarded generously.And that a game had to be good before you could even start talking about monetization…
Besides, Hearthstone already had a solid card-collection model in place. There was no rush to figure out how to charge players.
She never thought her team would see Avalon as “different”…But now that she thought about it, it really was different.
She had a deep understanding of card games and a clear plan for profitability. But even Kang Ming, Si Jinliang, and the designers they brought in had never brought up monetization. Every time they talked to her, it was about how to make the game more balanced, more fun…
And honestly, that’s how it should be.
Like Feng Ji said in that essay…The goal of making games was never supposed to be “constant monetization” or “keeping players glued to the screen for hundreds of hours.”
It was—to create something fun!
At that thought, Tang Yao recalled her past life working in the gaming industry. Her gaze softened as she murmured, “I hope Avalon really can be different.”
“Hm? What do you mean?”“Nothing.”Tang Yao shook her head and smiled. “Just hoping no one complains later—because we’re going to be very busy this first half of the year.”
It was too soon to dream big.After all, to create something fun… you first need money!
“You’re right. Chainsaw Man returns tomorrow…”On the other side, Li Xue nodded thoughtfully and began listing things off. “We’ve got to push the ANF website and the manga section promos. There’s also the FGO x Rumi collab to market. Plus Mahjong Duel, our second game… We’re basically booked solid through June.”
“Exactly, but…”Tang Yao responded, her chest lifting with confidence, a brilliant smile blooming on her face:
“It’s also our chance—Avalon’s chance to rise to the top.”
“Let’s make sure this year, the entire anime-gaming scene remembers our name first!”