"Operation 001 continues. Some of the key elements from the original mythological game can fully support the technical development of the next-generation, more impressive Chinese martial arts game!" The chief's words opened everyone's eyes. Indeed! The mythological game hadn't died prematurely—it had simply transformed, evolving into a more powerful Chinese martial arts game. At that moment, a deep voice came from behind Miyuki: "Gao Liang, I know you are an outstanding Chinese with strong ideals and ambitions. However, our Nintendo Games Company has its own operating rules—any game we invest in must bear the name of our Japanese Nintendo Games Company, and our company holds absolute controlling interest!" "No way! I can't agree to that! This is a Chinese game!" Gao Liang firmly rejected. "Well, I understand you are a proud, patriotic Chinese. However, I can't help you with that point. But I can offer some technical support." Mr. Miyazaki praised warmly. "Thank you, Uncle!" Gao Liang deeply bowed to Mr. Miyazaki, who adjusted his glasses and nodded, then left, leaving Miyuki and Gao Liang alone. "Gao Liang, my influence is limited—this is as far as I can go. What should we do now?" Miyuki said. "I will strive to gain more support for this game!" "Highlight said firmly. "Yes! I truly believe my husband can design a Chinese game that becomes a global phenomenon!" Meiji puffed out her breath. "Let's give our Chinese martial arts game all our support!" Highlight held Meiji's hand tightly. At a secret base in Binhai City, Lina and Pova were busy at their computers, just as busy as the game software designers brought by Valeri. "How's it going? Are you tired?" As Lina and Pova were working hard, a familiar voice approached. They looked up and saw Highlight—someone they hadn't seen in a while. Pova immediately grabbed Highlight's hand and said, "These days we're so tired, we barely sleep! Of course we're exhausted!" Then she gave him a subtle glance. Highlight, smiling slyly, firmly squeezed her chest. "Are you trying to make me fall in love with you again?" "Oh! Don't flirt with my sister!" Lina was slightly annoyed, tossing a technical document directly at Highlight. Highlight caught it swiftly with both hands. "Oh!" "Great stuff, but that's not what I needed!" The praise from Gao Liang made Linna happy. "You know, ever since we started your game of skills, we've been tossing and turning for the past week, unable to get a good night's sleep!" "You've been wonderful! Ladies, I'm treating you today!" Gao Liang beamed with a smile, and Linna and Bova immediately started asking for candy sticks. "Only one candy stick left!" Gao Liang said, a little embarrassed. "One stick for both of us—one for me and one for my sister!" Bova snatched the candy stick from him, eager to enjoy it, expecting a sweet, rich flavor. But to her surprise, the taste was quite bitter, and her brows furrowed tightly. "Gao Liang, you've deceived me! I'm not done with you yet!" She handed the candy stick to Linna and raised her palm, ready to hit Gao Liang right on the face. Linna, meanwhile, tried a small bite from the other side, amazed: "Oh, so sweet! So sweet! I absolutely love it!" "Gao Liang, why are there two completely different flavors?" "Lina is sharp—she immediately took a sip from the other side and found it quite bitter. Her bright eyes looked puzzled as she asked, 'It's both bitter and sweet, isn't it? That's the taste of life!' High-light said this in Russian, a bit awkwardly, but to Lina and Bova, it sounded wonderful. They clapped their hands and exclaimed, 'High-light, you're amazing!' 'You need to speed up the game's progress! I must see some tangible results from you by next week!' High-light quickly shifted the conversation back to the game. 'Of course! You can count on us!' Lina and Bova both enjoyed their candy sticks, savoring the delightful blend of bitterness and sweetness. In a villa outside Redwood City, California, Mike stood in the hall, holding his girlfriend Julie close and sighing, 'I'm done! I've lost my job!' 'I'm still with Electronic Arts! It seems this large-scale layoffs are particularly kind to women!' Julie glanced at her boyfriend Mike with a look of quiet pride. Just as she finished speaking, her phone in her pocket rang: "Hello, is this Ms. Julie? The headquarters has issued another notice—you've been laid off!" "Oh my goodness! I'm not exempt either!" Julie's heart plummeted from the heights to the depths. With both of them now laid off, their situation suddenly became exceptionally difficult. "I still have a mortgage to pay! What am I supposed to do?" Mike hung his head. "The economy is sluggish, and finding a job is tough. Maybe it's time we call it quits." Julie's words left Mike wide-eyed, stunned, and it took him a moment to respond, "Julie, why does our love fall apart so easily? Dana went to China in pursuit of true love!" "I'm a very practical person—love comes after a stable life, after a steady income. Isn't that reasonable? If I'm wrong, then I'll leave right now!" Julie’s words humbled Mike, who sighed deeply to the heavens: “All I have to do is go to China. I’ve got some key game technologies under my belt—I simply don’t believe I’d have any place to apply them there.” “Exactly! No globally renowned game company in China would hire you!” Julie firmly countered. Just as she finished speaking, a familiar voice chimed in: “Want to go to China? Great! You’ll definitely make it! There are so many game companies in China—they’ll welcome talents like you!” Mike and Julie turned around to see Dianmeng arriving. “Dianmeng, how did you come back? Have you found Hengliang?” Julie asked. “How is Hengliang doing? Does he still remember us?” Mike inquired. Dianmeng nodded, lifted her flowing golden hair, and said: “Now is precisely when Hengliang needs our help most. As friends, we must generously support him. Let’s go to China!” “Excellent! Let’s go to China—to support Hengliang!” "With three of them united, two masked figures appeared before them—none other than the top assassins from Black Water, Gare and Jim. Each of them carried a sharp dagger, advancing slowly toward the three of them. 'What do you want?' Demona asked. 'Hmph! I never expected you to still be alive! But you won't make it today—you're going to die!' Gare declared fiercely. 'You! Both of you! Raise your hands! Face forward, backs to us!' Jim bellowed. Demona signaled to Mike and Julie with her eyes, urging them to hurry and run, while she stayed to take the brunt. Though Mike and Julie were reluctant, Demona insisted to Gare and Jim, 'Look behind you!' Gare and Jim turned to check behind, but saw nothing. Seizing the moment, Mike grabbed Julie's hand and dashed forward, while Demona followed closely. Realizing they had been outwitted, Gare and Jim were furious—after all, they were seasoned, elite assassins!" With a slight push, they surpassed the three, blocking them off. "You go! I'll hold them off!" Daina remained calm under pressure—having already faced death alongside Gao Liang, she now felt nothing to fear. Raising her high-heeled shoe, she struck Gare's precious egg with a powerful kick, as the two opponents were still overconfident. "Ow!" Gare's dagger clattered to the ground as he clutched his egg with both hands, wincing in pain. "You dare do this to me?" Jim, holding the dagger, charged straight at Daina. Daina's movements became agile, and she managed to evade the attack. "Quick—get rid of her! My precious egg is bleeding!" Gare groaned, his face set with determination. The seasoned, top-tier assassin Jim was truly losing his composure now. He raised the dagger and charged at Daina, who was now under attack from both sides. With nowhere to go, she closed her eyes, waiting for death to claim her. "No! No!" "Mike and Julie were calling desperately from 100 meters away. 'Highlight, I can't help you with what you need to do! I'm leaving!' said Daina, as a clattering sound rang out."