Chapter 20: Let the Bullets Fly for a While

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There were so many walkthroughs for the full process that Gu Meng scrolled ahead to fast-forward through them.
...
Damn, these fake NPCs are mind-blowing.
Gu Meng couldn't help but cover his face; the System is truly legendary.
There were so many hidden features that even he, the designer, didn't know about—completely generated by the System to accommodate his arrangements without considering development costs.
For instance, the late-game classes that seemed meaningless in the standard flow actually had detailed, expansive gameplay paths.
Some late-game classes started with mediocre returns but possessed immense potential, unbound by the industry ceilings of the small town.
For example, a male protagonist with high emotional intelligence and charm could easily become a top streamer, promote his own online shop products, and rake in massive profits from a single broadcast.
Furthermore, this superhuman protagonist could create "influencer check-in spots," unlocking a flood of extra foot traffic through various tasks.
This not only boosted the revenue of the player’s physical storefronts but also leveraged the town’s unique features to benefit more people.
Similarly, if the protagonist could evolve from a low-earning "failed writer" to a "master writer," and then super-evolve into the ultimate "contemporary literary giant," he could directly promote local landmarks.
He could even leave behind a masterpiece for the ages, making it effortless to attract tourists for pilgrimages.
The late-game "Game Designer" class could achieve the same effect if it produced a game like the "Black Myth: Wukong" mentioned in the easter eggs.
Combined, these tasks—which were nearly impossible to complete without triggering bugs—offered a chance to revitalize the entire town.
Buildings would be renovated, the lives of nearby NPCs would improve, and passing elders would heap praise:
"This is the grandson of the 'Dog-Goods' family, 'Not Xun Yu.' The fortune teller said the ancestral grave of the 'Dog-Goods' family is about to erupt like a volcano and soar to the heavens. You should learn from him!"
Afterward, the protagonist would be met with the resentful glares of the younger NPCs.
In the game’s genealogy, the protagonist would even get his own dedicated page.
Now that is a truly great achievement.
Even Gu Meng felt that, while the process of sacrificing the heroine to achieve godhood had been a bit deranged, the final result actually looked quite positive.
Perhaps the reputation of the "deranged game designer" could still be salvaged?
"Hmm, the 'Dog Master' truly understands my heart!"
His future position as the "Transcendent Immortal of Game Reviews" was becoming increasingly secure.
...
Opening the conference room door, Gu Meng was no longer in the slightest bit panicked; he was composed, moving with the confidence of a dragon or a tiger.
He strode out with great momentum, as if returning from another lifetime.
The aura of a "Dragon King/God of War"—honed over ten years of acting—returned in full force, even more intense, like the reincarnation of a scorching sun.
Everyone who saw him couldn't help but feel a tremor of unease.
Why didn't Boss Gu look anxious at all? Hadn't they heard the faint sound of tables being slammed in the conference room earlier?
Was it an illusion?
Had the shock been so great that Boss Gu had suffered a mental breakdown?

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Many of the veteran Maodou employees, including past "Maodou Best Actresses," had already left for other companies. Among the current staff, Wu Mengyou was perhaps the one with the best relationship with Gu Meng.
She stepped forward, took a deep breath, puffed out her chest, and tried to comfort the boss, who she suspected was on the verge of a mental breakdown:
"Boss Gu, don't worry. Perhaps there is still a turn of events. The quality of the game you made is so high, and it was widely acclaimed before; it’s all just the plot that’s the problem."
"As long as we release an announcement stating that the problematic plot was entirely the work of the script department... of Ms. Meng Juju, and that you were completely unaware..."
"And then we make a slight adjustment to the game’s ending and release an update plan to show our sincerity to the players, I believe..."
Wu Mengyou spoke eloquently.
Gu Meng looked at her with appreciation. "You are very good."
Her thinking was similar to his own. Although it was a standard, mediocre solution—and one that was technically impossible due to the System—it was already far better than the useless executives he had previously fired.
Gu Meng was certain that if he had replaced her with someone as idiotic as Meng Juju, she would have spouted more nonsense, further lowering the already dismal average IQ of Maodou.
...
Downstairs.
"Stop hitting, stop hitting! Is this about the new game?"
"Yes!"
"Then why are you hitting me? The heroine I wrote is flawless, radiating the spirit of a liberated woman... Hiss, oh... baby... faster..."
"Holy crap, this fat pig seems to have snapped. She’s too strong, and that defense... Dazhuang, you go! You’re the toughest; don't let her have an easy time!"
"Coming through! Mount Tai Pressing Down!"
"Oh, ho ho—so fierce, so good, keep going, don't stop!"
"This woman... she seems a bit terrifying."
Dazhuang struggled to break free from Meng Juju’s death grip, stood up, and retreated a few steps.
...
If it were an idiot like Meng Juju here, she would surely have spewed more nonsense, refused to admit fault, and made the situation worse.
Unaware that Meng Juju was still downstairs getting beaten up, Gu Meng shook his head and said to the crowd:
"Do not worry."
"My time in the conference room was spent thinking about our next project—the first title to make a name for our 'Game Metaphysics' brand. As for the *Pure Love Warrior Simulator*, I have my own arrangements."
"Boss Gu..." Wu Mengyou hesitated, looking genuinely worried that Gu Meng had lost his mind.
The momentum of this "cuckolding the player" controversy was developing even faster and more fiercely than the previous false advertising scandal.
The aftermath of the last controversy had lasted so long; how could this one be easily quelled?
During the meeting, Meng Juju had spoken from the heart; it was clear that the ending was the final, hidden conclusion she, as the head writer, had penned. By all logic, there was no reversal possible.
The others shared the same sentiment.
"What, none of you believe me?"
Gu Meng gave a confident, lopsided smirk.

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"You can look it up on Bilibili. The creator 'It's Dog-Goods, Not Xun Yu,' who took our commercial deal, has posted a video. He is someone who truly understands Maodou games. He even discovered such deep 'bug' gameplay. After watching the video, you will understand. Before long, the tide of opinion will turn again."
Come to think of it, the game launched this morning, the "last words" of Brother Sun were released, followed by a flood of praise, the hidden ending was revealed, a flood of criticism followed, and the bugs were exposed... if all went as planned, the reputation would reverse again by tonight.
So many twists and turns in just one day; the ups and downs of life were truly exhilarating.
The employees whispered among themselves, pulling out their phones to search for the obscure content creator.
"Is it 'It's Xun Yu, Not Dog-Goods'?"
"It’s 'It's Dog-Goods, Not Xun Yu,' you idiot."
"Isn't it 'It's Dog-Yu, Not Xun Goods'?"
Someone else chimed in.
The previous two looked at each other in surprise, speaking in unison: "Heaven-defyingly stupid!"
"Alright, everyone back to your stations. It might be dangerous downstairs right now; security, keep the doors locked."
"Do not let any strangers in. Let the bullets fly for a while. Once the players see the new video, everything will be fine."
Gu Meng added, "Mengmeng, come to my office for a moment. There are some things I need you to handle."
Since all the executives were gone, it seemed the only competent tool-person should be promoted.
Things would only get busier; he should hire a few new secretaries and administrative staff for her to manage, and give her a raise.
There were far too few capable talents in this company right now.
...
As Gu Meng said, it was indeed dangerous downstairs.
But surprisingly, it was dangerous for the players.
"You little bastards, you low-lifes, you morons, you scoundrels... hee hee."
Bruised and battered, but growing stronger with every fight, Meng Juju had turned the tide. She sat on a cushion made of three players, suppressing them with her astonishing weight.
"You grandsons, you really are spineless. You don't even have the skill to make me feel satisfied. You’re truly useless, you piece of trash!"
Meng Juju expertly switched between various dialects to humiliate the players.
"Small fry! You’re all such weak gaming losers, even when ganging up on me! Blegh—trash, small fry! Ptooey!"
She spat directly into someone’s face—that was crossing the line.
At this moment, Dazhuang, who had been scared off earlier, saw his companions being suppressed. Shouting lines like "This is friendship!" "This is our bond!" and "Don't underestimate our conviction!" he began a bull-rush charge toward the Great Demon King, Meng Juju.
A true warrior!
May he succeed!