One could imagine that a female star with both popularity and real achievements would have a brilliant future ahead.
It wasn’t that she couldn’t see a path ahead, but was there any reason she couldn’t walk this ready-made path?
The game development process couldn’t be delayed, so after clearing up any misunderstandings, both parties began discussing the contract details.
The progress of the matter was surprisingly smooth, considering it was Sang Miao’s first time dealing with such things, and she had no experience.
To be safe, she would consult her cousin before making any final decisions.
On this day, after confirming all the details of the contract, Sang Miao, accompanied by Sang Yichen’s lawyer and assistant, went to Xinghe to formally sign the contract with Shen Xingxia.
Holding the contract in her hand, Sang Miao finally had a tangible sense of starting her career.
After a period of taking it easy, she also felt a bit reluctant to leave behind her carefree days of playing with cats, walking dogs, and eating, drinking, and having fun.
But now, the effort was to enable her to lie back more comfortably in the future!
No matter how you looked at it, it was much better than struggling to survive.
According to the current budget estimates, the total development cost, including later-stage promotion and other fees, would be around 120 million.
Xinghe Studio contributed 50 million, with an additional 10 million from Shen Shu He and small equity stakes from several cultural and music companies, meaning both sides had relatively equal shares.
Her own 60 million didn’t need to be paid upfront; it would be paid in installments based on the development progress.
Luckily, her current cash flow was enough to cover the first installment of the development costs, so she didn’t need to sell her house, which was a good thing.
The production team would primarily consist of Xinghe’s staff, with most of the work being done there.
However, Sang Miao also planned to start building her own company’s art and visual effects teams.
Her initial interest in Shen Xingxia’s project stemmed from the fact that the game had a complete world view, as if the creator had personally crafted a world for her, where she could present all that she saw and experienced within this world.
Later, as she became more involved, her thinking evolved further.
Actually, she could not only create stunning visual effects in the game, but also bring them to life in movies and animation.
So, having a good visual effects team and figuring out how to present her ideal visuals was now her top priority.
When the company was registered, they had used an available address, but now, she needed an office, so she had to find a more suitable one.
There was still a lot to be done.
After signing the contract, she asked the lawyer and assistant to leave, and then stayed at Shen Xingxia’s studio until it was time for dinner.
…
It was already after work hours, and Meng Peisheng had finished his business outside.
He had planned to return to the company.
On the way back, the sky was nearly dark, with the streetlights bright on both sides.
In the back seat of the Maybach, Meng Peisheng leaned against the seat, his long legs casually crossed, his eyes closed as he relaxed.
The light from the window reflected on the gold-rimmed glasses, and his profile appeared somewhat scholarly and cold.
The driver was paying attention to the road conditions, and as they passed by an office building, he suddenly saw a familiar figure by the roadside.
He glanced at the rearview mirror and said, “Boss, I think I saw the lady.”
Upon hearing this, Meng Peisheng opened his eyes and lazily glanced in the direction the driver pointed to.
The office building was located in the bustling center of the northern city, not far from the headquarters of the Meng Group.
By the landscape flowerbeds outside the building, Sang Miao was wearing a beige coat and short boots.
The pearl earrings near her ears showed she had put on a little makeup.
She had a slender and graceful figure and was standing in front of a tall man, chatting happily.
As it was almost dinner time, Sang Miao did not stay longer.
Her car was parked outside the office building, and Shen Xingxia had come out of the office to send her off.
“I’ll have a lawyer draft an initial contract in the next few days, and we’ll discuss the details in person later,” Shen Xingxia said, looking at her calmly.
There was an unexpected maturity in his demeanor when discussing serious matters.
“Okay,” Sang Miao nodded.
“My car is over there. We’ll talk next time.”
Just as Shen Xingxia was about to gesture politely, his gaze suddenly stopped behind her.
Sang Miao turned slightly toward the street, and followed his line of sight.
She saw the familiar Maybach.
Seeing the half-lowered car window, she was a little surprised and casually asked,
“What are you doing here?”
Meng Peisheng withdrew his gaze, opened the door, and got out.
The vest he was wearing outlined his lean waist, and his tall figure stood in front of them without his coat.
He looked at her and said in a low voice, “I was passing by after work. With a friend?”
“Mhm,” Sang Miao didn’t know how to explain.
Just as she was wondering whether to introduce them, he instead politely extended his hand to Shen Xingxia and introduced himself, “Nice to meet you, Meng Peisheng.”
The man was of high status, with extensive experience, and handled such situations effortlessly.
Shen Xingxia smiled and shook his hand politely, replying, “Hello, I’m Shen Xingxia.”
Their conversation was brief.
Meng Peisheng turned to Sang Miao and asked, “Are you done?”
She nodded.
“I’m about to head back.”
“Then let’s go together.”
Sang Miao was about to agree, but then remembered, “I drove here.”
Meng Peisheng calmly said, “Let the driver take it back later.”
“Alright.”
Sang Miao didn’t argue with him on this and turned to say goodbye to Shen Xingxia.
“We’ll be in touch.”
Shen Xingxia said, “Take care,” and watched as the car drove off before returning to the office building.
Because this matter hadn’t been confirmed yet, Sang Miao hadn’t thought to mention it to him, but now seemed like the right time.
She simply said, “The person just now is the head of a gaming company.”
Meng Peisheng looked at her with a deep gaze, pretending to listen attentively.
“He has a new game project that I’m quite interested in.
We’ve discussed it a few times recently, and if nothing goes wrong, I should be involved in its production.”
Sang Miao just picked the key points to mention.
She didn’t think Meng Peisheng would be interested, so she just wanted him to know what she was going to do next.
“Why did you decide to do this?”
Sang Miao paused and vaguely explained, “It’s a coincidence.
He contacted me online and asked me to be in charge of the game’s art.
I think the new game has a good future, so I want to give it a try.
Anyway, I’m not working at the moment.”
She didn’t mention anything about the investment part.
It didn’t really matter whether she brought it up, since she wasn’t going to get money from him, and she was only responsible for the part outlined in the contract.
That was enough for her, and sometimes there were unexpected gains, like lucky money.
“He contacted you online to handle the game’s art?”
His response surprised Sang Miao.
His focus was different from what she had imagined.
She thought he would ask about the project or maybe not ask at all.
Since she didn’t plan to tell anyone about her online accounts, she smiled and said, “Why are you asking so much?”
Meng Peisheng paused slightly, the corners of his lips curling into a faint smile, and he said lightly, “Alright, I won’t ask.”
“So if it’s confirmed later, I might be traveling for work often.”
She mainly wanted to say this.
Although she had the freedom to go wherever she wanted, it was still good to inform him since they were living under the same roof.
“Mhm,” Meng Peisheng responded faintly,
“Is it there, just now?”
Sang Miao thought for a moment.
If it was about the development work, they would likely be working together.
“Probably.”