Bang!
"Enough!"
Cao Yan slammed his hand on the table, glaring fiercely at the胖子 (pàngzi - fatty) beside him. "Are you not embarrassed enough yet?"
"And you."
He cast a cold glance at Lu Li, his expression one of exasperated disappointment. "Do you know how difficult it was to gather everyone here? Must you humiliate everyone before it's considered good enough?"
"Regardless of anyone's motives for attending this seminar today, the fundamental goal is for the burgeoning VR game sector to develop healthily and prosperously.
China's PC gaming industry has lagged behind overseas for many years. Only VR games offer a chance for a turnaround. You are all leaders in our nation's game industry, and frankly, these regulations impose very little restraint on you.
Furthermore, this is merely a proposal stage, and the final decision-making authority does not rest with us. If you speak so harshly, how can we possibly work together in the future? If your anger causes the higher-ups to impose a blanket ban on the entire industry, can you bear that responsibility?"
Cao Yan's words were forceful and heartfelt, quickly earning the approval of those present.
As expected of an old hand, he managed to extract himself from the public's scrutiny with a few sentences, simultaneously shifting the focus to Lu Li, the brash youngster who disrupted the established order.
"This kid from Lingjing really doesn't know any better."
"Exactly, exactly."
"What kind of occasion is this? Don't you even know your place to speak?"
"Young man, you should go back and have your boss come. You're not suited for such a grand occasion."
"Look, another hothead trying to "rectify the workplace." I've seen plenty of these types. They appease you, then fire you."
The room was already filled with people who disliked Lu Li. Not only was he seen chatting happily with the beautiful woman from Tencent, but he also acted unconventionally, standing out from the rest. Once the fuse was lit, the explosion was immediate.
Cao Yan leaned back in his chair leisurely, watching it all unfold with a cold gaze.
More accurately, everyone tacitly excluded Lu Li, this ignorant and headstrong youngster who didn't understand the rules.
This kind of person had active minds, was unrestrained, and refused to be disciplined, naturally creating a gulf between them and the seasoned veterans who had been accustomed to the workplace for so long.
Most crucially, competitors were enemies. Who wouldn't want to step on someone who was already ahead of them in achievements, especially Lingjing, which had a track record of crushing them? It was only natural to stomp on them even harder.
Watching as the crowd openly mocked Lu Li, Bai Zhiyuan's eyes grew colder, her small fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her entire body trembled, on the verge of an outburst.
Her colleague, Gao Yuxin, noticed Bai Zhiyuan's unusual behavior and exchanged a glance with Zheng Ting. The two of them jointly held her back as she prepared to explode.
The sole government official in the main seat remained as unmoving as an ancient monk, not even opening his eyes.
Lu Li, the center of the controversy, maintained a faint smile on his face. He was in no hurry, quietly absorbing the "praise" directed at him.
As the discussions began to die down, Lu Li looked up and his gaze met Cao Yan's sinister one. "May I ask Deputy Minister Cao Yan of the Network Game Committee, are these twenty proposals you drafted the official proposals?"
He emphasized the word "Deputy" and gestured subtly towards the "important figure" next to Cao Yan. "This esteemed gentleman from Beijing must be weary from his journey, look, he's even fallen asleep. How disrespectful! Why don't we just adjourn this meeting, and you can privately discuss matters with this gentleman from Beijing? It's all just a formality anyway."
Whoosh!
The conference room fell silent instantly, the atmosphere so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
If offending Cao Yan, this mere figurehead, was something everyone could just laugh off, then this guy, by sheer bad luck, dared to offend a true public official from Beijing?
Did he truly not want the entire industry to survive?
After all, a single industry-wide cleanup campaign could make things difficult for everyone.
"I'll answer for him."
The "Beijing gentleman," who had been sitting like an ancient monk, slowly opened his eyes and said in a deep voice, "The proposals are drafted solely by the association and are not official proposals. Currently, the entire VR game regulatory framework is still in the active phase of collecting opinions."
"A seminar emphasizes openness and transparency; there is no room for private dealings. Although I am a public official appointed by Beijing, however..." 138 Read Net
"Oh, then never mind."
Lu Li ruthlessly interrupted the "Beijing gentleman," who was speaking in a drawn-out, official tone. "A waste of time. Farewell."
He stood up, bowed, and left with a flourish.
Crack!!
The hand gripping the armrest of his chair tightened, making it creak. Veins bulged on the "Beijing gentleman's" neck. His expression remained unchanged, but his fury was immense.
Creak!
Bai Zhiyuan shifted her chair and called out to Lu Li, "Wait for me, Mr. Lu Li."
"Hey! Xiaobai!"
"Director Bai!"
Gao Yuxin and Zheng Ting followed close behind, chasing after him.