After confirming the other party’s credentials, Ling Cheng accepted the friend request and began communicating with the person in charge over Tencent Meeting.
“Mr. Ling, you look quite young. Are you a college student? I have to say, heroes truly emerge from youth!”
The pudgy-faced manager couldn’t help but feel a bit dismissive seeing how young Ling Cheng appeared on screen.
After all, they had encountered young creators like this before. Just butter them up a little, show them a nice contract, and they’d sign right away, turning into money-making machines for the company.
“Thank you. I’d like to know how your company plans to cooperate and how you intend to develop this game IP?” Ling Cheng didn’t let a few polite words go to his head. This success was somewhat accidental to begin with.
“Don’t be modest. Selling a hundred thousand copies in just two or three days—that’s no small feat.” The round-faced manager flattered him, his chubby cheeks bunching up. “As for cooperation, we definitely won’t let you lose out.”
“Whether it’s maintaining future updates for the game or releasing a new title, our company can provide financial support. Especially regarding revenue sharing for new works, our company is willing to offer a 70% split.”
The manager spoke enthusiastically, but sneered inwardly: Most people, upon hearing 70%, would be completely swept up and never bother to read the fine print in the contract.
But once they actually signed, getting that money would be a different story.
“So for the next steps, how much funding can you invest as support? What requirements do you have for the new work?” Ling Cheng didn’t agree directly and continued asking about their situation and conditions.
“For new game development, our company is willing to invest 500,000, in addition to providing technical support, art support, music support, and marketing channel support.”
Five hundred thousand was the highest allocation this round-faced manager could offer. The company’s performance had been sluggish lately, and he’d heard rumors that the higher-ups were considering selling.
But luckily, they’d run into a promising college student entrepreneur like Ling Cheng. In this manager’s eyes, Ling Cheng was basically a walking goldmine.
“If the conditions are genuine, I am indeed quite interested.” Ling Cheng pondered for a moment. The terms were tempting, but the lack of restrictions alongside the benefits felt a bit off.
“In that case, let’s sign the electronic contract. I’ve already sent it over.” Hearing Ling Cheng’s words, the manager’s eyes lit up, imagining piles of cash floating before him.
“I’ll look over the contract and get back to you in a couple of days. Is that okay?” Ling Cheng glanced at the ten-plus-page contract and didn’t commit immediately.
“Sure, sure, but please be quick. There are plenty of independent developers hoping to work with our company.”
“Mm.” That last remark left a sour taste in Ling Cheng’s mouth.
After ending the video call, just as he was about to thoroughly review the contract, Lin Wanfeng called.
“Boyfriend~ I helped you out so much this time. Aren’t you touched? If you insist on offering yourself to me, I suppose I’ll reluctantly accept.”
“Really? If I could marry Miss Lin Wanfeng, I’d gladly eat steak and drink red wine every day.” In a good mood, Ling Cheng joked back.
“In your dreams. Enough joking. You must have made a lot this time, right boyfriend? Don’t forget to show me the revenue statement so I can show my mom. Maybe she’ll stop nagging me all day.”
Hearing Ling Cheng actually agree, Lin Wanfeng’s voice carried a hint of panic as she quickly changed the subject.
“I did make a fair amount—almost over a million. A company even approached me to discuss a cooperation contract.” Ling Cheng couldn’t help a trace of pride in his tone.
“Impressive, boyfriend. But… can I take a look at that contract?” The moment she heard a company wanted to work with Ling Cheng, Lin Wanfeng grew alert.
“Sure, I haven’t filled it out yet.” Seeing no reason to refuse, Ling Cheng forwarded the electronic contract to her.
After more than ten minutes, Lin Wanfeng replied, “Boyfriend, you owe me another favor.”
“What’s wrong? Is there a trap in the contract?” Ling Cheng had been reading it word by word himself.
“There is. First, while the revenue split looks high, the settlement period is as long as a year. Plus, they’ve added all sorts of weird clauses that can be used to deduct the settlement funds.”
When it came to this part, Lin Wanfeng’s tone turned serious. She had studied a lot about this kind of thing since childhood.
“And once you sign this contract, your game won’t belong to you anymore—even you yourself won’t belong to you.”
“Huh?! What do you mean I won’t belong to myself?” A chill ran down Ling Cheng’s spine; he nearly deleted the email with the contract.
Seeing his reaction, Lin Wanfeng couldn’t help but smirk playfully. “What, scared, boyfriend? Read the contract carefully. It says that during the cooperation period, all your creative work and products belong to them.”
“So they’re basically buying me out completely, making me their bonded laborer? And they might not even pay me…” Ling Cheng suddenly understood. No wonder they laid out so much bait—there was a trap behind it.
“Bingo! You got it, boyfriend. Too bad there’s no prize. Also, the initial term of this contract is five years. During those five years, if you try to run, you’ll face a massive non-compete penalty.”
Hearing Lin Wanfeng’s words, Ling Cheng felt a wave of relief. Thank goodness he had her.
If not for her warning, signing that contract blindly would have led to a terrifying outcome.
He might have wasted five years of his life, draining all his passion dry.
With that in mind, Ling Cheng had no intention of playing along with the manager anymore. He opened WeChat to delete him, but the manager had already messaged him first.
Manager: Have you decided? Our company has many potential partners to discuss with. Not everyone gets such a great opportunity.
When Ling Cheng didn’t reply, the manager got worried about delays and sent more direct, almost threatening messages.
Manager: Honestly, young man, this success was pure luck. You might not get another chance like this. Cooperating with us, with our marketing channels, you won’t lose out.
Manager: If you insist on going solo, and end up hitting a wall, coming back to us won’t get you such good terms.
Seeing the manager still treating him like a fool, Ling Cheng was almost amused. He took a screenshot and forwarded it to Lin Wanfeng as a joke.
A few seconds later, Lin Wanfeng replied with undisguised mockery: “Hahahaha, such shoddy tactics and he still dares to use them? Boyfriend, I have a revenge plan. Want to hear it?”