Chapter Seventy-Seven: Skipping a Grade

Upon hearing Han Hai's summons, Yu Jia and Lin Xiaoxiao exchanged glances. Then they rose together, joining the other operators in Group Two's office as they gathered before Han Hai.

"Is the team leader here to discuss last week's game recommendation results?" one designer asked. He had a game he cared about in last week's trial push, so he was quite concerned about the recommendations.

"The results are out, but we'll discuss that later," Han Hai nodded, then turned to address everyone. "There are three matters to talk about today."

"First, headquarters released an announcement today: the Game Excellence Program is launching."

"Designer benefits are being raised—the base attendance bonus increases from 1500 to 2000 yuan."

"Additionally, a Diligence Award mechanism is being added."

"Games are calculated from their release date; within four months, revenue sharing increases by 10%. As long as a new game is published within those four months, this period can be extended."

"This revenue sharing applies to all games under a designer's name, not just newly released ones."

"Of course, since the benefits are improving, the threshold for signing games is also rising."

"I'll send the detailed info to your computers."

"If you have questions, now is the time."

Han Hai looked around the group. After a moment, he saw Yu Jia raise her hand and nodded for her to speak.

"Do top-tier designers get the same benefits?" Yu Jia asked. If so, she was confident she could persuade Jian Qi to launch a new game.

"These benefits apply to all designers in Qiyou, whether top-tier or platinum. Any other questions, Yu?"

"No, that's all."

"Alright," Han Hai nodded, then turned his gaze to the others. "Second, preliminary trials have shown that discount promotions do significantly increase game sales and exposure."

"First-time sales can surge over 200% daily; there's a decline afterward, but the income remains impressive."

"If you have games whose sales are slipping, try discussing with the designer and come to me for a limited-time discount recommendation slot."

"Competition for this recommendation isn't fierce now; it's easy to obtain. Seize the opportunity—if other teams catch on, we'll miss out on this bonus."

After finishing today’s work matters, Han Hai scanned the room, finally settling his gaze on Yu Jia.

He composed himself for a moment and then, with a serious expression, announced, "I have one more piece of good news. Our Group Two may soon have another top-tier designer."

---

"Another one?!"

Han Hai's words stunned most people in the office.

After all, there were only five top-tier designers in the entire Qiyou Baiqiao division. The news was nothing short of sensational.

"Don't tell me Lin signed another one."

"Three top-tier designers under one person? Damn!"

"That would practically carry half of Baiqiao division!"

"Great, another top-tier designer means we’ll all benefit, and our salaries will get a big boost."

Hearing his team’s chatter, Han Hai gestured for calm. Once silence returned, he grinned, "This time, you’re all wrong."

He looked at Yu Jia, "Yu, your team’s 'The Mystic'—after a week of trial push, it’s garnered 1.73 million favorites!"

"It’s broken Baiqiao division’s record for trial push favorites!"

Han Hai spoke without exaggeration, as Qiyou’s special-level designers start with district-strong recommendations, not trial pushes for new games. Yin Jian has now set the record for favorites in the first week among all designers below special level in Baiqiao division.

Seeing the astonishment on everyone’s faces, Han Hai continued, dropping another bombshell, "It’s not just favorites; the replay rate has hit a new high—58.7%!"

"Just shy of the 60% platinum designer standard!"

A collective gasp swept through the room at the replay rate.

Even Lin Xiaoxiao’s two top-tier designers had at most achieved a 50% replay rate. It spoke to how astounding 'The Mystic’s' numbers were.

Such a terrifying replay rate was only rumored to have appeared in other star systems. For Baiqiao division, it was legendary.

And now, this legend was born in their midst.

"It might even hit platinum!"

"Platinum seems just out of reach, but top-tier is pretty much a certainty."

"Comparisons are painful—after five years, I’ve only produced one special-level designer."

As the designers whispered, their gaze gradually shifted to Yu Jia.

But Yu Jia herself still hadn’t quite processed it. She was utterly stunned by the results Han Hai had announced.

"Yu is truly talented for her age."

---

"If only I had a tenth of Yu’s ability."

"This year’s best operator is surely Yu."

It wasn’t until the surrounding operators credited all the glory of 'The Mystic’s' explosion to her that Yu Jia finally regained her composure, hurriedly waving her hands in protest, "It’s all the designer's own skill—I didn't do much."

To her, she'd merely fulfilled her duties. The success of Yin Jian's game had little to do with her.

But the more she downplayed her role, the more the office praised her.

Comments like "You are Qiyou’s future" and "Qiyou couldn’t manage without you" filled the air.

Lin Xiaoxiao watched Yu Jia’s flustered state, her eyes curving in amusement; she found Yu Jia’s reaction quite entertaining and didn't step in to help.

Han Hai, who hadn’t planned to intervene, finally spoke up as the praise grew increasingly exaggerated.

"Alright, enough—you're getting carried away," Han Hai said, smoothing things over. When quiet returned, he addressed Yu Jia again, "Yu, Director Wang has high hopes for 'The Mystic,' so he plans to give it a boost—its recommendation PK will jump straight to District New Strong."

"This round, there aren’t strong competitors, so 'The Mystic’s' rise should be steady."

"Let the designer know so he can prepare."

"Understood. Thank you, team leader," Yu Jia replied, nodding.

"That’s all for now. Everyone, back to work," Han Hai concluded the meeting.

He’d originally wanted to keep Yu Jia back to foster some senior-junior camaraderie, but Lin Xiaoxiao shot him a look, so he gave up.

...

Returning to her seat, Yu Jia let out a sigh of relief.

Praise from others was always hard for her to handle, especially since she felt she hadn’t contributed much.

It left her feeling unworthy.

"Sigh, forget it. I should tell that troublemaker the good news about 'The Mystic’s' promotion," she murmured, opening a chat window with Yin Jian.

Stone: Good news—'The Mystic' caught the director’s eye. Your game recommendation is jumping up to District New Strong!

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