Meeting Feng Wei

I had Feng Wei's contact information, given to me by Wonjung. Deciding to get it over with while I was motivated, I immediately pressed the call button. After a brief international ringtone, I heard Chinese spoken with an unfamiliar accent.

I've transferred the call. Hello?

It was Feng Wei's voice, one I'd heard a few times Before Regression — high-pitched for a man, yet not light.

Hello. I was introduced by Mr. Wonjung and am calling you now.

Introduced? Just a moment. Wonjung hasn't contacted me separately. Ah, surely not.

Feng Wei seemed to recall something, but asked with a slightly trembling voice, as if he couldn't believe it.

Are you, perhaps, the one who helped Wonjung?

Yes, that's right. I'm Ji Hojin, a Director at EnsonGT.

Perhaps genuinely surprised by my introduction, Feng Wei didn't respond for a while.

Hello? Are you there?

Ah, yes, yes. I apologize that I was so surprised.

It's all right. Did Mr. Wonjung tell you anything about me?

No... Wonjung once mentioned that he was receiving help from a Korean company, but I haven't heard anything else.

From what he said, there didn't seem to be any prior arrangements or favors between them.

This made it easier to talk.

Mr. Wonjung mentioned that one of his sworn brothers (xiongdi) needed support, and asked if I could provide it, which is why I'm calling you.

Ah, *xiongdi*... May I speak for a moment?

Please, speak freely.

Thus began Feng Wei's lament-filled story, which was quite detailed and candid.

So, for the past six months, the only thing the project has produced is the Main Character, Kiara.

It failed to pass the internal Quality Assurance hurdles and was discarded...

The situation seemed more serious than I had imagined.

*It must have been this bad Before Regression too...*

How did he manage to complete a 3D Action Game under such circumstances?

First, I understand what you're saying, Mr. Feng Wei. I'd like to meet in person to coordinate the detailed aspects of the support. When would you be available?

I think I'm available anytime.

Then, how about a meeting one week from now, at 10 AM?

That sounds good. I'll see you then.

Finally, the meeting with Feng Wei was set.

My anticipation gradually began to rise.

Although he was currently the President of a growing mid-sized Game Developer, it was an undeniable fact that he had single-handedly built a World-class Mobile Game Developer and had become the CEO Before Regression.

I wanted to see with my own eyes the 'dinosaur' who had built a World-class Mobile Game Company and offer my help.

To do that, I first called Yena.

***

One week later.

Feng Wei's first impression as he entered the EnsonGT Conference Room, our Meeting Place, was... surprisingly modest.

I had imagined the kind of uprightness or strong ego typically associated with owners who built large corporations, but the reality was the exact opposite.

Perhaps he was more of a free-spirited type, gentle in appearance, strong in spirit.

His high-pitched voice might have contributed to that impression.

It's a pleasure to meet you, Director Ji Hojin. I am Feng Wei, leading Huayang Games in Shanghai.

Feng Wei introduced himself in awkward Korean, as if he had hastily practiced for the meeting.

And this is Chichi, our Company's Art Director. Chichi?

At Feng Wei's call, the gentle-looking woman in a suit next to him bowed her head.

Ch-Chichi here. N-Nice to m-meet you...

She also offered her greeting in clumsy Korean, her pupils and voice trembling uncontrollably.

She clearly seemed to have a much more timid personality than Seol.

Both of you can just speak comfortably in Chinese.

Oh... you speak Chinese well.

I had some opportunities to learn. Anyway, to formally introduce myself, I am Ji Hojin, the Director of EnsonGT's SM Division. And this is...

Yena, who had been listening to our introductions, bowed her head towards the others when her name was called.

I am Team Leader Lee Yena, the 3D Modeling Part Head of RA Studio.

It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Lee Yena, the 3D Modeling Part Head.

Feng Wei's eyes widened in surprise at the mention of the youthful-looking Yena being a 3D Modeling Part Head.

Is this the person who was in charge of the Operator Channel Modeling...?

Yes, that's right.

Ohh... If you don't mind me asking, how old are you, Ms. Yena?

I'm 24.

That's surprising. With that level of skill, I would have thought you had at least 10 years of experience...

Yena smiled awkwardly at the compliment, which clearly came from the heart.

Seeing the three of them, I decided it was time to get down to business and clapped my hands to get their attention.

Alright, shall we get down to the full-fledged discussion?

The playful expression on Feng Wei's face disappeared at my words, replaced by the serious demeanor of a businessman.

Let's do that.

Yes, excellent. First, I'd like to hear what kind of support <span class="docx-char-style-1">you, Mr. Feng Wei,</span> are looking for.

More than anything else, we primarily want technical support related to 3D. Please take a look at this first. Chichi?

At Feng Wei's call, Chichi nodded and pulled a laptop from her cross-body bag, handing it to us.

When I turned on the laptop Chichi handed me and checked the screen, a 3D Modeling image appeared.

The Modeling was of Kiara, the protagonist of Huayang Games' flagship title, Melt Down 2.

Honestly, from my perspective, because I know almost nothing about 3D Modeling beyond the basics, it just looked like poor quality.

But Yena didn't seem to think so.

First of all, the visible details are a mess... The biggest problem is that the base mesh is distorted...

Yena explained, using various technical terms, as if she had immediately grasped the situation.

However, realizing that all eyes were on her, she quickly blushed and lowered her head.

I-I'm sorry... It's a habit from normally giving feedback...

No, it's fine. Please continue.

Yes, please continue.

Finally, Chichi also nodded.

At our urging, Yena, with a resigned expression, continued her explanation.

Although there were occasional difficult terms, the conclusion was... that it was a Total Crisis.

After finishing her explanation, Yena, feeling thirsty, took a sip of the coffee placed before her.

Then, as if something suddenly occurred to her, she asked Feng Wei.

You know, about Kiara. Is it really necessary for her outfit to be a spandex suit? If it were a normal outfit, the Modeling difficulty would be greatly reduced...

Yena suggested changing the outfit to lower the Modeling difficulty.

However, Feng Wei lightly shook his head, refusing the suggestion.

That suit is like Kiara's identity, so changing it would be quite difficult.

Ah...

Upon hearing Feng Wei's answer, I finally remembered clearly.

The reason Feng Wei wouldn't give up on that suit.

It was because Feng Wei was an incredibly devoted fan of Evangelion.

I subtly spoke to Feng Wei to give Yena, who didn't know this fact, a hint.

Speaking of which, Kiara's suit... looks similar to an EVA Suit. Is there some connection?

Feng Wei's eyes sparkled at my question.

As expected, Director, you recognized it right away. Yes, it was inspired by that. I really love Evangelion.

I unconsciously nodded at Feng Wei's subtly elevated tension.

Feng Wei, being a *subculture* enthusiast before he was a businessman, seemed to naturally get more excited when talking about his favorite topics.

Yena also seemed to realize Feng Wei's personality, nodding as she returned the laptop to Chichi.

In that case, I'll show you some tips that can improve the quality of Spandex Suits with minimal effort, starting from the basics.

With those words, Yena stood up.

I also stood up with Yena and spoke to Feng Wei and Chichi, who were on the opposite side.

First, let's go to the Art Team and see the 3D Production process; then you can decide.

At my words, Feng Wei and Chichi looked at each other, then nodded and stood up.

"Understood."

***

Yena's hands moved incessantly.

In response, the polygons forming a human shape approached the realm of art.

It was truly a speed and skill that inspired admiration.

I wasn't the only one who felt this way; the two people next to me were also watching Yena's Work in a trance.

In particular, Chichi seemed more shocked than Feng Wei; her expression looked utterly captivated.

Our presence seemed strange to the Art Team members, as glances subtly fell upon us from around the room...

Yena, however, paid no attention to the reactions around her and only spoke after finishing the Polygon Mesh Work.

See? You have to perfectly sculpt the base mesh like this to get a perfect result. If the mesh is distorted, no matter how much post-work you do on top, it will always show.

Chichi nodded at her words.

Next, something suitable for Ms. Chichi and Mr. Feng Wei for Spandex Outfit Work... Ah, here it is.

The file Yena found and opened contained a mesh of a girl with twin tails wearing a Japanese School Swimsuit.

Well, it's a swimsuit, not a suit, but the method for creating the material feel is similar, so I'll use this. Is that alright?

Y-Yes, it's all right...!

The answer, surprisingly, came from Chichi, not Feng Wei.

Turning to look at Chichi, I saw her with an intrigued expression and a voice full of enthusiasm.

The shyness she had displayed when first entering the Conference Room was nowhere to be seen.

Yena's Work seemed to have delivered some kind of shock to Chichi.

Feng Wei watched Chichi with a warm gaze.

However, Yena, oblivious to everything else, was engrossed in the Transmission/Imparting of her skills to Chichi.

For spandex, you don't necessarily need to try to complete the texture with coloring. If you bake the Lighting Map like this...

Yena explained with examples, and Chichi diligently took notes, asking questions one by one.

Feng Wei, watching the two of them in what looked like a master-disciple relationship, asked me.

Director, if you don't mind, may I ask one question?

Ah, yes. Please, feel free.

Honestly, this opportunity is clearly a dream come true for me... but why are you being so good to us?

I shrugged and replied to Feng Wei's question.

First, let me tell you one thing: I am not helping you, Mr. Feng Wei, for free.

Does that mean...?

I am making an investment right now, an investment I'm betting on, trusting in your potential and that of Huayang Games.

Seeing Feng Wei's expression turn peculiar at the mention of investment, I continued.

I plan to receive 15% equity in Huayang Games in exchange for this support.