Chapter 17: Warning! Warning!

You Were Told to Lose Money By Making Games, and You Actually Did It? 

Chapter 17: Warning! Warning!

After leaving Kamiyama’s office and arriving at the lounge area, Chen Xu couldn't help but feel that something was off.

For some reason, he felt that the way his employees looked at him had become even more passionate and reverent than before.

It even gave him a slight chill.

What exactly happened while he was gone?

Although being admired by his employees was certainly gratifying, the problem was that it felt incredibly awkward.

Just imagine it:

A group of grown men in their twenties and thirties—most of whom were already losing the battle against their receding hairlines—staring at you with burning eyes full of admiration.

That was creepy as hell.

You're not pretty girls, so could you please restrain yourselves a little?

“Ahem. Everyone, you've worked hard today. I've already reached an agreement with Hyakukin. Starting the day after tomorrow, we'll officially begin collaborating with them on development.”

As he announced the news, Chen Xu pretended to inspect the lounge area, subtly avoiding those intense gazes and positioning himself behind the two translator girls.

So it's finally beginning!

Hearing this, everyone secretly clenched their fists.

At that moment, they all shared the same thought:

Learn whatever we can from Hyakukin Studio. Steal every bit of knowledge and expertise possible to repay President Chen for his trust and support!

“Alright, since this is everyone's first group trip to Japan, tomorrow will be a day off. We'll have a team-building outing to celebrate your safe arrival and hopefully give everyone motivation to finish our game as soon as possible!”

Looking at the crowd, Chen Xu finally revealed his true objective.

They had come all the way to Japan, so how could they not enjoy themselves?

If he were traveling alone, the system definitely wouldn't approve.

But if he labeled it as a company team-building event, how could the system object?

. . .

The next morning at 6:30 a.m., everyone gathered in the hotel lobby.

Then the entire group set off enthusiastically along the sightseeing route they had planned the previous night in their group chat.

Their first destination was Universal Studios Japan.

Everyone had express passes, and although the cost of roughly 2,000 yuan per person wasn't cheap, even after including the hired translators, there were only a little over twenty people in total, compared to the overall project budget, the expense was barely a drop in the bucket.

Especially after signing the outsourcing agreement with Hyakukin Studio and paying the fees for Komon Law Firm and Osaka Bank's guarantees.

Those expenses alone had already wiped out nearly 30 million yuan from Chen Xu's project budget.

So for today's outing, Chen Xu didn't care how much money was spent.

His only goal was to fleece the system a little and enjoy himself.

The group spent the morning riding all the best attractions in the park.

At noon, they immediately moved on to the next stop.

Their destination was Solaniwa Onsen, where they also enjoyed a Japanese meal.

As for the hot springs, there was one thing that disappointed him.

The entire group consisted of grown men.

Although the temporary translator girls had joined today's activities as well, Chen Xu didn't feel comfortable sending out any "friendly invitations."

“President Chen, maybe we should call it a day?” Gong Qi suggested hesitantly after they left the hot springs.

“Yeah, President Chen. We've already had plenty of fun today,” Xiu Fu added.

Once someone broke the ice, the other employees quickly joined in.

At first, everyone had been thrilled, after all, who wouldn't enjoy traveling and having everything paid for?

But as the day progressed, they gradually became uneasy.

The spending was simply too extravagant.

Universal Studios alone hadn't seemed too excessive, but after adding the hot springs, the Japanese meal, and various other expenses…. 

The average spending per person was approaching 10,000 yuan for a single day.

If they had already made great contributions to the company and produced a blockbuster game that earned huge profits, then enjoying these benefits would have felt justified.

But the project had only just begun.

They had come to Osaka primarily to collaborate on development and learn advanced techniques.

Forget whether the game would become a bestseller, at this point, they weren't even sure if they could successfully make it at all.

Having their boss spend money on them like this made them feel guilty.

“Enough. Starting tomorrow, you'll officially begin development work. Today, just enjoy yourselves and have fun to the fullest! Then put all your energy and passion into making the game!” With a wave of his hand, Chen Xu immediately rejected Gong Qi's proposal.

What a joke.

After finally spending an entire day happily and extravagantly outside... the last thing he wanted was for the fun to end early.

The sky had already grown dark, which meant Chen Xu could finally lead everyone toward the true final destination of this trip.

Under these circumstances, how could he possibly let Gong Qi ruin it?

Meanwhile, the translator girls accompanying the group looked at President Chen's commanding demeanor with sparkling eyes.

At that moment, it almost seemed as if a golden aura was radiating from Chen Xu's body.

What a loving and harmonious company!

The employees cared about the company, while the boss cared about the employees.

This was practically the dream workplace every employee wished for!

Completely unaware that his personal charm had already conquered the translator girls, Chen Xu continued his plan.

Using the excuse that it was getting late and that he was worried about their safety on the way home, he arranged taxis for them and sent them back.

Then he led the rest of the group toward the ultimate destination of the evening.

“P-President Chen...?”

Gong Qi wore an odd expression, unsure of what to say.

“B-Brother Xu! Isn't this a little inappropriate?”

Xiu Fu was so shocked that he forgot to call him "President Chen" in front of the other employees.

About two hundred meters ahead stood a massive building illuminated by dazzling neon lights.

At the very top, a giant neon sign displayed the name:

GIRAFFE

The largest nightclub in Osaka's Dotonbori district.

Chen Xu said nothing.

He simply maintained a calm expression.

But inwardly, he was somewhat excited.

He had always been curious about Japan's hostess clubs and hostesses.

Since he finally had a chance to experience it by spending the system's money, how could he pass it up?

Inappropriate?

What was inappropriate about it?

But in the very next second, Chen Xu's expression changed.

[WARNING!]

[WARNING!]

[WARNING!]

Just as he was about to step forward with his left foot, the system instantly went into full alarm mode.

A bright red danger notification, visible only to Chen Xu, appeared before his eyes.

His nightclub adventure had been vetoed.

At the same time, a helpful rule reminder appeared:

[Rule 27: Every expenditure made by the Host may only be used in service of the project.]

What did that mean?

Was the system accusing him of abusing project funds for personal enjoyment?

Well…

To be fair, that was exactly what he had been planning.

But if all of his previous expenses had been approved, why was he suddenly receiving a warning just because he wanted to experience the skills of Japanese hostesses?

Thinking back on his previous violations and combining them with this rule, Chen Xu felt as though he had figured out another aspect of the system.

Taking everyone to Universal Studios, hot springs, and Japanese restaurants—

The system viewed those as legitimate team-building activities because they had a positive impact on the company and the project's progress.

After all, they helped relieve employee stress.

But a nightclub was different.

There was one thing you simply couldn't avoid in a nightclub:

Alcohol.

Game development was clearly a profession that relied more on mental effort than physical labor.

And this trip to Osaka had been made specifically for learning advanced development techniques.

If they were supposed to start learning from Hyakukin Studio the very next day, yet spent the previous night drinking at a nightclub—

How could that possibly be considered beneficial to the project?

Naturally, the system would issue a warning.

On the other hand, if he were negotiating an important business contract, then taking clients to a nightclub and letting them experience the talents of hostesses would actually make sense.

After a few drinks, people tended to get carried away.

And once they got carried away, they became much easier to persuade.

After figuring this out, Chen Xu couldn't help feeling regretful.

His experience level was still too low.

Regret.

Pure regret.

Looking at the beautifully dressed women entering and leaving the nightclub, Chen Xu let out a deep sigh.

“What are you all staring at? That's our real destination!”

Maintaining a calm expression, Chen Xu pointed toward a KTV next door to the nightclub.

Just wait.

One day, he would openly and legitimately spend the system's money at hostess clubs.

And he would do it in a way that was completely justified.

As he led the group toward the KTV, Chen Xu glanced sideways at the nightclub entrance.

Silently, he swore the oath in his heart.

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

Tn: I updated the story once a day, but if you want to see more chapter of this story ahead of time, please go to my Patreon.

Latest Chapter In Patreon: Chapter 70: A Pledge of Loyalty!

Link to the Latest Chapter: https://www.patreon.com/HannibalNotBarca/posts/you-were-told-to-165271947?collection=2202558