Chapter 99 Sounding Out
The day after Oriental Journey's official announcement, the new game hit the news again. This time, it was because of the release of the drafts and scraps of the new character skins. Jane took a look and saw that some of Edward's character skins had been released as scraps by Oriental Journey. The comments were over 100,000 in number. People all commented that Oriental Journey had put in a lot of effort into this project and that even the discarded skins were so gorgeous. They must take great pains with this project during the process.
At the same time, many web celebrities have also posted tweets to shape public opinions. It was widely praised that Oriental Journey released the new game early. They were wondering when the "master stroke" that QZ had been preparing for more than a year would be released and what it would be like.
If she had been an outsider, Jane would have regarded the news as the simplest announcements. Since she knew the inside story, she understood that every wave of manipulation online was actually Oriental Journey's weapon to hinder QZ. How should people put it -- wear someone else's shoes to walk your own way and let others have no way to go.
Jane had heard Jennifer talk about how bad the relationship between Edward and Ken. Even if she saw it with her own eyes, it was not that impressive. However, this time she felt it firsthand. They didn't simply make trouble for each other like small children but a titanic battle with each other. Any carelessness in the battle would lead to death because of the great loss of money.
What about Aiden? What role did he play in this event? Knowing it was plagiarized, he still agreed to release it?
Edward's company was conducting an internal investigation. When Vincent heard that Henry had also taken the phone, he called Henry immediately to make sure it hadn't been he who leaked it.
Knowing that Henry had taken the phone from Jane, he asked Edward, "Don't you ask someone to investigate her?"
Instead of answering, Edward asked, "Do you think she's that stupid or ignorant to do such a thing?"
Vincent said, "I've warned you before. Ken has been pestering her. She may not dare to think about it. But she may heed what Ken said."
Edward said, "Do you know what Justin and Henry said at the same time after the accident?"
Vincent took a guess, "That it wasn't them?"
Edward said, "Definitely not Jane."
Vincent said, "They are just two little kids ......"
Edward said, "I believe her too."
Vincent surveyed Edward's face and said suspiciously, "What makes you believe her so much? You've only known her for a few months. Don't tell me that you like her."
Edward glanced at Vincent with an expressionless face and spoke, "I trust myself. It's a waste instead of a person with the lack of basic judgment."
Vincent was accustomed to Edward's conceit and took a breath, "Fine, your trust and judgment come first! Anyway, if your judgment is right, it's fine. If it's wrong, that means you're lecherous."
Edward looked at him and didn't say anything. Vincent laughed and said, "Like starts with trust and trust starts with like. I'll remind you as a man that has gone through it all that you need to be vigilant at all times, or else you would be the one get hurt.
Edward said, "Have a bet?"
"Bet on what?"
"Don't you suspect Jane? Bet on whether it is she that..." Edward said.
Vincent's eyes were slightly raised, "Just suspected. In fact I don't think it was her. I thought you were going to bet on whether you would like her."
Edward finally couldn't take it anymore and said viciously, "I'm not as playful as you."
Vincent sighed, "Alas, Jane shouldn't be so beautiful. She'd be well fitted to be a tutor if she was average and capable. But she's got a face that was immensely attractive to men. Only you treat her as a tutor."
Edward said, "There are plenty of good looking straw men. You only look at the face and don't care about the capacity. Someone like her needs to be put to good use."
Vincent asked seriously, "Don't you think she should be more useful elsewhere?"
Edward knew where Vincent was talking about. His gaze was slightly cold as he said in a deep voice, "Don't have any obscene thought about my tutor. I'm a clean freak."
Vincent said in an arch tone of voice, "Got it. I won't touch your woman."
Edward said, "Don't even think about her."
Vincent said with his mouth twitched, "Stingy!"
......
On this occasion, Edward didn't suspect her at all. Thinking about that, Jane was touched. After all, the trust between adults was more precious than money.
The more Edward trusted her, the more grateful she was. So when Jane suddenly received an invitation from Ken, she knew she should avoid suspicion at that time, but she agreed.
In a separate private room at the restaurant, Jane arrived as promised. Ken was the only one at the table. When he saw her, he smiled and said, "I didn't think it would be so easy to invite you. I also thought of a dozen reasons for you to say no."
Jane chose a seat furthest away from Ken and said as usual, "This one's on me."
Ken cupped his chin and asked, "Made a lot of money lately?"
Jane said, "Thanks for helping me out at Y City last time."
The corner of Ken's mouth was lifted, "Still remember it?"
Jane said, "I have a good memory for both good and bad things."
Ken raised his eyebrow, "Sounds like there is something more than you say."
Jane said, "Let's order first."
They called the waiter in to order. Ken said after he had left, "Why did you come out to see me today?"
Ken smiled and said as Jane looked him, "You're reluctant to see me, aren't you?"
Jane said, "I'm not reluctant. I'm just a bit scared to see you."
Ken was surprised by her honesty and joked, "Why? Am I a cannibal?"
Jane said: "it is dangerous to come out and meet you here. The relationship between you and Mr. Smith, coupled with the recent special period, makes it even more risky for me to lose my job."
Ken was getting more and more amused and asked with interest, "What's going on? You've got me confused."
Jane, calm as ever, looked at Ken and said, "QZ's alpha test game, do you know that? I played it a few weeks ago. And I kept the game for over a week."
Ken got a stiff face, but he quickly smiled as usual, "What do you mean?"
Jane didn't smile, "I saw a new game from Oriental Journey and the skins overlap a lot with QZ's."
Ken was still smiling, "Well, be frank."
A smart person should know where to stop, but Jane chose to be frank as Ken required, "Did Oriental Journey borrow heavily from QZ's skins?"
She was still being euphemistic, and Ken said, "Are you trying to say that Oriental Journey copied QZ?"
Jane didn't say anything. Instead of being angry, Ken smiled and said, "Why are you sure that the version of QZ, the alphal test you got, is not copied from Oriental Journey?"
Jane had no evidence to prove it, but she believed Edward.
Ken waited for a long time, but Jane didn't answer. His smile faded and his voice was lowered, "You trust Edward and think I'm a villain?"
Jane said calmly, "I'm not a judge. I can't judge anyone."
Ken asked, "Aren't you here today to force me to admit to plagiarizing?"
Jane said, "There'll be someone to deal with that and your personal matters will be handled privately. I came here today because I want to thank you for helping me last time, and also because that if I am suspected, I hope you can say without bias that it really wasn't me who leaked it to you."
Ken was touched by her sincerity and smiled, "I wouldn't know if you didn't remind me. If Edward suspects you, I would go and tell him that you leaked it to me and he'd better just fire you. You're welcomed on my side."