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Chapter 2 – Quiet, I’m Thinking
“Boss, are you… okay?”
Seeing Bai Fu suddenly stop talking and her face turning alternately green and white, Anya couldn’t help but feel anxious again.
She thought the boss had returned to normal, but given the current situation, could it be that the boss’s head was damaged from that punch she received while collecting debts?
Please, no, not this kind of thing happening to the boss!
Anya rushed over, tears streaming down her face: “Boss, snap out of it! If anything happens to you, I… I’ll go and fight that old hag who hit you!”
Bai Fu rubbed Anya’s head: “Quiet, I’m thinking.”
Being a popular character among players isn’t easy.
First, she needed to figure out what kind of NPCs are favored by players.
Bai Fu roughly categorized the popular NPCs into two types:
1. Cool.
2. Not cool.
She wasn’t just dividing them randomly; she came prepared!
Whether male or female, human, beast, or even a fridge, they could be categorized in this way.
Ultimately, most people play games for the thrill.
Visual and auditory stimulation is thrilling, as is emotional resonance, and “cool” can provide the simplest and most direct visual and auditory excitement.
But don’t underestimate the word “cool”; otherwise, players will use their wallets to teach you a lesson.
With so many new games available today, the ordinary ones have become outdated. Only those with unique features can remain popular after the initial hype on forums.
Life is short, who doesn’t want to enjoy the good things?
So, what does “unique” mean?
Bai Fu examined herself.
With her bright eyes and perfect teeth, her ample figure and graceful bones, whether in looks or physique, she rated above nine points.
Her hardware was up to standard, but meeting the hardware requirements was just getting an entry ticket. She needed the corresponding software to fully utilize her potential.
Can she perform the ultimate move of drawing a sword from her chest?
Can she afford custom clothing like Hey Silk Milk Tea?
Can she learn the seductive yet not vulgar demeanor of the demoness from the Union of Joy?
Bai Fu looked at her own destitute self and then at her clueless self.
Without money or skills, and unwilling to learn the Union of Joy’s demoness persona, she would likely get the evaluation: “Seen it, not bad, so what? Next.”
This didn’t align with her expectations. She wanted something that would continuously engage players and game planners.
Indeed, she should take the second path—becoming an artist whose performance moves players and keeps them coming back years later.
Based on her understanding and community feedback, Bai Fu categorized these artists roughly.
The first type: a righteous ally or a highly charismatic villain.
The second type: a leader who shields players from harm, even burning themselves to forge a future.
The third type: a tragic hero who evokes sighs of “Heavenly vast, how thin is your grace upon x?”
The fourth type: a rich young lady who showers players with gifts and builds the future through hard work.
The fifth type: a companion who stays by the player’s side, silently supporting them, ready to confront anyone who dares to challenge the player.
The sixth type: a fleeting glimpse that unsettles the player’s heart, remembered fondly years later.
The seventh type: others.
These options seem numerous, but choosing one isn’t difficult.
Bai Fu knows her limitations.
She wants to be a righteous ally, a super-villain causing despair, a comforting leader, but she lacks the ability.
As for the rich young lady, that’s even more unrealistic.
Looking around, she realizes she can only focus on being a companion or a beacon in the night sky.
Being a companion has too many restrictions, so she’ll aim to be a player’s beacon in the night sky.
A shot fired in youth, hitting the target dead center years later under the guise of nostalgia.
“Take advantage of when players are still confused upon entering the game to build some goodwill. This way, even if they know I’m part of the Wildfire Gang, they won’t immediately attack me.”
Building goodwill, Bai Fu is confident.
Her face isn’t wasted; even just showing her feet could attract a crowd of players. Let alone her plan to redeem herself by rescuing a hero.
After leaving a good impression, her next step is to establish a character image.
A good character image can transcend sensory boundaries and touch the soul.
Only such popularity can last long.
Of course, what Bai Fu truly values is power. Increasing popularity is merely a shortcut to gaining power.
She sees establishing a character image as a wish.
Planners, take note: In the eyes of players, I should be like this. To avoid disappointing players and to maintain the game’s reputation, shouldn’t you give me a boost?
She isn’t threatening the planner. A character that shines beyond the planner’s control shows the planner’s high level of skill.
If this is added, her strength will grow, player expectations will be met, and the planner’s bonuses will be secured.
What the hell is a triple win?
For this purpose, Bai Fu is cautious in establishing her character image.
While a setup like “20 years old, divorced with a 11-year-old child” might quickly gain attention, it wouldn’t help her power, so she dismisses it.
“For now, let’s shape myself as a mysterious figure. Let players speculate about my true identity, making it easier to adjust and avoiding any image collapse.”
After all, she says she’s unfathomable, but doesn’t specify where. If players guess wrong, they can’t blame her. They should blame the stupid planner!
If players come up with interesting setups, she can simply adopt them.
Win!
Bai Fu looked at Anya beside her.
“Anya!”
“Yes!” Anya responded immediately, pulled aside, “Boss, shall we now go and teach those lawless outsiders a lesson?”
Bai Fu shook her head: “Too short-sighted. The value of those outsiders far exceeds the bounty offered by the Wildfire Gang. Anya, broaden your horizons. Our journey is the stars and sea, not to lose sight of the big picture for small gains.”
Anya: “”
Bai Fu smiled like a witch who eats children: “Want to wake up every day in the middle of a 500-square-meter bed? Want…”
Anya grimaced: “Boss, I don’t even dare dream about that.”
Bai Fu was speechless.
Young people shouldn’t be too old-fashioned. Dream more often, who knows, dreams might come true?
“If you want that, cooperate with me. I’ve already found opportunities in those outsiders.”
Anya was skeptical: “Then what should I do?”
Bai Fu replied: “I haven’t figured out your character yet, so for now, just follow me and be a riddle.”
Creating a loli character is different from creating a maiden or a young woman. Forcing them into the same mold can easily turn them into pure prison style.
As a law-abiding five-star citizen, Bai Fu isn’t that extreme.
She plans to interact with players first, see if they prefer crazy loli or loli heiresses, then tailor a character for Anya that complements her.
Anya nodded, pretending to understand: “Riddle?”
Bai Fu stood up: “Stop worrying. Let’s go.”
Anya hurriedly asked: “Boss, where are we going?”
Bai Fu said: “To the hair salon. Before the official action, dye my hair white to give myself a buff.”
They say white hair is especially effective against Chinese players. Two white-haired characters could double the effect, right? Wouldn’t that max out player goodwill?
“What?”
Anya suspected she had misheard.
What does dying her hair white have to do with waking up in a 500-square-meter bed?
It’s over, the boss must have been really hit hard by that old debt collector!
No, boss, what will I do if you go mad?