Early in the morning, I went to Sir Maxwell's store to finalize the purchase of a recording studio. He offered me a generous discount, allowing me to buy the building for $20 million. Additionally, I allocated $5 million for renovations and the installation of state-of-the-art equipment.
"Sir Maxwell, I truly appreciate your assistance. You've saved me both time and a lot of headaches. This place has been transformed. On my own, I would have struggled with renovations and finding the right equipment."
"It was no trouble at all. I have a reliable friend who helped me get everything you needed. Alex, I've also recommended some talented individuals to you. They're capable and eager to prove themselves. Have you considered hiring them?"
I needed staff. It wasn't feasible to compose and arrange music entirely on my own. Right now, I was the sole artist recording works here, but that wouldn't last long. Eventually, clients would come seeking contracts, especially if I continued to release hits. My head was brimming with musical masterpieces, and I couldn't possibly bring them all to life alone.
Instead, I planned to entrust these songs to others who could fully realize their potential. While I wasn't greedy and knew how to share when needed, I was also determined not to let my music fall into the hands of unreliable individuals.
Sir Maxwell had recommended six young men and four women, all under 25 and recent music college graduates seeking work. Apparently, he knew their director and wanted to help these young talents. After reviewing their resumes, I saw they had honors degrees and some part-time experience at small firms. I didn't sense any negative vibes from them, so I decided to hire them.
I wasn't overly concerned about their lack of experience. They were young, enthusiastic, and capable of learning. By helping them now, I hoped they'd repay me by remaining loyal to the studio in the future.
"I've decided to hire them. Your recommendations seem like a perfect fit for my needs."
"Great! That puts my mind at ease," Sir Maxwell replied. "By the way, have you decided who will manage the studio? I don't imagine you'll take on that role personally."
"Ha-ha, you're right. I'm afraid I don't have the time for that. I haven't found the right person yet, so the director's position will remain vacant for now."
"In that case, you might want to entrust the management to Vivian for the time being. She's a competent leader and highly responsible," he suggested.
"I'll give her a closer look."
Once the necessary paperwork was signed, the recording studio, now named "Alritex Records," officially became part of Alritex Entertainment. I met my new team, including Vivian Diaz. She was a composition graduate, smart and focused, standing about 175 centimeters tall with a short haircut.
Vivian was undeniably beautiful, though she lacked traditional feminine charm or coquetry. Instead, she radiated courage and determination, leaving a strong impression. I decided to appoint her as the studio's acting director.
Over the next few days, I spent most of my time at the studio building relationships with my employees. Fortunately, being close in age made communication easier.
I also started working on my first album. We conducted test runs and began recording tracks, though progress was slow as it was a first-time experience for all of us.
Meanwhile, the video of my short concert from the party, which I had uploaded to YouTube, went viral. Within just over a week, it had amassed 161 million views. Additionally, my video for "River Flows in You" garnered 313 million views.
My YouTube channel grew to 4.6 million subscribers, while my Twitter page boasted over 6 million followers. Fans bombarded me with questions about the album's release date, eager to hear the remaining five tracks.
Not everyone believed the other tracks would be as great as the first two. Some skeptics speculated that I had used the first two pieces to promote the album, hinting I might lack further inspiration.
Haters, as always, were unavoidable. The world wouldn't be complete without them. I chose to ignore their negativity, focusing instead on proving them wrong with exceptional results.
The other day, Barbara brought a stack of resumes for me to review for her department. After careful consideration, I selected 11 candidates. My intuition told me they were trustworthy and loyal individuals.
With the team assembled, it was time to develop a new mobile game. I decided to recreate "Angry Birds." In my previous world, it was one of the most popular casual games.
"The game's plot is simple," I explained. "The birds vigilantly guard their nest of eggs, fending off even minor threats like mosquitoes. But during one such distraction, their eggs are stolen by their sworn enemies—the Green Pigs, led by the Queen Sow. The pigs plan to cook the eggs into an omelet. Naturally, the birds are furious and seek revenge on the pigs!"
Barbara chuckled. "So that's why it's called 'Angry Birds'—makes sense now."
"Exactly! The player uses a slingshot to launch birds at pigs, aiming to destroy them and their structures. The pigs can be eliminated by direct hits, falling debris, or being knocked off high platforms. Completing an episode unlocks new levels and new birds with unique abilities."
While my team didn't immediately grasp what made the game special, they remembered how "Subway Surfers" had exceeded expectations. Trusting my vision, they agreed to proceed.
We began by designing concept art for the characters. I envisioned a flock of round, pot-bellied birds. In my past world, fans often debated what species these birds were. In reality, they were purely a product of the designers' imagination. I decided to preserve their original design from my memories.