54. Strong Enough to Make Everyone Submit to Him

Although it was a low-budget otome game, due to its brilliant plot setup, rich character development, exquisite art style, and an overall high-quality production that could be described as meticulous, the game was instantly met with love and unanimous acclaim from a vast audience of female players upon its release.

What sparked the most discussion among players was the fact that the head producer had designed over one hundred different character routes and endings. There were endings related to the main characters, some related to the supporting cast, and other open-ended conclusions.

Leo, a marketing genius, seized upon this feature and specially paid several moderately famous streaming influencers to broadcast their playthroughs of the game as a form of promotion.

In order to unlock all one hundred plus endings and claim the commission Leo promised, the streamers broadcasted day and night, staying up through the early hours to conscientiously complete the game's guides.

Initially, everyone approached it purely as a job, but they were soon touched by the rich and engaging content of the game. The more they played, the more hooked they became, investing genuine emotion into it. This drew in a massive audience of spectators to the live streams, which successfully generated viral traffic and achieved the intended promotional effect.

Seeing this exploding formula for viral metrics, other streamers spontaneously began broadcasting themselves playing the game or creating dedicated video edits to capitalize on the traffic.

As a result, the game's reputation snowballed. In less than two short months, it broke into the mainstream, repeatedly trending on Weibo and various other social media apps.

【The producer is a complete genius. How did they come up with over one hundred endings? Every single one is so well thought out!】

【I'm defeated. Lightwing is so fucking hard to romance. Can someone give me an ending walkthrough guide for Lightwing? Willing to pay top dollar, thank you!】

【I heard Old Ray on Bilibili successfully completed Lightwing's route. You can go watch his stream VODs!】

【I don't want a guide for the main male leads, I want one for the main character's butler! He’s so handsome too!】

【I'm a guy, and I downloaded it thinking I'd see just how hard it is to beat. In the end, I was almost turned gay by the four male leads, who understands?】

【I was drawn in by the art style. The artist's skill level is incredible. Every character and background is so exquisite. I can hardly believe this is just a small indie standalone game; it completely blows those big-budget productions from major corporations out of the water. It's too amazing!】

【Agreed with the above. The art style is truly beautiful. I hope they release merchandise, I'll definitely buy it!】

【Please, Producer Daddy, make a sequel! Give us another two hundred endings, I can romance them for a whole year!】

【A small standalone game can actually be made with so much care. The behind-the-scenes staff worked hard! Starstream Studio, right? I've remembered the name!】

【Holy shit, I was just casually digging into the history of the head producer of

Bonds of Love

, and he’s actually the same guy who was the head producer of

New Era of the Universe

! I'm completely stunned! That game was my absolute favorite, holy shit!】

【Ah? The head producer is a guy?】

……

Discussions like these emerged endlessly across the internet, and many curious bystanders were continuously drawn in to download the game.

With

Bonds of Love

—a minor indie otome game that cost less than 400,000 dollars in total to make—Starstream Studio earned an immense fortune in a short period. It was hailed as yet another textbook case in the game development industry of a low-investment, high-return success story following

New Era of the Universe

.

The name Killian, just like when

New Era of the Universe

exploded in popularity in the past, once again cut a striking figure in the business world.

By then, Tara had finished her final exam for her last subject.

There were only eleven days left until the New Year.

And there were only fourteen days left of the time Weston had given her.

"Killian, take a break."

At noon, Tara prepared a delicate lunch just as she did every day, coming to the company on schedule to feed Killian.

Of course, she used to go to the company cafeteria to eat with him.

But ever since she successfully pursued him and completely finished her work as the lead artist for

Bonds of Love

, she had submitted her resignation. Naturally, she could no longer constantly supervise him at the company to ensure he ate properly.

Firstly, she didn't rely on being a game artist to earn a living; she preferred freelance commissions.

Secondly, she didn't want to engage in a workplace romance, which always felt a bit strange to her.

Most importantly, she was terrified that someone with malicious intent would start rumors again about Killian engaging in transactional sex, landing him back at the station to drink tea with the officers. That would simply be too damaging to his reputation.

It was much better now; she was no longer his employee. She could enter his office openly, kiss and hug him, or hold his hand as they went home together.

"Are you cold?"

The weather had been quite bitter lately. Killian reached out to pull her into his embrace, wrapping his warm palms around her cold little hands.

His tone was full of heartache: "Don't deliver it next time. I can just eat at the company."

Tara, however, shook her head in disapproval and mumbled in a small voice, "Workaholic, I don't believe you at all."

Once he started working, he always lost track of time and forgot to eat. It had happened several times. The messages transmitted through their shared physical sensations let her know the state of things perfectly clearly. If she hadn't been supervising him and bringing him food on time, his stomach condition would have worsened long ago.

She could still supervise him now, but what about after this?

Thinking of her plan, Tara couldn't help but feel worried. She reached out and lightly pinched his handsome face. "Killian, can you please take better care of yourself?"

Her eyes—beautiful as glass beads—were vivid and shimmering, as if a vast river of stars flowed within them. Right now, she was looking at him without blinking, soft and sincere.

"You foolish big jerk, what are you going to do later when I'm not by your side anymore?"

Killian looked back at her quietly. Hearing these words, he couldn't help but frown. "Nonsense. How could you not be by my side?"

After saying that, he pulled her petite frame entirely into his arms, his palm tenderly caressing the soft, long hair on her back.

"Tara, Baby..."

His deep, pleasant voice was as gentle as a soft coaxing melody. It no longer held any of the coldness from before, falling by her ear like a sacred prayer:

"We will be together forever and ever."

He had already tested the waters; she was very willing and looking forward to becoming his wife.

Everything regarding the proposal had also been fully prepared by him.

It would be on New Year's Day.

On that beautiful day filled with countless blessings and wishes.

He was very much looking forward to the arrival of that day.

"I know," Tara answered softly.

She rested her cheek obediently against his chest, feeling the powerful thudding of his heartbeat, an uncontrollable wave of sadness and reluctance surging in her heart.

When the time came, would he blame her?

She didn't know.

But even if he did blame her, there was nothing to be done. She would just have to come back later and coax him slowly.

When his wings were full enough, when he was strong enough that no one dared to offend him again—strong enough to protect everything he cared about, and even force those despicable people to submit to him—that would be the most mature and proper time.

She hoped her brother would be reliable enough to cover for her...

She also believed that Killian would definitely be able to understand her painstaking efforts.