Empire of Desire: An Alpha’s Financial Reign - Chapter 9

As winter slowly loosened its grip, the crisp, biting air gave way to a milder breeze, and signs of spring began to peek through the frosted landscape. At Huaxin University, the snow had melted into thin streams along the stone walkways, and fresh buds had begun to sprout on the branches lining the campus paths.

With the turn of the season came a new semester—one full of promise, energy, and challenges yet to be met.

Students poured back into the university from all corners of the country, carrying with them the spirit of the holidays and the comfort of home. The campus, which had been eerily quiet over the winter break, now pulsed with laughter, footsteps, and the excited chatter of reunions.

Dormitories lit up with stories of holiday travels, family reunions, and gifts from hometowns. In lecture halls and cafeterias, friends reunited and exchanged local delicacies—dried fruits, handmade snacks, and specialty teas—while eagerly catching up on each other’s lives.

In one of the larger classrooms of the School of Business, the counselor stood behind the podium, raising his voice above the commotion. He rapped the desk lightly with his knuckles to gain the students’ attention.

“Alright, everyone, let’s settle down,” he said with a patient but firm tone. “The holiday has ended, and a fresh semester lies ahead of us. I hope you’ve all had a good rest. Now it’s time to shift your focus back to your studies.”

Though his words were formal, the warmth in his eyes betrayed his fondness for the students. He knew that their energy, their curiosity, and their ambition were the lifeblood of the university.

Sitting near the back of the classroom, Han Zaijing adjusted the sleeves of her blazer and focused her gaze on a market analysis report she had printed earlier that morning. Her heart beat a little faster as she flipped through the figures and projections. This wasn’t just another semester for her—it was a pivotal moment in her entrepreneurial journey.

Over the winter break, she and her team had launched the beta version of their original game: a strategy-based battle game inspired by ancient Chinese mythology. They had developed it from scratch, integrating lore-rich narratives with competitive gameplay mechanics. What started as a passion project quickly gained traction.

To Zaijing’s delight—and surprise—the game’s download rates and user engagement numbers had far exceeded expectations. It had begun to trend on several platforms, with gaming communities buzzing about its unique aesthetic and cultural storytelling.

This early success had lit a fire in her. Now, with the semi-finals of the university’s prestigious business innovation competition concluded, she found herself and her team among the final five contenders preparing for the ultimate round.

The stakes were high: not only was there prize money and university recognition, but also an opportunity to pitch their projects directly to a panel of real investors.

Han Zaijing knew that to secure financing and push the game to the next level, she needed more than just solid development. She needed a robust and professional business plan—one that spoke the language of investors and conveyed both the creativity and profitability of her project.

And for that, she needed help.

Her eyes shifted to the front of the classroom, landing on Jiang Wan—a composed and graceful figure, always impeccably dressed and exuding an air of quiet confidence. Jiang Wan was known for her sharp intellect and deep understanding of business strategy.

Over the winter break, she had interned with her family’s investment firm and, rumor had it, had even worked directly under Jiang Sinian, her renowned financier uncle. If there was anyone who understood capital markets better than the professors themselves, it was Jiang Wan.

As soon as class ended, Zaijing gathered her courage, folded up her documents, and approached her.

“Jiang Wan,” she called softly. “Do you have a moment? I was hoping we could talk about… the financing plan.”

Jiang Wan turned toward her with a flicker of curiosity in her eyes, then offered a friendly smile. “Actually, I’ve been meaning to speak with you as well,” she replied. “Let’s find a place to sit.”

They found a quiet bench near the library’s courtyard, where the early buds of spring flowers were beginning to bloom. The air was still cool, but the sunlight warmed their faces.

Zaijing opened her folder and began presenting her data, walking Jiang Wan through the game’s core features, its early market reception, and the roadmap she envisioned for its expansion. Jiang Wan listened intently, occasionally nodding, her expression thoughtful.

“Your concept is strong,” Jiang Wan finally said, flipping through the charts. “And the market clearly loves it. But investors will want more than a product—they need to see a complete vision. You’ll need a business model that shows monetization strategies, growth trajectories, and sustainable operations.”

Zaijing sighed, nodding. “That’s the part I’m struggling with. I don’t have a strong background in finance… and these terms still get jumbled in my head.”

Jiang Wan gave a reassuring smile and reached into her satchel, pulling out a neatly bound document. “I figured you might feel that way,” she said. “This is a report I compiled during my internship. It’s a crash course in venture financing—pitch structures, key metrics, investor expectations. It might help you shape your proposal.”

Zaijing blinked, genuinely touched. “You’re giving this to me?”

“Of course,” Jiang Wan said, her voice calm and sincere. “We may be competitors in the competition, but that doesn’t mean we can’t support each other. I want to see your project succeed.”

A flicker of warmth passed between them as they exchanged smiles—an unspoken camaraderie forming between two ambitious young women on parallel paths.

Later that evening, back in her dormitory, Han Zaijing set the report Jiang Wan had given her on her desk and began poring over every page. Concepts like burn rate, user acquisition cost, and revenue streams slowly began to make sense.

She started mapping out sections of her business plan with greater clarity: a strong market analysis, projected growth in domestic and international regions, risk assessments, and plans for team scaling.

The hours melted away. The soft hum of her computer and the quiet clicking of her keyboard became a rhythm she barely noticed. The room around her darkened, but she didn’t pause. Determination lit her eyes like stars. She wasn’t just chasing a trophy—she was chasing a dream.

Days passed, and with each new draft, her proposal grew stronger. Her teammates joined in, reviewing and refining every detail. Together, they honed the plan to perfection. They weren’t just developers anymore—they were entrepreneurs.

Finally, as she prepared the last slide for the final presentation, Han Zaijing typed out her vision at the conclusion of the document:
“We believe that our game will not only captivate players in China but also bridge cultures and histories, bringing the legends of ancient Chinese mythology to a global stage. This isn’t just a game—it’s a revival of cultural heritage and the pursuit of a shared dream.”

And as she looked at those words, a wave of pride surged through her. It wasn’t just about funding or competition—it was about creating something meaningful, something lasting.

And with that thought, Han Zaijing leaned back in her chair, confident in what she and her team had built—and hopeful for what the future might hold.