The resurgence of freedom brought a smile to his face, "Yes, Mr. Jones, Nintendo will transfer the share of profits to the account you specified on time."
"Okay, I believe you," Ethan said, smiling as he put down the report. "You were very punctual with the first two settlements, so for this third one… I believe you will settle on time as well."
Hiroshi Yamauchi nodded incessantly at Ethan's friendly words.
Just as he was about to say something, Ethan preempted, "Honestly, when I learned that you would be delivering the report this time, I was actually quite surprised."
"Because at this time last year, I met with your president, Mr. Yamauchi."
"Back then, he was full of desire for 'Pac-Man,' wanting to obtain its distribution rights. But now? Why isn't he here?"
"Wow—Is it because he doesn't think 'Star Wars' is an excellent game?"
Ethan asked with a smile.
Such words made Hiroshi Yamauchi pause for a moment.
The next second, the middle-aged man, several years older than Ethan, suddenly stood up.
Standing as tall as a pine tree, bowing as though folding paper, he deeply bowed to Ethan.
The angle of his bow even exceeded forty-five degrees.
At the same time, words full of apologies spilled out, "Oh Mr. Jones, you have misunderstood our president. 'Star Wars' is a fantastic game. On its third day of release, I drove from Vancouver to Seattle to play it on the streets of Seattle."
"'Star Wars' is an amazing game, both in terms of content design and audio use. I was amazed by the design of the level transitions while waiting in line. And when I got to play, the pressure from the imperial fighters kept my nerves on edge! Clearing each level was exhilarating!"
"That very night, I reported the game's situation to our president. He was delighted because you are our best partner, and we are genuinely excited about your success in the gaming industry! Our President Yamauchi even wanted to fly over immediately to witness the 'Star Wars' phenomenon sweeping North America! But due to some emergencies, unexpected affairs in the company held him back, temporarily preventing him from coming to North America to congratulate you."
"So, when the president sent me the report, he also called me specially, instructing me to personally convey his congratulations and apologies to you. He will come to North America to apologize to you as soon as he finishes his current work, and he sincerely hopes to obtain the distribution rights for 'Star Wars,' just like our previous cooperation, hoping our friendship will last…"
Hiroshi Yamauchi's lengthy speech highlighted his excited inner emotions.
And his motionless posture fully conveyed his apologies.
Observing the earnest figure, Ethan, reclining on the sofa, burst into laughter.
Crossing his legs, tapping the sofa, Ethan looked at Hiroshi Yamauchi with a playful smile.
"Okay, Okay, Mr. Hiroshi, don't get too excited."
"I was just asking casually."
Ethan waved at Aaron Macy, signaling him to help the still bowing Hiroshi Yamauchi up.
After Aaron Macy helped him sit down, looking at Hiroshi Yamauchi's tense face, Ethan smiled and asked, "Mr. Hiroshi, may I ask you a question?"
"Mr. Jones, please," Although Hiroshi Yamauchi didn't understand the hostility in Ethan's words, he still nodded, "As long as I know, I will definitely answer."
"You definitely know," Ethan said. "I just want to ask, the words you just said, do they represent your president's intentions? Or maybe, your father-in-law's intentions?"
Ethan's right hand casually flew.
Tapping on the wooden armrest of the sofa, producing a tapping sound.
This question made Hiroshi Yamauchi furrow his brows slightly, "Mr. Jones, forgive me for being blunt, but I might not fully grasp the meaning behind your words…"
"Hahaha…" Such a response made Ethan laugh out loud.
He snapped his fingers.
Aaron Macy immediately stood up and left the reception room.
Moments later, he returned carrying two paper boxes.
When the orange box with the Nintendo logo was placed on the coffee table between Ethan and Hiroshi Yamauchi, Hiroshi Yamauchi, who had been restrained during their conversation, suddenly narrowed his eyes.
Catching this abnormal reaction, Ethan silently sighed in his heart.
At this moment, he felt as if he had already gotten his answer.
"This is a Nintendo product, right?" Ethan's smile faded as he slowly spoke, "Although I haven't read much, don't have Mr. Hiroshi's educational background at MIT, nor the decades of life experience of Mr. Yamauchi, your father-in-law, I can still spell 'Nintendo,' and I understand what COLOR TV GAME means."
"So, Mr. Hiroshi, can you explain to
me, what does it mean for Nintendo, or your father-in-law, Mr. Yamauchi, to launch this product?"
"You might want to say, it's just a regular color game console, a new product from Nintendo, and it has nothing to do with me, so you don't know what I'm asking."
"But what I want to say is…"
"When you sit here representing Mr. Yamauchi, you must know what I'm asking!"
"I'm asking you! Why does this product look so similar to the Magnavox Odyssey!"
"I'm asking you! Your president, your father-in-law, Mr. Yamauchi, couldn't come to North America because of this product's launch, right? He's afraid to face me!"
"I'm asking you! What benefits did Magnavox offer you? Making you so obediently work for them! Continuously appearing before me in coincidental ways!"
"When you lived in North America, you must have understood, what kind of grudge I have against Magnavox, right? You should know better than Mr. Yamauchi what this collaboration means!"
"So..."
"Tell me..."
"How do you want to settle this?"
"huh?"
Ethan's resounding words left Hiroshi Yamauchi with furrowed brows.
His gaze filled with surprise.
His reaction made Ethan smile, revealing his amusement.
Yes! When Nintendo had already stepped on Ethan Jones's toes, being straightforward and laying everything bare was exactly what he wanted to do!
As for maintaining face due to ongoing cooperation?
Oh—
Don't joke around!
Pride isn't given by others; it's earned!
Since Nintendo had already stopped hiding, why should Ethan Jones show any respect!