Chapter 37. Mr. Zhou, my muse. —…

The worst thing is when the air suddenly goes quiet.

Everyone stared at the line "Zhou Shilin joined the group chat by scanning the QR code shared by Chen Ci" and fell into deep thought.

Is it really worth it for Mr. Zhou to personally supervise such a small project?

Chenci: A warm welcome to General Manager Zhou [ribbon]

After Chen Ci posted this message, everyone behind her warmly welcomed President Zhou.

Although only Chen Ci was truly sincere.

In the small group chat of Pupu Paradise, Yang Shuang asked sincerely, "Wait, President Shen, why did you add President Zhou to the group?"

Chen Ci: Mr. Zhou just asked me about the work progress, so I simply added him to the group chat so he can know our progress anytime, anywhere. [rose emoji]

Yang Shuang: [Listen to what you're saying, are you even speaking human language?.jpg]

Wu Junnan: What? President Zhou joined the group? @Chenci, add me too.

Yang Shuang: ...

Why is Mr. Wu in their small group chat too?

It's time to create a small group!

In Shijie's small group chat, everyone was asking Miao Duo about the situation.

Zhao Liang: Mr. Miao, why did Mr. Zhou join the group? Could our project be S+?

Miao Duo: It's not a big problem. President Zhou is indeed very concerned about this project. He personally negotiated the joint venture.

Zhao Liang: ?

Miao Duo: In short, everyone just needs to work hard.

When everyone returned to the main work group, they saw that a new person had joined the group; it was Wu Junnan, the owner of Pupu Paradise.

Wu Junnan: Hello Mr. Zhou, I'm very pleased to have reached a second cooperation agreement with Shijie. I wish this Science and Technology Expo a complete success. [Handshake]

Zhou Shilin: Thank you, Mr. Wu. I am also very happy to work with Pupu Paradise again.

Other ordinary members in the group: "..."

Well, with this grand setup, it feels like the two families aren't just going to collaborate, but rather to get married.

Miao Duo: We've reviewed the first draft of the proposal. Pupu Paradise truly lives up to its reputation as a company with extensive experience in collaborations; the first draft is already very well-done. We'll promptly communicate any details that require adjustment. [Rose]

Miao Duo: The legal department is also following up on the contract, and we can officially sign the contract once everything is ready.

Chenci: Okay [rose emoji] We'll let you know when the time comes, Mr. Miao.

Miao Duo: Everyone, please don't be too reserved. Our group consists of young people, and many of them like anime and manga. Please feel free to be more outgoing.

Amber Porcelain: Mr. Miao is right.

Chen Ci: [Appreciation from the President of Shijie.jpg]

Suddenly, an emoji image posted by Chen Ci popped up in the group chat. It was a photo of Zhou Shilin with a thumbs-up added to it, and the words "President Shijie's affirmation" were written next to it.

After this emoji was sent, even Miao Duo fell silent.

She didn't mean "active" like that! Mr. Shen, you're being a bit too active!

They're really courting death!

Zhou Shilin: I told you not to use my emojis [smile]

Chenci: Isn't this the one you're talking about?

Chen Ci once again presented her masterpiece—when you say nothing in the world is perfect, I took out a photo of Zhou Shilin.

Everyone stared at the newly emerged "Perfect Zhou Shilin" image. It was somewhat abstract, but... they really wanted to have it.

Zhou Shilin: Withdrawn [smile]

Chen Ci: How about this one? [President Shijie's gaze.jpg]

Chen Ci: This picture only shows a close-up of the eyes, so you can't tell who it is!

Zhou Shilin: You have "President of Shijie" written on it in big letters [smile]

Chen Ci: "..."

What a miscalculation!

Zhou Shilin: You can withdraw within two minutes, otherwise expect to receive a lawyer's letter.

Sinking porcelain: (-.-)

How stingy! The emojis she made were clearly cool and funny, and they didn't tarnish his image at all.

Chen Ci: I'm retracting this. If you like any of my emojis, save them now!

Everyone:"……"

Is this file saveable?

Although that's what they thought, in a split second, everyone automatically clicked to save.

One by one, the emojis posted by Chen Cifa were retracted. In the Pupu Paradise group chat, Yang Shuang posted a "perfect" emoji that she had just saved.

Yang Shuang: This photo was taken at the last IP Awards Ceremony!

Sinking Porcelain: Actually, they were all taken by you last time.

Yang Shuang: My photos are really good! But are these expressions only for President Shen, or can everyone use them?

Chen Ci: I got punished too [smile]

Yang Shuang: At least you posted it!

Wu Junnan: You're pretty good at making memes, huh? [winking emoji]

Chenci: Should I make a few for you too?

Wu Junnan: Thank you, but no need. You can just mess with President Zhou. :)

Smoked Porcelain: [Curious Mr. Wu's Version.jpg]

Wu Junnan: "..."

Why are Zhou Shilin's emojis all cool and domineering, but when it comes to him, they all look awkward?

Chen Ci: This is how Mr. Wu looked when he met Mr. Zhou that day.

Wu Junnan: …………

He was reluctant to admit that he was actually the same age as Zhou Shilin, but Zhou Shilin's aura was too strong, and he was easily outmatched in front of him.

After finishing her work for the day, Chen Ci went to see Dr. Zhang again.

She's been seeing Dr. Zhang quite frequently lately, though she wouldn't want to if she had a choice, since each visit costs money. But her condition has been changing daily, and thankfully, her senior colleague Wu promoted her and gave her a raise; otherwise, she wouldn't be able to afford treatment.

Sitting in the familiar consultation room, Chen Ci briefly recounted what happened yesterday. After listening, Dr. Zhang also thought it was a positive change: "You haven't forgotten, not necessarily because you didn't fight. I'm more inclined to think that you're starting to slowly accept your past self."

Chen Ci asked him, "If I completely reconcile with my past self, will I revert to my old self, or will I remain the same as I am now?"

Dr. Zhang said, "I believe this should be a choice you can make based on your own will. Which version of yourself do you want to be?"

After thinking for a while, Chen Ci said to him, "If I want to maintain the status quo, doesn't that mean I'm not cured at all? Because I still don't want to be my true self again."

"..." The question started to become philosophical. "You are twenty-five years old this year. For the first thirteen years of your life, you were the silent, introverted, and taciturn 'Shen Feifei,' and for the next twelve years, you were the lively, cheerful, and lovable Shen Ci. These two versions each occupied half of your life. Who can say with absolute certainty that the lively and cheerful you is not the real you?"

"But the porcelain I'm wearing now is just an act, a mask I'm putting on."

"No one in this world goes without a mask."

Chen Ci was stunned for a moment.

“You are just one of the most extreme cases.” Dr. Zhang looked at her with a reassuring and convincing gaze.

Chen Ci lowered her head slightly and remained silent. Dr. Zhang deliberately left a moment of silence before asking again, "Now, when you smile or talk to people, do you still feel burdened?"

Chen Ci shook her head. At first, all of this was indeed a great burden for her, requiring a lot of her energy, but now, it seemed to have become a natural thing.

"A person's personality is not static, and you weren't necessarily as boring as everyone thinks. If it weren't for your chuunibyou (middle school syndrome), would you have wanted to learn martial arts? If it weren't for your chuunibyou, would you have been a chivalrous person at school, beating up so many classmates? How could someone with chuunibyou have a boring inner world?"

Chen Ci: "..."

Dr. Zhang, you'd better not be trying to curry favor with patients of questionable character.

"Although you disguised yourself later, you still couldn't change your true nature. Otherwise, there wouldn't have been a 'Shen Feifei'. And why are you working at Pupu Paradise now?"

Chen Ci: "..."

What's wrong with Pupu Paradise?! Pupu Paradise has high salaries, a great work atmosphere, everyone has a bit of a chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) mentality, and you even dare to yell at the boss to his face!

In short, it got really exciting!

"It's a pity that you didn't meet like-minded friends when you were young, and your family couldn't be more tolerant of you, after all, your family needed to raise you to be a qualified successor."

Chen Ci thought of what Zhou Shilin had said to her at the dog cafe: "When you go to a wider world, you will find that there are many, many people in the world, and there will definitely be someone who loves you."

After leaving Dr. Zhang's place, Chen Ci ate a simple dinner downstairs at home. Midway through, Zhou Shilin messaged her, asking if she had gone to see Dr. Zhang.

Chen Ci: I just came back from Dr. Zhang's place. He also said that this is a sign that I am getting better.

Zhou Shilin: That's good. Don't put too much pressure on yourself.

Chen Ci: Yes, I feel much clearer-headed after talking with Dr. Zhang.

Zhou Shilin: I checked Dr. Zhang's information, and he is indeed a very professional doctor.

Chen Ci: You actually looked up Dr. Zhang? [Surprised]

Zhou Shilin: Well, if he's not professional enough, I'll recommend other doctors for you.

Chen Ci: As expected of President Zhou, you are the most professional.

As she spoke, she sent a "professional team" emoji, but the people in the emoji were all Zhou Shilin.

Zhou Shilin: ...How many more memes have you made?

Chen Ci: There's so much more! Looking at President Zhou's photos makes me burst with creative inspiration. Beauty really is the primary driving force!

Zhou Shilin: ...Thank you for acknowledging my good looks, but please use your explosive creative energy elsewhere [smile]

Chenci: Received. [Salute.jpg]

Zhou Shilin: "..."

Why do I have a bad feeling?

What's worse is that his premonitions have always been very accurate.

A few days later, Chen Ci appeared in the work group with the artwork she had commissioned for this collaboration.

Chenci: Hello everyone, here's one of the collaborative works from this project [image].

Chen Ci: We've collaborated with this lady several times before, and this time she rushed out a draft for us. This one is a chibi version, and there's a full-size version coming up, which she's also working on urgently.

Miao Duo: This is so cute! [Thumbs up]

Chen Ci: All the orders were made according to the requirements given by Shi Jie beforehand [cute]. When the original wife confirms the draft, she will connect with us live to make revisions, which will make the process more efficient.

Miao Duo: Okay, just call me when the time comes.

Chenci: I also drew some chibi versions myself, which you can use for free to make merchandise if you like them.

Yang Shuang: President Shen, you're personally taking the lead?

Zhao Liang: Looking forward to it!

Miao Duo: Let everyone see it~

Amidst everyone's eager anticipation, Chen Ci finally released her drawing of Cheese Rin.

This was a significant improvement over the drawing she made for Zhou Shilin on the greeting card last time. Not only was it colored, but the cheese on his head also had a more ingenious design.

Chenci: I drew two expressions in total. Which one do you like better? [Thinking]

After a moment of silence in the group, Miao Duo spoke up.

Miao Duo: Both drawings are very cute, but... they look a bit like President Zhou, hahaha.

Chen Ci: Because it's a painting of President Zhou! Looks like I've captured the essence of President Zhou!

Miao Duo: "..."

Mr. Shen has always been quite adept at courting disaster.

A moment later, Zhou Shilin himself appeared in the group chat: "Is this your creative urge that you've been using elsewhere?"

Chenci: I actually also designed some merchandise. [Images][Images][Images]

Chen Ci posted three pictures, all designed using her own drawing of Cheese Rin, and made canvas bags, face masks, and T-shirts respectively.

Each item also features different accompanying text, such as "Shijie Selected," "Cheese is Power," and "I Love Going to Work," all in special fonts designed by Chen Ci himself.

Wu Junnan: I have to say, the design is quite beautiful... Maybe we should transfer you to the peripheral design department?

Yang Shuang: I really want to have it...

A group of people below followed with +1.

Zhao Liang: If it weren't for President Zhou...

Another group of people followed suit and added +1.

Miao Duo: "..."

If it weren't for President Zhou, she would have been the first to buy it.

Chen Ci: Mr. Zhou probably won't agree to us selling it online, so I'm thinking of making it as merchandise for Shijie and Pupu Paradise. Is that feasible? @Zhou Shilin

Miao Duo: "..."

She even tagged President Zhou.

He kept provoking President Zhou.

Zhou Shilin: [Smiling]

Zhou Shilin: Has the image of "Cheese Lin" been registered with copyright and trademark?

Sinking Porcelain: [Stunned] No

Zhou Shilin: I will notify the legal department to register.

Sinking Porcelain: Oh oh

Zhou Shilin: Since everyone likes it, we can make a small quantity as souvenirs for the project team.

Chenci: Yay!!

Yang Shuang: Yay!!

Zhao Liang: Yay!!

The group chat was flooded with a row of "Yay!" messages.

Miao Duo, who was mixed in, posted a "Yay!"

Wu Junnan is also one of them.

Friday arrived in the blink of an eye, marking the end of a pleasant work week and ushering in an even more enjoyable weekend.

Because of the project in collaboration with Shijie, Chenci has to work from home these past two days, but it's still a blessing that she doesn't have to get up early to go to the office.

As everyone was quietly waiting to leave work, a message from Wu Junnan caused a stir in the company group chat.

Wu Junnan: I'm so happy to announce that Pupu has given birth! Mother and daughter are both safe and sound!

When Chen Ci opened the group chat, she saw a flood of blessings from everyone, along with a large red envelope sent by Wu Junnan.

When she went to collect it, she was surprised to find that she could still receive the red envelope. It seems that Mr. Wu was really happy today.

Chen Ci: Congratulations, Senior Brother Wu! But how come there wasn't a word about something this big before?

Wu Junnan didn't come to the company today, but since he's the boss, no one would ask why he wasn't there. I never expected it was because his sister-in-law gave birth?

Wu Junnan: I was so nervous that I was completely dazed. I only just came to my senses now.

Chen Ci: Can I go to the hospital to see my sister-in-law and the child today?

Wu Junnan: Sure, but please don't all come at once [facepalm]

Chenci: Don't worry, we will definitely send a representative.

That representative is Chen Ci herself.

She was packing her things to leave the company and go buy some things for her sister-in-law when she received a message from Zhou Shilin asking if she wanted to have dinner together after get off work.

Chen Ci: Mr. Wu's wife gave birth! I'm on my way to the hospital to see them.

Zhou Shilin: It's a happy occasion. Let me go with you. President Wu gave me a birthday gift last time, so I'll return the favor.

Chen Ci: Okay, Mr. Wu will definitely be very happy if you go!

She waited at the company for a while longer, and when she was about to leave work, she received a message from Zhou Shilin saying that he would be arriving soon. Chen Ci picked up her bag and went downstairs, intending to wait for him downstairs at the company.

As soon as Chen Ci stepped out of the company building, she heard someone call her name: "Chen Ci!"

The voice startled Shen Ci. She looked in the direction of the voice and saw a familiar yet unfamiliar face.

"It's me, Chen Yun." Chen Yun walked quickly towards her, his smile undisguised. "I'm back in China."

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Author's note: Happy National Day everyone!! [Rose]