-47- Huh?

Tonight's gathering was still at the food stall outside Lu Kai's residential complex. They still arrived a little early, still waited with the boss for the city management to get off work, still helped the boss set up the stall, and still happily shared two cold dishes. Besides Sister Zou, the only two people who knew there was a second theme tonight were Lu Kai and Zhao Jinghuan. Lu Kai felt a little melancholy, but Sister Zou's departure had been a long time coming. He had tried everything he could to salvage the situation, and now he had come to terms with it. When the food arrived, Lu Kai raised his glass and announced that he had good news. "Our first batch of 'Literary Spirit' cost a total of around 3.5 million, including the promotion and storage costs. Then yesterday we received a payment of 300,000 for goods. With this payment, the initial investment costs have been fully recovered. From now on, every Freckles sold will be our profit." Except for Sister Zou who is in charge of business, everyone at the table only knew the good news at this time. Zhao Jinghuan and Dorasi clapped their hands happily, Wanfeng and Ji Anya also had smiles on their faces. Tomato was the most excited. He roared, jumped up from his chair with his glass in hand, and the beer in the glass spilled on his pants without him noticing. Sister Zou smiled and said there was even better news. Three large payments were coming in before the end of the year. By then, the additional 200,000 yuan order from Boss Chen would have paid for itself. The Lunar New Year holiday would be the second-highest sales season after the summer holidays. "After the Lunar New Year, you'll be making tons of money. Then you should consider whether to launch a new collection or place another wave of orders." Tomato and the others were beaming, not noticing that Sister Zou was saying, "Then you should consider..." It was "you," not "we." Lu Kai awkwardly changed the subject, saying he'd finally made some money this year and, after Lunar New Year, he planned to take everyone on a trip. "I've seen a lot of big companies do that. They call it something like an annual meeting." Sister Zou looked at him disdainfully. "Even literally, it can't be called an annual meeting." Lu Kai waved his hand, saying it didn't matter what it was called; they could just go out and relax. He then mentioned a few popular tourist spots and asked for their opinions. When he heard about the trip, Dorasi, who had been eating quietly, sat up straight, the exclamation point above his head almost hitting the ceiling. Tomato waved his hands repeatedly, saying that even if he earned money, he couldn't squander it like that. Then, with a flattering look on his face, he mentioned his "Dragon Palace Girl" and begged Lu Kai to take advantage of the opportunity...

Tonight's gathering was still held at the food stall outside Lukai Community. They still arrived a little early, still waited with the boss for the urban management to get off work, still helped the boss set up the stall, and still smiled and got two cold dishes.

Apart from Sister Zou, the only two people who knew that there was a second theme tonight were Lu Kai and Zhao Jinghuan.

Lu Kai felt a little disappointed, but the time before Sister Zou's departure had been long enough. He had tried everything he could to save the situation, and now he could accept it calmly.

When the food was served, Lu Kai raised his glass and said he had good news to announce.

"Our first batch of 'Literary Spirit' cost around 3.5 million, including promotional and storage expenses. And yesterday we received a payment of 300,000. With this payment, we've fully recouped our initial investment. From now on, every Freckle sold will be a profit for us."

Except for Sister Zou who was in charge of business, everyone at the table only knew the good news at this time. Zhao Jinghuan and Dorasi clapped their hands happily, Wanfeng and Ji Anya also smiled. Tomato was the most excited. He roared and jumped up from his chair holding the wine glass. He didn't even notice that the beer in the glass spilled on his pants.

Sister Zou smiled and said, "There's even better news. Three large payments are expected before the end of the year. By then, the additional 200,000 yuan order from Boss Chen will have paid for itself." The upcoming Lunar New Year holiday will be the second-highest sales season after the summer vacation.

"After the New Year, you'll be able to count your money. Then you should consider whether to launch a new series or place another wave of orders."

Tomato and the others were so happy smiling that they didn't notice what Sister Zou said: "When the time comes, you should consider..."

It's "you", not "us".

Lu Kai changed the subject somewhat awkwardly, saying that he had finally made some money this year, and after returning from the New Year, he planned to spend some money to take everyone out for a trip.

"I've seen many large companies do this. They seem to call it something like a company annual meeting."

Sister Zou looked at him with disdain: "Even if we just talk about the literal meaning, it can't be called an annual meeting." Lu Kai waved his hand and said that it didn't matter what it was called, anyway, everyone should go out and relax together. He mentioned a few popular tourist attractions and asked for everyone's opinions.

When Dorasi heard about the trip, he sat up straight from his meal, the exclamation mark above his head piercing the ceiling. Tomato, however, waved his hands repeatedly, saying that even if he made money, he couldn't squander it like that. Then, with a fawning look on his face, he mentioned his "Dragon Palace Girls" and begged Lu Kai to take advantage of the popularity and use the money to launch "the company's second flagship IP." When Dorasi heard Tomato's opposition to the trip, he banged his chopsticks on the table, his face red and he looked very fierce:

"Foolish fat human, your soul had the opportunity to soar, but your greed betrayed the will of the planet Doraemon. Your insignificance is no excuse to escape punishment. The wrath of the Lord God is only a breath away. I am willing to give you a chance to renew your loyalty, but you must always remember that the thunder and storm in my palms can descend at any time."

Tomato frowned and asked Evening Breeze, "What is she mumbling about?"

Sister Zou quickly responded: "She said you're a fat guy, believe it or not, I'll slap you in the face."

Tomato moved to the side with a guilty look on his face, putting some distance between him and Dorasi. "Okay, okay, let's go on a trip. It won't cost much. If that doesn't work out, I'll just make a smaller batch of Dragon Palace Girls."

It was as if Lu Kai had already promised him.

Dorasi came over and asked Lu Kai to repeat the options he had provided. Lu Kai repeated them and asked if any of them had been to any of these places. Dorasi took Chengdu off the list, saying that his home was in Chengdu. This left everyone stunned: "I've never heard you speak Sichuan dialect."

Dorasi waved his hand: "You won't understand even if I tell you." Zhao Jinghuan and Wanfeng both said that they could go anywhere, and Lu Kai then went to ask Ji Anya.

Ji Anya was caught off guard by the question: "Ah, you still want to take me with you?"

Lu Kai said of course, which touched Ji Anya. She chuckled and said, "You are a smart boy. It was not in vain that I spoke well of you."

The table was eating and chatting, making plans to travel to Yili after the New Year. Sister Zou drank silently, looking at everyone with a smile. As the meal was coming to an end, she nudged Lu Kai beside her and asked him, "Are you going to say it or am I going to say it?"

Lu Kai's smile froze. Sister Zou smiled helplessly, "Why do you look like someone's dead?" She raised her glass to the others. "Actually, there's nothing new. As I said before, my resignation is just on hold. Now that Little Freckles' sales are on track, I'm leaving too."

Dorasi uttered an "Ah!", obviously thinking that Sister Zou had already decided not to leave. Just as she was about to speak, Sister Zou gestured to her to stop: "I've already made up my mind, so don't try to persuade me anymore. I don't work in Waikiki anymore, but that doesn't mean we won't see each other anymore and we won't be friends anymore."

Tomato beside him suddenly sneered.

Sister Zou frowned at him: "What's wrong with you?"

Tomato curled his lips: "Nothing, what can I do?"

Sister Zou glared at him: "If you have something to say, just say it directly. What kind of man are you if you hesitate?"

"I'm no longer a man to you," Tomato said sarcastically. "What kind of man am I? I'm almost thirty and I don't even have a single work worth showing off. I spend every day sitting in front of the computer serving those two semi-big guys in the customization group. Don't say you look down on me, I even look down on myself."

Sister Zou said, "I don't look down on you."

Tomato nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, I misunderstood you."

Lu Kai stood up and tried to smooth things over: "Alright, alright, come out and eat happily, don't quarrel."

Sister Zou reached out and pushed Lu Kai away. She looked directly at Tomato with red eyes: "So you think that we are in this situation now because you are not successful enough?"

Tomato turned his head away from her and said, "Isn't it?"

"Well, that's who I am in my heart. Yes, I am a snob."

Sister Zou sat down angrily. Tomato, however, gritted his teeth and showed no sign of stopping. "You're pretending to be wronged again. Let Lu Kai and the others judge. How did you see me when we first met? How do you see me now? You used to say, 'Ah, ah, ah...'" He pinched his throat and imitated a corny tone. "Let's not rush. Do the right thing. Be friends with time and let time give the answers." Tomato said, "You've said all the nice things. Who's impatient now? Who's quitting? Who's jumping ship? You still dare to say you're not disappointed in me?"

Sister Zou said, "Of course I'm disappointed, but I'm not disappointed because you didn't succeed. I said I'd do the right thing, but what are you doing? Wanfeng filed over fifty copies of Little Freckles, and what did you do? You asked Lu Kai to create a new series for Dragon Palace Girls, but where are your designs? Once Lu Kai agrees, will you do it again?"

Tomato felt a little guilty: "Why is there no design drawing? I just didn't show it to you..."

Sister Zou stretched out her hand: "Then take it out, take it out and show it to everyone."

"You told me to take it, so I took it. I took it out, and then you're going to say I didn't do a good job again."

Sister Zou sneered, "Tomato, are you lying to me, or yourself? Dragon Palace Girl didn't sell well the first time it was released, and what else have you done besides complaining about it? For over two years, you've been messing around in that crappy group of yours, listening to those kids praising you!"

"They're praising me, so I'm praising them, okay?" Tomato said with a look of grievance. "If there was a way, do you think I'd be willing to do customization? Or alter someone else's doll?"

The two of them kept arguing with each other.

Zhao Jinghuan looked at Sister Zou and then at Tomato. She could sense the meaning of their words, but she still seemed unable to accept this conclusion which now seemed too obvious.

She turned her head to look at Ji Anya and found that Ji Anya also had a frown on her face, and her reaction seemed to be not much different from hers.

"Wait... wait a minute." Zhao Jinghuan slowly stood up, her hands raised, blocking Sister Zou and Fanqie. "Wait! Stop arguing!"

Sister Zou and Tomato stopped talking with red eyes and looked at Zhao Jinghuan who was standing between them.

Zhao Jinghuan's hands trembled in the air, pointing at Sister Zou and then at Tomato.

"Um...that..." Zhao Jinghuan said, "Ah?"

Author's Note

Yaunai

author

06-09

Having said that, if you readers think this article is good, it would be great if you could recommend it to your friends! Of course, it would be even better if you could post a few words on Xiaohongshu or Weibo to share your true feelings about this article and help spread the word!