Chapter 41
Friday was a company-wide holiday. Universal Pictures booked three floors of the Crowne Plaza Hotel to celebrate the company's 10th anniversary.
The company's core leadership team is mostly young people under forty, and the celebration atmosphere avoided the traditional, outdated trio of a boss's grand speech, employee monkey-like performances, and a collective, impassioned oath. Three banquet halls of varying sizes were converted into entertainment rooms, each serving as a venue for card games, board games, and other fun activities. Another banquet hall became a buffet restaurant, allowing guests to eat and play simultaneously. If they got tired of the games, they could head downstairs to the hotel's own billiards room, karaoke, sauna, foot massage parlor… everything was available. The usually listless employees were revitalized that day, plunging headlong into the festivities with boundless energy. Some lost cards with stickers covering their faces, others drank until their faces were flushed red – a chaotic scene of laughter and boisterous chatter echoed throughout the entire floor.
Xiao Guo was playing a game of □□ with some boys in her group, but she lost every single round. Frustrated, she downed a glass of salted lemon soda: "My skills aren't hot today!"
Sun Yuping said casually, "It's alright, Sister Guo—" Little Guo wasn't very old, but she had a forthright personality and liked to act like the big sister. Everyone in the group, whether older or younger than her, called her Sister Guo. "—Although you're bad at cards, you eat well! The plate of German sausages that Xiao Dong served us earlier, I didn't even smell it before it was all gone. I wish you were this quick to submit your reports."
Xiao Guo casually grabbed a handful of cards and slammed them onto Sun Yuping's forehead: "Itchy skin?"
Sun Yuping made a futile attempt to dodge, which was really just like a whack-a-mole shrinking its neck. He still wouldn't admit defeat: "Being able to eat is one of your strengths. Every day when we walk into the office and see your solid physique, we feel at ease. Well, save your blood flow for your stomach, let others do the mental work. Xiao Dong, you take over for Sister Guo!"
After losing several rounds, Xiao Guo lost interest and gave up. Xiao Dong, standing to the side, rubbed his hands together and sat down excitedly.
Xiao Guo watched the game while drinking his beverage.
Besides Xiao Dong, the youngest person at the card table was Zhang Pengbo. He was a veteran at the card table, handling everything with ease. While others were focused on analyzing the game, he could often spare the time to chat.
"I wonder which room the goddess is playing in."
Sun Yuping understood: "The goddess you're talking about must be..."
Zhang Pengbo gestured towards Xiao Guo with his chin: "Of course it's Xiao Guo..." He deliberately dragged out the word "Guo" before continuing the sentence: "The one next door."
Xiao Guo rolled her eyes at him: "Stop dreaming, Qingqing didn't even come."
Several boys asked in unison, "Huh? She didn't come? Why?"
"It seems like we're going to entertain relatives from our hometown," Xiao Guo said uncertainly, recalling his conversation with Yan Qing.
Several boys looked dejected and muttered, "What a pity, what a pity."
Xiao Guo glanced at them and said, "Maybe they've already seen through your true colors as toads and don't want to be bothered by you, so they're just making up an excuse."
Zhang Pengbo retorted, "How is this harassment? A beautiful lady is sought after by gentlemen! Qingqing doesn't have a boyfriend yet, right? Then we all have a chance!"
Sun Yuping, who is already married and has a family, also said, "Young lady, why are you boosting others' morale while diminishing your own? We're just as good! I refuse to believe that none of us handsome, talented, and well-rounded boy band members can catch Qingqing." He then patted his chest confidently and asked, "What do you think of your brother? Known as the 'Tony Leung of the Universe,' am I good enough for her?"
Xiao Guo sneered, "Even ordinary toads won't do, so you, a toad that's fallen into the grave of marriage, have even less of a chance!"
Sun Yuping: "Don't exaggerate. How can you elevate a young girl who hasn't even graduated to such a pedestal? Tell me, what kind of person would it take to win her over?"
Xiao Guo smacked his lips a few times with his straw, then squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth: "He has to be handsome, rich, and warm. Let me think of someone... President Shen?"
Zhang Pengbo: "He's handsome, and he's really rich. As for warmth..." He scoffed dismissively, "Mr. Chen has central air conditioning, but it's the cooling kind."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Just as everyone was chattering away, Xiao Dong suddenly straightened up and called out, "President Chen!"
Shen Hanyang arrived sometime earlier and stood not far from the mahjong table. The group that had been chattering just moments before fell silent. The atmosphere instantly became awkwardly quiet. It was the more outgoing Xiao Guo who broke the ice first: "President Shen, the celebration was fantastic! This is like celebrating the New Year early! Thank you to the company, thank you to the leaders!"
Shen Hanyang nodded slightly: "Everyone has worked hard for half a year, so take a good rest."
Upon hearing this, the slightly tense atmosphere immediately relaxed. Xiao Guo then asked, "When does the lottery start? This year I've had a breakup, my landlord breached my lease, and I lost everything in the A-shares market. I'm putting all my luck on the line today, I have to win big!"
Shen Hanyang smiled and said, "Good luck."
After Shen Hanyang left, Xiao Guo touched the non-existent goosebumps on his arm and said to Sun Yuping, "It really is refrigeration."
Shen Hanyang walked around the four banquet halls, dealing with countless greetings of "Hello, President Shen," and waves of toasts and attempts to get closer. Each hall was noisy and chaotic. After a few glasses of iced wine, the dryness in his throat not only didn't lessen, but instead became even more painful, like a burning sensation.
He went down to the second floor. The entire second floor was a KTV, and the high-grade sound-absorbing material on the walls was saturated. All sorts of wailing and off-key singing echoed relentlessly in the corridor. Shen Hanyang walked through the noise and entered the innermost private room—a room reserved for several senior executives of the company—while the vice presidents were still socializing with employees, he was the only one in the room. He sat down on the sofa and massaged his temples.
He took out his phone, first clicking into Yan Qing's social media account, and then scrolling through it all again. One look wasn't enough, so he looked again. Gu Feimeng, Huang Qian, Cheng Jiaming, Qiao Yi… each person held a place in her heart. When his finger landed on the photo taken at Tan Chen Mansion, the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up, a strange sense of pride rising within him. Hmm, this one, rounded up, is practically his.
What's even more gratifying is that Zhuge Moumou didn't leave a single trace.
After completing the Nth reading comprehension exercise for each post, my phone's battery had dropped to 30%.
He opened his contacts with satisfaction, pulled up Yan Qing's number, and was about to dial when Vice President Gou pushed the door open and came in.
When Vice President Gou saw Shen Hanyang, he turned and called out, "He's here!" Two other vice presidents then poked their heads in through the doorway, and the three of them urged him in unison, "President Shen, it's your turn to step in!"
The people scattered throughout the various rooms had now mostly gathered in the largest "Queen's Banquet Hall." The exciting lucky draw was about to begin. A QR code lit up on the big screen, and everyone simultaneously pulled out their phones and scanned it. Those at the back who couldn't scan it were getting impatient, yelling, "Hey you, tilt your head a little! Hey! Your big head is completely blocked!"
After scanning, a scrolling list of numbers appears on each person's phone. Clicking "Confirm" causes the mini-program to capture a number, essentially drawing a winning number. These numbers are then displayed on the scrolling screen, where the draw organizer selects the winner.
Xiao Guo stared intently at the numbers on the screen, chanting incantations, "Heavenly spirits, earthly spirits, Sister Guo will definitely succeed today!" She pressed a button, confirming the number. Next, it was up to the people on stage to use their "golden fingers" to determine the final lucky winner.
While everyone was scanning, Shen Hanyang raised his phone, took a picture of the QR code, and sent it to Yan Qing via WeChat.
"You can participate in the lucky draw."
The initial excitement in the audience gradually turned into quiet murmurs as everyone drew their own four-digit number.
Amidst everyone's expectant gaze, more than a dozen department heads took the stage first. Each of them drew ten numbers as the third prize, and each person received a DJ flagship drone and a Fujifilm XT-5 camera.
Then, the three vice presidents drew the second prize, with a total of fifteen winners. Each winner received a complete Apple product suite: the latest Macbook Pro, iPad, iPhone, AirPods Max, and iWatch.
After the first two rounds of drawing lots, some were happy while others were disappointed. Those who drew lots were overjoyed, while those who didn't were left feeling envious. Zhang Pengbo grumbled, "The third prize is a photography package, and the second prize is a 'show-off' package. Now it's all about the first prize."
Finally, Shen Hanyang appeared after much anticipation, and everyone's emotions reached a climax.
Shen Hanyang was in charge of drawing the first prize. He first glanced discreetly at the silent phone screen, then looked around the audience. As he looked up, several bolder employees shouted, "President Shen, draw my number! I'm willing to be your slave, I'll do whatever you want me to do!"
The people around burst into laughter.
It's no wonder these people are so excited; this first prize is an unprecedentedly high-value one.
Founded ten years ago, Huanyu has expanded its territory in S City, a city teeming with tech companies, achieving remarkable success and multiplying its market value several times over. Some long-time employees who held original shares have already achieved financial freedom. Today's lottery is a hearty and delicious treat for some of the less senior employees, but for the seasoned veterans, it's just a small dessert.
As Shen Hanyang walked onto the stage and picked up the remote control, everyone held their breath.
Waiters bustled between the banquet halls, constantly adding various lobsters, king crabs, sashimi of unknown origin, and beverages without Chinese labels to the long tables. The hotel manager, dressed in a black suit and skirt, stood at the door, repeatedly urging, "Hurry up, we're out of drinks! Add some more fruit! Clear away the plates the guests have used!"
Behind her, the Queen's Banquet Hall erupted in applause and cheers.
By 7:30 p.m., the celebration was basically over, and most people had left. A few who hadn't had enough fun stayed in the KTV or sauna to continue enjoying the free leisure provided by the company.
Shen Hanyang got into the car, and before the car even started, his mind was already racing, like an engine ignited. He sat quietly for a while before picking up his phone.
The message inviting Yan Qing to participate in the prize draw still hadn't received a reply. I was about to turn off my phone, but my finger lingered on the lock screen button for a long time. I opened their chat and sent another WeChat message:
"At school?"
After about twenty minutes, the other end finally responded: "Not here."
"So, what are you busy with, being so taciturn?" he wondered to himself, but didn't want to ask directly. A sudden idea struck him, so he texted again, "I'm going to check on Qiao Yi."
Another twenty minutes passed. "Don't bother, I just went to see him yesterday."
Shen Hanyang's shoulders slumped as he leaned back in his seat.
Yeah, they won't give you an extra word, you have to ask me directly where you are.
At that moment, a strong premonition pointed him in the right direction, like a radar.
He sent a message to Xiao Liang, the IT staff member in charge of the celebration meeting: "Don't close the lottery program for now."
In the dimly lit underground parking garage, the headlights flashed twice like the eyes of a beast in the night, and the black car drove toward the light of the exit.
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