Chapter 54 The Billiards Boy
Time always flies when you're busy, and before you know it, it's the beginning of autumn.
Bubble arrived at the company early and immediately went online to post a message on the official Weibo account announcing the end of the second season of the TV series "Billiard Boys". The update schedule will be significantly slowed down from now on. Fans were very worried and asked one after another, "What happened?"
She didn't reply, but then she posted another Weibo post announcing that the movie version was about to start production. The comments section was in an uproar, especially when everyone saw Lin Sheng's name on the list of main creative team members. Ancient memories were awakened, and many long-time fans who had been lying low for years came out. Within a morning, the news had become a trending topic.
Everyone in Touxueli was preparing for the project launch meeting that afternoon. They heard that the company's news had gone viral, and although they felt proud, no one took the opportunity to brag about it. Only when friends and family messaged them to inquire would they smile faintly and admit, "Yes, it's our company."
It is evident that a company's corporate culture is inextricably linked to the temperament of its leaders. Jian Zhen, Yang Damei, and Lao Le are the three core forces of Touxue's current management team. Jian Zhen is pure, Yang Damei is calm, and Lao Le is pragmatic. Under their management, Touxue is free from exploitation and impetuosity. At the same time, Xu Weisheng and the group he represents stand behind Touxue, giving it strong financial backing so that they do not have to worry about short-term ROI. Therefore, Touxue does not have any survival anxiety or crisis narratives.
This is a peaceful and romantic place, an Eden for a group of idealists.
In the afternoon, He Youjia finished her work and turned around to find the office empty. The clock had already struck 3:15. She quickly packed up her things and went to the large conference room.
In the conference room, Lao Le was introducing the basic information of the project. He Youjia quietly pushed the door open and went in. Bubble in the corner waved to her. She bent over, tiptoed and quickly moved over, and sat down between Bubble and Chen Siying.
"Where were we?" He Youjia asked, flipping open the notebook on her lap and adjusting her glasses.
“Investors and industry consultants.” Paopao gestured with her chin as she looked at the PPT. He Youjia looked up and saw that she didn’t quite understand the “Investors” section, but there were so many familiar names in the “Industry Consultants” section. Some of them were based in South China and had even visited Touxue in person, while others were people she had never even considered and had never heard of having any connection with the company.
"Why is Ma Qiyue here?" Bubble couldn't help but mutter to herself after carefully looking at the PPT.
He Youjia is younger than Paopao, and Dr. Ma—who seems more like a grandfather to her—only remembered which mountain demon he was after hearing Paopao's words, and couldn't help but chime in, "Yes, is he still alive?"
Chen Siying took a deep breath, rolled her eyes, and turned to look at the two of them, saying, "Hey, it's not like only people under twenty-five like you are qualified to make animation, okay?"
Bubble and He Youjia, two cowards, were clearly cowed together by Chen Siying's sharp and mean nature. They both looked at him and said in unison, "Oh~"
Chen Siying felt like she'd punched cotton, and was even more speechless. She could only turn back and continue listening to Lao Le introduce the list of partner companies.
He'd been in Touxue for almost half a year, and frankly, his quality of life now was incomparable to what it was like in Tokyo. The pay was excellent, the prospects were promising, the workload was reasonable, and the work atmosphere was relaxed and free. Apart from the fact that there were too many women around him—which, in retrospect, could be considered an advantage, since although he was gay, he was strongly against office romances—Touxue had no bad points. He could leave work on time every day and see the dazzling sunshine on his way home. Chen Siying felt like he was finally living like a human being.
Even Jian Zhen's promise that he "wouldn't see Xu Weisheng at the company often" has come true. His nemesis will no longer appear in his sight and get in his way. His current "Mr. Crouching Dragon" has become He Youjia, who only knows how to paint but not how to treat people.
This girl is a pure art fanatic. She is insensitive to anything outside of the world of anime and manga, doesn't care about it, and doesn't take it to heart. This often leaves Chen Siying feeling lost and helpless. He can't find any opponents to challenge, so he has to focus all his energy on studying his craft. After being in Touxue for half a year, he thought he had reached the peak of his skills, but he has actually improved a little more... Sometimes when he thinks back on it in the middle of the night, Chen Siying feels both fortunate and emotional.
However, this did not stop him from being as arrogant as a blue peacock at work the next day, showing disdain for everyone except Yang Damei.
Jian Zhen observed their interactions, taking them for granted, and optimistically saw a glimpse of the endearing diversity of humanity in them. She smiled to herself and quickly jotted down a few key points in her notebook.
Yang Damei sat down next to her, looked at what she had written, and smiled knowingly.
The two began to talk in hushed tones.
Jian Zhen asked, "So Chen Siying was your subordinate?"
Yang Damei replied, "Xiao Xu joined Qili in the same year. We were both in my group at the time. I mentored him for two years. When he first came, he was very green and ambitious, causing trouble everywhere. I had to clean up his messes a lot."
Jian Zhen laughed and said, "No wonder, I knew it!"
Yang Damei shook her head affectionately: "Xiao Xu isn't much better. It takes two to tango. The two of them are in the same group, and they argue all the time, it's a real headache."
Chien Chen hummed in agreement, then chimed in, "Two slaps, slap slap, just like at a concert."
Yang Damei chuckled, covered her mouth, and whispered, "When Xiao Xu comes later, don't say this in front of him."
Jian Zhen shook her head indifferently and said smugly, "I'm not afraid of him."
"Tsk!" Yang Damei glanced at her sideways and said, "Why don't you care whether I live or die?"
Jian Zhen was delighted and took out her phone to check for new messages. Xu Weisheng said that he had gone home to change into new clothes and was on his way over, and would be at the elevator soon.
"Okay, remember to send a message when you get to the company entrance, to the main conference room." Jian Zhen typed quickly.
"OK." Xu Weisheng replied with a cute emoji, put away his phone, looked up, and saw that the elevator had arrived. He took a deep breath, calmed himself down, and went inside to press the button for Touxue's 12th floor.
He was the only one in the elevator car. The car door was very clean. Xu Weisheng moved closer and used the reflective elevator door as a mirror. He was fixing his hair when the elevator stopped on the 19th floor and the door opened.
He almost didn't have time to return to a normal standing posture.
That was close! Xu Weisheng took a step to the side, glancing at the newcomer out of the corner of his eye. He was inwardly complaining about the close call when he suddenly realized that the person looked somewhat familiar.
The other person was also secretly watching him. Their peripheral visions met, and before Fang Wei could speak, he looked at the elevator floor buttons, then glanced at Xu Weisheng and asked, "Are you going to Touxue too?"
Xu Weisheng suddenly remembered who he was, turned around to face him, let out a short chuckle, and asked, "Shouldn't I be asking you that? You're the one on the 19th floor who builds airplanes?"
“Uh…” Fang Wei licked his lips, thought for a few seconds about how to explain: “To be precise, it’s about developing small aircraft for the low-altitude economy. The airplanes you’re talking about are generally fixed-wing aircraft, which is a technical term—”
"Fine, fine, fine!" Xu Weisheng interrupted him, suddenly finding the kid rather amusing. He was a stubborn, inflexible engineering student. Given his current status, the kid posed no threat to Jian Zhen at all, so why was he arguing with him?
Xu Weisheng cleared his throat and said seriously, "You don't need to explain too much. I know about the low-altitude economy; it has a promising future. Do a good job."
"Thank you," Fang Wei said politely. "And you are?"
"I drove through the snow." Xu Weisheng had been waiting for him to say this, and now that he had finally delivered the line he was aiming for, he felt incredibly satisfied.
"Huh?" Fang Wei paused for a second, then frowned and said, "Isn't it Teacher Jian Zhen...?"
The elevator doors opened, and the 12th floor was reached. Xu Weisheng stepped out with the air of a master, looking back at Fang Wei in the elevator. Actually, the line he most wanted to say right now was "I am her lover," but unfortunately, it was neither recognized in name nor in law. He had no choice but to settle for second best, raising his chin and saying, "Weren't you coming? They went to a meeting. If you don't come with me, no one will swipe your access card for you."
"Oh." Fang Wei followed eagerly, seeing is believing. Xu Weisheng could indeed swipe open Touxue's access card. He could only accept the information that Touxue had two founders in a daze.
"Everyone's in the main conference room. There's a pretty important project launch meeting today, and I'm not sure if you can attend—" Xu Weisheng said as he walked towards the main conference room.
Fang Wei, following behind him, excitedly interjected, "Is this the launch event for the movie 'Billiard Boys'?"
Xu Weisheng paused, turned around and looked at him with a puzzled expression. How did he know? And why was he so excited? Was he also a fan of anime and manga?
Fang Wei grinned and said frankly, "I saw the news posted on your official Weibo this morning. Actually, I ran into a lot of big names in the animation industry in the elevator this month, so I knew that Touxue was going to make a big move. I didn't expect it to be Little Billiards. I was so excited that I soldered more than a dozen boards this morning. I couldn't sit still, so I came down to take a look."
Xu Weisheng felt a mix of emotions. Good heavens, these were his own fans.
He raised one eyebrow hesitantly and asked, "You...have you ever watched billiards?"
"Of course, I'm a die-hard Lin Sheng fan! Back in the day, I had a friend on the forum with whom I had a deep connection. We were both die-hard fans of Lin Sheng. Later, the forum disappeared, but I never forgot her ID. Guess what? This person was actually Teacher Jian Zhen! Fate is truly amazing!" Fang Wei grinned, showing his big teeth.
Xu Weisheng hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping himself. If this happened to him, he would consider it evidence that he and Jian Zhen were a perfect match. If it happened to anyone other than Fang Wei, it would be a matter of fate. But since it happened to Fang Wei, his most magnanimous reaction was to sigh, "It really is a small world."
The two had arrived at the entrance of the main conference room. It wasn't as lively as they had imagined. Xu Weisheng raised his hand and knocked on the door. Jian Zhen's voice came from inside: "Please come in!"
He pressed down on the handle and pushed open the door. Dozens of fireworks exploded simultaneously, scattering colorful ribbons everywhere. Everyone rushed forward, shouting in unison, "Happy birthday!"
Jian Zhen stood in the center, holding flowers and smiling gently at him: "Happy birthday, Teacher Lin Sheng."
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