Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
On the third day of the Lunar New Year, there was knocking on the door. Someone came to pay a new year visit! The one that came was no stranger, but in fact it was his mother’s second brother, He Guo Fu. This time, his uncle came with his whole family. They carried a lot of things in their hands.
“Hello bro, you’re home as well!” He Guo Fu’s son, He Hai Tao, had wide eyes upon seeing Chen Jin, who opened the door. He gave him a smile from ear to ear. He looked up to Chen Jin as his idol. After entering the house, he whispered in Chen Jin’s ear, “Bro, you are my idol now!”
Two days ago, when he visited his grandparent’s house, He Hai Tao had already met his cousin. However, he was almost squeezed to death. A bunch of wimpy kids surrounded Chen Jin, asking for autographs, photos, and red packets. Their piercing screams made those who were unaware think that it was a fan meeting of some international artist.
Of course, He Hai Tao got himself an autograph, and he was the first one to get it! An autograph of the future billionaire and the boss of a tech giant, how many people would become envious of it? He Hai Tao kept his autograph in a dignified manner. He thought that the autograph would be worth millions and even become a precious relic, and so he vowed to pass it down to his descendants. He Hai Tao did not realize that his screams and shouts that day were on par with those wimpy kids.
During the new year’s visit at the He family, the family that enjoyed the limelight was naturally He Li’s family. They became the spotlight in the He family. Chen Jin’s grandfather, He Chang Hou, was smiling widely. He dragged Chen Jin to sit beside him. He received a mysterious gift from Chen Jin and after he was told about its features, he was stunned. Tears rolled down from his aged face. “This is hope for the rise of our country!”
Chen Jin said, ” Waigong, you must live until a hundred years old and witness the Z nation’s era of might and prosperity.”
“Good, good!” his grandfather told him.
Aunt He Jia, who was always in the spotlight in the past, was cast aside and became literally transparent this year. She kept quiet as she listened to her elder sister sharing her parenting experience; the melancholy in her heart shadowed her spirit.
There was other good news, however. Uncle He Guo Qiang was promoted as the vice-mayor of Su Hing city! He was taking the wheel in building the second large-scale foundry in the industrial park under his administration. He found billions of investments in just a shor ttime, and so he was valued by his superiors because of his excellent performance.
Because of this, He Guo Qiang’s face was beaming with pride. Even the volume he spoke at became significantly louder. The vexation between his eyebrows also vanished. He pulled Chen Jin to a corner in private and said, “Chen Jin, on that matter… thanks to you, really.” He felt relieved being able to enter the municipal party committee before he turned 50, as it meant that his future in politics was cinched.
Chen Jin smiled lightly.
…
Inside the house, He Li took the things from her brother’s hands. “Just coming is enough, why are you bringing so many things?” she asked, a weird expression on her face.
“Sis, these things are all special products, you can’t find them on the market. It took Man Hong lots of effort to get these.” He Guo Fu looked at his wife and winked.
Lu Man Hong got his hint, andwith a broad smile, she said, “Sis, all of these things aren’t worth a lot, but they are very effective in facial nourishment and enriching the blood.”
He Li glanced at her and nodded. “That’s very considerate of you.”
Lu Man Hong instantly felt relieved.
…
In the afternoon, He Li and Lu Man Hong joined forces in the kitchen. Lunch was very sumptuous, with duck, fish, and seafood dishes covering the entire dining table. The dishes were scrumptious.
He Guo Fu finally brought up his other motive for this new year visit. “Jin, why don’t you give me the intellectual property for the ‘Wa-wah Robot’ series, my company’s film-making department can definitely make a better sequel!”
Lu Man Hong could not hold herself back and said, “That’s right Jin, keep the goodies within the family, your uncle’s company has produced eight tv series and five movies within the past few years. His company signed more than 80 artists and has an experienced production team. So, why don’t you give the IP for ‘Wa-wah robot’ to your uncle?”
Erm…
Chen Jin began mulling as his eyebrows tightened.
“What’s the issue, Jin, do you feel conflicted? Actually, there is no need to feel conflicted, changing partners is normal. If you feel uneasy telling your current partner, I can do it for you,” said He Guo Fu.
Lu Man Hong added, “Business partnership is just like this, the only thing to consider is who will be more suitable, and not partnership history. Your uncle will be the best fit for this.”
“He’s not!” Chen Jin shook his head vigorously. “Uncle, I can’t give you the IP for ‘Wa-wah robot,’ I’m not at ease giving it to you, so… I’m very sorry.”
He Guo Fu was stunned by his straightforward rejection. Not being able to adjust to the situation, he said with a smear of emotion, “Why? Jin, don’t you remember how much I doted on you when youweare still a kid? I was reluctant to spend half of my monthly salary just to buy you the transformer set you loved. Did you forget?”
“Uncle, of course I remember how well you treated me, but don’t you have self-consciousness on your company’s movie production qualities?” Chen Jin shook his head. “That movie that was quite popular on the internet recently, ‘Mainland Assault,’ was your company’s production, am I correct? What do you think about its quality? Commander-level characters being unable to catch up to mere fighters, plus they’re on horses as well. Tell me, can you even bear to watch a film like this? Uncle, the brand image of the Wa-wah robot is very important, its brand value far exceeds a billion-dollar box office. I can’t let the Wa-wah Robot’s brand value plummet just for some movie tickets.” Sorry was all he could say.
He Hai Tao also mocked his father, “Dad, just let your company work on ads and forget about making films! ‘Mainland Assault’ was such an incredible novel, and yet your film adaptation made so many changes to it, when people asked me about it, I just felt like digging a hole and hide inside… dad, you are seriously not meant for this.”
Lu Man Hong gave him a fierce stare. Who mocks his own father like that? When we go back I’ll teach you a lesson.
“Ahem ahem…” He Guo Fu coughed continuously. The emotion that resided within him instantly faded. It was replaced by immense awkwardness. He realized that he was unable to counter what Chen Jin had said. His son’s mockery made his face red, and he was unable to spout any words.
To console his uncle, Chen Jin said, “Uncle, you can invest in Wa-wah Robot’s sequel, or send some technical staff over and join Shi Xiaotao’s team to let them learn about movie production.”
He Guo Fu’s eyes brightened. “Sure, I’ll invest! 300 million! I want to invest 300 million!”
“I can’t have a say on this, it depends on whether Shi Xiaotao allows it or not; the most I can assure you is 100 million.” Now, Shi Xiaotao became the most sought-after movie director within the country. In addition to her owning the intellectual property for ‘Wa-wah Robot,’ many investors were striving to give her money. She was not worried at all about funding. On the other hand, she had to worry about offending others if she were to reject their investments. I’m afraid that Shi Xiaotao won’t be elated with uncle’s 300 million investment, she might feel difficult instead.
“Alright, I’ll invest 100 million for now! If I can add on in the future, do inform me right away Jin!”
“No problem.”
…
After the new year’s visit. Downstairs. Lu Man Hong quickly held and pinched He Hai Tao’s ears. “You b*****d, who talks about their father like that? Your father and I wasted our doting on you!”
“Ahhhh it hurts, sorry mom, sorry, I was wrong!” He Hai Tao begged his mother for mercy.
“Is it really true… I’m not meant for movie-making?” He Guo Fu, on the other hand, looked like he had taken a beating on the inside, falling into a state of self-doubt.