Chapter 41

Finally, Feng Dong finished reading the script of "Unlucky Bear" with patience, let out a sigh, and gently tossed the script onto his desk, sliding it forward to the other end where Zhang Tan could reach it.

Feng Dong leaned back in his swivel chair, rubbed his eyes, and turned his head to look at a lucky bamboo plant on his desk, remaining silent.

Zhang Tan did not offer any further explanation but sat quietly in his chair, waiting for the team leader to think. The team leader was an experienced screenwriter and did not need any more explanation. After reading the first few episodes, he would have a clear understanding of the entire story and its style.

After a while, Feng Dong turned his head to look at Zhang Tan and said, "There are eight people writing scripts for this project, and each team will recommend one. Once your script is submitted, it won't just represent you; it will also represent our Scriptwriting Team 3. Do you understand?"

Zhang Tan replied, "I understand. 'Unlucky Bear' is something I've thought through carefully. I think it's fine."

Feng Dong had already made up his mind and said, "I can't judge how your script will fare. It might not pass the first round, or it might stand out because it's so unique."

For the 50th anniversary of the station, writing the mascot as an unlucky bear not only requires confidence from the production company but also acceptance from the TV station, which needs to be open-minded.

"So, what do you think, Team Leader?"

Feng Dong said, "Let's submit this one."

He then added, "What else can we do? At this point, we don't have any other options. We can't just not submit a script for our team."

These words seemed to be for his own benefit, to give himself the final resolve. Yes, even if he hesitated, what good would it do? There were no other alternatives; they could only submit Zhang Tan's "Unlucky Bear."

"Leave the script with me; I'll submit it later," Feng Dong said.

"Thank you, Team Leader."

After Zhang Tan left, Feng Dong leaned forward, reached out, and picked up the script from the edge of his desk, flipping through it casually. He thought, "Zhang Tan really had the nerve to write this. Does he not fear failing even this round?"

It seemed he was trying to boost his own confidence. He read the script again, focusing on its strengths. After gathering his thoughts, he stood up, took a big sip of tea, and left the room to find the supervisor and submit the script.

At 2 PM, the supervisor gathered the team leaders for a meeting to discuss the scripts. Each script was sealed, so no one could see who wrote them.

Feng Dong was the first to arrive at the meeting room. A stack of manuscripts was placed in front of his seat. He flipped through them, and there were eight scripts for this review.

When he came to the second-to-last script, "Unlucky Bear," his heart skipped a beat. He felt a bit anxious, unsure how everyone would react.

After all eight team leaders arrived, the supervisor said, "Let's wait a moment; I've also called in Old Liu from the evaluation team."

Just as he finished speaking, Old Liu arrived. With everyone present, the supervisor explained the importance of this project. The Pujiang Film Studio and Pujiang TV Station were sister organizations, and they needed to put extra effort into this celebration.

"Mr. Ma said that we won't make money from this project, but we must make it a high-quality production."

"Now, you have eight scripts. I've called you here to discuss them. In the end, we will select three, then talk to the authors, and finally choose two to submit to the TV station."

The supervisor glanced at the clock and said, "Let's start reading the scripts. We'll go through them one by one in half an hour."

The meeting room was initially noisy but quickly became quiet as everyone lowered their heads to read the scripts. For a moment, only the sound of pages turning could be heard.

Zhang Tan, having submitted his script to Feng Dong, had been preoccupied with this matter and couldn't focus on anything else. In the afternoon, Jiang Rong came over and casually mentioned that Old Liu, the head of the script evaluation team, had gone to review the scripts, which he had told her before leaving.

Old Liu was approachable and got along well with the young people, so it was plausible that he had told Jiang Rong.

Jiang Rong didn't know that Zhang Tan had also written a script for the project. After hearing from Zhang Tan, she felt a mix of envy and jealousy. She then lamented that they were classmates, yet she was still in elementary school while Zhang Tan had already graduated from university. She decided to talk to Old Liu later to see if she could get some practical experience and not be criticized during every evaluation meeting.

Zhang Tan learned that the script review was happening in the afternoon. He was eager to know the results but waited all afternoon. As the clock struck 5:30 PM, it was already time to leave work. He thought the results might come the next day, and just then, Feng Dong called him to come over.

Zhang Tan knew this meant the results were in. He felt anxious as he arrived at Feng Dong's office.

Feng Dong was standing by the window, holding a gray thermos and sipping tea, looking down at the bustling traffic below.

"You're here? Sit down," Feng Dong said, but he didn't sit himself, instead pacing by the window, tired from sitting all afternoon.

"Team Leader?" Zhang Tan asked.

"Your script was reviewed this afternoon. In the end, two were selected, and yours is one of them," Feng Dong said casually, showing no sign of his earlier anxiety.

Zhang Tan's hands, which were hanging at his sides, clenched into fists and then relaxed.

Feng Dong continued, "Tomorrow at 9:30 AM, go to the supervisor. You might need to go to Pujiang TV Station to meet with them. Whether you are ultimately selected depends on their decision. You need to prepare well."

Zhang Tan nodded, understanding. The company had selected two scripts to give the TV station some options. He could imagine that the other selected script would have a different style from "Unlucky Bear."

"Thank you, Team Leader. I'll prepare well."

"Go back and work hard. It's a great opportunity."

Zhang Tan drove to Xichang'an Street and saw a small electric scooter turn into the entrance of Little Red Horse Kindergarten and stop.

A man in a white shirt and slacks was riding the scooter, protecting a little girl with a ladybug backpack. She looked cute and innocent, on the verge of tears. It was Meng Chengcheng.

"Don't cry, baby. Go inside quickly. It's hot outside. Dad has to go to work."

Meng Chengcheng's father gently wiped the sweat from her forehead, despite his own face being shiny with sweat and his white shirt soaked on the back.

The car drove away and parked in the underground parking lot of a nearby urban village. Zhang Tan walked through the alleys and returned to the kindergarten.

On his way upstairs, he stopped by the activity area to check on the children. They were all playing, and Xiaobai was loudly recruiting "chicks."

What's going on? Zhang Tan had intended to just take a quick look, but he stopped when he heard this. The children were playing "Eagle Catching Chicks," but this time, Xiaobai was not the eagle but the mother hen, protecting the chicks.

Meng Chengcheng, who had just arrived at the kindergarten, stood alone, looking dazed. Xiaobai was recruiting chicks while explaining to Meng Chengcheng how to be the eagle.

It seemed they wanted Meng Chengcheng to be the eagle.

Was this to exhaust Meng Chengcheng? She was so timid and innocent; who could she catch besides her own tail?

"You need to be fierce, understand?"

Xiaobai was sharing her experience. Whether you were the eagle or not, you needed to be fierce so others wouldn't bully you.

Meng Chengcheng looked at her, as if she were reading a book from another world.

"Do you understand? Chengcheng? Speak up, don't be a stick... nod your head."

Meng Chengcheng finally nodded, her eyes filled with fear, and she clung to Xiaobai's clothes.

Xiaobai gently pulled her hand away and encouraged her, "You don't just catch me, do you? Do you want to eat me? I'm the chicken mom, and you're what? You're the eagle."

The chicks behind her asked, "This little eagle is too small. She can't even catch us."

Xiaobai turned around, looking fierce, and said in a Sichuan accent, "You little brats! Do you know anything? This is a baby eagle. Big eagles grow from baby eagles. If you want a big eagle, I'll call the principal. The principal will be the big eagle and eat you. Do you like that? Are you scared?"

The chicks immediately quieted down, then started chattering again, but no one questioned whether Meng Chengcheng was too small to be the eagle.

Zhang Tan found this amusing but was hungry. He went back to his room to make dinner.