Chapter 45

Upstairs, it was noisy and Meng Chengcheng was crying sadly. Zhang Tan, who was on the third floor, heard it and came out to see what was happening. Just then, he saw Xiao Bai running along and leaving the school with her aunt, turning a corner and disappearing into the night beyond the fence.

"What's going on? Why is she crying so sadly?" Zhang Tan asked. Meng Chengcheng was a crybaby, but she usually sobbed softly, not like the wailing now.

"Her father hasn't come yet..." Teacher Xiao Liu explained, adding that if Xiao Bai were with her, Meng Chengcheng would feel much better.

Jiang Bin was by Meng Chengcheng's side, wiping her tears and patting her little head and back from time to time, worried that she might choke from crying. He did what Teacher Xiao Liu should have done, acting like a responsible big brother.

Ding ding ding~~~~

The clock struck midnight, and Meng Chengcheng's father, Meng Guangxin, arrived with the chimes, looking winded and weary.

Seeing that Zhang Tan and Teacher Xiao Liu were both there and that his daughter was obediently watching TV, he let out a deep sigh of relief. From a distance of about five or six meters, he hurriedly bowed to Zhang Tan and Teacher Xiao Liu, apologizing and explaining that he was late because of overtime at work.

"Daddy~~"

Meng Chengcheng, hearing his voice and seeing him, wiped away her sadness and called out happily, rushing over.

Meng Guangxin dropped his work bag and, with some effort, squatted down his chubby body, holding Meng Chengcheng in his arms. His face, covered in sweat and oil, lit up, and his weariness vanished.

"Did Chengcheng behave well?"

"...I cried."

Meng Chengcheng, nestled in her father's arms, wiped his sweat.

Meng Guangxin smiled and hugged her, patting her little head and expressing his gratitude to Zhang Tan and Teacher Xiao Liu.

"I'll take Chengcheng home. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Bye, Chengcheng."

Meng Guangxin, with some effort, bent down again, picked up his work bag, and carried Meng Chengcheng, telling her stories as they left.

Zhang Tan and Teacher Xiao Liu watched them ride off on their electric scooter into the night.

Now, only two children were left in the school. One was Xiao Mi, who was already asleep in Teacher Xiao Liu's room and could be ignored. The other was the oldest boy in the school, 8-year-old Jiang Bin.

Seeing that Zhang Tan and Teacher Xiao Liu were both looking at him, he squeezed his palm and said, "Teachers, you go to sleep. I'm not afraid. I'll wait for my dad here."

Teacher Xiao Liu said, "That's not acceptable."

Jiang Bin's father usually came to pick him up around 11:00 PM, but today he was over an hour late, even later than Meng Chengcheng's father.

"Teacher Xiao Liu, you go rest. I'll stay here with Jiang Bin," Zhang Tan said. It was already so late, and Teacher Xiao Liu had been busy all night, her face showing signs of fatigue.

Teacher Xiao Liu firmly refused. Zhang Tan was her boss, and this was her job; how could she let her boss do it for her?

Beep beep beep~~~~

The sound of an electric scooter's horn came from the courtyard.

Jiang Bin jumped up, looked out the window, and said happily, "Teacher, it's my dad. I'm leaving. Bye."

He ran down the stairs quickly.

"Be careful, don't fall," Teacher Xiao Liu said, worried.

Zhang Tan met Jiang Bin's father for the first time. He was a thin man, wearing a safety helmet and a blue and white vest, dressed like the driver who had taken Zhang Tan home the other day.

Finally, all the children were safely sent home, and the night's work at the school was done. Zhang Tan and Teacher Xiao Liu said goodnight to each other.

The next morning, Zhang Tan packed his things and was about to go to work when he suddenly noticed a fish-belly glass bottle on the living room coffee table. Inside was a black, small creature—a cicada.

He thought for a moment, not caring if Xiao Bai would cry, and released the cicada from the bottle.

If it were left in the bottle all day, he was worried it might die.

The cicada flapped its wings and fell to the ground, paused, and then took off again, flying in a wobbly path and landing on a mulberry tree outside the balcony.

Zhang Tan arrived at the company, and someone was already there—Jiang Rong.

"Boss, you're here. I've made you some tea. Please enjoy," Jiang Rong said with a smile.

"What's this about?" Zhang Tan asked, puzzled.

Jiang Rong: "Haha, I'm joining the team now. I'm no longer part of the evaluation group but a member of the 'Unlucky Bear' production team, so of course, I need to work with you for convenience."

Zhang Tan saw that she had already found her spot in the office, which was 25 square meters and could seat four people.

"Boss, you don't need to worry. I've already talked to Teacher Luo, and he knows I'm coming."

Zhang Tan was taken aback: "You have a wide network of contacts."

"Hehehe, just so-so."

"Don't call me boss, just call me Zhang Tan."

A moment later, Luo Ming arrived. Seeing Jiang Rong, he chuckled and said that the office finally had some fresh blood. It seemed Zhang Tan didn't count as fresh, having been there for less than a month.

Zhang Tan gave Jiang Rong the outline and the first few episodes of the script for 'Unlucky Bear' to study, then left to find Xu Jian.

Xu Jian was in the second writing group on the 10th floor. It was Zhang Tan's first time on the 10th floor, where the second and first writing groups were located. On the 9th floor, where he worked, were the third and fourth writing groups, and the script evaluation group was on the 8th floor, with specific project teams below that.

"Hello, may I ask where Xu Jian is sitting?" Zhang Tan asked a nearby woman.

She looked at him curiously, then saw his name tag.

"Oh, you're Zhang Tan. Xu Jian is over there, by the window."

It sounded like she knew him, but Zhang Tan didn't ask further. He thanked her and walked over, finding Xu Jian at a window seat. He was wearing headphones and typing on his computer, probably listening to music, and didn't notice Zhang Tan's arrival. A man at the opposite seat tapped his computer and pointed to Zhang Tan behind him.

Xu Jian took off his headphones, turned around, and was surprised.

"Zhang? Zhang Tan? Sorry, I didn't hear you. What can I do for you?"

Zhang Tan smiled. "Yes, do you have a moment? I'd like to chat."

Xu Jian hesitated, put down his headphones, and stood up. "Let's go to the meeting room."

He didn't know what Zhang Tan wanted to talk about. He had just been outperformed by him yesterday, so it wasn't likely to be boasting. He had a good impression of Zhang Tan.

When he learned that Zhang Tan was inviting him to join the writing team, Xu Jian was surprised and took a while to recover, making sure Zhang Tan wasn't joking.

"Why me?" Xu Jian asked.

Zhang Tan: "There are so many humorous lines and plots in 'Qiqi's Wonderful World.' With a few tweaks, they can be used in 'Unlucky Bear.' This shows that your style fits 'Unlucky Bear.'"

"Let's work together. It's a long series, and I can't handle it alone. I need someone creative and fun..."

Xu Jian thought for a while and finally agreed. He had put so much effort into 'Qiqi's Wonderful World,' and it would be a waste not to use it.

"Prepare yourself and come over tomorrow."

"No need, I'll come this afternoon. I have nothing else to do here."

Having convinced the person he most wanted to invite, Zhang Tan still needed two more people. Yesterday, Luo Ming had recommended Liu Shi and Jia Yulin from the third group.

Zhang Tan returned to the 9th floor and first found Liu Shi. He was surprised by Zhang Tan's invitation, as they hadn't interacted much before, but this was a good opportunity, and he had no reason to refuse.

The only one left was Jia Yulin, who wasn't in the office.

"He was just here," someone in the same office said. "Call him."

Zhang Tan got Jia Yulin's phone number and called him, explaining his purpose.

"Sorry, I don't have time. Find someone else," Jia Yulin said on the phone.

Zhang Tan didn't give up and continued to invite him, but the other party was firm. Reluctantly, he expressed his regret and decided to find someone else.

As soon as he left, Jia Yulin returned to the office.

"Old Jia, someone was looking for you. It was that new guy, Zhang Tan, inviting you to join the 'Unlucky Bear' team."

Jia Yulin smiled and said, "I already refused. I have unfinished projects."