Chapter 10

The explosive popularity of *Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf* across the nation was already an undeniable fact in Shen Zhenghui's plan. In the 1990s, CCTV was unparalleled, having made countless brainless and low-age cartoons famous. Even as the 21st century began and local stations like Hunan TV started to rise, CCTV's position remained unshakable. Sometimes, when Shen Zhenghui recalled the animated shows he watched in his childhood, he found them deeply memorable and even felt a chill.

For Shen Zhenghui, the only thing that satisfied him was that the internal management of CCTV did not seem to hold the animation department in high regard. The signing of *Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf* was merely a formality, and they didn't even bother to hold a press conference. After signing the contract with the deputy director in a low-key manner, Shen Zhenghui began to arrange for his animation company to connect with CCTV. Of course, CCTV might also be embarrassed to publicize this matter on a grand scale, so keeping a low profile became a mutually beneficial choice. Shen Zhenghui couldn't help but imagine what his partners would think when they suddenly saw his company's animated series on CCTV.

The next step was to open toy chain stores nationwide. Whether through land acquisition or franchise expansion, this would allow for rapid deployment and capital accumulation, forming a scale that could then be used as collateral for loans. This was a model that many successful people in the rebirth and穿越 (time-travel) genre had summarized from their personal experiences. Of course, in China, the most important prerequisite was still having connections...

The animation industry park in Pengcheng had already begun to take shape, and the toy company was up and running. Starting with contract manufacturing to gain experience, they then began to develop molds for their own brand of toys. Based on Pengcheng's experience, things were developing much more smoothly than Shen Zhenghui had anticipated. He was eager to return and discuss the next expansion plan with his father and future father-in-law.

Just as Shen Zhenghui was packing his luggage and preparing to leave the hotel for the airport, the doorbell rang. He looked at the clock in the room, finding it a bit strange. "Wang Anran, are you here so early?" he said as he opened the door, but the person standing outside was not Wang Anran.

Sun Jingfang stood coldly at the door.

Shen Zhenghui felt a headache and was at a loss for what to do.

"Are you not going to invite me in?" Sun Jingfang's voice was a bit hoarse.

"Please, come in," Shen Zhenghui scratched his head, stepped aside to let Sun Jingfang in, and then stepped out into the corridor to look around.

"What are you looking for?" Sun Jingfang stopped.

"Nothing," Shen Zhenghui pursed his lips and walked in, "I just thought Wang Anran should be nearby."

"Can't you even face me alone?" Sun Jingfang's lips curled into a sneer.

"I just feel like I'm being..." Shen Zhenghui swallowed the words "manipulated" as he saw Sun Jingfang's expression.

"Do you hate me that much?"

"Not hate," Shen Zhenghui pressed his fingers to his temples, "but just looking at you makes me feel so much pressure. Strange people and things always pop into my mind, and it distracts me." Shen Zhenghui covered his eyes with his palm.

Sun Jingfang walked past Shen Zhenghui and kicked the door shut.

Shen Zhenghui tensed up, "What are you doing?" His posture was like that of a woman who had seen a ghost.

"Shen Zhenghui! Shen Zhenghui!" Sun Jingfang gritted her teeth, "Are you even a man? You have no courage at all."

Shen Zhenghui closed his eyes and opened them after a while, "I should have already told you before, I am a rational person, not someone who is only driven by emotions like love, the kind of Romeo you seek. I can't do that, and I don't want to." He paused, then continued, "Love is one of the most important experiences in life, but it is not everything. I have more important things to do. So, love is not a necessary option, maybe it will become one in the future, but not now."

"You're making excuses, you're a coward!" Sun Jingfang shouted hysterically.

"No, this is the result of rational analysis. While there are many concerns, it has nothing to do with cowardice. I don't want to choose a lifestyle I don't like."

"Hmph," Sun Jingfang snorted, "My brother has talked to you, right?"

"My father has also talked to me," Shen Zhenghui shrugged, "Li Rui has talked to me too, but I didn't mention it."

"What did they say?" Sun Jingfang asked, but then answered herself, "They probably said you don't match me, and told you not to have delusions. They can't represent me. I've already confronted my father, and I will never marry Li Rui." She stared at Shen Zhenghui with a determined look, a hint of pleading in her eyes, "If you try hard, they will accept you."

Shen Zhenghui rubbed his forehead, walked to the bed and sat down. Sun Jingfang sat on the opposite bed and continued to stare at him, "I will change their minds. Look, you've already achieved something. If you keep developing, they will take you seriously."

"How can you not understand, Sun Jingfang?" Shen Zhenghui looked at her seriously, "I admit that it was my fault to have attracted you back then, but I really thought of you as an ordinary female classmate."

"Wasn't I?" Sun Jingfang countered.

"Obviously not," Shen Zhenghui continued, "I don't know whether to be grateful or regretful about my luck back then."

Sun Jingfang listened with pursed lips as Shen Zhenghui continued.

"Whether you admit it or not, and whether you think your identity is good or bad, it is a fact. This fact tells me that once I get involved with you, I will face a series of people because of your identity..."

"I am who I am, my relatives are..."

"Please don't interrupt, listen to me," Shen Zhenghui gestured, "As I said, it is a fact. We have to face this fact. Even when dating ordinary girls, we have to consider their parents' attitudes and whether we can get along. Since you have such an identity, to put it bluntly, you are at least a princess or a noble lady in ancient times. Did those ancient princes and nobles not face any pressure?"

"If you really love me," Sun Jingfang said calmly, "you would face these pressures head-on, and I would stand by your side."

"Don't say that," Shen Zhenghui felt a headache, "People change."

Sun Jingfang curled her lips, "Do you lack confidence in me?"

"I lack confidence in everyone," Shen Zhenghui replied.

Sun Jingfang sneered, "What are you afraid of?"

"Afraid of what?" Shen Zhenghui sighed, "We are still too young, don't easily decide that we will never change."

Sun Jingfang continued to sneer.

Shen Zhenghui glanced at her, "Let's not talk about other things. Fifty years ago, your grandfather's beliefs, were they real?"

Sun Jingfang's face changed.

"Your uncle volunteered to join the army and go to Korea, he said he was sincere. I'm not sure why your younger uncle went to Vietnam."

Sun Jingfang's face grew even more somber.

"Ten years ago, your father changed positions. What he wanted to do then and what he is doing now, can you say he has stuck to his original decision without wavering?"

"You are just making excuses!" Sun Jingfang kicked the floor, "This is different from love."

"Sun Jingfang," Shen Zhenghui said seriously, "At your level, sometimes you have to admit, they are the same thing."

Sun Jingfang seemed to be on the verge of breaking down, "Why are you saying these things? Haven't I heard enough from my father, uncles, and aunts? Do you have to repeat them to me? I worked so hard to take control of my own destiny, and now you are telling me to follow the adults' arrangements? Tell me, is that what you mean?"

Shen Zhenghui was speechless. Even though he felt sympathy for Sun Jingfang, he knew that his sympathy was cheap and useless.

"Jingfang!" He patted her shoulder and looked into her eyes, "You have to rely on yourself," he said, "There are some things I can't help you with, even if I want to."

Sun Jingfang burst into tears on Shen Zhenghui's shoulder.

...

When Wang Anran swiped the card to open Shen Zhenghui's room, he saw Shen Zhenghui sitting on the sofa, staring blankly at the floor, with his packed luggage beside him.

"Are you ready? I'll take you to the airport."

Shen Zhenghui raised his eyes, "Where did you get the card?"

"The cleaner is outside."

Shen Zhenghui's gaze fell again, "Did you wait downstairs until you saw Sun Jingfang leave?"

Wang Anran sat down next to Shen Zhenghui, "I saw her crying as she walked away."

Shen Zhenghui's lips twitched, "I knew it was you."

"You don't have to thank me," Wang Anran patted Shen Zhenghui's shoulder.

"If I die an unjust death one day, I'll thank you from below," Shen Zhenghui stood up and started to pick up his luggage, "Alright, let's go." Behind him, Wang Anran was doing a thorough check of the room like a spy.

"Too disappointing, you are too rational," Wang Anran muttered.

"That's my flaw, and my strength," Shen Zhenghui tilted his head, "I don't want to die an unjust death."

"What kind of society is this now? It's not as serious as you think," Wang Anran dismissed it, "You are really a coward."

"Those who do not plan for the long term are not fit to plan for the short term; those who do not plan for the whole are not fit to plan for a part. You have a lot to learn, in any aspect," Shen Zhenghui responded.