Chapter 11

Just three months into 1998, Liu Dekai was already eager to force his daughter to get married to Shen Zhenghui.

"Dad, are you crazy? I'm not even of legal age to get married yet!"

"Nonsense, you were born in 1977, so you're already 21. The legal age for women to get married is 20, so you're definitely old enough."

Liu Xin was at a loss, torn between laughter and tears, "I don't want to get married yet. Besides, Shen Zhenghui and I aren't even dating; we're just business partners."

"Stop lying. If you two weren't getting married, why would I go to such lengths to help the Shen family?"

Liu Xin shot her father a disdainful look, "I think it's the opposite. Clearly, you've taken on a lot of projects from them, and you're planning to expand your construction company, right?"

"Hey, you're really siding with the in-laws before you're even married. What do you mean I'm taking advantage? Wasn't it me who took you to Minister Wu to get your animation series aired on TV? Do you think my old face is worth nothing? When Shen Zhenghui casually mentioned building an industrial park, I not only invested and supported it but also took on the construction myself. Could he find another company to do it like me? I've invested money and haven't even recouped my costs yet!" Liu Dekai said angrily.

"Alright, Dad, I'm sure Uncle Shen and Shen Zhenghui won't treat you unfairly, so don't worry."

"Huh, you're already thinking like a Shen family member before you're even married. What do you mean they won't treat me unfairly? I tell you, I need to see returns on my investment. I'm doing this for your sake, not for myself. When you get married, it will be a guarantee for our family's assets. Do you think I want these things for myself? Silly girl, they're all for you!"

"Uh-huh." Liu Xin nodded absentmindedly.

"Look, this guy went to Beijing quietly and came back saying the animation series is airing there. He's planning to open a chain of toy stores nationwide, which will cost a lot of money. He's talking about a few billion yuan. If this continues, his ambitions will grow, and he might end up leaving you for some high-ranking official's daughter. What will you do then?"

Liu Xin couldn't relate to her father's practical concerns and turned to her mother for support.

Shang Rongmei frowned and glared at Liu Xin, "What do you do all day? You finally started working with others, but why aren't you dating anyone? Last time in Beijing, why didn't you go with him? If he meets his old female classmates in Beijing, what if they rekindle their old feelings?"

Under the combined pressure from her parents, Liu Xin felt like she was about to break.

"Regarding marriage, we can't be the ones to bring it up. You need to find a way to make Shen Zhenghui talk to his parents about it, and we'll support you from the sidelines. Of course, if you can create some facts, that would be even better."

Liu Xin tapped her head, "I have a meeting at the company tomorrow, so I'm going to bed."

"Does your company really need you to handle these things? Remember what I said tonight and start working on it early."

Liu Xin finally gave in.

The next day, when Liu Xin rushed to the animation base, Shen Zhenghui was discussing work with Huang Wei, the screenwriter of "Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf."

"Isn't the preparation time too short if we want to release it by New Year's Day or Spring Festival? We only have a few months left," Huang Wei said worriedly.

"First, get the story ready, and then hand the production over to the production department," Shen Zhenghui turned to Yan Kai, "Recruit as many people as you can. No matter what, we need to finish the film by the end of the year."

Yan Kai looked pained, "We have no experience with animated films!"

"Then hire experienced people. Aim for the best. I don't care what methods you use, but I'll talk to Li Hong and Ah Heng. You can get their people to help, but the production schedule must meet my requirements."

"This is a lot of pressure," Yan Kai said with a bitter smile.

"We'll share the box office revenue," Shen Zhenghui said, then looked at Huang Wei, "Both departments need to work closely together. Let's all put in our best effort."

They looked at each other and nodded, "We'll do our best."

"Don't put too much pressure on yourselves. This is just a test to see how big the domestic animation market is. I'm not expecting you to reach Miyazaki's level."

Yan Kai was taken aback, "Miyazaki, your standards are really high."

"Aim high, and you'll achieve the middle; aim for the middle, and you'll achieve the low; aim for the low, and you'll achieve nothing," Shen Zhenghui said, leaving the two men speechless.

"Also, if you do a good job," Shen Zhenghui squinted at Yan Kai, "What about turning 'Snow Coconut' into a TV series?"

Yan Kai looked delighted.

"Of course, the precondition is that you finish the novel first. Otherwise, I won't give you a penny for 'Snow Coconut.'"

He painted a grand picture, and his subordinates went off to work hard. Liu Xin stepped out from the side, "Are you really going to make an animated film and turn 'Snow Coconut' into a TV series?"

"The first one is obvious; we can't have so many people sitting around doing nothing. The second one, well, talking about it doesn't cost anything."

"Ah, you're so bad."

"Then go talk to Minister Wu. If the TV station buys it, I'll definitely do it," Shen Zhenghui spread his hands, "Let's put in our best effort. We'll see what happens in twenty years. Of course, if it were the 1980s, it would be even better..."

Before Liu Xin could think about the 1980s and animation, Li Hong ran over excitedly. The animation and manga departments were in the same building, so they often exchanged ideas, but Li Hong seemed to be specifically coming to Shen Zhenghui, "Mr. Shen," she said excitedly, "A reporter from 'Youth Literature' wants to interview you."

"Interview me?" Shen Zhenghui rubbed his chin.

"Yes, after hearing about your achievements, they want to recommend you as one of the top ten young people in the province, so they want to interview you first," Li Hong seemed more excited than if she were being recommended herself.

"Please reject it for me," Shen Zhenghui said indifferently.

"Eh, why?" Not only Li Hong but also Liu Xin were surprised and confused.

"Fundamentally, I'm a second-generation rich kid, right?" Shen Zhenghui asked.

"Uh, I guess so," Li Hong hesitated, while Liu Xin nodded.

"As a second-generation rich kid, with such excellent resources, isn't it easy to succeed in business and stand out, attracting talented people like Sister Hong and Brother Heng to work for me?" Shen Zhenghui patted his chest, "So if a reporter interviews me, I don't know what to say about my achievements. Should I tell them that my parents and Liu Xin's parents prepared millions for us to start a business? That would just stir up envy."

"But, didn't you show exceptional insight and achieve success in the animation industry?" Li Hong couldn't help but say, "Isn't that a matter of vision and ability?"

"That's even more reason not to say it," Shen Zhenghui shook his head, "How do we explain that our animation series received subsidies and was included in the government's support plan in Pengcheng City as soon as it aired? That would be openly admitting we have connections in Pengcheng City, which would stir up even more envy than being a second-generation rich kid."

"Uh..." Li Hong was stunned and looked at Liu Xin, who also looked surprised.

"So, Sister Hong should be the one nominated as one of the top ten young people. Think about all the work you've done for China's animation industry. You started from scratch, dedicating all your energy and assets to this cause, driven by an idealistic attitude to promote the development of China's animation industry. Although you eventually met a speculative second-generation rich kid, which greatly boosted your cause, if you hadn't already had the necessary capabilities, just relying on funding and policy wouldn't have achieved such results," Shen Zhenghui patted Li Hong's shoulder, "So, when telling your story, it should be about your achievements. As the boss, my role is mainly in business decisions, and the rest of the work is done by the team..."

Li Hong, dazed by his words, went back to meet the reporter.

Liu Xin stayed behind, looking at Shen Zhenghui with a hesitant expression.

"Do you want to be one of the top ten young people?"

"No, no," Liu Xin waved her hands, feeling a bit shy, "I want to talk to you."

"Sure, we can meet somewhere quiet tonight," Shen Zhenghui said casually.

Liu Xin was surprised and a bit embarrassed, "Um..."

"Let me say this upfront: getting married is out of the question."

Liu Xin's shyness vanished, "Why?"

"Well, we're so young. Shouldn't we focus on our careers and achieve something first?" Shen Zhenghui widened his eyes, "By the way, I was going to talk to you about your role in the company. What do you plan to do in the future? Management or technology? Are you interested in directing girls' animation?"

Liu Xin felt her mind going blank. She couldn't process what Shen Zhenghui was saying, "I'm a bit confused. Let me calm down first."

"Okay." Shen Zhenghui watched as Liu Xin left the office.

Looking at her back, Shen Zhenghui muttered to himself, "Can the team still have fun together?"

Page AD starts

Page AD ends