Chapter 4

In the 90s, the mainland animation festival once saw a surge of activity, with animation magazines and books emerging one after another. The so-called domestic animation forces also once took the stage. Shen Zhenghui was too young back then, living in a remote small county, and was not very aware of the major trends in the domestic animation industry. However, there was a group of people he knew. This group, known as "Jinhong Comic Atomic Bomb," released a series of comic works. Shen Zhenghui had once borrowed these books from his senior classmates and was particularly fond of works like "Shaolin Authentic." As for the person known as Yan Mou, who gained fame in Asia with "Snow Coconut," his impression was mainly of "Summer Track," a story that was not too complex. At the time, Yan Mou's drawing style was already very mature.

Jinhong Company once collaborated with Sichuan's "Science Fiction World" magazine to launch an animation magazine named "Science Fiction World Pictorial" and also known as "Jinhong Comic Atomic Bomb." However, for some reason, this animation magazine was difficult to publish regularly and could only be released as individual issues at irregular intervals. Later, they terminated their cooperation with the "Science Fiction World" magazine. In the 90s, if the spread of animation magazines relied solely on mail order, it was indeed very challenging. If it were the 21st century with a well-developed logistics and courier industry, it would not have been difficult for this group to grow and thrive. However, they were in a very difficult period, and as for their subsequent developments, Shen Zhenghui had paid little attention back then, as his focus was drawn to Japanese animation and subtitle groups.

At this moment, realizing that he was facing someone from the domestic animation industry, Shen Zhenghui suddenly felt a bit dazed.

"Are you a board member?" he repeated.

Liu Xin now looked very confident. "Yes, I am a board member of Jinhong Culture Company."

Shen Zhenghui licked his lips. He remembered how, in his later years, he would search for information about the animation authors he once followed at night. Jinhong Company was born at the wrong time, holding high the banner of idealism, and ultimately met a tragic end. He scratched his head and took a closer look at Liu Xin, feeling that it was quite out of place for this Asuka Langley to be saying such things. "Isn't Jinhong Culture Company about to go bankrupt?" he asked casually.

"Of course not!" Liu Xin was immediately angered by this statement. "We have achieved many accomplishments, you know."

Shen Zhenghui narrowed his eyes. "From the end of 1995 to the end of 1996, you only published six books in a year. At that rate, an animation magazine can't survive." Shen Zhenghui earnestly said, "So, what has your company been doing up to now?"

Liu Xin opened her mouth.

"Is it because the economic situation is bad, and you are planning to cut back on operations and stop publishing regularly?" Shen Zhenghui continued.

Liu Xin, like a frost-bitten eggplant, drooped her head. "The company's situation is indeed not good," she said, "but we are all working hard to get through this difficult time." She explained urgently, "We are all living together and only receiving a small allowance each month, all for the sake of one day making our own Chinese animation industry flourish."

"Such an approach is typical of a socialist cause, but the problem is that it's now the era of reform and opening up, and the market economy. A company that doesn't make money can't survive." Shen Zhenghui shrugged, stood up, and said to Liu Xin, "Let's go!"

"Where are we going?" Liu Xin asked.

"Since you say you work at a cultural company, I'll take a look!" Shen Zhenghui replied.

"I can't possibly take you to where I work; you're not my anyone!" Liu Xin looked wary.

"Of course, I'm not your anyone," Shen Zhenghui rubbed his forehead. "I came back to Pengcheng this time to set up a venture capital fund, but I've been dragged out by my parents for matchmaking and other things, so I haven't done any real work."

"What does that have to do with me?" Liu Xin asked, puzzled.

"I suddenly think that investing in China's animation industry could be a very interesting thing." Shen Zhenghui blinked.

"Hero!" Liu Xin immediately reached out and grabbed Shen Zhenghui's arm. "I'm willing to be your girlfriend."

"I'm not interested!" Shen Zhenghui pushed away Liu Xin's arm. "First, take me to your company for an inspection. I won't invest if there's no future in it."

"Okay, right away, let's go now." Liu Xin stood up, walking beside Shen Zhenghui like a servant. When the waitress came to settle the bill, she rushed to pay, and with the waitress's puzzled gaze, she enthusiastically followed Shen Zhenghui out of the coffee shop, as if she were his secretary.

Shen Zhenghui had come in his mother's car, and it seemed his mother had gone with his father, leaving the car behind. So, Shen Zhenghui drove the Honda, taking Liu Xin to her workplace.

"Japanese car!" Liu Xin complained patriotically as soon as she got in the car.

"Then shall we take a taxi?" Shen Zhenghui stopped turning the key, turning to look at Liu Xin. "Of course, you pay."

"No, forget it, Japanese car it is!" Liu Xin forced a smile.

But when the car started, she exclaimed, "I'm still wearing this outfit!"

"You can take it off; I don't mind." Shen Zhenghui answered without turning his head.

"Fat chance!" Liu Xin pouted. "Anyway, I have clothes at the office; I'll change there. Where are you driving? Nanshan District, Dengliang Garden!"

"That's a residential area!"

"Exactly!" Liu Xin said confidently. "Aren't residential areas cheaper than office buildings?"

Shen Zhenghui pursed his lips. "I've found a long-term investment opportunity and am sharing it with you for free. If you can tolerate an investment cycle of over ten years, buying property is a good channel, guaranteed to appreciate, with returns higher than loan interest rates!"

Liu Xin pouted. "Earning money is my parents' job. Besides, my family builds houses."

"That explains why your parents are eager to get you married." Shen Zhenghui nodded seriously.

"Why?" Liu Xin asked curiously.

"Probably because they can't afford to keep you anymore, so they want to get you married quickly so that your husband can support you." Shen Zhenghui, while driving seriously, made a cold joke.

"Ha!" Liu Xin dismissed Shen Zhenghui's words, but then she looked a bit worried. "Actually, my father has been asking me to reclaim my shares in Jinhong Company. The company has never made a profit."

"Just tell him the company is in negative assets, and the investment is a loss," Shen Zhenghui glanced at Liu Xin. "Are you planning to sell yourself? Like me, investing sometimes earns money and sometimes buys lessons and experience." Saying this, Shen Zhenghui blushed a bit.

Liu Xin sighed. "If I really had shares, it would be fine, but actually, that money was an unconditional donation to the company."

"Really?" Shen Zhenghui slammed on the brakes, almost hitting the car in front. Fortunately, there was no car behind him, or there would have been a rear-end collision.

Liu Xin was also startled in the passenger seat. "Drive more carefully!"

Shen Zhenghui took a deep breath and started following the car in front. "How much did you invest?" he asked.

Liu Xin was a bit embarrassed. "Only a hundred thousand or so..."

"You are indeed a young lady," Shen Zhenghui sighed, pursing his lips. "So, you not only provided money but also worked for free?"

Liu Xin nodded confidently. "All for the development of the domestic animation industry!"

"You are indeed passionate!" Shen Zhenghui sighed, stepping on the gas.

Liu Xin, who had not been influenced by otaku terminology, was confused. "Hey, what do you mean by that?"

"Nothing, it's a compliment," Shen Zhenghui said casually.

"I can't hear any compliment in that," Liu Xin frowned.

"It is a compliment," Shen Zhenghui narrowed his eyes. "However, even though you have such feelings for the domestic animation industry, it's hard to say what effect your actions will ultimately have."

"What do you mean?" Liu Xin demanded.

As the car approached the entrance of the residential area, Shen Zhenghui found a parking spot and stopped. Liu Xin got out of the car, and Shen Zhenghui shrugged. "You lead the way!" In fact, there was no need for guidance, as the sign for Jinhong Culture Company was on the balcony of one of the buildings. Liu Xin walked angrily to the building. "You better explain what you mean!"

"Nothing," Shen Zhenghui pursed his lips. "Since it's the era of the market economy, success naturally has to be tested by the market. That is, any company that cannot make a profit will ultimately not survive, no matter how significant it is to some people—of course, industries involving national security and social stability are not within our discussion."

"Then why do you say you want to invest?" Liu Xin countered.

"Because I don't live for dreams like you do," Shen Zhenghui shrugged. "The animation industry is clearly profitable and can make a lot of money, provided it follows my approach."

"If we don't agree with your approach..." Liu Xin rolled her eyes.

"I'll find other animators who agree with my approach; it won't be a loss for me." He shrugged.

Liu Xin opened the door, and the four-bedroom, two-living-room apartment had been completely transformed into a workspace. The living room was full of desks, with some people working at their desks and others walking around. Stacks of printed books were piled in the corners. The most eye-catching was a bookshelf against the wall, neatly arranged with various Japanese and Hong Kong animations, many of which were original editions.

Shen Zhenghui and Liu Xin's arrival did not attract much attention. Many people just nodded at Liu Xin, even ignoring her unusual attire. Looking at these busy young people, Shen Zhenghui felt a bit moved.

"I'll go change," Liu Xin said. "Then we'll find Sister Hong to talk."

"Who is Sister Hong? Your CEO?" Shen Zhenghui asked.

"Sister Hong is the overall manager," Liu Xin replied irritably. "Wait here and don't disturb anyone." She then greeted a young man working at a desk, pointing to Shen Zhenghui and saying he was her friend. The young man nodded at Shen Zhenghui and returned to his work.

Liu Xin walked into a bedroom and closed the door. Shen Zhenghui looked around the living room of Jinhong Company. He first looked at the shelves of animation books, where a sign read, "Though stealing books is not stealing, it is a painful cut for us." This made Shen Zhenghui smile. Then he looked at the young people drawing, who seemed to have considerable skills, but from his observation, their creative process was not very standardized, and many of their setting materials were quite rough. Seeing this, Shen Zhenghui couldn't help but shake his head.