An Expert Is actually By My Side - Chapter 40

Chapter 40: A Talent!

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
“Boss!”
Just a minute after the people from the Dami Corporation left, before Cloud Hao even had time to sit down and rest, Sun Xiaoteng excitedly walked in with a document folder.
When Lin Jun saw that the boss and the heads of other departments had matters to discuss, he took the initiative to leave.
He didn’t have a choice. This office was just too small, and it was really inconvenient to have a discussion when there were too many people around.
“Boss! Boss! Let me tell you, I found a treasure while strolling down the streets the day before yesterday! Wow, that older sister—Oh, no, she’s younger than me. Anyway, that younger sister has an incredible demeanor! She’s beautiful, and her figure is great. You can tell at a glance that she’s superstar material! So I approached her, and guess what? She’s even in the faculty of music!”
Sun Xiaoteng’s eyes twinkled like stars as she spoke. It was evident that she was feeling over the clouds.
This girl who had just been suffering from depression a few days ago must be feeling joy from the bottom of her heart. She had finally come out of her self-isolation and took the first step in her career.
In contrast, her boss had mixed feelings about this.
“Is her name Lin Mengmeng?”
“Eh?” Raising her index finger and pushing down the big round glasses, Sun Xiaoteng looked at Cloud Hao unexpectedly. “Boss… do you know her?”
I more than just know her…
We even ate together several times.
Cloud Hao sighed.
“I don’t know her… Uh, rather, you should just take it as I don’t know her. Anyway, don’t let her know that I’m the boss of Cloud Dream Entertainment.”
At least…
Just in case something unexpected crops up.
After all, I can’t let her know that I’m the person who duped her.
Nodding in confusion, Sun Xiaoteng agreed even though she didn’t understand the purpose behind this.
“Okay, okay, no problem… By the way, Boss, there’s one thing. Hehe, I have to thank you.”
“What’s that?”
Embarrassedly lifting her index finger to push her glasses up, Sun Xiaoteng bashfully continued, “I used to be someone who didn’t talk much. My mum always said that it was because I stayed at home for too long and was always gloomy… That’s why I ended up with depression.
“But then! I heard your speech!”
All of a sudden, she became energetic, her eyes sparkling with confidence.
“Ever since then, I feel like I’ve become a different person. My entire body is brimming with enthusiasm that I can’t finish using. I dare to look into the eyes of others while talking.”
Does chicken soup for the soul have such an effect?
But ultimately, the result is good…
Looking at the spirited Sun Xiaoteng, Cloud Hao said in an encouraging tone, “You… might have stayed home for too long. Just go out and walk around more.”
Sun Xiaoteng nodded vigorously and said, “Yeah! So… thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to toughen myself up!”
“You’re welcome. This is still mainly due to yourself.”
When Sun Xiaoteng looked at her embarrassed boss, a smile crept onto her face. She continued shyly, “That… Anyway, thank you. By the way, there is something else that I might have to trouble you for.”
“It’s no trouble at all. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have anything—”
Halfway through his sentence, Cloud Hao suddenly had an idea, and he slammed on the brakes.
He had a bad premonition as he asked cautiously while looking at the bashful Sun Xiaoteng, “…What is it?”
With a delighted expression on her face, Sun Xiaoteng said, “Well, didn’t I help her sign up for the “Stairway to Stardom” auditions? Can you contact Master Somewhere Deep in the Clouds to see if it’s convenient for him to write a song for Ms. Lin?”
“…Stairway to Stardom?”
When he heard this, Cloud Hao finally remembered.
During lunch just now, Lin Mengmeng had told him about it in all seriousness. It seemed to be a singing competition.
Seeing her boss finally react, Sun Xiaoteng nodded earnestly.
“Yes! It’s the talent show predicted to have the highest ratings this year! If you want to debut as a singer, there is no more suitable opportunity than this!
“I can tell you with one hundred percent certainty that if it’s a song written by Master Somewhere Deep in the Clouds, coupled with Lin Mengmeng’s voice and singing skills, we will definitely win the championship!”
Although he knew that only he could see the hidden potential of 9 points, Cloud Hao couldn’t help but ask, “Did you ever consider letting her go down the acting route?”
“The acting route? Why would I when she sings so well?” Sun Xiaoteng stared at Cloud Hao blankly. “Besides, even if we want to go down the acting route, our company doesn’t have the resources, do we…?”
That…
Seems to be the case.
Filmmaking was a huge transaction that flushed tens of millions down the toilet at every turn. For a small company like theirs, with an office area of less than 50 square meters, it was rather tricky.
Although packaging a singer was also not an easy task, it was still cheaper than making a movie.
Cloud Hao was silent for a while. Eventually, he gave up and sighed. “Okay, I’ll communicate with that… Somewhere Deep in the Clouds. Leave it to me.”
“Okay, okay! In that case, thank you!”
Once her boss agreed, Sun Xiaoteng finally heaved a sigh of relief. There was even a spring in her footsteps as she left his office.
Looking at her back view, Cloud Hao pinched his nose bridge in slight distress.
What am I supposed to do about this?
Should I write the lyrics for “He’s a Pirate”?
Putting aside the fact that I don’t have the required writing skills, her voice and demeanor aren’t suited for such a heroic style.
Just when Cloud Hao was having a headache, Li Zongzheng, the only one in the company who did not cause trouble for his boss, walked over with a frown on his face.
“Boss, I have already familiarized myself with the game editor that you asked me to look at… When will I officially be given a job?”
Cloud Hao noticed that Li Zongzheng had plenty to say. He was slightly stunned and asked, “Are you not satisfied with your current job?”
“No, I’m very satisfied with the benefits… I just feel too bored.” Li Zongzheng touched the back of his head and continued, “Being a game designer is my dream. The reason why I gave up on bridge designing, which I am familiar with, is to apply for a job here. It’s because—”
“Okay, say no more. I get you.”
Cloud Hao sighed and stopped this guy, who was halfway through his speech.
After pondering for a moment, he continued, “It just so happens that I have a request here. I’ll email it to you in a while. You can develop the game according to my needs.”
When he heard that he finally had work to do, Li Zongzheng’s expression instantly turned to one of excitement.
“Can I ask what type of game it is?”
“Parkour.”
“Jump” should be considered parkour, right?
Cloud Hao felt embarrassed to tell him that it was jumping on squares. After all, not only this employee with aspirations, even he himself thought that this idea was a bit too simple.
However, what he didn’t expect was that even in this case, Li Zongzheng’s face showed slight disappointment as he muttered, “Parkour? What’s so good about parkour games… Nowadays, RPGs are the rage. If we make parkour games, will anybody even play them?”
F*ck!
Are you the boss, or am I?
Are employees nowadays all so domineering?
No wonder it’s the number one superpower in the world…
Nearly choking on his own saliva, Cloud Hao took a deep breath and continued calmly, “Don’t underestimate this game. Often, the simpler the gameplay, the more amazing things are hidden inside. Like 2048, it’s just a game of numbers, but one million copies were sold… You understand what I mean, right?”
Li Zongzheng touched the back of his head. It was obvious that he didn’t quite understand.
One million copies were sold because the price was only one yuan…
To put it bluntly, is 2048 even considered a game?
At least, it’s not in line with my aspirations.
Cloud Hao also noticed that this guy couldn’t get the hints. He sighed and patiently changed the way he put it across to him.
“In short, this project is very important to our company. I’m assigning it to you because I believe that with your abilities, you can definitely do it well. I hope that you won’t let my trust and expectations down!”
Although he was still slightly baffled as to why his boss wanted him to create a parkour game, Li Zongzheng’s expression gradually turned serious when he met his boss’s earnest gaze.
“Don’t worry, leave it to me. I’ll definitely live up to your expectations!”
“Good energy,” Cloud Hao barely forced out a word of encouragement. Then, he nodded and continued saying, “I still have something on later, so I won’t be in the company. If you have any questions, you can contact Lin Jun or me.”
Cloud Hao left Li Zongzheng, who was filled with the fighting spirit, alone. He spun around and left the company in a hurry, as if he was unwilling to stay there for another second…
…
At the same time, in the Dean’s office of the College of Mathematics…
Looking at the answer on the paper, Dean Wang Shuangquan’s eyes widened. It was a long while before he slowly moved the paper aside and looked at Professor Li Xuesong, who was standing before his table.
“You said this question… was actually solved by a freshman from the College of Software Engineering?”
The last major question that supposedly no one could solve.
The number theory question that supposedly even the main examination committee had no solution for and could only send it to the Peking Research Institution…
It was actually solved by a freshman?
Dean Wang Shuangquan was in utter disbelief. After all, even he himself, who had received the question in the morning, didn’t have a clue. He had spent a whole morning but to no avail.
“It’s absolutely true.” Professor Li Xuesong nodded his head with difficulty. He continued with a conflicted expression, “When the class was handing in the assignment, not only was he late, but he also said that he didn’t bring it. I thought that he was lying, so I got him to do it on the blackboard… In the end, he really solved it.”
Professor Li Xuesong was ashamed to say that when he asked Cloud Hao to answer the question, he didn’t think that Cloud Hao would be able to solve it at all.
However, unfortunately, not only did he solve it, but the answer was also beautiful and flawless, making others feel like awarding him a special prize.
Furthermore, what made Professor Li Xuesong the most incredulous was that judging from the student’s state back then, he probably hadn’t even seen the question before. He only started thinking about it when he was standing at the lectern.
Li Xuesong could still remember the one thought he had in his mind at that time.
This kid is truly a monster!
“He’s a talent!”
Seeing the answer-like explanation on the draft paper, Professor Wang Shuangquan pondered for a long time before speaking, “Why don’t you go and ask him… if he wants to transfer to the College of Mathematics?”
Li Xuesong froze for a moment. He then asked hesitantly, “Are you suggesting for him to change colleges?”
“Yes, it’s such a waste of resources for a talent like him to become a programmer,” Professor Wang Shuangquan said while shaking his head. “But you should also remember not to push him too hard. It’s best to build a good relationship with him first, then mention it when the time is ripe. After some time, I will go to the Software Engineering College to find their dean and persuade him to see if we can work things out.”
Hearing about something so troublesome, Li Xuesong felt a headache coming on. In the end, he just sighed.
“…I’ll try my best.”