Chapter 46: Hello, Miss Liu, You Look So Gorgeous

Chapter 46: Miss Liu, You’re So Beautiful

This was an era dominated by IT.

What seemed like expensive and high-end computers now would, within the next decade or even just a few years, become standard tools in every household.

It was a market brimming with immense potential, on the brink of flourishing vitality.

Chen Weiwei had always believed this.

So, after graduating from university, Chen Weiwei dedicated herself to the related industry. After several years of diligent work, she mastered both computer software and hardware thoroughly. With her first earnings combined with some money from her family, she founded “Bluebird” Technology.

However, she had entered the market somewhat late.

Since stepping into the field in 2004, many foreign computer brands had aggressively invaded China, claiming a large slice of the market. The domestic giant, United Tech, had taken the lion’s share of the remaining resources.

Bluebird’s portion was truly limited.

In the business world, much like a battlefield, many computer companies that started at the same time were either acquired and absorbed or collapsed under market pressure. Those that survived barely limped along.

Bluebird Technology was one of the few that managed to operate fairly well, maintaining steady profitability.

“A brand needs an image…”

“I think Zhao Yiman is quite good among the girls. For the guys, the rising singer Zhou Yang—or ‘Little King Zhou’—is excellent. I believe he has huge potential…”

“I’ve prepared a proposal and quotation targeting these two. President Chen, I’d like to sign them on. What do you think?”

In Chen Weiwei’s office, she listened as Liu Ying reported on the work.

After reviewing the sales figures for the new quarter, she fell into thought.

The first quarter computer sales were decent—around sixty thousand units—but there was no significant growth point.

Feedback from various channels showed no strong user response, and the brand’s recognition remained at a third- or fourth-tier level.

This already gave Chen Weiwei a slight sense of urgency.

“Zhao Yiman is no problem; she has a broad fanbase and a cooperative manager. But Zhou Yang—his asking price is not low, and his singing is somewhat unclear. I really don’t understand why young people like him so much…” Chen Weiwei frowned as she stared at the proposal, fixating on Zhou Yang’s cool image.

She had listened to his songs before.

Zhou Yang’s singing was fast-paced, and after hearing a whole song, she couldn’t recall the lyrics at all.

“But it’s effective, isn’t it? Many young people just follow the trend, think Zhou Yang looks especially cool, and his unclear diction isn’t seen as a flaw, but a style. If we can get him, our brand’s awareness among the youth would skyrocket…”

“How much is his endorsement fee?”

“Around eight million. But it’s not just about money right now. I heard international brands and Hui Jia are also after him and might offer even more…”

Chen Weiwei fell silent upon hearing this figure.

Eight million for an endorsement fee was an astronomical sum in 2005.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t afford it, but she had to weigh the gains and losses carefully.

If Zhou Yang could stay popular and even reach superstar status, the money would be worth it.

But…

The entertainment industry was full of ups and downs.

“There’s one more thing…”

“What is it?”

“President Chen, have you heard of Zhang Yang?”

“Zhang Yang?” Chen Weiwei was momentarily puzzled, feeling she had heard the name somewhere before. Then, “Oh yes, isn’t he the head of that somewhat popular gaming company ‘Wildly Beating Grass Mud Horse’?”

“Yes, that’s him from Universe Tech. He just called us, hoping to collaborate on game development. He seems to hold you in high regard and wants to use our company as a basis to create a game together. Would you like to set a meeting with him?”

“Oh? Then let’s meet.”

Chen Weiwei felt curious.

***

That morning, the contract was signed.

By the afternoon, a group of people had marched into Bao Qiang’s office building.

Bao Qiang’s office was indeed impressive.

Spacious, well-lit.

The only disappointment was that, aside from tiled floors and basic utilities like water and electricity, the vast, empty hall was completely bare.

Not a single chair or table in sight.

Zhang Yang felt as if he saw a pile of money fluttering out of his pocket, flapping around the hall.

His face changed drastically.

Damn it!

Not even one computer desk left for them?

They had to buy everything themselves?

How much would that cost?

Damn it!

Why hadn’t he come to inspect the site before signing the contract?

Usually so shrewd, Zhang Yang now felt like he had bitten into a bitter melon—his face turning green as stock prices plummeted.

Yet…

The others were overjoyed.

“Wow, this place is great…”

“We can set up a tea room here, and over in that corner, design a small balcony…”

“Put a few sofas here. Yes, the window view is nice. When we’re busy, we can look outside…”

“And here…”

“Place some branded tables, or maybe arrange new computer chairs?”

“Sounds good!”

“Mr. Zhang, didn’t we hear you play guitar? Should we set up a music entertainment room?”

Zhao Hang and Wu Zhuang eagerly stared at the empty space, dreaming of their future.

Every word was like a dagger piercing Zhang Yang’s heart, making him ache.

Who could bear this?

At that moment, his phone rang.

He took it out.

“Hello? Ah, hello!”

“Ah, Miss Liu, hi, hi… When are you free? Right now? Yes! I’m free right now! Where are you? I’m coming over immediately…”

***

“Master, could you turn down the music?”

“Don’t you young people all like Zhou Yang? His songs are so good…”

“Uh, a bit softer, please.”

“Okay, I’ll lower it a bit…”

After the call, Zhang Yang immediately hailed a taxi and headed to Bluebird Technology’s headquarters.

This meeting was crucial for him.

The company’s future hinged on this discussion.

On the way, he pondered how to phrase his words and analyzed Chen Weiwei’s mindset.

Unexpectedly, the taxi driver was quite trendy, constantly playing fast-paced tunes.

Zhang Yang found his thoughts unavoidably swept up by the rhythm, making it hard to focus.

It was like listening to Jay Chou’s “Nunchucks” back in the day—hum hum ha hey…

When the driver turned down the music, Zhang Yang felt a bit more comfortable and sank back into deep thought.

***

Soon, Zhang Yang arrived at Bluebird Technology’s entrance.

It was an office building, not very large—just two or three floors bigger than Universe Tech’s current headquarters.

This was Bluebird Technology’s sales headquarters.

The real production industrial park wasn’t in Yanjing but in Shenzhen.

Waiting for the elevator, Zhang Yang overheard a few employees excitedly chatting.

“Have you heard?”

“Heard what?”

“They say our company might—I said might—invite Zhou Yang and Zhao Yiman as brand ambassadors…”

“Wow, really?”

“Shh, it’s still under consideration…”

The moment these employees saw Zhang Yang, they instinctively fell silent and hurried away.

Zhang Yang frowned slightly, watching their backs.

Zhou Yang?

That was the second time he’d heard that name.

A singer, right? Like Jay Chou in his early days, with mumbled lyrics…

Wait!

A sudden, incredible thought flashed through his mind.

How do protagonists in time-travel novels make money?

By writing songs!

Though many novels say the hero’s one hit song brings in millions…

He didn’t know many pop songs, but…

As long as he could create something recognized, earning some money wouldn’t be a problem, right?

Besides, he could play a bit of guitar!

Didn’t know how to compose?

Only knew lyrics and singing?

Did it matter?

As long as he could sing.

Pay some money, find an expert to help out, and it could be done.

But how to connect with those top-tier teams?

The key was, as a game developer, how to make them believe he was also great at songwriting?

They wouldn’t believe a game guy could write songs, right?

As Zhang Yang’s mind raced…

The elevator stopped on the fifth floor.

“Ding!”

The doors opened.

He saw a tall figure standing before him.

“You must be Mr. Zhang?”

“Ah, hello.”

“I’m Liu Ying, Mr. Zhang, nice to meet you…”

“Oh, Miss Liu, hello. Wow, Miss Liu, you’re so beautiful…”

Seeing Liu Ying, Zhang Yang’s eyes suddenly brightened, his pupils flashing with a fierce warmth.

(End of chapter)