Chapter 142: Successfully Securing the Order

Jiang Yun started the car and headed toward the airport. Forty minutes later, he returned with Liu Guoqiang.

"Jiang Yun, where exactly is this special effects company?" Liu asked.

"Director Liu, no rush. You haven't eaten yet, have you? Let's grab a bite first!" Jiang kept his hands on the wheel, driving with focus.

"I already ate on the plane," Liu replied.

"Airplane food is easy to digest; you'll be hungry again soon. Let’s have a little more!" Jiang insisted.

Liu Guoqiang frowned.

Jiang took him to the Red Romance Western Restaurant. "Director Liu, this is the most famous spot in our city!"

"Red Romance? We have this in Xiajing too," Liu noted.

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

Jiang led Liu to a private room, and they began to order.

*Ping.*

Jiang’s phone buzzed. He glanced at it; it was a message from Li Mengya: "Your drama has wrapped up, why haven't I seen you come to keep me company?"

Jiang replied: "You’re quite well-informed. Did Wang Fengwan tell you?"

"Hmph! Never mind who told me! I’m asking you—you finished filming two days ago, why didn't you tell me? Are you afraid I’ll make you come see me?"

Jiang was speechless. He typed back: "Not at all. I’ve been busy. I went to Xiajing yesterday, just got back today, and I’m having dinner with Director Liu right now."

"Oh!" Li Mengya replied, followed by an unhappy emoji.

"Be good. I’ll come pick you up tomorrow!"

"Okay!"

Jiang returned his attention to Liu Guoqiang, and the two chatted sporadically. By the time they finished, it was already 6:00 PM.

"Jiang Yun, can you take me to that special effects team now?" Liu asked.

"No rush, no rush! Director Liu, it's six o'clock; they've probably clocked out. You must be tired from the flight—let's find a hotel so you can get some rest tonight!"

"You kid, why do I feel like something is off? Just take me there quickly!"

"Alright, alright." Jiang stopped stalling. He made a call in front of Liu: "Notify the special effects department to stay an hour late. There will be overtime pay."

"Understood, boss!"

Jiang hung up. "Director Liu, let's go."

As they got into the car, Liu remarked, "Jiang Yun, the way you talk, it sounds like you own this special effects team!"

"It’s not like I own it—I actually do," Jiang admitted, deciding there was no point in playing coy anymore.

"Are you serious?"

"You'll see when we get there!"

Jiang drove Liu to the company and led him upstairs to the Canghai Villa Entertainment office. The other departments had already left for the day. Jiang guided him directly to an office area in the corner. "Take a look, Director Liu."

Liu stared blankly at the dozen people sitting there. "This is the 'top-tier' special effects team you told me about?"

"Bingo!"

"No way—this is the top-tier team?!" Liu’s voice cracked; he felt like he had been played.

Jiang decided to stop teasing. "Show Director Liu our results."

"Yes, boss!"

A staff member opened a computer and pulled up a video. On screen appeared a stunning fire lotus in shades of blue and white. It looked magnificent; every petal was sharp, and even the fine filaments of the stamen were visible.

Liu gasped.

Jiang crossed his arms, a smile on his face. "How about it, Director Liu?"

"Jiang Yun, how... how was this made?" Liu stared at the screen, stunned.

"Didn't let you down, did I?"

"No, not at all!" Liu shook his head repeatedly.

The staff member pulled up several more clips: breathtaking energy armor, a roiling subterranean magma world, and a giant dragon in flight.

Liu clicked his tongue in amazement. "Jiang Yun, I’ve decided—I’m going with your team! I’m going back right now to get the master tape!"

"Director Liu, don't be so hasty!"

"I can't wait another second! I’ll go back and get it myself! Actually, no, I’ll have them send it over. I need to supervise the process here in person!" Liu declared.

Jiang rolled his eyes. This man was a total workaholic; with his relentless energy, he looked ready to finish the effects by tonight.

Liu pulled out his phone and made a call: "Xiao Wang, send the master tape to Modu!"

"No, it must be sent today!"

"What? No flights? Take the high-speed train, come over tonight!"

"Yes, that's it."

Liu hung up, visibly excited. Jiang shook his head helplessly.

After dropping Liu off at a business hotel, Jiang drove back to the Shengshi Garden complex. He realized he hadn't actually spent much time in his new place since he bought it. He parked in the garage and took the elevator up.

As he reached the seventh floor and reached for his door, the neighbor’s door—Yu Qing’s—swung open. Yu Qing paused, her expression lighting up with joy, but she didn't speak to Jiang because a middle-aged man stepped out behind her.

He was tall, handsome, and dressed in a suit, with a cold, aloof air about him. Yu Qing quickly composed herself, hiding her expression from the man. She took his arm and they stepped into the elevator.

"Is that a stereotypical 'domineering CEO'?" Jiang muttered to himself.

He opened his door to find Li Lulu humming a tune while cooking.

"Hey!" Jiang called out.

Li Lulu, wearing headphones, glanced at him. "Boss, you're back?"

"What are you cooking?"

"What? Cooking?" Li Lulu was swaying to music, still wearing her headphones.

Jiang rolled his eyes. "I said, you can go die!"

Li Lulu took off her headphones, looking aggrieved. "Boss, why are you yelling at me?"

Jiang couldn't be bothered to deal with her and retreated to his room to organize his closet.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

Jiang turned to see Li Lulu standing in the doorway. "Boss, I clean and air out your room regularly!"

Jiang felt a bit awkward. "I know. Thanks."

"Okay, I'm going back to cooking then!"

"Sure."

Jiang let out a sigh of relief. He was holding the rewards he had received from the system. "I need to find a way to get rid of these things." He shoved them haphazardly into the closet. After a moment of thought, he took them back out. "Where should I put them?"

He eventually put them back in the closet, but this time, he wrapped them in layer after layer of packaging so no one would know what they were.

When he came out of the room, Li Lulu had finished dinner. Jiang sat at the table. "Lulu, how is your family doing lately?"

"Sigh..." Li Lulu’s mood dimmed at the mention of them. "They’ve already gone back from Modu."

"I see." Jiang nodded, offering a bit of comfort. "Let me know if you need anything."

"I will, boss." She hesitated, then asked, "Boss, did what happened last time leave you with a bad impression?"

Jiang was taken aback by her bluntness. He smiled and shook his head. "No. Even if it did, it would only be regarding your mother."

"Whew..." Li Lulu breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, boss."

"Eat up," Jiang said.