Compared to a large enterprise like Orange, DJI currently looks quite humble.
There were fewer than ten people in total, and the parts and circuit boards loaded into the car made Lin Bin feel a mix of amusement and helplessness.
However, since it was a team brought in by Chen Pingjiang, it indicated they must be extraordinary.
After talking with Lin Bin for a long time, Wang Tao and his group walked around the Orange terminal base, repeatedly exclaiming,
"I feel like working here improves one's mental state. We can play ball whenever we're free, and I heard the cafeteria food is good and, most importantly, very cheap."
"Haha, I'd believe it if someone else said they play ball, but I don't believe it at all when you say it,"
Zhu Xiaorui said cheerfully.
"This place has lakes if you want them, rivers if you want them, tsk tsk, truly wonderful. These big companies really have it good. I just passed by that factory; although I couldn't go in and see it, it looked pretty good from the outside."
"How could it be bad? My idol company! Since I switched to an Orange phone, my back doesn't hurt, and my legs aren't sore anymore."
"No need to be envious, sooner or later, we'll be even stronger than them!"
"Is that possible?"
"Why not? I didn't have this confidence before, but Mr. Chen personally invited us and gave me confidence. Don't you know Mr. Chen's vision is famous in the industry?"
After numerous turns and twists, the administrative girl, holding a string of keys, pointed to a six-story office building not far away.
"Here, this building will be your future office location. You'll need to recruit your own staff, as Mr. Chen specified that you'll be operating independently. Oh, by the way, the labs in this building are built to the highest standards, fully equipped. Let me know what you need or don't need, and I'll take inventory later."
Wang Tao took the keys and waved them in front of everyone, causing a burst of excitement among the group.
Their very own building! Although it only had six floors, its footprint was certainly not small.
The difference between a three-bedroom apartment by Lianhua Lake and the building before them was considerable.
"I never thought Mr. Chen would actually intend for us to operate independently; I originally thought..."
"Given his status, how could he go back on his word? Besides, we're just a small company; is it worth his time to come over?"
...
The first thing Chen Pingjiang did after returning to Dongjiang was rush to Ge Mengshi's office and lie on her belly, listening for a long time.
This made Ge Mengshi giggle,
"It's only been a short while, the fetal heartbeat has just appeared. If you could hear it, it would be a ghost."
"Don't say 'ghost' or 'ghostly' anymore; you'll scare the baby."
"Is it that serious? I can't believe you're still so superstitious."
With two lifetimes combined, it was Chen Pingjiang's first child.
How could he not cherish it?
"You've been living at home recently, have your parents noticed any changes in you?"
"It's alright, I guess? My morning sickness isn't severe, and my body has adapted quite a bit recently,"
Ge Mengshi replied after thinking for a moment.
"So when do you plan for me to go over?"
"Let's wait a bit longer, until I've figured out how to tell them, so it's not too sudden and they know how to face you, and also to give them some time to think."
Chen Pingjiang, feeling a little moved, hugged Ge Mengshi tightly.
Evidently, Ge Mengshi was thinking of him.
It was two different concepts whether she broke the news herself or he did.
If Ge Mengshi confessed first, she would undoubtedly bear the first wave of anger from Father Ge and Mother Ge.
After they calmed down, he could visit, and things would be much easier to discuss.
But if Chen Pingjiang went first, hearing such news suddenly, Father Ge and Mother Ge might say some very unpleasant things.
To avoid awkwardness between them in future meetings, Ge Mengshi had truly put a lot of thought into it.
Ge Mengshi changed the subject to work matters, saying,
"I plan to leave my work after I go to Finland for Suqin to handle. What do you think?"
"I'll stand and watch. And, have you told her about it?"
Ge Mengshi nodded,
"She's been with me the longest and we have the best relationship, so I couldn't hide it from her. I haven't told Nan Xinzhi."
"Alright, you make the decision. I'll go to the Orange terminal base this afternoon to meet the team I brought back from Shenzhen."
Shortly after Chen Pingjiang left, Qin Suqin's figure flashed, and she entered Ge Mengshi's office.
After coming in, Qin Suqin furtively looked around,
"He left?"
"He left ages ago."
"Tsk tsk, so dashing, appearing and disappearing without a trace. Men have it good; they just pull up their pants and leave the rest to women."
Ge Mengshi rolled her eyes helplessly,
"You're divorced, you should have moved on by now, right? Don't lose confidence in life just because you met a jerk. There are plenty of good men in this world; you need to open your eyes and see the world."
"Hmph, you're one to talk. If I had known this would happen today, I shouldn't have encouraged you to be brave back then,"
Qin Suqin said indignantly.
"I should have known your personality could actually do something like this. Although you've 'eaten tender grass,' what about the series of events that follow? Just thinking about it gives me a headache for you."
Ge Mengshi smiled,
"What's there to have a headache about? We'll take it one step at a time. At least I think things are pretty good right now. He cares about me a lot and is very responsible; he'll be a good father."
"But don't you think it's unfair to you? You're having his child without a name or status, enduring so many people's strange looks, and most importantly, you can't even claim him; you have to hide in the shadows. Just thinking about it makes me feel it's not worth it for you. He's not the only man out there."
"Indeed, he's not the only man, but he's the only one I love. And you used to say that if you weren't married, you'd want to pursue him too? Hehe."
Qin Suqin immediately got anxious,
"Pah, pah, what are you talking about? I was just joking; after all, he's handsome and rich, anyone would think that. But you, now that you're in such a relationship, you can still joke with me like this. Besides, I told you to pursue him, not to have his child! What if he kicks you out someday, what will you do then?"
"Alright, don't worry about me, I feel pretty good. We'll deal with future things later, and I have confidence in him. Even if the worst-case scenario happens, I'll leave on my own. After all... he'll be in his prime at forty, and I'll be fifty by then. He didn't force me to have this child; I begged him."
Ge Mengshi looked into Qin Suqin's eyes,
"Suqin, you must have felt the same way before, right? When you love someone, you want to have their child; it's the continuation of bloodline and the crystallization of love."
Faced with her friend's stubbornness, Qin Suqin shook her head helplessly,
"Forget it, I can't get through to you."
Ge Mengshi wasn't foolish; she knew what her best friend wanted to say.
It was nothing more than wanting her to leverage her child to gain status and climb the social ladder.
However, Ge Mengshi didn't want that, and acting that way was not in line with her character.
She had met Yan Yan; that girl was very good and suitable for Chen Pingjiang in every respect.
Most importantly, sometimes, not fighting is the best way to fight.
If she truly acted according to what Qin Suqin suggested, she might end up losing everything.
...
Nina, feeling extremely conflicted, looked around anxiously at the entrance of Tiangong Bar, the tissue paper in her hand already crumpled and torn.
After a long while, her agent finally arrived.
"Lu Jie, I've been thinking, can I not go? Mainly, I don't drink, and... I have class tomorrow."
Nina's heart was pounding fast.
She had been thinking about how to say it before her agent arrived, and now that the words were out, she was especially worried about Lu Jie's reaction.
Just as Nina had expected, Lu Jie's face immediately darkened upon hearing this.
"If you weren't coming, you should've said so earlier. How can you back out when you're already at the door? It's not easy for the company to provide you with resources, and you still need to make a living in this industry. How can you stand up Director Zhang? Listen to me, since you're here, just go with the flow. Just endure a little, and it'll be over."
"But I heard Director Li sometimes inappropriately... touches people."
Although Nina was selected for the Shisan Chai crew, she was still a complete newcomer, and Laomouzi wasn't involved in the daily operations, so many things were left to the assistant directors.
The so-called Director Li was one of the assistant directors.
When an assistant director specifically invites you to "gather" in the evening, and you're still a newcomer, do you dare not go?
Especially with your agency providing cover.
The agency was already accustomed to such matters, but Nina was different; she had only graduated a few days ago.
Under dual pressure, almost semi-coercively, Nina was asked to go to Tiangong Bar in the evening for a chat and some drinks.
Only after truly arriving did Nina become increasingly panicked, feeling as helpless as a child.
"It's fine, just think of it as being grazed by a pig's trotters. Xiao Na, most actresses have been through it. It's not like you're doing anything scandalous, just drinking and singing. Don't worry, even if Director Li has bad intentions, he doesn't have the guts; at most, he'll just grope you."
Usually, an agent wouldn't be suitable for such occasions, but Lu Jie came entirely because Nina was inexperienced.
"No, no, I still can't accept it."
Instantly thinking of that greasy, pimply, round face, Nina felt a wave of nausea.
"Then you'd better think carefully. If you truly don't want to go, I'll go take the scolding myself. But I'll say this first: you haven't truly joined the crew yet. Don't sacrifice a great future for a moment's pleasure.
Think about how much hardship and exhaustion you've endured these past few months, what was the point of taking so many physical training and etiquette classes? And think about Teacher Qiu, who introduced you to the audition."
Lu Jie's mouth rattled like a machine gun,
"Everyone who gets into such a big crew is from a professional background; you're just lucky, a rookie outsider who actually managed to get in. But we can't put on airs just because a big director thinks highly of you, can we? If this goes on, word will get out, and no one will dare to give you scripts, and your career will be over.
Every year, countless actors graduate from Shanghai Theatre Academy, Beijing Film Academy, and Central Academy of Drama; many of them have to switch careers, and the rest mostly play extras, with only a few making it big."
"The opportunity has been given to you; whether you seize it or not is up to you. Every newcomer goes through this. Company resources are limited; if you're unwilling, someone else naturally will be. Don't blame the company if you get frozen out later."
Lu Jie's PUA skills were quite masterful; she had witnessed such scenes many times.
"How about this, we'll still go in later, but you drink less, and I'll cover a few drinks for you. After sitting for a bit, I'll help you make an excuse to leave."
In the end, Nina was so cornered that she had no choice but to nod and agree,
"Then I'll have to trouble Lu Jie."
"No trouble at all, no trouble at all! What are we, after all!"
Visiting Tiangong Bar again made Nina recall that night, and Chen Pingjiang.
If he were here, perhaps things would be much better.
When Nina entered, she unexpectedly ran into Zhao Shaoyang.
This guy had been doing very well recently, gradually becoming famous in the industry, and was at the peak of his ambition.
When he saw Nina, he was quite surprised,
"Why are you here?"
"I... my colleagues and I are having a gathering here."
Nina didn't dare to say it explicitly, feeling a burning sensation, like she had been exposed.
Zhao Shaoyang nodded,
"Then have a good time. I'll give you a 10% discount when you're done."
Only after Zhao Shaoyang left did Lu Jie curiously lean over,
"Is that the owner of Tiangong Bar? Do you know him?"
"Whether he's the owner or not, I don't know, but he's my best friend's high school classmate; I've met him before."
Blaring music, flashing lights.
As soon as Nina reached the KTV private room upstairs, she flinched.
Director Li's aggressive gaze shot over from across the room, making her extremely uncomfortable with its brazenness.
There were several other men and women in the private room, none of whom Nina recognized.
"Come, let me introduce you: lighting, set manager, props. Among these girls, some have just graduated from art school like you, and some are special guests."
Director Li introduced them with a smile.
From this perspective, Director Li seemed like a man of principles.
Not a single one of them had any fame; all the girls present were, without exception, "newcomers" or from the "bottom rung."
"Xiao Xiao, go pick some songs, let's get this party warmed up."
"Come on, Nina, you're the last one to arrive, so according to the rules, you have to drink three penalty cups."
Nina was stunned upon hearing this; wasn't this clearly directed at her?
"I can't drink that much; I have a low alcohol tolerance."
Lu Jie also said at the opportune moment,
"Director Li, how about Xiao Na drinks one cup, and I'll cover two for her? Let's not get her drunk right away; someone will have to take care of her later."
Director Li squinted at Lu Jie,
"If you're covering for her, one bottle counts as one cup."
Lu Jie choked immediately, not daring to speak further.
Seeing Nina make no move for a long time, Director Li sneered,
"What, not giving me face?"
"I really can't drink."
Director Li irritably waved his hand,
"If you can't drink, what's the point of coming out to play? Go back quickly before you spoil the mood for everyone else, and don't come again in the future."
"No! No!"
Seeing this, Lu Jie quickly grabbed Director Li's hand,
"She can drink, she definitely can."
Saying this, she winked at Nina, then picked up a glass of beer and handed it to Nina.
Almost coercively, the glass of alcohol was poured down Nina's throat.
After three quick and successive drinks, Nina's small face immediately flushed red.
Director Li, seeing her prey, chuckled lewdly and stroked his chin,
"See? Your alcohol tolerance isn't so bad, is it? Since you're here, just relax and blend in with everyone. Later, when you're filming, everyone can help you out. Come, sit here."
Director Li, of course, had no good intentions.
He had done such things many times and was very experienced.
He specifically picked young actresses, or even attractive extras, to entertain with drinks.
In Director Li's words, it wasn't that the hostesses at commercial KTVs were too expensive, but that drinking with crew members had more "flavor."
If they didn't come, everything would be difficult later; if they came and were obedient, everything would be easy.
Relying on this trick, he had manipulated many girls who wanted to make a name for themselves.
Director Li, however, was quite clever, starting with various tests.
If he met girls who already wanted to climb the ladder, everyone would happily engage in a "friendly match."
If he encountered difficult ones, it didn't matter; a few hugs and embraces would still count.
As for drugging or using force.
Sorry, he still needed to stay in the industry, so he wouldn't do such things.
Following the routine: drinking, singing, playing dice.
Before long, Nina was forced to drink two more cups.
The party in the private room grew wilder and wilder.
Under the numbing effects of alcohol, many had already started making unwanted advances.
Most of the women also half-resisted, half-complied.
Only Director Li, after several attempts, was evaded by Nina.
During this time, Nina repeatedly signaled Lu Jie with her eyes, indicating she wanted to leave, but was always brushed off.
Just as Director Li was getting angry and preparing to grope her again, the private room door of the commercial KTV swung open.
It was Zhao Shaoyang, leading a group of menacing security guards, who walked in.
"Who are you all? Get out, get out."
"Is this a crooked establishment?"
"I'll f*cking crooked you!"
As he spoke, Zhao Shaoyang kicked Director Li, and a size 42 shoe print immediately appeared on his face.
"You old lecher, don't you ever look in a mirror? What kind of trash are you?"
Director Li cried "Ouch!" and was still wondering what was going on when a companion nearby shouted,
"Call the police!"
Zhao Shaoyang pointed a finger,
"If you f*cking dare to call the police, I'll make sure you don't leave Tiangong tonight, believe it or not?"
After speaking, he waved his hand at Nina,
"Go."
This group arrived and left quickly; from Zhao Shaoyang entering to leaving, it was no more than three minutes.
After the private room became quiet again, Director Li's face was livid, and he started cursing at Lu Jie,
"Is your company running a honey trap scam or what? If you can't play, don't play. Don't come looking for me for roles or lines in the future."
He had truly lost a lot of face today.
He didn't expect to be kicked in a commercial KTV, and he and his companions didn't even dare to move.
"Tell that Nina that she doesn't need to attend the crew's training class tomorrow; I can't afford to deal with her."
After leaving the private room, Zhao Shaoyang flicked the cigarette butt he had in his mouth with his finger, sending it accurately onto the trash can lid.
"You're not very observant. That agent auntie obviously colluded with that lousy director; they were setting a trap for you. Good thing our private room attendant came back and told me, otherwise, I wouldn't have known you were being bullied. And you, why didn't you call Brother Chen for such a big matter?"
It was better not to mention Chen Pingjiang; upon hearing his name, Nina's face flushed even more deeply.
She had a ridiculous feeling of having betrayed Chen Pingjiang.
Zhao Shaoyang gave Nina a deep look, then shook his head in a peculiar way.
Other girls would scramble to get into Brother Chen's bed every day if they could, but this one was quite cute.
"You take a taxi back by yourself first. Don't be afraid; I dared to come today because Brother Chen instructed me. He couldn't make it today due to other matters. He asked me to tell you that he's handling this, and you'll get a satisfactory outcome tomorrow."
A tremendous sense of security enveloped her, interwoven with the fear she had just felt.
(End of chapter)