Volume One: High School Days Chapter Fifteen: The First Visit to Senhai Headquarters

Five days after Spicy Hotpot opened, it was Friday, and business was booming. Liu Sheng’s father couldn’t stop smiling all day.

At the academy, Liu Meng dropped hints to Liu Sheng every day, making it clear she liked him, but Liu Sheng pretended not to notice, for Xiaoya had already entered his heart.

At noon, after classes ended, Liu Meng stopped Liu Sheng as he was about to leave; only the two of them were left in the classroom, though Ren Xiaodong stood at the door, unnoticed by Liu Meng. Liu Sheng and Ren Xiaodong were planning to buy train tickets to the capital.

“I like you. I’ve liked you ever since you took me to eat at the night market. Will you be with me?” Liu Meng gathered her courage and confessed.

Liu Sheng thought for a moment and said, “Focus on your studies,” then left without looking back.

On the way to buy tickets, Ren Xiaodong said, “Liu Meng wouldn’t be a bad choice, but blame it on Sister Xiaoya being too gentle and sensible.”

Liu Sheng hurriedly replied, “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t pretend. I know you’ve been captivated by Sister Xiaoya’s gentleness. Besides, with Liu Meng’s looks, any guy would fall for her, though she’s only like that in front of you.” Ren Xiaodong finished speaking and pedaled his mountain bike furiously, and Liu Sheng sped after him.

In the end, they managed to get standing tickets for the 10 p.m. train. Luckily, the journey was only three hours; otherwise, standing would be unbearable.

That afternoon, Liu Meng stumbled drunkenly into the classroom and fell asleep at her desk, infuriating the teacher during class. Liu Sheng excused her, “Liu Meng’s sick, I’ll take her to the infirmary.” Hearing that, the teacher agreed. Liu Sheng stood up and said, “I can’t handle it alone—Ren Xiaodong, stop napping and help!”

The two brought Liu Meng to the infirmary, where the school doctor immediately saw she was drunk. In a panic, Liu Sheng texted Teacher Han for help. Teacher Han arrived promptly, spoke at length to the doctor, who finally agreed to keep it quiet. The school doctor left for an errand, and Teacher Han had to go teach, so Liu Sheng asked Ren Xiaodong to return to class and explain, while he stayed to care for Liu Meng.

During the fourth period, Teacher Han knew Liu Sheng was caring for Liu Meng and didn’t call him to the field. Liu Meng woke up, saw Liu Sheng, and burst into tears, hugging him tightly. “Why don’t you want me? Why did you reject me?”

Liu Meng’s sobs grew louder, and Liu Sheng felt terrible, knowing he was the cause. He hugged her and said, “I’m sorry, I just haven’t made up my mind.” Meant to comfort her, his words gave Liu Meng hope.

Liu Meng, still in his arms, declared, “I don’t care, I’ll wait for you as long as it takes!”

After a class spent talking with Liu Meng, Liu Sheng felt sorry for her, seeing how much she had changed for him. But Xiaoya was still on his mind, and now he was caught in a dilemma. Just then, the school bell rang. Neither returned to class; instead, they walked out the school gate together, their uniforms making them look like a couple—perfectly matched, made for each other in the eyes of others.

After seeing Liu Meng off, Liu Sheng waited for Ren Xiaodong at the school gate. When the crowd poured out, he spotted Ren Xiaodong, called him over, and together they put their bikes downstairs at Liu Sheng’s home and took a taxi to the train station. Inside the station, they sat in the restaurant, ordered a pile of food, and ate while waiting for the train.

Boarding began at 9:40, and at 9:55, they stood on the train bound for the capital.

At 1:10 a.m., they stepped out of Capital North Station. At the station entrance, a woman was waiting for them, and Liu Sheng recognized her immediately—the woman who had signed the contract with him.

She led them to a black car. On the way, Ren Xiaodong asked, “Sister, where are we going?”

The woman in the passenger seat turned and said, “My name is Wu Qian. I’ll be handling Liu Deputy Chief Editor’s work arrangements here from now on. Just call me Sister Qian, boys.”

“Sister Qian, you’re beautiful! So where are we heading now?” Ren Xiaodong asked again.

Wu Qian looked at him and replied, “You’re sweet. First, we’ll go to your accommodations. Tomorrow, the voice actors need guidance from Liu Deputy Chief Editor on emotional delivery, since you created the characters. Tomorrow night, Vice President Senhai will host dinner to welcome you on your first visit.”

Liu Sheng, who hadn’t spoken, asked, “Why is it the Vice President and not the President?”

Wu Qian sighed. “President Xia is gravely ill, no telling how long he’ll last. He’s handed all management to his only daughter, Xia Yao.”

Ren Xiaodong exclaimed, “A woman running such a big company? Amazing!”

As they spoke, the car stopped at a five-star hotel. The staff opened the car doors, and inside the grand lobby, both were stunned. Ren Xiaodong marveled, “This must be three times the size of our school cafeteria!”

Though amazed, Liu Sheng told Ren Xiaodong, “Is food all you think about? Don’t embarrass us, stay calm!”

Wu Qian completed their check-in. “You’ll stay here for two nights. If you need anything, call me anytime. I’ll leave you here.”

Once Wu Qian left, they found their room—a luxurious presidential suite, with two bedrooms each with a bathroom, a recreation hall, a reception room, safe and comfortable, fully equipped with central air, TV, phone, and broadband internet.

Both exclaimed, “If only we had some wine!” They exchanged a smile, and Liu Sheng called the front desk for four bottles of red wine and some food—all complimentary.

Soon, a waiter knocked and entered, pushing a cart before them. “Honored guests, is there anything else I can help with?”

Liu Sheng understood the unspoken request for a tip, took two hundred yuan from his pocket and handed it over.

The waiter, seeing their school uniforms, had thought there’d be no tip, but realized anyone staying in such a suite must be extraordinary.

He said, “You two are really low-key—staying in such a luxury hotel in school uniforms.”

Only then did they remember they hadn’t changed clothes. After the waiter left, they eyed the cart’s delicacies, mouths watering. Even Liu Sheng, who’d returned from another world, had never seen such sumptuous fare.

They ate and drank until the wine’s aftereffects hit; neither made it to bed, instead falling asleep on the carpet.

Early next morning, Wu Qian arrived at their door with two suits. She knocked for ages, but got no response. In a panic, she called a waiter to unlock the door, and entering, was shocked to see both lying on the floor.

“Call an ambulance!” Wu Qian shouted, startling them awake. Ren Xiaodong, still groggy, said, “Liu Sheng! I can drink more!” Liu Sheng replied, “I can’t, let me rest a bit!”

Hearing their exchange, Wu Qian relaxed, then said to the waiter, “Please help them onto the beds to rest. I’ll come back later.”

By noon, they finally came to, washed up, Liu Sheng wandered about, his head fuzzy as if filled with bean curd.

Just then, Liu Sheng’s phone rang—a call from a capital number. Knowing it was Wu Qian, he answered.

“Oh, you’re finally awake! Everyone’s waiting for you. I’ll come pick you up now,” Wu Qian said, then hung up.

Liu Sheng put down his phone and muttered, “Drinking leads to trouble! My first visit to Senhai, and I make such a scene. If not for my talent, they’d have ignored me long ago!”

At Senhai Company, the scale stunned them again. The entire thirty-story Senhai Animation Tower belonged to Senhai, with tens of thousands of employees and countless departments. They entered a conference room, where everyone applauded.

Wu Qian explained, “These are the post-production voice actors for your animated feature. Sitting at the far end is Senhai’s Vice President, Xia Yao.”

Liu Sheng looked at Xia Yao, wondering, “So young—can she manage such a big company?”

Xia Yao was about twenty-seven, had returned from abroad when her father fell ill.

“Deputy Chief Editor Liu, please tell everyone about the film’s background and plot, so the voice actors can do their best,” Xia Yao said.

Xia Yao, 160 centimeters tall, slim and fair, wore her hair in big waves—a beautiful woman with the aura of a wealthy heiress.

Liu Sheng explained everything in detail, stirring excitement among the group. “If this work doesn’t become a hit, it would be against destiny!” they exclaimed.

Xia Yao added, “Deputy Chief Editor Liu, you are a genius rare in a hundred years! No, a thousand years!”

Finally, Liu Sheng named the movie “Shanhai Discourse.”

After the session, Xia Yao personally guided Liu Sheng and Ren Xiaodong through the entire Senhai Group. The scale of the company amazed Liu Sheng, but the animation works seemed subpar—though in 2010, the industry was indeed behind. Now, with Liu Sheng, he aimed to change everything ahead of time.

After the tour, Xia Yao took Liu Sheng and Ren Xiaodong to a Western restaurant for dinner.

“Mr. Liu, I need your help,” Xia Yao said with a pleading look.

Liu Sheng was taken aback, as was Ren Xiaodong. Liu Sheng replied, “President Xia, just call me Liu Sheng. I’ve signed the contract, I’m your staff now. If you need help, just ask.”

Xia Yao sipped her wine and said, “My father is gravely ill, and I just returned to take over Senhai Group. The company’s elders always try to control me, and I have little ability to make them fear me—until you appeared. Your designs are ahead of the world. If you can bring Senhai a bright future, you’ll become indispensable. Whoever gains your support will have the whole of Senhai.”

Liu Sheng understood her meaning. “I see. Whether or not I become Senhai’s indispensable person, I will only follow your lead,” he said firmly.

Xia Yao was reassured, and they talked no more of work. After dinner, Liu Sheng and Ren Xiaodong returned to their accommodations.