136: Chapter 136 A Slight Malice in the Dark

Zhao Yang felt a stir in his heart.

[Encountered Xiao Bei, a main character from the 'Snail Dwelling' world, ahead of schedule. Reward: Randomly upgrade one mastered skill by Level 1.]

[Auto-selection: Fishing skill +1 Level.]

[Current Fishing skill: Level 7.]

Fishing?

Fine, whatever.

Zhao Yang pulled back his thoughts.

Xiao Bei's face has replaced Wen Zhang's role; it's quite suitable for playing Cheng Cai.

As for Young Miss Hai Zao from the 'Snail Dwelling' world, located in Shanghai—Zhao Yang had no interest in her to begin with.

It is now June 2002. In the original show, Hai Zao should have just graduated from university and is looking for a job. She would meet Xiao Bei in the second half of the year, and then they would start dating. Xiao Bei coming to the Imperial Capital to develop his career is a good choice for him. After all, according to the original plot, he was deeply hurt by Hai Zao later on.

Compared to Hai Zao, Zhao Yang is more interested in her older sister, Hai Ping. It's not because of any 'Wei Wu Yifeng' (Cao Cao's taste for married women), but because that woman is truly a talent. She graduated from the chemical engineering department of a prestigious university, and yet she ended up thriving in the education and training industry. Even if she had help from others along the way, her own abilities were definitely solid. If she could apply herself in her own field, she would have no problem being in charge of a project.

After thinking about these random things and asking Xiao Bei a few questions, he let him go wait in the lounge.

Meimei asked, "Brother Yang, what do you think of this person?"

Zhao Yang rubbed his chin and suddenly smiled, "Meimei, do you know why I was at ease handing Tomorrow Culture over to you back then?"

Meimei thought for a moment and muttered, "It definitely wasn't because you liked my weight, anyway."

Zhao Yang was speechless for a moment, "Who says it isn't? I'm telling you, that's one aspect, though of course, there are others."

"Ah? Really?"

"That's right. Your appearance is naturally prosperous, especially for business."

Meimei's eyes lit up, "Brother Yang, you know how to read faces?"

"I can see some vague things, the kind that are trend-based. For example, if you ask me to look at marriage, I can only tell you whether it ends up happy or not, but I can't tell you who the right person is or where they are."

Meimei pondered for a moment and realized, "Did Brother Yang just read Xiao Bei's face? Is there something wrong?"

Zhao Yang said slowly, "His face is highly recognizable. I have no objection to him playing Cheng Cai. What I want to say is that this person has an Inner Demon Tribulation, and the reason lies in his own lack of resolve. After you sign him, pay more attention to his private life. Our Tomorrow Culture is a cultural enterprise that the higher-ups are focusing on; the character and reputation of our artists are extremely important. There must absolutely not be any scandals."

Meimei nodded, "So that's it! Alright, I'll focus on that."

"Is there anything else recently?" Zhao Yang caught a glimpse of a text message from Director Gao Wenbo asking where he was. Expecting there to be something else, he prepared to get up.

Meimei quickly said, "Right, right, there's one more thing. The Olympic Organizing Committee wants to use 'Starry Sea' and 'Victory' and is negotiating the licensing. Everything was going well initially; after all, it's being hosted by our country, so I offered the best possible price. But later, I received another call implying that it could perhaps be used for free."

"Who is so shameless?" Zhao Yang's face darkened.

"It's not the official stance; it was privately suggested by a secretary to a leader in the external publicity department."

"What did you say back?"

"I told him he was stinking shameless."

Zhao Yang wore an expression of "I am very gratified," "That's exactly how you should have cursed back. You can give a discount to our own people, but you cannot be taken for a ride. Remember, the Olympics is essentially a large-scale commercial event; everything must be done according to the rules of the marketplace."

"Alright, I've got it. I'd rather not grant the license than let anyone take us for a ride. Tomorrow Culture is not a soft persimmon."

Zhao Yang patted her shoulder with satisfaction, "Correct. Also, report that secretary's name. If anyone dares to twist things, tell me."

"Okay, Brother Yang!"

Leaving Tomorrow Culture, Zhao Yang replied to Director Gao Wenbo's text. A moment later, Director Gao Wenbo called.

"Xiao Zhao, let's get straight to the point. The Ministry is very satisfied with the work of the Joint Laboratory of Intelligent Investigation and is preparing to send you to a more important position to shine. Now, we need you to nominate someone who can manage the laboratory's daily operations to take your place. This laboratory was founded by you single-handedly, and you will continue to hold the honorary title of Director."

Zhao Yang had already anticipated that by the end of the year at the latest, the higher-ups would have him move. He didn't expect it to happen in the middle of the year. He thought for a moment, "The capabilities of both Comrade Lu Yike and Comrade Lu Xiaofei are sufficient for the role."

"Lu Yike won't work. After her thesis defense, she has to return to Handong Province. I want to keep her too, but they won't let her go."

Zhao Yang felt a bit helpless. It seems that on the big stage of Handong Province, Lu Yike is indispensable. He continued to ask, "What about Haizhou? They won't let her go either? These two are the most suitable. Anyone else's ability falls short by a notch. If it really doesn't work, I can only hand it over to Lu Wei."

"Let's go with Lu Xiaofei. I'll talk to Haizhou; I'll definitely be able to get her over here. Moreover, your future work will also need a powerful assistant like her."

Zhao Yang was stunned, "Director Gao, isn't it that I'm going to the Information Security Center to work with you?"

"I wish! I happen to be going to the Imperial Capital tomorrow; these things can't be discussed in detail over the phone."

Hanging up the phone, Zhao Yang felt a bit lost. It seemed that things were not quite the same as he had anticipated.

The next afternoon, Director Gao Wenbo arrived directly at Zhao Yang's office. He didn't stand on ceremony; after closing the door, he didn't wait for Zhao Yang to greet him and went to get the tea leaves to brew water himself. Zhao Yang filled his own cup and smiled, "Director Gao, you look a bit pale; did you have an argument?"

"Yeah, I just had an argument with Haizhou. Fortunately, I won." Director Gao Wenbo suddenly smiled, "More than half of Lu Xiaofei's skills were taught by you personally; she should have been considered a person of our Third Institute long ago. Why does Haizhou want her back? They don't even have a decent laboratory over there; sending her back is just wasting talent!"

Zhao Yang nodded, "Indeed. Xiaofei can best realize her value here. It's just a pity that Lu Yike cannot stay."

"There's no helping that. After all, she's here for graduate school; her situation is different from Lu Xiaofei's." Director Gao Wenbo waved his hand, "Alright, let's talk about your business. Next year, Division Chief Li of our Institute's Technology Division is retiring due to illness. You will take his place."

Zhao Yang was stunned, "I've only been a deputy division chief for two years at most."

"So what?" Director Gao Wenbo said as a matter of course, "If you can get promoted but don't, are you keeping it to breed?"

Zhao Yang's mouth twitched, "Is there a major project?"

Director Gao Wenbo nodded, "The higher-ups have appointed us. Our Third Institute's Technology Division and the Information Security Research Center will take the lead in building an Information Security Defense System, prioritizing the protection of communication and network information security during the Olympics, with a focus on blocking the influx of harmful information from overseas."

Zhao Yang's expression was a bit strange, "Isn't this just the Great Firewall? I remember it went online last year."

Director Gao Wenbo smiled faintly, "The weight of foreign enterprises in that project is too high, and the higher-ups don't fully trust it. After the expert group evaluated Lu Xiaofei's achievement called '360-Degree Defense,' they believe that our Third Institute can completely build a System safer than the Great Firewall."

Zhao Yang understood, "This is no small task."

"That's why I insist on you taking the post." Director Gao Wenbo patted his shoulder, "Hand over your current work in the second half of the year, and go to Shanghai to take office at the beginning of next year."

"Alright." Zhao Yang nodded.

But deep down, he felt a bit strange.

Meimei brought Xiao Bei to the Imperial Capital; the plot of 'Snail Dwelling' is visibly about to collapse. Yet, he is actually going to Shanghai next year—could it be that he is meant to replace Xiao Bei's position?

Zhao Yang's back tightened slightly, as if he felt a trace of malice from the unknown.