188: Chapter 188 The Prize of 300,000

For the following period of time, Chen Fan's life returned to tranquility.

At the company, several projects were progressing steadily.

The revenue for defend the carrot had stabilized, now consistently reaching over twenty-five million per month, so it didn't require much worry.

The performance of happy elimination was also quite impressive; its December revenue hit over 11 million. As a product that hadn't been online for long, these figures exceeded expectations.

As for archangels sword, Technical Lead was still leading the team in urgent development.

However, compared to the first two games, this one was undoubtedly much slower.

Estimating by the current progress, the official launch would likely have to wait until March or April of next year.

Fortunately, the company now had two cash cow products to support it, so there was no need to rush the launch of the next game.

Company matters didn't require too much of Chen Fan's attention for the time being. Each department performed its duties, and he, the boss, actually found himself with some free time.

So during this time, he spent most of his days at school.

It was already January, and final exam week was just around the corner.

Chen Fan's frequent appearances in the classroom lately caused a small stir in the class.

It wasn't that he never came to class before—well, he really didn't come very often.

So when he showed up at his seat on time for several days in a row, everyone around him felt like the sun had risen from the west.

Zhao Zitong once said with a smile, "Oh, who is this? Cramming at the last minute?"

Chen Fan looked back at her, didn't explain anything, and just smiled.

It wasn't just Zhao Zitong who thought so. Most students in the class, and even a few substitute teachers, thought Chen Fan had suddenly become "diligent" because final exams were coming.

Every class had a few of those students who were "never seen usually but cram like crazy before exams," and in their eyes, Chen Fan was probably that type.

Chen Fan wasn't aware of these opinions. Of course, even if he were, he wouldn't care.

The reason he came to class was actually very simple—it was almost the end of the term, he had no urgent matters on hand, so he might as well come and listen to the lectures.

As for "cramming at the last minute," such a thing simply didn't exist for him.

With the knowledge he currently possessed, he could rank first in the freshman finals with his eyes closed.

Saying this might make people think he was bragging, but it was the truth.

Exam week officially began on January 10th.

The various expressions in the examination hall were quite interesting. Some looked miserable, scratching their heads over the test paper; some were full of confidence, their pens swishing across the answer sheets, leaving the hall with a victor's smile after turning in their papers early.

Chen Fan, on the other hand, showed nothing, maintaining the same expression from beginning to end, and even when turning in his paper, he was as calm as a light breeze.

The week of exams ended quickly, which also meant the end of Chen Fan's courses for this semester.

According to the school notice, the winter break for freshmen was from January 17th to February 18th, a full month.

But for Chen Fan, whether there was a winter break didn't make much of a difference.

Because he wasn't just a student, but also the boss of a company with seventy or eighty employees.

He still had to keep an eye on things at the company, so even though winter break had started, he couldn't go back home for the time being.

Coming out of the school, Chen Fan opened the driver's side door and sat in the car. Just as he sat down, his phone rang.

The name popping up on the screen was "Lin Xi."

Chen Fan swiped to answer, and before he could speak, her voice came through from the other end.

"Are you done with exams?" Lin Xi's voice carried a hint of urgency.

"Done," Chen Fan leaned back against the seat. "What about you?"

"I still have two days," Lin Xi sighed. "The last course isn't until the 18th."

Chen Fan comforted her, "Then study hard. We'll talk after you're finished."

"Then when are you going home?" Lin Xi asked.

"I have some things to do, I probably won't be back until just before the New Year."

"Is it something very important? Why are you going back so late?" Lin Xi's tone was clearly curious, with a small hint of disappointment.

Chen Fan was silent for a moment.

Lin Xi didn't know about him starting a company yet.

It wasn't that he was intentionally hiding it; he just hadn't found the right moment to bring it up.

But since she asked, Chen Fan felt it was time to tell her.

He thought for a moment and said, "Wait until you're done with exams. I'll take you somewhere, and then you'll know."

"Huh? So mysterious? Can't you tell me in advance?"

"It's hard to explain over the phone."

"What's so hard to explain? Just say it," Lin Xi persisted, her voice carrying a hint of wheedling. "I want to know now."

Chen Fan smiled but didn't respond.

The other end of the line was quiet for two seconds. Lin Xi was probably waiting for his answer, but all she got was silence.

"Hmph," she finally snorted. "Fine, I'll wait another two days. But you'd better promise now that you're not taking me somewhere bad."

"Rest assured, I definitely won't."

"Then it's a deal," Lin Xi's voice brightened. "On the day I finish my exams, come pick me up."

"Okay."

Hanging up the phone, Chen Fan set it aside and started the car.

He didn't plan to go straight home today; instead, he made a turn and drove toward the company.

It was the end of the year, and besides normal work, there was one more thing to prepare for: the company's annual meeting.

Actually, Chen Fan hadn't originally planned to hold an annual meeting.

In his view, it would be more practical to just distribute the money for the meeting directly to the employees.

Putting on shows, drawing prizes, eating big meals—after tossing and turning for a whole night, everyone would just go back to work the next day. It would be better to give everyone a few thousand extra in year-end bonuses; it was simple, direct, and everyone would be happy.

But Qiao Linlin said the annual meeting wasn't just for fun; it was to give employees a sense of belonging to the company. Giving money was one thing, the annual meeting was another; they were two different matters.

After hearing this, Chen Fan felt it made some sense.

So the matter was settled.

However, since they were going to do it, Chen Fan decided to make it grand.

In his opinion, for something like an annual meeting, you either don't do it, or you do it right. Doing it halfway meant employees wouldn't have fun, and the money would still be spent, pleasing no one. It would be better to just split the money and be done with it.

So he made the decision—find a five-star hotel.

Qiao Linlin was stunned when she heard this. "Boss, five-star? We only have seventy or eighty people. Isn't that too extravagant?"

"Since we're doing it, let's not be stingy. A grander venue will give the employees some face when they go."

Qiao Linlin glanced at him and didn't try to persuade him further.

"Then for the lucky draw, Boss, how much budget do you plan to prepare?"

Chen Fan thought for a moment and said, "Directly prepare three hundred thousand in prizes."

This time Qiao Linlin didn't try to persuade him again, because she could see that Chen Fan was dead set on making it big.

She could only cooperate.

"Alright, then I'll make a proposal first."

"Yeah, go ahead."