47. The Signing
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The Little Bear drink was unquestionably delicious—there was no arguing that—but Meng Chengcheng was not delicious enough to make her cry out for her mother.
She murmured, “Wow, wow~~~”
Zhang Tan: →_→
There was no passion whatsoever in that exclamation. It was obviously just for show. But Meng Chengcheng did not seem like the sort of person who indulged in empty pleasantries.
The normally dazed Little Melon had suddenly blurted out something so out of character. The words sounded much more like something Little White would say. Clearly, she had learned them from Little White.
Little White and Meng Chengcheng leaned together, discussing the taste of the Little Bear drink. Zhang Tan stood up, unpacked the iron he had just bought, plugged it in, took out his suit, spread it across the desk, and began pressing it smooth.
“What are you doin’?”
A curious voice suddenly came from behind him. Little White stood there, watching him work.
“I’m ironing clothes,” Zhang Tan said. The suit was soon finished. He hung it on a clothes hanger, then spread out his white shirt.
“Why’re you ironing clothes?” Little White pressed on, looking every bit like a curious little student.
“It’s not ‘pressing clothes,’ it’s ironing clothes. That way, they look nicer.”
Little White said, “Oh,” then asked if he could iron her clothes after he finished, because she wanted to become cuter.
“Your clothes? Sure. Bring them tomorrow.”
Children’s clothes were small. A few strokes with the iron and they would be done; it would hardly be any trouble.
“Today, then. Not tomorrow.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Little White began preparing to take off her red Chinese tunic right there.
Zhang Tan jumped in fright and hurriedly stopped her. “Wait, wait, wait… Don’t do that!”
He was afraid of causing a misunderstanding. He could jump into the Yellow River and still never wash himself clean of the accusation.
“What? You don’t wanna iron my clothes anymore?”
Little White remained in the pose of someone about to undress. Zhang Tan moved her hands away and stopped her from tugging at her clothes. He felt much safer that way.
“If you take off your clothes, you’ll be standing there bare-chested. You can’t do that.”
“I can.”
“You can’t.”
“I can.”
“You can’t.”
Little White exploded. “You said you’d iron my clothes! How can you go back on your word? What kind of person does that? Are you bullying a little girl?”
Zhang Tan protested inwardly: How could I possibly dare? You’re the ruler of Red Pony Village now. I have to rely on your protection. I’ll do anything you ask—just don’t take off your clothes, or I’ll die of injustice.
The two of them were locked in a stalemate.
“Hee-hee~”
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When he turned around, he saw Meng Chengcheng sitting on the sofa, laughing at them.
She had laughed only that once. The moment Zhang Tan and Little White looked over, she became dazed again, just like a little melon.
It seemed she had merely wanted to remind everyone she was there. But she had caught Little White’s attention. The little rascal went over and started trying to take Meng Chengcheng’s clothes off. If Zhang Tan would not iron her clothes, then surely he could iron Chengcheng’s.
Zhang Tan hurried over to stop her again.
Little White was furious. She dragged Meng Chengcheng away.
“I’m so mad I’m seeing sparks. I’m not playing with you anymore.”
It was just as well that they left. Zhang Tan did not try to keep them and saw them out.
Little White helped Meng Chengcheng change into her little shoes. After they stepped outside, she saw Zhang Tan close the door, scratched her head, and muttered, “Why didn’t he even tell Little White not to leave?”
Beside her, Little Melon Meng Chengcheng said, “The Little Bear drink is really good.”
“You little rascal! If it’s so good, why didn’t you call for your mom?”
The two girls each held a can of Little Bear drink, sipping away with relish. They did not leave, but sat on the steps by the stairwell instead.
The signing ceremony for the Bad Luck Bear project was being held at Pujiang Television. Zhang Tan drove there early in the morning, arriving at exactly eight. The event would begin at eight fifty-eight, leaving nearly an hour to spare.
The event was hosted by Pujiang Television, with assistance from the production studio’s public-relations department. Zhang Tan spotted several familiar faces from the department, though he could not put names to them. They were the sort of acquaintances who merely exchanged nods.
“Hi~~~”
Someone suddenly bounded up beside him and greeted him with a smile as radiant as flowers.
It was Jiang Rong.
Miss Jiang was dressed in a black women’s suit. She looked remarkably proper, and much more mature than usual.
“Boss, you look amazing.” Jiang Rong looked Zhang Tan up and down, her eyes shining. “I almost didn’t recognize you just now.”
Zhang Tan was also wearing a black suit, with a white shirt underneath and a blue-and-white striped tie.
“Of course I do.”
Jiang Rong waited a moment, then asked, “That’s it?”
“Huh?”
“You’re not going to return the compliment and tell me how beautiful I look?”
Zhang Tan: →_→
Why did she seem a little like Little White? That little rascal had seen him ironing his clothes and immediately wanted hers ironed too, because it would make her cuter.
“Look, Xu Jian is here.”
Zhang Tan waved to Xu Jian, who had just arrived, and called him over.
Everyone from the screenwriting team would be attending today.
As time passed, the atmosphere grew livelier. People from both the television station and the production studio gradually gathered.
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The two institutions were sister organizations with an excellent relationship, so senior executives from both sides would be attending the signing ceremony.
Zhang Tan saw Feng Dong arrive. Soon afterward, he spotted Director Yang from the Animation Division accompanying a middle-aged man who looked familiar. Xu Jian reminded him that this was Lin Hongyi, the studio’s Party secretary and director—Director Lin.
So this was the first time Zhang Tan had seen him in person. Previously, he had only seen Director Lin’s photograph on the production studio’s official website. No wonder the man looked familiar.
While Zhang Tan was observing him, Director Yang suddenly pointed in his direction. Lin Hongyi followed the gesture and looked over.
Director Lin had graying temples, a square face, and a tall, sturdy build. Though he was no longer young, he was vigorous and full of spirit.
Director Yang beckoned to Zhang Tan. Jiang Rong reminded him, “Boss, Director Yang wants you to go meet the director. Hurry.”
Zhang Tan coughed and cleared his throat before walking over.
“Director, this is Zhang Tan, the lead screenwriter on this project,” Director Yang introduced.
Director Lin looked Zhang Tan over. His voice was booming as he said, “A fine-looking young man. The production studio needs young people like you…”
Zhang Tan chatted with the older man for a while. When someone from the television station came over to greet the director, Zhang Tan tactfully stepped aside. Director Yang nodded at him, indicating that he had made a good impression.
Not long after Lin Hongyi arrived, the station director came as well. The two men were around the same age and of similar build, and they exchanged polite greetings.
Zhang Tan saw General Manager Wang standing nearby. When she met his gaze, she smiled and nodded.
At eight fifty, everyone took their seats.
Quite a few members of the media had come, with their long lenses and camera equipment already set up. Pujiang Television itself belonged to the media industry and had numerous connections, so nearly everyone who received an invitation had shown up. The venue was packed, almost rivaling a film launch.
At eight fifty-eight, Lin Hongyi and the others appeared from backstage and took their seats on the rostrum, which had been covered with red cloth. The host of the signing ceremony was General Manager Wang. It was only after hearing her introduction that Zhang Tan learned her full name was Wang Zhen.
The signing itself was fairly simple. The senior leaders from both sides gave speeches, after which the deputy director of the production studio and the other side’s deputy station director signed the agreement. They posed for photographs, and the ceremony ended.
Afterward came the press conference. Lin Hongyi and the other senior leaders did not attend. Director Yang, General Manager Wang, and the director, Li Liang, took part instead.
The reporters surged forward. Zhang Tan, who had originally been seated near the front, tactfully withdrew to the back and watched the commotion from behind the crowd.
Jiang Rong came to stand beside him. Looking at the lively scene ahead, she seemed rather indignant.
“Boss, screenwriters really don’t get much respect. You’re the primary creator of the story, yet you can’t even go up onstage.”
Zhang Tan took it in stride.
“It’s not that screenwriters aren’t respected. It’s that we don’t have a project worth putting forward.”
Jiang Rong turned her head to look at him, a little surprised. She had not expected him to remain so clearheaded during such a glorious moment.
“Boss.”
“What?”
“Are you really not going to tell me I’m beautiful?”
“…”