On the following Monday, when Su Bei and Su Xiaobao arrived in the classroom, their classmates were busily discussing the school sports festival next week.
"Should we just make it the same as the last year?"
"No way, no way. Too uncreative, and I think Wang Yali won't do."
"If you want to be creative, then just let Mo Zhouzhou perform a magic show."
...
Su Bei listened for quite a while but still didn't understand their conversation. "Is everyone really discussing the sports festival?" She couldn't help but to pull Dong Wenqi's hand and ask in a low voice. They even talked about a magic show. It was more like a discussion about art performance rather than a sports festival.
"Of course," Dong Wenqi said: "To be precise, everyone is discussing our class' entry parade formation for the opening ceremony."
At the opening ceremony of the school's sports festival, each class would show their original formation for the entry parade. Who knew who made the precedent, but some students started creating a surprising parade formation to outperform other classes. This tradition then handed down from year to year, turning the entry parade into the sports festival's highlight. Every class racked their brains to design the best parade formation, and even came up with an official evaluation system.
At this moment, students in the class 8-7 were discussing the choice for the formation's leader.
"Seriously, let's juts put male god Xie and young master Su together. With the two male gods in the front, I'm sure we will definitely get the top three even without doing anything fancy."
"It makes sense."
"Then, we will entrust a glorious and arduous task for you. Please go and ask male god Xie and young master Su."
"I dare not." Those two male gods, they were indeed handsome, but their personality...Speaking of which, why couldn't male god Xie Shen and young master Su be gentler like young master Ye from the class 8-2?
Suddenly, the class leader and art committee member looked at Su Bei eagerly.
Su Bei raised her eyebrows: "You want me to speak to them?"
This was easy. Su Xiaobao always listened to her. And Xie Minxuan, he seemingly also wasn't difficult?
"No." The class leader shook her head: "We just have a better idea."
"When our parade formation enters the venue, can you be the leader?" Su Bei was beautiful and also selected by the whole school as the school flower. She was perfect to be the leader.
Su Bei: "Does the leader has to do anything special?"
Art committee member: "No. When entering the venue, you just have to bring our people to walk past the podium until we reached our assigned stand-by place. We will choose two other people to walk on your each side. One to hold the class nameplate, and the other to hold the class flag."
Su Bei thought for a moment. Since it wasn't difficult, she easily nodded: "Okay."
"Great, get one!" The class leader happily said to Su Bei: "Su Bei, wait for a moment. We'll choose the other two people now. Afterward, the three of you can practice together to find your rhythm."
After the leader was confirmed, the next step was to choose the theme of the parade formation. When everyone was in the middle of debating, Liu Kai and Du Yiming barged in: "Everyone! The latest news!"
"How is it?"
"Of course we got it! Don't underestimate us." Liu Kai and Du Yiming walked in and joined the fray.
Liu Kai: "This is reliable news. Class 8-1 main theme is science. All the props they prepared all related to scientific research."
"As expected of study geeks, their theme is so boring," The art committee member commented rudely. "Then how about the other classes?"
Du Yiming: "Class 8-3's theme is Hanfu, class 8-4 is the seven fairies, class 8-5 is Honor of Kings, class 8-6 is Marvel heroes, class 8-8... you know, class 8-8 seems to be preparing for the whole class to cosplay as Chunli. Hahaha..."
(T/N: (1) Hanfu: Historical Han clothing styles of China, (2) Seven fairies: In ancient Chinese folklore, the Queen Mother of Heaven has seven fairy daughters, which are referenced in many tales involving romance with humans. (3) Honor of Kings: Multiplayer online battle game published by Tencent. (4) Chunli: A female character from the game Street Fighter.)
Class leader: "Did you find out about class 8-2?" Their parade formation took the first place last year.
Liu Kai: "Still not fixed. Apparently, they plan to spend a huge amount of money on Saint Seiya theme. However, their class leader has agreed, and so have Song Xinyi."
(T/N: Saint Seiya: A famous Japanese manga about male warriors who protect the reincarnation of goddess Athena in their battle against various enemies.)
"So Song Xinyi wants to cosplay Athena!"
"It should be so. Many people in the forum are saying that they are looking forward to Song Xinyi's Athena."
Song Xinyi was the previous school flower, and she was also a popular female goddess. Making her into the formation leader was obviously an excellent choice since it instantly gathered so much attention. Not to mention that their class still had Ye Chen, this school grass. Side by side, they were like a real goddess and her knight protector.
"I'm starting to feel that our chance against clas 8-2 is hopeless ..."
"Don't spread your negativity to us! Our class lineup this year isn't worse than them. If they have Song Xinyi, then we have Su Bei!"
Someone proposed: "How about we cosplay Calabash Brothers this year?"
(T/N: Calabash Brothers: A very popular Chinese animation from 80's. About seven brothers who were born from calabash that fight against various evil spirits.)
"Haha, do you want to let Su Bei cosplaying the Snake Spirit?"
"Then the people who hold the nameplate and class flag should be the Frog and Centipede Spirit?"
Someone else suggested: "Or Journey to the West?"
"Do you want Su Bei to cosplay White Bone Spirit or the Queen of the Womenland?"
"Or the Bodhisattva Guanyin?"
...
Su Bei: "..." Couldn't they suggest anything normal?
Fortunately, a sane person finally spoke. Xie Minxuan, who has been sleeping all this time, suddenly stood up from the table, glanced at the crowd, and impatiently said: "Choose normal ideas."
"Eh, these aren't normal?"
"Absolutely."
"Guys, do you hear that? Brother Xuan told us to choose normal ideas."
"I want to, but our opponent is also weird, ah."
"Speaking of which, what kinds of ideas are 'normal' enough?"
"How about showing up in formal suits?"
"Well, probably. But it seems to lack creativity...."
......
"How about the multi-eras theme?" After thinking hard, Su Bei made a suggestion.
"Multi-eras theme?" The class leader's eyes lit up: "What is it? Explain to us."
Su Bei: "To put it roughly, we dressed as students from various eras and periods."
Class leader: "Hey, it's interesting."
Others also thought that it wasn't bad.
"I think it's plausible."
"Although pretty normal, but it won't be too monotonous."
"I also think it's OK. Playing as students from different periods is better than posing as demons."
"I don't know if other classes will like it or not, but the teachers definitely will, hehe."
...
The class leader finally decided: "Then let's do it."
Dong Wenqi: "Leave the clothes to me. Just give me your measurements, and I will ask my mother to arrange people from her studio to come over."
After that, Dong Wenqi pulled Su Bei and whispered: "Don't worry, Su Bei. This time I will definitely ask my mother to help you design a super nice costume!"
It must be better than the previous one!
~
At the same time, at the chairman's office of the Qin Group.
Lin family's young chairman was discussing the 'NST Company' with Mr. Qin.
"The result of this exhibition is good." Mr. Qin gave Lin Shaochi a positive evaluation on the opening ceremony and product exhibition.
Lin Shaochi smiled, "It's all thank for your support, Mr. Qin."
Without Qin Group's support, no matter how good this project was, Lin Group would definitely unable to do it so smoothly like now.
In this regard, Mr. Qin expressed no comment.
"Did you study network security?" Mr. Qin suddenly asked.
For a moment, Lin Shaochi was taken aback before answering truthfully: "In fact, I only understand a bit. In terms of professional details, I am not proficient."
Qin Shao: "Who was responsible for this product demonstration?"
Lin Shaochi: "I found an expert from a hacker competition called 'Red Master Hacker Challenge.' She is very proficient in this area and has a farsighted vision. This time, it was thanks to this expert that the entire project can take shape so quickly."
"However," after a pause, Lin Shaochi continued: "She is not a full-time employee of Lin Group and only provide technical consultation for NST project..." Seeing Mr. Qin's doubtful look, Lin Shaochi smiled and said sincerely: "I'm also working hard to invite her into NST company, but unfortunately, so far my effort is still not successful."
"If Mr. Qin is interested, I can recommend this expert to you."
Seeing Mr. Qin nodded, Lin Shaochi gave [Q] 's contact information to Chen De who was standing nearby. This was the phone number Lin Group specially prepared for [Q] and only used for communication between two sides.
...
After Lin Shaochi left, Chen De took [Q] 's contact information and asked Qin Shao: "Sir, are you planning to find this [Q] to improve our company's security?"
Chen De also attended the exhibition at the NST opening ceremony. Although network security was out of his expertise and couldn't understand the detail, he still knew that the technology would benefit their company.
Chen De: "Should I contact this person?"
Qin Shao: "No, give me the number, I will contact them personally."
Chen De only guessed half of his boss' plan. Mr. Qin indeed wanted to find [Q] to improve Qin Group's network security, but he also did it for Su Bei. Remembering the strong enthusiasm his daughter showed when seeing the product demonstration at the exhibition last weekend, Mr. Qin intended to find a professional teacher for her.
—
That night, Su Bei was lying on the bed, talking with Lin Shaochi on the chat app. Lin Shaochi sent her some photos from the opening ceremony and product demonstration of 'NST Company.'
[Lin Shaochi]: You should have been there.
There was a trace of regret in his words.
Su Bei: ...
Actually, she did go. Among the photos sent by Lin Shaochi, some captured her tailing behind Mr. Qin like a small companion.
[Lin Shaochi]: The exhibition that day has been very successful.
[Lin Shaochi]: And the market response is also great. Presently, more than 20 companies have conveyed their intent to cooperate with us.
[Q]: This is good.
[Q]: The technical part itself is working smoothly. After the test period ended, we can officially start the service.
[Q]: During the current test period, if necessary, you can also offer limited service to some companies. Use this chance to promote the product as a free trial.
[Lin Shaochi]: Won't this make your side overwhelmed?
[Q]: No problem. Just limit the number of up to ten companies. Also, I'll try to shorten the test period and complete it within three months.
After the test period over, they would finally start making money!
[Lin Shaochi]: No need to hurry. Just follow the original plan, don't put too much pressure on yourself.
[Lin Shaochi]: If you need anything, just tell me.
Lin Shaochi still wanted to say more when suddenly his phone alarm rang. Looking at the clock on display, it was 9:30 pm. Lin Shaochi raised his eyebrows slightly and mused in silent: Already half past nine? So soon.
Lin Shaochi sent another message: Are you going to be busy now?
After several chat seasons, Lin Shaochi found a pattern: [Q] seemed to be busy with something at night. Every time they talked until 9:30 pm, she would disappear for a moment before sending a message: "I need to go now. Let's continue tomorrow."
Being reminded by Lin Shaochi, Su Bei also glanced at the clock.
——She actually wasn't going to be busy with anything, but had to go to bed. Because soon, Mr. Qin would come over to check whether she has been sleeping obediently or not
[Q]: Mm.
[Lin Shaochi]: Alright. Let's stop now.
[Lin Shaochi]: Also, rest early and don't sleep too late.
Su Bei:...
Why did she feel that Lin Shaochi has become more talkative than before?
Lin Shaochi himself realized this: His attitude towards [Q] seemed to change subtly. When did this change begin?
——It seemed to have started when he knew that [Q] was a female.
Lin Shaochi knew [Q] 's gender from the people of the NST technical department. Because they were developing the project together, the technical team inevitably had to make several discussions via voice call with Su Bei. The moment they heard a soft voice answering the call, all team members were shocked——the revered great master was actually a woman! Afterward, the technical team members further broke out in a hot discussion: since the voice on the phone was so young, [Q] might still be a young girl.
[Lin Shaochi]: Good night.
[Q]: Yeah, good night.
For a while, Lin Shaochi held the phone in a trance. At first, he regarded [Q] as a colleague standing side by side, and later, a friend with whom he could talk freely. Now, Lin Shaochi felt like it had changed slightly, yet he couldn't tell what kind of change.
—
After ending the chat with Lin Shaochi, Su Bei put away her mobile phone, and in a very experience movement, tucked herself under the bedcover. Half of Su Bei's face was exposed from the bed, looking at the door motionlessly with her eyes wide open. She was waiting for Mr. Qin to come for his 'night patrol.'
However, even after waiting for a long time, Mr. Qin didn't come today.
Su Bei didn't know how long she has been waiting. When sleepiness started dazed her, the mobile phone suddenly rang. The display showed [2nd Card] and a string of unfamiliar numbers. This was the phone card prepared by Lin Group for Su Bei, and the one who called at this time must be either telemarketer or someone from the technical department.
Although a little sleepy, Su Bei still pressed the answer button.
"Hello?"
"..."
After a while, Su Bei didn't hear any sound from the caller's side. She took off the phone from her ear and looked at the screen in confusion. After confirming that it was still in the 'calling' mode, she once again spoke: "Hello? Can you hear me?"