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Everyone in the composition department went online on time when they received Du Ang's call. So did Fang Zhao. He had planned to go out for a run, but he stayed put when he got the call.
But as soon as they got online, Du Ang dropped a bomb.
Yes, every Silver Wing employee knew the company's virtual projects were a scam, a scam of money and people. Anyone who messed with them was out of luck.
Besides, they weren't professionals. They were only in charge of composing, not virtual reality producers. They were amateurs who didn't know anything. How could they respond to Du Ang's words?
So after Du Ang threw out that statement, everyone in the online meeting fell silent. They kept their eyes down and even breathed softly, afraid they'd be noticed if they breathed too loudly. Just like students in class, they were afraid to make eye contact with their teacher because if they did, the teacher might call them on it.
Fang Zhao didn't make a sound. He didn't know much about virtual reality technology. Of course, he wasn't going to take it on impulse.
The other three newcomers who had signed with Fang Zhao in the same batch were tempted by the prospect of a promotion, but seeing everyone's reaction, they understood that this was definitely not an option. They had fought so hard to achieve a great result in the new talent competition. They could not let this project ruin it! They shut up and acted like they were a rock.
Du Ang glared at the pretend-mute crowd, seething with rage. See, he had already said that they could not complete this project. No one took the bait of a promotion. But Du Ang couldn't just bite the bullet and turn down an assignment from the higher-ups.
The higher-ups were just brushing him off. They didn't have high expectations for the virtual projects as long as they completed the assignment. Du Ang broke the silence after some thought.
"Alright, we're all smart people, so I'll cut to the chase. This project has been given to us by the higher-ups. There are no other requirements, as long as the product is presentable. The budget is limited, two million …"
"Two million?!" someone exclaimed. It wasn't that it was too much. It was just that the budget was too little.
How much was the virtual reality project invested last year? Even though the company announced an investment of 50 million, those in the know knew the initial investment was probably no less than 100 million. It was all gone in the end. Otherwise, the company would not have kicked out a large number of people who were involved in the virtual projects in a fit of anger. Some were fired, some were demoted. The entire virtual projects department was now almost empty, and the remaining people were living like retirees.
Compared to an investment of 100 million, two million was pitifully small. Moreover, this kind of cheap production showed the company's perfunctory attitude towards this project. There was absolutely no future for anyone involved.
Du Ang glared at the interloper. He was the boss now. "I'm not done talking. Why are you interrupting?"
After a pause, Du Ang continued, "The higher-ups initially asked for 2 million, but I pushed for an additional 3 million, bringing the total to 5 million."
Five million was not a small amount. Everyone thought to themselves.
For example, Xun Huai and Phyllis, the two virtual idols that debuted this year, had an initial production budget of tens of millions. If they developed well, they might be able to invest another few hundred million. But Tongshan True Entertainment and Neon Culture had the ability to make money out of the two idols. Even if they had to spend a few hundred million, they could still recoup it. The candy advertisement that Phyllis endorsed was an example of making money.
But what about Silver Wing's virtual idols? So far, none of them had been able to rake in money. Every single one had flopped not long after their debut.
Seeing no response, Du Ang coughed. "Since no one wants to take the job, let's draw a random draw."
Random draw?
Everyone's hearts tightened. They prayed, "Don't draw me. Please don't draw me!"
Du Ang didn't care what they thought. To prevent others from accusing him of cheating, he didn't use the computer this time. Instead, in front of everyone, he made a bunch of twigs with each person's name written on it, then rolled them up, put them in a box, and drew them the old-fashioned way.
"Watch closely. This is a completely fair draw. No cheating. Just pray you're not that unlucky." As he spoke, Du Ang reached into the box, pulled out a ball of paper, and unfolded it in front of the screen.
Du Ang had opened the ball of paper toward the screen, so everyone could see the words on it, but not Du Ang.
The moment he opened it, he heard everyone gasping for air, as if they had been relieved of a heavy burden. It was like a drowning person had returned to the shore and was gasping for air.
Du Ang flipped the paper over. It was written in large letters: Fang Zhao.
Du Ang's eyelid twitched. He was also surprised. He hadn't wanted Fang Zhao to take the project. Given Fang Zhao's performance in the new talent contest, he would surely have better songs later on. There were more than 50 people in the composition department. He'd thought the odds were one in 50, so he wouldn't have chosen Fang Zhao. Who would have thought he'd actually be chosen?
But he couldn't go back on his word. He'd drawn the lots in front of everyone. If he went back on his word, he would incur the wrath of the crowd.
Du Ang watched Fang Zhao's reaction. All he saw was a slight frown. There wasn't much of a reaction. Du Ang sighed to himself. He's a newbie after all. He doesn't know the ins and outs.
Although it was a pity, now that the choice was made, the matter was settled.
"Fang Zhao." Du Ang stared at Fang Zhao on the screen. "I'll leave the assignment to you. Alright, everyone else can log off. Fang Zhao, come to the office this afternoon. I'll take you to the virtual projects department. "
Not long after the call ended, Ya Erlin, the head of the composition department, dropped by. "Old Du, I heard you dumped that burden?"
As soon as Du Ang's meeting ended, Ya Erlin got the full story from a few of the composers.
"None of your business!" Du Ang felt Ya Erlin was an eyesore. He used to be one rank lower than Du Ang, so he couldn't speak properly. Now that they were on the same level, he spoke with more authority.
After shooing Ya Erlin away, Julien from operations came over with a face full of gossip. "Du Ang, I heard one of your composers took on that project?"
Julian was more senior than Du Ang. As for their positions, even though they were both department heads, Du Ang didn't want to offend Julian too much, so his tone was a little nicer.
Shortly after dealing with Julian, the head of logistics, Bu Lai, who was more than 30 years older than Du Ang, dropped by.
"Little Du, I heard one of your composers took the project."
Du Ang: "…" I'm exhausted!
Within an hour, the whole of Silver Wing knew that the virtual idol project that had been delayed for so long this year was finally going to happen! It had been shoved into the hands of a newcomer in the composition department.
So when Fang Zhao walked into the building that afternoon, he was greeted by a circle of stares.
"That's him?"
"Yes, yes, that's him! The newcomer the composition department signed this year. The one who placed fifth in the new talent contest. "
"Fifth in the new talent contest? The one who laughed? "
"Yes, yes, yes!"
"It's him. Poor thing."
"That guy's really unlucky."
"Can't help it. A newcomer can't turn down an arrangement. Poor thing. "
"Aren't newcomers supposed to be scapegoats? Just wait and see. He's going to get a tongue-lashing. "
Everyone thought Fang Zhao was unlucky. He'd placed fifth in the new talent contest, and anyone with a discerning eye knew how valuable his fifth place was. If he'd followed his agent's arrangements, Fang Zhao would've had a bright future ahead of him. Too bad he'd taken the shitty virtual projects.
Fang Zhao didn't go to Du Ang's office. Instead, he followed Du Ang's instructions and headed straight to the 50th floor.
The 50th floor was where the virtual projects team was based. The entire floor was. In fact, when the company had just been established, the 45th to 55th floors were the virtual projects team's turf. However, as time passed, the virtual projects deteriorated, and the floors were taken back by the company for other purposes. Now, only the 50th floor was left.
Last year, when the company's big-budget virtual projects team was established, the entire floor was full. Now, when Fang Zhao stepped out of the elevator, he could only feel one thing — empty.
The equipment had been reclaimed and the staff had been evacuated, leaving behind a large empty space where a shout would echo back.
"This way!" Du Ang, who was waiting there, called Fang Zhao over and led him to an office. "This is where you'll work until the project is complete."
Fang Zhao looked around. The 200-square-meter office was exquisitely furnished, and it was for him alone. Perhaps only a big-name company like Silver Wing, which didn't lack money or space, could afford it.
Since Du Ang had taken over the virtual projects department, he was now the supervisor. Fang Zhao was his designated producer.
But from now on, Du Ang's focus would be on the composition department. The virtual projects department would be left to Fang Zhao.
"From now on, Fang Zhao, you're the producer of the virtual projects project. Other than me, you're the top dog in the department. You'll make all the decisions. The higher-ups have approved. Everything is on file. Your information has been logged into this floor. All you have to do is scan your wristband to confirm your identity. "
Fang Zhao nodded and asked, "Where's everyone else?"
"Turn left and walk straight to the end. You'll see the office on the far side. I saw someone sleeping. Probably pulled an all-nighter gaming session," Du Ang said.
Fang Zhao was puzzled. Given Du Ang's temper, why didn't he get mad at someone sleeping on the job?
"How many people are there?" Fang Zhao asked.
"One."
Fang Zhao: "..."
Fang Zhao raised two fingers to confirm with Du Ang. "That means there are only two people on the virtual projects team, including me?!"
"Cough... That's right." Even if Du Ang was thick-skinned, he was embarrassed. This was bullying, bullying newcomers.
Fang Zhao didn't know what to say. He had heard that the department in charge of the virtual projects suffered a bloodbath after last year's project failed. He just didn't expect it to be this thorough. If Du Ang hadn't taken over, the project would probably have dragged on forever.
"If there's no one, you can always hire someone new or borrow someone from another department." Du Ang couldn't keep up the story. "Well, take your time getting used to it. I'm heading down. There's still a lot to do in the composition department."
"Wait!" Fang Zhao stopped Du Ang.
"More questions?"
"I have to attend the graduation ceremony and go through the paperwork tomorrow. I can't start the project right away."
"Hehe, no rush," Du Ang said. Of course he wasn't in a hurry. He was already relieved of the burden. He didn't care what kind of virtual idol Fang Zhao came up with. All he cared about was finishing the job.
He patted Fang Zhao on the shoulder. "Keep it up. Keep it up!"
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