Chapter 341: 342 Old Friend (Fourth Watch)

Capital City.

A certain office building.

Sitting in front of his desk, Qin Zhenglin’s hands flew rapidly over the keyboard, a slight expression of fatigue flashing in his eyes.

The screen displayed a string of code that was incomprehensible to most.

It wasn’t clear which key he pressed, but the screen switched to a news story.

Seeing the news, a spark of energy seemed to light up Qin Zhenglin’s eyes.

He quickly picked up the mobile phone on his desk, opened the contact list, found a familiar number, and dialed it.

However, an icy automated female voice came through, "Sorry, the number you have dialed is switched off. Please try again later."

Switched off?

Qin Zhenglin frowned slightly, puzzlement flickering across his face as he stared at the dim screen.

Didn’t the news say that Brother Jin had already returned?

Why was his phone still switched off?

Just then, there was a knock on the office door, and a woman dressed in professional attire walked in.

"President Qin," the woman said respectfully, "President Zhang from Advance Time Technology is here, waiting for you in the reception room."

Qin Zhenglin massaged his temples, feeling a headache coming on, but he dared not neglect President Zhang.

He immediately got to his feet, "Understood, I’ll be right there."

President Zhang from Advance Time Technology had come to discuss a collaboration.

Advance Time Technology was a well-known publicly listed gaming company, and every game they developed became a global sensation.

In theory, Qin Zhenglin should be thrilled that President Zhang from a company as big as Advance Time Technology had personally come to discuss a partnership, especially since theking company had just been established; such a collaboration could make them an overnight success.

But the problem lay exactly there, because the game engine that had caught Advance Time’s interest was one given to him by Chu Jin. He hadn’t been involved in the early stages of its production and didn’t understand the game from start to finish. His thinking was different, so he couldn’t fix some of the engine’s flaws to Advance Time Technology’s satisfaction.

Luckily, Chu Jin had finally returned.

Qin Zhenglin quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

With Brother Jin here, what were these issues in comparison?

A formulaic smile spread across Qin Zhenglin’s face as he strode towards the reception room.

Dressed in a sharp black suit, he radiated confidence, no trace of his past self was visible. He looked decidedly like a true business elite when serious about his work.

"President Qin," President Zhang, who was sitting on the sofa, immediately rose in a polite gesture as Qin Zhenglin entered.

There was a reason for Advance Time Technology’s success, and it was not without basis. They valued and respected talent, and did not look down on someone just because their company was a fledgling startup, avoiding arrogance and complacency.

Qin Zhenglin approached and shook hands with him, unruffled, "President Zhang, I appreciate you making the trip. We will promptly address the engine’s shortcomings and deliver a perfect product to your company."

President Zhang adjusted his glasses, "President Qin, our CEO is very impressed with this game and has great confidence that it will lead both our companies to a new pinnacle."

Qin Zhenglin gestured for President Zhang to sit down, then instructed his secretary to make tea.

Between the rising tendrils of steam, two titans of the business world fixed the universe’s fate with their light-hearted banter.

Mid-conversation, President Zhang revealed the primary purpose of his visit, "Our CEO hopes to meet the creator of your company’s game in person."

Qin Zhenglin’s brow creased slightly, "Meet in person?" It seemed unexpected to him that Advance Time’s CEO would have such a request.

When a company’s boss wants to meet the game creator of another company, usually, they only have one objective, which is to scout talent or, as the saying goes, ’steal a march.’ For a gaming company, it isn’t just about headhunting; it’s about acquiring inexhaustible resources and treasures, the future of a business.

Seeing the look on Qin Zhenglin’s face, President Zhang quickly clarified, "President Qin, rest assured, our CEO has no other intentions. Your game simply reminded him of an old friend."

Actually, Qin Zhenglin wasn’t worried about that. He hadn’t even considered that possibility.

The true mastermind behind his company was Chu Jin; how could she possibly be lured away by another company?

What he truly feared was whether Chu Jin would agree to Advance Time Technology’s request.

After all, she had always preferred to stay under the radar, unwilling even to attend the company’s opening. The prospect of meeting Advance Time’s CEO was even less likely.

From what President Zhang implied, if Chu Jin declined the meeting, they would terminate the partnership with theking.

Qin Zhenglin laughed, "President Zhang, you misunderstand, I know that’s not what you meant."

Upon hearing this, President Zhang’s eyes brightened, "Does that mean you agree to our CEO’s request?"

He had thought that the CEO’s request might be asking too much, but he hadn’t expected Qin Zhenglin to be so agreeable.

Qin Zhenglin spoke carefully, "President Zhang, to be honest, I can’t make this decision on my own. The creator of the game engine is friends with our boss. I need to consult with her and follow her opinion before I can give you an answer."

Because Chu Jin intended to be a person behind the scenes, Qin Zhenglin subconsciously concealed the fact that she was the owner of theking company.

President Zhang nodded to show his understanding, stood up to take his leave from Qin Zhenglin, "Then I’ll leave this matter in your capable hands, Mr. Qin. I hope you can give me an answer as soon as possible."

Qin Zhenglin stood up to see him out, "Take care, President Zhang. By tomorrow at the latest, I will definitely give you an answer."

After sending President Zhang off, Qin Zhenglin dialed Chu Jin’s number again.

But the line was still indicating that the phone was turned off.

Qin Zhenglin muttered, "This is really bizarre."

Could it be that she just came back and didn’t charge her phone?

Fortunately, he knew where Chu Jin’s school was. If nothing else, he could spare some time to visit her school later.

**

South Bridge No.2 Middle School.

Class Ten.

Following Chu Jin’s usual habit, Chu Jin was seriously bent over doing math practice problems at this moment.

"Eh, Jin, why has your handwriting changed?" Miao Xinran draped an arm around Chu Jin’s shoulder in her usual careless manner, a puzzled look flashing in her eyes.

She remembered that Jin’s handwriting used to flow effortlessly, graceful yet robust, containing the delicacy of a young lady and the boldness of a man, extremely beautiful.

But today...

It had changed to this?

It looked nice, but it lacked any distinguishing features, completely missing the shadow of its former self.

Handwriting reflects the person.

But today’s writing didn’t match Chu Jin’s temperament at all.

Chu Jin’s fingers stiffened as she wrote, then quickly returned to normal, and she responded without changing her expression, "Isn’t this just to prevent you all from getting aesthetic fatigue? I’ve been planning to change to a different style."

"Oh," Miao Xinran nodded thoughtfully, "I see, but I feel your previous handwriting looked better. The current one is hideous, it seems petty, completely incongruent with your image and temperament. I suggest you don’t change your style. The old one was quite nice, it had charm and was pleasant to look at. Even our grade director praised your writing last time. What you’re writing now, what is it? It looks like dog’s crawl... "

Miao Xinran, naturally blunt and straightforward, has always been the kind to speak her mind.

Chu Jin’s complexion was gradually paling, her downcast eyes became sharp as if laced with poison. This insufferable wretch to say her handwriting was disgusting! She had practiced her penmanship for more than three years! How could it possibly be worse than some no-account’s?

Could it be that she had discovered something?

Purposely coming to ridicule and sneer at her?

Chu Jin already despised Miao Xinran, and at this moment, that hatred in her heart was ignited to its peak. She looked up at Miao Xinran with an icy gaze, "It’s none of your business!"

Miao Xinran was taken aback by her look.

She had never seen Jin like this before.

It was too strange.

That look, it was like a knife laced with poison.

As if it could devour someone.

It wasn’t like she was looking at a friend but rather an enemy with deep-seated hatred.

At that moment, she even thought she was hallucinating.

How could Jin possibly show her such a look?

Miao Xinran’s smile froze on her lips. Had the pure friendship between her and Jin soured?

Had she offended Jin in some way?

The more she thought about it, the more confused she became. Miao Xinran put on a slight smile again, "Jin, I’ll go to the cafeteria early to get lunch. What would you like to eat?"

Chu Jin’s lips curved slightly, not expecting that there would be a day when Miao Xinran would take the initiative to please her.

It seemed that she probably hadn’t discovered anything.

Then, she would take her time to settle their old scores!

Chu Jin spoke slowly, "Then just the same as before."

Just then, the class representative Zhang Fangyi came to inform the homeroom teacher that Chu Jin was needed in the office.

Chu Jin nodded gently at Zhang Fangyi, "I understand. I’ll go right away." With those words, she left her seat and walked in the direction of the office.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read