Don't get married if you're reborn.

Chapter 371 Youthful Spirit (4K)

Feng Xiao couldn't help but glance at Zeng Mi. She was indeed bright and beautiful, with a pretty face and a faint sadness between her brows, which could easily arouse the pity of the opposite sex.

Then she glanced at the teahouse's decor and smiled. It seemed elegant, but it was actually just affectation.

Some of the decorative items are indeed a bit amateurish.

The bookshelf placed in a prominent position, along with the obviously old books on it, also gave the shrewd Feng Xiao a glimpse into Zeng Mi's inner thoughts.

"Come on, the drinks are all mixed, you can drink them right away," Zeng Mi said with a smile as she walked ahead.

After they were seated in the private room, Zeng Wenjie said, "President Feng is two years younger than you, Sister Zeng Mi, but she has a wealth of experience. The reason I brought her here is that I think she can become friends with you, Sister Zeng Mi."

Feng Xiao smiled, raised her glass, and said, "Hello, Sister Zeng Mi, I'm Feng Xiao. Please guide me in the future."

Zeng Mi also raised his wine glass and gently clinked it against hers, nodding slightly, and said, "I wouldn't dare accept that. I'd say I'm now under your command."

Feng Xiao said, "I have seen all those paintings. They can be described as skillful and unique."

Zeng Mi nodded reservedly and said, "You flatter me. It was by chance that I submitted my work to my brother Wenjie. I didn't expect that my humble work would catch your eye."

Feng Xiao then asked, "Sister Zeng Mi, could it be that you graduated with a degree in fine arts?"

Zeng Mi's faint sorrow deepened, and she sighed, "Because of some unforeseen circumstances, I didn't take the college entrance examination. I originally planned to study art."

Feng Xiao sighed, "That's a real shame. University life is one of the most unique journeys in life. But then again, who doesn't have some regrets in their life?"

She gently changed the subject, and Zeng Wenjie chimed in, and the three of them started drinking.

After getting a little tipsy, Zeng Mi said to Zeng Wenjie, "I heard you angered Luo Xin?"

Zeng Wenjie said, "He wanted me to do things I didn't want to do, and he even insulted my girlfriend. How could I tolerate that?"

Zeng Mi shook her head and said, "It's not wise of you to do this; it will bring trouble upon yourself. Although you rejected me last time, I am still willing to extend an invitation to you again... Moreover, there will be significant personnel changes in Chongshan Province, so you should consider this carefully."

Feng Xiao then laughed and said, "I didn't expect you to be so well-informed, Sister Zeng Mi. Wenjie already told me that Zhuang Aimin might be transferred."

Zeng Mi was a little surprised. She had a good impression of Zeng Wenjie and wanted to win him over further. However, she didn't expect Zeng Wenjie to be so well-informed.

But then he thought about how close his relationship with Ye Yixuan was, and he was relieved, guessing that it was probably information that Ye Yixuan had given him.

“A wise man submits to circumstances. Now is the perfect time for you, little brother, to change your allegiance. Your future will be even brighter,” Zeng Mi solemnly promised.

Zeng Wenjie raised his glass, offered a toast, and said with a smile, "Thank you for your kindness, but I have my own pride. How can I bow and scrape before the powerful and wealthy, making me unhappy? Besides, it goes against my original intentions, so I have no intention of doing it in the slightest!"

This line of poetry caused Zeng Mi's gaze to flicker slightly.

“Wenjie and I actually share the same thoughts, which is why we have such a close collaboration,” Feng Xiao said with a smile.

As she spoke, her eyes were unfocused, as if she had drunk a little too much, revealing a unique sense of brokenness.

Zeng Mi was taken aback by Feng Xiao's words.

Feng Xiao silently took a sip of wine and smiled, "Don't laugh at me, but my dad used to hold a high position, but because he did some things he shouldn't have done, the whole family fell apart. Some went to jail, and some passed away..."

"As for me, I've also gone from being a phoenix to a chicken."

“At that time, someone made me a promise, but I didn’t agree and chose another path.”

Feng Xiao stared intently at his wine glass and said slowly, "I was thinking at the time, a person should always retain some self-worth, right?"

Zeng Mi smiled and said, "You're right, that's why I submitted my work to you. I'm also very happy that you accepted it, which allows me to realize some of my self-worth."

Zeng Wenjie took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and laughed, "Let's talk about something happy, why are we talking about this?"

“Yes, yes, let’s talk about something happy. Feng Xiao, don’t dwell on those past events, or you’ll just make yourself unhappy,” Zeng Mi said with a smile.

Although she was smiling, the sadness and regret etched between her brows seemed even more intense.

Feng Xiao said, "That makes sense. I wish our 'Hero Kill' project great success. May it be a huge success after its launch, and may everyone achieve financial freedom and earn wealth and honor with their own hands!"

Zeng Mi then said, "I sincerely hope that 'Hero Kill' will become a huge hit. That way, the heroes I drew can be seen and used by a wide range of players. Just thinking about it makes me very happy!"

Zeng Wenjie said confidently, "It's definitely going to be a hit. Don't worry. Even if you don't have confidence in me, you should have confidence in Boss Ma!"

The conversation turned pleasant, and everyone started drinking again.

But Feng Xiao was a master of rhetoric; after the conversation had become pleasant for a while, she managed to steer it back into that less pleasant atmosphere.

Zeng Mi seemed to have a change of heart, not wanting such an outstanding young man as Zeng Wenjie to fall so tragically. She couldn't help but chuckle and say, "How about I find an opportunity to host a banquet and invite Luo Xin over to act as a mediator, so that you two can have a peaceful and harmonious talk?"

Feng Xiao waved his hand and said, "No need, I'll refuse on his behalf."

Zeng Mi looked at Feng Xiao with surprise, feeling that her actions were somewhat overstepping her bounds.

“Wenjie can’t bend over like that. He’s prepared to abandon all his businesses and devote himself wholeheartedly to a deep collaboration with Tencent on game development. The spirit of youth is the most precious thing in the world, priceless, and unyielding to any amount of power!” Feng Xiao said with a proud and admiring tone.

Zeng Wenjie raised his glass and said to Feng Xiao, "President Feng understands me so well, let me toast you!"

Feng Xiao clinked glasses with him, and they both drank it down in one gulp, smiling brightly and happily.

Zeng Mi was stunned...

Is it youthful ambition?
What truly defines youthful spirit?
Back then, Ye Yixuan and I would compete fiercely for first place in the whole school every month during the monthly exams. Was that just youthful ambition?

He made a promise with her to take the entrance exam for Yenching University together, and secretly encouraged himself to get a higher score than her in the college entrance exam. Wasn't that youthful ambition?
When did I lose that youthful spirit that belonged to me?
With the alcohol constantly impacting her brain, she was momentarily dazed.

In a daze, I saw myself at eighteen years old, sitting with Ye Yixuan, who was the same age, and we were happily clinking glasses to celebrate, just like Zeng Wenjie and Feng Xiao.

After noticing Zeng Mi's expression, Feng Xiao couldn't help but give Zeng Wenjie a wink.

Zeng Wenjie, on the other hand, returned a glance.

This blow was a devastating, heart-wrenching attack.

Zeng Wenjie's unwavering attitude, coupled with Feng Xiao's words, struck a chord with Zeng Mi, leaving her somewhat shaken. "Sister Zeng Mi, why don't you go to the studio now? It's a lucky start to the new year, and you're an employee of our Game Science Studio. Everyone's here, but you're the only one missing; it's a bit of a shame..."

Zeng Wenjie raised his head and, with a hint of drunkenness, made the suggestion to Zeng Mi.

Upon hearing this, Zeng Mi felt a sudden surge of excitement.

She learned today that everyone has started working and making games in the studio, and she really wants to go and see.

Moreover, the last time she went to Fengyuan on a whim, she ran into Zeng Wenjie. After chatting for a while, although his words made her a little defensive, she was left with a lingering aftertaste.

When the night is quiet, she sometimes wonders if the things Zeng Wenjie talked about will actually happen during her university life if she really goes to university.
She felt hopeful, sad, and fearful.

Feng Xiao glanced at the time and smiled, "We should go take a look, but I can't accompany you. I have to go back and rest. I still have to work for you, you capitalist, at the studio tomorrow!"

Zeng Mi gritted her teeth and said softly, "If you don't mind that it's too late, could you take me to see it?"

The three of them took a taxi back to the university town, where Feng Xiao said goodbye to the two at the entrance of Fengyuan.

She watched Zeng Mi's retreating figure and couldn't help but smile helplessly. If she had hesitated even slightly back then, she would probably be a caged bird that can't fly away now.

Although she has experienced several years of ups and downs, fortunately, her current life is not bad, and she feels that she has nothing to be dissatisfied with.

Zeng Wenjie led Zeng Mi toward the startup base, where Fengyuan was now almost deserted.

Zeng Mi saw the list of outstanding alumni in a prominent place, which included Zeng Wenjie's photo and name, and listed his achievements below.

She paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Pretty impressive!"

Zeng Wenjie waved his hand and said, "Fengyuan is only a second-tier university after all, and there aren't many outstanding people there. That's why I, a nobody, became famous. If it were a top university like Peking University, which could recruit Sister Zeng Mi and Sister Xuan, I'm afraid I would have remained an unknown nobody until graduation..."

Zeng Mi's lips twitched, and she said, "Just talk about Ye Yixuan, don't bring me into it. If people hear this and find out the truth, they'll probably laugh at me."

Zeng Wenjie said, "A great beauty like you, people would probably only feel sorry for you for not taking the college entrance examination, and wouldn't laugh at you."

Zeng Mi impatiently ended the conversation, saying, "Hurry up and take me to visit the studio!"

As they strolled to the startup base, Zeng Wenjie introduced her to the scenery and things along the way.

"Oh, you also own a snack shop on campus," Zeng Mi said with a smile.

“Yes, it’s sponsored by the school for free,” Zeng Wenjie nodded and said.

As he spoke, he led the way, saying, "Watch out for the steps, the studio is on the second floor."

Zeng Mi followed with ease, waiting for Zeng Wenjie to take out his keys and open the door to 207.

She went inside eagerly, but the lights weren't on yet, and it was pitch black inside; she couldn't see anything.

Zeng Wenjie reached out and turned on the light. Zeng Mi's eyes lit up, and she said, "So this is the game studio I work for! Hey, the environment is pretty good."

Zeng Wenjie introduced her to the position and then said, "If you come, you will be assigned to 206, and a small separate office will be set up so that you can focus on your work."

"Actually, while developing 'Hero Kill,' I was also planning my next game project. When that happens, the studio will expand its staff, and with more people, we'll move to a larger office building."

"By the way, let me show you on my computer. The character illustration you provided already includes skills and health."

Zeng Wenjie opened Yuan Xiuqin's computer, found the folder, and opened it. What came into view was a character card of Yu Ji with large breasts.

Three points of health, two skills: [1] Sacrifice, [2] Farewell.

Zeng Mi then read it carefully and found it very interesting, and it also fit the characteristics of the historical figure.

She shooed Zeng Wenjie aside, sat down in a chair, and flipped through the pictures one by one.

The character illustrations she provided were all made into card-style illustrations, with a red circular health bar in the upper left corner and a square area at the bottom containing the character's skill descriptions.

Zeng Mi asked with some delight, "What do my colleagues think of my character design?"

Zeng Wenjie smiled and said, "Why don't you take some time to ask them yourself?"

Upon hearing this, Zeng Mi's spirits soared, but then suddenly plummeted.

She could imagine her colleagues laughing and chatting happily after the New Year, working with great enthusiasm.

She, however, could only guard the empty teahouse, casually flipping through books, and then offering a sweet but extremely hypocritical smile to some distinguished guests who came to deliver things.

Thinking about this, she even felt a little nauseous.

Becoming an unofficial member of Game Science Studio and submitting character illustrations to Zeng Wenjie seems to have become the most unconventional act of her life.

"No, why are you crying? I'll ask them for you. I think they all really admire your character design. Several people were praising it highly today," Zeng Wenjie said, feigning panic.

Zeng Mi shook her head, wiping away the tears that had inadvertently streamed down her face, and said, "I'm not crying because of that, but because I was thinking of something else."

Fearing she might have an emotional breakdown, she quickly changed the subject, asking, "What's the name of your next game?"

"It should be called 'Hollow Knight'," Zeng Wenjie laughed. "It's still in the planning stages, so don't tell anyone!"

Zeng Mi felt it was a sad name, and then turned her attention to the character illustration, chatting with Zeng Wenjie about the gameplay and skill design of "Hero Kill".

Seeing that her mood had stabilized again, Zeng Wenjie smiled and took out a red envelope from his pocket, saying, "Sister Zeng Mi, you are also a staff member of our Game Science. Although you didn't come to work today, you did your job well! So, here's a red envelope for you to wish us a good start to the workday."

Zeng Mi stared blankly at the red envelope handed to her.

A wave of bittersweet emotions surged from the depths of my soul, following the vibrant red that caught my eye.

Her heart was like a small boat bobbing on the waves.

Struggling to cross, struggling to cross, startling a flock of gulls and egrets...

(End of this chapter)