Courtyard House: Drunk and tipsy, the whole courtyard exposed at the start.

"That's right." Zhang Dabiao explained clearly, "My work relationship, personnel file, and salary are all kept at the Ministry of Foreign Trade. I'm going to work and study at your Shanghai Animation Film Studio."

"I won't take up any of your Shanghai Animation Film Studio's positions. As for my salary, you can decide what to give me; I don't care. Once 'Nezha Conquers the Dragon King' is approved, I'll just be listed as the assistant director."

Zhang Dabiao was very shrewd in his mind.

He didn't work regular hours at the Foreign Trade Department; his office was always at the Hongxing Factory. Director Zhao gave him this position to facilitate his design work and foreign exchange earnings.

As long as he can come up with a few products that can make money at the Canton Fair every year, no one cares where he goes to have fun otherwise.

With just the huge sum of money the Lou family owed him, plus the annual patent licensing fees for the universal wheel, Zhang Dabiao's foreign exchange earnings target had already been exceeded for more than a decade.

After hearing the proposal, Te Wei gasped.

This is absolutely ingenious! Shanghai Animation Film Studio not only didn't spend a penny, but they also got a master-level, free laborer at the section chief level, and even acquired the adaptation rights to "Nezha Conquers the Dragon King." This isn't just a windfall; it's like gold falling from the sky!

"Comrade Zhang Dabiao!" Te Wei suddenly stood up, grabbed Zhang Dabiao's hand tightly, and exclaimed, "Your vision puts this old man to shame! We'll do as you say!"

The two immediately asked their secretary to bring paper and pen, and on the stone table in the courtyard, they drafted a betting agreement.

It's written clearly in black and white: After graduating, Zhang Dabiao went to Shanghai Animation Film Studio for further studies. When "Nezha Conquers the Dragon King" was officially approved, he was listed as the assistant director, and the adaptation rights were granted free of charge.

Te Wei's hands trembled as he held the agreement. He carefully folded the paper and tucked it into the pocket of his Zhongshan suit.

The group chatted for a long time about the development, production, and future direction of the animation, and then had a meal together at Zhang Dabiao's place.

They chatted for more than three hours, until it got dark, before everyone finally parted ways.

As he left, Tewei patted Zhang Dabiao on the shoulder, "Dabiao, I'll be waiting for you in Shanghai!"

The jeep's engine roared up again, quickly disappearing into the alleyway.

Zhang Dabiao watched the jeep drive away, thinking that he had already secured his place in the animation industry.

This comic book is really well done!

------------

Meanwhile, in the east courtyard, everyone was still staring blankly into space.

It was quite some time after the jeep drove away that the people in the east courtyard seemed to be freed from their spell.

Xu Damao poured wine for Zhang Dabiao and offered him a toast.

"Oh my! Da Biao, from now on you're my brother!" Xu Damao's long face beamed like a rotten chrysanthemum, his back bent so low it almost touched the ground, his voice sickeningly sweet, "Director Zhang! Great Director Zhang! You've really soared to the heavens this time! I knew it, you're the most promising one in our department! I, Xu Damao, project the films, you make them, we're real colleagues! Cultured people! Family!"

Xu Damao's address of "Director Zhang" was delivered with exceptional smoothness, without the slightest psychological barrier. That's just how he is; in the courtyard, no one dares to claim to be second to none in his ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

But Zhang Dabiao was disgusted by him—"Da Mao, please be normal..."

"You look a little scary..."

Xu Damao immediately started drinking and chatting with him, not with any other intention than asking if Zhang Dabiao could mentor him when he becomes a director.

He works in film projection, so why not try his hand at photography? He'd like to try being a photographer for fun.

Zhang Dabiao was speechless—[I'm an animation director! And an assistant one at that!]

Sha Zhu felt a pang of bitterness, more unbearable than if he'd drunk three large bowls of aged vinegar. He'd always considered himself a top-tier chef, skilled enough to never starve, and a respectable figure in this courtyard. But now? Zhang Dabiao had transformed into a movie director!

A cook and a director are worlds apart! Sha Zhu was seething with anger, wanting to utter a few sarcastic remarks, but he swallowed the words back. What was there to mock? This guy could even completely control the director of the Shanghai Animation Film Studio; what right did he have to mock him?

Forget it, I'll stay silent and eat more meat!

Eat it back!

Anyway, it's Da Biao's treat, so I don't mind spending the money.

Teacher Zhou and Teacher Chen were already flushed with excitement. They walked over, holding wine glasses, and Teacher Zhou's hands were trembling.

"Da Biao! Well done!" Teacher Zhou tilted his head back, downed the glass of baijiu in one gulp, wincing from the spiciness. "After teaching for so many years, to be able to witness my student enter the film industry and become a director—my life has been worthwhile!"

Teacher Chen, usually a man of few words, couldn't hold back any longer: "Da Biao, if you ever need background art or ancient architecture for your movies, just say the word, and I'll do it for you for free!"

"You're too kind, teachers. It's still far from certain. Let's talk about it after graduation," Zhang Dabiao said with a smile, standing up and refilling the teachers' glasses.

The meal was extremely lively. The aroma of meat and wine filled the entire courtyard. Laughter and cheerful voices filled the east wing, bringing the atmosphere to its peak.

------------

However, the front yard, middle yard, and back yard present a completely different scene.

Even the slightest movement by the Intermediate Court is heard by everyone; the slightest hint of trouble is known to all.

The Yan family's house in the front yard.

Yan Bugui sat at the table, on which sat a plate of stir-fried cabbage, not a speck of oil visible. In his hand, he gripped a pair of black-rimmed glasses with their temples taped shut, his knuckles white, his grip so tight he nearly broke the glasses' temples.

Xu Damao's clear calls of "Director Zhang" from the east courtyard drifted into his ears on the wind, like a series of awls piercing his heart.

"Director... he's a complete idiot who spent ten years studying for the third grade of elementary school, and he's actually going to be a director!" Yan Bugui gritted his teeth, his cheeks trembling.

He taught his whole life, considering himself a cultured man, yet he never published a single piece in a tabloid. Zhang Dabiao, on the other hand, not only published a book, but is now going to make a movie! Where does this leave this old man's face?

"Dad, let's eat, the food's getting cold." Yan Jiefang swallowed hard, looking at the cabbage on the table.

"Eat, eat, eat! All you ever think about is eating!" Yan Bugui slammed his hand on the table, throwing his glasses down. "People are about to become directors, and you're still worrying about these few bites of cabbage! Go! Put down your bowls! Everyone go back to your rooms and write ten more calligraphy pieces! If you don't finish, you won't get any breakfast tomorrow!"

The three children of the Yan family immediately burst into wails; what an unexpected disaster!

If you have a problem with Zhang Dabiao, go talk to him. Why are you bothering us?

However, the three children didn't dare to say anything more and could only sheepishly put down their bowls and chopsticks and go into the inner room. Yan Bugui sat in the outer room, listening to the laughter from the east courtyard, so angry that he didn't eat a single bite of dinner.

The Liu family's backyard.

Liu Haizhong, shirtless, sat at the head of the octagonal table. A plate of scrambled eggs sat on the table, but he didn't touch it. His small eyes were fixed on the window, and he was breathing heavily, his fat chest jiggling.

"A section chief-level official, a film director, and a cadre's apartment... Why?!"

"My son Liu Guangqi doesn't even have a cadre's house yet!" Liu Haizhong slammed his fist on the table, making the plates bounce.

Liu Haizhong had worked as a level-seven forging worker in the steel rolling mill for so many years, and he dreamed of becoming an official.

And what happened? Zhang Dabiao quietly became a section chief (with the same benefits), a higher rank than many workshop directors in their factory!

Liu Haizhong grew angrier the more he thought about it. This anger was raging inside him, and he needed to find a place to vent it.

His gaze shifted and landed on his youngest son, Liu Guangfu, who was huddled in a corner eating a cornbread.

Liu Guangfu instinctively shuddered—

【Again?!】