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Shen Yu'er sighed softly and closed the data on the tablet.

"The problem is that he insisted on bringing his entire small studio team with him."

"I've looked into it. His studio was established not long ago. Apart from him, who was a self-taught amateur, the other members were mostly a ragtag group who came together out of interest."

There are programmers who gave up high-paying jobs to switch to technical work, art students who taught themselves to be original artists through online courses, and even a prodigy who used to be a food deliveryman and is now a part-time screenwriter.

Only two recent college graduates with formal academic backgrounds and no real professional training or qualifications were among them.

"He himself is well aware that this requirement is unreasonable from a professional recruitment perspective, and even somewhat arbitrary."

"But he told me that everyone in the studio was a partner who believed in his dream and stayed with him through the most difficult times, eating instant noodles in a cramped old apartment and working through the night."

He said that if the new company couldn't take everything, he'd rather continue struggling on his own than abandon any of them.

After listening, Lin Dao not only didn't frown, but instead showed an interested smile.

"That's interesting. Loyalty and a willingness to not abandon comrades who have fought alongside you... these qualities are often more valuable than a stellar resume."

"Professional knowledge and skills can be cultivated and supplemented later, but a genuine love and understanding of a career, as well as a willingness to take responsibility for one's colleagues, are the more valuable core qualities."

He made a decision: "Here's what we'll do. Once we get back to the city, make arrangements as soon as possible to bring him and his core team to see me. As long as he can pass my 'interview'."

"If I'm convinced that he not only has the ability, but also a deep understanding of the core values ​​of 'coexistence, understanding, and bond' that we want to convey through our work, then accepting him and his entire team as an exception is no problem. We can provide them with systematic training and resource support."

Shen Yu'er was somewhat surprised, but seeing the serious look in Lin Dao's eyes, she immediately smiled understandingly: "Okay, I understand. I'll contact him when I get back."

Meanwhile, in a rented apartment in the old city of Chengdu.

This place has been transformed into a temporary base for "Dumpling Animation Studio." The space is cramped and the air is filled with a mixture of paint, heat from electronic devices, and the lingering smell of instant noodles.

Drawing boards, digital displays, buzzing computer towers, and scattered drafts and takeout boxes make up the main theme here.

Li Ren, also known as "Dumpling," was staring at the glaring line of bank account balance on the screen, his brows furrowed in worry.

He had just used his last bit of money to give the studio's only five partners a "living allowance" that was barely enough for a few boxed meals.

"Boss, has Senior Sister Yu'er replied yet?"

A young man named Bao Hao, wearing thick glasses, asked in a low voice. He was one of the few members of the team who had graduated with a proper animation degree and had only recently left school.

Dumpling grabbed her already messy hair and forced a wry smile.

"I sent in my portfolio, and I even shamelessly reminisced with my senior and begged her for leniency."

"But you know our situation... we lack mature technology and qualifications; we're just a bunch of ragtag people clinging on with enthusiasm. The chances of us getting into a big corporation with state backing and massive public attention are extremely slim."

He paused, then lowered his voice: "I didn't actually have high hopes... I just wanted to use my senior's connection to at least get our work seen by the higher-ups."

"If, and I mean if, we can land some freelance work, or use this opportunity to make a name for ourselves, maybe we can survive..."

His gaze swept over his companions in the room.

Former programmer Lao Wu (Wu Li) is frowning at a piece of code; art student Zhang You (Xiao You) is sketching a Pikachu on a digital screen with focused eyes; former food delivery rider and now part-time screenwriter Wang Fei (A Fei) is squatting in a corner, engrossed in reading the Pokémon knowledge he records every day; and another introverted and quiet animation graduate, Zhang Qian, is quietly cleaning up discarded line drawings.

A wave of guilt washed over me.

The little money his parents had saved through frugality had been almost entirely squandered by him.

The few small orders I received left me with very little after deducting rent, utilities, and basic material costs.

Dreams are beautiful, but the pull of reality is too heavy.

In fact, Shen Yu'er had given him a more "rational" suggestion in private: given his personal abilities and the quality of that short film, he could be recommended to join the group's animation department.

But he refused almost without hesitation.

He couldn't imagine himself sitting in a spacious, bright office, while Lao Wu, Xiao You, and A Fei were still in this old house, worrying about next month's rent.

"If this doesn't work again..." Li Ren picked at the now-cold boxed lunch, his voice a little hoarse.

"I'll... find a proper job first. Once I'm settled and earning some money, I'll support you guys continuing! Dreams can't starve, right?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Old Wu didn't even look up, just pushed up his glasses, his voice calm but firm.

"I was the one who gave up my secure job to come out with you. If we're going to break up, we all need to agree. If we're going to succeed, we all need to work together."

Xiao You nodded vigorously, her ponytail swaying as she spoke: "That's right! Brother Li, don't even think about carrying it yourself!"

Ah Fei lifted his face from the notebook, grinned, and revealed a set of white teeth.

"It's no big deal. At worst, I'll go back to my old job delivering food for a few more months! I guarantee you won't go hungry!"

Li Ren felt a lump in his throat and quickly lowered his head, pretending to frantically shovel the nearly dry food from his lunchbox to force back the tears welling up in his eyes.

Unbeknownst to him, while he was comforting himself and encouraging his companions, Shen Yu'er's message had already been sent to his silent phone.

"Bring your core team to the group headquarters (address below) tomorrow at 3 PM. Lin Dao wants to meet you in person."

Little did he know that the name "Lin Dao," which was about to determine the fate of him and his companions, was standing at the edge of the forest camp, with a curious Pikachu perched on his shoulder, gazing at the lights of Rongcheng gradually lighting up in the distance, like stars falling to earth.

"Pikachu, it's time for us to go back," Lin Dao said softly. "In the city, there are still new 'bridges' to be built, and new stories await to begin."

"Pika!" Pikachu's cheek sac flickered, as if in response.

Before nightfall, Lin Dao, Li Hao (holding the sleeping snake-patterned bear), Shen Yu'er, He Zhong, and others boarded the prepared new energy off-road vehicle and drove smoothly along the road towards the brightly lit city of Chengdu.