Although the younger brothers were greatly shocked by Zheng Fan's actions, seeing that the die was cast, they couldn't help but immerse themselves in the joy of setting sail.
They, who were originally just small fry, had now truly become members of their own independent studio!
They couldn't imagine that just half a day ago, they were still being scolded by Su Hongyuan like children.
Just as they were proudly waiting for Zheng Fan's next instruction, Zheng Fan hastily left after assigning them some trivial tasks to furnish the studio, not even planning to have a celebratory meal with them.
Of course he was in a hurry; the deadline was approaching.
Although it didn't exceed his expectations too much, Zheng Fan's main principle was to save as much as possible, and Special Points didn't just fall from the sky.
However, on his way out, Zheng Fan saw the cool, handsome Japanese-style man, Qingye Heshi, again.
Compared to Zheng Fan's previous ludicrous posture of feigning coolness by wearing his coat, this person, surrounded by his subordinates, walked over like an important supporting character in a Japanese drama.
What? Why only a supporting character?
Nothing, he just looks very much like a loser, and in fact, he probably is.
Qingye Heshi's expression didn't change when he saw Zheng Fan, he just stopped and said, "I heard you've had some kind of encounter. I hope you'll take care of yourself. Some things aren't as good as they seem on the surface, especially..."
Zheng Fan glanced at him and hurried past him.
Qingye Heshi: "..."
His words, halfway spoken, were swallowed back, and he felt a bit awkward.
His subordinate immediately said, "Do you need me to invite him back?"
Qingye Heshi shook his head helplessly: "No need."
"There's no feeling on him either..." A ethereal voice echoed in his ear again.
"That might also be a powerful Phantasms, or perhaps he truly comprehended life amidst a huge impact... Never mind, if he has ambition, then let him be." Qingye Heshi replied, but his face showed contemplation.
Zheng Fan walked quickly, thinking that the handsome guy just now must have been concerned about him?
Qingye Heshi's faction and his own office were a considerable force within Banmu Office, and their cohesion was extraordinary, so this person's abilities were naturally not small.
Now it seems he's not bad either.
He cares about his abnormal childhood friend who constantly gives him attitude, and he even pays considerable attention to small fry like Cheng Fei. His words just now, whether they were a gesture of goodwill or genuine concern, were acceptable.
It's just a pity he's not very good at talking; the domineering CEO vibe is too strong, and as soon as he opens his mouth, the condescending tone overflows.
...
Zheng Fan avoided all possible surveillance and finally returned to Zero One Office silently.
As soon as he returned, his body instantly went limp and he collapsed onto the floor.
"Welcome back, you've worked hard today." Lin Yilin walked out from inside, holding a cup of coffee.
Although she had a significant prejudice against the 70,000 yuan royal coffee machine, since the money was spent, she used it without hesitation, even more frequently than Zheng Fan, making sure not to lose out.
Zheng Fan stood on Cheng Fei's body, leaning on his knees and gasping. Although the fatigue disappeared when he left the body, the lingering sensation was still very uncomfortable.
"Even if I can extend my life with Special Points, I'll have to control my usage time from now on, it's too uncomfortable." Zheng Fan looked up and said.
"Illusion Sir's efficiency is already very high." Lin Yilin comforted him.
Straightening up, Zheng Fan wiped away non-existent sweat: "It was easier than I thought, Banmu is too easy to talk to."
"It's only easy to talk to for you, Illusion Sir; normally, it wouldn't be so simple." Lin Yilin said.
"I wouldn't have been so easy without your help. Here, write down this number. I'll leave the operation of that studio to you later. I'll just show my face and hold the fort when necessary." Zheng Fan gave Lin Yilin a string of numbers.
Lin Yilin wrote it down on her phone: "From now on, I'll have to work two jobs during office hours."
"After all, it's impossible for me to really spend time operating that studio. Even this short while is exhausting me. From now on, I'll just be a mascot. The rest will depend on you, Binary Miss."
"However, with the insertion of the new studio, it might slightly stir up Banmu's internal affairs, and Su Hongyuan's attention might shift away from me for a while. If we stir up a bit more trouble, Banmu won't be staring at our small office so intently anymore." Lin Yilin planned.
After repeatedly trying to trouble Lin Yilin without success, Banmu should probably ease up a bit.
Banmu has a large enterprise, and in fact, there isn't much hatred between it and Zero One Office, merely some personal grudges and Banmu Office's self-initiated expansion squeezing the survival space of smaller offices.
"My own office hasn't even expanded yet, but I'm already managing someone else's." Zheng Fan made himself a cup of coffee and joked.
"It's not really managing an office. In a large environment like Banmu, competition between studios is fierce, and it's extremely difficult to earn achievements and prestige by taking on normal commissions. Among the ten... now eleven, studios within Banmu Office, there are basically none that honestly take on commission work."
It's called an office, but it's actually a gang. Rather, for Banmu, office work is merely incidental.
As for the money to open a studio, there are plenty of people in Banmu who can raise it, but the subsequent operation after opening a studio is the biggest challenge.
What needs to be operated is not an office, but a gang.
It was also to provide funds for Zheng Fan's use of his property ability.
Although Lin Yilin had money, it was nowhere near enough for Zheng Fan to squander.
Zheng Fan came over to Lin Yilin, watching as she seemed to be making subsequent plans on the computer while also starting to communicate with the younger brothers from Banmu in Cheng Fei's name.
The younger brothers were quite proactive; after Lin Yilin stated her demands, they quickly presented several operational routes they had a chance to get involved in.
Drug trafficking, illegal smuggling, casinos, sex industry...
Lin Yilin silently scanned through them, but finally typed: "We'll take the 'black to white' route and operate legitimate businesses officially recognized by Dadu."
"Is that necessary? That will be very troublesome, right? The scale is larger, and the required connections and networks are far more difficult than the existing chaotic industries in Grey District. Those only require seizing territory to earn startup capital. Going 'black to white' right from the start is too early, isn't it?" Zheng Fan asked, puzzled.
Lin Yilin's fingers, typing on the keyboard, gradually slowed down until they stopped. Then she turned her head and met Zheng Fan's gaze.
"Illusion Sir, I acknowledge the black and grey of this world, and I know that these colors are indispensable to this world. I have no intention or power to change any of this, and I often walk on the edge myself..."
Saying that, her gaze returned to the screen: "But a bottom line is necessary; it's a mark of being human."
"From ten years ago until now, I've always been testing my own bottom line. My adoptive father pulled me back time and again. He's gone, and not long ago, for your sake, for power, I tested it again. I can delude myself with 'confidence' that I will succeed, but these underground industries are not within that scope, even my confidence cannot change that."
Lin Yilin's eyes were both turbid and clear, hypocritical and contradictory.
She would madly test and excavate herself for certain purposes, and execute it with the arrogance hidden beneath her thin skin, believing that she could succeed and prevent things from escalating into disaster.
But if she were to truly handle these black industries, her actions would inevitably cause countless people to be displaced.
If the terrifying intelligence network she operated in Xixikeke Street were fully unleashed, combined with the current opportunity, a Pandora's Box could be opened at any time.
This was also Lin Yilin, her "confidence" in her own abilities.
After a long while, Zheng Fan shrugged: "I still don't think this is a problem, because due to my terrible parents, my empathy has been weaker than average since childhood, and gradually I only care about my own sensory stimulation, regardless of other lives."
Lin Yilin looked at Zheng Fan again.
"However, you are the first person I met in this world, and also my first partner. So I will consider your opinion. For the days to come, let's supervise each other."
He wouldn't think that Lin Yilin adhering to that fragile bottom line had nothing to do with him, and that he could still mess around and play as he pleased. That wouldn't matter.
Zheng Fan had a certain understanding of his relationship with Lin Yilin.
Even the most superficial understanding, the principle of 'one who lies down with dogs will rise with fleas,' was not difficult to grasp.
If Lin Yilin wanted to persist, Zheng Fan couldn't casually trample on things he normally didn't care about.
This was out of respect and consideration for his partner, Lin Yilin.
Even if he indulged, Lin Yilin would surely accept and tacitly agree, because Zheng Fan was the "master," a Super Illusion. Even if he had a personality and memories from another world, he was still not human in Dadu, and there was no reason for him to abide by those messy rules.
But since he still had some personality, maintaining thought and not completely sinking might also be a meaningful thing. It could also maintain Lin Yilin's bottom line, and their mutual bottom line.
Surprisingly, he, an outsider Illusion, subtly became the lid of the "Lin Yilin" Pandora's Box, even if his own lid was also loose and unstable.
The black mire beneath his feet concealed too much.
"Thank you, Illusion Sir." Lin Yilin said softly. She immediately realized Zheng Fan's thoughts after his single sentence, and thus responded.
"Mmm-hmm, but this path will definitely be very troublesome. You made your choice, so you deal with it."
"I will." Lin Yilin's voice held an almost imperceptible joy.
After her adoptive father, she had found another person she could "rely" on.
"Woof~."
That being said, before sticking to the bottom line, let's feed Toast first.