Chapter 354: 354 Send Away

Chen Xu had stayed at the film production company for a while and learned about the progress of the animated movie. He then went to the game production company across the street.

Currently, the game production company was undertaking three projects, which were small games of different types.

The person in charge told him that the company’s website had received dozens of applications from gaming production teams wanting to create VR games. They had received over a dozen project proposals.

Of course, most were just trying their luck with mediocre quality. After the screening, valuable ones were less than ten.

Chen Xu didn’t know much about games and didn’t offer any opinions. He let Luo Xiyun take the lead.

Next, he checked on the three production teams. Their pace was much faster than that of the animated movie because the scenes were simpler, the graphic requirements weren’t as high, and the production wasn’t as time-consuming.

Among the three games, one featured a 3D visual effect zombie shooting game, one was a maze game, and another was a role-playing game.

Chen Xu talked with them to see if they had encountered any issues in the game production that they couldn’t solve, and collected the information for future improvements.

He was the chief technical officer of the company. This was his responsibility.

Before he knew it, it had gotten dark.

Chen Xu noticed they showed no signs of leaving, so he asked the person in charge, “Is everyone overtime working tonight?”

The company’s manager was a woman named Liu, who had been poached from another company and was mainly responsible for administrative management. She replied, “Yes, Mr. Chen, the product is about to launch, and we’re short on time, so everyone is putting extra effort and staying for overtime work daily.”

“How is overtime paid?”

“It’s all distributed according to the national standards.”

“Alright, make sure it’s calculated properly. There must be no deduction. We aim to become a world-class company; remember that.”

“I understand, Mr. Chen,” Manager Liu flattered. “Having a leader like you is a fortune for the employees.”

Chen Xu remembered something else and added, “Also, it’s dinner time. I’ll treat all the employees. Please arrange for someone to go to the restaurant across the street and get takeout for everyone at one hundred yuan per person. Tomorrow, bring the receipt to my secretary for reimbursement.”

Manager Liu replied, “I’ll go tell everyone the good news.”

As she ran back into the company, cheers soon erupted from within.

Chen Xu smiled, greeted Manager Liu, and left.

He had worked for several years before and knew the hardships of being a worker. Whenever possible, he wanted to treat his staff well, especially in terms of salary, which should not be compromised.

In fact, whether it was the laboratory, data center, or Yunxu Company, he had solved the most difficult parts by exploiting his unique skills, saving unknown amounts of development costs. Thinking about skimping on employee overtime was simply too low.

As Chen Xu walked downstairs, he took out his phone and called his driver, “You can go back first; no need to wait for me tonight. Yes, that’s right.”

After sending the driver away, he ordered a white Volkswagen online.

Riding in the Volkswagen felt different. Beyond just the difference in features, there was a difference in status.

Since earning billions from patent licensing, his status had completely changed, and the people around him treated him with great respect.

It indeed felt fulfilling; no one dislikes being respected and valued.

However, over time, when everyone you meet treats you this way, it becomes a bit bland. Luo Xiyun and the others weren’t around, and facing these respect-stricken encounters alone, he couldn’t help but feel lonely.

Thus, he had sent the driver away.

Sitting in this car, he felt detached from his original identity and much more relaxed. Looking at the night view and chatting with the driver about various things, it felt like he had returned to his earlier life.

…

Chen Xu got out of the car near a commercial street, then went into a chain fast-food restaurant. It was mealtime, and the place was at its busiest. He entered and found almost no seats available.

He loved the lively atmosphere of the store. He ordered a single meal set and found a spot to sit down. Looking up through the glass, he spotted a 2003 noodle shop right across the street.

What a coincidence.

He was somewhat surprised; in recent months, the noodle shop had entered a phase of rapid expansion. Mainly because he had invested more money and regained controlling interest.

With sufficient funds, Old Tang had been unrestrained. In recent months, he had opened over a dozen branches.

Chen Xu was busy and couldn’t personally visit each new branch like before. He could only understand the status of the noodle shop through reports, unaware of the specific locations.

To his surprise, Old Tang had opened a branch here.

In this period when brick-and-mortar stores were entering a harsh winter, renting property on a bustling commercial street like this wasn’t cheap. Previously, due to a lack of funds, there were no similar plans. One had to admit that Old Tang was quick to act.

However, he had reviewed last month’s financial statement from the noodle shop, and its finances were still healthy.

From his position, he could see the noodle shop was full of customers, doing no worse than this fast-food restaurant.

“Excuse me.”

Suddenly, he heard someone passing behind him, with a voice that sounded familiar. Turning around, it really was an acquaintance. “Liu Xiaoshang?”

The man turned around upon hearing his name, looking surprised. “Chen Xu, what are you doing here?”

Liu Xiaoshang was Chen Xu’s university classmate and previously his vice class rep. Last year during the New Year celebration, he and Yang Jinxia had attended his wedding.

In reality, this event happened less than a year ago. Yet, for Chen Xu, it felt like a very old memory.

“I’m here on some business,” Chen Xu replied happily upon seeing an old friend. “What about you, still not headed home at this time?”

“Hey, it’s almost the end of the year, lots of stuff at the company, and overtime work.”

Just then, the person sitting next to Chen Xu left, and Liu Xiaoshang took the opportunity to sit down. After settling his belongings, he remarked with a sigh, “The economic situation isn’t great this year, no raise, but overtime every day, they call it 996. It’s really taxing. Unlike you, being your own boss must feel liberating.”

They had met for a meal not long after last year’s Spring Festival, and Liu Xiaoshang knew about his noodle shop venture.

Chen Xu smiled and changed the subject, “You’re not going home for dinner? Doesn’t your wife mind?”

“Going home would just mean takeout. Since getting married, she hasn’t cooked a single meal. Might as well eat out,” Liu Xiaoshang shook his head, looking somewhat dejected.