Sun Wen brought Qin Guanglin to a shop called “Flavor Capital of Sichuan and Shandong.” The shopfront was not large, but it had elegant decoration, and its interior was clean and comfortable to look at. Since it was lunchtime, there were very few empty seats left.
A slightly plump waitress brought them to their seats and took out the menu for them to browse. She told them to call for her when they were ready to order before handling other things. It looked as if she was too busy.
Sun Wen decided on two dishes and passed him the menu. When Qin Guanglin glanced at it, he added three more. This big-sized guy had always had a huge appetite. Since they were going to eat, they were going to have a feast. After all, they had not seen each other for a long time.
“Excuse me, we’re ready to order.” Qin Guanglin waved the menu at the waitress. She had just cleared the dishes from a table of customers who had just left.
Sun Wen looked at the beer lined up on the counter at the entrance. “It’s such a pity that I still have to work later. Otherwise, I’d drink a beer or two with you.”
“Forget it. You know how much I can drink. I still have something on in the afternoon.”
“Hahaha. I want to drink with you precisely because I know.” Sun Wen was happy to see Qin Guanglin. “Anyway, you’re going to start work here. We’ll have plenty of chances in the future.”
“Damn you.” Qin Guanglin smiled too. “I just came to look. I may not work here.”
Sun Wen poured tea for the two of them and said, “You’ll know when you see it later. You’re definitely suitable.”
“Is it appropriate for me to just go up and look around?” It was mainly the job scope that Qin Guanglin wanted to know before he made his decision.
Either the job was easy, or there were skills involved that he could easily take up. Otherwise, it would not be worth it to work there. He would be better off staying at home.
“Go for the interview and ask what you want to ask. It’s a process of mutual inspection. But I dare say that you’ll get in if you want to. The crux is whether or not you want to.” Sun Wen was brimming with confidence.
Qin Guanglin thought about it. What he said was indeed true, that he could just go for the interview. Whether he would take the job remained to be seen.
Sun Wen suddenly moved closer in a sneaky manner. “There are a few beauties in the studio. They’re single, too.”
“Look at how much of a pervert you are.” Qin Guanglin found it amusing. A sturdy man of 1.9 meters looked way too gross when he had perverted thoughts. “I’m not interested. Go court them yourself if you like them.”
“Tsk. I already have a girlfriend. I have to think of ways to help you out.” Sun Wen behaved as if he was thinking on his behalf as a good friend.
“How coincidental. I have one too,” Qin Guanglin said.
“For real?” It surprised Sun Wen.
“It’s true.”
“Not bad, chap. Any photos for me to see?” Sun Wen was partly curious and partly disbelieving. Having known each other for six years since their university days, this was the first time he heard Qin Guanglin say he had a girlfriend.
“No.” Qin Guanglin shook his head calmly. He definitely would not let him see.
“Tch. That means you don’t have one,” Sun Wen said disdainfully. It was as he had thought. This fellow stayed at home all the time to draw. How could he have a girlfriend?
“Enough. No need for you to be a pimp. I have one.”
Qin Guanglin felt helpless. This chap had enjoyed playing matchmaker since his school days. Every time he got a new girlfriend, he would introduce her friends to them. No one knew where he got such energy.
“It’s up to you.” Sun Wen gulped down the tea in his hands. Then he recalled something. “It seems that Yu Fei is getting married soon. They’re choosing a date now.”
“When?” Qin Guanglin was curious. This was the first time someone in their group of close friends planned to get married.
Sun Wen shook his head and said, “He hasn’t informed us yet. I heard him mention it just a few days ago. Anyway, we’ll be notified when the time comes. How much do you think we should give?”
Qin Guanglin pondered before saying, “Hm… Let’s discuss it when the time comes. I think anywhere from 300 to 500 would be fine. We’ll get it back when we get married in the future, anyway. It’s just a formality.”
“Sounds good.” Sun Wen nodded. “To me, 200 thereabouts is enough. So many people aren’t married yet. It won’t be a small amount if they get married one by one.”
“The one who gets married the last is the most unlucky one.” Qin Guanglin paused before smiling and saying, “We have to give gift money again when they have children.”
“…”
For some strange reason, Sun Wen felt the pressure of being an adult. Life was better back in school. They did not have to worry so much about money.
Even without doing anything, social dealings alone cost an enormous amount of money.
“I’ll discuss with my future wife about holding a wedding once a year.” Sun Wen stroked his chin in contemplation.
Qin Guanglin put on a show and looked around. “Who are you? Why are you sitting at my table?”
Sun Wen smiled. “You can pretend not to know me. But leave the gift money behind.”
They spent most of their time engaged in idle talk while the dishes were served amidst their conversation. The waitress marked the menu twice before turning to leave. A notification sound rang from Qin Guanglin’s phone.
Gone Astray, Awaiting Return: Have you eaten?
Dense Forest: I’m eating right now. How about you?
Gone Astray, Awaiting Return: I just ate. I miss you.
Dense Forest: I’m outside running some errands. I’ll look for you in the afternoon?
Gone Astray, Awaiting Return: Another day. I have to write my thesis.
Dense Forest: Alright then.
Dense Forest: I miss you too.
Gone Astray, Awaiting Return: Got it. Eat more.
By the time he put down his phone, Sun Wen had already started eating. Without even raising his head, he asked, “Your girlfriend?”
“Just eat,” Qin Guanglin said.
“From your lecherous smile, I can tell that it must be.” Sun Wen looked at him disdainfully. It was apparent, but he still refused to admit it.
“You’re the one with a lecherous smile. I’m such a righteous person.”
They sat for a while more after finishing their food. Qin Guanglin was about to pay, but Sun Wen tried to stop him. It was to no avail, so he stopped vying with him too. They walked out of the restaurant together and stood there briefly.
“Where should we go now?” Qin Guanglin asked. It was not one in the afternoon yet. It was not too appropriate to go to his company now.
After thinking about it, Sun Wen said, “It’s lunchtime, so they’re not working yet. I’ll take you to the company first to look around and rest for a bit.”
“That’s not very appropriate, right?” Qin Guanglin said.
“What’s inappropriate about it? After resting for a bit, it’ll be time for work, and you’ll attend an interview immediately.” Sun Wen led him in the direction of the company.
“Alright then.” Qin Guanglin had no choice but to follow him.
The studio differed from what Qin Guanglin had imagined. Usually, small studios like these rented a unit with three rooms and added some decoration and the necessary equipment. However, in front of him was a large working area. The original partitions had been completely removed to make space, and there were a few tables scattered about the area. They placed equipment like graphic tablets and scanners along the edges, and they posted pictures of various comic characters on the wall.
At a glance, it looked quite stylish. It was not like typical companies where everything was neatly arranged, and the atmosphere was suffocatingly serious.
The people inside were either chatting in groups or lying down on the tables to rest, or holding their pens and writing. Someone noticed them and turned to greet Sun Wen.
“Sun Wen, is this your friend?”
“Yes. He’s about to go for an interview,” Sun Wen responded. Then, he spoke softly to Qin Guanglin and introduced to him, “These colleagues are all young people. The oldest is only 25. The atmosphere is not bad.”
“I can tell.” Qin Guanglin nodded. A few people were dressed in pretty strange clothing resembling clothing in cartoons. The two-dimensional world?
“Come this way.”
Sun Wen brought Qin Guanglin to the couch at the side. He sat him down and explained to him his daily job scope.
“At the moment, the studio mainly creates short stories for partnering companies. It’s also preparing long stories and venturing into new media. The two girls over there are the scriptwriter and the producer. That person over there is responsible for inking. And the person wearing the teddy bear shirt is…”
Sun Wen introduced everyone one by one as if Qin Guanglin had already decided to work here.