What It's Like Being a Vampire

Chapter 610: Chapter 610: Number One Fan

Upon hearing this, Yang Jie understood. Zhang Qian had mentioned multiple times that her grandfather had issues with “Divine Technology”. Her older brother, Zhang Chu, previously cooperated with “Devine Technology” behind their family’s back, and when Old Master Zhang found out, he took Zhang Chu straight home. The thriving company he single-handedly founded was then handed over to Zhang Qian, who just returned to the country, to manage.

“Won’t there be any problems … with your company, like with your brother?” Yang Jie asked anxiously.

“No worries.” Zhang Qian wasn’t bothered, “Zhang Chu knowingly did what he knew Grandpa despised, and sneaky about it too, thinking himself cunning. I’m different, everything I do is out in the open. Plus, the partner of ‘Divine Technology’ is ‘QianKun Technology’, Xiang Kun, Nana, and their team. We’re just assisting, our main collaborator is ‘QianKun Technology’. If my grandpa decides to break off the collaboration with ‘QianKun Technology’ because of this, then so be it, hehe.”

“Looking at you with your cunning smile, your grandfather definitely won’t terminate the collaboration. I take it he’s not too concerned about this?” Yang Jie asked with a smile, “Then Old Master Zhang’s visit this time isn’t about ‘Divine Technology’?”

“Old Master Zhang was in Yangcheng, after which I voluntarily told him about my contact with ‘Divine Technology’. He said he wanted to come over and take a look since it’s nearby. So, he brought over some staff from the corporation to meet up with the head of ‘Divine Technology’, pause the progress of the partnership, and conduct some review, hehe.” Zhang Qian replied, giggling. She didn’t appear worried at all about the temporary suspension of the collaboration.

Yang Jie mused, “Could it be… you don’t want to collaborate with ‘Divine Technology’ and intentionally invited your grandfather over to mess up the deal?”

Sitting in the back, Yang Zhuo asked in confusion, “Why wouldn’t you want to partner with ‘Divine Technology’? Their technology is top-notch! Especially their VR and AR technology, they hold so many patents. Sister Qian Qian, I heard from my sister that your company and Brother Xiang’s company are planning to develop in this direction? In that case, it’s necessary to collaborate with ‘Divine Technology’!”

Yang Zhuo always had a soft spot for companies like “Divine Technology”, which have various advanced tech achievements and are committed to research and development. Recently, he has been thinking of taking up part-time work to save up some money, and ask his older sister to “sponsor” him, so that he could buy the entry-level drone from “Divine Technology” during the winter vacation.

As Zhang Qian drove out of the parking lot, she laughed, “We definitely will collaborate! Having the hardware support from ‘Divine Technology’ will allow us to focus on the development of virtual reality and augmented reality applications, saving a lot of time and seizing the opportunity. I was the one who initially suggested trying to collaborate with ‘Divine Technology’. Xiang Kun insisted on following a new technological trajectory, and surprisingly, he silently sorted out the collaboration without even knowing how he did it.

“I’ve tested the people sent by ‘Divine Technology’, they don’t seem to understand the situation very well. They haven’t even met Xiang Kun, Nana, or Zhen’er, and the decision to collaborate was made by their higher-ups. Details of the collaboration or how deep it would go were not thoroughly discussed, everything had to be started from scratch.

“Although Nana and Zhen’er gave me authorisation to negotiate with them, ‘Divine Technology’ probably didn’t figure out our relationship with ‘QianKun Technology’. The negotiation was arduous, they asked me to confirm everything, repeat explanations, and conduct repetitive duty. The game has recently updated a new version, new platforms and communities have gone online. I’m neck-deep in work and still had to deal with those people. It’s truly annoying.

“What’s crucial here? The crucial point is that these people seem to think that they’re the professionals and we’re the amateurs. They are haughty and disdainful, which really infuriates me.

“It’s good that my grandfather came in to disrupt things. With his status, Lu Cheng’an, would only dare to confront him in person. As for the person responsible on ‘Divine Technology’s side, it’s basically like launching an attack from a higher dimension. Now that we’ve paused, they can go back to their higher-ups for consultation, and learn how to behave properly. Their attitude will definitely improve, and the collaboration will be much smoother going forward. At least my sigh of relief. ”

Yang Jie laughed, “Oh my, it’s honestly impressive that these people could make our Director Zhang so mad. But aren’t you afraid that ‘Divine Technology’ or your grandfather might eventually end the collaboration?”

“Even though I don’t know how Xiang Kun negotiated the partnership with ‘Divine Technology’, judging from my communications with those people, the intention to collaborate was imposed from the top down. The people who came to liaise didn’t have any decision-making power on whether to cooperate or not. As for my grandfather…no matter how much personal bias he may hold against ‘Divine Technology’, at his core he’s an old capitalist. The latter characteristic definitely takes precedence over the former. The business we’re now running with ‘QianKun Technology’ is the greatest opportunity for Zhang Corporation to transform. He won’t possibly give this up. Xiang Kun isn’t affiliated with the Zhang family, and he has always maintained a very dominant stance in partnerships. It’s impossible for anyone to control him. Don’t worry, my grandfather might just be trying to scare ‘Divine Technology’ a little but eventually he will definitely give in.”

As Zhang Qian spoke, she couldn’t help laughing, “I’m thinking maybe if my grandfather couldn’t swallow his pride in the end, he might try and superficially disconnect ‘Tengjiao Entertainment’ from the Zhang family. Regardless of how he tries to cut ties, I will definitely remain involved and my position can only rise, not drop. Without me, whoever the Zhang family or corporation brings in to replace me, I don’t believe they would be able to get in touch with Xiang Kun.”

Yang Jie laughed as well, “You say it as if you can get in touch with Xiang Kun.”

Zhang Qian replied, “Whether I can contact him directly isn’t the point. I know how to cooperate with him. I’m familiar with his style and I have a good relationship with Nana, Zhen’er and Old Xia. If I need to give him a heads up, I can always get the news to him first. Can anyone else do that? They’d either end up clashing or becoming Xiang Kun’s puppet, without any decision-making power. My grandfather knows how to make the right choice.”

Xiao Min in the back seat was stupefied and murmured, “Why does a simple partnership require so much intrigue and complication…”

“It’s not intrigue, this is called strategic action, negotiation tactics, strategic evaluation, using others’ power to advance yourself!” Zhang Qian laughed, “My dear sister, you’re too young. Be it in society, within a company or between enterprises…and not to mention in school, as long as a project involves multiple people, these things are inevitable. The form and extent might vary but it will happen. Everyone, every group, represents different interests and pursues different things, so there will naturally be differences. The key is to get things done under such circumstances. Being reckless won’t help!”

Yang Zhuo laughed at his girlfriend and said, “Remember the observational analysis method Brother Xiang taught us? Define your goal, clarify your needs, and then formulate corresponding strategies and methods. That’s how you apply it in these situations.”

Xiao Min scratched her head, “I gave up a long time ago. I can only draw. No matter where I go to work after graduating, I will be drawing. I’ll just keep my head down and do my work.”

“You should come work for our company. We’re also hiring artists. You can reserve your spot! When Yang Zhuo graduates, he can come too. His major aligns well with our operations or branding departments,” Zhang Qian said.

Yang Jie laughed, “You’re recruiting a bit too early, aren’t you? This kid is only a freshman.”

“It’s not a problem. He can come for an internship during the summer and winter breaks to familiarize himself with the work environment.”

However, Yang Zhuo was a little embarrassed and said, “Sister Qian Qian, I’ve already made arrangements to intern at Brother Xiang’s company during the winter vacation. Xiao Min will also come with me.”

“Really? It makes sense for Xiao Min to go, but what will you do in their company? They don’t have any business related to your major, do they?” asked Zhang Qian, appearing surprised.

“It’s not ‘QianKun Technology’, but a catering company that Brother Xiang and Brother Meng are planning to establish, including the ‘Youlong Restaurant’. The plan is to package it into a complete restaurant brand for promotion and operation, which aligns well with my major. On top of that, I’ve been watching the ‘Youlong Restaurant’ grow from scratch, so I might have a bit of an advantage and be able to truly contribute.” said Yang Zhuo.

“Well, if that’s the case…it’s not bad,” said Zhang Qian, laughing, “But Xiang Kun, that guy, either stays in Chongyun Village all the time doing research with Old Xia, or just disappears without a trace. If we do set up this catering company, nine out of ten times it’ll be others doing the work.”

Yang Zhuo chuckled, “Brother Xiang has paved the way. We just need to follow the direction he set.”Nôv(el)B\\jnn

The passenger, Yang Jie, resisted the urge to roll her eyes and said helplessly to Zhang Qian, “You see, I told you, this guy is completely idol… no, adoring Xiang Kun like a god, completely blind faith.”

“Sister, that’s not true. It’s not blind faith. Everything Brother Xiang says makes sense and can stand up to scrutiny,” Yang Zhuo argued.

“Alright, alright, I won’t argue with you about this,” Yang Jie laughed helplessly, “Let’s not talk about Xiang Kun. We’ve already been talking about him on the plane for half the day. Now with Qian Qian, in just a few sentences we’re back on the topic of Xiang Kun. Can we stop?” She then asked Zhang Qian, “By the way, your brother is always rude to you, even hired a private detective to watch you last time. Do you think he’s going to play any tricks this time?”

“My brother…just thinking about him makes me laugh,” Zhang Qian shook her head and giggled, “He’s become a master of keeping his body in good shape, getting up before dawn, bathing and dressing, and going to the rooftop to meditate and greet the sunrise. He only drinks tea that he brews himself, doesn’t eat any fried food, and mostly has porridge, vegetables, and fruits. In his spare time, he meditates, jogs, climbs mountains, and reads books like Zhuangzi, Mencius, Laozi, and the Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch. We all thought he would only keep this up for a month or two, but it’s been over half a year and he’s still going strong. It doesn’t seem to be torturing him at all, but rather, he seems to enjoy it… it’s so amazing. Now, when my mom complains about me staying up late and neglecting my health, she actually says, ‘You should learn from your brother’s routine’.”

Yang Jie was also somewhat surprised, “Is your brother really planning to become a monk or a Daoist priest?”

Xiao Min, remembering the man who was once pinned down by Zhang Qian with a flying wrist twist cross lock and sobbing, couldn’t help but ask, “How did Qian Qian’s brother change so much out of the blue?”

“Apparently, Xiang Kun talked to him about ‘keeping his body in good shape’, but that’s just Xiang Kun’s version. My brother won’t elaborate on what exactly happened,” Zhang Qian chuckled, “Ha, we’re back on the topic of Xiang Kun again.”

Yang Zhuo added, “If it was Brother Xiang, that would make sense. He does has the ability to turn decay into magic.”

Yang Jie sighed, “You see… there he goes again.”

“I’m not talking nonsense, Sister. The ‘Observational Analysis Method’, ‘Sensory Information Isolation Method’, ‘Axis Memory Method’, ‘Nine Stages Prediction Method’ that Brother Xiang taught me are indeed useful,” Yang Zhuo defended earnestly.

“You see, he has all these tricks up his sleeve,” Yang Jie said helplessly.

“Xiao Zhuo, did Xiang Kun come up with the names for these techniques?” Zhang Qian wondered curiously.

“No, Brother Xiang didn’t name them. He just simply told me how to do things and helped me summarize a set of methodologies that were suitable for me. I named them according to their functions and characteristics,” Yang Zhuo elaborated, “My sister is always in her lab doing research and has settled into a certain way of thinking. She feels the need to explain and understand everything in her own cognitive system. If she can’t understand or explain something, she thinks it’s a lie.”

“This boy, I don’t know where he learned some magic tricks and then tried to fool me, saying that he relies on some kind of perception. It’s too incredible,” Yang Jie said to her friend.

“It’s really not magic. If you don’t believe me, ask Xiao Min,” Yang Zhuo countered.

Xiao Min was nodding vigorously, “It really isn’t magic, Sister. The things that Brother Xiang taught us are definitely useful. I also studied with him for a while, but I don’t have Ah Zhuo’s talent or patience, so I didn’t continue.”

The more Zhang Qian listened, the more curious she became, “What kind of ‘magic’?”

“All sorts. Cards, coins, keys, all kinds of objects can be manipulated by him. Do you remember the first time we met Xiang Kun in that bar not far from my school? He performed a ‘magic trick’ with that crumpled A4 paper. It’s mainly this type of minor gags, but not as amazing as what Xiang Kun showed,” Yang Jie said, “Yang Zhuo, during the meal later, perform for your Sister Qian Qian and let her judge if it is indeed magic.”

“Yes, yes, give me a show,” Zhang Qian bobbed her head enthusiastically, pulling the car into an underground carpark of a shopping center, which where they were going for lunch.

After getting out of the car, Yang Jie said, “I’m going to buy a deck of playing cards first for Yang Zhuo to perform.”

“I have some in my bag which was in the car. You can simply take them.”

“No, I want to buy a new one.”

“In that case, Sister, can you also buy some ballpoint pens or gel pens, and exchange some coins. Either one yuan or fifty cents doesn’t matter. Just get a lot, because I’m not sure which ones will be useful,” Yang Zhuo suggested, “If I’m going to show something, might as well show a variety.”

Zhang Qian was growing more excited and curious, “A coin? How do you perform with a coin? Oh yes, I remember Xiao Lingdang, Apple, and Old Xia can all spin coins with their fingers, which is very amazing. Can you do that?”

“I’m not very good at that. I’m not agile enough at flipping the coin. That’s not what I’m going to show,” Yang Zhuo admitted bashfully, “I’m far inferior to Brother Xiang. He’s really amazing. I’m just a rather poor apprentice. What we practice… isn’t magic or pulling the wool over people’s eyes like what my sister is saying, nor are they spells. It’s simply a methodology combining observation skills, sensory ability, and analytical skills that are developed through training. Actually, there’s nothing to it once it’s explained. It’s just that my sister always refuses to believe what I say and thinks I’m trying to hoodwink her.”