The world is in trouble

Chapter 271 The Ultimate! Madness! My Myth
Siu Wan-li has been in charge of the Bubble Foundation for more than half a year now.

There was a feeling of complete control, like being reborn.

When I was in the Agriculture Bureau, no matter what I did, it always felt slow and tedious, like a lot of effort was being wasted.

No matter how big or small the matter is, even if you put in ten times the effort, it would be a great achievement if you only manage to get three or four out of ten things done.

No matter what you do, it's just very difficult.

Now, the effort you put in will quickly yield results and responses.

Whether it's for nursing homes or poverty alleviation through education, the work can be implemented quickly.

The key point is that when he was the director of the Agriculture Bureau, he wasn't well-liked by anyone, from top to bottom. But now that he's in charge of this foundation, he's instantly transformed into a guest of honor for countless people.

Previously in Kecheng City, most leaders at the Standing Committee level and above did not know his name, and they paid him even less attention.

Now, whenever I visit these leaders, they will personally receive me and even see me off to the door.

Xiao Wanli even felt that he was now truly serving the people every day.

"Mr. Xiao, there's something I need to discuss." A representative from the foundation walked in.

“We sponsored a high-achieving student from a poor family who was admitted to Zhijiang University this year. His family is indeed very poor; his parents are farmers and their health is not very good, so we sponsor him with 6,000 yuan every year.”

"Not only that, we have also created a special file for him and will pay attention to his learning and growth."

"However, recently he used the money we sponsored to buy a pair of Nike shoes for 460 yuan."

"How should this matter be handled?"

Xiao Wanli asked in confusion, "How did you know? Did someone report you?"

The person in charge said, "No, he posted an update on Facebook that he not only bought Nike sneakers, but also branded clothing."

"Should we specifically admonish him, or what?"

Xiao Wanli did not make a decision immediately, saying, "I will think about it carefully, and if necessary, I will attend a meeting."

Although this is a small matter, it is very representative.

........................

Xiao Momo became a teacher at Linshan No.1 Middle School again.

I teach three subjects: aesthetics, writing, and spoken English.

As a key provincial high school, Linshan No.1 High School still places great emphasis on holistic education during this period, and the related courses are very intensive.

There are guitars, violins, debates, and more.

Xiao Momo has about six classes a week.

The baby is already ten months old. Li Fangfang took sick leave to stay at home and take care of the baby. Not only that, the family also hired a very professional nanny.

Xiao Momo had some free time and returned to Linshan No.1 Middle School as a teacher in September.

In addition, she picked up screenwriting again.

A full year and a half has passed since the so-called scandal was exposed.

It was really tough at first, especially in a small county town, where it's a society based entirely on personal connections and there are no secrets at all.

After Xiao Wanli and Li Fangfang brought Bubble home, they stayed at home all day long, afraid to go out because people would point fingers and gossip.

So at first, even if Xiao Momo wanted to go back to Linshan No.1 Middle School for a walk, she had to wait until nighttime, when no one could see her.

But time heals all wounds.

Xiao Momo is now an exceptional figure at Linshan No. 1 High School, the idol of all the female teachers. Ordinary teachers might not care, but the entire school leadership is going to great lengths to curry favor with her.

This is not just because Lightning Group donated a library and a multimedia hall to Linshan No.1 Middle School.

Furthermore, due to the existence of the lightning element.

The son of former school principal Zhang Qizhao has become a senior executive at Lightning Group.

Li Mingchao's daughter just graduated and also joined the Lightning Group.

Moreover, college graduates from Linshan No. 1 High School, as long as they are outstanding enough, will find it much easier to enter the Lightning Group than others.

Lightning Group is now a major internet company, offering salaries that are far ahead of the competition.

Therefore, Xiao Momo is exceptional not only in Linshan No.1 High School, but also in the entire Linshan area.

Today's classes were over, and Xiao Momo left the school with light steps and walked home.

Not far away, a car slowly followed behind, watching the slightest movement around her.

"Teacher Xiao, let's go home."

"Teacher Xiao, your dress looks so beautiful today, where did you buy it?"

"Teacher Xiao, we both just gave birth, why do you have such a good figure? Look at my belly."

Several female teachers instinctively gathered around her, subtly saying things that would make Xiao Momo happy.

One of the female teachers had just gotten engaged to the son of the deputy county head, who worked in the Bureau of Commerce.

She hesitated several times before wanting to invite Xiao Momo to her wedding, because her fiancé and in-laws had repeatedly emphasized this matter.

They would do everything they could to invite Xiao Momo to the wedding.

However, the female teacher hesitated for a long time but still didn't say anything. Her womanly intuition told her that her in-laws were too direct and materialistic.

Furthermore, it doesn't consider the actual situation.

With Teacher Xiao and President Lin's marriage still undecided, is it appropriate for you to invite others to your wedding?

“Teacher Xiao, my mother-in-law seems to have made steamed rice cakes tonight, and they’re osmanthus flavored. Would you like to try some? I can bring them over tomorrow,” another female teacher said.

Xiao Momo: "Okay, thank you."

arrive home.

Before I even opened the door, I could hear the baby's sweet, babyish voice.

Li Fangfang is using picture books to help her recognize animals and learn to speak.

She couldn't explain it clearly, but her voice was soft and sweet.

The key has just been turned.

The baby immediately turned his head and opened his arms: "Mama, Mama..."

This baby is very clever and lively. He started talking very early; he could say "daddy" and "mommy" at nine months old.

On the contrary, she walks rather slowly and now she especially likes to climb.

Xiao Momo stepped forward, picked up the baby, and kissed him twice.

The baby immediately nuzzled against her chest with its little mouth.

She's not entirely reliant on breast milk anymore; she's taking other things as well. So after a few minutes of eating, she started pointing at the dolls and picture books.

"Eat your milk first, then play." Xiao Momo pressed him back down.

Li Fangfang couldn't help but say, "Just like your father, no patience."

Upon hearing the familiar words, the baby immediately spat out his nipple, opened his little mouth, and called out, "Daddy, Daddy..."

Li Fangfang: "Your father flies all over the world, I wonder where he is now?"

Lin Xiao has been extremely busy lately, and he can only come back to see the baby at most twice a month, but each time he brings different gifts from all over the world.

....................................

In the evening, when the family was having dinner.

Li Fangfang suddenly asked, "Old Xiao, is it true that Lin Xiao owes a billion dollars?"

Xiao Wanli nodded: "Yes."

Li Fangfang: "Your foundation manages more than 100 million yuan. He owes so much money, yet he's donating so much money to charity? Why is that?"

Xiao Wanli: "Social responsibility. Besides, he owes US dollars, but he donates RMB to charity in China."

Li Fangfang: "It's all money, how could it be different? It's just one to eight, right?"

Xiao Wanli: "Not nearly as good."

Then, Xiao Wanli hesitated for a moment and asked, "Bubble, there's something like this."

He recounted what happened today: a student from a poor family received a subsidy and spent several hundred yuan on Nike shoes and other brand-name clothes.

After he finished speaking, Xiao Wanli asked, "The Foundation's attitude is now quite clear: it wants to issue a warning."

After listening, Xiao Momo thought for a while and said, "When I was in high school and college, I also liked to wear pretty clothes and spent most of my living expenses on buying clothes."

Li Fangfang: "Can you compare? My family is well-off."

Xiao Momo: "If my family is not well-off, I... I might save money on food and use it to buy clothes."

"Lin Xiao was the same way. In high school, he already had very little money for food, but he still saved money to buy clothes."

"It's normal for young people to be a little vain and want to wear nice clothes and shoes, as long as they do so in moderation."

"You've already created a file on that young man. Just continue to observe his performance at school. If he continues to excel in his studies and conduct, then don't disturb his life."

After listening, Xiao Wanli nodded and couldn't help but say, "Bubble has really grown up."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Momo felt that Lin Xiao was the one who had grown up.

He used to be full of unparalleled youthful energy, and in just a year and a half, he seemed to have grown up by six or seven years.

She didn't want to use the word "old".

But it really felt like in an instant, I went from a boy to an adult.

..............................

Next, the quantum technology industrial park will be changing dramatically every day.

The number of employees being recruited is increasing.

A large number of undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students from domestic universities have joined the field of quantum technology.

Some of the functions of the X Research Institute in the United States have also been transferred to the quantum technology industrial park.

Money was once again being burned through in huge wads.

In China, most of what gets burned is RMB.

As long as it's in RMB, everything is negotiable. Whether it's the province or the city, the level of support is unprecedented.

With the top leader's approval, the bank's loan amount for quantum technology is astonishing.

In just about a year, Lin Xiao and Lian Zheng reported to their superiors six times, each time for more than an hour.

Many things are explained very thoroughly and in great detail.

A few months ago, Lian Zheng was promoted to the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

Standing on the rooftop, looking out over the vast open space.

Lian Zheng couldn't help but ask, "I wonder if these vacant lots can be filled in within the next ten years?"

Lin Xiao: "At most five years, but once it erupts, it will be astonishing."

Currently, quantum technology can only build a few core laboratories, and even these laboratories are often in name only.

But it really only takes five or six years. If quantum technology succeeds, then many industrial chains will be established around it.

At that time, the industrial upgrading of the entire Ning City will advance by leaps and bounds, and the output value will also increase.

By then, it will be considered a great undertaking.

Lian Zheng: "This year, Bird's mobile phone sales continued to decline, making it even more determined to transform into car manufacturing."

The next few years were the darkest period for domestic mobile phone manufacturers, with traditional brands experiencing increasingly lower sales and thinner profits.

Don't be fooled by the seemingly good sales figures of some brands, such as Tianyu.

But... that's all hard-earned money, only slightly better than a knock-off phone.

....................................

The first season of Breaking Bad has been released.

This American TV series has attracted a lot of attention because its second male lead is played by the number one Facebook heartthrob in the US.

At first, the American media thought that Facebook was just putting on a show and wouldn't actually do anything big.

After all, the national draft was a huge success, directly causing Facebook's market value to skyrocket in the US, which was already a success.

Then there's no need to take investing in TV dramas and casting the number one campus heartthrob in them so seriously.

Unexpectedly, Facebook in the United States actually partnered with Dreamworld and AMC to invest $2000 million in producing "Breaking Bad".

Moreover, many American TV series are filmed for a few episodes first to test the waters, and if the ratings are not good, they are canceled directly.

Breaking Bad, on the other hand, had a budget of $20 million, which allowed them to film the entire first season.

The average viewership ratings are out.

Approximately 150 million people watched.

This is slightly higher than the historical figure of 120 million, thanks to the hype and popularity of the national talent show.

However, the viewership was still only so-so.

Very average.

It could even be considered bad.

Vince Gilligan was very frustrated, and he made a long phone call to Lin Xiao.

"Lin, have we failed?"

"Is there no future for this drama?"

This is already quite good; historically, this show didn't really take off until the third or fourth season.

Ultimately, it became the most awesome, successful, and classic TV series in the United States.

Even its spin-off series, Better Call Saul, achieved tremendous success.

Lin Xiao: "Did the main creators ask for a raise?"

Vince Gilligan: "How could that be? If the ratings aren't good, everyone's worried about the future, about not having jobs."

Lin Xiao: "We will start writing the script for the second season, and I will allocate a budget of about 30 million US dollars. After the script is completed, we will start production of the second season."

Vince Gilligan choked up slightly as he said, "Lin, thank you. I've truly never met anyone like you. I'm so, so sorry I couldn't make money for you."

Lin Xiao: "I think AMC will renew the contract."

Vince Gilligan: "Although the ratings weren't good, they spoke very highly of the show's quality."

Lin Xiao borrowed $8 million.

The two-year cycle basically relies on the revenue generated from IPs such as "The Hunger Games", "Breaking Bad", "Kung Fu Panda", and "Fallout 3" to pay off the debt.

Breaking Bad, for example, struggled to make much money in both its first and second seasons.

After the third season, it will become incredibly profitable and a perennial money-making machine.

10 month 22 day.

Lin Xiao flew to the United States to watch a preview screening of "Kung Fu Panda," the most important film produced by Lightning Entertainment.

This was a very private screening.

Lin Xiao and the executives of Lightning Entertainment also flew to the United States.

Executives from Sony and Columbia were also present.

It took almost two years and burned through $1.3 million before it finally came out.

The dozens of people in the audience watched the movie quietly.

Ninety-five minutes have passed.

The audience burst into warm applause.

Amy Pascal turned to look at Lin Xiao, and suddenly her heart tightened.

Because Lin Xiao was frowning.

The plot is excellent, the atmosphere is wonderful, the pacing is perfect, and the action sequences are superb.

Almost everything is top-notch.

But... the visuals aren't top-notch.

It differs from the Kung Fu Panda that Lin Xiao remembered.

Amy Pascal: "Lin, Lin, it's already very good. This is our studio's first 3D animated film, and it's already at a very high standard."

"Don't even think about comparing it to Pixar, or even DreamWorks. The visual quality of our film is at least on par with Blue Sky Studios."

Ning Hao, standing beside him, said, "Master, this is really good. At this level, it's absolutely groundbreaking in the domestic market. We've raised animated films from the floor to the ceiling, and we're sure to achieve unparalleled success."

Amy Pascal: "Lin, we've been friends for years, I know what you're thinking. Don't think that way, don't try to be extreme."

"Don't go crazy, please don't go crazy. When you were at Lightning Group, you scrapped countless things and sent a lot of things back to be redone."

"However, we have already spent more than $1 million on this movie."

"You're thinking of going back to the drawing board? How much extra money would you like?"

"Okay, even if it's not a complete overhaul, but rather an improvement, how much would that cost?"

"The key issue is the schedule. If you want to send it back, how long will the delay be? What you need most right now is money."

Yes, Lin Xiao needs money most right now.

If Kung Fu Panda is rejected, where will the additional budget come from?
How long will the release date be delayed?

When the loan period ends, Lin Xiao will have to repay the loan, which will amount to more than 900 million US dollars including principal and interest.

..........................................

Lin Xiao arrived at Er Gou's studio.

The development of Fallout 3 has been underway for two years.

The studio's head, Sawyer, was in high spirits, even to the point of being talkative.

"Master, our team in China is so excellent, so outstanding."

"They used less than a third of their salary but accomplished about twice the amount of work."

"Because of the existence of the Chinese Ergou Studio team, the development progress of our game is excellent."

Historically, Bethesda had a very small team developing Fallout 3, and even later, Fallout 76 had only about 200 people, which is incomparable to Rockstar's development scale.

So while Bethesda's games are very fun, their graphics have always been criticized.

In this world, the team developing Fallout 3 has grown to over 300 people, more than three times the size of the original team.

Two-thirds of them are domestic teams.

Lin Xiao opened the game.

Familiar music began to play.

Some of the soundtracks in Fallout 4 are even more classic than those in Fallout 3.

The theme song, in particular, is just as classic as the theme song from "Game of Thrones".

Therefore, Lin Xiao did not hesitate to find someone to perform it in advance, making it the theme song of Fallout 3.

Hearing this familiar melody, Lin Xiao felt a slight chill run down his spine.

Enter the game.

Wow!
This scene is wonderful.

The doubled budget and tripled manpower were not wasted.

EPic's all-out support was not in vain.

The graphics of "Zhu Xian" are already quite good, but compared to "Fallout 3", there is still a very obvious gap.

Compared to previous Fallout 3 games, the visual presentation is so much better.

Lin Xiao even felt that this scene was almost as good as "Crysis".

Crysis is practically the pinnacle of game graphics in recent years.

Fallout 3 was already a super classic, and with even better graphics than in previous installments, it's simply perfect.

And you don't have to put up with Bethesda's terrible engine from the early days.

Sawyer, who had been watching Lin Xiao nervously, asked, "What do you think?"

Lin Xiao: "Very good, very good."

Sawyer: "But he hasn't reached his peak yet; it can get even better, I'm confident of that. Because you've given him such a generous budget and so many people."

Lin Xiao smiled. "They can't compare to Rockstar. This one is truly insane."

Therefore, even after six or seven years, Red Dead Redemption 2 remains a top-tier game.

Sawyer: "Boss, you desperately need money, don't you?"

Lin Xiao: "Yes."

Sawyer: "At the fastest possible time, our game could be released in four months."

Lin Xiao: "But, not in the best condition, right?"

Sawyer: "If we want to achieve the effect we dream of, it might...maybe next August."

"But I believe that even if it is released four months later, it will still cause a huge sensation and be a huge success."

Lin Xiao: "Then let's make it achieve the effect we dream of."

..........................................

After Lin Xiao left, Sawyer gathered all the members of Er Gou Studio in the United States.

"Our game's initial budget was $15 million, and it has now exceeded $30 million."

"The budget has doubled."

“Every time I asked the boss for money, he would just look at the report, sign it silently, and then disburse the money as quickly as possible.”

"There is one thing that I believe everyone knows: our BOSS took out a loan of nearly one billion US dollars in order to expand his business."

“He desperately needs the money, but I just offered to release the game in four months, even if it wasn’t perfect, but he refused.”

He said it should achieve the effect we dream of.

“I’ve become very good friends with Vince Gilligan, the producer of Breaking Bad. Everyone has seen Breaking Bad, it’s really, really good, almost the best show we’ve seen in recent years, but it was a ratings failure. We all thought it wouldn’t have a second season, but Vince just told me over drinks that the boss has already written the script for the second season with him, with a budget of 30 million dollars, even though AMC hasn’t said they’d renew it.”

"So, as you can see, we've probably encountered a certain kind of BOSS."

"He is not a capitalist; he is purely an artist."

"Another thing is that our colleagues in China are earning a fraction of our salary but doing several times the work."

“We used to feel very superior, thinking that we were much better than them, but as you have seen, the results of our work in China are something you have witnessed firsthand.”

“I know you all have your own lives after get off work. But for Fallout 3, for replicating the world in our hearts into the electronic world, for the ultimate dream, we can’t just let others work hard; we can’t let ourselves become bystanders.”

"So I announce that starting today, I will be working overtime. Whether you want to work overtime or not is still up to you."

That evening, Er Gou's studio was brightly lit.

The overtime culture that originally belonged to Rockstar Games has started ahead of schedule.

....................................

Meanwhile, at the domestic Lightning Group, the number of people involved in game development has exceeded one thousand.

More than 300 people were involved in the production of the Kung Fu Panda movie.

Even the team that specifically develops games for quantum phones has more than two hundred members.

Even now, quantum phones are still nowhere to be seen.

Recently, domestic public opinion has been frantically stirring up trouble, slandering Er Gou, the leader of the group, and the Lightning Group.

Whether it's the teams behind "Kung Fu Panda" or "Fallout 3," they all have a burning desire to prove themselves.

Fuck your mother!
They keep saying we've fallen from grace, that we've become mediocre.

When "Kung Fu Panda" comes out, I'll show you what true awesomeness is, what rapid advancements in the film industry are, and what a pioneer in the film market is.

They keep saying that "Zhu Xian" is far inferior to "World of Warcraft", and they keep criticizing "Dungeon Fighter Online".

When Fallout 3 comes out, I'll show you what the pinnacle of gaming is.

Zhang Chun joined Er Gou Studio because he was no longer the head of Target Studio, but the vice president of Lightning Games, having been promoted.

"At the American studio, the leader just had a full hands-on preview of Fallout 3, and he said it's great!"

Immediately, the entire Er Gou Studio across the country erupted in cheers.

"Everyone knows that the cult leader is short of money. Sawyer proposed to release the game in four months, but the cult leader refused, saying that if he was going to do something, he should do it to the extreme."

"At the US studio, everyone's already working overtime."

"I know the brothers have already given it their all, but it's not enough!"

"We cannot let the leader go on alone."

"Keep fighting! We'll shock the world! We'll slap Microsoft in the face!"

"What's Blizzard? Next summer, we'll take down Microsoft's flagship game and avenge our leader."

....................................

Gao Changhe arrived at the Oriental Fantasy Studio.

Hundreds of people in the audience, all sporting panda eyes, stared at him.

Because in North America, the test screenings of "Kung Fu Panda" have ended.

Gao Changhe said slowly, "Sony is very satisfied, Columbia is very satisfied, but... our boss is not satisfied!"

"It aims to be at the level of Pixar and DreamWorks, but my film is only at the level of Blue Sky Studios."

"Everyone knows the boss's personality; once he's dissatisfied, it means you have to go back to the factory."

"Even if it costs more money, even if Sony and Columbia back out, even if it's delayed, he will definitely have to go back to the drawing board."

"Everyone, get ready!"

"that's all!"

........................

"Oh my, who's in such a sorry state?" Wu Lingxi, the epitome of beauty, mocked mercilessly.

"Breaking Bad's ratings were not ideal, and Kung Fu Panda did not meet expectations."

"My Lord, has your myth come to an end?"

"You've been having bad luck ever since you started having affairs with two men."

"Second Dog Cult Leader has fallen, and Lightning Group has become mediocre."

Wu Lingxi poured two cups of coffee, handing one to Lin Xiao.

“My side is making rapid progress, like the sun at its zenith.” Wu Lingxi continued her sarcastic remarks: “Facebook in the US has already surpassed 26 million registered users, and even Mr. Gu’s YouTube channel has surpassed 16 million users.”

"The situation is not just good, it's excellent."

"Second Dog Cult Leader, could it be that I stole your luck?"

"You're broke, aren't you? It's so satisfying to see you in such a sorry state."

Then, she sat in a comfortable chair and stared at Lin Xiao with a playful expression.

"You've gotten older, and you're not as handsome as you used to be."

"You want to remake Kung Fu Panda, don't you? But you really can't afford it, and Sony and Columbia aren't willing to."

"Dog, stop being so crazy! You're a human, not a god!"

Then, Wu Lingxi casually handed over something.

“Fifty million US dollars, that’s all, I’ve emptied my pockets.”

"take it!"

"It's a loan, you have to pay it back."

Lin Xiao was taken aback: "Where did you get the money? Aren't you a pauper?"

"You're the poor one," Wu Lingxi said irritably. "Seeing how successful Facebook is in the US, my family took the initiative to ease tensions with me and unfreeze my previous assets."

"Please, don't make that face, don't look so dead, like you're really touched."

"Write me an IOU. I'm really seeing things. I don't know what I'm trying to prove to you. I'm so muddleheaded. Where is the slightest bit of a capitalist background in me?"

"Alright, you can get lost now."

"Hey, you actually left after I told you to?"

..........................................

Note: I left home at 6 AM this morning to run errands and didn't get back until this afternoon. I've been engrossed in writing ever since. I desperately need your monthly votes, thank you so much! Thank you everyone!
(End of this chapter)