Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 215, Section 213: Fan Xiaopang: I really want to improve!
February 23, 1999, the sixth day of the second lunar month, early morning.

In early spring in Beijing, the chill of winter has not yet completely dissipated. As dawn breaks, the air is filled with a crisp freshness.

On the streets of North Third Ring Road East, there were not many pedestrians or vehicles. Occasionally, an early morning bus would drag its weary figure past, crushing the damp air that had condensed overnight.

The office of the general manager of Shengying Media is located on the ninth floor of Jingxin Building.

Wang Sheng is reviewing the budget sheet for the new quarter's TV and film projects.

Just then, my cell phone, which was on my desk, rang.

The caller ID showed Fan Xiaopang.

Wang Sheng pressed the answer button.

"Hey?"

"Mr. Wang! Good morning, Mr. Wang! Happy New Year... ah, I mean, Happy New Year after the New Year! I wish you a belated Happy New Year!" On the other end of the phone, Fan Xiaopang's voice was full of energy, with a refreshing and cheerful feeling like a sea breeze, showing no trace of morning drowsiness.

"Back to the capital?"

"You're back! You've just arrived!"

Fan Xiaopang's voice was tinged with laughter: "President Wang, are you... at home now? Or at the company?"

"At the company. What's up? Is something the matter?"

"Yes, yes, yes! This is fantastic news!"

Fan Xiaopang said mysteriously, "Wait for me at the company, okay? Don't go anywhere, I'll be there soon! I have a special 'New Year's gift' to give you personally!"

After saying that, without waiting for Wang Sheng's response, the other end of the line hung up in a hurry.

What New Year's gift?
Wang Sheng looked completely bewildered.

……

About half an hour later, there was a knock on the door of Wang Sheng's office.

"Please come in."

The door was pushed open a crack, and the first thing to peek in was a fluffy, dark little head, with a pair of round, wet black eyes looking around the room timidly yet curiously.

Then, Fan Xiaopang's bright and beautiful face was fully revealed from behind the door.

Today she wore a light yellow short down jacket, which made her skin look even whiter than snow, paired with skinny jeans and snow boots, making her look youthful and energetic.

His face showed a hint of fatigue from the long journey, but more than that, it held an irrepressible excitement and... a touch of slyness.

In her arms, she was tightly holding the little thing that had just poked its head out—a small, black puppy, only the size of a palm, but with thick limbs and fluffy fur.

The puppy's ears stood up, its face was round, and its nose was black. With its black fur, at first glance, it even resembled... a black bear cub.

"Mr. Wang! Surprise!"

Fan Xiaopang strode into the office with a grin, gently closing the door behind him. He then proudly presented the little black dog in his arms, exclaiming, "Ta-da! Look what I brought back for you!"

Wang Sheng's gaze was instantly drawn to the puppy.

This little guy is indeed... quite unique.

Its entire body is jet black, without a single stray hair, and its thick fur makes it look like a round, black ball of fur.

Especially its憨头憨脑的貌 (simple-minded appearance) and slightly melancholy eyes, combined with its overly thick black fur.

Three words inexplicably popped into Wang Sheng's mind—Black Bear Spirit.

The one that stole the cassock.

It's still the cub version.

"What are you doing..." Wang Sheng pointed to the puppy that was trying to snuggle into Fan Xiaopang's arms, unsure of what expression to make.

"A New Year's gift!"

Fan Xiaopang walked to the desk and carefully placed the little black dog on the smooth surface.

The little guy seemed a bit scared. He stood on his four short legs, trembling, with his tail tucked tightly behind his bottom. His black bean-like eyes looked at Wang Sheng warily and helplessly, then turned to look at Fan Xiaopang, making a soft "woof woof" sound.

"Mr. Wang, I specially brought this from my hometown! It's a purebred Chinese rural dog, a Tusong! Don't let its dark appearance fool you, it'll be incredibly handsome when it grows up, loyal, intelligent, and protective of its owner!"

Fan Xiaopang reached out and gently scratched the puppy's chin, trying to soothe it. While playing with the puppy, she looked up at Wang Sheng, her gaze intense, and a bright, even slightly obsequious smile spread across her face.

"Mr. Wang, look at it! It's a bit black, but it's so special! It's full of courage and loyalty! It will definitely be able to help you guard your house and protect you in the future!"

Looking at the trembling "black fur ball" on the table, and then at Fan Xiaopang's "praise me" expression, Wang Sheng didn't know what to say for a moment.

This gift is indeed quite "special".

Seeing that Wang Sheng didn't speak but just looked at the puppy with a strange expression, Fan Xiaopang gritted his teeth and said the words he had rehearsed several times.

She toned down her playful demeanor, trying to appear serious, pointing at the puppy, then at herself:

"Mr. Wang, this dog...it's me! I'm Fan Xiaopang!"

She paused, then emphasized, "From now on, I'll be your loyal dog, Mr. Wang! If you tell me to go east, I'll never go west! If you tell me to chase the dog, I'll never catch the chicken! The company is my home, and you, Mr. Wang, are my guiding light! As long as I, Fan Xiaopang, have something to eat, then... then it will have something to eat!"

She originally meant to say "You'll have your own food," but then realized it was inappropriate and quickly changed her words, pointing to the puppy. She even nodded vigorously after speaking, as if to reinforce the credibility of her words.

"..."

Wang Sheng looked at the scene before him: a bright and beautiful young girl pointed at a pine dog that looked just like a black bear cub and declared with conviction that it was her loyal dog.

This scene is so unusual and impactful.

He was stunned at first, and then a feeling of absurdity and amusement welled up in his heart.

He finally understood: the girl had gone through all this trouble; giving away the dog was a pretense, her real intention was to show her loyalty.

Moreover, her way of showing loyalty was truly...unique, with her signature straightforwardness and cunning.

"Hahaha--"

Wang Sheng finally couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.

He shook his head, reached out, and gently patted the little black dog's head.

The little guy felt the warmth of his palm and knew there was no malice in it, so he seemed to relax a little and carefully rubbed his cool, wet nose against his fingers.

"You..." Wang Sheng looked up at Fan Xiaopang, who was filled with anticipation and nervousness, his tone tinged with helplessness and amusement: "Where did you learn all these crooked tricks?"

"How is this a crooked or heretical approach!"

Seeing Wang Sheng smile, Fan Xiaopang felt a huge weight lifted from his heart, and his courage grew. He put on his usual playful demeanor again: "This is called sincerity, heaven and earth can bear witness! Mr. Wang, please accept it, and accept my heartfelt sentiments too! I promise, I will perform well on set from now on and will never let you down!"

She patted her chest to assure him, her eyes filled with longing for the future and a hint of barely perceptible unease.

The entertainment industry is full of ups and downs; even someone like Sister Zhao can end up playing a maid. Her opportunity as "Tie Xinlan" is hard-won, so she must hold on tightly to Wang Sheng, this high branch.

Wang Sheng could easily see through her little scheme.

But he didn't dislike her. She was ambitious, knew how to scheme, and knew who could decide her fate. These weren't necessarily flaws in the entertainment industry, as long as they were used in the right place and with the right sense of proportion.

He looked at the puppy on the table, which was starting to relax from being petted and even trying to lick his fingers with its tongue, and then at Fan Xiaopang, who was youthful and had a fiery look in his eyes.

This "black bear spirit" cub is much more interesting than those flashy but impractical gifts.

"Okay, stop being so mean."

Wang Sheng withdrew his hand, his tone returning to its usual calm: "I'll take the dog."

"Really? Thank you, Mr. Wang!" Fan Xiaopang was overjoyed.

"but,"

Wang Sheng then changed the subject: "It's not appropriate for you to keep me at the company. Please take me home first and let my parents take care of me. You can focus on your training and play Tie Xinlan well; that will be the best reward for me."

"Yes! I guarantee I will complete the mission!" Fan Xiaopang immediately straightened his back, as if accepting a military order.

“Since you’ve given it to me, it should have a name.” He pondered for a moment and said, “Looking at your dark complexion and simple-minded appearance, let’s skip the fancy names and just call you ‘Sweet Potato’.”

"sweet potato?"

Fan Xiaopang was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing: "President Wang, the name you chose... is too honest!"

She looked at the puppy and the more she looked, the more fitting it seemed: "It really does look like it! Black-skinned sweet potato, sturdy! Easy to raise! Sweet potato is good, sweet potato is wonderful, eating sweet potato is awesome!"

The little black dog "Sweet Potato" seemed to sense that it was being talked about, so it raised its head and barked, its voice childish and adorably naive.

(End of this chapter)