We moved to Golden Courtyard

Xiao Yun simply dressed Xu Qi in men's clothing.

They picked out many dashing clothes for him, some for wandering knights and others for scholars and poets. Xu Qi was like a clothes hanger, and Xiao Yun tried on several outfits for him.

"Hmm...hmm...not bad, Manager Xu is indeed a natural clothes hanger."

Do you know how tiring it is to wear these clothes?

"As long as it looks good."

"You fucking..."

For the sake of our grand plan to succeed, we'll endure it!

But it has to be said that it is indeed quite handsome, so Xu Qi simply bought two portions, one for Xiao Yun and one for himself.

"Huh? For me?"

"Doesn't Teacher Xiao Yun like it?"

"Can I take this as a signal that Manager Xu is launching a scumbag's pursuit?"

"Please spare me, Teacher Xiao Yun."

Xiao Yun couldn't pull off something as alluring as covering her mouth and giggling. She could only offer a faint, elegant smile and say softly, "Actually, Manager Xu invited me today because he wanted me to talk to Liu Qi about 3D production."

Now, let's get down to business...

Xu Qi gestured, indicating that they should talk as they walk.

It just so happens that Liu Qi and Rita have disappeared, which gives Xu Qi and Xiao Yun enough space and more room to maneuver.

"Teacher Xiao Yun, that's true. I invited everyone out for a weekend trip, but I had some ulterior motives. I'm really sorry."

"No, if I didn't do it this way, I would look down on you as my supervisor."

Xu Qi was speechless.

"For an industry to develop, it is inevitable to accept new things. Liu Qi is stuck in her ways, and if she continues like this, she will be eliminated sooner or later."

Xu Qi remained silent.

After all, he is just a manager, and he still can't say he has much knowledge about the animation industry.

"She is my junior, and I have always valued her highly. She is a true genius. She did part-time work as an original artist while in college, and that's how she managed to get lower grades in many subjects than me."

Those who didn't fall behind me were all subjects she wasn't interested in, so she just needed to pass. Such a carefree person... is hard to find, right?

She became an animation supervisor just two years after graduating and entering the industry... to be precise, a year and a half. She is a truly talented person.

When I said she had gone further down the path of prison work than I had, it wasn't modesty, but a fact. After all, for some people, a day might be equivalent to a year for an average person.

Xu Qi fell silent again—she hadn't expected Xiao Yun to have such a high opinion of Liu Qi, so…why? Why was there such a big disagreement on this matter? Could it be…jealousy?

"But... Xu Qi, do you know? Just three years ago, 3D technology was nothing more than a backward and inferior thing that everyone in the industry was laughing at."

But just last year, a purely 3D animated film appeared, with outstanding expressiveness and production techniques! Only two years... just two years!

Xiao Yun's words suddenly became agitated.

"In just two years, the technological progress has been so remarkable... If we don't seek cooperation..."

"If we don't seek cooperation, those of us who rely on original artwork for our livelihood will be eliminated, right, Senior Xiao Yun?"

Xu Qi and Xiao Yun were both taken aback. They slowly turned around and saw Liu Qi with an angry expression, as well as Rita, who was awkwardly greeting them.

This is really... an incredibly ridiculous coincidence.

······

Xu Qi had to persuade them quite a bit to stop them from arguing on the spot, and then he led them into the coffee shop so they could sit down and rest for a while.

But... the originally pleasant atmosphere seems to have completely vanished.

Liu Qi and Xiao Yun sat facing each other, both with expressionless faces, yet their presence only amplified the fiery intensity between them.

We still have to argue...

Xu Qi sat next to Xiao Yun, looking at Rita across from them, both of them wearing wry smiles.

The more silent the two people beside him remained, the more tense the atmosphere became.

As Lu Xun once said, "Either erupt in silence or die in silence."

Clearly... neither of these two women were the type to choose "death".

"Perhaps you misunderstood me, Liu Qi. I just wanted to say that if you want to become the top animation supervisor in the industry, it is obviously impossible if you don't understand 3D at all."

"Ah, yeah... So you used the last scene of the first episode, that piece of garbage 3D footage, to show the world, and that's your understanding of 3D?"

How cruel!

Xu Qi and Rita couldn't help but turn their heads to look at Teacher Liu Qi.

Xiao Yun frowned and said frankly... Xu Qi could even feel a bit of bone-chilling coldness—was it sword energy?

“That’s prejudice, Liu Qi.”

388. Miss Rita, you mustn't read my mind.

“Prejudice? Ha... Another one like this…” Liu Qi crossed her arms and said with a fierce look, “Just get straight to the point and state your conclusion.”

That's based on absolute correctness! Senior Xiao Yun... are you sure you're still the same Xiao Yun who could make the most accurate judgments in any situation?!

Xiao Yun remained silent, while Liu Qi picked up the coffee in front of her and took a big gulp.

As soon as it touched his mouth, he spat it out.

"Cough!...Why...why is it so hot?"

"Um... Ms. Liu, I was just about to say it, and you've already said it..."

……

Liu Qi slammed the cup down on the table and said irritably, "Forget it, it's all just trivial stuff."

Senior Xiao Yun, I have always, always regarded you as my most respected senior! Whether it was during my student days or after I started working.

Because you can always keenly perceive any discrepancies in each original artwork—that's your talent! Even with a single original artwork, you can immediately imagine how it would look if placed within a whole cut!

Damn it! Do you know how much I envied your talent?! But look at you now? After being exposed to too much 3D, you've probably made your brain go numb!

　At the end of the first episode of the crowdfunding group 456127940, Alahato stood up from the sea of ​​fire. The explosion was indeed impactful, but the robot's arm! Didn't you notice that the whole movement was a little too smooth?!

Xiao Yun's face trembled, and Xu Qi was also taken aback.

He suddenly felt that Ms. Xiao Yun's breathing had become rapid. She suddenly said excitedly, "That's impossible! I specifically emphasized to the person in charge of 3D production that the movements need to be dynamic!"

I even showed them the original artwork.

"Ah... this is what you've been doing all along, isn't it? Because ultimately, the increasing maturity of 3D technology is inseparable from the guidance of concept artists."

Without our guidance, especially strict animation supervisors like Senior Xiao Yun, the sense of rhythm and cadence that only original animation can convey would never appear in 3D!

Even the 3D artists themselves can tell, so they come to consult the concept artists, and even animation directors like me! But have you ever seen me kick them out!?

Why did I object to the use of 3D in the final scene of the first episode? Because it was a complete and utter mistake on your part as the animation supervisor, Xiao Yun!

"I don't!"

Xiao Yun suddenly stood up, startling Xu Qi. He stared blankly at Xiao Yun, then glanced at Liu Qi opposite him. The two were clearly at odds, but…

For some reason, he felt that the atmosphere was no longer as heavy as before.

Xiao Yun was panting heavily, muttering to himself over and over again—

"I didn't...I didn't..."

Liu Qi was also staring at Xiao Yun, but Xu Qi, looking at him from the opposite side, noticed that... there seemed to be a hint of tears in his eyes.

"It must be admitted... Senior Xiao Yun. That delicate yet keen talent, the most important skill for a supervisor! You are... almost losing it."

After Liu Qi finished speaking, Xiao Yun slumped back into his chair.

It was as if no matter who called, he could no longer get up.

There is no winner or loser.

There wasn't even any ideological clash.

Because their core values ​​are the same—they both want to create better animation scenes and improve their skills as animation directors.

If we had to pinpoint the cause of this conflict, perhaps it could only be said that…

"Is the result simply because... my skill level isn't high enough?" Xiao Yun said blankly.

Xu Qi was somewhat worried. Regardless, Teacher Xiao Yun's skill level was very high, and the production of Alahato would require her. He was afraid…

What if Xiao Yun becomes completely despondent and never recovers?

After all, from his perspective, it seemed there was nothing he could do to persuade the other party.

“You have forgotten your own foundation, Senior Xiao Yun.” Liu Qi suddenly stood up slowly, and this time, Xu Qi saw it clearly.

Tears were glistening in the other person's eyes.

"If you disagree with anything I've said today, then defeat me first. So... please, once again... let the forever correct Teacher Xiao Yun return to the industry!"

……

Xiao Yun silently raised his eyes and looked at Liu Qi, whose figure had grown so tall at some point.

It turns out that she... never needed my worry.

For some reason, I suddenly burst out laughing.

"Don't think you can be so smug just because you beat me once, girl... You still have a lot to learn."

Xiao Yun stood up and patted Xu Qi on the shoulder.

"Please settle the coffee bill for me, Manager Xu. That's all for today. I had a great time. Thank you for the invitation, Manager Xu. I'll head back now."

"Um... is it over just like that?"

“Yes.” Xiao Yun turned around and smiled at Xu Qi.

"After all, it seems I still need to work harder to get back what I've lost."

……

Xiao Yun left, and Liu Qi… She picked up the coffee, which was now only slightly hot, took a careful sip, and shook her head—“It’s still too hot…”

Nonsense, how long has it been?

"Manager Xu, Rita, thank you for bringing Senior Xiao Yun and me together today... Ah! So many things on my mind, it feels so much better to say them out loud."

Xu Qi was both amused and exasperated—this guy is quite the character.

"Then I'll be going now, so as not to disturb your time together."

Rita smiled slightly.

"Is it because you want to win back your senior, Xiao Yun?"

"Hmph!" Liu Qi said haughtily, raising her head. "Now, she's the one chasing me!"

······

Now that the purpose of visiting the exhibition has been achieved, then this exhibition...

Hmm, we can still wander around a bit more. After all, it's a rare opportunity to have a date with Rita alone, isn't that nice?

However... I feel a little sentimental.

"You've been frowning the whole time, what are you thinking about?"

"I was thinking about some of the things the supervisor said."

Bronya?

"Hmm... Actually, I didn't understand the point of the supervisor making me do this before I came, but now... I think I understand a little better."

Rita seemed to understand something, and then smiled at Xu Qi.

"What do you understand?"

"Understanding oneself—it seems I've never truly understood the animation industry. I'm still stuck in the same mindset I had when I worked in a state-owned enterprise."