Chapter 554: Arrangements

Upon hearing Su Mansu’s report, Liu Yutong raised an eyebrow.

That Lin Muyang works fast. He actually managed to sweet-talk him into coming. I simply have to meet this person then.

Someone as talented as Zhang Dalong—she had no intention of letting him slip away.

Liu Yutong quickly got ready and set off for Lin Muyang’s newly established company, Su Mansu in tow.

The car stopped beneath a high-end office building in the city center.

In no time, they arrived on the 11th floor and stepped out of the elevator.

As soon as the elevator doors opened, the company’s logo—DragonPanorama Vision—was prominently displayed on the wall. The full name: DragonPanorama Vision Information Technology Co., Ltd.

Lin Muyang had come up with the name himself, apparently borrowing the ‘dragon’ character from Wanlong Society. After all, based on their share distribution, Liu Yutong was the majority shareholder.

Since Su Mansu had contacted them in advance, Lin Muyang was already waiting at the entrance with several key executives.

The moment he saw Liu Yutong, Lin Muyang stepped forward with a smile. “Yutong, long time no see. First time visiting our company, right?”

Liu Yutong nodded. “Indeed it is. It seems President Lin has been managing the company quite well.”

“Chairwoman Liu, greetings!”

“Chairwoman Liu, greetings!” The executives from DragonPanorama Vision hurriedly paid their respects to Liu Yutong.

They were all quite surprised. They hadn’t expected the company’s major shareholder to be even younger than President Lin—she barely looked twenty.

After acknowledging them each with a nod, Liu Yutong and the group headed straight for the meeting room.

This visit wasn’t for a formal meeting—just a casual chat.

Inside, Zhang Dalong was already seated and waiting.

He sipped his tea, wondering what kind of distinguished guest President Lin had described to him.

Honestly, he’d never met someone as shameless as President Lin.

A few days ago, President Lin had visited his R&D company. The moment they met, Lin launched into a long spiel about metaphysics.

“President Zhang, I consulted a master to read the astrological fortunes, and discovered a rising star that’s recently grown dim—one that corresponds to you, President Zhang. Approaching forty, yet your radiance remains blocked. Truly lamentable, truly lamentable.”

Zhang Dalong was nearing forty. Though he’d achieved some success, he felt stuck in a mediocre position—neither here nor there, without any real fame. Even though the email project he currently led held the number one market share, he still wasn’t qualified to enter the company’s core decision-making layer. He needed to produce something more influential.

He’d thought it through from every angle but still hadn’t found a clear direction.

Big Goose was gaining serious momentum now, especially with its chat software empowering its gaming division to grow bigger and bigger. It seemed there was no place left for him to make his mark.

Compounding this was his personality—somewhat introverted and straightforward, not good at socializing. Plus, as a programmer by training, he was used to pulling all-nighters and thinking alone. All this had led him into a dead end.

So when Lin Muyang hit him with that line, it actually gave Zhang Dalong pause, and he instinctively asked, “How does one resolve this?”

Lin Muyang had already prepared his spiel beforehand.

“The master said this tribulation cannot be broken by human effort alone. One must borrow the advantage of location. Pearl City to the north is an excellent place—purple energy flows from the east, a hidden dragon vein winds through it, and there are noble persons…”

“Speak plainly!”

“It means I want to invite you to take a trip to Pearl City. I’ll cover your flights and accommodation. If you don’t come with me, I’ll camp outside your company entrance every day. Yes or no, give me an answer.”

And so Zhang Dalong had been more or less threatened into coming. Mainly because he knew Lin Muyang had connections with leaders in Pearl City, so he decided to do him a favor. Plus, he’d see for himself whether Pearl City really had dragons.

The result disappointed him—there were no dragons to be seen whatsoever.

What’s more, he was used to living in fast-paced major cities in the south. To him, Pearl City seemed like a run-down, small place. It held no real appeal for him.

Only later did he learn that someone else wanted to meet him.

Going to such lengths just to meet someone—he really didn’t know what to make of this Lin Muyang character.

The meeting room door swung open.

Lin Muyang entered accompanied by a very young girl.

The girl had bright, clear eyes and moved with unhurried confidence. An indescribable, powerful aura seemed to surround her.

“President Zhang, apologies for the wait!”

Lin Muyang introduced her: “This is the Chairwoman of Wanlong Society Group, and also our major shareholder here at DragonPanorama Vision, Ms. Liu Yutong.”

Zhang Dalong was visibly taken aback.

He’d assumed the girl was Lin Muyang’s assistant—she looked so young, after all. He hadn’t expected her to be the major shareholder, let alone the chairwoman of some Wanlong Society.

To be a group chairwoman at such a young age—truly impressive!

At the same time, he seemed to understand what Lin Muyang meant by Pearl City’s “dragon.”

Presumably he meant this Wanlong whatever company?

“Hello, Chairwoman Liu.”

“President Zhang, I’ve heard much about you. Please, have a seat.” Liu Yutong smiled as she shook his hand, gesturing for him to sit.

After they were seated, Lin Muyang kept the conversation lively, discussing various topics related to the internet industry. The focus was on the chat software from Zhang Dalong’s company and the project he headed.

“President Zhang, FOXmail is an excellent product. From it, I can see your profound understanding of user experience. I have no doubt you’re a top-tier product manager.”

“Chairwoman Liu flatters me,” Zhang Dalong said modestly. He seemed to have guessed why she wanted to meet him.

Most people who paid attention to his email work would mention “Big Goose Mail” by name. Yet she’d brought up the email project he’d originally founded himself—clearly she had something specific in mind.

“I believe President Lin has mentioned that Wanlong Group, which includes Wanlong Technology, is currently focused on expanding our internet business. We desperately need talent like yourself.”

“We’re currently planning a revolutionary new product that will make communication between people much more convenient. I believe you’re fully capable of leading this project.”

Liu Yutong was being extremely direct at this point—she was one step away from saying outright: I want to poach you to build an instant messaging platform!

But when Zhang Dalong heard she wanted to create instant messaging, his first thought was: she’s a “scammer” in sophisticated packaging.

Competing with Big Goose in instant messaging now? No normal person would attempt that unless they were crazy.

Of course, he’d never say such a thing out loud. But he was thoroughly disappointed in this meeting.

“Thank you for your generous interest, Chairwoman Liu, but my current position is stable and I have several new projects in the pipeline. I don’t have any plans at the moment…”

Before he could finish, Su Mansu suddenly interrupted their conversation.

“Boss, the private dining room is booked. We can head to lunch now.”

Liu Yutong nodded and stood up. “Perfect timing. President Zhang, why don’t we have lunch at one of my restaurants and sample some local specialties?”

Zhang Dalong certainly wouldn’t refuse a meal and gladly accepted.

He was thoroughly satisfied with the dinner—it was definitely the most enjoyable meal he’d had since arriving in Pearl City. The signature dish of small fish pot stickers, in particular, was absolutely superb.

After the meal.

Zhang Dalong planned to wander around Pearl City on his own and mentioned he’d be heading back tomorrow.

He wasn’t particularly fond of social gatherings. While spending time with Liu Yutong and her associates was certainly easy on the eyes, it wasn’t as comfortable as being alone.

Naturally, Liu Yutong couldn’t let him wander around by himself. As a guest from afar, he deserved proper hospitality.

She called over Zhang Tao and gave him instructions.

“Zhang Tao, show President Zhang around Pearl City and let him experience our local culture. Make sure he feels our enthusiasm, understood?”

“Understood, Young Mistress! Don’t worry—I guarantee President Zhang won’t regret this trip!”

Zhang Tao was a veteran of Wanlong Society. After taking over Li Xiaohui’s responsibilities, he’d become the head of the internet cafe operations—a very reliable person.

After everyone dispersed.

Zhang Tao sized up Zhang Dalong and began his analysis.

This guy was clearly your typical tech nerd—somewhat reserved, his spirit apparently worn down by habitual overtime and late nights, looking a bit haggard. And he didn’t seem interested in the Young Mistress’s recruitment offer? That was simply absurd.

In his mind, the Young Mistress was comparable to a deity. A deity offers you a place and you’re not moved?

Then there’s something wrong with you.

Could it be that at his advanced age, he lacked the passion of young people like them?

Since that was the case, he’d give him some excitement—stir his blood and fighting spirit. Let him see how thrilling and exciting it was to work for Wanlong Society!

Zhang Dalong was getting creeped out by the way this young guy was staring at him and couldn’t help but ask.

“Um… little brother, where are we going now?”

Zhang Tao threw an arm around his shoulder and said enthusiastically, “Old bro, the Young Mistress has entrusted you to me. Don’t worry—I’ll take good care of you!”

Zhang Dalong was about to say there was no need for such courtesy, but before he could get a word out, Zhang Tao pointed straight ahead and charged forward with his arm around him: “Old bro, let’s go!”