Love in the Fast Lane - Chapter 31 - Pleasant Collaboration

Faced with Murong Feng’s straightforward approach, Tang Ning decisively shook his head. “Working at the company? That’s unlikely. I’m just a writer. In my life, aside from writing all sorts of messy things, I’m useless at everything else. A company is a place that generates profit, and I can’t contribute to that. What could I possibly do there? Honestly, I’m the type who talks a big game but can barely follow through without making mistakes.”

The more he spoke, the cooler Murong Feng’s heart grew, yet he wasn’t disappointed. He felt he had something that could make Tang Ning agree to sign with his company. After listening to Tang Ning, he twirled his glass with a smile and said, “You’re wrong there. This self-deprecation, since we are friends, I’ll speak frankly. I think this self-deprecation is really unnecessary. Take you, for instance. Your design drawings indeed have flaws and it’s clear you aren’t professionally trained, but it’s exactly this kind of non-professional work that truly captivates people. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s a gift-a genius’s gift. Since you have such talent, why not use it to create wealth? I’m a businessman and not very good with words, so I’ll just say it as it is. Don’t laugh at me for being so blunt.”

Tang Ning laughed and clinked glasses with him. “How could I? Compared to Mr. Mu, I feel like a complete parasite, good for nothing, struggling even to make ends meet. That’s just how society is. Being able to support oneself, and even more so, others, is what counts as capability.”

They kept talking back and forth, leaving Mo Zihan utterly confused. Weren’t they supposed to be discussing serious matters? Instead, it felt like she was witnessing two narcissistic men praising each other.

All this talk was just Murong Feng complimenting Tang Ning on his rare talent, while Tang Ning modestly claimed he wasn’t good at making money, inadvertently highlighting Murong Feng’s success in his career and his pretty-boy looks.

Huh? Not good at making money?

Well, that’s no problem, no problem at all. One person’s earnings can suffice for two people’s expenses, right? We don’t care much about the quality of life; having enough food and clothing is all that matters, isn’t it?

Wait, that’s not right. Why am I even considering this? What does this have to do with me?

Mo Zihan, feeling a bit annoyed, quickly downed a glass of cold beer. The chill of the beer was a comfort as it flowed down her throat.

Tang Ning responded with a smile, while Murong Feng opened his eyes wide in surprise.

He hadn’t expected this exceptional woman to actually… be this extraordinary. Was she not concerned about her image at all?

Thinking about image, Murong Feng had an epiphany. He finally understood that this woman, who often seemed confused, was actually very capable and decisive. However, when it came to appearance, she truly defied the common standards. In an era where even men wouldn’t leave the house without perfume, a woman like her, who probably just used shower gel and soap, was indeed a rarity.

Hmm, there really is just such a one. What kind of monumental karma must she have created in her past life for the heavens to have made her such a character in this life!

Mo Zihan stretched lazily, comfortable in the knowledge that it wasn’t a workday. Murong Feng, you pretty boy, think whatever you want.

However, she had drunk quite a bit of red wine in the afternoon, followed by a lot of tea, and now this beer was making her feel slightly dizzy.

“Now, it seems that your main concern isn’t that you’re unwilling to make money, but that you’re reluctant to work a nine-to-five job in an office. Am I right in understanding it this way?” Murong Feng asked thoughtfully, returning to the matter at hand.

Tang Ning appeared contemplative, savoring the nuance of each word in the question.

Mo Zihan felt a sudden relief inside. She knew Tang Ning would agree to earn this extra money.

This was good for Tang Ning. He wouldn’t have to give up his dreams, and with just a few decent designs each year, he could live quite comfortably. This way, Mo Zihan thought, she wouldn’t have to feel guilty about killing a dream, nor would she have to stand by helplessly watching Tang Ning struggle financially.

“Yes, most of my time is spent daydreaming. Occasionally, I go out for a walk. Mr. Mu, you know, designing and writing share the same principle-inspiration. Once we’re confined to a nine-to-five schedule, first, it doesn’t allow me much time to let my mind wander, and second, heh, I’m not particularly keen on that kind of nine-to-five life,” Tang Ning said after a moment of thought.

Murong Feng clapped his hands and laughed heartily, “That’s not a problem at all. As long as you can join the company, nothing else is a problem. In any field, talented individuals do enjoy certain privileges.”

Tang Ning lit a cigarette, a cheap brand, but he didn’t hide the logo and faced Mo Zihan and Murong Feng squarely.

Murong Feng nodded with a smile and continued, “Moreover, it’s not like we haven’t made exceptions before. Simply put, if you agree to join the company and help us out with various design projects, you can be paid a manager’s salary. Additionally, for every design that has production value, we can either share the profits to a certain extent or buy it outright.”

Tang Ning thought for a moment and asked, “So, are there any specific requirements regarding the number of designs?”

Murong Feng leaned back in his chair, looking relaxed, and said, “No, we prefer quality over quantity. If it were just about numbers, we have enough people in the Design Department to handle that.”

Tang Ning chuckled, “Aren’t you afraid I might just take the salary without putting in the effort?”

Murong Feng laughed, “How could that be! Buddy, since you’re not willing to grind away a nine-to-five at the office, how could you possibly just take the salary without working? Although we haven’t known each other for long, I’m confident you’re not that kind of person. I trust my own judgment quite a bit.”

Then he sat up straight, his hands interlaced-this was a very formal way of sitting, neither overpowering nor insincere, and it was the posture Murong Feng often used when discussing serious matters.

“Regarding compensation, you can rest assured that our company is in it for the long haul, which is why we have reached the status we enjoy today. This confidence is exactly why I asked for this meeting. What do you think?”

Rather than calling it confidence, it might be better described as the baseline.

Murong Feng laid his cards on the table quite frankly, leaving the decision to continue the collaboration entirely in Tang Ning’s hands.

Of course, this is merely an illusion. In fact, by being so straightforward and even revealing his final card, Murong Feng demonstrated that he had already understood Tang Ning’s concerns and limits. By showing sincerity, it seemed like Murong Feng was handing over control, but in reality, he would have had to reveal this baseline regardless of Tang Ning’s decision. Now, by showing his hand openly, he could potentially gain more leverage in the negotiations.

In the quiet room where you could hear a pin drop, Mo Zihan seemed uninvolved and detached, but in reality, she was quite concerned. If it were possible, her ears would be perked up like those of an elf.

Murong Feng’s heartbeat had also quickened, though he wouldn’t admit it, nor had he thought to pay attention to it. The company’s performance this year was decent, but still short of the goals Murong Feng had set for himself. To maintain control over his destiny, he needed to contribute even more to the company’s growth next year. As for Tang Ning, as long as he could deliver a design each month that was on par with his usual standards, the financial impact might not be substantial, but it wouldn’t be negligible either. What Murong Feng valued more was the unseen benefits such designs and future products could bring to the Design Department and the entire company.