Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Light at the End of the Tunnel
On the afternoon of the third day, the second phase of the live stream officially ended.
The children bid farewell to each other.
Knowing they will meet again, they weren’t too reluctant to part.
At this time, netizens were either focused on Gu Peihai’s blog post or on the promotional video Tuanzi was about to shoot.
The earlier purposely bought hot search had quietly faded away.
Except for a few fans of eighteen-line competitors who took the chance to mock Zhang Xiafei, accusing him of riding the wave of popularity, no one else paid attention to Zhang Xiafei.
Zhang Xiafei, on the other hand, was grateful for such an outcome.
As long as Gu Peihai’s fans weren’t drawn to him, that’s fine.
This matter ended silently, and if he lies low for a while, he can pretend nothing happened.
However, Tan Sheng, the head of the publicity department of the Shenzhen Xingyi Boxing Association, publicly explained the truth of the matter.
What was the truth?
They had already chosen Gu Miaomiao, and she was ready to come over to shoot the promotional video. But the higher-ups decided last minute that Zhang Xiafei was more famous. He apologized to Gu Miaomiao.
The truth was similar to the rumor, except the key points were changed.
The rumor was that the decision-maker believed Zhang Xiafei was better at boxing than Gu Miaomiao. The truth was that the decision-maker thought Zhang Xiafei was famous and changed their mind last minute.
Although they hadn’t signed a contract, verbal agreements are still agreements, and she had specially come to the association.
Very quickly, Zhang Xiafei was on the hot search.
Zhang Xiafei: "..." He really didn’t want this kind of hot search. Also, isn’t Tan Sheng afraid of being fired for speaking publicly?
Usually, companies require employees to maintain the company’s image in public.
Tan Sheng, as the department head, made a public statement, which surely displeased the higher-ups.
Indeed, that was the case.
After Tan Sheng posted the explanation, the office door was knocked on.
The president and vice president, Fan Cai, walked in with dark faces.
Tan Sheng calmly took out a resignation letter.
"I want to resign."
He’s been longing for the boxing, but this association can’t fulfill his dream.
Fan Cai sneered: "Trying to tarnish the association’s image, do you want a proper resignation? We plan to dismiss you."
Dismissal differs from proper resignation; Tan Sheng’s future, whether mingling in the boxing circle or seeking jobs elsewhere, could be hindered by this dismissal.
Tan Sheng’s expression remained indifferent, "Do as you wish."
He’s worked diligently for years, and since the association won’t grant him final dignity, what could he say? He was merely more disappointed.
The resignation process, which typically takes at least three days, ended quickly due to Fan Cai’s rush to evict the competitor. Under pressure, HR completed the process, and Tan Sheng left carrying his belongings on the same day.
Once Tan Sheng left, Fan Cai assumed the next president position would fall into his lap.
Outside the association, Tan Sheng felt a bit disheartened, unsure where to go.
Subordinate Chang chased after him, "Department head, you could try your luck over in Jiang City; I heard they’re quite short of people."
Chang was among the few capable subordinates who also loved boxing.
She said, "Tell me if you get the job, I want to join you."
Tan Sheng smiled.
He didn’t believe the Jiang City Boxing Association would take on... Then the phone rang.
Upon answering, the caller introduced himself as the president of the Jiang City Boxing Association, warmly inviting him to be vice president and perhaps head of the publicity department.
Learning Tan Sheng had already resigned, the young president couldn’t help but laugh heartily.
Jiang City Boxing Association: Thank you for the gift from Shenzhen Boxing Association!
These things, Gu Che and Gu Miaomiao originally didn’t know about.
They rested at home for the night and went to the association the next day to shoot the video, stopping abruptly when seeing someone familiar, "Did I come to the wrong place?"
Tan Sheng, too, felt a bit awkward.
However, since multiple boxing associations are official organizations nationwide, any successful association could benefit the boxing world. Personally, he didn’t mind, as long as Gu Che siblings didn’t object.
The young president, fearing misunderstandings, hastily called the siblings aside to explain.
His face barely concealed his delight.
"They drove the talent away, and I scooped it up, hahaha!"
Gu Che: "..."
The president lacked maturity, but Tan Sheng was steady.
He had planned how to shoot the video, and now, upon meeting Tuanzi in person, he eagerly requested a few demonstrations.
This was a good chance to promote ancient martial arts, helping people learn and regain health, while accumulating reputation value to trace her parents. Tuanzi was full of enthusiasm.
As for the online matters, she, not yet internet-savvy, was completely unaware of them.
"Sure, sure," Tuanzi shook her hands and legs, "Miaomiao will warm up first."
She energetically completed her warm-up, performing the Three Body Posture, Five Elements Fist, and Twelve Forms Fist.
Previously, she performed the initial moves of the Five Elements Fist; now, observing closely, the young president hugged himself.
"If that hits me, I’m done for."
Standing postures are a fundamental part of the Three Body Posture. She could demonstrate standard posture, but mastering it requires substantial practice.
Moreover, the Twelve Forms Fist mimics animals like dragons, tigers, monkeys, and more as twelve different animals during practice.
Tan Sheng grew increasingly excited as he watched.
"I think this is feasible," he proposed, "We’ll start with a promo video, showcasing quick performances in a grand style. Then we’ll move onto a detailed explanation series, breaking down each move thoroughly."
Actually, there are explanatory boxing videos, but the style is too serious, with narrators in grandfatherly stature.
Attracting younger people would require a change of style, making it livelier, adorable, humorous, and playful.
Tuanzi had no particular concerns.
She lived in an era without boxing, for this technique was a reward when she upgraded her martial arts master skills.
She dragged her master along to learn together. If he didn’t progress as quickly, she mocked him endlessly, hahaha!
Gu Che cared a lot.
"My sister..."
He didn’t say it outright, but what he thought was, are you trying to tire my sister out?
He cast a cold demeanor, cooling his aura.
Tuanzi was taken aback, then eagerly approached for a warm embrace.
"Wow, second brother, you’re like big brother now, exuding coolness, perfect for sticking to you in summer~"
Gu Che couldn’t stay angry.
A sister too adorable was problematic, always dispelling his anger.
Tuanzi had already climbed up second brother’s leg, successfully clinging to his neck, sticking to his face.
"Second brother, remember? Miaomiao is promoting ancient martial arts."
Gu Che recalled his sister’s initial words.
"I understand."
He cooperatively whispered, "So, we agree, but they shouldn’t expect you to work for free."
They’re shooting the video without charge.
Tuanzi also felt troubled.
Getting reputation value is enough, but an extra allowance would let her buy gifts for her big and second brothers!
Returning to the modern era made her quite poor.
Meanwhile, Tan Sheng inquired with president Han Zhou, "Uh, our association just established, is there any funding from above?"
"Yes!"
The young man with a grayish hairstyle smiled, "It’s newly established, with a lot of funds, plus donations from society, our finances are abundant, free to use."
With only about 50 members and capable staff... presently just Tan Sheng, the others barely filling the spots.
Tan Sheng felt delighted, "There’s even donations."
The young president shyly coughed saying, "Honestly, that money was donated by me, I’m... a rich second generation."
Tan Sheng: "..." From his attire, he could tell the president was wealthy. However, previous people misused minimal funds.
Since funds were available, paying for promo ambassadors in the explaining series needed remuneration, pricing by episodes. While not comparable to entertainment celebrities, it’d suffice for Tuanzi to freely select gifts.