"You've seen 'Inception,' the movie, right?"
Gao Yang poured himself a full glass of wine:
"A person's dreams are actually controlled by the subconscious in their mind."
"You know what the subconscious is? Normally, you're not even aware of its existence, but it always influences your actions, emotions, and... dreams!"
"To put it simply, the subconscious is your underlying cognition. Even though you're not aware of it, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Often, people can deceive their hearts, deceive their brains, but—"
"[You absolutely cannot deceive your subconscious!]"
Gao Yang glanced at the large screen behind him and then leaned back to look at Lin Xian:
"Do you understand? Is it a bit too profound?"
"I understand the literal meaning."
Lin Xian nodded; he had also seen 'Inception' and found it fascinating.
In the movie, the protagonist invades others' dreams using a machine to extract information.
"But what does this have to do with the changes in my dreams?"
"Because your subconscious has changed!"
Gao Yang downed a glass of beer:
"I ask you, right now, in your subconscious, what do you think this cat should be named?"
Lin Xian thought hard for a while...
"Rhein Cat."
"That's exactly right! Your subconscious already acknowledges it as Rhein Cat, so naturally, your dream's version has to update as well!"
"Is it that simple?"
"It's that simple!"
Lin Xian frowned:
"How reliable is your theory, really? Can the settings in a movie be taken seriously?"
Gao Yang chuckled slyly, wagging his finger:
"I didn't just learn from movies, you know~ Look—"
He opened his phone, browsed to a person's Moments on WeChat, and held the phone up to Lin Xian:
"This client of mine is a psychologist, very famous in Donghai! I added her on WeChat when she bought a car. She often posts this kind of stuff in her Moments, and I read and learn from it when I have nothing better to do."
Lin Xian glanced at the Moments.
Posted there were various psychological insights and seminar content.
"Ah... in truth, there's no need for you to fuss about such a trivial matter!"
Gao Yang gestured expansively—
"[In the end! What's so strange about things from reality appearing in dreams?]"
"[When the day comes that things from dreams start appearing in reality, that will truly be a serious matter!]"
With that,
Gao Yang, holding his glass, went back to watching the soccer game, shaking his head.
The Argentina Team scored another goal.
The entire bar erupted with deafening excitement.
Sitting in his chair, Lin Xian reflected on Gao Yang's words... The ice-cold beer in his glass gradually became tepid.
Gao Yang, though not the most scholarly, often spoke persuasively.
Upon further thought,
it seemed there was nothing remarkable about things from reality appearing in dreams. Wasn't everything dreamt by everyone made up of fragments from reality?
In fact... it was just the name of the toy in his dream that had changed.
The cat was still the same cat.
Completely unchanged.
Viewing it this way, it seemed he had really been overly sensitive.
...
In the end, Argentina won the match.
Amid the cheers of the soccer fans and drinking buddies, the bar began to empty out.
"That was thrilling! I really hope Argentina makes it to the finals! Best if they win the championship!"
In the chilly wind,
Gao Yang, his face flushed, belly resembling a beer keg, hopped excitedly on the spot:
"Lin Xian, I heard you got a promotion?"
"Hmm, just to a team leader, but it's a direct team, on par with the department."
"Not bad, brother! Skyrocketing to success!"
Gao Yang looped an arm around Lin Xian's neck and laughed heartily:
"Make money fast! Come buy a car from me when you've made some money!"
"Definitely next time."
...
It must be said,
Zhao Yingjun was indeed swift and decisive in her actions.
When Lin Xian arrived at the company today, his work group and office were all set up.
Lin Xian now had his own private office. Although not large, it was fully equipped. His desk had also been upgraded to the specifications of a department head.
A massive single desk, a brand-new top-of-the-line Apple all-in-one, and an independent bookcase.
With such standards and treatment, could there be any lack of motivation to work?
Lin Xian, holding the latest design draft of the Rhein Cat, went to report to Zhao Yingjun.
Zhao Yingjun's office was on the 22nd floor, with two password locks, and aside from Zhao Yingjun, no one else knew the codes.
"Come in,"
Zhao Yingjun remotely unlocked the door, and Lin Xian entered the office.
This was his first time inside this office and it was exactly as the rumors described—clean, simple, without a single superfluous item.
But the space was indeed large, with two partitioned restrooms on the side.
Zhao Yingjun was wearing a white trench coat today, her makeup exquisite, and her silver earrings glimmered in the sunlight.
She usually tied her hair up, looking spirited and efficient. But today, it was gently draped over her neck, lending her an air of much more approachability.
"Very nice,"
After reviewing Lin Xian's design draft, Zhao Yingjun nodded in approval:
"Hand it over to the production department. Let them find a factory to start manufacturing, and release it alongside our leading products from the Rhein Brand as a free gift."
"When the toy samples are produced, bring one to me first. I quite like this Rhein Cat."
"Alright,"
Lin Xian agreed and left with the design draft.
"Hey, Lin Xian,"
Zhao Yingjun called out to him:
"I saw on your resume, you graduated from East Sea University?"
"Yes, President Zhao."
Zhao Yingjun sized him up:
"Do you have a suit?"
"I have one... bought for job interviews."
"Go to the Brioni store in the neighboring mall and pick out a suit,"
Zhao Yingjun said, looking down at her documents:
"Go now. There's a science fundraising dinner tonight. You'll accompany me. I'll send you the address later."
"Oh..."
Bang!
The heavy office door with a password lock closed, and Lin Xian stood outside, puzzled.
What was this… Zhao Yingjun was asking him to accompany her to a dinner?
What did this entail?
However, the other team leaders were often out wining and dining every evening. Perhaps these things were unavoidable as a leader.
Lin Xian returned to his office, arranged some work for his four subordinates, and then headed to the adjacent shopping mall.
The commercial district next to the company's office building was the most upscale shopping area in Donghai City, brimming with luxury brands.
Lin Xian had never crossed paths with this place before; this was his first time browsing.
Following directions, he quickly located the "Brioni" store mentioned by Zhao Yingjun, a men's suit store with classic and elegant decor.
"Welcome, sir!"
A lovely young lady greeted Lin Xian with a bow and a smile, gesturing for him to come inside.
During her explanation, Lin Xian learned that Brioni was an Italian brand with a long history.
Lin Xian guessed why the sales associate was explaining so thoroughly to him.
They had a keen eye and could immediately discern a customer's purchasing power.
This seemingly detailed explanation was actually a polite way to probe. If the customer couldn't afford it, they would gracefully step back, and both sides understood without any awkwardness.
This was the essence of a luxury brand. Those scenes of condescending sales assistants from urban novels a decade ago... probably only happened in fiction.
"Hello, Mr. Lin!"
At that moment, a slightly older woman with the appearance of a manager approached Lin Xian with a bow:
"You must be Mr. Lin from MX Company?"
Lin Xian nodded.
The manager smiled:
"I apologize, Mr. Lin. I was tied up with some matters and couldn't greet you in time."
"President Zhao has already given us instructions. Please follow me! Those on display outside are just the basic models... The high-end models you need are in the inner room!"