Otaku-6

Ruan Cunyun set the AC at 22 degrees¹Celcius. For you americans, it’s about 72 F, and after calming down, he buried himself in the thick blanket and began to recall his performance on his first day at work.

His work today wasn’t really meaningful, and he is still unfamiliar with his colleagues and has yet to match their faces and names. Would his colleagues think he is weird²The RAW actually said “can’t speak”, as in he is weird and lacking in conversational ability or understanding? Would they think he wasn’t being proactive enough? Back then he straightforwardly asked about the reason Mr. Qin wasn’t coming during the gathering, would they think he is impudent and not knowing how to behave?

The more he thought, the more anxious Ruan Cunyun became, so he sent a message to Xu Feifei: [Fei Fei, when you just started working, did you worry about whether you were doing well enough?]

Xu Feifei replied ten minutes later with a voice message: [No way ah, this young master’s performance was simply perfect! ——Ai yo Damn it, How could there still be zombies hidden behind the chest ah. Arghhhh, this grandpa will kill you in one shot, brothers~”

The banging sounds of gunshots could be heard in the background, obviously Xu Feifei was so absorbed in the game.

Ruan Cunyun was amused by this happy go lucky fool, so he stopped disturbing him and relaxed himself.

Before sleeping, Ruan Cunyun repeatedly swiped over and enjoyed the signed art pieces of Teacher Balls that he had saved tonight. He then eventually fell asleep peacefully.

The next day, Ruan Cunyun wore short sleeves and sneakers to work. His hair was casually styled, showing his fair and smooth forehead, fair earlobes could faintly be seen, slightly hidden under his black hair.

His colleague, Xiao Mei exclaimed, “Xiao Yun looks so young in casual wear! Have you even graduated high school?”

Her voice drew in everyone’s sight.

Perhaps they became more familiar because of the meal yesterday, so everyone was more relaxed now.

Another female colleague said enviously, “Xiao Yun really looks like a child. This old auntie is so envious.”

Another naive straight-man programmer sighed as he looked at Ruan Cunyun, “Ai, back then, I was also…..”

“Alright alright. I bet you wouldn’t be as tender as someone even if you are 30 years younger!” Xiao Mei crossed her arms.

The two of them were bickering on the side as Ruan Cunyun awkwardly pursed his lips. He then sat on his workstation, took a deep breath, started his computer, and prepared to start today’s work.

Ruan Cunyun has always had a doll-like face, with soft facial contours, pointed chin, and black bright big eyes that seem to twinkle as he blinks.

Since childhood, there have been many who praised his beauty. His beauty isn’t the seductive kind of beauty, but rather the Harp seal’s cub’s kind of beauty³This is harp seal’s pup 🙂 that makes one unable to resist pinching his face.

Which is why no one could tell he was a boy when Ruan Cunyun cosplayed a Loli character. Even later, when he cosplayed a male character, there were people commenting: [No matter how handsome she is, she must be a girl!]

However, Ruan Cunyun has already been used to concealing his emotions, his facial expression always remained faint, offsetting his overly adorable appearance. It was like a strawberry soda with a few slices of sour lime, making him look slightly unapproachable.

The leisure before work time quickly passed. The office quieted down, leaving only the continuous sounds of typing.

Ruan Cunyun was looking through the email and saw that there would be a conference for all members of the Technical Department at 11 this morning, with Qin Fanglu as the speaker.

It’s already 10 a.m yet Mr. Qin’s table is still empty.

Approaching 11 o’clock, Qin Fanglu arrived late dressed in a crisp suit.

Ruan Cunyun could feel the atmosphere turning tense, the colleagues around him also straightened up their backs. Ruan Cunyun also couldn’t help but straighten up his sitting posture.

Qin Fanglu sure looks like an imposing homeroom teacher.

Qin Fanglu’s attention was solely on walking towards his table, he then picked up a bag of things and left.

The atmosphere quickly loosened up.

When he returned, Qin Fanglu had already changed into black short sleeves and jeans, refreshing like next-door’s Gege.

The “Next-door’s Gege” shelved his suit and said concisely, “See you all in the conference hall.”

Many people started to move, going to the conference hall in twos or threes. Qin Fanglu went in first, the assistants and project managers quickly followed after him, probably racing against time to discuss a project.

Sister Rain glanced at Ruan Cunyun and said, “Xiao Ruan, bring a notebook, organize the meeting’s notes before leaving work today.”

Ruan Cunyun responded with a “yes”.

The conference hall is like an amphitheatre⁴Actually 阶梯教室 refers to a lecture hall with the seats arranged in a slope like this with a gigantic screen taking up two floors. All members of the Technology Department sat in the audience seat.

Qin Fanglu stood on the stage, dressed in casual wear and relaxed posture, but his speech was straightforward and directly got to the point, “Thank you all for being here. Today, today’s topic is about the Technology Department’s mid-year summary, and also the projects and plan for the later half of the year.”

A lot of company leaders say a huge pile of garbage during meetings, making absurd and unrealistic claims packaged in flowery words over and over again. Not one substantial content could be found even after two hours of talking, truly a waste of one’s life.

As for Qin Fanglu, from the start, not a word of nonsense slipped out of his mouth. He summarized the performance and research achievements of the past six months in a few sentences, and then presented the precise data to illustrate and show the proof of those achievements. He also pointed out the shortcomings objectively, and comprehensively analyzed the global industry’s current situation, and then began to quantify the year-end goals and organized each group to implement them.

Qin Fanglu’s explanation was clear-cut and logical, he rarely looked at the PPT, even knowing each and every data point as if they had been imprinted in his mind.

He was speaking very quickly, Ruan Cunyun had to concentrate on listening attentively to ensure that he wouldn’t get lost.

Occasionally, when someone raised their hand to ask a question, Qin Fanglu would stop to answer, and in later speeches, he would effortlessly mention the previously raised questions.

More than an hour passed quickly and the notebook was filled with key points.

If before the conference Ruan Cunyun had some “awe” for this boss, he has now almost deified him with reverence⁵ Actually the RAW says “Ruan Cunyun felt the distance between them widening with his reverence”.

Calm and unruffled, generous and composed, with a strong commanding presence. This is the kind of person Ruan Cunyun’s parents had expected him to become since childhood. Unfortunately for them, he has been struggling and stumbling for 20 years, moreover he was so afraid of making mistakes due to his social anxiety.

During his time in college when he had to deliver a speech on stage, his mind often went blank. It took him a long time to memorize the script and prepare himself before he could reach the standard, still far from reaching “effortlessly commanding the stage.”

Qin Fanglu should be the perfect child in his parents’ eyes, Ruan Cunyun thought.

Although Ruan Cunyun isn’t good at giving speeches, he is good at recording and taking notes. It didn’t take long for him to sort out the meeting records and notes, and send them to Sister Rain.

In fact, the time of work passed faster than Ruan Cunyun expected. Writing codes, attending meetings, and just like that five days passed.

On Friday afternoon, the office was a bit more lively, the atmosphere was brimming with the joy of the close at hand weekend.

As soon as it was time to leave work, someone was already itching to clock out and leave. The sounds of chairs and tables scraping could be heard all over the place.

Ruan Cunyun was inwardly excited. His heart had already flown away to his cozy and peaceful little nest with AC, computer, and ice cream. On the weekend, he and Xu Feifei would go play in the paradise for otakus for a day. Life would be so wonderful this weekend.

“Xiao Yun, do you want us to pick you up at your house tomorrow?” The next seat Zhu Han probingly asked as he packed up his stuff.

Ruan Cunyun, not understanding, “Uhh, what?”

Zhu Han smiled and said, “Didn’t we agree to go bowling that day during the gathering? Do you live far?”

Ruan Cunyun felt chill all over his body. Fuck, he forgot.

“Not far, I’ll go by myself.” Ruan Cunyun had to force out a barely-enough smile.

“Okay!” Zhu Han’s smile was like a sunflower, he then waved his hand and said, “See you tomorrow! I’m really looking forward to it.”

So on the most wonderful Friday night in the world, Ruan Cunyun reluctantly refused Xu Feifei’s invitation to play games together, and spent the whole night online to learn bowling’s rules, clothing requirements, etiquette, and techniques.

Saturday was akin to enduring torture, time passed slower than an entire week.

Initially, there were only a few men from the office showing up, Ruan Cunyun could barely deal with it. However, they met acquaintances from other companies at the bowling alley, and the two groups began to engage in professional exclusive trade exchanges⁶The word here can also be used to describe “blows” as in fighting moves or bragging. They were bowling as if engaging in Tai Chi⁷As in fighting. If you have seen chinese martial art movies, you can imagine it like that. Calculating your opponents move and countering it, basically., the atmosphere was strangely lively yet hollow.

Ruan Cunyun really wanted to run, but when the other party saw a newcomer, they took turns shaking hands and interacted with Ruan Cunyun. They patted his shoulder and said things like “what a handsome young man”, “the younger generations will surpass us in time”, and “your company has a bright future ahead ah“.

He had already lost his chance to slip away, Ruan Cunyun’s face was about to cramp from smiling, his back was sweating profusely.

It was already 10 p.m when he was finally back home. Ruan Cunyun was so exhausted like a dead dog, his HP value had completely fallen to zero.

Two days of precious weekends, and one day was actually wasted like this!

Ruan Cunyun swore, if he were to ever agree on his colleagues’ sports invitation again, then he would be a pig!

On Sunday, Ruan Cunyun put on his long lost anime-print T-shirt and loose shorts, feeling as if he could soar and fly freely.

As he pushed Secret Base’ door open and saw the plethora of Mangas and leisurely strolling cats, Ruan Cunyun felt like he had returned to his safe haven.

This shop is so so good, from the interior decoration, layout, to the atmosphere, there is nothing to nitpick.

Ruan Cunyun held the half price discount card won by Xu Feifei, ordered a table of food like a local tyrant⁸Means someone with a lot of money, and then picked up a British Shorthair⁹This little guy here onto his legs and pet it dejectedly.

Xu Feifei honestly said, “Yun’er, I’m really worried about your mental condition.”

“It’s nothing, I’m good.” Ruan Cunyun smiled, his golden soul¹⁰Seems to be a reference from jojo’s bizarre adventure seemed to float in the air. “Colleagues are gentle and quiet, and the big boss is amiable and approachable. This company is really wonderful.”

Xu Feifei shivered, “Your laugh really could scare someone.”

Ruan Cunyun heaved a sigh, “I may not be suitable for this company.”

Xu Feifei slapped Ruan Cunyun’s back in surprise, almost giving him an internal injury “Wait wait wait wait wait. If you resign now, you won’t even be able to get a penny of salary! Don’t be impulsive ah you!”

Ruan Cunyun laughed, “It’s not that I want to resign, just that social interaction is too exhausting.”

Xu Feifei picked up a meatball and put it into his mouth: “Isn’t this me bringing you to the paradise of otakus? Go watch some new episodes, eat a little more, pet and rub the cats——you will definitely refill your blood bar and come back to life!”

“But I only have one day off, my mental energy is too overdrawn. Even if I watch a whole season of new episodes, my blood bar wouldn’t recover,” Ruan Cunyun said with a bitter face.

Ruan Cunyun’s phone jingled when he was speaking.

Phone’s push notification: [BALLS, who you put special attention¹¹ It’s like following someone and chose the notification to be on to, has posted a new Weibo la! Quickly come and take a look!]

Ruan Cunyun’s eyes suddenly lit up, immediately clicking on it impatiently.

“Aaahhhh, it’s a comic strip! Teacher Balls drew a new comic strip! It has been a while since she last drew the previous comic strip!” Ruan Cunyun showed his phone screen at Xu Feifei and excitedly flaunted, the corner of his lips arched up highly.

Xu Feifei laughed hard at him, “Teacher Balls sure is your lifeline. Just one second and she could revive and fill up your blood bar.”

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The author has something to say:

Information that can now be made public:

Xu Feifei actually also likes to enjoy fanworks, but what he likes the most is still collecting all kinds of beautiful anime girls figurines and playing games.

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Translator’s note:

If you notice the title of the chapter was used a “He” instead of “she” as used in the chapter content by Xu Feifei, it was because the chapter title was indeed written with a “He” referring to Qin Fanglu. However, in the chapter, Xu Feifei didn’t specify the pronouns, but all this time they have indeed been using “She” for Teacher Balls because they don’t know the gender, so I used chose to use a “she”. As for why they assume it’s a ‘She’, you will see it later in the novel.