Chapter 30: The River God’s Plea to Stay

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When Chuan Shen, one of the team’s key rendering specialists, learned that Zhou Dan was resigning, he froze with his coffee cup halfway to his lips. The coffee nearly sprayed everywhere. He hurriedly swallowed the scalding mouthful, grimacing in pain, then dashed toward Zhou Dan’s office as fast as he could.

“Zhou Dan, what on earth are you up to? Our team is the Avengers of the industry! Without you—the core chip—how are we supposed to save the world?” Chuan Shen cried theatrically the moment he entered, attempting to ease the tension with humor.

Zhou Dan raised his head. His gaze was resolute, though a trace of helpless amusement curved his lips. “Chuan Shen, are you trying to put me on a pedestal? Unfortunately, this little screw of mine is already covered in rust. I need to find somewhere else to polish myself.”

The moment Chuan Shen heard that, he was both amused and exasperated. “Oh, Zhou Dan, what a metaphor! Our team is a precision instrument. Without your screw, the whole machine will fall apart!”

Zhou Dan smiled and shook his head. “Stop teasing me, Chuan Shen. I’m truly tired. I want a change of scenery and a few new challenges.”

Seeing how firm Zhou Dan was, Chuan Shen put away his smile and spoke earnestly. “Zhou Dan, we’re comrades, remember? We’ve worked late into the night together, dealt with those impossible clients together, and celebrated every successful project together. Are you really willing to leave?”

Zhou Dan sighed. “Of course I’m reluctant to go. But you know, life is like a game. I’ve been stuck on this level for far too long. I need to unlock a new one if I’m going to keep leveling up.”

Chuan Shen’s eyes lit up. “Zhou Dan, that metaphor is even better! So our team is your game dungeon, is that it? If you leave, the dungeon won’t be complete anymore!”

Zhou Dan was amused into laughter by Chuan Shen’s humor, but his smile soon faded again. “I know you mean well, Chuan Shen. But I’ve made up my mind. I want a new environment and a chance to challenge myself.”

Chuan Shen shook his head helplessly. “All right, Zhou Dan. Since you’ve made your decision, I can only respect it. But remember this: wherever you go, you’ll always be part of our team. If you ever want to come back, our door will always be open.”

Zhou Dan nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Chuan Shen. I’ll remember that.”

Just as the two were about to say goodbye, Chuan Shen suddenly remembered something. “Oh, right, Zhou Dan. Once you leave, the position of team comedian will be vacant! You have to help me find a successor!”

Zhou Dan blinked, then burst out laughing. “Chuan Shen, you really know how to hand someone a mission at the worst possible moment! Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye out for someone.”

And so, their conversation about resignation came to an end amid humor and reluctance. Although Zhou Dan was about to leave, the bond forged through their years of striving together would remain forever etched in their hearts.

Over the next few days, Chuan Shen began searching everywhere for Zhou Dan’s replacement as the team comedian. He first approached Little Li, the team’s resident tech geek, and tried to persuade him to take on the responsibility.

“Little Li, you see, ever since Zhou Dan left, the atmosphere around here has become much more subdued. You need to put those comedic instincts of yours to work and give everyone a little entertainment!” Chuan Shen told him.

Little Li immediately looked troubled. “Chuan Shen, you know me. Aside from technology, I’m useless at everything else. Put me in charge of technical work and I’m fine, but ask me to be funny? That would be the death of me!”

Chuan Shen shook his head helplessly and had no choice but to abandon the idea of making Little Li the team comedian.

Next, he approached Little Wang, the team’s chatterbox. Little Wang was endlessly talkative and could always make everyone laugh. Chuan Shen thought he ought to be able to handle the job.

“Little Wang, ever since Zhou Dan left, the team comedian’s seat has been vacant. I think you’ve got a real sense of humor. How about taking over?” Chuan Shen asked.

Little Wang’s eyes lit up at once. “Oh, Chuan Shen, you really do have an eye for talent! I may not be good at much else, but comedy is my specialty. Don’t worry—I’ll bring the fun back to this team!”

Chuan Shen was overjoyed. “Wonderful! Little Wang, you haven’t disappointed me. Starting today, you’re officially our team comedian!”

Little Wang gave a smug little grin. “Heh-heh. Just wait and see what I can do!”

However, although Little Wang talked constantly, his comedic skills were truly limited. His jokes were so painfully cold that they left everyone shivering, and his attempts at humor merely left the team caught between laughter and tears. Seeing this, Chuan Shen could only shake his head in resignation.

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Just as Chuan Shen was beginning to despair of finding a team comedian, a newcomer suddenly joined the group—Little Zhang. Little Zhang was cheerful, witty, and outgoing, and he quickly became friends with everyone.

Seeing how much potential Little Zhang had, Chuan Shen decided to give him a chance at becoming the team comedian.

“Little Zhang, as you can see, our team is currently missing a comedian. I think you’ve got a real talent for it. Would you be willing to take over?” Chuan Shen asked.

Little Zhang immediately perked up. “Oh, Chuan Shen, you’ve come to exactly the right person! I was born to make people laugh. Just wait and see!”

Sure enough, Little Zhang soon revealed his comic talent. Not only was he excellent at telling jokes, he could also improvise on the spot, sending everyone into fits of laughter. At last, Chuan Shen breathed a sigh of relief.

“Looks like we’ve finally found our team comedian!” Chuan Shen said happily.

Little Zhang grinned proudly. “Heh-heh. Just wait and see how much more fun I’ll bring to the team!”

As time passed, Little Zhang gradually became the team’s official comedian. He not only made the atmosphere more relaxed and cheerful, but also helped everyone relieve the pressure of work. Watching Little Zhang in action, Chuan Shen felt deeply gratified.

However, just as the team was growing accustomed to Little Zhang’s presence, Zhou Dan suddenly returned.

“Chuan Shen, I’m back!” Zhou Dan shouted as soon as he entered.

Chuan Shen froze. “Zhou Dan, didn’t you say you wanted a change of scenery? How did you come back so soon?”

Zhou Dan smiled. “Heh-heh. I realized I missed all of you. Besides, I discovered that none of the dungeons out there were as much fun as our own.”

Chuan Shen burst out laughing. “Ha! Zhou Dan, this is truly a case of a prodigal son returning. Welcome back!”

Zhou Dan laughed too. “Heh-heh. This isn’t a prodigal son returning. It’s a victorious homecoming!”

The two looked at each other and laughed, as though they had returned to the days when they had struggled side by side.

Zhou Dan’s return brought fresh energy to the team. He resumed his role as the team’s technical backbone and, together with Little Zhang, became one of its comedians. The two played off one another so perfectly that they had everyone laughing delightedly.

Looking at the laughter and good cheer throughout the team, Chuan Shen was filled with emotion. He understood that a team needed not only technically capable people, but also someone who could unite its members and create a lively atmosphere.

“Looks like our team is overflowing with talent!” Chuan Shen exclaimed.

At that, Zhou Dan and Little Zhang both laughed. “Heh-heh, Chuan Shen. Just wait and see how we continue to make this team shine!”

And so, Zhou Dan’s return and Little Zhang’s arrival made the team more united and energetic than ever. Together they faced challenges, celebrated successes, and continued writing the legendary story that belonged to them.

Unfortunately, the good times did not last. As the company’s business continued to expand, the team’s workload gradually increased. Everyone began working late and staying up through the night with increasing frequency, and the pressure grew heavier by the day.

Watching his exhausted colleagues, Chuan Shen was filled with concern. He knew that if they did not find a way to relieve the pressure, the team might very well collapse.

So he decided to organize a team-building outing to help everyone relax.

“Listen up, everyone! To help relieve the pressure, I’ve decided to organize a team-building trip! We’ll go to the beach, barbecue, play in the water, and watch the sunrise together!” Chuan Shen announced excitedly.

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Everyone erupted in cheers. “Wonderful! Long live Chuan Shen!”

However, on the night before the team-building outing, Little Zhang suddenly fell ill.

“Chuan Shen, I’m afraid I won’t be able to join the team-building trip tomorrow,” Little Zhang said weakly.

Chuan Shen frowned at once. “Oh, Little Zhang, when it rains, it pours! But don’t worry. Get plenty of rest. We’ll record the outing so you can watch it later.”

Little Zhang nodded. “Thank you. Have fun.”

The team-building outing went ahead as planned. Everyone barbecued, played in the water, and watched the sunrise to their hearts’ content. Seeing how happy everyone was, Chuan Shen felt deeply relieved.

Yet just as they were having the time of their lives, Zhou Dan suddenly disappeared.

“Oh no, where’s Zhou Dan? How did he vanish?” Chuan Shen shouted anxiously.

Everyone grew tense. “That’s right. Where did Zhou Dan go?”

Chuan Shen hurriedly took out his phone and called Zhou Dan, but no one answered.

“What are we going to do? Surely nothing happened to him?” Chuan Shen said anxiously.

Just then, a familiar figure emerged from the beach. Everyone looked closely and realized that it was Zhou Dan.

“Zhou Dan, where have you been? You nearly scared us to death!” Chuan Shen scolded.

Zhou Dan smiled. “Heh-heh. I went down to the beach to collect seashells. Look—I found so many beautiful ones!”

When everyone saw the shells in Zhou Dan’s hands, they burst out laughing. “Ha! Zhou Dan, you really are a treasure!”

Chuan Shen laughed too. “All right, all right, let’s get back to having fun. But Zhou Dan, be careful out there!”

Zhou Dan nodded. “Don’t worry, Chuan Shen. I’ll be careful.”

After the team-building outing ended, everyone felt enormously refreshed. They returned to their posts and threw themselves into work with renewed enthusiasm.

However, just when everyone thought things would proceed smoothly, the company suddenly announced some bad news: because of changes in the market, it had decided to lay off employees.

“What? Layoffs?” Everyone was stunned.

Looking at the fear on their faces, Chuan Shen was filled with helplessness. He knew that this news was an unquestionably heavy blow to them.

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