Looking at the young man standing before him, Li Zhenhua felt as if he had been deceived.
He couldn't believe it—the person he was supposed to meet, the employer promising him a future, turned out to be just a high school student.
Li Zhenhua took a deep breath, suppressing the surprise and doubt surging within him. After all, he was already here. No matter what, he couldn't just walk away without trying to understand the situation further.
"Mr. Renjiro, this is my resume," Li Zhenhua said, handing over a neatly prepared document. His tone remained respectful, though the skepticism in his eyes was hard to hide.
Renjiro took the resume with a calm expression, flipping through it at a measured pace.
As he expected, there wasn't much content that was new. It aligned with the description provided by the headhunting agency. Li Zhenhua was once the owner of a small factory, earning a living by processing and manufacturing Pokémon-related items, primarily props and equipment for trainers.
However, life hadn't been kind to him. After his wife fell gravely ill, he was forced to sell off everything he owned to cover her medical expenses. The factory, the house, his assets—gone. Even then, he was left burdened with heavy debt.
But what caught Renjiro's attention the most wasn't just the experience in management or R&D—it was the dedication this man showed towards his family.
"You have impressive experience," Renjiro said at last, closing the file and looking up at Li Zhenhua. His gaze was steady and sincere. "Both in management and in production. It's exactly what I need in a general manager. Now, do you have any questions for me?"
Li Zhenhua hesitated. The truth was, he had many questions, but one in particular weighed on his mind.
"Mr. Renjiro," he began, his voice cautious, "you seem very young. I don't mean any offense, but I'm unsure whether you're capable of offering the salary and benefits you've promised."
To Li Zhenhua, the offer almost sounded too good to be true. An annual salary of three million yuan, full management authority over the company's operations, and the promise of cutting-edge projects—coming from a boy who looked barely out of high school.
Renjiro's lips curved into a small smile. There was no offense taken; in fact, he appreciated the honesty.
"I understand your concerns," Renjiro said gently. "Age can be deceiving. But let me put your mind at ease. If you agree to my terms today, I am prepared to pay you one year's salary in advance—three million yuan, up front. A gesture to prove my sincerity and capability."
Li Zhenhua froze. He stared at Renjiro, certain he had misheard.
"You mean...you're willing to pay me a full year's salary before I've done anything?" he asked in disbelief.
Renjiro nodded, his expression unwavering.
"Yes. I believe in choosing the right people, and I believe in building trust. You've proven through your actions that you're a man of integrity. A person who would sacrifice everything for family doesn't strike me as the kind who would betray my trust over money."
Li Zhenhua's heart clenched at Renjiro's words. He felt a mix of gratitude and shame. Gratitude for being seen and acknowledged for his sacrifices, and shame for ever doubting someone who spoke so earnestly.
"Mr. Renjiro, I can't express how much I appreciate this," Li Zhenhua said, bowing slightly. "I do need the money—but it's not just about that. I want to work for someone who has vision. However...there is still the matter of the contract."
Renjiro tilted his head slightly, curious.
"The thirty-year term," Li Zhenhua clarified. "It feels...restrictive. Like I'd be selling myself into servitude."
Renjiro's smile faded into seriousness.
"I understand how you feel," he said quietly. "But that term is non-negotiable. The work we are about to undertake involves technologies and innovations that must remain absolutely secret. As general manager, you will know everything. I need to be certain that my company's secrets will be protected, not just for now, but for decades."
Li Zhenhua frowned, struggling internally.
"May I ask what kind of project requires such extreme secrecy for so long?" he asked at last. His curiosity had overtaken his apprehension.
"The first project," Renjiro said, leaning forward slightly, "is a Poké Ball."
Li Zhenhua blinked, unsure if he had heard correctly.
"A Poké Ball?"
Renjiro nodded.
"With all due respect, Mr. Renjiro," Li Zhenhua said, choosing his words carefully, "the domestic market for Poké Balls hasn't exactly been promising. I know firsthand how people feel about Poké Balls developed locally. They're seen as unreliable, even unsafe. And worse, many so-called domestic designs are filled with foreign patents. People have given up hope. They're willing to pay high premiums for imported Poké Balls because at least they know those work."
Renjiro listened without interruption, understanding the depth of skepticism behind those words.
"I know the situation," Renjiro said. "But what I'm offering is different. This is not just another Poké Ball. This is an Ultra Ball—my own design, my own technology."
Li Zhenhua arched an eyebrow.
"Do you have a prototype?"
Without a word, Renjiro reached into his bag and placed a small yellow-and-white Poké Ball on the table. It was about the size of a ping-pong ball—much smaller than the standard models.
Li Zhenhua picked it up, examining it carefully.
It certainly looked different, but apart from the unusual size and color, he didn't see anything revolutionary about it at first glance.
"This is what you're pinning your hopes on?" Li Zhenhua thought to himself.
But then his fingers brushed against a subtle switch on the ball's surface.
Click.
Before his eyes, the small ball expanded to the size of a standard Poké Ball, its surface gleaming under the lights.
Li Zhenhua gasped, his eyes wide with shock.
"It...it got bigger!" he exclaimed, turning the Poké Ball over in his hands. "What kind of technology is this? I've never seen anything like it!"
Renjiro smiled again, pleased by the reaction.
"This is just the beginning," Renjiro said. "The Ultra Ball's internal technology is even more advanced. It offers a higher capture rate, better Pokémon retention stability, and superior durability. The space compression mechanism allows for compact storage without compromising strength or functionality."
Li Zhenhua felt his doubts slowly erode, replaced by wonder.
If what Renjiro claimed was true, then this wasn't just another Poké Ball. This could change everything.
"And this is why secrecy is so important," Renjiro continued. "If the technology leaks, it will be stolen and mass-produced by others before we even have a chance to launch. I need someone I can trust to help build this company—and protect what we create."
Li Zhenhua stared at the Ultra Ball in his hand, turning it over and over, as if trying to see into its very heart.
Three million yuan. A chance to help his wife. A chance to make history.
He looked up at Renjiro, seeing not just a high school student, but a visionary. Someone willing to risk everything for an idea.
"I'll do it," Li Zhenhua said at last. His voice was steady, filled with resolve. "I'll sign the contract. Thirty years, secrecy, whatever it takes. Let's make this happen."
Renjiro's expression softened, a hint of relief flashing through his eyes.
"Welcome aboard, Mr. Li," he said, extending his hand.
Li Zhenhua shook it firmly.
As they sealed the deal, both knew that this was just the beginning of something far greater than either had imagined. The Ultra Ball was more than a product—it was a promise. A promise of innovation, of redemption, and of a future that was getting bigger and bigger.
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End of Chapter 34.
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