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Evan's family didn't have many relatives, so the New Year was quiet. On the first day of the New Year, his parents gave Evan a red envelope, which was a simple gesture of good wishes.
Back in his room, Evan placed the red envelope directly in his drawer. It was meant to convey blessings, and opening it would have diminished its meaning.
After giving the red envelope, his mother cooked a New Year's meal, and with that, the Carter family's New Year celebrations concluded.
At the dinner table, Frank put down his chopsticks and looked at Evan:
"When are you going to Harborview City?"
Evan wiped his mouth. "In a couple of days. I've scheduled a time with Professor Tao from our department. He said he'd be free after the third day of New Year. I just need to call him before I go."
Frank nodded. "Then it seems my previous analysis was correct. Harborview University might really be your breakthrough."
"It's all thanks to my old man's brilliant foresight!" Evan laid on the flattery thick.
However, Frank looked pleased. "That's right, your old man is an experienced hand."
After dinner, Frank also announced his New Year travel plans to Evan: a trip to Yokohama, ostensibly to experience the holiday atmosphere, though Evan was not included.
This was probably an unavoidable point. The pace of life was accelerating, and urban regulations were increasing. The lack of holiday spirit had become a common complaint for many, and the phenomenon of people going to Seoul or Tokyo during the holidays to experience that spirit also left Evan speechless.
Although Japan doesn't celebrate the Lunar New Year, for the sake of tourism, the locals indicated: we don't mind celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year one more time.
So in recent years, the theme of the holidays had gradually shifted from "reunion" to "relaxation." More and more people were traveling during the New Year.
"Alright, then you two be careful, and don't worry about things at home." Evan waved his hand weakly.
The longer Evan managed Redbird Studios, the more he envied his father's life. With such a brilliant and capable successor as himself, his retired life only required him to consider how to spend money. Even though he had just retired and gone on a two-month trip to Southeast Asia with his mother, the two months' expenses were only equivalent to two days of revenue from Swallowing Heaven and Earth. Evan declared it neither here nor there...
On the third day of the New Year, after seeing off his happy parents at the airport, Evan composed himself and boarded a plane to Harborview City.
Professor Tao was the dean of the game design college where Evan studied, and also one of the judges for the graduation project competition. However, they weren't particularly close. Evan's performance in college was merely excellent, and he was never interested in student associations or the like, so his most frequent interactions during college were with his academic advisor.
Professor Tao, as the dean of the game design college, was just one of his positions. He was also a visiting lecturer for several game companies. Evan was eyeing Professor Tao's networking abilities.
After Professor Tao and Evan spoke on the phone during the New Year, Professor Tao expressed his welcome for a visit after the holidays. Evan, thinking he had nothing to do at home, bought a plane ticket and went directly to his home.
Following the address, Evan arrived at a mid-range residential community. After explaining his purpose to the security guard and registering, he knocked on Professor Tao's door.
Professor Tao, who opened the door in casual clothes, laughed heartily when he saw Evan:
"I was just wondering which relatives would be visiting on the third day of New Year, and it turns out to be you, young man. I said you could come after the third, and you actually came on the third! Come in, no need to change your shoes."
Evan entered, closed the door, and smiled. "Being eager is one aspect. The other is to come early and wish you a Happy New Year, Professor Tao."
Professor Tao said while making tea:
"Alright, Happy New Year. No red envelope though, haha. Sit down, try the tea. What you said on the phone wasn't very clear. Let's sit and talk slowly."
Evan quickly stood up, took the tea, and said with a wry smile: "Actually, we just lack people, so I came back to my alma mater to find a professor for help."
Next, Evan explained in detail to Professor Tao the records Redbird Studios had set in the industry and its current predicament, and concluded:
"If we continue to make browser games, outsiders will think we have unlimited potential. Now we want to transition to formally making full games, and many people are not optimistic. At the same time, Northfield City is indeed not very attractive to many people, but Redbird Studios is just a seedling now and cannot establish itself in Harborview City. Rushing in would be self-destruction, so..."
Professor Tao nodded in understanding, then slowly drank his tea, deep in thought.
Evan was not in a hurry either. It was good tea and shouldn't be wasted.
A moment later, after weighing things in his mind, Professor Tao spoke:
"As an outstanding graduate of this class, having difficulties and seeking help from your alma mater shows trust in it, and your alma mater certainly won't let you down. I've thought of some suggestions. You can decide."
Evan quickly put down his teacup. "I'm all ears."
Professor Tao waved his hand. "Relax, it's not that serious."
"I've thought about it. You want to make your company bigger and create better games, which is excellent. Achieving success without complacency and striving for improvement—these are excellent qualities."
"On one hand, after you go back, prepare your materials and team. After the New Year and school starts, I'll apply for a recruitment presentation for you with the school. You decide the time and let me know, and I'll submit it for you. The outcome will then depend on your capabilities."
"On the other hand, I'll help you by asking some of my former students if they are interested in working for you. Whether I can convince them is unclear, but I must tell you upfront that the remuneration for these students of mine cannot be too low."
Evan nodded respectfully. "That's only right."
Professor Tao sighed and said:
"Normally, a school like ours would at most assign you some interns for cooperation. However, your performance in the last competition was truly outstanding—a completely new technology that could even be published in academic journals of prestigious international universities. The fact that you presented this in your graduation project made the school feel it had not treated you fairly. This time, I'll personally overstep to help you. I'm also very much looking forward to seeing how far you can go."
Evan nodded heavily.
Leaving Professor Tao's house, Evan finally felt a little relieved in his heart. However, thinking of the alumni who would soon join his company, he felt as if the burden on his shoulders had grown heavier.
Evan didn't believe a single word of Professor Tao saying the school hadn't treated him fairly. Would someone as shrewd as an old fox feel guilty? This was clearly a tactic of feigned retreat to prevent Evan from making more demands. From beginning to end, Evan only made one request, without even specifying the details, and Professor Tao had arranged everything for him. If it were someone inexperienced, they might already be shedding tears of gratitude for their alma mater.
"Well, never mind. At least it seems the talent problem is solved," Evan muttered to himself.