A Love Letter from Lhasa 24

Chapter 23: Mengying’s Revenge Plan

01
The Tang family returned to their lakeside mansion at Sun Moon Lake. Mengying got out, kept her head down, and rushed inside to the second floor.

Zhao Yayun and Tang Yunfei, watching her back, felt uneasy. They entered the living room with grim faces.

“That girl is so stubborn. Huaimin is not fit for business, and even if they’re together, she’ll be serving him like a god,” Yunfei said.

Yayun scolded, “Nonsense! The girl grew up with Huaimin. How can she let go?”

“What can she do? That woman won’t back down! She must wake up and not waste energy on him; he’s not worth it.”

“Then go persuade her yourself!” Yayun snapped. “Don’t push me as the shield every time!”

Yunfei suggested, “Wait until she calms down, then arrange a blind date. I have friends in business—young talents—any one of them is better than that Tang boy.”

“Let’s wait. If she can let go, then you arrange it. Don’t act impulsively; she’ll just get mad. Let her cool down for a few days.” Yayun replied.

02
Suli Min, at Disney headquarters, received Mengying’s email. Angry at Mengying’s grievances, she thought, That heartless Huaimin! He doesn’t deserve Mengying’s devotion. I’ll ruin him to avenge her. Suli Min immediately replied to discuss strategy.

Dear Sister,
I can’t believe what you’ve suffered! That heartless man must be ruined! I will avenge you. Talk to me on video after I finish work.
—Suli Min

At the Tang mansion, Mengying received the reply. She didn’t want Suli Min to harm Huaimin, so after Suli Min returned from work, they video-called:

“Sister, I don’t want you to hurt Huaimin. The real culprit is that witch Annie. She seduced him. I want you to handle her and make her leave Huaimin willingly.”

“You’re too soft-hearted, sister. How?”

“My plan is to torment the witch, damage her mentally and physically, so she leaves Huaimin herself.”

“I respect your method. But strategy?”

“You can criticize him at work, embarrass him subtly, but don’t overdo it. Then comfort him, seduce him, take intimate photos, and threaten the witch. If she refuses, send photos to the media and company to ruin her. She’ll crumble!”

“Ha! Sister, you’re ruthless. Luckily, I’m not your enemy.”

“I’m forced. I can’t let them live happily.”

“True! I’ll follow your plan. Stay in touch.”

The two half-sisters coordinated a “revenge plan” across the sea.

03
Back at their Berkeley home, Annie noticed strawberries flowering, small green fruits forming, and apple and cherry trees in full bloom, attracting bees and butterflies.

Huaimin admired, “They’re blooming beautifully!”

“Didn’t you see apple and cherry trees bloom before?” Annie asked.

“I only saw cherry blossoms—doesn’t count?” Huaimin laughed.

“Different species, of course not! Your soil and fertilizer work paid off; flowers bloom more than before. Trees, like humans, respond to care.”

“Annie, I can sense a deeper meaning in your words.”

“Yes! You’re not a natural fool,” Annie laughed.

They put down their luggage, holding hands under the fruit trees.

“Will too many fruits affect size?” Huaimin asked.

“Good question! After flowers fade, we prune branches and thin fruits. You know that, right?”

“Somewhat—keep main branches and good fruits, remove weak ones to concentrate nutrients.”

“Then bag the fruits to prevent pests, and wait for harvest.”

“How much fruit can these seven trees produce in a year?”

“Last year, my mother passed away, so production dropped 40%. Apples yielded 300 kg, cherries 250–260 kg. This year, with your help and pruning, likely over 1,000 kg,” Annie estimated.

Huaimin was amazed. “Wow! Who can eat all that?”

“Before, big, attractive fruits went to supermarkets; small or imperfect ones made jam. This year, I’ll make all into jam and sell online.”

“That works!” Huaimin nodded.

“I’ll write my thesis and make jam for exercise and extra income.”

Huaimin laughed. “That’s killing two birds with one stone!”

Annie asked, puzzled, “What does that mean?”

“It means achieving two goals at once. My Taiwanese is limited, but I know that phrase.”

04
At 2 p.m., Tang Huaimin entered the office. Passing by Su Limin’s desk, he greeted her proactively: “Director, I’m back.”
Su Limin nodded and smiled, thinking to herself: “I’ve been waiting for you, you heartless man, this unfaithful rogue… let’s see how I make you pay…”

Huaimin went to his own desk and placed a small handbag under the table. “When leaving work later, pass by Director Su’s desk and leave this gift bag under her table.”

Su Limin stood up, pulled a folder from the cabinet, and a cold smile flickered at the corner of her eyes. She walked to Huaimin’s desk:
“Tang, on your computer desktop, there’s a photo-editing program and Flash software. Open them and, according to the instructions, familiarize yourself with their functions and usage. This folder contains the current animated story scripts, and inside is a CD with preliminary character designs. I think the drafts are too stiff. I want you to read the scripts thoroughly and, based on your understanding, add some of your imagination to propose a set of character designs that you think are suitable. Did you understand what I just explained?”

Huaimin optimistically thought: “This time Director Su’s test must be to gauge my abilities.”
Naively, he scratched his head and smiled foolishly: “Director, I’ll give it a try!”

Su Limin immediately corrected him: “No, you should say: Examiner, I will give it my all.”
Huaimin corrected himself: “Yes, Examiner, I will give it my all.”

Su Limin nodded with satisfaction: “Good, you’re like a candle—light it and it shines! No wonder Old Hall appreciates you. Can you finish the character design draft for me by this weekend?”
“Though it’s a bit rushed, I’ll give it my all,” he replied.
Su Limin smiled: “Then when you finish, leave it on my desk when you come to work on Monday.”
She turned and left, thinking: “Let’s see how much you’re capable of!”

05
In Professor Liang Wenqing’s office at the Literature Department, Liang returned the doctoral thesis outline to Annie:
“Your outline is fundamentally sound. But since the topic is rhetoric and aesthetics, you must cleverly link rhetorical devices and aesthetic principles, forming mutual references in your argument. Although your paper only focuses on the works of Qing Si, using both aesthetics and rhetoric as methodologies fully aligns with the ‘small topic, big writing’ thesis approach, and it still demonstrates the weight of this work.”

Annie respectfully said: “Thank you, Professor. I’ll put my heart into writing it.”
“Once you pass your doctoral defense and earn your degree, I plan to recommend you to our Literature Department to teach ‘Cultural Creativity and Aesthetics’ and ‘Cultural Creativity and Rhetoric.’”
Annie, overwhelmed, said: “Thank you for your generous support, Professor.”

Liang smiled happily: “You should contribute your valuable creative experience and guide students toward creative paths; this is your strong suit!”

06
In the evening, after bathing, Annie passed the study and saw Huaimin under the lamp, drawing. She quietly approached and stood behind him, watching. Huaimin was focused on drawing comic characters, completely unaware of Annie’s presence. She didn’t disturb him. After a while, Annie left for her own study to work on her thesis.

At midnight, Annie got up for water, passing by the study and noticing Huaimin still awake. She approached, placing her hands on his shoulders:
“Still working? What project is this?”

Huaimin turned: “The examiner gave me a task to revise a character design.”
“How much time did your supervisor give you?”
Huaimin smiled wryly: “Just this weekend.”

Annie looked concerned: “No wonder you’re staying up. Go rest, don’t overexert yourself.”
“Okay, I’ll rest after finishing this drawing,” he replied, turning back to continue working.

Watching his back, Annie realized there was nothing she could do to help.

07
On Monday morning, Su Limin entered the office. Sitting down, she noticed the gift bag. Opening it, she saw a box of tea and a box of coffee, with a small card attached: “Both tea and coffee are our products. Just a token of my appreciation.”
“This kid, at least he understands courtesy!” Su Limin thought, “But I still won’t let him off easy!”

She took out the training plan folder and pulled out a copy of the “animation storyboard,” then found the Pocahontas animation script. “Let him suffer a little first, this brat!”

She wrote a note, took a folder to Huaimin’s desk, left it on his desktop, and returned to her own desk to continue working.

At 2 p.m., Huaimin came into the office. Passing Su Limin’s desk, he placed a brown paper package on her desk. Inside were the completed new character designs.

Huaimin went to his desk, saw the folder, sat down, opened his computer, and then the folder, noticing the note:
"Here is an animation storyboard and examples, the Pocahontas script and CD. Your tasks are: 1. Read the script carefully; 2. Watch the CD; 3. Identify parts of the animation where the storyboard is handled poorly and create a simplified storyboard. The simplified storyboard should outline characters and scenes without coloring, but indicate character movements. You have one week; do as much as you can."

Huaimin quietly read the animation script.

08
After returning from a meeting, Su Limin saw the brown paper package. Pulling it out, she examined it carefully, secretly impressed: “Tang Huaimin really is a genius with imagination and creativity. If he hadn’t disappointed Meng Ying, with his talent, he could become a top animator in the future. Too bad I can’t let it happen as he wishes…”

She saw a CD labeled “Beginner Animation Demo” inside, put it in the drive, and clicked through: “Unbelievable! In just two and a half days, he produced the first ten minutes of animation. Character design, line color, and backgrounds all vivid. Old Hall’s judgment was spot-on!”

A sudden idea struck Su Limin: “Why not let Huaimin shine and let colleagues resent him? That way, I can win his favor while his popularity suffers.”

Holding the package, she went to Minister Smith. Acting mysteriously, she said: “Minister, please pause your work and take a look at this.”
Smith, curious, asked: “Oh? What is it?”
“Of course, something good. After you see it, I want to discuss Dolphin Castle again.”

Smith pulled out the designs and CD, glancing through a few character sketches. Interested, he asked: “Who drew this?”
Su Limin smiled, teasing: “I’ll answer that after you watch the CD.”

Smith played the CD: “If I’m not mistaken, according to your schedule, animation production shouldn’t have started yet.”
Su Limin smiled mysteriously: “Minister, the author is my apprentice, Tang.”
“Really?” Smith was astonished, disbelief on his face.
“Yes. Answering your second question: Tang completed the first ten minutes in just a weekend—two and a half days.”
“That efficiency is incredible! His line work shows no novice awkwardness; even the action and story flow don’t seem like an apprentice’s work!”

Su Limin’s eyes gleamed: “Minister, we both see the same hero. With time and training, in two or three years, Tang could become the top new talent after Glen Keane!”

Smith considered: “Tang’s style seems between Hayao Miyazaki and Glen Keane, combining Eastern elegance and Western vitality. But as a new employee, promotions should follow sequence…”

Su Limin scoffed: “Minister, do you want him to wait twenty or thirty years to reach top animator status? That’s clearly unfair!”
“But if I let him skip ranks, many colleagues will resent it,” Smith replied cautiously.

“Minister, I’ll use Tang’s designs as the new character models for Dolphin Castle.”
“I have no objection, but you may face backlash from your team in the design department.”
“I’ll handle that properly,” Su Limin said, eyes calculating, thinking of a method to try: “How about this? The company has the Greater China A3 Plan, right?”
Smith nodded: “Yes, some of us, including Old Hall, have discussed it. Are you trying to let him ride that project?”
Su Limin firmly: “Why not? I believe he’s capable.”

Smith thought a moment: “Then, first, you need intensive training for him, shortening his apprenticeship. Second, submit the A3 Plan proposal in six months. Can you manage both?”
Su Limin feigned mystery: “Of course! I can submit the proposal in just four months, Minister.”

Smith smiled: “You’re at it again, Mrs. Thatcher—always astonishing!”
“I’ll work on the proposal with Tang, so he won’t be idle,” Su Limin said brightly.

09
Colleagues in the character design department received Su Limin’s new Dolphin Castle character files, causing a stir. C-level animators whispered among themselves. B-level senior animators gathered, debating.

Charles asked: “Jimmy, do you know who proposed this new design?”
Jimmy guessed: “Probably the new apprentice Tang. He and Su are from the same town in Taiwan.”
William asked: “Does Su want us to compare old and new designs, intending to replace the old one?”
George: “Possibly! Honestly, the new design has clear advantages.”
William scoffed: “He’s still a newbie. If we use his design, what does that make us?”
George: “Then find its flaws and convince Director Su in the meeting!”

Charles smiled bitterly: “This Tang just swoops in, and we old-timers get outshined.”
Emily said: “Open your minds! I drew the original female characters, but Tang’s designs better suit the story.”
William frowned: “So you think we’re all fools, Emily?”
Emily: “I didn’t say that! But you really should acknowledge Tang’s strengths.”

Jimmy hesitated: “I also heard…”
William prompted: “Heard what?”
Jimmy lowered his voice: “Tang is the street artist Old Hall found in the park.”
William sneered: “Ah, another of the King’s men!”

They all glanced at Huaimin, who, absorbed in reading the Pocahontas script, remained completely unaware of their chatter.

10
In the meeting room, Su Limin chaired the character design team:
“Partners, today’s topic is to discuss new versus old character designs for Dolphin Castle. Please share your opinions.”

William sarcastically: “Director, you already know your mind, why ask us?”
“William, I haven’t decided yet. This meeting is for full discussion.”

Jimmy: “Last month, we brainstormed to produce the original draft. Director, did you consider our feelings?”
“If I ignored you, I’d have sent the new draft directly to Minister Smith! You understand me, Jimmy?”

Charles, provocatively: “Director, we heard the new draft is by an apprentice, and he’s your fellow townsman.”
Su Limin raised her voice: “That’s not part of today’s discussion, Charles.”

Emily intervened: “Everyone, focus. Speak specifically about the new draft.”
She continued: “Dolphin Castle is set in the Caribbean, so initially we all thought characters should reflect a tropical style. I designed the female lead as a sun-kissed, curvy Spanish woman. The new draft changes her to a Hawaiian-style, evenly proportioned, grass-skirted woman with Eastern facial features, matching the princess character better.”

Everyone listened silently. Emily added: “The new draft not only exposed my mental blind spots but also made me reconsider evaluating different styles only through Western aesthetics.”

Su Limin: “So, Emily, please give your conclusion and specific suggestions.”
Emily: “No conclusion, but I suggest changing the story location to Hawaii. Eastern audiences may relate better to Hawaii than the Caribbean.”

“Excellent suggestion, Emily,” Su Limin applauded. The team exchanged glances, few clapped, revealing underlying dissatisfaction.

“Any other opinions?” Silence.
“Then we’ll submit Emily’s suggestion to Minister Smith. The creative department will adjust the script and redesign the third version of the characters. Meeting adjourned.”

Colleagues got up lazily and left. William and Charles glared at Emily. Emily stuck out her tongue at them. William muttered: “Red-haired witch!”