Chapter 8 Rhein

"Rhein... Rhein Cat?"

Is it just that simple? That casual?

The colleagues were all abuzz with discussion.

"Rhein Cat sounds pretty good, doesn't it?"

Lin Xian explained:

"Since it's a brand image, it's definitely meant to serve the purpose of promoting the brand first and foremost. I think there's no name more suitable than Rhein Cat."

"Rhein Cat is indeed not bad."

Zhao Yingjun nodded:

"From the company's standpoint, if you are willing to tie this cat to the brand name, that's naturally something we would desire greatly."

"Of course, if you make such a significant contribution to the company, we naturally won't mistreat talent."

Clap clap.

Zhao Yingjun clapped his hands, signaling everyone to quiet down:

"Now, I would like to announce a new personnel appointment!"

Personnel appointment?

As soon as they heard there was going to be a change in personnel, everyone immediately quieted down and sat up straight.

Zhao Yingjun picked up the design draft of the Rhein Cat and looked at the people and said:

"I think everyone can see the potential value and development prospects of the Rhein Cat that Lin Xian has designed. So, just as I mentioned earlier, using it merely as a mascot for publicity seems a bit wasteful."

"Therefore, I plan to establish a brand new department dedicated to the IP development of Rhein Cat. From now on, Rhein Cat will not only be the mascot of Rhein Cosmetics but also an independent IP character."

"We can produce various authorized products like Rhein Cat merchandise, animations, dolls, clothing, and so on. This could greatly enhance our Rhein brand's influence and in turn reinforce the cosmetics market."

"This new department will be temporarily named the Rhein Cat IP Development and Operations Team. It will be on the same level as other official departments and report directly to me. And the leader of this team... will be taken up by Lin Xian!"

Boom—

Lin... Lin Xian?

How could Lin Xian, so young and inexperienced, be put in charge of such an important department, directly managed by President Zhao?

But after the shock had passed, everyone thought it over seriously...

Isn't this exactly what Lin Xian deserves? He managed to design the Rhein Cat and has proven his ability to assume this position with his talent.

Thunderous applause erupted in an instant!

The colleagues excitedly congratulated Lin Xian:

"Awesome, Lin Xian! A group leader just like that! How about transferring me to your department? I'll be your soldier!"

"You've got to treat us to dinner tonight, right, Lin Xian? Now your rank and benefits are going to be on par with Elder Sister Juan, with a salary that's surely more than tripled!"

"At the group leader level, who cares about the salary! Just the performance bonuses alone... are going to crush the salary by several times! Not to mention, according to our company's rules, Lin Xian will also have copyright earnings! So, let's not say anymore, Lin Xian, you have to bleed a nice chunk tonight!"

"Group Leader Lin! Don't forget us when you come into your fortune! You are now the youngest group leader in our company, with limitless prospects ahead!"

...

In their excitement, the colleagues surrounded Lin Xian, almost ready to toss him into the air to celebrate.

"Alright, alright, I'll treat you guys, just stop making noise."

To be honest...

Even Lin Xian was very surprised by Zhao Yingjun's personnel appointment. After all, he really didn't have much experience, having joined the company less than a year ago.

"Do a good job, Lin Xian."

Zhao Yingjun walked up to Lin Xian, smiling as he looked at him:

"I really like the cat you designed, and I have high expectations for your talent. I hope you can help MX Company expand our business territory even further."

"Cosmetics are ultimately replaceable fast-moving consumer goods, but only culture and art can persist through history."

"Perhaps centuries from now, people may no longer use MX Company's cosmetics, but they will still remember the Rhein Cat."

Having said that, Zhao Yingjun turned and left:

"I'm looking forward to your work outcomes, keep it up."

...

By the time he got home that night, it was already past ten.

The dinner party was full of joy, and Lin Xian was always popular, so his promotion made everyone genuinely happy for him.

During the chat, several company veterans told Lin Xian that President Zhao's hiring and promotion strategies were always bold and aggressive:

"MX Company's growth has been remarkable, gaining some fame nationwide in just two years... and it's inseparable from President Zhao's unconventional approach to recruiting talent!"

"But cough cough, President Zhao is just as decisive when it comes to firing people! You should be more careful from now on..."

After taking a bath.

Lin Xian poured himself a glass of yogurt. It was good for getting rid of hangovers and it made him feel a lot more comfortable.

"I never imagined... that stuff from my dreams would actually come in handy."

For all these years, Lin Xian had only thought about living a carefree and joyful life in his dreams, never trying to 'fleece the sheep' from them.

"Although everything in the dream is fake, there's no true or false when it comes to art and design."

He recalled what Zhao Yingjun had said.

Mendeleev had invented the "Periodic Table" in his dreams, and Einstein had been inspired by the "Special Theory of Relativity" in his.

So, it made sense for him to have created the Rhein Cat in his dream.

"No, it was called Keke Cat in the dream," he corrected himself.

Lin Xian yawned:

"Actually, Rhein Cat sounds nicer…"

Brushing teeth, washing face.

Going to bed to sleep.

…

…

Phew!

The familiar dry summer breeze, the familiar fresh scent of young leaves.

Lin Xian opened his eyes.

It was still that familiar square.

Everything was as always, unchanging.

It was just that today he went to bed too late, and there wasn't a single child running and playing in the square—probably they had all gone home to sleep.

Lin Xian turned to look at the road.

Big Face Cat's van was not there either.

At this time… he must have connected with CC and set off for the bank.

"What should I do now?"

Lin Xian looked around and saw that the toy store he had visited before was still open.

"Let's go have another look at the Keke Cat dolls, check out the other styles."

Since Zhao Yingjun thought so highly of him, he couldn't let her down at work.

In that toy store, there was an entire shelf of Keke Cat dolls. There were many, both large and small, and there were also some keychains, pendants, stationery, and other merchandise.

As the leader of the Rhein Cat IP Development and Operations Team… how could he miss such a good "stock up" opportunity?

Lin Xian walked straight into the toy store, heading directly for the shelf where the Keke Cat was.

But—

"Where's the Keke Cat?"

On the shelf in front of him, there were no signs of any Keke Cat at all!

All kinds of unfamiliar dolls were there instead.

In an instant, a chill ran down Lin Xian's spine.

An indescribable sense of fear spread throughout his body.

Something had changed…

His dreams had actually altered!

For over twenty years, for thousands of nights, all his dreams had been exactly the same.

The children would always fall over at the fixed time and place…

The radio would always broadcast the same news over and over…

Even the leaves blown down by the wind would land in the exact same place each time, without fail.

But now.

The toy store was still that toy store.

The shelf was still that shelf.

But the Keke Cat dolls that should have been on it were all gone!

The sudden unfamiliarity made Lin Xian feel somewhat suffocated:

"Is this still my dream?"

Lin Xian turned around abruptly.

He discovered that the sales clerk was standing right behind him, smiling.

"Sir, may I help you with anything?"

"…I want to buy a Keke Cat doll; they were right here before."

"Keke Cat?"

The sales clerk tilted her head.

Looking puzzled:

"Sir, are you sure you haven't mistaken something?"

"We've never sold anything called Keke Cat in our store!"