1novels Chapter 151: A Bountiful Year for Chasing the Light, a Divine Film Crew Envious of the Entire Intern
Chapter 151: A Bountiful Year for Chasing the Light, a Divine Film Crew Envious of the Entire Intern
(Happy New Year!)
Episode 22 of "Ultraman Dyna," titled "Soldiers in the Moonlight," was completely flooded with bullet comments on various video platforms.
[This is amazing! The best way to overcome fear is to face it! Awesome!]
This is truly our Super Victory Team! Miyara-senpai is so cool!
I was genuinely shocked to see Dyna back down in fear, but it also shows that Ultraman has feelings too!
[Gu Laozei's character development is superb; even the supporting characters are vivid and relatable!]
As the melodious end credits song faded, viewers continued their enthusiastic discussion in the comments section.
However, for the Light Chaser Animation team in reality, with the successful broadcast of this episode, their busy year is finally coming to a perfect end.
Throughout this year, there was Ultraman Tiga in the first half of the year, Ultraman Seven in the middle, and Dyna in the second half.
Time flies, and the end of the year is already here.
Red lanterns have been hung in the streets and alleys of Jinghai City, and festive New Year songs are playing on a loop in shops of all sizes.
There are less than two weeks left until the Lunar New Year.
Today is an extremely special day for all the employees of Light Chaser Animation Studios – Light Chaser Animation Studios is finally going on holiday!
To reward everyone for their hard work throughout the year, Gu Nan generously booked the largest luxury banquet hall in the Jinghai International Hotel, the most luxurious five-star hotel in Jinghai City, to host the year-end dinner and annual gala of Chasing Light Film Studio.
The banquet hall was brightly lit.
Dozens of large round tables covered with clean white tablecloths were neatly arranged, and the tables were filled with delicacies from land and sea and fine wines.
The entire venue was decorated in an extremely grand manner, with a huge LED screen at the front displaying exciting montage clips from "Ultraman Tiga", "Ultraman Seven: Project Origin", and the currently airing "Ultraman Dyna".
The employees of Chasing Light Pictures entered the banquet hall one after another, each with an undisguised excitement and pride on their face.
"Holy crap, Director Gu really went all out this time! This banquet hall at the Jinghai International Hotel is usually used for top-tier business forums!"
"You bet! I just glanced at the menu, and there's lobster, king crab—these are all fancy dishes. This is really tempting!"
"Our company is now a rising star in the film and television industry. Do you think Director Gu is short of money?"
"Haha, we have to make sure Brother Nan gets his money's worth today!"
At 8 p.m., the banquet hall was packed with people, and the atmosphere was lively and extraordinary.
Gu Nan walked onto the stage with steady steps.
The once noisy venue fell silent instantly, and everyone's attention was focused on the young director who had single-handedly created the tokusatsu miracle.
"Ahem, good evening everyone."
Gu Nan tested the microphone and smiled as he scanned the familiar yet vibrant faces in the audience.
Thunderous applause erupted from the audience.
Gu Nan gestured for everyone to be quiet, then raised his wine glass with a hint of emotion in his eyes.
"Standing here today, looking at everyone, I have a lot of feelings. Looking back a little over a year ago, our Light Chaser Animation team was just a makeshift student group crammed into a dilapidated factory."
He paused, his voice becoming low yet full of power.
Back then, nobody believed in us, oh no, nobody even cared about us.
A few of us students took our graduation project ideas and went around trying to get investment, but we kept running into walls.
But many of you here, especially my old buddies, you didn't give up, and neither did I."
The screen then cut to the scene from "Ultraman Tiga" where Shining Tiga makes his appearance.
"We've been through so much in these past two years."
The sudden emergence of the two seasons of "Ultraman Tiga" shattered everyone's prejudices and made the entire internet believe in the light.
Ultraman Seven: Project Origin breaks with convention and showcases the charm of hard science fiction.
Now, with the first season of "Ultraman Dyna" successfully completed filming and its popularity soaring, it's about to reach its perfect conclusion.
Gu Nan's voice gradually rose: "The current Light Chaser Animation Studios is no longer the makeshift operation that people ridiculed!"
We are undoubtedly the leading new force in the film and television industry! We have not only redefined tokusatsu (special effects film), but also proven to everyone that miracles can happen as long as there is light in your heart!
"All of this achievement is not solely due to me, Gu Nan, but belongs to everyone present! This toast is for everyone! To our pursuit of our light, to our future!"
"Cheers!"
The employees in the audience were completely ignited, and they all stood up and raised their glasses.
For a moment, the crisp sound of glass colliding echoed throughout the banquet hall, and many of the long-time employees who had followed Gu Nan through the low points had slightly reddened eyes.
After a glass of wine, the atmosphere reached a fever pitch.
Gu Nan didn't put down the microphone. Instead, he changed the subject and revealed a sly smile.
"Now that we've finished the emotional talk, let's get down to business."
Gu Nan snapped his fingers. "Everyone has worked hard for a year. I, Gu Nan, have never been a boss who only knows how to make empty promises."
"Chen Bo, bring these things up!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the banquet hall doors were pushed open, and Chen Bo and several staff members pushed in several carts covered with red cloth.
The cart was piled high with items, like small mountains.
Gu Nan stepped off the stage and ripped off the red cloth covering one of the carts.
A collective gasp filled the room.
On the cart, hundreds and thousands of brand-new Apple product boxes were neatly stacked.
"The company's development depends on everyone, so let's take advantage of today's annual meeting and give out the 'Sunshine Award'!"
Gu Nan pointed at the boxes and announced loudly, "Any colleague who has worked at Light Chaser Animation Studios for more than six months can choose either the latest iPhone or iPad! Take it home!"
Wow!!!
"Director Gu is awesome!!"
"Hooray! I was just thinking of getting a new phone!"
The staff went wild, their cheers nearly lifting the roof off the hotel.
Gu Nan smiled and gestured for him to stop, continuing, "Don't rush, it's not over yet! New colleagues who have only been with the company for less than six months, although you're late, you've still contributed. Everyone will receive a pair of the latest AirPods Pro or Apple Watch! One of the two, everyone gets one!"
This caused even the new employees who had only been with the company for a few months to completely lose their minds.
They originally thought that since they were not very experienced, the annual meeting would just be a meal for them, but they did not expect that there would be such generous prizes.
"Director Gu is so generous!"
"This is truly an amazing company!"
Amidst cheers, Gu Nan returned to the stage.
His gaze shifted to the core members sitting at the front table—Su Zhe, Xia Youwei, Chen Bo, Wang Kai, Zhang Zhao, and others.
These people are veterans who have been with him since "Ultraman Tiga" was still a scrapped project, eating instant noodles and staying up all night together.
"Su Zhe, Youwei, Fatty, Lao Wang, Zhang Zhao, you guys, come up here." Gu Nan waved his hand.
The group exchanged glances, then walked onto the stage with a mixture of doubt and anticipation.
Gu Nan looked at them, took out several thick red envelopes from the inside pocket of his suit, and handed them to them respectively.
"Open it and take a look."
Gu Nan said with a smile.
Chen Bo eagerly tore open the envelope, inside which was a black bank card and a note with a string of numbers written on it.
"One, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, hundred thousand... Holy crap! Five hundred thousand?!" Chen Bo's eyes widened, his hand trembled, and the bank card almost fell to the ground.
Su Zhe, Zhang Zhao, and the others also opened the envelopes, and when they saw the number, they all gasped in shock.
Xia Youwei covered her mouth, her eyes instantly reddening: "Gu Nan, this...this is too much..."
Gu Nan shook his head and said seriously.
"It's not much. Back then, you all went through thick and thin with me, acting for free and working day and night. Without you, there would be no Light Chaser Animation Studios today. This 500,000 yuan bonus is what you deserve!"
A round of enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience, and all the employees looked at the people on stage with envious but not jealous eyes.
Everyone knows the contributions these veterans have made to the company, and this generous reward is well-deserved.
Zhang Zhao, a burly man, was moved to tears. He stepped forward and hugged Gu Nan tightly, saying, "Brother Gu, I don't need to say anything more. From now on, my life belongs to Light Chaser Animation!"
"Get lost, get lost, don't wipe your snot on my clothes!" Gu Nan pushed him away in disgust, causing a burst of laughter from the audience.
After calming down the veterans, Gu Nan picked up the microphone again: "As for the rest of you brothers and sisters, your year-end bonuses, calculated as an extra two months' salary per person, will be directly deposited into your bank accounts tonight!"
"Awoooooo!!!"
"Father Gu!"
The entire banquet hall was transformed into a sea of joy, with toasts and cheers rising and falling.
Once everyone had calmed down a bit, Gu Nan cleared his throat, signaling for everyone to be quiet.
"Alright, now that the perks are over, let's get down to business."
Gu Nan's expression turned slightly serious. "Does everyone remember those short 'Ultraman Tiga' videos we rushed to film a month ago?"
The audience nodded in agreement. They had stayed up for two consecutive nights to film that short film, and they still didn't know its specific purpose.
Gu Nan smiled and revealed the answer: "Actually, it was a special program that Bilibili officially invited us to produce for this year's 'New Year's Festival'!"
"Wow—" A commotion erupted from the audience.
A New Year's greeting ceremony!
That's the Spring Festival Gala for anime fans and young people! Being invited to participate in the New Year's Festival shows that Light Chaser Animation and the Ultraman IP have reached an incredibly high level of influence among young people.
"The short film has been completed, and they are very satisfied."
Gu Nan continued, "However, they also hope our entire team can record a New Year's greeting video to put at the end of the short film. So, since everyone's here today, let's get this done!"
"no problem!"
"Come on, hurry up!"
Everyone responded enthusiastically, and soon Chen Bo had set up a professional camera.
Gu Nan stood at the front, with the core team and all employees lined up neatly behind him.
"Three, two, one, go!"
"Hello everyone! We are Light Chaser Animation!" Gu Nan said, leading the way.
Immediately afterwards, the employees behind them shouted in unison: "Here, we wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year! May all your wishes come true! In the new year, believe in the light! Chase the light! Become the light!"
The recording went very smoothly, and it was done in one take.
The banquet hall was once again filled with laughter and joy.
After several rounds of drinks and dishes, it was nearly midnight, and this grand year-end dinner was drawing to a close.
Just as everyone was packing up to go home, Gu Nan picked up the microphone again.
"Please don't rush off, everyone. Let me say a few more words."
Gu Nan patted the microphone, "The New Year is just around the corner, and many of our crew members are from other places who have come to Jinghai to work hard."
No matter how well you do outside all year round, going home to spend time with your parents during the Lunar New Year is the most important thing.
Many of the young employees in the audience softened their eyes upon hearing this, and a feeling of homesickness crept into their hearts.
Gu Nan smiled and announced loudly, "So, as your boss, I've prepared one last surprise for everyone—all your travel expenses home for the New Year, whether by taxi, high-speed rail, train, or plane, as long as they're under 3000 yuan, just bring your receipts and the company will reimburse you in full!"
"Also, if any colleagues choose to drive home, please report to the finance department and each of you will receive a 500 yuan gas card!"
Upon hearing this, the entire banquet hall fell silent for two seconds.
Then, the most enthusiastic and sincere cheers of the night erupted.
Several young girls who had just graduated and were drifting alone in Beijing couldn't help but cover their faces and cry.
"Director Gu... Waaah, thank you, Director Gu!"
"What an amazing boss! He even covered my travel expenses!"
"I was originally planning to buy a hard-seat ticket to save money, but now I'm going to try and snag a plane ticket!"
In an era where capitalists are finding all sorts of ways to exploit their employees, even deducting year-end bonuses, Gu Nan's actions were like a fire in the cold winter, completely warming the hearts of every employee.
The dinner party ended in an extremely warm and touching atmosphere.
Holding their gifts, everyone embarked on their journey home, filled with anticipation for the New Year.
As the company's "top surfer" and publicity director, Chen Bo naturally did not miss this great publicity opportunity.
He worked through the night to edit together highlights from the annual meeting, including Gu Nan's speech, the distribution of prizes and bonuses, and the final declaration of reimbursement for travel expenses, into a Vlog titled "Chasing Light Pictures' Year-End Gala! A Boss Who's Willing to Spend Money," and posted it on Bilibili and Weibo.
At this juncture, the internet is flooded with posts from employees complaining about their companies' bizarre annual meetings and reduced year-end bonuses.
Chen Bo's video caused an instant uproar online, and its popularity skyrocketed.
In less than two hours, the comment section under the video was completely flooded with comments.
The reactions from viewers and netizens were incredibly genuine, ranging from bittersweet to envious, from playful banter to touching moments:
[Holy crap?! They're releasing the latest iPhone after only six months?! Even interns get headphones and watches?!]
[I was really moved to tears watching the part where they handed out the 500,000 yuan bonus. Gu Laozei is such a good guy; he really doesn't forget his brothers even after he's made money!]
After watching this video, I glanced down at the 200 RMB RT-Mart supermarket gift card my boss had given me and fell into deep thought...
[Reimbursing travel expenses home?! What kind of amazing service is this?! I'm like, wow! Director Gu, does your company need someone to sweep the floors? I graduated from a top-tier university, I can handle hard work!]
Don't even mention it! Not only did our company not give out year-end bonuses for the New Year, but the boss also made us sign a "striver's agreement" to voluntarily give up our annual leave. I'm not going to say anything more; it's so windy on the rooftop.
Honestly, Gu Nan's success is no accident. He puts his heart into filming special effects and treats his staff with the same dedication; how could anything produced by such a crew not be good?
[Gu the Old Thief: I may give you guys knives in the show, but in real life I'm giving you money!]
[What a genuine team atmosphere! There's none of that disgusting culture of leaders toasting each other; it feels like everyone is truly following Gu Nanqian. Wishing Light Chaser Animation all the best!]
The internet was in an uproar, but Gu Nan, at the center of the storm, had already returned to his apartment, taken a nice hot shower, and was preparing for his rare upcoming vacation.
This year was exhausting for him, but it was all worth it.
Looking at the dazzling night view of Jinghai City outside the window, Gu Nan's lips curled into a satisfied smile.
"Happy New Year, Ultraman..."
He murmured something softly, then turned off the light and drifted off to sleep.