#On the project: I AM PRACTICALLY SCREAMING ON TOP OF MY LUNGS HNNNGNNN

[perhaps-in-anotherdream]

[CN] Victor’s S2 Company Project – Rejuvenation Of The Glimmer Of Dawn

[Note]: As much as I understand the urgency of wanting to read the date first, it’s VERY IMPORTANT to read the company project before the date since it’s a continuation~ 💘

This features S2 Victor, but doesn’t contain any spoiler from the main story~ :>

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–

✧ [Stage 1] ✧

Today is the day of coming to LFG for my routine debriefing. Victor seems to be in a good mood, and my proposal is approved quite speedily.

During the lunch break, I sit on the chair opposite Victor’s office desk and turn on my phone. At this moment, the news app I’ve subscribed to pops a push notification––

“The memories of a generation of Loveland meet their end with the closing down of Glimmer Of Dawn Food Market.”

MC: What kind of gimmicky news... Glimmer Of Dawn Food Market is not closing down at all. It’s just going to be transformed and upgraded, that’s all.

Victor is working on his computer. Hearing what I’ve said, he raises his head and glances at me.

Victor: You’ve indeed grown way bolder now.

Victor: Already daring to openly slack off in front of me.

MC: CEO Victor, it’s now 12:35. Strictly speaking, it’s already the lunch break.

MC: It’s the legitimate right of the employees to rest during this time. And besides, I was still thinking about a proper business matter.

I raise my head and meet his calm and composed gaze, swaying my phone screen at him.

MC: Not long ago, the person in charge of Glimmer Of Dawn reached out to me, hoping that the media could help promote their transition this time around.

MC: As a very representative of the old food market in Loveland City, Glimmer Of Dawn can be said to be the memory of a generation.

MC: Therefore, I think it’s a good topic, and I’m planning to agree to cooperate with Glimmer Of Dawn.

After voicing all of my thoughts conclusively, I wink at Victor.

MC: I’m still thinking about work during the break. CEO Victor, I’m indeed very dedicated to my work.

Victor: As it happens, Goldman has requested a leave of absence today.

Victor’s words carry the hints of a light-hearted sense of teasing.

Victor: Since you’re so dedicated to your work, do you wanna fill in for him for a day?

I immediately raise my hands in surrender.

MC:��As compared to Goldman, I still have some shortcomings. He’s already been trained by you to become a decathlete.

I give a thumbs-up, indicating that I, a salted fish, have no desire to replace him.

–

[Note]: MC uses the term “咸鱼 (xiányú),” which literally translates to “salted fish.” It’s a slang that refers to a person who is too lazy or unmotivated to do something~ ʕ-᷅ᴥ-᷄ʔ

–

Victor smiles and reaches out to point at the stack of documents on the desk.

Victor: Back to the Glimmer Of Dawn Food Market. If you want to work on an issue related to it, I’ve got some materials here that should be of interest to you.

I poke my head up, and my gaze lands on a sentence written on the top– “The Support Program for The Traditional Industries in Old Town.”

The investor behind this renovation of Glimmer Of Dawn Food Market is actually LFG? I’m left a little stunned.

MC: Is LFG really investing in this?

MC: The renovation of the Old Town District is not a project that will be able to yield a fast return.

Victor: As an enterprise that originated in Loveland City, LFG supports a number of local industries every year.

Victor: Not only financially, but also with specialized technical support and guidance.

Victor: The Old Town District, represented by Glimmer Of Dawn, is just one of them.

Victor: In this regard, LFG does not value fast profit.

MC: Who would expect that CEO Victor, as a capitalist, would actually have a day when he doesn’t talk about profit~

After flipping through these materials, I’ve already obtained a general understanding of this project. Pondering over it some more, I speak to Victor.

MC: I’ve decided to officially launch a documentary project on Glimmer Of Dawn.

MC: Since LFG is involved in the investment as well, I’m going to disturb CEO Victor even more regarding the filming in the coming days.

Victor raises his eyebrows, the lights within his dark pupils circling on my face as he turns to me.

Victor: [pouting LOL]  Since you’re saying it’s a disturbance, why should I say yes?

Grinning, I lean over and blink at him with utmost earnestness.

MC: Because, of course, CEO Victor wouldn’t decline a very tiny request from his cooperative partner.

–

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–

✧ [Stage 2] ✧

When I come to Victor’s office again to report the progress, I hand him a complete filming planner.

MC: The Glimmer Of Dawn Food Market once used to be the most “favored” food market within the range of several kilometers, with a daily flow of thousands of customers.

MC: At this food market, you can get fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, meat and spices... everything you need for your everyday life can be found here.

MC: As a former “beloved” food market in Loveland City, it hasn’t been easy for Glimmer Of Dawn to persevere up until now.

MC: Therefore, its transformation will also have extraordinary representativeness.

I make a brief statement about the reasons for doing this show. Victor sets down the proposal document, nodding his head lightly.

Victor: The idea is pretty good, but it’s still lacking something more substantial as the content.

He’s about to say something else, but I’ve already opened my mouth first.

MC: I’ve already carried out an investigation and analysis in response to the specific transformation program.

MC: It will easily turn into a preachy film if it’s just about the dry and dull industrial upgrade.

MC: Therefore, I intend to cut through the ordinary people in the food market and show the lives of ordinary citizens caught in the crevices between the end of the industry and the regeneration.

As I finish my specific plans in one breath, I see Victor leaning back in his chair, the tip of his brows are slightly raised, and he seems to be in a good mood.

I press my fingertips on the proposal document on his desk, looking at him in glowing spirits.

MC: CEO Victor, is there anything else you would like to ask?

Victor smiles as he reaches out to pick up the pen and signs his name on the last page of the proposal document.

Victor: There’s nothing I can ask. It’s been laid out perfectly.

Victor: I’m looking forward to the day when I can see the result.

He hands me the proposal document. As I reach out to take it, my fingertips touch his warm finger pads, causing my heart to stir. I put away the proposal, then slowly walk up to his side.

Victor is drinking his coffee. When he sets his cup down, he catches a glimpse of me standing next to him with a radiant gaze, his hand holding the cup giving a start.

Victor: Why are you being sneaky? What are you up to again?

I immediately take the coffee cup from his hand and place it on the desk, displaying a solicitous manner.

MC: CEO Victor, as far as I know, LFG has already dispatched professional product managers to support this industrial upgrade.

MC: And, you will also be personally participating in some important meetings as an investor...

Victor: You want me to be in the frame again?

Before I can finish my sentence, Victor has already hit the nail on the head.

Under my gaze brimming with expectation, Victor sighs slightly.

Victor: After saying all that, you’re clearly determined to drag me on board.

MC: So–– you’re saying yes!

I look at Victor in high spirits. He nods.

Victor: Glimmer Of Dawn carries a generation of memories in Loveland City.

Victor: This, of course, includes me as well.

–

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–

✧ [Stage 3] ✧

It’s the first day of the official filming. When I’m about to conclude work for the day, I run into Victor.

He has probably just finished a meeting. I brisk walk to catch up and stop him. Victor arches his eyebrows slightly.

MC: CEO Victor, since we ran into each other, would you like to take a moment and stroll around this food market with me?

MC: I’m also about to call it a day. I just have to shoot one more last piece of material before returning home.

Victor is clad in a crisply pressed suit. His gaze lingers on my smiling face for a moment, the corners of his own lips perk up in a smile, and he raises his arm slightly.

Victor: I think, a certain someone wants to take the ride back home with me later.

Smiling mischievously, I naturally hook my arm around his and stroll through the food market with the camera in hand.

MC: Although the food market is not as bustling with noise and excitement as it used to be previously, it’s not as cold and cheerless as I imagined it’d be either. There are still many regular customers.

MC: I’ve observed that most of them are grandparents from the neighboring residential buildings.

MC: There’s also a small number of parents; who drop by to buy vegetables on the way back home after picking up their kids from school.

MC: So this place is quite lively towards the evening instead.

As I walk on the roads of the food market with Victor, I observe and make assessments the entire time.

MC: Hmm... the environment feels somewhat shabby and disordered. It seems that the management isn’t very good.

Victor pauses in his footsteps, seemingly grasping for some fragments in his memory.

Victor: In my memory, this place used to be very clean.

Victor: Judging from the surveys I received earlier, it appears that the recent decline in profit and revenue and the negligence of the management have led to the current situation.

I nod my head thoughtfully. All of a sudden, the sound of shouting comes from the vendor’s booth next to us.

??: Freshly arrived strawberries and bananas. Have–a–look–and–see––

??: We do business in good faith and sincerity. No sweetness, no money––

Attracted by the waves of shouting, I curiously pause in my footsteps and drag Victor over to the shouting vendor’s booth.

MC: Victor, since we’re already here, let’s buy some fruits to bring home!

Victor: ...a certain someone’s “since we’re already here” principle is really invincible.

Despite saying so, Victor still holds me by the hand and walks me over to the stall.

Victor: What do you want to eat? Strawberry or banana?

MC: Strawberry, hehe!

Victor nods and chooses them conscientiously, filling the entire bag in no time.

MC: Wow! CEO Victor’s technique is so proficient. I feel like he’s an expert fruit picker too!

He doesn’t answer. After putting a palm-sized strawberry into the bag, he opens his mouth.

Victor: Auntie Zhang’s fruits here are really good. My dad used to be very fond of bringing me here to buy them.

At this moment, the auntie, who has been stealthily studying Victor from the beginning, displays an expression of sudden realization.

Auntie Zhang: AH! You are the son of the Lao Li family, aren’t you?

–

[Note]: She uses the term “老李(Lǎo Lǐ)” to address the legacy of Victor’s family with the surname “Li.” It translates to “Old Li.” I just decided to keep it as it is hehe~  ⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄

–

Auntie Zhang: I didn’t think it was really you! It’s been many years since you’ve been here.

While Auntie Zhang speaks, she nimbly helps Victor to choose the fruits. She picks up a larger bag and loads it with all kinds and sorts of fruits on the stall.

Auntie Zhang: When you were a child, you always followed after your father to buy fruits, wearing your solemn and neat school uniform. You were so well-behaved and adorable...

Auntie Zhang: And helped your father to pick out fruits and vegetables!

As the words of the past are brought to the surface, Auntie Zhang seems to have opened the satchel of stories. The more she talks, the more Victor coughs slightly unnaturally.

I secretly can’t help but laugh. Who would expect that the CEO Victor, who’s always had a poker face, was so well-behaved and cute when he was a child~

Auntie Zhang: Since you’re back here, take some more fruits.

Auntie Zhang: Auntie doesn’t have anything else here, only the fruits, which are quite delicious. Bring some more of them home with you. No money is needed.

Auntie Zhang stuffs the full and bulging bag into his hands, with an enthusiasm that one is completely unable to decline.

Auntie Zhang: This is a new arrival of snow pears, and they are delicious.

Victor refuses. But in the end, he has no other choice but to accept them.

After saying goodbye to the cordial Auntie Zhang, we turn around from the fruit stand and move to the other ones. Looking at the stall owners chatting with the customers in the surroundings, I become wistful.

MC: In fact, for such an old-fashioned food market, a large part of what everyone recalls fondly is the human warmth within, right?

I turn my head to look at Victor. He is carrying a bulging bag; the setting sun sprinkles down on his shoulders, drawing the outlines of his broad, tall, and upright figure.

I think of what Auntie Zhang said just now. Perhaps Victor might have been the same as now in his childhood too, carrying the fruit bag with all his efforts, following behind his father step by step. 

I can’t help but smile slightly, holding Victor’s arm as we walk forward.

MC: In addition to this, many precious and exclusive memories are hidden here, waiting for people to unearth them slowly~

Having filmed a lot of materials that can be edited along the way, I put the video camera away in my camera bag. Victor automatically reaches out and takes it for me.

Victor: So that’s a wrap. Let’s go home. 

–

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✧ [Stage 4] ✧

MC is continuing the filming process as usual, and the main thing in her today’s agenda is interviewing the manager of the food market.

After the interview, the manager expresses his concerns to MC – whether they will be able to attract more customers after the upgrade. MC says that while this upgrade will attract a lot of customers, but for the long-term reputation, the food market has to maintain the quality and costs concisely.

At this moment, MC sees couple of LFG employees walking in and recalls that they are here for the meeting to discuss the next steps with the manager.

However, she’s left stunned by what she sees next—

–

To my surprise, the last person who walks in actually turns out to be Victor.

Is he here to attend the meeting too? How could Victor come to such a small-scale meeting?

He notices the video camera next to me but doesn’t slow down in his footsteps, as though he doesn’t mind being in the frame.

Although I’m puzzled, a warm current surges through my heart regardless.

He still remembers what he promised me back in the office.

As for why he is here... giving it some thought, I walk over to Victor with the microphone.

MC: May I ask, why is CEO Victor personally following up on the Glimmer Of Dawn Food Market project?

MC: This is not worth mentioning at all compared to your usual hundreds of millions of dollars projects, am I correct?

In front of the camera lens though he is, Victor’s dark-colored eyes still linger on my face for a moment before he opens his mouth.

Victor: The Glimmer Of Dawn Food Market project is indeed just one of the numerous investment projects of LFG.

Victor: But what I value is not its rate of return to LFG, but rather its return to the Loveland City.

Victor: In this aspect, Glimmer Of Dawn’s project is important to me. And that’s the reason I’m here right now.

After Victor finishes speaking, he nods his head toward the manager.

Victor: The first half of the industrial upgrade has been completed. The personnel sent by LFG to support this project has already reported the degree of progress to me.

Victor: Would it be convenient for you to listen to the next step of the program right now?

Manager: Of course, of course! Please come with me, CEO Victor.

The manager leads Victor out of the food market. After they leave, a crab seller in the zone who was watching gives a thumbs up.

Uncle: This President Victor seems to be a reliable person. I’m sure that he can reinvigorate the vitality of our food market!

The granny, a stall owner selling white shrimp on the side, twitches her mouth.

Granny: What reinvigorating the vitality! It’s all tacky. They must be just re-establishing themselves and getting bigger and bigger!

I can’t help but laugh and open my mouth to speak.

MC: The projects that CEO Victor has settled on have always yielded good returns.

MC: Therefore, you all don’t need to worry. By the time the upgrade is completed, there will undoubtedly be many people coming here on account of its reputation.

The uncle selling the crabs is even happier at these words. But he hesitates immediately afterward and raises the question very carefully.

Uncle: So... our food market won’t be running out of business?

My heart skips a beat. Although the overall assessment of this project is very satisfactory, it is an investment after all.

As long as it’s an investment, there will be risks.

But when my mind recalls the words Victor has told me in LFG’s office, it seems as though I’m suddenly revitalized with confidence. 

MC: My answer is not required in this matter.

MC: What kind of future Glimmer Of Dawn holds is something that needs to be built with the extraordinary efforts of everyone who has lived here for so long.

MC: After all, what’s most precious about it is the memories that have been preserved here for a generation.

MC: I believe that we can pass this memory onto the next generation through our hard work, for them to call it their own.

Suddenly, a clip of that moment flashes in my mind – the helpless look on Victor’s face in front of the fruit stand when his childhood anecdotes were brought up.

I chuckle, turning my gaze towards the orange sky that spreads outside the Glimmer Of Dawn Food Market. 

MC: It’s the memories that we cherish the most.

–

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–

✧ [Stage 5] ✧

According to LFG’s plans for the next step, Glimmer Of Dawn Food Market has to close down for the renovation, and this stirs uncertainty among the stall owners – worried how the people who depend on their income from this food market will earn their living.

MC tries to assure everyone that it’s just a temporary shut down. At this moment, her phone rings.

–

The Caller ID reads “Victor.”

I gesture to my other colleagues to explain the matter in more detail, walk to a corner and answer the phone.

Victor: Still filming?

MC: Mm... I won’t need to come in every day and keep an eye on everything after today’s shoot.

Victor: What’s the trouble you’re facing?

MC: Eh? How did you hear that? I haven’t even said anything yet.

Victor: ...look up.

I raise my head in hindsight and see the person standing against the light in the doorway.

Victor walks over. He sweeps a quick glance over the machines we’ve set up and then on the distressed expression of the manager and seems to have understood what’s going on.

He pauses for a moment and then speaks unhurriedly.

Victor: I understand the concerns of everyone.

Victor: But, Glimmer Of Dawn’s current business condition is steadily deteriorating. If we don’t make a firm resolution to temporarily cease the trading and reorganize, it will soon disappear.

Victor: This is something that no one wishes to see.

Victor: If you all have confidence in yourselves and the customers around you, now is the opportunity to put your everything into the fight.

Victor’s words are powerful and resonating, and they are far more persuasive than my placations.

I nod my head along with the stall owners. He suddenly glances at me.

Victor: Is there anything the producer would like to add?

I mull it over for a moment, then continue with his words.

MC: In addition, you guys don’t need to worry about not being able to open for business during this time.

MC: A follow-up can be for the manager to discuss setting up temporary mobile stalls on the street outside the food market with the City Management department.

The hesitations on the faces of the stall owners slowly disappear. They all nod their heads in succession, expressing their support.

Uncle: Okay. I believe in the two of you!

I spot Auntie Zhang in the crowd, who’s also smiling reassuringly.

By the time evening descends, the stall owners have packed up their belongings and left one by one.

Looking at the empty and dilapidated Glimmer Of Dawn Food Market, I can’t help but feel a twinge of mixed emotions.

MC: After filming here for the past few days, I’ve also actually grown a bit attached to this place.

MC: I can’t stop imagining how extraordinarily bustling with noise and activity the place must have been back in the day when it opened for business.

MC: Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been named “Glimmer Of Dawn.”

MC: Reminiscent of the sun’s brilliant rays at its first rise.

Hearing my words, he remains unusually silent for a moment.

Victor: It still is.

Victor: After the renovation, this food market will be rejuvenated and will welcome a large number of customers again.

Victor: Once again, the name fits the bill.

Victor’s tone is exceptionally light. But every time I hear him speaking like this, my heart always fills to the brim with confidence.

I take Victor’s hand in mine and walk outside together with him.

MC: When it re-opens for business, how about we become the first batch of customers on that day?

A smile surfaces in Victor’s eyes, and he gives a “Hmm.”

Victor: I think a certain someone still wants to eat Auntie Zhang’s fruit.

–

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–

✧ [Stage 6] ✧

[Victor’s feedback e-mail on the samples]

I’ve received the samples you’ve sent me. The shots are good.

As for the impression after watching them for a longer stretch, I’ll tell you later when we are having dinner together.

After all, judging by when I received the e-mail, a certain someone probably has been busy until now and hasn’t had dinner yet.

I’ll pick you up in the evening. You’ve been turning the 24-hour clock upside down lately, so I’ll take you for something light to eat.

–

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–

✧ [Stage 7] ✧

On the day of the re-opening, Victor and MC arrive at the food market ahead of time and it truly does welcome an explosive flow of customers on the first day. [T/N: The main events of the date takes place on the day of the re-opening.]

After a period of regular operations, the food market far exceeds the business targets that were initially set by LFG.

Today, after getting off work, MC comes to have a look around again.

Though she initially just wanted buy some ingredients for dinner, many stall owners naturally recognize MC and insists on giving her way more ingredients than she intended to buy.

Carrying the bulging bags, MC heads towards Souvenir and finds Mr. Mills catering to the guests. So she enters through the back door––

–

I place the big bag and small packets of groceries on the table.

MC: Chef Victor, I’m back from grocery shopping~

Victor shoots a quick look, appearing slightly stunned.

Victor: Why did you buy so much?

MC: I bought the vegetables in this little bag, and the rest were given to me by the stall owners at the Glimmer Of Dawn Food Market.

MC: When I went shopping, they also asked me why you didn’t come together with me.

MC: After hearing that we’re gonna have dinner together, they gave me a lot more seasonal vegetables. Said that you are an old customer and must be taken care of more.

He smiles slightly at my words, his hands continuing to move.

Victor: So, it turns out they still remember.

MC: On our first visit to the food market, I saw you exchanging greetings with several stall owners in a very adept manner.

MC: It does seem like you used to go there frequently for grocery shopping.

Victor never lifts his eyelids.

Victor: So, what have you gathered from this conclusion?

I smile gleefully and help him take out the plates for serving dishes.

MC: I think that CEO Victor is different from the CEO everyone imagines he is.

MC: Although I know that you’re the chef of Souvenir, this can be regarded as a personal hobby after all.

MC: But a CEO who goes to the food market to buy vegetables after getting off work and is well acquainted with the fruit picking techniques... these make one feel that he is even more immersed in the details of life.

MC: And I’ve heard a saying that if a person can navigate the food market with skill and ease, then his cooking must be delicious! 

I take the tomatoes out of the bag one by one, and Victor takes them from me, the corners of his lips curling slightly.

Victor: Even after knowing me for so long, you still somehow manage to find something different every now and then.

Victor: All that aside, what do you want to eat tonight?

I swallow a mouthful of saliva and point to the tomato in his hand.

MC: I was craving Spaghetti Bolognese with tomato tonight.

MC: But it was a little late when I got to the food market, and the fresh minced meat was already gone.

MC: So, Chef Victor, just make something out of the ready-made dishes. As long as it’s something made by you, I will definitely eat up everything~

Victor: It’s okay if we don’t have minced meat. I can use something else instead.

MC: What else can be used instead?

Victor: Ingredients like shiitake mushrooms can also be sautéed to achieve a taste and fragrance analogous to that of minced meat.

He lifts his eyes to look at me, his tone carrying a hint of teasing within it.

Victor: It’s not only the food market that has evolved with the times, but also the way people cook.

MC: It turns out that there’s so much more knowledge hidden in the kitchen! And to think I used to ignore it before.

MC: Can I learn more of this trivial kitchen knowledge with you in the future?

I ask Victor with a wink as I take the shiitake mushrooms out of the refrigerator.

Victor taps me on the head and takes the round, plump mushrooms from my hands.

The rising steam from the pot crawls up to his figure, wrapping him in an embrace of hazy white mist.

Victor: If you have the patience to keep helping me out all the time, I can consider it.

The words I’ve wanted to say find themselves caught up in the heat. After a moment’s pause, I smile and walk over to help.

When it comes to a commitment like this, it truly does become more real when one practices what they preach.

As for today, let’s enjoy this rare dinner time first.

—