When Lin Zhiyan first joined IG five years ago, he was just a poor guy. Not quite destitute, but his money was only enough to survive.
As he became IG's lead Key Animator, his income gradually increased, and his living conditions slowly improved.
However, he didn't truly become wealthy until after 1997.
He bought a house and a car outright, and still had over 300 million yen in cash.
He always kept his wealth discreet, never showing off. As a result, few at the company knew that he had made a fortune in the stock market in 1997.
How could Ishikawa Mitsugu have imagined that Lin Zhiyan was now so wealthy?
He was momentarily stunned, but quickly dismissed it. "Even if you have the money to rent office space, you'd still have to start with outsourcing projects. Without any experience as a Supervising Director, no company would entrust you with a primary contract."
A "primary contract" refers to a general contractor's position.
The animation was produced by a certain company, but that doesn't mean the planning and funding came from them. In such cases, the animation company responsible for production is called the *gen'in*—in less flattering terms, the contractor.
Lin Zhiyan was naturally well aware of this. He calmly replied, "I have no intention of taking on *gen'in* work, nor will I accept outsourcing."
"Huh?" Ishikawa Mitsugu looked utterly bewildered.
If he wasn't taking *gen'in* work or outsourcing, what was the point of starting an animation company?
Before Ishikawa could react, Lin Zhiyan explained, "I want to make my own animation, and I'll fund it myself."
Ishikawa Mitsugu stared in shock for two seconds before asking skeptically, "A 13-episode animation requires at least 100 million yen in production costs. Do you have that kind of money?"
"Yes, and more," Lin Zhiyan revealed vaguely, without disclosing his exact assets.
Ishikawa Mitsugu felt a sudden toothache. "You bastard! When did you get so rich? Were you secretly robbing banks behind my back? Ah, I get it! There was a bank robbery reported on TV recently—was that you, wasn't it?"
"President, you really do have a sense of humor."
Lin Zhiyan was amused. "If I had the ability to rob banks, why would I be working in animation?"
"You're right."
Ishikawa Mitsugu had indeed been joking.
Though he was curious about where Lin Zhiyan had gotten so much money, he didn't want to pry too deeply.
After a moment's thought, he continued his persuasion: "Lin, you're a rare genius, the most perfect animation professional I've ever met. The company will rely on you even more in the future, and you'll have greater opportunities for growth—it's even possible you'll be promoted to management. Starting your own business, on the other hand, carries unpredictable risks. Even so, you still insist on leaving?"
"I understand. Thank you for your trust and support, President. But I'm only 23, still young. If I don't take risks now, I won't have the energy to later." Lin Zhiyan remained firm.
"You..."
Ishikawa Mitsugu sighed and shook his head. "Do you realize that animation and running a company are completely different things? Your talent in animation is unparalleled, but that doesn't mean you'll be successful at managing a business. It's not as simple as you think."
He paused, then continued, "You know GAINAX, right? *Neon Genesis Evangelion* was a massive hit, but what good did that do? They've always been in the red, losing money year after year. If you stay at IG, even if your future animations flop, the company will cover the losses. But if you go out on your own, there'll be no one to catch you."
Lin Zhiyan hissed, rubbing his temples as if his head hurt. He slapped his forehead and said, "That makes sense."
"So..."
Seeing this, Ishikawa Mitsugu felt he had a chance and quickly tried to seize the moment to change Lin Zhiyan's mind.
But this time, Lin Zhiyan interrupted him. "Mr. President, if I ever lose so much money that I can't even afford to eat, can I bring my employees to mooch off you?"
"Get out!" Ishikawa Mitsugu roared.
Seeing that he truly couldn't dissuade him, he sighed. "Fine. I've been beaten. If you're so determined to leave, I can't stop you."
Lin Zhiyan smiled without saying anything.
Ishikawa Mitsugu glanced at Lin Zhiyan and continued, "Regardless, you're one of us, from IG. This will always be your home. If you ever want to return, you're welcome anytime. If you face any difficulties, don't hesitate to tell me. I'll do my best to help."
"Thank you, President," Lin Zhiyan replied, rising to his feet to express his gratitude.
With the matter settled, he bid farewell to Ishikawa Mitsugu.
As he reached the door, Ishikawa Mitsugu called out, "Lin, those who are willing to follow you are people who trust you wholeheartedly. Don't let them down, and never betray that trust."
Lin Zhiyan paused, turned back, and said with unwavering confidence, "I understand. I won't."
Leaving the president's office, Lin Zhiyan couldn't help but exhale in relief.
Five years of planning, and he could finally leave.
Just then, a familiar voice called out, "Senior, over here!"
He turned to see a tall, attractive young woman in a white coat, a gray scarf, and white sneakers waving enthusiastically at him.
Nanase Mayumi. Lin Zhiyan had first met her in April 1995, when she bumped into him outside a convenience store.
At the time, Lin Zhiyan hadn't taken it seriously at all. It wasn't until 1997, while trading stocks, that he met a man named Nanase Yoichiro. The man repeatedly bought the exact same stocks as him, making a killing each time. As they grew closer, Nanase even invited him to his home for dinner.
When Lin Zhiyan went, he was surprised to discover that Nanase Mayumi was Nanase Yoichiro's daughter.
However, having only met once and with over two years having passed, Lin Zhiyan didn't recognize her at first. It was Nanase Mayumi who remembered him and reminded him.
Even more coincidentally, Nanase Mayumi had been his junior at the same high school, just one grade below him. But when Lin Zhiyan's soul transmigrated, he was only two days away from graduation, having never experienced high school life. The original owner of his body had been a workaholic during high school, leaving immediately after classes and showing no interest in school affairs, so they had never crossed paths there.
Nanase Mayumi was very sociable and athletic, but in reality, she was a shut-in.
Nanase Mayumi's academic performance was average. She loved light novels, manga, and anime, but in high school, she joined the Classical Literature Club, never daring to let her school friends know about her hobbies. She was interested in animation production but had never mentioned it to anyone until she discovered that Lin Zhiyan was a Key Animator at IG. Only then did she reveal her secret to him.
Encouraged by Lin Zhiyan, Nanase Mayumi finally confronted her parents. With Lin Zhiyan, an industry insider, vouching for her, her parents eventually understood and accepted her choice.
In April 1998, after graduating from junior college, Nanase Mayumi followed Lin Zhiyan to IG, becoming a Production Assistant.
Now that Lin Zhiyan announced his departure from the company, she immediately submitted her resignation.
Lin Zhiyan had already privately discussed their plan with her: she would become the Production Manager and Assistant Producer. As for the Producer role, that would naturally be filled by Lin Zhiyan himself.
Seeing Nanase Mayumi wave, Lin Zhiyan walked toward her. As he drew closer, she asked, "Senpai, what name are you planning to give our company?"
"Loving and Successful Production," Lin Zhiyan replied. "Literally, it means 'a production company that is both loving and strives for success.'"
Without overthinking it, Nanase Mayumi said, "So the company's abbreviation would be LSP, right?"
Lin Zhiyan froze for a moment, then quickly shook his head. "No, it should be L.S. Production, or just L.S."
"I see..."
Though Nanase Mayumi didn't understand why LSP was inappropriate, she didn't press further. "In any case, I'll be counting on your continued guidance."
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