Through everyone’s efforts, the entry for the Little Ghost (Xiao Youling) fan-creation challenge has finally been produced.

What should have been a relaxed atmosphere, however, feels unusually heavy in the meeting room.

On the laptop screen, the short film Love Unmoved is entering its final moments, the ending theme playing..

The art lead wipes the tears from the corners of her eyes while sniffing.

“For a short film, we really did a great job… but…”

The screenwriter presses his lips together.
“I know what you’re going to say…”

After saying that, he turns to look at the director.

The director’s knuckles are white, fists clenched tight.
A few seconds pass before the fists finally loosen.
His voice is low:

“Don’t worry. We shot it well. The Boss… the Boss will understand…”

As if trying to reassure the others— and himself.

Just as everyone is worrying about how to deal with the Boss when he inevitably loses it over the tortured CP, a drawn-out call drifts in from the hallway into the meeting room.

“Everyone~~~”

The whole room jolts.

The art lead reacts the fastest and immediately tells the manager,

“Quick, cut the screen!”

Meanwhile, the screenwriter tosses aside the pile of tissues the art lead had just gone through and hisses,
“You’re the one who should put the trash away!”

The director waves his hands, hissing urgently,
“Calm down, all of you! Or we’re going to give ourselves away!”

By the time the Boss pushes the door open and walks in, everyone is already seated, the atmosphere perfectly peaceful.

“Oh, everyone’s here. I’ve got something to tell you all!”
The Boss walks in, all smiles.

However, the response is lukewarm—just a few nods, and no one says a word.

The Boss glances around the room suspiciously.

“Hm? Why are you all so quiet? Don’t you usually push back?”

The art lead rolls her eyes.

“Don’t make it sound like we’re always giving you a hard time.”

The screenwriter chimes in as well.

“Yeah. We’re just waiting for you to go on.”

“Oh… uh… then… I’ll say it?”
The Boss hesitates slightly.

The director nods.
“Mm. Go ahead.”

The Boss straightens his jacket, his expression turning serious.

“So… right now we’re focusing on the platform challenges, right? And I had a few ideas.”

“Anyway, could you write up an analysis report for me?
You can check the details with the marketing department.”

The manager nods and begins taking notes.

“Alright. I’ll check the information with Marketing in a bit. Anything else you want to add?”

The corner of the Boss’s mouth twitches.

“No. Then… I’ll be going? Aren’t you going to ask me anything?”

The art lead puts on a professional smile.

“We’ll confirm it with Marketing. Aren’t you busy? You should get back to work.”

The screenwriter chimes in.

“We’ll handle it. No need to worry.”

The Boss stands there for a few seconds, looking at each person suspiciously.

In the end, after everyone urges him to go, the Boss finally gives in and leaves.

The moment the door shuts, the art lead collapses into her chair, clutching her head and wailing.

“Damn it… I feel so guilty whenever I see the Boss now…”

The screenwriter gives a wry smile.

“Bear with it a little longer. Once the challenge submission goes out, it’ll be over.”

“Have you thought about who’s going to deal with the aftermath…?”

The manager silently pats the director on the shoulder.

“Let’s take a 30-minute break. I’ll go confirm the Boss’s request with Marketing.”

Everyone rises in silent understanding, and the meeting disperses.

The short film the Boss didn’t get to see still sits quietly on the hard drive on the table.

No one dares touch it.
And no one wants to.