Chapter 9: Industrial Light Magic (1)

  Jerry leaned his head against the back of the chair, as if he had been paralyzed all over! That damned Bill, that shameless Paul, actually abused me for a month, and I'm only seven years old, seven years old!

  Seven years old? Who believes that?!

  Who would believe that such a brilliant function was achieved with such simple assembly language statements at the age of seven! Not to mention Bill Gates and Paul Allen, even Tanaka Nanao wouldn't believe it, but the latter has already gotten used to it!

  "Hey Cai Cai Zi, how's Seattle?"

  "Hmm! It's okay! The library at the University of Washington is really too big, I get lost every time I go there! Jerry, what do you think about me going back to school?"

  "Improve it? Are you referring to knowledge in business management?"

  "Hi!"

  "Maybe this is a good idea! Are you preparing in the US or Japan?"

  "How is Nihon University?"

  "Does Nihon University have a Faculty of Management?"

  "Of course!"

  "So it's decided then! Well, on our way back, let's tell Ms. Shizuko about it, and maybe we'll have further collaboration with Nihon University!"

  "Further cooperation with Japanese universities?"

  "The development of IC after the youth will be explosive. Our goal is to develop into a comprehensive joint-stock company, with comic book publishing as just one branch, anime film department, voice actor department, publication, game adaptation, record release and so on. We need talent, the more the better! Ms. Shizuko's manga classroom can attract some comic talents, but these are still far from enough! Do you think a company founded by seniors who graduated from Japanese universities will have any appeal to younger students?"

  "Your meaning is to select the cartoon talent we need from the graduate students of Japanese universities?"

  "That's right! We can start from universities in Japan, Musashino Art University, Tokyo University of the Arts, Tama Art University, all located in Tokyo, and even across Japan, universities with departments such as anime, film, voice acting, management, and business can become our talent reserve!"

  "Is this really okay?"

  "Of course! The graduates from these universities need a good job, and the universities need high employment rates. With the current development momentum of IC, we can provide all this! IC can set up a scholarship development fund, whether it's re-education or targeted training, there's no problem!"

  "This is indeed a big plan! Perhaps we need to make a detailed plan!"

  "Of course! But don't worry, Chanchan, I've already thought of who will manage the fund!"

  "Who could it be?"

  "Bob Clemens!"

  "Is that Bob?"

  "Yes, Bob! He told me he wanted to help share the burden with Cai Cai Zi! So I gave him a chance! If three years later, he can satisfy me, this scholarship fund, I will entrust it to him to manage!"

  "Isn't this a bit too hasty? You know, Bob is still very young. Even in three years, he'll only be 12 years old!"

  "Na Na Zi, don't forget, I'm only seven years old too! Two years younger than Bobo Jun!"

  "But you're different! You don't look like a kid at all!"

  "Everyone is the same, they just need an opportunity! Bob has this ability! And he loves you, he won't disappoint your expectations!"

  "Alright then!"

  "I'm exhausted, let me rest for a bit! Damn it, Bill, if it weren't for the 10% stake, I'd rather die than be this tired!"

  Amtrak's Coast Starlight has a train with two levels, the upper level for passengers and the lower level for restrooms, luggage storage and an activity room. The reclining seats on the train are almost as comfortable as business class seats on an airplane. Poor Jerry fell asleep soon after lying down!

  The two were originally going to book a direct flight to California Airport, but unfortunately, the plane had already taken off. Tanaka Nana suddenly had a strong desire to see the American scenery, so "Coast Starlight" became their choice!

  This train route passes through three states in the United States: California, Oregon, and Washington, passing through more than 30 important towns such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose, Oakland, Portland, and Seattle. The scenery along the way is breathtaking, with the southern end being the beautiful and long Pacific coastline, and the northern end entering Oregon, where there are endless mountains, deep valleys, forests, rivers, and lakes. The Cascade Range, Mount Shasta, and the Willamette River Valley are all famous natural landscapes. Of course, there are also tour guides on the train introducing the scenery, but unfortunately, this guide's vague American accent sounded like Martian language to Tina Nakahara, and she didn't get any information at all! Since leaving Fukuoka Prefecture to study in Japan, Tina hadn't enjoyed such a leisurely time for a long time. The transparent and bright windows curved over the top of the car, and at night, looking up, you could see the twinkling stars in the sky, all of which made people feel happy!

  Jerry didn't wake up until morning!

  "Jerry, are you awake? Are you hungry? Hurry up and brush your teeth, wash your face, then have breakfast!"

  This sleep was really a bit dazed! Jerry shook his body, and slowly walked towards the lower level of the carriage.

  "Damn it, fully booked!" Jerry gritted his teeth, stomped his foot on the ground, and the guy next to him, holding a towel and a cup, made the same movement and said the same thing!

  "Hey, mister, you cursed!"

  "Oh no, I'm so sorry... this damn train's washroom is full..."

  "Do all Americans pay as little attention to their appearance as you do?"

  "I'm really sorry, I just have some troubles on my mind, damn it! That damned old man actually froze my account just because I wanted to live a free life!"

  "Brother, there are worse things than this!"

  "You're right, but now I don't even have money to buy breakfast!"

  "It seems I was wrong! Your condition is not good at all!"

  "Yes, it's extremely fucking bad!"

  The scene was a bit strange, with a kid and a handsome 21-year-old guy sitting on the floor together, kicking their legs while staring intently at the bathroom!

  "Jerry Kim Roschelle!"

  "Robert Soros!"

  Two people turned their heads and shook hands with a smile!

  It's actually George Soros' son! Shouldn't he be at Quantum Fund now? Jerry suddenly remembered that this guy left Quantum Fund in the mid-1987 and didn't return until 1994!

  "Are you precocious or..."

  Is it dwarfism?

  "I didn't mean to offend! I was just ~ you know ~ curious!"

  "How old do you think I should be?"

  "If I close my eyes, I think you should be about the same as me!"

  "Does someone like you have such a baby voice?"

  "Alright! So I get it now! Damn it, I had no idea that early education in the US has reached such a level!"

  "Although I am in the United States, I am a Chinese person, and also, I come from Japan!"

  "Oh God! Japan is indeed very dangerous!"

  "That's absolutely right! Not just Japan, but the whole Earth is in danger! In fact, we should all go to Mars!"

  "Hah~ brother, you're so interesting! I like you! I really like you!"

  Before Robert Soros could finish speaking, Jerry suddenly jumped up and darted into a bathroom like a little tiger!

  "Hey! You thief, you actually took my spot. You're really not likable at all. I take back what I just said, yes, I take back what I just said!"

  The door creaked open again!

  "Alright, if you keep nagging, you'll become a black ghost! I had no idea, it turns out you like rap! Come on in, just don't peek at me when I'm taking a piss!"

  "See a ghost! That's enough to make one's eyes grow wide with fear!"

  Robert Soros said so, but still walked in with a cup!

  "Robert Soros! Tanaka Nana!" Jerry pointed as Robert and Tanaka Nana made their introductions to each other, returning to their seats.

  "Hello! Beautiful lady!" Robert gallantly extended his hand!

  "Hello! Mr. Soros!" Tanaka Nana-chan politely extended her hand!

  Robert directly lifted Tanaka Nana's hand and bowed to give her a kiss on the hand! Although this is a very common courtesy between men and women in America, Tanaka Nana still felt uncomfortable in her heart! The light touch made her pull her hand back in surprise!

  "Hey Robert, are you flirting with my foster mother? Although this is America, shouldn't you get the master's permission before kissing her hand?"

  "Ah~ I'm really sorry! Seeing Mrs. Tanaka, such a beautiful woman, I couldn't help myself!"

  "Sometimes being overly affectionate can bring you unnecessary trouble! I can directly tell you that's sexual harassment!"

  "Oh, shit! You're kidding me, little guy!"

  "Just kidding!"

  "This joke is not funny at all! Not funny at all!"

  "Alright Robert, just remember that my stepmother doesn't like hand-kissing and cheek-kissing either, it makes her very uncomfortable!"

  "Okay, okay, I didn't mean to offend!"

  Apart from being startled at first, Tanaka Kanna was calm and savoring her coffee slowly!

  "Hey, Jerry, is she really your foster mother?" Robert asked cautiously, leaning over.

  "Not a single thing is wrong! So, Robert, you mustn't have any ideas about her, I don't want to unexpectedly gain a young father-in-law!"

  "Oh dear heavens, this is really painful!"

  The two slowly warmed up to each other, and from Robert's mouth, Jerry finally understood the reason why his account was frozen! In 1986, Robert Soros graduated from New York University with a major in English Literature, and as the eldest son of Soros, he joined Quantum Fund at his father's request, starting his career in fund management. Unfortunately, for Quantum Fund, he avoided it, and the stubborn and proud Robert obviously wanted to rely on his own strength to make a name for himself, not wanting to live under his father's shadow all his life. So, after joining the company for a year, he left against his father's opposition, starting his venture plan! The furious George Soros froze all his bank accounts in anger!

  But Robert Soros, however, showed no signs of giving up and stuck to his plan. This trip, he was going to California's Bank of America (now Bank of America) to try his luck, as the bank happened to be in need of a manager.

  Watching Robert wolf down his food, Jerry could only describe the poor guy's situation in two words: disaster!

  "Robert, are you interested in investment?"

  Robert wiped his mouth, "Of course, you know, I'm Soros's son, so naturally I'm very interested in investment! I hope that in the future when they refer to me, they won't call me Soros II, but Robert I, do you understand what I mean?"

  "Of course! So, want to work with me?"

  "Who?"

  "To be exact, it's us! Me and Cai Cai Zi! We're planning to set up an investment company in the US, and we need a professional manager! You see, you're very interested in investments, and you have a year of fund management experience! A $100,000 annual salary! How about it?"

  Such conditions are almost like human trafficking!

  "Why me?"

  "Because you told me you wanted to be Robert I, not Soros II!"

  "This, perhaps, I need to consider!"

  "It's okay! You still have 3 hours!"

  "Hey Jerry, is this how you treat your future boss?"

  "My point is, in 3 hours, we'll be arriving at the midpoint station! The Bank of America is waiting for us there! And it just so happens that I and Chacha also need to go to the Bank of America!"