Super Zoo

Xiaomei staying at the zoo was something that Suming didn't keep a secret from anyone, so Nangong Yan somehow found out.

Normally, Nangong Yan was very busy with work and hardly had time for online dramas, but as a media person, it was impossible for her not to know about such a popular show, especially since "Da Sheng Liquor Industry" recently had a collaboration with the show.

The moment Nangong Yan saw Xiaomei, she recognized her as the female lead from the show.

"Mr. Su, you're quite something now. You haven't made much money, but you've already started to 'cultivate' female stars," Nangong Yan said sarcastically.

Before women fall in love, they all act like goddesses aloof from worldly concerns, but once in love, their true natures are revealed. Therefore, men should never think they have found a genuinely transcendent goddess. If a woman truly becomes immune to jealousy and transcendence, that would be rather dull.

Being somewhat familiar with this, Suming didn't get mad because irrational behavior is sometimes just a form of affection. He defended himself with conviction, "I need to correct you on two points. First, I have made quite a bit of money; second, I haven't 'cultivated' her. Our relationship is completely innocent. If I were to cultivate anyone, it would be a female host."

"What female host?" Nangong Yan didn't catch on at first but after a moment, she realized he was referring to her.

However, it did make sense for Nangong Yan to be a little jealous. Xiaomei was holding that bunny Dip. Nangong Yan felt somewhat frustrated, thinking that she had been hanging out with Suming for so long without such exclusive treatment, and yet Xiaomei had only been around for a few days before he had specially trained such a cute rabbit to give to her.

"That's not the same at all!" Suming protested, "In a way, both Ji Xiang and Xiaomei are helping with the promotion; they are like mascots. Also, how come that guy came along?"

Suming had perfected the art of changing the subject and pointed to a handsome man in a neat suit not far away, holding a glass of red wine and scanning the room. It was Ren Chen, the man who had once pursued Nangong Yan.

"For an event like this, anyone with money can buy a ticket, and besides, didn't you say that it was open to everyone for free? It's quite normal for him, an outstanding businessman, young and wealthy, to attend," Nangong Yan remarked. Explore hidden tales at empire

Suming found it somewhat incredible. Could this guy still be after Nangong Yan's attention? People have limited patience. Last time, Ren Chen hadn't gone too far, so Suming hadn't retaliated harshly. But if Ren Chen continued to harass Nangong Yan, forcing Suming to change from a justifiable antagonist to an unforgivable one with rising evil points, Suming would not hold back.

"It's not that exaggerated. This Ren Chen... hmpf, I have my reasons for not bothering with him," Nangong Yan appeared indifferent.

Next, a scene that even surprised Suming unfolded. Ren Chen, from afar, lifted his glass towards Nangong Yan as a greeting but did not head in her direction. Instead, he walked over to Xiaomei with a big smile and struck up a warm conversation with her.

"See? People like him just love whomever they see," said Nangong Yan with a look of disdain.

Suming was impressed; there really were such people in the world.

"The key is that he's rich and doesn't know where to spend his money. Chasing girls, for someone like him, is just a pastime. If he succeeds, great; if not, no big deal, he'll just move on to another. The world may run out of many things, but never beautiful women," Nangong Yan explained on the side.

"Why do I feel there's more to your words?" Suming pondered aloud.

"Smart little buddy," Nangong Yan said, ruffling Suming's hair like an elder sister, with a giggle, "Yeah, I'm giving you a warning in advance, don't you turn bad in the future!"

"My hairstyle's ruined, my hairstyle's ruined! Stop it, I am about to go on stage..."

As they chatted, the lights dimmed gradually. The MC slowly walked onto the stage, and the spotlight followed his steps, finally settling on the platform. The TV cameras also moved, focusing on the stage and clearly presenting the sight to the audience.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Yangchuan Dasheng Distillery product launch event. I am your host for this event, Song Jun."

After a brief introduction and expressions of gratitude, the host with his modulating voice moved on to the main topic, "I believe whether our guests here or the viewers in front of the TV, everyone is very familiar with Da Sheng Liquor! Regrettably, no one has ever seen the true face of Da Sheng Liquor. It's like a stunning beauty veiled, seemingly standing right before our eyes, yet remains unfathomably elusive!"

Women and wine, for men, are sometimes interrelated, and since most of the audience at the event were men, the host's words elicited a knowing chuckle.

"A bunch of smelly men, so boring. See how cheap their laughter is? Like a bunch of little teddy bears!" Nangong Yan muttered disdainfully under her breath on the side.

"I didn't laugh. Why are you pinching me?" Suming winced and complained.

"Would you be happy if I touched another man's waist?" Nangong asked righteously in return.

Okay, there seemed to be a strong reasoning here, completely irrefutable, but the burning sensation coming from the waist was clearly not just a 'touch,' unless Nangong had practiced Iron Sand Palm...

"So next, may I invite the chairman of Yangchuan City Dasheng Liquor Industry, Mr. Su Ming, to reveal the mysterious veil of this beautiful person for us! Please welcome Mr. Su Ming!"

With a flash of light, the spotlight moved across the hall and landed on Su Ming. Following that, the hall erupted in warm applause. Nangong Yan swiftly retracted her hand from Su Ming's waist. Su Ming straightened his expression and, like a groom walking the red carpet, waved to everyone while stepping onto the stage.

"Hello, Mr. Su Ming," the host greeted him before turning to all the guests in the hall and jokingly said, "Who would have thought that our first surprise of the day would not be the mysterious beauty, but a young and handsome successful entrepreneur like Mr. Su Ming."

In a setting where everyone lifted the sedan chair, most of the attendees were high-profile individuals who might interact with Su Ming in the future, and many were already his business partners. Moreover, a rising young talent like Su Ming was someone everyone wanted to establish a good relationship with.

Furthermore, when it came to Mr. Su's looks, well, he couldn't be called handsome like a movie star, but amidst the generally pot-bellied, balding, middle-aged businessmen, he definitely ranked second to none. Hence, after the host finished speaking, the audience immediately responded with even more vigorous applause.

Even Ren Chen, currently known as 'the most handsome man in business,' joined in the enthusiastic applause.

Perhaps it was a case of telepathy, as their eyes met unintentionally. Seeing Ren Chen smile so happily, Su Ming's heart skipped a beat; he wondered if this guy swung both ways and had taken a liking to him too?

If that was the case, he'd really have to give him a chop!

When the applause died down a bit, the host continued, "Before we unveil the mystery, I believe everyone, like myself, is curious about the Great Sage Liquor. I have a few questions, and I wonder if Mr. Su could answer them for us?"

"Of course, I came here today to formally introduce the Da Sheng Liquor to everyone," Su Ming replied with a nod and a smile.

"There are rumors that what makes Da Sheng Liquor unique is that its brewing formula comes from a group of monkeys?"

Even though the guests knew the host would ask this question, when he actually said it out loud, everyone's gaze instantaneously fixed on Su Ming, awaiting his response.

Whether it was the unbelievable depiction of monkeys brewing wine in an online drama or the subsequent rumors spread, it was all baseless 'hearsay.' Only the answer publicly stated by Su Ming himself carried genuine credibility.

Su Ming slowly nodded and said, "That's right, the initial formula of Da Sheng Liquor indeed came from elder monkeys in the mountains and was later improved by the distillery's technicians to arrive at its final form."

Wow! A buzz swept through the audience, and despite hearing Su Ming's admission, many still wore expressions of disbelief.

"Speaking of which," Su Ming continued, "if anyone here is familiar with last year's liquor auction at Sotheby's in Xiangjiang, you might recall a bottle of Hundred-Fruit Wine from ancient Huaxia legends. That bottle of wine was the original version of the now Da Sheng Liquor from Great Sage Liquor Industry."

"Mr. Su, is the Hundred-Fruit Wine you mentioned the same as the Monkey Wine often referenced in martial arts novels?" someone from the audience couldn't help but ask.

"Correct," Su Ming nodded and said with a smile: "That bottle of Hundred-Fruit Wine, which is indeed the Monkey Wine, has already been authenticated by Sotheby's specialists. If you're interested, you could look up the information from back then."

If Su Ming's personal admission was just one side of the story, referencing Sotheby's auction was tantamount to having Sotheby's back the Great Sage Liquor, greatly enhancing the authenticity of the Monkey Wine.

"This really is a surprising yet expected answer."

After the commotion in the audience subsided, the host continued: "So, for the second question, is it true that the Great Sage Liquor was actually brewed by monkeys themselves, as we just mentioned about the Monkey Wine?"

"Ha ha, that rumor is exaggerated," Su Ming replied, this time with a denial, and said with a smile: "First of all, with an annual production scale of hundreds of tons, it's impossible to have that many wine-brewing monkeys. And secondly, the wine made by monkeys may not pass national quality inspections. I am a party member after all; I can't be selling substandard products."

A small joke elicited a knowing smile from the crowd, many of whom actually held party memberships.

"However!" Su Ming turned the conversation, saying: "Although genuine Monkey Wine is rare, it's not nonexistent. Starting this year, Great Sage Liquor Industry will produce a limited number of Monkey Wine annually, to be auctioned at Sotheby's. Of course, these are as collectibles, not food items."