Super Zoo

The award ceremony for outstanding entrepreneurs took place as scheduled at the Municipal Committee Reception Center. The four-story building of the reception center looked unremarkable from the outside, and even appeared a bit old. The decoration of the award hall was also very simple. At first glance, it might not even compare to an average three-star hotel; it was just neater.

But it was only after Nangong Yan mentioned it that Suming realized the unimpressive decorations in the hall were actually mostly imported goods. To use a rather vulgar phrase, it was low-key luxury.

As the ceremony was for private entrepreneurs, there wasn't an overly serious official atmosphere at the event. It was more like a small wine party held by a business association. Besides a few government officials, most of the attendees were social elites from Yangchuan City. Before the ceremonial event began, they naturally formed small groups here and there, chatting in corners of the venue.

Suming had a previous commitment and couldn't take Nangong Yan shopping in Xiangjiang. To apologize, he first took her on a shopping spree at Golden Eagle. Nangong, dressed in a white evening gown, drew quite a bit of attention the moment she entered the venue with Suming.

Some of that attention was naturally for the stunningly beautiful Nangong, but even more of it was directed at Suming.

This was not a gathering of college students, but a city-level Entrepreneur Association event. At this kind of gathering, Suming, just over twenty years old, looked too young, prompting surprise from onlookers.

Most of the attendees had received the guest list in advance and knew that among today's 'top ten,' there was a young man who had risen rapidly; in less than a year, he had gone from an ordinary college graduate to founding several influential companies, with even the capital's Party newspaper publishing a commentator's article about him. It seemed he was the one.

Such a person either had an astonishingly powerful background or exceptional abilities far beyond ordinary people. In any case, his future was boundless. Some of the prestigious businesspeople present had already met Suming, having seen him at the Da Sheng Liquor release event. And since one of the goals of the wine party was to build networking resources, Suming spent his time greeting the familiar and unfamiliar with nods and smiles, sharing a few words and pleasantries along the way.

Zhao Yun did not attend; he was already past the stage of needing to build networks through such wine parties. In his own words: The time spent being courteous with these folks would be better spent at home with his wife and kids.

Sure enough, Suming saw Ren Chen again. Like him, Ren Chen had brought a female companion with a voluptuous figure and an internet celebrity's pointed face. He was also one of this year's top ten outstanding young entrepreneurs.

While Ren Chen had smooth sailing in business recently, he repeatedly hit walls in terms of 'relationships.' He suffered a setback with Nangong, and when he tried to flirt with Xiaomei, he didn't expect she had seen a video of him being rejected by Nangong online, and completely ignored him, leading to another self-inflicted embarrassment.

After several meetings and interactions, Suming felt that Ren Chen might have some psychological issues, likely stemming from a lack of security since his youth, which drove his relentless pursuit of new companions.

Suming and Ren Chen, from a distance, raised their glasses to each other, then Suming tilted his head and whispered to Nangong Yan beside him, "That guy is quite pitiful, no decent woman seems willing to pay him any attention."

"I think you're just jealous."

"To tell you the truth, I'm not jealous at all."

"Clearly that's not the truth. If you said you were a little bit envious, I might actually believe you," Nangong said with a playful smile.

As they talked, the lights gradually dimmed. Wang Jian She took to the stage and began with his opening remarks, "Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of Yangchuan City's municipal government, and on behalf of Mr. Sun, I welcome everyone's arrival..."

The following award ceremony was rather quick. Wang Jian She spoke a few formalities on behalf of the government, the big projector screen briefly introduced the ten young entrepreneurs, and then the ten individuals went up on stage, lined up, shook hands with Wang Jian She, and received their certificates from him.

Suming stood fourth from the left, looking around; among the ten people on stage, the only ones who could really be called 'young' were himself and Ren Chen. To note, Ren Chen was also approaching thirty, several years older than him.

The city was being economical, it seemed. At the previous Model Worker award, there was at least a few thousand yuan in prize money, which was more substantial. This time, however, there were only certificates, medals, and a silver-plated trophy. Even the expenses for the wine party were collectively sponsored by the entrepreneurs in attendance.

After the award presentation, everyone left the stage to find acquaintances to chat with. This was the real 'value' of the wine party. In the midst of conversation and laughter, several business deals were being concluded.

In less than an hour, Suming had negotiated three orders with a few newly acquainted businessmen: a batch of Da Sheng Liquor, a purchase of fish feed, and a third deal with a vice principal of a private elite school planning to take students on an outdoor development training session at the zoo.

Not far away, Wang Jian She was holding a glass of red wine, talking to someone. He looked up, saw Suming, and waved him over, "Suming, come here for a moment."

"Excuse me for a moment," Suming nodded apologetically to the vice-principal, then made his way through the crowd with Nangong Yan to Wang JianShen's side, smiling and saying, "Mr. Wang."

Wang Jian She turned to the person across from him, who also turned to look at Suming.

Earlier, there was a distance between the two sides, and someone was blocking the view, so Suming hadn't seen the person's face and full figure clearly. But now, getting closer, he realized it was a woman dressed in a ladies' suit. Judging by her age, she was in her thirties but not yet forty, with short hair and bangs framing a round, egg-shaped face that featured a pair of charming phoenix eyes. Her figure beneath the business suit was explosively exaggerated, the archetype of a femme fatale.

However, there was a touch of indifference, even an air of authority, in her demeanor, giving the impression that she was not easy to approach.

"This must be Nangong. I often hear Suming and Wang Hao talk about you. You and your classmates really made quite the story," Wang Jian She chatted briefly with Nangong and then introduced her to Suming, "Suming, this is Mr. Ding from Xiankelai Catering Group. By age, you should call her Sister Ding."

He turned to the femme fatale and introduced, "Mr. Ding, this is Mr. Su from Great Sage Liquor Industry."

Suming had heard of 'Xiankelai' Catering Group, known in Yangchuan City, but he hadn't expected that the CEO would be such an attractive woman. Seeing that Wang Jian She made a special effort to introduce him to this woman, Suming thought Wang Jian She was trying to bridge connections: Suming had Yangchuan City's finest fishery and most famous liquor, which meant there were many opportunities for future cooperation with Xiankelai.

Thus, he extended his hand, smiled slightly, and said, "Nice to meet you, Sister Ding."

To his surprise, Ding just looked at Suming expressionlessly for a few seconds, the corner of her mouth twitching up in an ambiguous smile, then nodded at Wang Jian She without acknowledging Suming, "Mr. Wang, you can chat. I'm going to sit over there." Read the latest on empire

Without waiting for Wang Jian She to respond, or even saying another word to Suming, she turned and strode away.

Suming coughed awkwardly and withdrew his unshaken hand, glanced around to see that no one was watching, squinted his eyes at Wang Jian She, and murmured with a small laugh, "Mr. Wang, what does this mean? Is she mad at you?"

This was Suming's first encounter with Mr. Ding, and since there was no old grudge and no recent conflict, it was clear her sour expression wasn't intended for him; it was likely targeted at Wang Jian She. Wang Jian She was at the prime of his life, holding considerable power, and on the rise in his career. And since Ding was quite alluring, Suming even wondered if there was something fishy going on between them.

"Those words shouldn't be said carelessly; why would she be mad at me? But well, there is some resentment," said Wang Jian She, shaking his head and smiling as he pointed at Suming, "The 'outstanding entrepreneur' spot you got was at the expense of Mr. Ding; no wonder she's angry seeing you."

"Oh, so it's my fault, huh?" Suming rolled his eyes, complaining to Wang Jian She while tugging at Nangong, "I said I didn't want to do it, yet you insisted on having me. Now look, not only did I miss the chance to accompany my girlfriend, but I've also offended Mr. Ding. I didn't gain any benefit, and now I'm the bad guy both inside and out. Isn't this injustice, Mr. Wang?"

Before Wang Jian She could respond, Nangong nudged Suming with her elbow, "Look at you. Uncle Wang is only thinking of your best interest. You should be thanking him."

"No need for thanks, I really didn't help much this time," Wang Jian She waved his hand dismissively with a laugh, "The initial list from Mr. Sun didn't include you because you were considered too young and inexperienced. You should be thanking the party and the state. With that op-ed piece, you truly deserve the title of outstanding entrepreneur, and no one can fault you for it. As for Xiaoding, it's understandable if she can't get over it right now, but with time, she will come around. There are many potential areas for collaboration between your two companies in the future, so there's no need to sour your relationship over this. That's why I introduced you."

Suming didn't want to fall out with anyone, multiple friends meant multiple roads, but it was apparent that Ding might not see it the same way. The honor of being among the 'top ten' wasn't that important in Suming's eyes, but to other entrepreneurs, especially younger ones, the title was significant and couldn't be bought with money.

I'm not going to be resented by some femme fatale, am I? Suming couldn't help but mutter to himself. Ever since he started doing business, he had encountered all sorts of strange things and people.

"Now you've made quite a bit of money, and our country has always advocated that entrepreneurs should have a sense of social responsibility and take on social responsibilities. While making money, don't forget about your essential job," Wang Jian She reminded him cheerfully.

Essential job? Suming was momentarily baffled. What essential job? Isn't being a boss my essential job? But he quickly realized what was being referred to. He held multiple roles now, and if the reservoir, entertainment company, and Great Sage Liquor Industry were purely for-profit enterprises, the zoo was a public, educational endeavor. While earning money, it also carried the social responsibility of serving the public.

Profit from the former, reputation from the latter.

The enterprises under Suming's command were still in their infancy, not counted among the top in Yangchuan City's business community, yet Yangchuan City Zoo had gained increasing influence within the short year since Suming's arrival, becoming well-known nationwide.

Suming understood Wang Jian She's point. It was in the city's interest for the zoo to achieve more success and bring glory to Yangchuan City. For Wang Jian She, who was in charge of fisheries, forestry, and agriculture, the zoo's performance could give him more capital and accomplishments, aiding him in succeeding Mr. Sun smoothly.

Suming chuckled, "Don't worry, boss. I was actually contemplating some new projects for the zoo, planning to get to them after returning from Xiangjiang. I might as well get the projects going before I leave."

"Ah, looks like I'll need to extend my leave," Nangong sighed softly from the side.