nucmednet Chapter 543 - 205: His Promotion to Manager Was No Fluke!
Chapter 543 - 205: His Promotion to Manager Was No Fluke!
The next morning, the elderly couple went out.
Su Zelin didn’t have much to do, so he browsed the internet alone at home.
He couldn’t be bothered to meet up with his buddies. Lately, the honest guy and Xiaoyanzi were stuck together every day, and today they supposedly went to hang out at the library again.
He played some games on Lianzhong and chatted on QQ a bit, bored out of his mind, then downloaded the movie "Resident Evil 1" to rewatch.
This horror sci-fi film, adapted from a Capcom Company game, is a classic. There are six live-action films in total, but it’s a pity that the later ones became overly exaggerated. The heroine gained superpowers, and zombies were no longer the main focus, losing their original intent.
The heroine, Sister Mira, is still fantastic—both fierce and bold. Her director husband is also very dedicated, treating the audience like brothers and giving them quite the feast for the eyes right from her first appearance.
Just as a few special ops team members were trapped in a corridor and sliced into pieces by a laser net like tofu, Su Zelin’s phone rang.
Seeing the caller on the screen, Su Zelin was slightly surprised.
Huang Hongbo?
What could he want with me?
Picking up the mouse, he pressed the pause button on the game "Street Fighter," and answered the phone with curiosity: "Hello, Uncle Huang, how are you?"
The caller was the father of a junior schoolmate, so Su Zelin spoke quite politely.
"Hello, Zelin, sorry to disturb you out of the blue."
"No worries, I’m just home alone, watching a movie."
After exchanging some pleasantries, Huang Hongbo got to the point: "Here’s the thing, Zelin, I’d like to invite you to our house for a casual dinner."
"Dinner?"
Su Zelin was taken aback.
He hadn’t expected that Father Huang would specifically reach out to him for such a matter.
Huang Hongbo chuckled, "Yes, ever since university, you’ve been taking good care of our Panpan. I heard you were even with her when she joined the student council, and you helped her revise her speech. Without that, our precious daughter might not have become a council officer. Seeing Panpan so motivated in college makes her mother and me very happy, so we thought we’d have a meal together to thank you."
"Uncle Huang, you’re too kind. Panpan and I are friends; it’s only right."
Su Zelin hurriedly responded modestly.
"..."
After chatting for a while, Huang Hongbo insisted on inviting him over, so Su Zelin reluctantly agreed.
After all, it wouldn’t be polite to refuse an invitation from an elder.
In a standalone villa in Lijing District.
In the living room, after hanging up the phone, Huang Panpan anxiously asked, "Dad, how did it go?"
"He agreed, it’s set for tonight!"
Huang Hongbo replied with a smile.
"Great!"
The junior schoolmate nearly jumped with excitement.
So thrilled, this was the first time the senior was coming to her home!
"Mom, make sure Granny Sun buys more groceries tonight!"
Suddenly remembering something, Huang Panpan reminded.
Granny Sun was the Huang family’s maid, responsible for not only cleaning but also grocery shopping and cooking.
"Hehe, Panpan, don’t worry one bit. With such an important guest, your mom won’t forget her manners."
Li Juan noticed something.
To mend her relationship with her precious daughter, starting with Su Zelin was the best approach.
Last time, when Huang Panpan forgave her, it was because Li Juan took the initiative to apologize, admitting she misunderstood Su Zelin and wouldn’t stop them from associating with any bad influence.
Since then, the mother-daughter relationship gradually improved.
"Oh right, I still need to buy two new outfits. Dad, Mom, I’m heading out!"
Like a lively butterfly, Huang Panpan dashed downstairs in a flash.
"Hey, Panpan, slow down, don’t trip!"
Watching her gem of a daughter disappear on the stairs, Li Juan couldn’t help but shake her head: "This child, hearing that Su Zelin is coming over, she’s as happy as can be."
"I don’t have much to wish for in this life, as long as Panpan is happy."
Huang Hongbo sighed.
When his daughter was young, he was too busy making money to spend enough time with her.
Now, he has to find every way to make up for it.
...
As evening approached, the sun began to set.
Finding it about time, Su Zelin left the house.
Su Jianjun and Zhao Lixia hadn’t returned yet, and he had already informed them over the phone that he wouldn’t be having dinner at home that night, but he didn’t mention he was going to Huang Panpan’s, just said it was a get-together with friends.
Driving the Santana, he picked up some fruits on his way to the Huang family home.
It’s necessary to mind one’s manners the first time visiting someone’s home.
Jianglan is a small place, and Willow Branch Lane isn’t very far from Lijing District; it takes about fifteen minutes by bike, and even less by car.
In less than ten minutes, the Santana arrived at the entrance of the district, but was stopped by the security guard.
This was a neighborhood for the wealthy, where the residents were aristocratic, with tight security, so visitors weren’t allowed to enter at will.
The window rolled down, and the person outside looked into the car, surprised to see a young driver.
Thinking he must be a son from some wealthy family, the guard spoke politely, "Young man, who are you looking for?"
"I’m here at Block A, No. 8 for Huang Hongbo. I’m a friend of his daughter, visiting today!"
Su Zelin responded to the inquiry as he was taught by Huang, the wealthy man.
Upon hearing the name and address, the guard let him pass.
He drove into the neighborhood filled with small villas.
Block A was on the left, Block B on the right.
At the first intersection, the Santana turned left, and soon found Villa No. 8 where Huang Panpan lived according to the house number.
The junior was already waiting in the garden at the gate, and upon seeing the Santana, she ran over with a floral smile, waving her hands from afar.
Su Zelin stepped out of the car and was pleasantly surprised.
Today, Huang Panpan wore a retro princess-style bubble skirt, sweetly resembling a Barbie doll, perfectly showcasing the noble and refined side of a wealthy miss.
The junior really complements different styles of dressing — she can hold up as a clown girl and also present perfectly as a Barbie princess, adaptable and charming.
This kind of cosplay-savvy, non-extreme anime girl is quite attractive.
"Senior, you could’ve just come to hang out. We’re all close, no need to bring fruit!"
Seeing the bag of fruit in the loafer’s hand, Huang Panpan pouted slightly, displeased.
"Haha, I saw it by the roadside and bought some casually. It’s my first time at your place, after all."
Su Zelin smiled.
"Then you can’t buy it next time, senior. Let’s go inside!"
Huang Panpan led the way into the villa.
The first floor was a hall, a duplex design of the current wealthy trend, with a Western-European style in a luxurious color scheme, featuring a crystal chandelier, imported leather sofas, all high-end furniture, the air seemingly filled with a rich scent of RMB.
Su Zelin glanced casually, then withdrew his gaze.
As someone reborn, especially someone who was also wealthy before rebirth, this villa’s design seemed somewhat unreasonable, and the decor is outdated, although this outdatedness is relative to the future, currently, it’s quite chic and luxurious.
Huang Hongbo and Li Juan were sitting on the sofa in the living room.
Having met several times before, they casually exchanged pleasantries and sat down.
"Dinner will be ready soon, let’s have some tea and chat."
Huang Hongbo poured Su Zelin a cup of tea proactively.
"Thank you, Uncle Huang."
Su Zelin tapped twice beside the teacup, a gesture of gratitude when friends or elders pour tea.
The couple quickly noticed that the guest, Su Zelin, was polite yet relaxed, appearing natural and at ease, as if it was just an ordinary friendly visit.
Both Huang Hongbo and Li Juan couldn’t help but nod discreetly.
In fact, during their first meeting at a Western restaurant, the old couple had already observed a surprising maturity beyond his years in the young man, unlike other peers who were fickle.
Upon entering such a luxurious villa, others might instinctively look around like country bumpkins entering the city, unsure where to place their hands and feet due to nerves, yet Su Zelin remained composed.
Of course, the old couple didn’t know that before rebirth, Su Zelin had lived in villas worth several millions, and for him, a neighborhood like Lijing District was nothing to boast about.
Li Juan grew increasingly fond of the loafer, speaking kindly, "Zelin, I heard from Panpan that you’re a store manager at a chain called New Era in Lin’an, right? Achieving such a position before graduation is quite impressive. You should teach Panpan more in the future!"
"It’s okay, Auntie, you’re flattering me."
Su Zelin smiled faintly.
"I’ve heard of this chain you work for, it’s amazing how they’ve opened over ten branches within just a year and a half, their growth speed is astounding, their unique marketing strategy has much to learn from, precisely targeting their user group to quickly establish a reputation!"
Huang Hongbo briefly commented and speculated, "Your boss is ambitious, considering the current situation, within two years, New Era could likely become a well-known provincial brand!"
As expected of the wealthy, his perspective was quite accurate.
The loafer was slightly moved.
Both parties were business-minded, unconsciously getting into a discussion.
Huang Hongbo was surprised by Su Zeli’s sharp business insight, speaking with confidence on topics like business philosophy, completely unlike a novice.
No wonder he became a store manager at New Era; it’s not just by chance!
Chatting business while drinking tea, soon, dinner was ready, and the group went to the dining room where the table was laden with delicacies.
They had laid it out quite lavishly to host Su Zelin.
The two elders from the Huang family were very warm during the meal.
After the meal, Huang Panpan took Su Zelin to tour her private room.
Upon entering, the loafer was instantly stunned by the sight.
The junior’s bedroom was cozy, but that’s not the focus.
Photos of him were plastered everywhere.
Desk, wardrobe, bedside, lamp...
Some were pictures taken after enrolling in university with her, some solo photos, some while wearing high school uniforms, even the loafer himself wasn’t sure when they were taken, judging from the angles, it was probably candid shots.
Since the elders had permitted Huang Panpan and the loafer to interact, the junior had posted those photos upon returning home.
Su Zelin couldn’t help but be a bit embarrassed.
Panpan truly had some stalker tendencies.
...