Super Zoo

Suming fiddled with the various industries he currently had on hand.

In the zoo sector, Mrs. Tong and a few other veteran employees were in charge; the fishery company was under Liang Shi's responsibility, with Baldy also able to lend a hand in the market aspect; Wang Hao managed the entertainment company; Da Sheng Liquor Industry was supervised by himself and Zhao Yun; the Hong Family father and daughter took care of the catering business; the future real estate company and the current construction team were managed by Uncle Su Desheng; and for the Lure People in two locations, it was Alayi and his son leading the way.

Additionally, if Nangong Yan was willing to resign in the future, she can take charge of the public opinion aspect.

With so many industries to manage, if Suming had to personally involve himself in everything, he wouldn't be able to cope even with three heads and six arms. Besides acting as the chief helmsman, his most significant task was actually to ensure the steady enhancement of 'Friends of Animals' capabilities, as all these industries were founded on the basis of animals.

This was also why he insisted on privatizing the zoo.

Of course, privatization in Huaxia does not mean the government can't intervene at all. Offending the government completely would render private property useless. However, overall, the privatization of the zoo could significantly elevate Suming's financial authority and management rights over the zoo—it would just cost a few billion.

Spending a few billion in exchange for a decade or several decades of peace, Suming thought it was a worthwhile deal. Besides, why would he pick a fight with the government on a whim?

Back to the main point, contemplating the choice of director for the film company, Suming considered for a long time and concluded Nangong Huang made the list.

He was still quite young, and his future path was not necessarily limited to acting. Acting, directing, producing—he could try them all. The kid was smart and learned quickly, quite to Suming's liking, and they were soon to be relatives, which made all the conditions suitable.

The only downside was his lack of education. While education does not represent capability, it's also not true that lower education equates to higher ability. Exceptions do not define the rule, and Bill Gates didn't drop out because he was bad at studies or couldn't learn. If there's an opportunity in the future, Nangong Huang could consider further education—not necessarily for a diploma, but mainly to broaden his horizons, improve his class, and expand his social connections.

However, Nangong Huang was still quite young, with too little experience. Giving him full responsibility for the film company right now was definitely something Suming could not feel at ease about.

He needed someone with certain industry experience and social exposure to guide Nangong Huang for a few years.

…

Jiao Shou recently felt quite frustrated.

Last year, he had the idea of ending the 'Surprises of Life' web series and throwing himself into the film industry. Driven by this belief, his work efficiency this year had been surprisingly high, and by mid-year, he had completed all the web series episodes for the year.

Theoretically, his contract with the investor had ended, and he became a free agent. Since then, he had been reaching out about filming movies, including contacting Suming. Every time he called or bumped into him online, he would bring it up.

Just like the title of his web series, life is full of surprises, astonishments, and amazements—many things are beyond one's wildest dreams.

No sooner had Suming rejected his proposal to collaborate on a movie than he went on to shoot one himself.

As 'Terror Animal City' was released and the box office returns grew more and more impressive, Jiao Shou's heart became increasingly uneasy. Initially, he wanted to call Suming to ask what was going on and why he hadn't been told about it beforehand, but as the box office for 'Animal City' soared rapidly, Jiao Shou found himself unable to make that call.

Wouldn't calling at that point be like showing up to openly reprove him?

What grounds did he have to reproach him?

To Suming, he was just a friend with a good relationship. They had collaborated on one episode of a web series, and Jiao Shou had done a few stints as a host for Suming.

At the critical turning point when 'Surprises of Life' was on the decline, it was Suming's animals that reinvigorated the web series, causing a nationwide sensation.

The effects were mutually beneficial; the zoo was promoted while "Beat to Death's Unexpectedness" was saved. But strictly speaking, it was Suming who did him a favor, as the zoo would likely have been a hit even without the promotion, just at a slightly slower pace; without Suming's intervention, the web drama "Beat to Death's Unexpectedness" could have started to decline from its peak.

So, he had absolutely no right to make a fuss about it.

It's even more so now, with "Animal City" doing terrifyingly well at the box office without him. They're doing him a favor by including him, handing him money willingly. If they didn't, it would be perfectly normal.

Artists are sensitive creatures with a glass heart. If someone were thick-skinned, they would undoubtedly call Suming without hesitation to cozy up for their ambitions, even if it meant selling their... behinds. But Jiao Shou just couldn't get over this hump, feeling a twisting knot of anxiety and indecision.

Just then, Suming's call came through proactively.

A video call.

Jiao Shou hesitated for several seconds before gritting his teeth and pressing the button to accept the video call.

Then, he immediately put on an act as if 'nothing had happened' and greeted cheerfully, "Hello, Mr. Su."

Seeing his stiff expression, Suming guessed most of it, and that overly formal, textbook-like, classic official greeting 'Hello, Mr. Su' was a perfect embodiment of a strained smile and feigned strength.

Suming rolled his eyes at the camera and sighed.

Jiao Shou didn't notice; he was too nervous, uncertain about what to say next to Suming. Should he casually steer the conversation towards the movie, or would that seem too contrived? Or should he just wait rigidly without mentioning it, hoping Suming would bring it up himself—yet what if Suming didn't mention it either?

As the poor glass-hearted artist was tied up in his dilemma, Suming took the initiative to break the ice.

"Look at you, don't you have any self-respect? You wear a little problem on your face yet pretend nothing's wrong. If you're going to act, at least make it convincing…"

After being bluntly scolded, Jiao Shou felt a mix of indignation and peculiar satisfaction.

Still the same tone, the same flavor, the same Suming. If he didn't consider him a friend, how could Suming talk to him like this?

As satisfying as it was, he still cared about his dignity. Jiao Shou pretended to be angry, retorting, "What do you mean? I don't understand what you're saying! What am I pretending? Where am I pretending?"

"If you keep pretending, I won't say anything. Brother, I'm also very busy dealing with a whole lot of movie box office things," Suming said.

Upon hearing the word 'movie,' Jiao Shou's heart thumped wildly, as if a small bomb had exploded inside.

"Cough cough…" Jiao Shou coughed dryly and fell silent.

"You, you're just too sensitive. Is it that painful to not be called for a single movie? If you really wanted to be involved, why didn't you give a call to ask?"

Right after the movie was released, Suming had actually received a call from Mr. Han, who knew Jiao Shou well. Although Mr. Han didn't explicitly say it, Suming could tell he was inquiring whether Jiao Shou was involved. Jiao Shou had been clamoring to do a movie, and if he wasn't included, the blow to him would've been huge.

Hearing Suming open up about the topic, Jiao Shou felt a lump in his throat and nearly couldn't help but cry.

"Damn, if you cry now, I won't hang out with you anymore!" Suming was taken aback.