Super Zoo

"Mr. Su..."

The little confused bug, after figuring out what was happening, was like a startled rabbit. She hung her head with her hands twisted together, looking at Suming with an innocent and pitiful expression, as if she was at a loss for what to do.

Suming was simply at a loss for words.

There are several essential qualities for a company's front desk: poised and graceful, pretty and clever. The girl standing before him, named Xin Linli, had none of these traits. She was very average-looking, at most 70 out of 100—not ugly at least, with a plain, round face that looked dazed and sleepy.

Who hired her? How could they hire such a person to work at the front desk?

Before he could say anything, the confused little bug Xin Linli puckered her lips and said, "Mr. Su, you won't fire me, will you..."

Suming was startled. Could she read minds? That would be a rare skill...

Before he could respond, tears started rolling down Xin Linli's cheeks. With a voice that sounded like she wanted to cry but was trying not to, she stammered, "Mr. Su, please don't fire me... I'm so pitiful... I promise not to sleep during work hours in the future..."

Suming felt completely defated by her and waved his hand feebly.

Forget it, it's okay to be confusing. It's not like an entertainment company relies on a front desk to lead the way, as long as she doesn't sleep during working hours.

Looking at Xin Linli and sighing, he said helplessly, "Firstly, it's not working hours now, so it's okay for you to sleep, but it would be better to go home to avoid getting sick... Secondly..."

Once again, before Suming could finish, Xin Linli interrupted him, grievingly said, "The lease on the place I was renting expired, the landlord is taking it back for his son's wedding, and won't let me stay there. I am currently looking for..." As she spoke, she seemed on the verge of crying.

"Stop! Get to the point. Can't afford the rent?" Suming found it odd. The film and television company was small but paid well enough that the staff should not be unable to afford rent, unless this confused bug was a spendthrift.

"No, no." Xin Linli shook her head quickly and cautiously said, "I only remembered my lease expired after work today, and I haven't had the chance to look for a new place. Don't worry, Mr. Su, I will start looking for a place tomorrow. I'll just stay at the company temporarily for three days."

"Alright, you can stay." Suming shrugged. Since no one was at the company at night, having someone stay was like having a free security guard. But trusting this confused bug as a guard... Never mind, she's still probably better than a little dog.

"Is three days enough?" Suming asked casually.

"It's enough, it's enough!" Xin Linli nodded vigorously, then blinked, "I will definitely find a place within three days, it won't take more than a week, at most ten days, well, half a month should be plenty..."

Suming felt faint. He had seen confused people, but never someone this confused.

"Stay as long as you like." Suming had no words left and sat down on the sofa exhaustedly, waving his hand: "Go on, open up the projection room. A film has come from Xiangjiang Huaxia Star Company, I want to watch it."

"Yes! Please take a seat for a while, Mr. Su, I'll go and open it now." The little confused bug Xin Linli turned and ran down the hallway. Soon, the lights in the office were on, the sound of the computer's main unit starting echoed, and the light from the projection room shone through...

When she reappeared, she was holding a piping hot cup of coffee.

"It's ready, Mr. Su." The little confused bug came over with the coffee.

"Oh, thank you." Suming stood up, reaching out to take the coffee.

Just as he reached out and before he could touch the cup, Xin Linli suddenly stepped back, pulling the coffee she was holding away.

"Mr. Su... this cup of coffee... it's not for you..." Xin Linli said, eyes widened, with an innocent look.

Suming: "..."

"No, no, Mr. Su, I just woke up and was afraid of dozing off again. If you had any instructions for me and I fell asleep, that wouldn't be good, so I made myself a cup of coffee to stay awake. If you're thirsty, I made you a cup of tea because coffee isn't good for men's health..." Xin Linli earnestly explained, looking as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Made a cup of tea? Where's the tea?! Where is it! Suming looked around, but didn't see a hint of the tea anywhere!

"Mr. Su..."

"Alright! Stop!" Suming worried that if she kept talking, he would be exasperated by this little scatterbrain, possibly to death. He had braved great storms and survived IS bullets unscathed, but if he were to be angered to death by a minor clerk in his company, that would be a real joke. Who knew what people would say about that if word got out.

He turned and walked briskly toward the screening room.

The screening room was tidy and organized. The recliner at the optimal viewing distance in the center was already laid out, and on the small table beside it, there was a cup brewing hot green tea, a small packet of cookies that would stave off hunger, a notebook to record thoughts, a pen, and an iPad to keep connected to the internet at all times...

On the large screen, the dragon-shaped logo of the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television was displayed, with the image frozen on the dragon logo.

Only then did Suming look back at Xin Linli who had followed him in with some surprise. He hadn't expected that, despite being muddle-headed, she seemed to be quite attentive in her work. He said nothing, simply nodded his head, and sat down.

"Let's start..."

Xin Linli pressed the play button from the back, then quietly sat down in the corner of the last row, near the door.

After the familiar opening scene of Huaxia Star, a dazzling and magical world appeared on the screen, filling the small screening room with resounding music...

During the two-hour movie, Suming got bored in less than half an hour and subconsciously started looking for something to eat. His hand brushed against the cookies prepared by Xin Linli on the table. He tore open the packet and took out a piece, Oreos with cream filling, and they tasted not bad.

"Crunch... Crunch..." From behind came the rustling sound of snacking, like a little mouse sneaking a treat. Turning around, Suming saw Xin Linli hugging a bag of chips, engrossed in the movie while eating with relish.

Suming shook his head with a smile, left her to it, and continued eating his cookies while watching the movie.

...

The lights in the screening room came back on. After watching the entire film, Suming felt his heart sink, unsure of what to say.

To be honest, he felt awkward more than once during the screening.

Long Wu, a name that once shone with glory in Huaxia Star, with a resounding reputation for classic memories, had made such a movie in his old age, ruining his late good name.

Xiang Zuo had given it his all in the movie. It was evident that this martial artist, who had just entered middle age in his thirties, had tried his best. Unfortunately, it seemed like he was not blessed by the ancestors for this craft.

If he were a regular audience member who had paid money for the film, he probably would have started cursing by now. Since he knew Long Wu and his family, Suming actually felt sorry for Long Wu and the phrase "the pity of a parent's heart" came to mind.

"Women fear marrying the wrong man, men fear entering the wrong profession..." Xin Linli's muttering came from behind.

Suming was startled and turned to look at Xin Linli.

She shook her head sadly and stood up, preparing to turn off the large screen before starting to clean the screening room.

Suming, feeling slightly moved, asked, "Don't rush to clean up just yet. What do you think of the movie? Tell me your thoughts."