One Year Left to Play-Chapter 113 - 36: Starbucks’ Invitation

The little girl disdainfully wanted to swat away Zhang Hao’s hand, but Zhang Hao quickly poked her with the other hand. She was already in despair, resigned to her fate.

However, everywhere she went, Zhang Hao insisted on taking her along. Compared to Aprile Clark, Zhang Hao made her feel more at ease. It’s not that Aprile Clark gave her a bad impression; it’s just that after Aprile Clark stopped being overly maternal, she became rational and didn’t offer too much extra care, treating her like any ordinary unfamiliar child. At times like this, Zhang Hao seemed exceptionally good.

Thinking it over, she decided to speak up—she wanted to go back to find her dad and replied, "My name is Le Lin-Isabelle Schultz, my father is Howard Schultz."

When she mentioned her father’s name, the little girl was quite proud.

Finally, Zhang Hao learned the little girl’s name and reached out again.

He reached out, rubbing the little girl’s head and said, "Le Lin, what a beautiful name."

Although she was occasionally absent-minded, the smart little girl gave Zhang Hao a surprised look but said nothing. Her surprised expression quickly turned to disdain, but she couldn’t struggle and resigned herself to having her head rubbed.

"Where’s your home?"

"I’m not telling you."

"..."

"I can give you my dad’s number, and later you can call him for me. I’ll repay you for the phone bill."

"I can afford the phone bill. Is there someone who can answer the phone at your home right now?"

"My dad’s secretary has a mobile phone."

"...A rich second generation, huh..."

"What does rich second generation mean?"

"It means someone whose parents have money and lead a fortunate life, like you."

"..."

Chatting idly, it wasn’t long before Aprile Clark came out of the interview room with a gleeful expression.

Seeing Aprile Clark’s expression, Zhang Hao smiled and said, "Aprile, the interview went well, right?"

"Yes, I’ve been admitted to the City College’s Film Arts School!" Aprile Clark excitedly ran up and hugged Zhang Hao.

She was really happy; Aprile Clark greatly appreciated Zhang Hao applying to USC with her, as the interviewer asked what their relationship was. She answered honestly, saying the two were classmates and lived in the same apartment, which could have been one of the reasons she was admitted despite her ordinary exam and artistic grades.

Though initially she planned to study auto repair, having little interest in drama, since last summer she realized she had no chance in professional tennis, she followed her mom’s advice to study hard and learn acting, and she finally succeeded, really making her happy.

After the hug, Zhang Hao said, "To celebrate your college acceptance, tonight I’ll treat you to dinner. You can choose any restaurant."

"Then I’m not holding back... By the way, let’s call the police and take this little girl to the station first."

"She said she remembers her dad’s mobile number, let’s make a call..."

"Le Lin!"

As the two were discussing how to handle the little girl they ran into, a hooked-nosed middle-aged man shouted and charged up.

Initially startled by the shout, Zhang Hao and Aprile Clark were wary, but seeing the little girl also calling out to her dad and rushing to him, they both breathed a sigh of relief.

After exchanging a glance, Zhang Hao understood the intention in Aprile Clark’s eyes and said to the little girl, "Le Lin, since your dad has found you, we’ll be heading off, bye..."

Saying this, Zhang Hao prepared to leave with Aprile Clark.

Both had realized the little girl’s background wasn’t ordinary, but neither felt the need to make connections; it wasn’t necessary for them.

At this point, the hooked-nosed Jewish middle-aged man, having recovered from the shock and joy, said to the two, "Please wait a moment, sir, you’re Aix-Zhang, right?"

They stopped, and Zhang Hao replied, "That’s me."

Since nobody recognized Zhang Hao, they felt indifferent, yet it wasn’t surprising someone knew him.

"Great, I’m a loyal basketball fan, and my son is too. Too bad he didn’t come with me to Los Angeles this time. Can I invite you to lunch? I really appreciate your help in taking care of my daughter, and I’d like to chat about NBA things with you..."

...

The generous invitation for lunch from Howard Schultz had valid reasons, being a loyal basketball fan and having helped care for or protect Howard Schultz’s daughter...

It’s a common dilemma for those who do good deeds; sometimes you lend a hand willingly, but the other party insists on showing gratitude. They don’t do good for perks but just casually, making it hard to refuse.

However, just having lunch isn’t a big deal.

Additionally, Howard Schultz wasn’t lying; this handsome middle-aged man knew a lot about NBA teams, even naming many details about the New Jersey Nets’ players.

He was genuinely knowledgeable about the NBA.

If Zhang Hao wanted to chat, he could hold a conversation well, differing from Pierce, who was a chatterbox, being the type to find conversation topics.

But Howard Schultz was the better conversationalist, able to find the other person’s interests during the conversation, a seasoned middle-aged man.

Through the conversation, Zhang Hao learned Howard Schultz was a sponsor of the US Men’s Basketball Team for next year’s Atlanta Olympics. USC is the school with the most students worldwide who’ve won Olympic medals, with nearly twenty percent of the athletes for next year’s US Olympic team being current USC students. He was here to discuss cooperation with the school.