Super Zoo-Chapter 562 - 557: Fake Play Turns Real

Seeing the related information, Suming felt both joy and worry.

Judging from the screening schedule and showtimes allotted for Animal City, it had already received dual recognition from the market and cinemas. Both the water supply department and the cinemas were actively promoting the film. An 18% screening rate could match that of domestic blockbusters, hinting that next week's box office would climb again.

On the other hand, the time left for Animal City was running out.

Although basically all cinemas prolonged the film's runtime, Animal City had about two and a half weeks before it would be taken off the screens. But with the many popular blockbusters that were following one after another, their momentum was too strong. Even if it was uncertain whether Animal City would succeed at the box office in the end, the cinemas would definitely arrange ample screenings to let these newly released blockbusters test the waters.

It was indisputable.

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The real chance for Animal City to sweep the box office was only this week.

This week alone would be enough to determine the total box office of Animal City.

This was an obvious matter, one that didn't require much wisdom to understand. Employees at the cinema were so nervous that they surfed the internet for box office numbers all the time at work.

People's minds were filled with hope and fear. Initially, when Animal City was released, everyone was pessimistic, thinking it would be good enough just to recover the cost. After last week's explosive box office of over 60 million, many began to harbor some unrealistic dreams, thinking maybe it could hit five hundred million, maybe even a billion. Some even fantasized about breaking the box office record.

The real party concerned, Suming, wasn't nervous at all.

At this stage, he had done everything he could. How the box office would turn out was not for him to manipulate or decide. Since it had been brought to the market, all he had to do was wait quietly for the market's verdict.

Nangong Huang, who used to always trail behind him, had now become a somewhat well-known star. He was interviewed by the media every day, especially by local media. Interviews with stations, TV stations, newspapers, and forums from Yangchuan City were scheduled nearly every day.

Even Chengcheng often had to take leave. This 'leading lady,' whose total screen time from start to finish didn't exceed fifteen minutes, had less presence than some of the more central animal characters. However, she was young and quite cute, and she often blurted out hilarious one-liners that captivated the audience, making her a rising child star in Yangchuan City.

The young star was now caught in a new quandary. Allegedly, she had so many 'fans' at school that she had to face a new challenge in life: managing interpersonal relationships, especially how to deal with those former little traitors who had now become bootlickers.

It was said that classmate Yue Tao, with the four stripes, couldn't bear the shame. Recently, he would walk the other way whenever he saw Chengcheng. The glory days of having a crowd following him wherever he went were gone, leaving him in a pitiful state.

Yesterday, the four-stripes student couldn't stand the feeling of being neglected and blurted out in front of everyone, "The shame of today, I will repay tenfold in the future," and then he decisively transferred schools.

"This goddamn kid won't become a lifelong enemy, will he?" Suming was at a loss for words. What are these kids thinking?

"Yeah, I really don't understand what these young people are thinking," the elegantly dressed middle-aged man sitting opposite Suming agreed, his eyes and brows already creased with wrinkles. Looking closely, one could see a hint of exhaustion on his face.

Comrade Hong Bo had finally come to Animal City. In fact, he had arrived some time ago, but Suming had been too busy to meet him.

His current status was somewhat ambiguous. Suming wouldn't admit anything, but somehow Hong Feifei and Ding Jing had created an illusion that made Hong Bo believe that the man before him was his future son-in-law. Knowing what he was thinking, Suming still had to pretend to be oblivious.

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Pretending to be confused while understanding, pretending to understand while being confused.

Seeing the string of conch beads on Suming's wrist and then looking at Hong Feifei, who was sitting to the side pretending to be demure with bashful glances, Hong Bo was in high spirits and took the initiative to toast Suming, "Mr. Su, may I take the liberty to call you Su..."

"Ah, ah," Suming nodded, non-committal.

"I heard from Feifei about our little misunderstanding back in Sun Town. Well, it wasn't actually a misunderstanding, I was just desperate at the time. As a father, I failed in business and couldn't leave anything for Feifei," Hong Bo sighed and looked at Hong Feifei with relief: "Now that Feifei has found her place, I can finally put my heart at rest."

"Dad!" Hong Feifei was genuinely a bit embarrassed this time.

With the double meanings in his words, how could Suming not catch on? Thinking that since he was already acting, he might as well play the part fully, so summoning courage, he said with implied depth, "Uncle Hong, rest assured, I am truly interested in expanding the catering business. As you can see, even though my place isn't large, there's still a demand for it, and as long as she is willing to grace us with her presence, I will definitely treat her well."

"Great, great, great! Then here's to wishing you massive success, Su!" Hong Bo drained his cup in one go.

"Thank you." Suming took a sip.

Hong Feifei, standing at the side, had a somewhat stiff expression and pretended to urge with a, 'Drink less'.

With her urging like that, Suming knew trouble was brewing!

Hong Feifei was really too poor at acting. Whether it was her tone or the look in her eyes, it just didn't seem like she was facing a man she liked. It was entirely the facial expression of fake etiquette at the dinner table.

Suming could tell, and of course, Hong Bo, who had been mingling in society for many years, could also see right through it!

Sure enough, Hong Bo put down his chopsticks, his eyes narrowed slightly, glancing at Hong Feifei, then at Suming, his gaze quite mischievous.

"Dad, eat more…" Hong Feifei was scrambling to cover up.

Hong Bo nodded and coughed once.

Suming's heart skipped a beat, trouble was definitely coming.

Then he heard Hong Bo say, "Mr. Su, I have a rather presumptuous request. Now that Hong Family Cuisine has closed, at my age, it's too early for retirement, I can't just do nothing and wait to die, right?"

How was one supposed to respond to that?

Hong Bo continued, "Even though Hong Family Cuisine has fallen, I believe I still have some experience in restaurant management. If Mr. Su doesn't mind, I can come and give you a hand. Don't worry, I won't ask for money, just pure help, give advice and keep an eye on things. Think of it as giving me something to do in my later years."

"Dad, didn't you say you were going back to your hometown!" Hong Feifei nearly jumped up. Him coming to Animal City to help with catering, being under his watchful eyes every day, how could she and Ding Jing have any sort of romance!

"Why would I go back to my hometown, to wait for death?" Hong Bo humphed, looking at Suming, he said, "Mr. Su hasn't even spoken yet, what are you nervous about?"

"Dad, but..." Under the table, Hong Feifei softly kicked Suming, signaling him to reject Hong Bo.

Suming was about to think of an excuse to refuse, but then again, having Hong Bo come to manage would be a good thing for him!

He laughed heartily, "That's fantastic, Uncle Hong. I just happen to need someone in charge of catering, and Feifei, well, her cooking skills are beyond question, but she's somewhat lacking in the management department. With you joining us, I can rest easy completely. Let's do this. Today we'll agree, I'll hire you as the director of catering for Animal City, salary and bonus according to the regulations. How does that sound?"

"That's, of course, wonderful! Mr. Su, it's settled then! Here, I'll toast to you!" Hong Bo said with a laugh.

"Come on, bottoms up, bottoms up!"

Hong Feifei was completely dumbfounded, her mouth half-open in shock at the side.