Chapter 12: Going to Work at the Zoo

Wang Xuan was momentarily speechless. He could only glare at Chu Lian with disdain and reply indignantly, "I'll admit she has talent, but that doesn't mean she's sincerely interested in entering this industry."

"Teacher Chu, do you not know what kind of treatment we get versus what they get on film sets?"

As he watched Chu Lian's emotions visibly sink, a trace of subtle smugness flickered in the depths of his eyes.

However, seeing Lin Xiao busy at the railing, he gave a light snort and gripped the bamboo in front of him with a sense of defiance.

She really did have some talent!

No wonder she dared to establish such a persona.

But then he saw Dami rushing down from the tiger mountain with great joy, running up to Lin Xiao like an unrestrained puppy.

Wang Xuan: "..."

He tried to endure it, but ultimately failed. He closed his eyes with extreme distaste and turned to leave.

Out of sight, out of mind!

He had never seen such a thick-skinned tiger in his life!

What happened to being the King of Beasts?

Lin Xiao had been busy in the garden all afternoon, only straightening up when she heard Wang Xuan.

When she turned around, she happened to meet Wang Xuan's complicated, hard-to-describe gaze.

Before she could speak, she saw Wang Xuan awkwardly take the water bucket from her hands.

"It's getting late. Go back and pack your things first."

Pack my things?

What was that supposed to mean?

Lin Xiao raised her eyes in a daze, her gaze filled with confusion.

What was going on?

She hadn't even officially started her job, and her supervisor was already telling her to pack her bags and leave?

Perhaps because the expression on her face was too obvious, Wang Xuan rolled his eyes helplessly.

He spoke again, his tone earnest and heavy.

"Doesn't the zoo provide room and board? I'm telling you to hurry back to your place and pack so you can come in for your first day tomorrow."

"Packing everything in just one night is a bit rushed."

"Not rushed at all, not rushed at all!" Lin Xiao shook her head repeatedly, her face full of excitement.

Her luggage was all at the hotel, some of it not even unpacked; why would she need to bother packing?

Seeing the corners of her lips curl up into a bright smile, a hint of warmth touched Wang Xuan's eyes.

However, the words that left his mouth were full of disdain.

"Fine, fine! Just get going. It'll be dark soon if you stay any longer."

Lin Xiao nodded repeatedly, her smile radiant, as she quickly turned and walked toward the exit.

Wang Xuan looked at the red water bucket in his hand, the corners of his mouth twitching upward as he shook his head silently.

This... is still just a child!

***

Having secured a stable job, Lin Xiao's steps were much lighter than usual on her way back to the hotel.

However, as she entered the hotel and stepped out of the elevator, she was met face-to-face with Xu Chengfei, who was guarding her door with a ferocious expression.

Lin Xiao's pace faltered slightly, and the smile on her face instantly vanished.

Her furrowed brows stared fixedly at the man at the door, her expression of disgust plain to see.

Why was he here?

Xu Chengfei had originally thought that yesterday's online smear campaign would teach Lin Xiao a lesson.

Coupled with the fact that Lin Xiao had always been incredibly timid, he had slept in until he woke up naturally today. Feeling that the warning had been sufficient, he had leisurely gotten out of bed and waddled over with his beer belly.

He had intended to give Lin Xiao a show of force to threaten her into backing down quickly.

But he hadn't expected Lin Xiao to play the "Empty City Stratagem" on him.

In the hotel room... there was actually no one!

Fine, fine, fine!

She really had grown some nerve!

She actually dared to give him attitude!

He had to see exactly who this person was that dared to oppose him, Xu Chengfei?!

However, he had waited at the door all afternoon without receiving a single word.

Just as he was leaning against the bed, drifting into a daze, he suddenly heard the sound of intermittent footsteps.

Xu Chengfei snapped his head up, his eyes instantly lighting up as he lunged forward.

"Lin Xiao! Where have you been all afternoon?"

"Do you realize that as of right now, I am still your manager?"

Lin Xiao turned around with a cold sneer, looking mockingly at that greasy, flat face, deliberately feigning astonishment.

"Wow! So you actually know you're my manager."

"Seeing how hard you've been working online, hiring people to post my scandals one by one, I thought you had changed careers to become a paparazzi."

Xu Chengfei's angry expression suddenly darkened.

Then, he let out a cold laugh.

"Hmph, since you know, you should be aware of your position."

Xu Chengfei was extremely smug about the situation online.

"I told you long ago that I would give you a lesson. This little bit of scandal is nothing more than an appetizer... Well? Have you thought it through?"

Xu Chengfei's words were laced with arrogance.

"And you'd better realize that it's your blessing that President Jin took an interest in you. You're ungrateful for the fortune you're in, wasting the wonderful opportunity I found for you."

Having finished, he leaned against the wall with an air of indifference, waiting for Lin Xiao to bend her waist and beg him.

However, Lin Xiao didn't even spare him a glance. With a curl of her lips and a cold smirk, she walked straight past him.

"You..."

Xu Chengfei snapped upright, pointing at Lin Xiao's retreating figure, his fingers trembling.

"Fine, fine! You think you're so capable? Then don't even think about getting a single resource from the company again!"

After saying this, he turned around quickly and stormed into the elevator in a rage.

Lin Xiao watched the man leave, shrugged expressionlessly, completely unbothered.

He really only knew how to use these petty things to blackmail her.

Wasn't it just a few resources?

What was so great about the entertainment industry?

A government job was the top choice.

She had already made up her mind when she went for the zookeeper interview today.

As long as she successfully "landed" and secured a permanent position, no matter what company it was, they would have to release her unconditionally.

As for the million-dollar compensation Xu Chengfei mentioned...

That would depend on whether the company had the guts to demand it from her.

Lin Xiao fiddled with the room card in her palm, her mood light, as she wandered into her room.

She was going to work at the zoo tomorrow.

How could she let a guy like Xu Chengfei ruin her mood?

***

Early the next morning, Lin Xiao arrived at Xihai Zoo without any lingering attachment, carrying her various large and small bags.

To hell with the entertainment industry!

The animals she loved so much were much cuter.

Lin Xiao walked to the main entrance of the zoo and sent a message to Wang Xuan.

While she was waiting, a clear female voice drifted from nearby.

"Can everyone see the zoo behind me?"

"I happened to pass by here before, and I didn't expect there to be a zoo in such a remote part of the city. Xihai Zoo—I don't think I've ever heard of this name."

"But the scenery in the zoo looks quite nice, so I wanted to bring everyone along to find this hidden gem of a tourist attraction."

"But it's a pity... it seems this zoo isn't open for business today."

A young woman was holding a tripod, livestreaming.

She leaned forward, poking her phone toward the wall, her entire being radiating a sense of disappointment.

Lin Xiao stood by the main gate, pulling her hat brim low, trying her best to minimize her presence.

However, before the girl could walk away, Lin Xiao heard footsteps inside the park.

Her heart tightened; she thought things were going south.

But before she could think of a way out, the sound of flapping wings suddenly came through the air.

Before Lin Xiao could react, she heard a very familiar voice.

"Beauty! Beauty!"

Xiao Si?!

Lin Xiao stared dumbfounded at the macaw flying toward her, flapping its wings.

Wait, can a macaw that's been injured still fly this far?

(End of Chapter)