Reborn: I'll Never Fail My Childhood Sweetheart Again

Chapter 573 - 215: Huang Panpan’s Christmas Eve Gift (Part 2)

At the entrance of the stage passage, Tao Min was there, having just watched Su Zelin’s performance up close.

"What a wonderful performance, junior. Thank you for the song ’Blue Lotus’, it’s a gift I’ll never forget!"

Tao Min felt touched.

She was a dream seeker about to step into society.

This junior was encouraging her in his own way.

"Haha, I almost forgot, there’s this too!"

Su Zelin pulled a Dove chocolate out from his performance costume pocket and stuffed it into her hand: "Senior, Merry Christmas Eve!"

Looking at the chocolate in her hand, Tao Min felt a bit at a loss.

"Ah, sorry, junior, I didn’t prepare any gift in return."

She hadn’t planned to give him an apple or anything; although they joked occasionally, she felt it wasn’t quite appropriate.

Not to mention she had Huang Panpan, who was chasing after Su Zelin, under her watch.

"No worries, senior is the protagonist tonight, just accept the blessings!"

Su Zelin winked at her and then left.

As she watched him go, Tao Min was still in a daze, her expression somewhat complex.

Even though she knew this junior was like a central heating system, she couldn’t deny that she felt warmed.

Backstage, as soon as she changed out of her costume, Huang Panpan arrived.

The little junior, now a student council member, had been responsible for coordination and various odd jobs during the evening, so she hadn’t appeared until after Su Zelin’s performance, as the party was wrapping up and things were settling down.

To set the mood, the female staff from the student council all dressed up in Christmas costumes that night; the little junior cosplayed as a small reindeer, with bright red antlers on her head, looking very cute.

Having just finished the performance, she dashed into the backstage, slightly out of breath, her chest rising and falling gently, holding a little gift bag out to Su Zelin: "Senior, Merry Christmas Eve!"

On such an important day, apples and gifts were a must.

"Panpan, thank you!"

Su Zelin took the bag and pulled out another Dove chocolate from the inner pocket of his down jacket.

He had bought a lot of chocolates and carried them with him, just in case.

Giving a red apple was not something to do casually.

It implied a declaration of love.

But chocolates were fine; they could be given between friends.

"Thank you, senior!"

Even though it was just a single chocolate, Huang Panpan cherished it as if it were a treasure.

On that Christmas Eve during her freshman year, Su Zelin had also given her a chocolate, which she still kept in her dorm drawer, too reluctant to eat it.

"Senior, are you really busy tonight?"

The little junior had already invited Su Zelin before, only to be tactfully declined, but she was persistent, worried he might go to Zhejiang University to find a love rival.

"I told you, there’s a dinner with the leaders later, and I have to attend!"

He casually made up an excuse.

At that moment, his Nokia 8210 rang; seeing that it was Zhang Yuanhang calling.

The call came just at the right time!

In front of the little junior, Su Zelin hit the answer button: "Hello, President Zhang!"

"President Su, do you have time later? I’d like to chat with you."

Zhang Yuanhang’s voice came through the receiver.

Just as I expected, this guy was definitely going to talk to me.

"Later? Sure, sure, since President Zhang’s rare visit to our college, how could I not be available?"

Su Zelin intentionally spoke loudly, half of it meant for Huang Panpan to hear.

With Lu Haoran not around, Zhang Yuanhang was acting as his tool now.

"You’re too kind, President Su. How about I wait for you at the parking lot?"

"Alright, I’ll be there right away!"

After a few words, Su Zelin hung up the phone.

"See, Panpan, no choice, you know, President Zhang’s father is at least a bureau chief, our company might need his help someday, I have to give him some face."

"Okay then!"

The little junior was left with no option.

However, she was at least sure of one thing.

That later, Su Zelin was going for a social gathering, not to meet Qin Shiqing.

No worries!

Tonight, even if I, Huang Panpan, can’t have the senior,

neither can Senior Shiqing!

...

Before long, they arrived at the parking lot outside the VIP entrance.

Zhang Yuanhang was already waiting.

He was alone.

Zhang Baisheng had already gotten in the car.

Director Zhang could only come tonight to show goodwill to Su Zelin and lay a basic foundation.

However, resolving the issue would still require Zhang Yuanhang to speak up personally, which he couldn’t delegate.

"President Su!"

Upon seeing Su Zelin appear, Zhang Yuanhang quickly came over, offering him a cigarette with a big smile.

Su Zelin took the cigarette, and before he could take out his lighter, Zhang Yuanhang had already lit it for him.

"Well, President Su!"

Young Master Zhang spoke again, with a hint of unease.

"Last time between us, there might have been a misunderstanding. My second franchise store is absolutely prepared and applied for strictly following company rules for franchise stores, without any intent to seek personal favors from President Su. If there’s anything that wasn’t done right, I ask for President Su’s understanding."

"Haha, I understand."

Su Zelin chuckled.

This time, Zhang Yuanhang indeed didn’t intend for him, the operations director, to bend the rules; his second franchise store was not at issue in terms of funds, scale, location, or other aspects.

However, in Xia Country’s society, sometimes even when everything you do meets the conditions, you still need to have personal connections for peace of mind.

"I suppose President Zhang now knows I’m the founder of New Era, right? No doubt Director Zhang told you?"

Su Zelin straightforwardly confessed.

"Yes, yes!"

Zhang Yuanhang chuckled awkwardly, yet was still greatly shocked to hear this.

Confirmed!

The founder of New Era was indeed a student!