The screen remained black, completely unresponsive. Qin Zelin frowned and picked up his phone again.
The battery was full, the signal was strong, and all functions were normal.
The trial lesson should have been over by now. Could it be that the little monster’s phone had died again?
Just as the person next to the large screen finished their report, Qin Zelin’s phone lit up. Seeing an unread message, he curved his lips and opened the chat with Cen Miao.
[Qin Zelin] How’s the tutor? Is he adapting well?
[Miao] [jumping up to hit you.gif]
[Miao] [jumping up to hit you.gif]
[Miao] [jumping up to hit you.gif]
Qin Zelin’s smile instantly dropped. “………”
A string of “hitting” emojis—clearly, the little monster was still angry… and very angry.
[Qin Zelin] Make sure to eat more vegetables at lunch, okay?
[Miao] [smash your butt with a bean-puller.gif]
[Miao] [the worst in the world.gif]
[Miao] [punch you flying.gif]
“……….”
The executives glanced at each other nervously, trembling as they watched Qin Zelin’s expression darken further.
Whether it was the growth figures not meeting his expectations, or some distaste for next year’s plan, no one dared to speak.
“President Qin…” one executive next to the screen clasped their hands cautiously.
“Hm, very good, continue with the report,” Qin Zelin said, placing his phone on the table and nodding.
The executive: ………… Are you sure that’s “very good”?
After the meeting, everyone left one by one, leaving only Qin Zelin and Fang Huan in the room.
Qin Zelin stared at the stream of “hitting” emojis, hesitated, and then asked, “What do twenty-year-olds like these days?”
Fang Huan thought: Money!
But she didn’t dare say it.
“Boss, what does Little Young Master Cen usually like?”
“If he likes games, you could get him a top-of-the-line computer setup, headphones, keyboard… or limited-edition sneakers?”
Qin Zelin: “……….”
What does the little monster like?
Eating.
If left unchecked, he could eat himself into trouble.
“I’m just asking casually, not planning to give him a gift,” Qin Zelin said, glancing at the time. “It’s almost lunch; let’s go eat.”
Fang Huan: Pretending! He must have made the little cutie mad!
“………Alright, boss, I’ll head out first.”
Leaving the Meeting Room, Qin Zelin passed the secretary area where a few people were chattering, sharing snacks. He didn’t pay attention and walked straight by.
“Here, my mom sent this beef jerky from home.”
“Ahhh! I’ve been waiting a whole year! Nothing sold outside tastes like this!”
“I know! Auntie’s beef jerky is seriously the best I’ve ever had!”
“?” Qin Zelin paused with his hand on the door, turned around, and lightly cleared his throat.
The three secretaries, realizing someone was behind them, turned and were met with Qin Zelin’s expressionless face.
Remembering how visibly low his mood had been that morning, they froze even more. “President Qin!”
Qin Zelin gave a small “hm,” eyes lingering on the bags of beef jerky on the table. “My family likes beef jerky. If it’s convenient, could I buy a portion?”
“???”
“No, no, no, you don’t need money,” Li Man quickly waved, then picked up a bag of jerky and handed it over. “I was going to eat this myself; it hasn’t been opened yet. If you like, I have more at home!”
“Good, thanks.” Qin Zelin took it and returned to his office.
Li Man touched her chest and exhaled. “Wow, I nearly died! It’s the first time I’ve ever heard the boss talk about something not work-related.”
“Me too…”
A few minutes later, in the company cafeteria, Li Man rubbed her eyes in disbelief while checking her meal card balance and Assistant Fang’s WeChat.
1…2…3…4… zero? Twenty thousand?
“Bei Bei, the bag I just gave President Qin was beef jerky, not an entire cow, right?”
“Yes!!!”
“Whew…” Li Man drew a sharp breath. “Could President Qin have a crush on me? He’s handsome, but my boyfriend and I are happy together! I don’t accept… that kind of thing!”
Xu Beibei rolled her eyes. “Manman, do you really think President Qin, of all humans, would like some other carbon-based lifeform?”
“Whew… maybe I should ask my mom to write down the recipe for President Qin. This money is too hot to handle!”
Around 6 p.m., Qin Zelin left the company. Glancing out the window, his eyes caught sight of something.
“Xiao Zhang, turn around and go back to that dessert shop we passed earlier.”
“Hmm? Got it, got it.”
At the villa living room, when Qin Zelin arrived, Cen Miao was sitting, watching a yellow sponge cartoon. Hearing the car, his lips had already pouted.
At the entrance, Old Lin saw the items Qin Zelin was carrying and smiled. “Oh, are these small cakes and beef jerky for the lady?”
Cen Miao’s ears perked up: ………? Small cakes? Beef jerky?
Maybe he could forgive the human… for now.
Auntie Wang had explained that the humans were angry that morning because they were worried he might eat something poisonous.
He had also eaten the wrong thing, so he was partly at fault.
Qin Zelin said, “No… someone gave them to me, and since no one else would eat them, I brought them back.”
Cen Miao: ? Not for himself?
No forgiveness!!!
Clearly angry in the morning, now trying to coax him… Old Lin noticed Qin Zelin’s awkward tone and eyes twinkled.
“Oh, then Young Master, go change your clothes. Dinner is ready.”
Qin Zelin: “……….”
His prepared words stuck in his throat. His lips moved slightly, so he just changed his shoes first and set the cakes and beef jerky on the dining table.
When dinner was served, Cen Miao entered the dining room. Seeing Qin Zelin, he stiffened his neck in his seat but secretly glanced at the cake and beef jerky on the opposite side of the table.
Exactly the same strawberry cake as in the video with that Older Sister!
And even bigger than the one in the video!
Hmph! If the human said within three seconds that both the cake and the beef jerky were for him, he would reluctantly forgive the morning scolding!
After all, he had eaten the wrong thing first!
He was the most magnanimous little zombie—he could let a human off!
1…2…
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“………”