Chapter 1470: Aquarium
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“h.e.l.lo? Is this Zhou Jing? h.e.l.lo, I’m Zhang Zian. When you were running two days ago…”
On the third day, early that morning, Zhang Zian stood at the balcony of the homestay. It was around this time when Zhou Jing ran here the day before yesterday. However, he didn’t see her. It was likely that she changed her running route or time. He waited for a little while before deciding to give her a call.
As Zhou Jing didn’t bring a mobile phone when she was running, he thought that it would’ve been unlikely that the call could be reached. He was mentally prepared to call again after half an hour later anyway. However, after a few beeps, the phone was connected.
Zhou Jing’s voice came from the other side of the phone, “Ah… oh, h.e.l.lo.”
He didn’t know if the phone caused her tone to change. Zhang Zian heard Zhou Jing’s voice and found it to be a bit hoa.r.s.e and unclear compared to when he met her two days ago.
“That… I want to go to the aquarium with you today, but I don’t know if this is a good time for you…” Zhang Zian said, slightly embarra.s.sed.
If it was only for himself, he definitely wouldn’t have asked for this kind of favor, but visiting the aquarium was just an opening. He mainly wanted to help Jiang Feifei build up the relations.h.i.+p. He intended to find an interns.h.i.+p or job opportunity through Zhou Jing, but it wasn’t convenient to simply ask after he just met her. Besides, he barely even knew her, and vice versa.
“Okay, call me when you arrived,” Zhou Jing answered.
“Yes, but I haven’t asked which aquarium you’re at…” Zhang Zian asked patiently.
Zhou Jing said, “Oh, sorry. I forgot to say, it’s the Monterey Aquarium.”
“Okay, see you later.”
Zhang Zian hung up the phone awkwardly, feeling that he was simply going there to ask her for ‘money’.
Monterey Aquarium was one of the most prestigious aquariums in the United States and possibly even the world. In 1978, one of the founders of Hewlett-Packard donated $55 million to support his daughter who studied marine life at Stanford and build this aquarium…
55 million US dollars in 1978!
I’ve never heard of such a supportive father before!
However, he never heard of a mermaid show in the Monterey Aquarium. Was this something new?
In any case, the Monterey Oceanarium was the best choice compared to the other two aquariums. The one in San Francisco was small and old, and San Diego Sea World was more like a children’s amus.e.m.e.nt park.
Old Time Tea asked suspiciously, “Zhang Zian, about Peter Lee… Do you not have a problem with him at all?”
The elves have heard that during the foundation celebration last night, Zhang Zian once again met up with Peter Lee, who seemed to be making friends with the celebrities of San Francisco to expand the network. It appeared that his donation of money to the Foundation had a bigger ulterior motive. Charity work always won the favor of others, so those who were keen on charity were further favored by others.
Besides, partic.i.p.ating in charity work also proved their financial resources; how would’ve someone with very little money been able to donate?
For Old Tea Time, Peter Lee’s deceptive tactics were the same as those of the ancient 5-meter rice teaching in ancient China. For them to achieve unspeakable goals, they all deceived people by using people’s superst.i.tions to solicit believers. Something like this was heartbreaking to see or hear about.
The only question was what exactly was Peter Lee trying to do?
Zhang Zian shook his head. “We have no control over them, so we shouldn’t bother dealing with them. What they’re doing isn’t illegal in U.S. territories, and ordinary people may be grateful to them for what they are preaching.”
He was only a tourist, not even a U.S. citizen. Why should Peter Lee care about them? If Zhang Zian forcibly stopped him, Peter Lee might’ve instead called the police to arrest and deport him from the country. For now, it was better to be patient for a while and to observe them in secret.
After eating breakfast, he and the elves hurriedly set off since the place was nearby. It was difficult to imagine Zhou Jing working so far from China, or did Zhou Jing not always live in San Francisco? It was more likely to be the latter.
Monterey Aquarium was located on the Monterey Peninsula, more than 100 kilometers from San Francisco. There were many famous attractions on the way there, such as Silicon Valley and Stanford University.
Sitting on the gra.s.s for a while in a world-renowned university and feeling the atmosphere of learning students reminding Zhang Zian of his previous school days.
Silicon Valley was even more prestigious. Numerous high-tech companies had their headquarters here. A company here could launch a product tomorrow that could change the world.
There was a little-known town along the road nicknamed b.u.t.terfly Town. From October to March of the following year, countless monarch b.u.t.terflies stayed in the town for the winter during the migration period. However, b.u.t.terflies were the last thing Zhang Zian wanted to see now. Fortunately, it was summer and no b.u.t.terflies were in b.u.t.terfly Town.
After pa.s.sing through b.u.t.terfly Town, Monterey was not far ahead. He drove around to find the location of the aquarium.
It wasn’t a weekend or a holiday. There weren’t many cars parked around the aquarium, so parking s.p.a.ces were easy to find.
He stopped the car, picked up his cell phone, and was about to call Zhou Jing again. Richard suddenly gripped his shoulder and said, “Huh? You idiot! Who’s that in the distance?”
Zhang Zian looked up. It won’t be Peter Lee again, right? What’s more, he won’t come to the aquarium, what can he possibly have to do here?
His eyes subconsciously glanced at the man in front of him as he looked out for Peter Lee. He didn’t see him but instead saw someone familiar with their back turned to him.
“Well… isn’t that Snowy? Why is she here too?”
At first, Zhang Zian thought he was wrong. Rubbing his eyes and looking again, it was indeed Snowy.
It was rare to encounter someone you knew abroad, but it was also inappropriate to go up and greet her. He thought about it and got the elves to get out of the car.
“h.e.l.lo, everyone …”
Snowy faced the camera of the mobile phone and was about to say the usual opening remarks to the audience in the live room. Suddenly, a head stretched out in front of her, blocking her from the mobile phone and startling her.
“h.e.l.lo everyone, I’m the handsome Mr. Store Manager!”
Zhang Zian’s face suddenly popped up in the live broadcast room, and his two hands were still sculpting a V in his head. His face looked distorted since he was too close to the camera. The audience was all shocked by his actions but started scolding him once the shock subsided.
“Shop… Mr. Store Manager, why are you here?”
Snowy was both surprised and a little happy. She took a few steps back and pointed at him with her mobile phone.
“Why can’t I be here?” Zhang Zian asked, “If you can be here, then I can’t?”
“No… that’s not what I meant by that…” Snowy clarified, “I mean …”
“Wait a minute.” Zhang Zian waved his hand and interrupted her explanation. “I’ll make a call first.”
He dialed Zhou Jing’s number. Within a few minutes, Zhou Jing weakly walked out of the aquarium, her face looking unwell.