“Uh, 30 million!!”
Li Jianguo, Zhang Wanjun, and others were shocked once again. The library at Jiangcheng University of Finance and Economics was quite small, which was why they had applied to build a second library next to the original one.
According to the university’s plan, the new library’s main functions would be to provide new media reading and a large number of study rooms for students, improving the issue of the scant number of study rooms in the existing library.
Li Jianguo had been running around trying to pull strings to build this library, and after great difficulty, the plan was finally approved. However, even though the foundation had been laid, the funding was still not in place.
Now, Yang Hao was saying he would invest 30 million, which would solve a major problem.
“Mr. Yang, I toast to you!”
“This is a great deed that will benefit the 13,000 students of our Finance and Economics University!”
Li Jianguo raised his glass excitedly.
Yang Hao picked up his glass and gently clinked it with Li’s, “If there are any other difficulties on the school’s side, Principal Li, just bring them up!”
Since the System had given him the chance to “fleece,” Yang Hao was not shy about it—the more benefits from the welfare tasks, the better!
Li Jianguo could hardly believe his own ears. After all, Jiangcheng University of Finance and Economics was only an average second-tier institution. It didn’t have particularly prominent alumni, so the school hardly received any donations from distinguished alumni, unlike Qingbei and other universities where alumni donations came in abundance.
The school’s fundraising efforts were almost entirely reliant on government grants, and now that Yang Hao had taken the initiative to make an offer, Li Jianguo naturally couldn’t contain his excitement. Given the scale of an institution like Jiangcheng University of Finance and Economics, there would certainly be no shortage of expenses.
However, Li Jianguo didn’t know if Yang Hao was just being polite and didn’t dare to voice any demands immediately. Instead, he continued on the topic of building the library, “Mr. Yang, since you’re investing to help build the new library, it should be named after you when it’s completed!”
The university could offer Mr. Yang little in return, but naming the library after him was also an honor, with many similar instances at other universities.
Yang Hao nodded; indeed, it was quite a prestigious matter.
Later, the junior brothers and sisters at Jiangcheng University of Finance and Economics could say in conversation, “I’m going to study at the Yang Hao building!”
“Here’s what we’ll do, Principal Li.”
“I’ll add another 100 million to the Yang Hao Scholarship Foundation to broaden the scope of its funds. It won’t be limited to just helping students from extremely poor families with education difficulties, but can also address some of the school side’s difficulties. In short, the purpose of establishing this foundation is to give back to my alma mater!”
Yang Hao took the initiative to speak again.
This!!
Two hundred million now!!
Li Jianguo and Zhang Wanjun exchanged glances, shocked once again.
The expressions on the faces of others present were also particularly lively, their gaze toward Yang Hao filled with immense reverence.
This was two hundred million we’re talking about, just brought out like that!!
Yu Ranran, who was sitting to the side, had particularly complex feelings, because just now Yang Hao had said that she would be in charge of the foundation—he was saying that she would be managing the two hundred million in assets injected by Yang Hao.
Feeling the pressure, she also sensed the scent of power. It was not difficult to imagine that if she became the head of the foundation, even Li Jianguo and Zhang Wanjun would have to treat her with great respect. After all, any movement of the foundation’s money would need her agreement.
“Mr. Yang, you truly are the pride of our Finance and Economics University!”
“If only our Finance and Economics University had more outstanding alumni like you!” Li Jianguo said with a wistful smile.
Zhang Wanjun eagerly agreed, “That’s right, if our Finance and Economics University had a few more alumni like Mr. Yang, we might actually have a chance of becoming a first-tier university!”
His remark was nonsensical—Jiangcheng University of Finance and Economics was only middling even among second-tier institutions, with no chance of becoming first-tier.
After the meal, Li Jianguo invited Yang Hao to tour the campus. This had not been part of the plan; he had just wanted to talk with Yang Hao about funding students in dire need and to organize a special aid ceremony on the day of the school celebration, which he thought would be quite meaningful.
Instead, Yang Hao gave him an enormous surprise. Funding students in need? That was thinking too small!
Continue your journey with empire
This Mr. Yang was treating Jiangcheng University of Finance and Economics like it was the one in need of aid!!
To call him the Finance and Economics University’s God of Wealth was no exaggeration!!
Yang Hao happily accepted the invitation, as he actually wanted to have a good look around his alma mater.
So, accompanied by a group of university leaders, Yang Hao entered his long-lost alma mater. Although many years had passed since his graduation, most of the buildings in the school had not changed.
The artificial lake where the lovers liked to gather was still there, although the pavilion built on it was very run-down.
“Principal Li, I think the artificial lake is a landmark of our Finance and Economics University. We should really refurbish it!”
Yang Hao pointed at the pavilion and continued, “For instance, this pavilion is too small, and there’s only one. I think we should rebuild two, so the junior brothers and sisters can meet and relax comfortably…”
While saying this, Yang Hao couldn’t help but recall his days at Finance and Economics University. Back then, he and Yu Ranran often dated in the pavilion by the artificial lake, but this spot was in high demand. Every evening it attracted many couples, and if you arrived late, there might not even be a spot left.
“Yes, Mr. Yang is right!”
Li Jianguo agreed, nodding his head. After all, as the principal of Finance and Economics University, he would be pleased to see the entire place renovated.
“Ranran, we used to come to this pavilion all the time when we were students!”
Yang Hao said to Yu Ranran with a chuckle.
At that moment, Yu Ranran seemed to be lost in her own memories of school days as she stared at the dilapidated pavilion.
Hearing Yang Hao’s voice, she smiled and nodded, “We were so young back then!”
“Indeed, in the blink of an eye, we’ve grown old!”
Yang Hao expressed his sentiment.
While the two were talking, Zhang Wanjun leaned close to Li Jianguo and whispered, “Principal Li, why not let young Yu accompany Mr. Yang on his tour of the school?”
“Hmm, that would be appropriate!”
Li Jianguo nodded in understanding, feeling that it would be nice for them to wander the campus and reminisce together. They would just be third wheels!
“Mr. Yang, I apologize, but I just remembered we have a meeting back there,” Li Jianguo said with a friendly smile to Yang Hao.
“How about letting young Yu accompany you first? Just give me a call when you finish touring.”
Li Jianguo said cheerfully to Yang Hao.
Yang Hao, of course, understood his intention and promptly nodded, “Principal Li, go ahead with your business.”
“Young Yu, please look after Mr. Yang well. Contact me immediately if there are any issues!”
Li Jianguo also gave Ranran a reminder before he led the group away.
“This Principal Li is quite perceptive, knows they’re too conspicuous here.”
Once everyone had left, Yang Hao joked with a smile.
Ranran asked seriously, “Are you really going to invest two hundred million in the school?”
“Not for the school, but for the Yang Hao Scholarship Foundation.”
Yang Hao corrected her and continued, “The money will be in the foundation’s account, and how it’s used is still up to the foundation. So, as the person in charge of the foundation, you must keep a close eye on it and make sure the money is spent where it’s needed most!”
“You really want me to be the person in charge of the foundation?”
Ranran asked uncertainly.
“Who else? You’re the only person I know at the university!”
Yang Hao shrugged and smiled.
“But I don’t know anything about foundation management, I’m afraid I’m not up to the task.” Ranran was genuinely worried; after all, that was a huge sum of two hundred million.
“The foundation won’t just have you alone, we’ll hire a couple of professional staff members later on, and you’ll only need to be responsible for reviewing and signing documents.”
“Right, we could also have Chunxiao take up a post at the foundation, and have her recommend a couple of staff members as well!”
Yang Hao suggested, then pointed to the dilapidated pavilion, “Come on, let’s go for a walk over there.”
“It’s like revisiting the old place too!”
Ranran nodded lightly, the pavilion indeed held many fond memories for both of them.
“Mrs. Yu!”
“There you are, I’ve been looking for you all over.”
Just as they were about to walk to the pavilion, a man’s voice suddenly sounded from behind them.
Yang Hao turned reflexively to look and saw a man who appeared to be about the same age as himself, with a scholarly appearance and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose.
While Yang Hao sized up the man, he was also being scrutinized in return.
“Mrs. Yu, who is this?”
“Yang Hao, Ranran’s college classmate.”
Without waiting for Ranran to introduce him, Yang Hao volunteered his name.
“Hello, my name is Dai Yunfei, a lecturer at the Finance and Economics University.”
The man politely extended his hand.
Yang Hao shook it.
“Mr. Yang is Ranran’s college classmate, then you must also be a graduate of the Finance and Economics University?” Dai Yunfei asked while shaking hands.
“Correct, class of ’07 from the Finance and Economics University.”
“Like Mrs. Yu, did you also pursue postgraduate studies?”
“I didn’t go that far; I’m not that interested in academics. I started working in society right after graduating from the Finance and Economics University,” Yang Hao replied honestly.
“That’s also good. Education isn’t the only path to success. Like me, I earned my doctorate, and end up just being a teacher on campus!”
Dai Yunfei’s message seemed polite, but it actually betrayed an undeniable arrogance.
Me, a doctor, a university teacher!
Both a doctorate and being a university teacher carry a certain prestige and social status.
So Dai Yunfei felt superior in the presence of Yang Hao, who was merely an ordinary bachelor’s degree graduate.
“Mrs. Yu, I bought two tickets to a ‘Twisted Dough’ stage play. How about we go watch it tonight?”
After getting a sense of Yang Hao’s background, Dai Yunfei turned to Ranran.
“Sorry, Mr. Dai, I have plans tonight.”
Ranran declined decisively.
Dai Yunfei had been pursuing her for quite some time, but Ranran was not interested in this prideful and somewhat conceited man.
He often boasted of his academic credentials and sense of superiority in front of others and was fond of being preachy.
Ranran has always disliked such self-righteous men!
“You have plans?”
Dai Yunfei glanced at Yang Hao instinctively, “With Mr. Yang here?”
“Yes!”
Ranran nodded directly.
“Mrs. Yu, he’s not your boyfriend, is he?”
Dai Yunfei’s eyes widened behind his glasses.
“So what if he is?”
Before Ranran could respond, Yang Hao asked with a laugh.
“Ah, really?!”
Dai Yunfei could almost hear the sound of his heart breaking. He steadied himself, reluctantly looking at Yang Hao, “How can you be Mrs. Yu’s boyfriend?”
“Mrs. Yu is a postgraduate from the Finance and Economics University. The university’s postgraduate degree might not be top-notch, but she wouldn’t be with a mere undergraduate, right?”
Dai Yunfei was not very good with words; in his attempt to belittle Yang Hao, he also managed to put down Ranran.