What niece? Du Zhaohui had no patience to meet anyone else!
Xia Dajun never mentioned a niece – he wanted Xia Xiaolan to come to Hong Kong. It was natural for someone to think of their children when good fortune came their way. Even Du Chengrong didn’t treat his nephews better than his sons.
Du Zhaohui wanted to make money in mainland China. He was assessing the mainland, not looking down on it… but the reality was that even the best cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Yangcheng still lagged behind Hong Kong.
Moving from the mainland to Hong Kong should be many people’s aspiration, second only to going abroad.
“You might not fully understand your father’s injuries—”
“Excuse me, but what exactly caused his injury?”
Mentions of Xia Dajun easily triggered negative emotions. Though Xia Xiaolan always considered herself polite, when emotions rose, she disregarded courtesy and directly interrupted the young Hong Kong businessman.
After she’d expressed her unwillingness, since he didn’t consider her feelings and just continued, she saw no need to keep accommodating him.
If she hadn’t known this young man was donating to Huaqing University, thinking of the college’s interests, she would have walked out long ago!
Du Zhaohui had wanted to say that Xia Xiaolan didn’t understand Xia Dajun’s injuries or his background – Chengrong Group wasn’t some small company.
But Xia Xiaolan interrupted him and asked a question he couldn’t avoid.
“Well, actually, he was working as my bodyguard, and he was injured while protecting me.”
A bodyguard?
Xia Dajun did have brute strength, so that wasn’t surprising.
Making his way from Yunan Province to Hong Kong was quite inspirational – from farmer to becoming an affluent young master’s attendant, even saving the young master’s life. As long as he didn’t mess up the rest of his life, he shouldn’t live too poorly.
“Since he was injured saving you, it’s right that you cover his treatment costs. But whether you’re trying to move yourself or impress others, repaying this debt is your business – you shouldn’t force others’ wishes. I don’t want to go to Hong Kong, and I hope you won’t connect this matter to the donation… Comrade Xia Dajun and I only share a biological relationship. Within legal requirements, I will pay filial support, but I cannot provide anything beyond that.”
Xia Xiaolan was completely beyond Du Zhaohui’s expectations.
Not just her appearance, but also her clear logic and decisiveness when speaking. No one would doubt her intelligence – she was a girl with a soft appearance but an iron will.
She was different from those beautiful but empty-headed starlets Du Zhaohui had dated before, many of whom had only finished middle school before entering the entertainment industry to support their families. While they could shop, Du Zhaohui never discussed serious matters with them.
Xia Xiaolan was different.
She didn’t hide her poor and distant relationship with Xia Dajun, bluntly telling Du Zhaohui she wouldn’t go to Hong Kong!
Du Zhaohui could tell Xia Xiaolan wasn’t joking – this girl didn’t care about Hong Kong residency. She probably knew how beautiful she was, and with such a face, many things would come easily. While it might not show special advantages on the mainland, in Hong Kong’s world of fame and fortune, it would be an excellent stepping stone.
Du Zhaohui couldn’t bear to see such a pearl hidden in dust and sincerely advised:
“Even if you won’t go to Hong Kong for your father, I suggest you try your luck there. If you change your mind, you can find me.”
Du Zhaohui gave Xia Xiaolan his business card.
The young master had his pride – no matter how beautiful Xia Xiaolan was, Du Zhaohui wouldn’t debase himself in public.
This was Huaqing University after all, and Du Zhaohui regained his rationality.
He was here to donate money, to pave the way for Chengrong Group’s future mainland development. If Xia Xiaolan didn’t want to go to Hong Kong, he couldn’t possibly kidnap her!
Xia Xiaolan had intended to throw away the card, but looking down she saw “Chengrong Group, Du Zhaohui.”
Chengrong Group – what a coincidence!
“You’re from Hong Kong’s Du family.”
Du Zhaohui hadn’t expected Xia Xiaolan to know of Chengrong Group, as due to information barriers, mainland people rarely knew about Hong Kong companies.
Now that she knew about Chengrong Group, things should be easier, Du Zhaohui thought. He wanted to ask if Xia Xiaolan regretted her decision but saw her walking out of the office with his card.
The guide came in, followed by the school administrators.
“How did your talk with student Xia Xiaolan go?”
“Oh, fine. I was just delivering a message. Sorry for the trouble… By the way, I’d like to donate 3 million yuan to Huaqing University. What procedures are needed?”
Three million wasn’t a small sum.
For Du Zhaohui, it was the price of a car.
The administrative office director expressed his excitement, “The procedures are simple. Does Mr. Du have any specific purpose for this donation?”
Du Zhaohui knew people at Huaqing, like student Xia Xiaolan just now. In case Du Zhaohui wanted to donate specifically to the Architecture Department, they needed to clarify.
Du Zhaohui had initially thought about building a building, but 3 million was too tight for that. After being rebuffed by Xia Xiaolan, Du Zhaohui changed his mind:
“Scholarships – I’d like to establish a scholarship fund in Chengrong Group’s name at Huaqing. Would that be possible?”
Scholarships?
The school already gave students scholarships.
With 3 million in the bank, the fixed-term interest rate was 8.28%, calculating 240,000 yuan in annual interest.
240,000 was quite useful. The ’84 undergraduate freshman class had fewer than 2,200 students. Even calculating with 2,200 students, the 240,000 interest could provide each freshman with 109 yuan in “scholarships” per year, though of course not every student would receive a scholarship. Expanding to the whole school, Du Zhaohui’s 3 million yuan donation could cover all Huaqing students.
Not knowing how the fund would operate, the administrative office director couldn’t make this decision – it had to be handled by higher school leadership.
…
Xia Xiaolan didn’t regret refusing Du Zhaohui’s Hong Kong conditions.
Only upon receiving his card did she realize Du Zhaohui was from Chengrong Group.
Liu Tianquan was also from the Chengrong Group. Given Du Zhaohui’s surname and age, there was an 80% chance he was who Pan San mentioned – Du Chengrong’s eldest son!
The one whose mother died, the young master who could withstand the attacks from Du Chengrong’s several concubines?
Brother Pan San said Du Chengrong favored this eldest son most. Xia Xiaolan couldn’t tell how powerful Du Zhaohui was at the first meeting, but she was surprised that Xia Dajun had attached himself to Du Zhaohui… The Du family was semi-legitimate, semi-underground.
Liu Tianquan had conflicts with Xia Xiaolan and Liu Yong, and logically Liu Tianquan and Du Zhaohui should naturally be at odds – enemies of enemies should be friends.
However, between her and this young master Du, with Xia Dajun standing between them, friendship would be difficult – of course, she and this group heir had no basis for friendship anyway. Her entire net worth probably couldn’t cover Du Zhaohui’s monthly living expenses.
Xia Xiaolan crumpled the business card into a ball, initially wanting to throw it away, but reluctantly keeping it instead.