Yi Jiahui didn’t immediately understand what Gu Bai meant.
"Do you have cash on you?"
"Yes, yes, but not much... only a few hundred..."
"Go ask if they have any, gather all the cash together."
Following Gu Bai’s instructions, Yi Jiahui hurried back to the door, conveyed Gu Bai’s words to a few lawyers standing there, and two minutes later, Yi Jiahui returned with a stack of cash in hand.
"Chairman Gu, altogether we only managed to gather less than 6,000 yuan."
They were accustomed to the convenience of mobile payments and rarely carried cash, but considering Xuyong County’s remoteness, where mobile payment might not be as practical as cash, they had exchanged some cash to carry on them.
Taking the 6,000 yuan from Yi Jiahui’s hand, Gu Bai handed it to Jin Shulin.
"Principal Jin, I just came to understand the situation and didn’t prepare much money. Please accept this 6,000 yuan for now. I promise our foundation will send the donation over in the next couple of days!"
Looking at the bright red currency in front of him, Jin Shulin’s hand trembled, reaching out slowly, then pulling back.
"Chairman Gu, I can’t accept this money..."
Gu Bai’s tone was full of confusion.
"I’m a principal and a teacher, and it’s not just a job, but a responsibility. I don’t have the right to accept money on behalf of the children in my private capacity. If possible, I want to accept these funds in front of the entire school community."
"It’s just 6,000 yuan; with this money, you can buy some stationery for the children. In a few days, after we’ve raised more funds, we’ll send donations to every school in Xuyong County that needs help."
"You might think I’m stubborn... but this is my last line as a teacher, and I hope Chairman Gu can understand."
Gu Bai was a bit angry.
Was Jin Shulin’s behavior pedantic? Yes, it was.
But this pedantry seemed so endearing. Perhaps it was precisely because of this pedantry that he had been able to persevere for more than twenty years. If a person doesn’t have a stubborn bottom line, then there can be no talk of perseverance.
"Then I won’t this 6,000 yuan."
Upon hearing Gu Bai’s words, a deep disappointment flashed across Jin Shulin’s eyes. This 6,000 yuan might not even be enough for a meal to Gu Bai, but it could provide numerous hearty lunches for these dozens of students or be used to replace a batch of new learning supplies. It’s even his year’s salary! But he has no regrets. If he let go of his bottom line, the next time he faced such donations, he might not resist the temptation to take some for himself to improve his living conditions. The bottom line is always slowly lowering.
"Assistant Yi, call Zhuang Kexin and have him arrange for a batch of living and learning supplies locally in Xuyong County. There’s only one requirement: it must be delivered by tonight!"
Upon hearing Gu Bai’s instruction, Yi Jiahui quickly dialed Zhuang Kexin’s number.
"Since Principal Jin is unwilling to accept money, I’ll help you in another way. After all, the money would be used to buy these things, so I’m helping you avoid the hassle in between."
Looking at Gu Bai’s delicate face, tears welled up in Jin Shulin’s cloudy eyes.
"On behalf of the children, I thank Chairman Gu..."
After saying that, he dragged his weary body to stand up and bow in thanks to Gu Bai.
Gu Bai quickly reached out to stop him: "Principal Jin, no one in this world can endure such a bow from you. Neither others nor I deserve it; just call me Gu Bai. I’m still just a university student. If you like, you can consider me your student."
At this moment, Gu Bai didn’t know how to describe himself.
He was still the old Gu Bai, selfish and self-serving.
But he still retained his initial humanity, applauding for the good, being moved by kindness. He thought he was the so-called Divine Rich that the system mentioned. It wasn’t until then that he realized he was just an ordinary person with a little more money. It was already commendable not to lose oneself to the lure of money. Read full story at 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹~𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮~𝚗𝚎𝚝
It seemed to be a manually rung lunch bell. A few seconds later, a group of children’s voices called out in imperfect Mandarin, "Goodbye, teacher!" The school, originally somewhat quiet, became a bit noisy.
Jin Shulin said with a smile, "Yes, it’s noon, and we provide a lunch at our school every day. It’s always these volunteer teachers taking turns to cook.
Gu Bai, you probably haven’t eaten yet, right? If you don’t mind, how about having a meal with us and getting close to these children?"
"Sure, I haven’t eaten anything today, so I’ll shamelessly share a meal here."
"It’s not a big deal. Our school meals are quite coarse. I just worry that people from the big city like you might not be used to it."
"But, Principal Jin, you’re from Kyoto too, a big city, yet you’ve been eating here for so many years. Why wouldn’t we get used to it?"
Jin Shulin laughed warmly, "I’m different. I’ve been here for over twenty years. To me, this place is more of a hometown than Kyoto."
Jin Shulin’s face was filled with stories, but Gu Bai, being very tactful, didn’t inquire further. While Jin was not paying attention, he slipped the 6,000 yuan under a pile of papers on the desk and then helped him out of the so-called "principal’s office."