When Gu Bai saw Sheng Lishan downstairs at the administrative building, he hurriedly came up to greet him and then said to the people behind him, "This is Mr. Gu, and he will be your office’s service client. From now on, anything related to him, whether public or private, must be handled perfectly!"
A total of seven people, two men and five women, all respectfully greeted Gu Bai. The passing students and teachers at the administrative building all cast curious glances.
"Mr. Gu, these are the members of the service office that Chairman Ge mentioned to you yesterday. Our Construction Bank’s Shanghai Branch set them up specially for you. Feel free to instruct them for any matter you need to be addressed; within their work scope, your matters take precedence over our bank’s."
Gu Bai nodded slightly at them, which was considered a greeting.
"Director Sheng, shall we head over first then?"
Hearing this, Gu Bai did not stand on ceremony and headed straight to the department director’s office.
"Knock, knock, knock."
Gu Bai stood at the door and knocked.
Upon hearing Lu Ang’s voice, Gu Bai pushed open the door and entered with Sheng Lishan, while the others obediently waited at the door. A big group of people rushing in at once might scare the host.
Lu Ang looked up, saw the handsome face before him, and smiled warmly, "It’s Gu Bai. I heard from your counselor that you went to Europe. Back so soon?"
"There’s nothing to linger in Europe for. I came back after handling my affairs."
Smiling, Gu Bai replied while introducing Sheng Lishan to Lu Ang.
"Director Lu, this is Sheng Lishan, the Director of the Shanghai Branch of the Construction Bank and also my private client manager. As you might recall, I mentioned donating 5 million to the school. Things got busy, so it wasn’t finalized. Today, I especially invited Director Sheng to the school to coordinate, as a gesture of my intent to contribute a bit to the school."
After hearing the introduction, Lu Ang smiled and stood up to shake hands with Sheng Lishan.
Looking back at Gu Bai, Lu Ang’s expression of importance intensified again.
As a renowned director in the film industry and a department head at Shanghai Theatre Academy, Lu Ang knew many influential figures, but he had never heard of a bank sending their director to be someone’s client manager.
But it’s understandable; how could he know that Gu Bai had deposited 20 billion Euros in the Construction Bank?
Having Sheng Lishan here was Gu Bai’s strategy to elevate his stature among the leadership at the Shanghai Theatre Academy.
After shaking hands with Sheng Lishan, Lu Ang also pretended to be angry and said, "What’s the rush with the donation? I reported this to the dean, and he insists on holding a donation ceremony to showcase the school’s appreciation for the contribution!"
Gu Bai hurriedly responded, "There’s no need for such trouble. Being able to make a small contribution to the school as a student already makes me very happy."
Lu Ang interrupted Gu Bai.
"Telling me won’t help. Since Director Sheng is here, let’s go straight to the dean’s office, and you can tell him face-to-face."
With that, Lu Ang walked out from his desk, and Gu Bai could only helplessly shake his head, taking Sheng Lishan with him to the dean’s office with Lu Ang.
A few minutes later, in the dean’s office, Lu Ang laughingly introduced Gu Bai to the Dean of Shanghai Theatre Academy, Wu Changyong.
"Dean, this is Gu Bai from our directing department, whom I mentioned to you before."
Wu Changyong, a well-dressed man in his fifties with glasses, looked somewhat similar to Lu Ang but with more hair.
Seeing Wu Changyong look at him, Gu Bai immediately greeted him.
Wu Changyong nodded, smilingly saying, "No need to be formal, please have a seat."
Hearing this, Gu Bai and the others found seats and sat down.
After Lu Ang explained the purpose of their visit, Wu Changyong said, "Gu Bai, I first thank you on behalf of the school for your kind intentions. However, the private donation you mentioned, as the dean, I cannot agree to.
After all, a donation of 5 million is no small amount, and the school needs to demonstrate its sincerity. On another note, it’s also my personal thought that holding a donation ceremony to publicly announce it could also enhance the school’s image externally."
Gu Bai could understand this. Previously, he didn’t want to engage in flashy formalities because he preferred avoiding trouble. However, now that he had system tasks, holding a donation ceremony could enhance his reputation value a bit, though not much — but as they say, "a mosquito is still meat." So he sat upright: "I initially intended to 5 million to the school, but I reconsidered on my way here and changed my mind."
Upon hearing this, not only was Sheng Lishan dumbfounded.
Even Lu Ang and Wu Changyong looked at Gu Bai with unusual expressions.
Particularly Lu Ang, who almost sprang from his chair. Knowing Gu Bai was someone he brought along, if Gu Bai played tricks on them, how could he, as a department head, still lift his head before the principal?
In such a setting, Gu Bai didn’t dare pause for dramatic effect and immediately continued, "Please don’t misunderstand, Dean. I don’t mean not to ; I just plan to adopt a different method."
"Oh? What method does Gu Bai have in mind?"
Wu Changyong looked at Gu Bai with a puzzled expression.
"As a student, the school is akin to my second home. I am aware of the circumstances. Since we are an art institution, much of the knowledge cannot be conveyed through books, making multimedia classrooms immensely important. Yet, our school has a shortage of them. Some mandatory public courses require students from several departments to squeeze together, and even then, space is inadequate.
Therefore, I plan to a teaching building to the school in my name, constructed to the highest domestic university standards! Furthermore, I will cover the costs of subsequent teaching equipment myself." For origınal chapters go to 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝙣𝙚𝙩
Hearing this, Wu Changyong’s expression couldn’t remain composed, and he asked with some surprise, "Is it true, what Gu Bai says?"
The cost of a teaching building wouldn’t be too high, especially since their school already had the land. But to cover all educational equipment costs as Gu Bai proposed meant a considerable amount, potentially not less than several million.
"Of course it’s true. Would I dare make boastful claims before the dean?"
"Has Gu Bai received your family’s consent for the donation?"
Still a student, Wu Changyong couldn’t help but ask.
Gu Bai smiled, replying, "You overthink, Dean. The entire donation amount is at my full discretion. Moreover, I believe even if my parents knew, they would surely support my efforts to contribute to the school within my capability."
Hearing Gu Bai’s words, Wu Changyong’s chubby face beamed with a smile akin to a blooming chrysanthemum.
"Having Gu Bai at our Shanghai Theatre Academy is indeed a blessing for the entire institution!"