Chapter 417 - 430: Meeting
Xiao Yan was a flurry of activity. She was anxious, but she made no mistakes. All else aside, she was undeniably a capable person.
Once Xiao Yan had organized the necessary materials, she set off for Beijing University with her staff.
In that era, a Hong Kong entrepreneur coming to invest was akin to a major diplomatic event. Xiao Yan had to be on high alert and receive them with the utmost professionalism.
At the same time, the principal of Beijing University and a crowd of university staff were also waiting for the Hong Kong entrepreneur’s arrival. He wracked his brain but simply couldn’t figure out the connection between Beijing University and this investor.
’Could it be a former student?’
’That’s likely the only explanation.’
Regardless, the principal and his entourage took the matter very seriously. Dressed impeccably, they gathered with Xiao Yan’s group at the university gates.
This was the first time the principal and Xiao Yan had met formally, though they had already clashed in private a few times over the past few days.
"Hello, Principal Luo. We’ll need your full cooperation with our work."
"We will certainly provide any necessary cooperation."
Xiao Yan naturally understood the subtext in Principal Luo’s words, but she didn’t dare say anything more at a time like this. She simply offered her thanks.
The two stood at the university gates, maintaining a fragile peace as they awaited the Hong Kong entrepreneur who was coming to invest in Beijing.
They both kept glancing at their watches. It was still nearly half an hour until the scheduled meeting time.
About ten minutes later, two black sedans approached from the south. At the gate, Principal Luo and Xiao Yan instantly became fully alert, inching forward and craning their necks in anticipation.
The black sedan pulled to a smooth stop at the university gate. The front passenger door opened first, and a man in a crisp suit with the air of a professional elite stepped out.
He walked around the car and opened the rear door. A man Xiao Yan recognized stepped out.
"Leader Li, hello."
Xiao Yan stepped forward to greet him. The refined man called Leader Li, dressed in an old-fashioned gray suit, nodded at her. "Xiao Yan, you’re here. Mr. Jiang is in the car behind us."
The man known as Leader Li was not familiar with Xiao Yan. If Mr. Jiang hadn’t specifically requested her to be his host, a person like Xiao Yan—aside from the prestige of the Xiao Family—would truly not be worthy of his notice.
Leader Li was also quite curious, though. ’What exactly is the relationship between Xiao Yan and Mr. Jiang?’
The subject of much speculation, Xiao Yan walked respectfully to the second sedan and reached out to open the door.
"Mr. Jiang... please."
Xiao Yan bowed slightly as she opened the door. The first thing she saw was a pair of leather shoes polished to a mirror shine, gray knit socks, and the cuffs of trousers made from high-quality fabric.
"Ms. Xiao Yan?"
The voice was much younger than Xiao Yan had anticipated, causing her to take a step back. Holding the door open, she replied, "Yes, that’s me. Welcome, Mr. Jiang."
Mr. Jiang turned, rose from his seat, and stepped out of the car, coming face-to-face with Xiao Yan for the first time.
His youthful face held a faint, almost imperceptible familiarity that made Xiao Yan’s heart clench for no reason.
’Mr. Jiang... he’s unexpectedly young.’
"Mr. Jiang, come, let me make some introductions."
Leader Li from the first car walked over personally to begin the introductions for Mr. Jiang.
"This is Principal Luo of Beijing University..."
Mr. Jiang, wearing a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, bowed his upper body slightly in a gesture of humility and respect as he shook hands with Principal Luo.
"I’ve heard so much about you, Principal Luo."
"You’re too kind. The honor is all ours." The two shook hands, exchanging pleasantries.
The moment Principal Luo saw Mr. Jiang, he immediately dismissed his theory that the investor was a former student.
’He’s the wrong age for that.’
Even though Mr. Jiang was dressed maturely, he was clearly not very old.
"Mr. Jiang, this is Ms. Xiao Yan. You probably know of her."
As Leader Li made the introduction, Mr. Jiang turned to Xiao Yan and said, "I have long heard of your reputation, Ms. Xiao Yan. It is a pleasure to finally meet you today."
Xiao Yan froze for a moment. ’I really don’t understand,’ she thought. ’What connection could I possibly have with this Mr. Jiang?’
Mr. Jiang didn’t elaborate. He turned back to Principal Luo and struck up a lively conversation. A truly knowledgeable person can always find the right words for any audience.
And Mr. Jiang was exactly such a person.
He suggested a tour of the campus, and of course, no one in the entourage objected.
Someone led the way, with Principal Luo accompanying Mr. Jiang. As for Xiao Yan, the designated hostess, she trailed silently behind them like an attendant.
The procession was certainly a conspicuous sight on the Beijing University campus, drawing countless stares.
Along the way, Mr. Jiang asked many questions. The conversation eventually drifted to the mathematics department and this year’s top scorer on the college entrance exam.
"Principal Luo, would it be possible for you to take me to the mathematics department?"
"Of course. This way, please."
Principal Luo led the way, the fog of confusion in his mind growing ever thicker. Yet, he had a feeling that he was just about to break through it.
’The mathematics department? An Ning?’
For some reason, Principal Luo’s thoughts turned to An Ning.
Lately, it seemed everything could be traced back to An Ning in some small way.
As the group walked and talked, Mr. Jiang pointed casually. "I think a library should be built over there. What do you think, Principal?"
’What did he think? It was the best idea he’d heard all day!’
"Thank you for your generous donation, Mr. Jiang."
And just like that, a new library was decided upon.
"Don’t thank me. It’s only right that I contribute to my own alma mater."
’Alma mater?’
Principal Luo had finally found his opening. He quickly asked, "Which graduating class were you in, Mr. Jiang?"
"This one."
"Jiang Xia!"
The familiar shout made Mr. Jiang—that is, Jiang Xia—break into a brilliant and genuine smile.
He raised his arm high, waving to An Ning, who was just walking out of her classroom as class let out.
"An Ning!"
An Ning and Zhou Xiaoshan ran toward Jiang Xia, who was dressed to the nines in a suit.
At that exact moment, the fog in Principal Luo’s mind cleared, as if the sun had broken through the clouds, revealing a vast, clear sky.
’So that’s what this is all about!’
’Mr. Jiang is Jiang Xia. And Jiang Xia’s connection to Xiao Yan...?’
Principal Luo couldn’t resist glancing back. It was as if an earthquake was erupting in Xiao Yan’s eyes. She stared at the man in front of her—Mr. Jiang, or rather, Jiang Xia—in utter disbelief, refusing to accept what she was seeing.
Even in that moment, Xiao Yan thought, ’That good-for-nothing Jiang Dongcheng! He swore he had taken care of everything! So what the hell is this Jiang Xia doing here?!’
After her initial shock and fury, Xiao Yan gradually calmed herself. Whatever the reason, Jiang Xia, in his capacity as a Hong Kong investor, was no longer someone she could touch.
Xiao Yan looked at the radiant Jiang Xia and thought of her own son, Jiang Xia. Her heart filled with jealousy, resentment, and she even cursed the heavens for their unfairness.
’That bitch Xia Qiushuang... still causing trouble for me even from the grave!’
"Jiang Xia, you’re finally here."
An Ning stood before Jiang Xia and subtly checked his injury. It seemed to be healing well.
"Yeah, a few things held me up for a couple of days."
After saying this, Jiang Xia turned to Principal Luo and bowed respectfully.
"Principal Luo, I’m a few days late to register. I hope it’s not too late to enroll?"