Just then, a knock came on the door, and a school employee poked his head inside. “Principal, the director wants you to attend a meeting.”
Principal Kong frowned and waved his hand. “Go, go. Tell them to hold the meeting by themselves. I’m in the middle of something very important.”
How could he bother with some meeting when a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was right in front of him?
No one had ever volunteered such a generous donation before. A brand-new library was sure to give the students a renewed motivation to study and learn new things. Not to mention, it would also add to the school’s overall standing in the academe, if only a little.
This was going to affect No. 1 High Schoolon a grand scale, so he couldn’t afford to take this offer lightly.
Principal Kong put on his glasses and peered at the documents asCheng Zhouhelped himself to the chair across the desk.
When he got to a certain line, his heart jumped to his throat. “Young Master Cheng!” he cried out, staring at the young man. “This proposal is an unconditional donation?”
Unconditional donation! This was truly unprecedented.
Everyone who had pledged something to the school thus far had always asked for a favor in return. Most of them wanted to get their child admitted into No. 1 High School, while the others demanded that their kids be transferred to the best classes, or given the best resources.
No one had ever challenged the practice, because why would these rich parents spend so much on a donation if not to meet their own self-interests?
Principal Kong wanted to leap in joy at the gold mine that had landed on his lap, but he couldn’t help the sliver of doubt that crept at the back of his mind.
Unfazed, Cheng Zhounodded and smiled. He looked every bit like an upper-crust elite doling out favors to the less privileged.
“The construction of the library will be taken care of by the Cheng family, no strings attached. In addition to that, we would also like to set up an award program in the school. The aim is to motivate everyone with their studies, so we intend for the program to be open to all the students, regardless of their year and class number.”
And then he took out another folder and handed it to Principal Kong.
“The Cheng familyis also planning to grant scholarships to the top students ofNo. 1 High School. We will eventually extend the program to other schools in the city, but yours will be our starting point. Of course, the scholars will have to go through a strict screening. If the national exams are difficult, then you can expect the scholarship test to be even more so.”
It was clear that he had already planned everything, down to the last detail.
He was sure that No. 1 High Schoolwould never let this opportunity pass.
“All right.” Principal Kongbeamed.
He walked around the desks and returned the files to Cheng Zhouwithout reading through everything. “Do you have any other requests, Young Master Cheng?”
Cheng Zhou appeared to ponder this for a moment before slowly saying, “I want to come by and supervise the construction whenever I can. I suppose I need a place to stay inside the campus.”
“That wouldn’t be a problem!” Principal Kongsaid almost immediately. “I shall open an office for you in the Teachers’ Building. Not only that, but I will also provide you with a private apartment in the school’s family courtyard. You can come and go as you please. What do you think?”
Cheng Zhou nodded his head in satisfaction. “Those arrangements will do.”
With this, he could pop up at No. 1 High Schoolwithout having to explain himself.
It would also give him more chances to run into Yao Tangand interact with her.
Everything was going according to plan.
“Why don’t you stay and have lunch with me, Young Master Cheng?” Principal Kongoffered.
It was the least he could do as a host. Besides, if Cheng Zhouwere to be on the campus often, he might as well start getting used to the food in the school cafeteria.
Unexpectedly, the young man smiled and was very keen on the idea.
“Yes, please,” Cheng Zhoureplied eagerly.
Principal Kong escorted him towards the cafeteria.
A buzz went around the students as the pair walked through the hallways, the older girls more enthused than most. They stared at Cheng Zhouand assumed that he was another transfer student, only to realize that it was their principal by his side.
“I wonder if he’s a new teacher… He’s so gorgeous!”
“No, I don’t think he’s a mere teacher. Look at how Principal Kongis overly polite to him. He must be an important guest.”
“Well, whatever. I have a new crush! If I had a boyfriend like that, I would be set for life!”
“It would be great if he visited often. Maybe we could even strike a conversation and ask for his number. He doesn’t look that old. He would make a perfect boyfriend, indeed!”
