Chapter 52: The Signing Ceremony

Early Tuesday morning, Bian Xiaoqi informed Gu Zhengyang that Yu Chuan would be waiting for him at the main entrance of T University, suggesting he head there first. She arranged for Huang Qiong to pick up Tian Ge in a Volkswagen Passat. She herself would ride in another Passat to pick up Deputy Director Tian Changhe. They agreed to meet at the T University campus gates at 7:45 AM and proceed together to the university auditorium.

Bian Xiaoqi arrived at Tian Ge's home, greeted her maternal aunt, Dr. Jiang Sulan, picked up her uncle Tian Changhe, and drove toward T University.

Before getting into the car, Tian Changhe smiled and said, "Xiaoqi, Tian Ge and I could have just taken a taxi. Actually, my presence at this signing ceremony isn't strictly necessary."

Bian Xiaoqi smiled and replied, "Uncle, that simply won't do. Without your matchmaking and bridge-building, we could never have reached a cooperation agreement with T University so quickly. Your contribution is immense, and your attendance is mandatory. Today, I am going to pretend I hardly know you and have no idea you are Tian Ge's father. Do you have any objections to that?"

"I have no objections. Today, I am simply here to back you up, to listen rather than speak," Tian Changhe said with a smile, fully understanding Bian Xiaoqi's thoughts.

"Thank you, Uncle. By the way, did Tian Ge mention anything to you about buying a house?"

"As soon as Tian Ge came home on Sunday night, she told us about your suggestion. Her aunt will step forward to handle the arrangements."

"That's wonderful. From now on, Tian Ge and I will be neighbors."

At 7:40 AM, the car arrived at the T University gates. After stepping out, Bian Xiaoqi saw Yu Chuan keeping Gu Zhengyang and Tian Ge company. She introduced Gu Zhengyang and Yu Chuan to Tian Changhe, and then specially introduced Tian Ge, a reporter from the Jinghua Times, to Tian Changhe.

Gu Zhengyang shook Tian Changhe's hands firmly with both of his own, smiling as he said, "Thank you, Director Tian, for bridging the gap between our company and T University, and for taking time out of your busy schedule to personally attend today's signing ceremony."

Tian Changhe smiled in return and said, "Chairman Gu's generous contribution is a truly wonderful and benevolent deed. It is both admirable and worthy of celebration."

Tian Ge chimed in, "Please look at the camera, Director Tian and Chairman Gu." Taking advantage of the moment they turned their heads, she pressed the shutter, capturing a smiling handshake between the two men.

Shortly after, Gu Zhengyang invited Tian Changhe to ride in his car, led by Yu Chuan, heading together to the T University grand auditorium.

At 7:55 AM, Yu Chuan guided Tian Changhe and Gu Zhengyang into the auditorium's reception room to be seated. At precisely 8:00 AM, Yu Chuan escorted Ouyang Hui, Director of the T University Student Affairs Office, and Vice President Fan Aiming into the reception room. Following Yu Chuan's introductions, the hosts and guests shook hands one by one, exchanging polite greetings and pleasantries. Tian Ge and He Peng, a reporter for the T University campus newspaper, searched for optimal shooting angles, promptly capturing photographs of the handshakes and introductions.

Fan Aiming shook Gu Zhengyang's hand and smiled, "Welcome, Chairman Gu, to T University to inspect our work and provide your guidance."

Gu Zhengyang smiled and replied, "President Fan, I wouldn't dare speak of guiding work; I am here to learn."

Bian Xiaoqi was dressed today in a royal blue dress with her long hair draped over her shoulders. Wearing a graceful smile, she stood poised before Fan Aiming. Seeing how young and elegant she was, Fan Aiming could not help taking a second look, smiling as he said, "Director Bian is young and exceptionally talented." Beaming like a spring breeze, Bian Xiaoqi replied with a smile, "Thank you for the compliment, President Fan."

Fan Aiming had known Tian Ge for some time; after shaking hands with Huang Qiong, he smiled and nodded toward Tian Ge, who was busy taking photographs.

The hosts and guests took their seats on opposite sides and began their conversation. Seated in a row of single-person sofas on the left were, in order: Fan Aiming, Tian Changhe, Ouyang Hui, and Yu Chuan. Holding a notebook, Yu Chuan was responsible for taking the minutes. Seated in the row of single-person sofas on the right were, in order: Gu Zhengyang, Bian Xiaoqi, and Huang Qiong. Serving temporarily as Gu Zhengyang's secretary for the day, Huang Qiong also held a notebook.

Fan Aiming briefly introduced T University's departments, faculty, and other basic conditions to Gu Zhengyang. In turn, Gu Zhengyang gave Fan Aiming and Tian Changhe a brief overview of Zhengyang Group's core business and operational status.

Finally, Fan Aiming smiled and said, "Chairman Gu, thank you for your generous contribution, providing scholarships for our students at T University."

Gu Zhengyang smiled and responded, "President Fan, thank you to T University for giving Zhengyang Group this opportunity, allowing me to make a modest contribution to higher education in China. I will continue my donations and gradually expand their scope."

(Two)

At 9:00 AM, Fan Aiming led Gu Zhengyang and Tian Changhe into the T University auditorium.

The auditorium echoed with the cheerful, relaxed, and festive traditional folk melody "Joyful Anhui." The teachers and students seated below the rostrum immediately rose and broke into enthusiastic applause, giving them a warm welcome. Fan Aiming, Gu Zhengyang, and Tian Changhe also smiled and waved to the faculty and students in acknowledgment.

A large red banner hung above the stage, bearing the striking inscription: "Signing Ceremony for the Zhengyang Group Scholarship Donation to T University." Seated on the stage were Vice President Fan Aiming, Deputy Director Tian Changhe, Chairman Gu Zhengyang, Director Ouyang Hui, and Director Bian Xiaoqi. More than two hundred teachers and students were seated in the audience. Tian Ge and He Peng ran back and forth taking pictures.

Director Ouyang Hui hosted the signing ceremony. Standing at the podium on the right side of the stage, she first introduced the four distinguished guests seated on the stage one by one to the assembled faculty and students, and then spoke: "Respected Vice President Fan Aiming and Deputy Director Tian Changhe, respected Chairman Gu Zhengyang and Director Bian Xiaoqi, dear teachers and students, good morning! I am Ouyang Hui, Director of the Student Affairs Office. I hereby declare the signing ceremony of the Zhengyang Group scholarship donation to T University officially open. First, let us invite T University Vice President Fan Aiming to deliver a speech. Please join me in welcoming him with applause."

Following a burst of warm applause, Fan Aiming stepped up to the podium and delivered an extemporaneous speech: "Respected Deputy Director Tian Changhe, respected Chairman Gu Zhengyang and Director Bian Xiaoqi, dear teachers and students, good morning! I am Fan Aiming, Vice President of T University. First, allow me to extend a warm welcome to Mr. Gu Zhengyang, Chairman of Zhengyang Group, for visiting T University, and to express my heartfelt gratitude for his charitable acts and philanthropic heart. I hope our students will live up to Chairman Gu's loving care, study diligently, strive for progress, and become talents useful to the country and society. I wish Zhengyang Group ever-increasing prosperity and growth. I wish for the cooperation between Zhengyang Group and T University to endure long into the future. Thank you all."

After the applause subsided, Ouyang Hui announced, "Next, we invite Mr. Gu Zhengyang, Chairman of Zhengyang Group, to speak. Please welcome him with applause."

Gu Zhengyang strode up to the podium and likewise delivered an off-the-cuff speech: "Respected Vice President Fan Aiming, Deputy Director Tian Changhe, Director Ouyang Hui, dear teachers and students, good morning! I am Gu Zhengyang of Zhengyang Group. To be honest, standing here today facing China's most outstanding students and teachers makes me quite nervous. I haven't had many years of schooling; in your eyes, I might just be an unpolished country bumpkin or a nouveau riche. I don't mind that at all, because I deeply love and respect people who are well-read and educated. Thanks to the nation's great policies of reform and opening up, I was given the opportunity to found Zhengyang Group. Thank you, T University, for giving me this opportunity to do my part in helping students complete their studies. I announce here today that as long as Zhengyang Group exists, and as long as I, Gu Zhengyang, am alive, my donations to T University will never stop. I wish you all academic progress and hope you will all grow up to be useful to our country. Thank you."

Gu Zhengyang's sincere speech, devoid of flowery language, elicited prolonged and continuous applause from both the stage and the audience.

Ouyang Hui continued, "Thank you, Chairman Gu, for your passionate and inspiring speech. Next, we invite Zhengyang Group Chairman Gu Zhengyang and T University Vice President Fan Aiming to exchange the signed contract documents. Please welcome them with applause."

Fan Aiming and Gu Zhengyang first signed the documents before them, exchanged them, and signed again. Afterward, they stood up, shook hands, and smiled toward the faculty, students, and reporters in the audience.

Tian Ge and He Peng hurriedly pressed their camera shutters to record this historic moment for both parties.

(Three)

When the applause died down, Ouyang Hui said, "Next, we invite Ms. Bian Xiaoqi, Sales Director of Zhengyang Real Estate Company, to speak. Please welcome her with applause."

With an air of elegant grace, Bian Xiaoqi stood at the podium, smiling warmly at the teachers and students below. Seeing how young and beautiful she was, the faculty and students of T University immediately quieted down, all eager to hear what she had to say. Parting her lips slightly, Bian Xiaoqi's melodious and standard Mandarin immediately resonated through the auditorium: "Respected Vice President Fan Aiming, respected Deputy Director Tian Changhe, respected Director Ouyang Hui, respected Chairman Gu Zhengyang, dear teachers and students, hello! I am Bian Xiaoqi, Sales Director of Zhengyang Real Estate Company. Thank you, Director Ouyang, for giving me the opportunity to speak on behalf of Zhengyang Group. As we all know, when students are strong, the university is strong; when the university is strong, the country is strong. T University was a university I deeply yearned for during my middle school years, and today, having the privilege to stand here, I am deeply moved. Hearing Chairman Gu Zhengyang's heartfelt words from our Zhengyang Group just now has moved me even more profoundly. Chairman Gu modestly called himself a nouveau riche; I believe he is a nouveau riche with deep sentiments and a social conscience. If China had more nouveau riches like Chairman Gu who are willing to give so generously, how could our universities ever fear not being strong? How could our society ever fear lacking harmony? How could our country ever fear not growing prosperous? Therefore, I wish to express my utmost respect for Chairman Gu's grand philanthropic sentiment toward society." Feeling that Bian Xiaoqi had articulated their own sentiments, the teachers and students in the audience responded with warm applause.

Smiling as she swept her gaze across the faculty and students in the audience, Bian Xiaoqi suddenly caught sight of a familiar face sitting in the front row. The person was staring right at her, clapping vigorously with a face full of excitement. It was Qin Yan. She had been chosen by her counselor to attend today's signing ceremony. Maintaining her composure, Bian Xiaoqi nodded slightly toward Qin Yan and continued, "Next, on behalf of Chairman Gu Zhengyang, I will present the four major decisions of Zhengyang Group to our teachers and students."

First, the implementation plan for the Zhengyang Group Scholarship at T University.

Zhengyang Group rewards T University students of outstanding character and academic performance, but does not participate in the selection process, fully respecting T University's independent evaluation rules and procedures. The scholarship coverage includes newly enrolled first-year undergraduate students this year. The proportion of recipients will be maintained at around 10%. The award levels, amounts, and numbers of recipients are categorized as follows: Special Prize of 4,000 RMB for 5 recipients; First Prize of 2,000 RMB for 25 recipients; Second Prize of 1,000 RMB for 75 recipients; Third Prize of 500 RMB for 150 recipients, totaling 255 recipients. The scholarship will be distributed once per academic year for four consecutive years, until this cohort of undergraduates graduates.

Second, the implementation plan for the Zhengyang Group Financial Aid Program for Underprivileged Students at T University.

Zhengyang Group is willing to help financially disadvantaged students complete their studies so that financial hardship does not become a burden on their education. The financial aid coverage includes newly enrolled first-year undergraduate students this year. The aid amount is 1,000 RMB per student per academic year, with the number of recipients temporarily set at 100. Once T University selects the candidates independently, fairly, and transparently, the list of disadvantaged students will be reported to Zhengyang Group.

Third, the preferential pricing policy for T University faculty members purchasing new properties developed by Zhengyang Real Estate Company.

Chairman Gu Zhengyang often says that one must settle down before one can work with contentment. To this end, Zhengyang Real Estate Company has introduced a preferential housing purchase policy for university teachers: the eligible personnel include all currently employed faculty members holding a T University work ID and teacher qualification certificate; the properties include all pre-sale new real estate projects by Zhengyang Real Estate Company; and the preferential discount is 2% off the unit price per square meter.

Dear teachers, the business of Zhengyang Real Estate Company is already flourishing in the capital. Quality is the goal we consistently pursue, and we will unremittingly ensure the quality of our homes. Qinghe Garden Phase I is a pre-sale residential project scheduled for delivery around May Day next year. Following that, Qinghe Garden Phases II and III will be launched sequentially. Our company aims to build Qinghe Garden into a community ideal for living, walking, shopping, and schooling. The sales office is currently open from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and from 9:00 AM to midnight during the National Day holiday. Teachers are warmly welcome to visit the site for tours and consultations.

Fourth, the Zhengyang Group Talent Recruitment Plan.

Currently rooted in coal production and real estate development, Zhengyang Group will venture into the technology sector in the future. This diversified development will provide even more employment opportunities. As long as they are graduates of T University, Zhengyang Group welcomes them unconditionally, with superior compensation packages. We warmly invite students to join Zhengyang Group and grow and develop together with us.

Speaking entirely without notes, Bian Xiaoqi articulated Zhengyang Group's four major decisions and plans to the teachers and students in one breath. With her extraordinary memory, quick thinking, clear logic, and fluent expression, she displayed a maturity and poise well beyond her years. As soon as her speech concluded, warm applause immediately echoed through the auditorium once more.

Fan Aiming and Tian Changhe exchanged glances, both secretly praising Bian Xiaoqi in their hearts. Gu Zhengyang was even more deeply impressed. Bian Xiaoqi's outstanding eloquence and impeccable demeanor had not only touched the leaders on the stage but had captivated everyone in the auditorium, all of whom clapped heartily for her.

During Bian Xiaoqi's speech, Tian Ge took numerous close-up photographs of her from various angles, giving her an occasional thumbs-up.

Returning to her seat on the stage, Bian Xiaoqi whispered a few words to Gu Zhengyang beside her, causing him to nod repeatedly. Holding a slip of paper on which she had just jotted down a line of text, she walked briskly to Fan Aiming's side, leaned over, and whispered a few words to him. Fan Aiming nodded with a smile and handed Bian Xiaoqi's note to Ouyang Hui sitting beside him. Upon reading the note's contents, Ouyang Hui grasped Bian Xiaoqi's intention immediately, walked up to the podium, and announced, "Thank you, Chairman Gu Zhengyang, for your generous contribution, and thank you, Director Bian Xiaoqi, for your wonderful speech. I declare the signing ceremony for the Zhengyang Group scholarship donation to T University successfully concluded. Thank you all. Please ask students Hel Junhao and Qin Yan, alongside faculty members Lu Hongwei and Liang Wenyan, to remain behind."

(Four)

The faculty and students in the audience began filing out of the auditorium. Bian Xiaoqi walked briskly down from the stage toward the four individuals whom Ouyang Hui had asked to stay. Yu Chuan and Huang Qiong arrived promptly as well. Consulting the roster of attending faculty and students, Yu Chuan introduced the four individuals to Bian Xiaoqi: "Director Bian, Teacher Liang Wenyan is from the School of Economics and Management; Teacher Lu Hongwei is from the Department of Electronic Engineering; student Qin Yan is from the Department of Computer Science; and student He Junhao is from the Department of Civil Engineering."

Both Liang Wenyan and Lu Hongwei were young, in their early thirties. Bian Xiaoqi shook hands and exchanged greetings with the two teachers and two students, smiling as she said, "Teachers Liang and Lu, I would love to hear your opinions on our company's newly introduced housing purchase preferential policy for faculty. Students Qin Yan and He Junhao, I would also like to hear your thoughts on our company's scholarship and financial aid programs."

Liang Wenyan smiled and said, "Director Bian, currently the salaries of university faculty are generally not very high, and the university has limited housing available for married teachers, so many faculty members have a desire to buy their own homes. Your company's preferential policy is truly a timely rain; teachers will likely go visit the properties in the near future."

Lu Hongwei added, "We younger teachers care a lot about the environment around the residential community. We hope your company can, as Director Bian mentioned, ensure the quality of the homes while improving the surrounding supporting facilities as soon as possible. Of course, the preferential price is also a strong temptation for the teachers."

Bian Xiaoqi smiled and nodded, saying, "Thank you both for your constructive suggestions. We will definitely build high-quality homes and provide premium pre-sale and after-sale services." With that, she turned her gaze to the two students, Qin Yan and He Junhao.

He Junhao spoke up eagerly, "Director Bian, thank you to Zhengyang Group for providing scholarships to us college students. If the scholarship amount could be a bit higher and the coverage a bit wider, it would be even better."

Seeing Bian Xiaoqi looking at her with a smile, Qin Yan had many things she wanted to say to her. Knowing that this was not the right time for a deep conversation between the two "sisters," she suppressed her inner excitement and smiled, saying, "Director Bian, thank you to Zhengyang Group for helping the disadvantaged students in our school. There are quite a few students from impoverished families around me, and I feel that a quota of 100 people might be a bit too small."

After listening to the feedback from both students, Bian Xiaoqi smiled and said, "Student He, the scholarship plan for the first phase has already been finalized. We will thoughtfully consider increasing the amounts and expanding the coverage in the next phase of the scholarship plan, and we certainly will not let the students down. Student Qin, we will expand the distribution scope of financial aid for disadvantaged students based on actual circumstances. Please convey to your fellow students that Zhengyang Group will never let poverty become an obstacle on their path to pursuing knowledge. Thank you both for your suggestions."

Afterward, Bian Xiaoqi asked for the contact information of all four individuals, gave them her mobile phone number, and told them to contact her directly if they needed anything. Qin Yan immediately understood Bian Xiaoqi's intent, noted down her phone number, and wrote her dormitory building number and room number on a slip of paper, handing it to Bian Xiaoqi.

Bidding farewell to the four of them, Bian Xiaoqi accompanied Fan Aiming, Tian Changhe, Ouyang Hui, and Gu Zhengyang out of the auditorium.

Tian Ge asked the five of them to stand on the steps in front of the auditorium entrance to take a group photo as a memento.