Returning wealthy individuals develop their hometowns and become rich in the 1980s

When Chen Zaiguang heard Director Li talk about the topic of his daughter Chen Huiqin's essay, the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily. No wonder his second son Chen Rongjie said that if he wrote this essay, he could also win an award. So that's what he meant.

Chen Zaiguang followed Director Li toward the teaching building. Along the way, the teachers they encountered stopped and nodded with smiles. Several young teachers even secretly glanced at the Mercedes-Benz parked downstairs and whispered among themselves.

"Is this Chen Huiqin's father from Class 3, Grade 11?"

"Looks really young, driving such a nice car, are you a county official?"

"You don't know? He's a big boss. He owns a food factory in Jiping Town. I read in the newspaper that he earns over ten million US dollars a year from exports!"

"Tsk tsk tsk!"

As they walked, Director Li enthusiastically introduced the school environment to Chen Zaiguang, the parent, saying, "Mr. Chen, Principal Fang is waiting in his office. He specifically wants to thank you in person for raising such an outstanding child!"

"I personally read Chen Huiqin's essay, and it was exceptionally well-written! The emotions were genuine, the writing delicate, and the changes in our hometown were vividly depicted. The description of her uncle who returned from America was particularly moving, conveying a strong sense of family affection and a connection to the times. The judges unanimously awarded it high marks!"

Chen Zaiguang simply nodded as he listened to Director Li speak, following him through the campus. When they arrived at the principal's office, Director Li knocked, and a gentle voice came from inside, "Please come in!"

As Chen Zaiguang pushed open the door, the first person he saw was a man in his fifties wearing glasses, who was Principal Fang. Behind him stood two other people: a female teacher in her forties and a young girl with a ponytail wearing a plain dress, who was his daughter, Chen Huiqin.

"Mr. Chen! I've heard so much about you!"

Principal Fang warmly shook Chen Zaiguang's hand, "I've always heard that you're a well-known entrepreneur in our county. It's great to finally meet you today! Please, have a seat!"

Chen Zaiguang exchanged a few pleasantries with Principal Fang before sitting down on the sofa. Chen Huiqin stood next to the female teacher, secretly glancing at her father before lowering her head, but couldn't help but smile.

Principal Fang personally poured tea for Chen Zaiguang, placing it in front of him with both hands. "Boss Chen, it's not very good tea, please don't mind!"

"Principal Fang, you're too kind," Chen Zaiguang politely tapped his hand on the coffee table in thanks. "Thank you so much, Principal and all the teachers, for your careful guidance of Huiqin at school!"

"Not at all," Principal Fang waved his hand and said, "Huiqin's essay winning first prize in the district is a great honor for our county high school!"

Principal Fang then introduced the female teacher beside him to Chen Zaiguang, "Mr. Chen, this is Huiqin's homeroom teacher, Ms. Zhou Shuwen!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Zaiguang immediately stood up and reached out to shake hands with Zhou Shuwen. Zhou Shuwen quickly stepped forward and warmly grasped Chen Zaiguang's hand, saying, "Hello, Mr. Chen. I am Zhou Shuwen, Huiqin's homeroom teacher. Huiqin has a solid foundation in writing, and her writing is fluent and full of inspiration. I am not surprised at all that she achieved the top score in the entire district this time!"

"Thank you for your trouble, Teacher Zhou!"

"Of course, of course!" Zhou Shuwen said with a smile. "Huiqin is a sensible child. She never has to worry about her studies. The American Chinese uncle she wrote about, is he a relative? She wrote it so realistically, and her feelings were so sincere."

Upon hearing this, Chen Huiqin interjected with a grin, "It's my Uncle Dong!"

Chen Zaiguang replied with a smile, "Yes, he is my second great-uncle's grandson. We are cousins. America only came back in 80."

Principal Fang's eyes lit up. "Oh! No wonder! Our special economic zone is currently trying to attract overseas Chinese to return and invest in development! It's truly remarkable that Mr. Chen's family has such overseas connections!"

Principal Fang said a few more polite words, then changed the subject, "Mr. Chen, the reason I invited you here today is firstly to thank you in person for your support of the school's education. Our school has had limited resources over the years, and it is thanks to entrepreneurs like you who care about education that our children have such a good learning environment."

Chen Zaiguang listened to Principal Fang's words with a smile, but did not respond to the topic. Seeing that Chen Zaiguang did not respond, Principal Fang continued, "Secondly, I would like to discuss something with you. Next month, the district will hold an 'Outstanding Student Commendation Conference'. Chen Huiqin, as the first prize winner, will go on stage to receive the award and recite her award-winning essay."

"We would like to invite you to speak on stage as a representative of outstanding students' parents. What do you think...?"

If Chen Zaiguang still couldn't understand the meaning behind Principal Fang's words after hearing this, then he would have wasted all these years. On the surface, the purpose was to hold an "Outstanding Student Commendation Conference," but in reality, they wanted to ask Chen Zaiguang, the big boss, for donations.

Chen Zaiguang picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and then looked at Principal Fang, who was waiting for his reply. "Principal Fang, it's not appropriate for me to give a speech. I'm just a roughneck!"

Principal Fang quickly replied, "Mr. Chen is too modest! As a successful entrepreneur, your vision and knowledge far surpass ours. Even a few words from you are a tremendous encouragement to the students!"

"Yes, Mr. Chen, why don't you go up on stage and say a few words, and then your daughter Huiqin can go up and present her award-winning essay? You can sit in the audience, wouldn't that be an honor!" Zhou Shuwen also chimed in to persuade him.

Principal Fang was spouting these nice words, organizing this so-called "Outstanding Student Commendation Ceremony." He was praising his daughter Huiqin for being so outstanding, and mentioning how difficult the county high school had been over the years. If Chen Zaiguang agreed to speak on stage, Principal Fang would surely say that the school was short of funds and try to get him to donate money.

Now even schools are starting to use this tactic. Chen Zaiguang shook his head inwardly, wanting to refuse outright, but when he saw the expectant look in his daughter Huiqin's eyes, he couldn't bring himself to say the words of refusal.

My dear daughter! Your essay is truly worth its weight in gold! If I, your father, were to agree to it, I would be in torn apart by the price!

Chen Zaiguang put down his teacup and said with a smile, "Principal Fang, Teacher Zhou, you're being so kind to me. If I refuse, I'll seem ungrateful. How about this, I'll try my best to come to the awards ceremony next month, but I won't give a speech. I'll just sit in the audience and applaud Huiqin."

Upon hearing that Chen Zaiguang had finally agreed to come, and that it was fine if he didn't speak on stage, Principal Fang immediately changed the subject, saying, "Mr. Chen, your presence is the greatest support for our school. To be honest, the district's finances are really tight right now. Even if our school wanted to repair the playground or renovate the school library, we wouldn't have the funds!"

"We had to scrape together the money from the school's meager budget to hold this 'Outstanding Student Commendation Ceremony'," Principal Fang began to complain. "Some people at the school suggested we shouldn't hold the ceremony, but I said no, we had to hold it!"

"A student as outstanding as Chen Huiqin is a rare find in our county's high schools. Not supporting her would be a waste of talent!"