Going home for the Chinese New Year with a year-end bonus of 100 million

The top-floor office of a high-end office building in the city center offers a panoramic view of the bustling city at night through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Chen Zhiyuan put down his phone, his face so gloomy it could drip water.

This is the seventh time.

I called Lin Qingyue for the seventh time this week, but she didn't answer any of them.

He doesn't reply to text messages or WeChat messages.

"Hold!"

He slammed his phone onto the desk. The expensive, custom-made phone bounced on the solid wood surface, and a thin crack appeared on the screen.

Chen Zhiyuan, 35 years old, is the deputy general manager of the family business "Huayuan Group". His father is the chairman of the group.

He returned from studying abroad, a highly qualified overseas returnee, 1.8 meters tall, and with a decent appearance.

More importantly, he had liked Lin Qingyue since his university days.

At that time, Lin Qingyue was the most beautiful girl in the department, and he was the president of the student council. Everyone thought they were a perfect couple.

Lin Qingyue always kept her distance from him—polite, but distant.

After graduation, he joined the family business, while Lin Qingyue stayed on to teach at the university, and the two gradually drifted apart.

Until last year, when Lin Qingyue was promoted to president of the Industrial University, becoming the youngest university president in the city, Chen Zhiyuan's heart, which had been dormant for many years, was rekindled.

He felt that he was now worthy of her.

The company's senior executives are wealthy and have extensive connections.

But Lin Qingyue was still the same Lin Qingyue—polite to him, but never crossing the line.

"Mr. Chen, here are the documents you requested." The secretary carefully pushed open the door and placed a folder on the table.

Chen Zhiyuan took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down: "Have you found out?"

"It's been investigated." The secretary nodded.

"Yang Fan, 28 years old, from out of town, currently runs a hot pot restaurant called 'Qianweifang' in this city, near the west gate of the Industrial University."

"That's all?" Chen Zhiyuan frowned. "Someone who runs a hot pot restaurant, and Qingyue is so concerned about him?"

"Not only that." The secretary opened the folder.

"According to our investigation, Yang Fan has been making quite a few moves recently. He invested in an e-sports hotel located in the university town, and it's quite large. In addition, he also set up a 'Spark Fund' at the Industrial University, specifically to invest in student entrepreneurship projects."

"Spark Fund?" Chen Zhiyuan was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled.

"Investing in college student startups? Has he lost his mind?"

The secretary adjusted her glasses: "I heard the fund is worth five million and has already invested in several projects."

"There was an AI team that invested 1.5 million. And there was a beauty blogger who invested 200,000."

"Hahahaha!" Chen Zhiyuan suddenly burst into laughter, laughing so hard he was doubled over.

"Should we invest 1.5 million in a few students working on AI?"

"Two hundred thousand yuan invested in beauty bloggers?"

"What kind of insane move is that?"

He wiped away the tears of laughter: "Is this guy just burning money, or is he out of his mind?"

The secretary whispered, "I heard... he did it to get close to Principal Lin."

"This 'Spark Fund' is a collaboration with the school, and it was personally promoted by Principal Lin."

Chen Zhiyuan's smile froze instantly.

He squinted, his fingers tapping lightly on the table:

"In order to get closer to Qingyue... so they're throwing money at a startup fund? Investing in projects that are destined to lose everything?"

"It should be," the secretary nodded.

"Nine and a half out of ten college student startup projects will fail."

"These votes he cast seem more like... an attempt to curry favor with Principal Lin."

Chen Zhiyuan was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed.

This time it was a cold laugh.

"Interesting." He stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, and looked down at the city below.

"A small business owner who runs a hot pot restaurant actually spent millions on this kind of charitable investment in order to pick up girls."

He turned around, his eyes full of contempt: "Qingyue, a university president, actually fell for such a petty trick."

"Mr. Chen, shall we now..." the secretary asked tentatively.

"Get the car ready." Chen Zhiyuan picked up his coat. "Let's go to the Industrial University. I want to meet this 'Boss Yang' in person."

"Now?" The secretary glanced at the time. "It's already five o'clock in the afternoon. Principal Lin has probably already left work."

"Then let's go to her office and wait there." Chen Zhiyuan's tone left no room for argument. "I want to see what kind of expression she'll have when she sees me."

"..."

Industrial University, fifth floor of the administration building.

Lin Qingyue was organizing the documents on her desk when her phone rang.

It was Yang Fan calling.

A smile unconsciously crept onto her lips as she answered the phone: "Feed?"

"Qingyue, are you free tonight?" Yang Fan's voice came through the receiver. "I'd like to invite you to dinner. Thank you for that pen."

Lin Qingyue smiled: "It's just a pen, no need to be so polite."

"Yes, I will," Yang Fan said. "It's only right to reciprocate. I found a great private kitchen that I'm sure you'll like."

Lin Qingyue hesitated for a moment.

She was supposed to work overtime tonight to handle the preparations for the semi-finals of the entrepreneurship competition.

but……

"Okay," she heard herself say. "What time? Where?"

"I'll pick you up at seven."

"Um."

Lin Qingyue was in a good mood after hanging up the phone.

She picked up the same fountain pen she had given Yang Fan, twirled it between her fingers, and a faint smile appeared on her face.

Just then, there was a knock on the office door.

"Please come in." Lin Qingyue put away her smile and regained her usual composure.

The door opened, and Chen Zhiyuan walked in.

He was wearing a dark blue custom-made suit today, his hair was neatly combed, and he was holding a bouquet of bright red roses.

"Qingyue, long time no see." Chen Zhiyuan flashed what he thought was his most handsome smile and handed over the flowers. "These are for you."

Lin Qingyue looked at the bouquet of flowers, her brows furrowing slightly. "Chen Zhiyuan? What brings you here?"

"I missed you, so I came to see you." Chen Zhiyuan sat down naturally in the chair opposite her, looked around the office, and said, "Your office is nice, but a bit small. Do you want me to get you a bigger one?"

"No need," Lin Qingyue said coldly. "What do you want?"

"Can't I come to see you if there's nothing wrong?" Chen Zhiyuan laughed.

"We're old classmates, can't I even show you some concern?"

Lin Qingyue didn't reply and continued organizing the documents with her head down.

The atmosphere was a little awkward.

The smile on Chen Zhiyuan's face gradually faded.

He cleared his throat: "Qingyue, I heard... you've been getting quite close to someone who owns a hot pot restaurant lately?"

Lin Qingyue paused, then looked up: "Who told you that?"

"Never mind that," Chen Zhiyuan leaned forward. "I just want to ask, is it true?"

"What does this have to do with you?" Lin Qingyue retorted.

"Of course it's related!" Chen Zhiyuan's voice rose a few decibels.

"Qingyue, what is your identity?"

"The president of the industrial university!"

"What is he?"

"A small-time hot pot restaurant owner! You two are from completely different worlds!"

Lin Qingyue put down the documents in her hand, her expression turning serious:

"Chen Zhiyuan, this is my private matter, and it's none of your business."

"Why can't I ask?" Chen Zhiyuan stood up excitedly.

"You know I've liked you for so many years! Now you'd rather be with a nouveau riche than give me a chance?"

"Who told you I'm with Yang Fan?" Lin Qingyue also stood up.

"Even if I do get together with him, it's none of your business!"