Chapter 107: Su He Calls Gu Chiyan
After hanging up the phone, Su He added a new line to the donation list:
“Xiangyang Commune voluntarily donates: one fat pig and five hens.”
Principal Chen, who had been listening the whole time: “…”
After a long silence, he asked Su He, “The rankings aren’t a problem. We can put Xiangyang Commune at the top of the list. But what about the speech? You’re not seriously planning to let Director Shen speak on stage, are you? With so many county leaders there, how could it possibly be his place to speak?! If you trick him into it, he’s not going to let you off easy!”
Su He chuckled. “That’s easy. After you finish reading the thank-you message, we’ll do a flower presentation ceremony. Get the factory heads and commune directors on stage and have you present them with flowers one by one. Then have each of them say a few words. Since it’ll be your decision, and I’m just following orders, Director Shen won’t blame me!”
Principal Chen: “…”
What happened to taking responsibility?!
Su He continued cheerfully, “Oh, and we should give them certificates too! Something like ‘Model Unit for Supporting Education.’ They spend money for fame, and we gain both fame and support—everyone wins!”
Principal Chen: “…”
Well, it is beneficial.
Fame?
His own long-standing reputation was about to go down the drain!
Still, for the sake of education, he would endure it.
“…Where are we going to get flowers from?”
“Just have the teachers pick some wildflowers from the outskirts the day before the performance.”
Principal Chen: “…”
Su He then continued making calls to other communes. The pitch was simpler now—once they learned the others had already donated, no one wanted to be the odd one out.
The last one left was Huaihua Commune.
Principal Chen said with a half-smile, “Su He, you’re the liaison for Huaihua Commune. Your relationship with our night school is closer than with the others. If they donate too little, it won’t look good. You and Director Luo better push for a generous donation.”
Su He glanced at him and thought, This old man is sly!
She nodded and then dialed Director Luo’s number.
“Hello, Director Luo? This is Su He. I’m now the president of the county night school’s student union. Our Principal Chen has something to discuss with you.”
Then she shoved the receiver into Principal Chen’s hands.
Principal Chen: “…”
At that moment, he truly wanted to expel Su He from school!
Wait, she didn’t even have a student record!
Now he understood why—if she did, she’d be expelled 800 times a day!
Director Luo, on the other end, was equally baffled.
The last time he saw her, when she came to retrieve hairpins, she hadn’t even mentioned the night school. Now she was the student union president?
Still, being a seasoned official, he recovered quickly and responded politely, “Principal Chen? Is there something I can help you with?”
Although they were technically of similar rank, Director Luo was younger, so he showed deference.
Principal Chen was also a seasoned pro. Though he was still glaring at Su He, he replied warmly, “Director Luo, our night school is holding a performance on the 20th of this month. County leaders and factory heads will be attending. Will you be able to make it?”
Whether Director Luo was free or not, he had to be free now. He quickly gave a few polite assurances and promised to attend.
“Great, then I look forward to seeing you. Oh, and Su He has something else to discuss. One moment!”
And he handed the phone back to Su He.
Turnabout is fair play!
Little girl, you’re still too green to mess with me!
Su He, trying not to laugh, spoke into the receiver, “Director Luo, all the other communes and factories have donated supplies to our night school. Director Shen from Xiangyang Commune even gave a pig and five hens. Don’t you think Huaihua Commune should contribute too?”
Director Luo: “…”
So this was a fundraising call?
Principal Chen, you’ve changed!
Also, how did Director Shen become so generous? Could it be Su He tricked him?
Director Luo hesitated. Although Su He had brought a few small orders to Huaihua recently, their commune was still poor. They couldn’t compete with Xiangyang or even the other communes.
But if they gave too little, Su He might lose face.
Just as he was hesitating, Su He added, “Director Luo, the others are donating food and necessities. How about Huaihua Commune donates something educational? Like spiritual nourishment—books and quotations. That’s what night school truly needs! And it’s the most valuable contribution!”
Director Luo’s eyes lit up. “Good idea! In addition to books and quotations, we’ll also donate some dried mountain vegetables.”
After hanging up, Su He smiled like a cunning little fox.
“Principal, what do you think? Isn’t Huaihua Commune sincere enough?”
Principal Chen almost snorted out of anger!
But he couldn’t refute her.
What was he supposed to say—that books and ideological works aren’t valuable? That the night school doesn’t need them?
He had planned to see her get put in her place, but instead, he was the one who nearly had a stroke!
Still, when he looked at the now lengthy donation list, he immediately perked up.
Not to mention anything else—just those two fat pigs were worth quite a bit!
He didn’t even have time to argue with Su He anymore. Happily, he trotted off to pester the county leadership for more funding.
Su He glanced at the phone on the desk. Then she pulled out a number from her small satchel—it was Gu Chiyan’s.
She dialed.
“Hello, may I speak with Gu Chiyan? Tell him Su He is calling.”
Fishing takes patience—you have to reel it in now and then.
Also, people need to know this big fish—this rich, elite Gu Chiyan—is already taken.
*
In the capital, at a research institute…
Due to some discrepancies in the test data, Gu Chiyan’s face looked like it was carved from ice.
The entire project team was frozen with fear, not daring to breathe.
Just then, someone entered and said, “Engineer Gu, there’s a phone call for you. A woman named Su He.”
Gu Chiyan froze for a moment, then hurried out so fast he nearly bumped into the doorframe.
The team: “…”
Was that really their unshakable, always-composed Engineer Gu?!
Gu Chiyan rushed to the office and picked up the phone.
His heart was pounding, and he had to steady himself before speaking.
“Hello, this is Gu Chiyan.”
Su He’s crisp voice came through the receiver. “Comrade Gu Chiyan, hello. This is Su He. I’m calling because our county night school is preparing a performance, and I don’t have much experience in this. I was hoping to ask your advice—if you’re available?”
Just hearing her voice made his heart race, and his face involuntarily turned red.
He was so nervous, he didn’t even catch most of what she said—only the last sentence.
“I’m free. It’s my day off today. Go ahead.”
