Chapter 67: Chapter 67: Wanting to Contribute to the School
"Gu Bai, right? Is there something you need from me?"
Looking at Gu Bai in front of him, Lu Ang adjusted his glasses and smiled.
In his past life, he definitely wouldn’t have dared to face this department head so directly, but now things were different.
Gu Bai organized his thoughts and said to Lu Ang with a calm smile, "Director, I didn’t come here for anything else today, but to make a contribution to the school."
"?"
Lu Ang looked at Gu Bai, puzzled.
"I noticed that our school’s lecture hall infrastructure is quite outdated, from many years ago. As a part of this school, I plan to donate five million to improve the school’s infrastructure."
As soon as Gu Bai finished speaking, Lu Ang was stunned.
What was going on?
Are students nowadays really this bold? Complaining about the school’s rundown state and then immediately deciding to donate five million?
While speaking, Lu Ang couldn’t help but take a closer look at Gu Bai.
The Gu Bai in front of him was wearing simple summer casual wear. Although there wasn’t any conspicuous luxury brand logo, it was obvious to anyone with a discerning eye that it was definitely quite valuable, but what moved Lu Ang was the watch on Gu Bai’s wrist.
Even though he was a teacher, he was also a big director in the film industry, and he had seen plenty of luxury items. He recognized the Patek Philippe king among watches, the 6002G.
On the other hand, from the moment Gu Bai walked through the door, he had only said one sentence, but the aura he exuded was definitely not something that an ordinary family could cultivate, which made Lu Ang dismiss the thought that Gu Bai might be joking with him.
Being able to sit in the position of director at a prestigious school like Shanghai Theatre Academy.
Lu Ang could also be considered a savvy person.
Instead of continuing the donation topic, he said, "Gu Bai, is there anything you need the school to help with? Rest assured, as students of Shanghai Theatre Academy, you are like the school’s children, and the school will do its best to help with whatever it can."
To say Lu Ang wasn’t tempted by Gu Bai’s five million would be impossible.
The directing department itself was a niche major, and it was extremely difficult to get admitted. It’s said to be a department, but the entire department has just over a hundred people, including both staff and students.
Each year, there are quite a few students who pay for their own advanced studies, but all that money is used by the school for other purposes, which results in the directing department being the poorest department in the entire Shanghai Theatre Academy, without exception.
If Gu Bai could really donate five million, it would definitely allow the directing department to swap out some muskets for cannons in certain areas.
As for saying that the money is donated to the school.
What?
Money donated by a student from my department, wouldn’t it be used on my department?
Seeing Lu Ang’s calm demeanor, Gu Bai knew he couldn’t play games with this old fox, so he didn’t hide anything.
"It’s like this, Director Lu. Although I’m currently a student, I also have a few ventures outside of school. Sometimes it’s hard to balance both, and I do find it overwhelming, but giving up my studies is something I’m absolutely unwilling to do!
So, I have a small request, which is to hope the school could grant me a small permission to choose my class schedule freely. Of course, I know this request is a bit much for a student, so regardless of whether the school agrees or not, I will accept it unconditionally and won’t be dissatisfied in the slightest.
Moreover, the five million is an expression of a Shanghai Theatre Academy student’s sincere love for the school, and I hope the school can accept it no matter what."
Gu Bai’s words were remarkably well said, and he maintained a very humble stance, considering himself a student from start to finish, without saying that the five million was a reward for the school agreeing to his conditions.
After listening to Gu Bai’s words, Lu Ang roughly understood his intention.
It was simply that he didn’t have time for classes and didn’t want to give up his student status, hoping the school could open a backdoor for him.
Actually, this matter didn’t need to be reported to the school at all. As the head of the department, he had the authority himself; he just didn’t expect Gu Bai would spend five million just to make such a simple request.
"Is that all?"
"That’s all."
Gu Bai wasn’t a fool. Although a matter like this could be handled with a little coordination with the faculty leaders and spending some money, Gu Bai was the kind of person who disliked trouble, if money could solve the problem, why make it so complicated?
Besides, is the five million donation really just for handling this one matter?
Not necessarily.
At the very least, he would definitely make a good impression in front of the school’s higher-ups. He might even get his name added to the list of notable alumni. If he ever needed to ask the school for help with something in the film industry, it wouldn’t seem abrupt to open his mouth.
"If that’s all, there’s really no need for you to donate money. You can just explain your situation to the department, and as long as you ensure you pass all your courses, you’re fine."
"Director Lu, I just said, the donation is a gesture of goodwill as a Shanghai Theatre Academy student and has nothing to do with this matter. Whether the school agrees or not, I will still donate the money."
Seeing Gu Bai being so resolute, Lu Ang stopped being pretentious.
"Since you’re so insistent, Gu Bai, I will accept your donation on behalf of the school."
Then his tone turned amiable.
"When do you plan to make the donation, Gu Bai? If possible, we could hold off a little, and I will apply to the school to have a donation ceremony. After all, you are the only currently enrolled student in recent years to donate five million."
Lu Ang even stopped using formal address when referring to Gu Bai.
Upon hearing this, Gu Bai immediately said, "Director Lu, that’s really unnecessary. As long as the school remembers me, that’s enough. I don’t care about these formal ceremonies."
Gu Bai wasn’t interested in making a big splash again. What he wanted now was to make money flamboyantly and spend it discreetly; garnering unnecessary attention would eventually cause trouble.
"Really don’t want it?"
"Really no need. Regarding this donation, I’ll notify the Construction Bank later, and have them come directly to handle it."
A private donation to the school can’t just be a transfer, right? And even if it were a transfer, who would I even send it to? Might as well trouble the Construction Bank a bit. Whether it’s cash or a self-collected check, it’s all up to the school, and it serves as a witness too.
With Gu Bai’s clear response, Lu Ang also laughed.
"Since you want to keep a low profile, Gu Bai, we teachers won’t press you further. Do you have any other requests? The school will try its best to satisfy you!"
Now, Gu Bai could be considered a financial backer of the school. As long as it doesn’t violate any principles, granting him some privileges is no problem at all.
"No need, it’s just a modest contribution from a student. If I make any more demands, it would just be repaying kindness with ulterior motives. Besides, if we’re talking about kindness, it’s the school that has graciously nurtured me."
Lu Ang stood up, showing an expression full of relief.
"Having a student like you is a fortune for the school! Rest assured, I’ll relay your requests to your advisor and all your subject teachers later!
Educating students shouldn’t be restricted by forms. Since you’re excelling in other fields, the school won’t stand in the way of you developing your strengths."
"Thank you, Director Lu."
After exchanging pleasantries, Gu Bai found an excuse to leave.
Making small talk with an old fox like Lu Ang, filled with bureaucratic niceties, was something he was particularly unaccustomed to.
After leaving the department chair’s office, Gu Bai directly called Tian Miaohua to inform her about the donation.
Tian Miaohua also promised to personally handle the matter as soon as possible.
The 1 billion cash that Gu Bai mentioned a month ago had all arrived at the Construction Bank. Although a large portion had been attributed to Black Swan Capital, the money was still deposited in the bank. Naturally, a bank would prioritize dealing with a VIP client like Gu Bai.
Since Qi Man hadn’t sent any updates, likely still on leave, Gu Bai headed straight back to his dorm room.
As soon as he reached the dorm door, he heard the wailing inside.
"Why! Why can’t we win even when Gu Bai isn’t here!"
Then came the sound of frantic keyboard smashing.
Hearing this, a black line appeared on Gu Bai’s forehead.
He pushed the door open and walked in, coughing to attract attention: "What do you mean you still can’t win without me? It’s exactly because I’m not here that you can’t win!"
The sudden appearance of Gu Bai startled the three inside.
Wen Cunming quickly masked his face of grief and said to Gu Bai, "Hey! That’s exactly what President Gu means. Without you, this game just isn’t fun!"
Lou Xun and Deng Bo immediately turned their faces aside, unwilling to witness such groveling.
"You’re back just in time, care for a round?"
For some reason, Deng Bo and Lou Xun shuddered upon hearing this.
Gu Bai shook his head, declining, "No, I have something to do this afternoon. Don’t you guys have class in the afternoon?"
"The first class isn’t till 3:40, no rush."
The four in the dorm were all from the Performing Arts Department, except for Gu Bai, so the course schedules were the same.
Deng Bo turned his chair around and asked Gu Bai, "Didn’t you just take leave this morning? What else do you have to do this afternoon?"
Gu Bai casually picked up a banana from the table left by Lou Xun and peeled it.
"Planning to go buy a house this afternoon."
As soon as he said it, the room fell silent. It was only after that Deng Bo’s voice broke the silence: "I really shouldn’t have asked!"
"While we are debating whether Noxus should equip Anti-Armor Sunfire Landry or Black Cleaver, Bloodthirster, and Green Armor, the real big shot is considering buying a house. This must be the gap between us. I feel like this dorm is becoming too small for me."
"I think that’s quite a valid point."
"Where are you planning to buy?"
Gu Bai thought about it, recalling some of the more famous deluxe neighborhoods or apartment complexes in his memory.
"Sea View No.1, I suppose."
Hearing Gu Bai say those four words so casually, Lou Xun and Wen Cunming had no reaction. However, Deng Bo dramatically gasped.
"Have you been reading too much ’Battle Through the Heavens’?"
"Gasping in shock?"
Seeing the teasing expressions on the two’s faces, Deng Bo shot them a glance.
"Do you even know Sea View No.1?"
"I only know about sea view suites, never heard of Sea View No.1."
Upon hearing this, Deng Bo, being a true Shanghainese, couldn’t help but stand up and lecture them.
"You might not have heard of Sea View No.1, but you should know Tangchen Yipin, right?"
"Duh, we’ve been in Shanghai for over a year, of course, we know."
"Well, let me put it this way: in front of Sea View No.1, Tangchen Yipin has to take a backseat."
"???
"Whoa!"