With funds secured, the freshman welcoming party quickly arrived. Ma Qiang specifically sought out Zhang Tianxing and gave him a few instructions.
"Don't mess up at the welcoming party. Dean Hou will be attending and specifically asked for you to accompany him."
Hearing this, Zhang Tianxing was taken aback. He never expected such an important figure to single him out. He wasn't prepared for this.
"Brother Ma, I don't know anything. Why would you have me accompany him? Aren't there plenty of beautiful girls there? Why would they need a smelly guy like me?" Zhang Tianxing's face was full of helplessness. He had to play host again. It wasn't that he didn't want to, it was just that he was too busy.
Zhang Tianxing had a lot on his plate these past few days. He still hadn't decided whether to sell or not to sell his Tianxing Network Company, which had an acquisition offer.
If he didn't sell, he would lose the opportunity to acquire the office building.
But if he sold, he would forfeit an excellent chance to enter the internet industry.
Before long, the internet industry would enter a cold winter, and only a select few companies would survive.
If he missed this opportunity, Zhang Tianxing didn't know what else he could do in the internet world.
If only he had more money. If he had enough, he could directly establish an investment company and invest in only those future powerhouses with immense potential.
Even if his success rate was fifty percent, he could quickly become the richest man.
There was no other way; there were only so many high-profit industries, and it was hard not to notice them.
It just depended on whether he could enter the market at the right time.
However, regarding Dean Hou, a distinguished figure and an academician, his words could revive his company. He was a formidable presence and deserved proper respect.
After all, his main occupation was being a student. The acquisition matter could wait. As for the building, he'd have to let it go.
"What is mine to have, is mine; what is not mine to have, I accept with grace."
There are gains and losses in everything. One shouldn't strive for perfection in all things.
Zhang Tianxing spent six thousand yuan on the party. The banners were not neglected either; he ordered eight banners, each measuring two by eight meters. Such long banners were bound to attract attention.
Ma Xiaojun saw them and couldn't help but frown.
Zhang Tianxing had gone too far. Ma Xiaojun said to Zuo Lili, "We originally planned for just a few banners. Should we remove Tianxing Network Company's banner? Will it affect the party's proceedings?"
"President, is that really appropriate? Zhang Tianxing genuinely spent six thousand yuan. We all know how much our usual parties cost."
Hearing Zuo Lili's retort, Ma Xiaojun fell silent. However, he continued, "The caliber of guests attending tonight is quite high. Is this banner really suitable?"
To his surprise, Zuo Lili didn't give President Ma Xiaojun any face. "Fine, if it's not suitable, you return the money to Zhang Tianxing, and I'll have the banner taken down immediately."
Just then, Teacher Zhang Ruofang from the School Youth League Committee walked over, her beautiful brows furrowed.
"The party is about to start. What are you two arguing about here?"
Seeing Teacher Zhang Ruofang, Ma Xiaojun pointed at the banner. "This banner is too prominent. I'm afraid the leaders might not like it. After all, this is a campus. Will it make the leaders feel it's too commercialized?"
"There's no problem. It's fine as it is. I'll handle the leaders," Zhang Ruofang said. Then she pointed towards Zhang Tianxing in the distance.
"Ma Xiaojun, wait a moment. Have that student Dou Mingming come over. I have something I want to ask him."
Ma Xiaojun was stunned when he saw where Zhang Ruofang's delicate finger was pointing. Wasn't that Zhang Tianxing? Who was Dou Mingming?
"Teacher, that's Zhang Tianxing. He's the newly appointed Vice Minister of External Relations. He hasn't been officially reported to the Youth League Committee yet."
Zhang Ruofang paused upon hearing this, then smiled gently again. "Zhang Tianxing, president of the Zhuge Long Xia Association. I understand. You can all get back to your work."
Hearing Zhang Ruofang's voice, Ma Xiaojun and Zuo Lili started directing things on-site. "An army marches on its stomach; a good leader uses his troops well."
No errors were allowed tonight; no mistakes could be afforded.
Time flew by, and the party was about to begin. Dean Hou arrived, accompanied by numerous teachers.
Ma Xiaojun's eyes were filled with jealousy. What qualifications did Zhang Tianxing have to sit next to Dean Hou? In previous years, that seat was always reserved for the Student Union President.
This Zhang Tianxing was going too far. He would definitely make him pay.
It was impossible for a freshman to step all over him!
When Dean Hou saw Zhang Tianxing, he even inquired about the automatic canning production line, asking if it had started operating and its daily output.
Zhang Tianxing was overwhelmed with gratitude. He hadn't expected Dean Hou to remember such a small matter.
In fact, Zhang Tianxing's sponsorship also held a hidden motive to reciprocate Dean Hou's favor. A mere six thousand yuan was less than the profit the canning factory made in a single day.
Dean Hou's phone call had been of great help regarding the automatic canning production line.
The quality of the party was only average. What truly captured everyone's attention was student Tan Honghong's piano solo.
It refreshed Zhang Tianxing's perspective. With his appreciation for music, he could only describe it as two words: "Exquisite!" He had never heard such beautiful piano music.
Paired with Tan Honghong's graceful and alluring figure, it ignited thunderous applause in the auditorium.
Zhang Tianxing didn't hold back his cheers and informed Dean Hou that she was the league secretary of their class.
"Talented and virtuous," Dean Hou nodded, as he was well aware of Tan Honghong's capabilities.
Zhang Tianxing also fulfilled his promise to Class 2 of Materials Science, preparing outfits for all the students.
They were custom-made according to Tan Honghong's requirements. In Tan Honghong's words, since their class leader sponsored so much money for the party, it was only reasonable for him to pay for their class uniforms. "No need to let outside money flow away."
Zhang Tianxing thought that he would still need Tan Honghong's help in the future, so he reluctantly signed and paid the bill.
The only regrettable aspect was student Zhang Dalong from the Sports Institute. Because he went to a KTV to sing once, a hostess learned of his identity as a talented student from Zhonghai University.
She then proposed a deal: "I'm a self-taught university student and I'm not good at exams. How about this: you help me pass my exams, and I'll take care of your living needs and provide you with services, guaranteed satisfaction."
Having not experienced the harsh realities of life, the two were caught in the act while indulging. They were apprehended on the spot and narrowly avoided criminal charges.
Zhang Dalong felt extremely wronged. He hadn't spent any money. He had merely written some homework. It was consensual. Why should he be punished like this? There was no financial transaction, so he felt the penalty was unfair.
Their case became a hot topic on campus, with scholars of criminal law researching whether the actions of the homework ghostwriter and the service provider constituted a crime.