"Miss Su is willing to donate."
The young man sent to deliver the news ran incredibly fast. Pushing open the door, he spoke hurriedly before he could even catch his breath, his joy practically overflowing.
His words fell into silence.
He had expected to hear cheers, but unexpectedly, the room remained completely calm, as if no one had heard him. Looking up, he saw everyone going about their business—some drinking tea, others reading newspapers.
"I said, Miss Su just agreed to the donation. Why doesn't anyone look happy?"
Saying this, he seemed to remember something.
Rubbing his hands together, he asked:
"Could it be that you already know the demands she made?"
To be honest, they were indeed a bit excessive. She wanted Su Zhenzhu to be promoted from a freshman representative to a more important student representative. The school also had to completely accommodate her learning pace and assemble a dedicated team of professors to give her private tutoring. There was also a myriad of other special treatments that challenged the school's moral bottom line.
But in the face of that massive donation.
It didn't matter.
None of it mattered anymore.
The young man, who once admired Tao Yuanming's refusal to bow down for five pecks of rice, felt he could slightly shift his mindset and bow to the rich and powerful just this once...
"What? She has demands?"
The school leader frowned, and others began to speak up. Someone sneered:
"What's so surprising? It's just the habit of merchants. They always expect a return on the money they give out. It would be strange if she didn't make demands."
"Don't say that just yet. Let's first hear what the conditions are. If it's nothing major, we can just agree to it. You can never have too much money for academic research."
"Mhm."
The school leader nodded.
"Tell us, what demands did she make?"
The young man felt increasingly puzzled, thinking this reaction wasn't quite right, but he honestly repeated the demands: "...Oh, right, she also demanded that the team of professors teaching Su Zhenzhu must be assembled within three days, and there are specific requirements regarding their academic records, research achievements, and even their personalities."
This condition was nothing short of harsh.
But he wanted to go!
Unfortunately, he knew he couldn't compete... The benefits of joining this professor team were simply too great: new research equipment, funding, bonuses, a high salary, and opportunities to go abroad.
While he was still wringing his wrists in regret, the others had already exploded in anger.
"What!"
"Is Su Ning trying to humiliate us?"
"Hmph, her reputation has always been like this—arrogant and rude. She thinks just because she has some filthy lucre, she can do whatever she wants."
"Let me be clear, even if Su Zhenzhu is truly talented, I won't teach this student."
"Me neither."
"With an attitude like Su Ning's, if we take her money, we definitely won't be respected. I'd rather eat plain porridge and tofu than suffer this grievance."
"It has even less to do with me; I study literature."
Some rebuked her angrily, some stated their stance, and others distanced themselves.
The young man stood there at a loss, feeling a bit ashamed and awkward.
Was he really lacking that much backbone?
But Professor Wang had volunteered on the spot!
He was beginning to doubt himself.
The school leader misunderstood his reaction and gently comforted him: "I know that Professor Wang and you must have put in a lot of effort to persuade Su Ning to donate. This contribution cannot be erased, and we will keep it in our hearts."
"But let's just forget about Su Ning's donation."
"Why?"
The young man grew anxious. He had already planned what to do with his back pay once the donation arrived—first, go have a good meal, and then, well, have another good meal...
Seeing him like this, the others laughed.
The school leader chuckled as well.
"Not long after you left, several pieces of good news came in succession. First, a certain country specifically named our school for funding, providing 300,000 US dollars over ten years. Second, Mr. Huo, an overseas Chinese from Nanyang, sent a telegram stating he intends to follow his grandfather's will and not only donate money but also a teaching building!"
"Third, there is also news from the government saying that the war has stopped, and a batch of funds can be allocated."
Although this money wasn't as much as the first two, it was the principal's backbone to reject Su Ning.
The war was finally coming to an end.
The region was unified.
In the future, with a stable regime, their situation would get better and better. Since that was the case, there was no need to trade the professors' dignity for money.
The school leader felt deeply gratified.
"But..."
"No buts. When the first batch of money arrives, we will issue one month's salary to you first, and the rest will be paid in full by at least February of next year."
Hearing this, the others nodded in satisfaction.
Speaking of which, university staff actually earned a proper high salary. The higher-paid ones got four to five hundred silver dollars a month, and the lower-paid ones still got two to three hundred.
But no matter how high it is, it's useless if they don't pay you.
Supporting a family, socializing, doing academic research, and some even having to help poor students or promising juniors... money was needed everywhere.
Not a few of them were strapped for cash.
"I think..."
The young man still wanted to salvage the situation, but the school leader said earnestly:
"What, you think one month's salary isn't enough? I know you young people have high expenses, like to follow trends, watch movies, buy Western suits, and eat Western food. But we scholars have our own integrity. If everyone bowed to Su Ning's wealth and power, this world would be hopeless."
"O-okay."
Teachable indeed.
The school leader nodded in satisfaction, feeling as though he had saved another soul on the verge of falling, and said casually:
"Go call Professor Wang back later. I imagine he has suffered quite a few grievances at Su Ning's place. Things like this won't happen again."
What grievances?
The young man lowered his head. Professor Wang had smiled so widely his face looked like a blooming chrysanthemum; there wasn't a hint of bitterness on it. He said dejectedly, "I can't guarantee I can call him back. Professor Wang has already agreed to be one of Su Zhenzhu's professors."
"What? Old Wang is foolish."
"Just one step away."
"If he hadn't agreed, it would be fine. But to agree and then back out—given Su Ning's temper, how could she let it go? Sigh..."
"Let's comfort him well when he gets back."
The principal was even more heartbroken, regretting sending Professor Wang over. He also felt Professor Wang lacked restraint—couldn't he have come back to discuss it before deciding?
Thus, feeling disappointed at his failure to live up to expectations, he asked:
"Tell me, exactly how much money is Su Ning donating that made him so impatient?"
"Five hundred thousand."
The school leader's eyes widened, and the surroundings grew quiet.
"Silver dollars?"
"No."
The young man said: "US dollars. Five hundred thousand US dollars."
Remembering something, he added, "And that's just for the first year. If Su Zhenzhu's progress later gains Miss Su's approval, or if she produces any research results, more money can be added."
At this very moment, even the sound of the wind blowing through the leaves outside was incredibly distinct in the office.
The school leader didn't say a word. He stood up and walked outside.
Someone suddenly realized what was happening.
They followed suit.
In the blink of an eye, the room was half empty. The young man stood frozen in place, grabbing one of them:
"Professor Li, where are you all going?!"
"Don't pull me... I'm going to see Miss Su! Actually, I too have a heart dedicated to nurturing talent."
