Chapter 636: School Anniversary

The bedroom light was turned back on, and the warm yellow halo enveloped Tang Song.

He didn't immediately check the newly triggered task, but clicked on the rough-quality video full of the sense of the era again.

Quietly watching the familiar yet strange self in the video.

The 18-year-old him was high-spirited, his eyes full of undisguised longing for the future.

Beside him were noisy classmates teasing with good intentions;

Outside the window was the bright and dazzling brilliant sunshine of midsummer;

In his heart, he fantasized about the beautiful life of university,

At that time, he firmly believed that he would get better and better, firmly believed that one day, he would meet his White Moonlight at the agreed peak.

And it was precisely because that memory was too beautiful that when he later left the Imperial Capital, said goodbye to the White Moonlight, and his life completely fell to the bottom, seeing that graduation photo in Deng Yazi's Moments again, he felt such bone-piercing pain.

That feeling of powerlessness when dreams were completely crushed by reality almost swallowed him whole.

Fortunately, dreams came true, and game assets descended into reality.

Now—

The once unreachable White Moonlight had returned to his side.

Those seemingly unrealistic youthful wild words were also turning into reality one by one.

He had even far exceeded the boldest expectations of that self back then.

Tang Song let out a long breath, and a huge, almost burning emotion and passion surged in his heart.

"Buzz buzz buzz—"

【Deng Yazi: "These past few years I've always wanted to see our old friends again, to see how they are doing. But everyone is very busy, and the world is vast, so meeting isn't easy. Seeing you now, I really have mixed feelings; little Song from back then became so excellent without knowing it. Really happy for you! Worthy of being the person I favored!"】

Tang Song looked at her still straightforward and honest words, a warm smile appearing on his face.

He typed and replied: "Thank you Duck, very surprised to meet you today, and very grateful that you kept these precious photos and videos."

【Deng Yazi: "I often take out the things from that time to look at, really miss them, really miss them. Oh my, not chatting anymore, our director is urging for the draft again, I have to hurry to work. You rest early, see you tomorrow."】

Tang Song: "See you tomorrow."

Putting down his phone, Tang Song lay on the head of the bed in a daze.

After a long time, his eyes returned to calmness and depth.

Opening the system interface, he checked the task details.

This branch task was not as simple as it looked on the surface.

In the task description, it used "implement a strategic investment intention" and "shake the local industrial pattern."

This was no longer something that could be completed by simply signing an investment contract or donating a teaching building.

No matter what, Quancheng was an independent economic entity with a population of millions.

To truly "shake" its industrial pattern, what was needed was not just massive capital, but top-level strategic design, huge resource integration ability, and political wisdom to engage in deep games with the local government.

Every link in this was full of challenges and variables.

But precisely because of this, it could better improve his ability and pattern.

Now he was standing at the critical threshold of "Charm 90" transformation.

He indeed needed such a real, heavyweight "political and business actual combat" to improve his ability and pattern.

Moreover, "repaying the hometown" was probably the ultimate romance that every man with ambition had fantasized about.

The huge sense of achievement brought by changing the face of his hometown with his own hands must also be unparalleled.

This was not just completing a task, but fulfilling a dream of the past self.

The corner of Tang Song's mouth raised slightly, and vigorous vitality ignited in his gaze.

Picking up his phone again, he dialed Shen Yu Yan's number directly.

"Beep beep beep—" The phone rang a few times and was quickly answered.

From the receiver, Shen Yu Yan's sweet voice, deliberately lowered, came immediately: "Hello... Chairman Tang, calling me so late, is it because you need me to help you handle some 'special' private affairs?"

Tang Song chuckled, didn't respond to her teasing, and said directly: "Shirley, notify Chen Weitian of Rongliu Investment, tell him to organize an investment team of about five people, focusing on semiconductor materials and new energy hardware. The team members are required to have relevant industrial backgrounds and experience in docking with government guidance funds, let them arrive in Quancheng tomorrow afternoon and report to me in person."

Shen Yu Yan on the other end of the phone was clearly stunned for a moment, her voice instantly becoming professional and capable: "Okay, Chairman Tang! I've noted it!"

"Hmm." Tang Song paused and continued: "Also, for the meeting with Mayor Li tomorrow, I plan to take the lead in establishing an industrial fund in Quancheng. Shirley, prepare for it, this project will also be handed over to you to be responsible for the early docking work in the future."

"... Yes, thank you for your trust, Chairman Tang, I will not let you down."

Tang Song could clearly hear Shen Yu Yan's rapid and disordered breathing.

Zhende Hotel, Room 706.

The room was brightly lit, and the air was filled with a unique scent of "overtime dog," a mixture of coffee and instant noodles.

Deng Yazi rubbed her sore eyes, her fingertips tapping rapidly on the laptop keyboard.

On the screen was the news draft about tomorrow's No. 1 Middle School anniversary celebration.

She was making the final deliberation on the paragraph about "outstanding alumni returning home."

"Yazi, I can't do it anymore!" In the seat next to her, a girl with a bun hairstyle let out a wail, "How many drafts is this, how does he still want to change it!"

Deng Yazi didn't look up, staring at the "Report Core Points" document from the Municipal Committee Propaganda Department on the screen.

While comforting: "Xiaonan, hold on a bit longer, Director Liu has that style, famous for 'one draft allergy.' You record his opinions first, wait until I finish smoothing out this draft, and I'll help you change it together."

She had long been used to this high-intensity torture.

From a contract worker from out of town to passing the career establishment exam for Quancheng TV Station that she had been thinking about, she cherished this hard-won job more than anyone else.

"Okay..." Sun Xiaonan sighed.

Time passed bit by bit in the sound of keyboard tapping and occasional sighs.

11:30 PM.

The two finally sent the revised news draft and special film script to Director Liu's mailbox.

Deng Yazi slumped on the chair with relief, stretching a big yawn.

Sun Xiaonan, who had finished washing up in the bathroom, paused when passing Deng Yazi's computer.

"Yazi! Who is this handsome guy?! A newly debuted star? This temperament is too absolute! Broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs, wow wow wow,

he's my type! Wait, is this him in high school? Also so handsome! But the current one is even more absolute!"

As she spoke, she almost put her face on the screen.

Deng Yazi looked at her colleague's "fanatic" appearance, and an incomparably proud look immediately appeared on her face, proudly raising her chin: "Handsome, right? My high school classmate, Tang Song. The one on the right, I just took it for him downstairs tonight."

"Your classmate?!" Sun Xiaonan's eyes instantly widened, "Really or fake?! Hurry hurry hurry, push his WeChat to me! I want his contact information!"

Deng Yazi smiled and pushed away her head that was leaning over, "Don't even think about it, he has a master, back in high school, he and the super top student in our class were a pair."

"Ah? Are they boyfriend and girlfriend now?"

Deng Yazi hesitated for a moment before speaking the truth, "I'm not actually sure about that."

She had been developing in another province before, and only passed the exam to the city TV station this year, returning to her hometown Quancheng.

At that time, she was surging with emotion and specifically posted that high school graduation photo she had treasured for many years on Moments.

Thinking she must find time to see these old classmates and see what everyone had become now.

Even wanted to take a new photo for them and make it into an interesting comparison photo.

But because work was truly too busy, this plan had been shelved.

So, she really wasn't clear about what the situation was between Tang Song and Liu Qingning now.

Sun Xiaonan's eyes lit up with a "brush," continuing to pursue: "Then isn't there still a chance, by the way by the way, what does he do for work? Is he also developing in Quancheng?"

Deng Yazi shook her head, "He is a computer major, a programmer. Previously at a big factory in the Imperial Capital, later returned to Yancheng, now he should still be in Yancheng, right."

"Programmer? Not bad! Earns a lot!" Sun Xiaonan was excited, "Is he coming to the school anniversary tomorrow?"

"Forget it, he is very dedicated, you'd better not mess around."

"Oh my, just don't worry about it, hurry and tell me, what is the situation with this Tang Song? Let me master the enemy situation in advance."

Deng Yazi smiled, a color of memory flashing in her eyes, and narrated the Tang Song in her eyes in a low voice.

She was in the same class as Tang Song only after the liberal arts and science division in the second half of the first year of high school.

At that time, Tang Song was sunny, cheerful, handsome, and full of youthful feeling, the type that would make girls unable to help but look a few more times.

Starting from the third year of high school, in order to be in the same city as Liu Qingning, he seemed to have become a different person, studying desperately.

Unfortunately, the gap in talent was ultimately difficult to overcome, and he finally fell short by a large margin, going to Yancheng University of Technology, regrettably missing his dream.

During university, he seemed to have become a different person, silent, introverted, unkempt, and lost contact with many classmates.

At that time, Deng Yazi was worried about the mental health of this old classmate and specifically visited him several times.

Later, after starting work, the two basically had very little contact.

But she also knew that Tang Song still followed Liu Qingning's footsteps and ran to the Imperial Capital.

As she spoke, she clicked on the "interview video" from seven years ago in the cloud drive.

In the screen, the green youth was sitting at his desk, being teased by classmates to answer his expectations for the future.

Deng Yazi looked at the screen and sighed lightly.

Over the years, she had also intermittently known some of the recent situations of her high school classmates.

Except for that "pervert" Liu Qingning who had been opening up all the way, the best among everyone was probably Sun Jiayue, working in the fundraising department of a good financial company in Shanghai.

And more...

Some stepped directly into society after failing the college entrance exam, now tossing and turning on various construction sites, their skin tanned black, long since losing the appearance of back then;

Some got into good universities, but after graduation, they were still ordinary corporate slaves, struggling in big cities;

And some were already married and had children, with only baby photos and Pinduoduo links left in their Moments.

Knowing the youth's ambition, once promised the first-class in the world.

At the age of seventeen or eighteen, it was exactly when they were most young and frivolous.

Who hadn't made those seemingly unrealistic, grand promises to the future?

But looking back now, there were more sighs and helplessness after being smoothed out by reality.

After all, the ideal was plump, and the reality was bony.

And how many people could truly live to be the appearance they most wanted to be in their youth?

For example, herself, although she boasted to Tang Song that she was a reporter for the city TV station, in fact, coming here with the column group this time, she mainly did some miscellaneous work like docking and running errands.

Currently at the station, she was just an inconspicuous little character.

November 20, 2023, Monday, sunny, 4~19C.

6 AM.

Outside the window was a thick fog, gray-white mist wrapping the entire county town.

Deng Yazi and Sun Xiaonan woke up in the sound of a harsh alarm clock, struggling to sit up from the bed.

Washing up, changing into the prepared black women's formal wear, and taking their bags downstairs.

After hurriedly finishing breakfast in the hotel restaurant, they immediately rushed to the school.

Banners were hung outside the campus, the red carpet for welcoming guests was laid to the school gate, and security and etiquette teams were lined up in an orderly manner.

Signing in, receiving media passes, shooting empty mirror materials at the school gate, randomly interviewing several students and retired old teachers already arranged by the school...

Finishing the work tasks.

Deng Yazi took her DSLR camera and began to shoot casually on campus.

Returning to her alma mater, the familiar yet strange environment made her seem to see herself wearing a school uniform and running in the sunshine again, inevitably feeling somewhat emotional.

8 AM sharp.

The main force of the column group finally rushed over from Quancheng urban area in a mighty manner.

Leading them was the general producer and deputy director of the news center of the "Quancheng Observation" column group, Liu Jianjun.

In his early fifties, somewhat chubby, with a serious expression, and dressed meticulously.

He first looked at the materials shot by Deng Yazi and Sun Xiaonan simply, lectured with a straight face for a few sentences,

and then turned to chat with the host Xie Xuan and the main cameraman about today's interview and shooting flow.

It was also at this moment that Deng Yazi captured a name that made her heart jump violently from their conversation with lowered voices.

Today, Mayor Li Jiping would actually arrive at the scene in person.

She and Sun Xiaonan looked at each other, both seeing undisguised shock in each other's eyes.

No wonder the station was so grand this time, even Director Liu and the station's pillar Xie Xuan came out in person!

When they arrived at the square in front of the main venue, it was already bustling with noise and excitement.

The etiquette students invited by the school were wearing bright red cheongsams, lined up neatly on both sides of the red carpet.

On the periphery of the square, one could even see some police officers in uniform and plainclothes security personnel patrolling quietly.

This clearly already exceeded the security level that an ordinary middle school anniversary should have.

Accompanied by festive gongs and drums, luxury cars with local license plates began to drive into the open space in front of the venue one after another.

Soon, a commotion greater than before came, attracting her attention.

A black Bentley drove slowly.

The car door opened, and two figures walked off under the crowd of school leaders, high-spirited.

Sun Xiaonan sighed in a low voice: "That must be Li Yunfan, the boss of Maixiangyuan, right? His aura is truly great, who is that young handsome guy next to him? An assistant?"

"No." Deng Yazi shook her head, "That is our senior, Zhao Rui, a top student from Tsinghua University. Heard that this year he was promoted to VP of the Investment Banking Department of China International Capital, having led the IPO of a company."

"Truly amazing! This is a true favored child of heaven, under thirty, estimated annual salary is over two million, right?"

"Yeah, he is two years older than us, also the top scorer in the college entrance exam that year."

Deng Yazi's tone was full of complex emotion.

Their batch, counting it up, had only been graduated from university for three years, and those who could make it out were few and far between, and the outstanding alumni invited back were even rarer.

Most of those grandly received were still business tycoons like Li Yunfan who were forty or fifty years old.

Instead, it was Zhao Rui, this peer of the same age as them, whose height reached, that gave her a greater shock.

That was a real sense of gap between peers that was difficult to cross.

Presumably, even Liu Qingning, who was engaged in AI entrepreneurship, had some gap with the other party.

Sun Xiaonan looked at Zhao Rui who was surrounded by stars, smacked her lips, "Sure enough, power and status are the best clothes for a man. Look at that Zhao Rui, looking at him like this, feels tall and handsome, a young and handsome financial elite, simply a novel male lead!"

Deng Yazi couldn't help but laugh out loud upon hearing this: "Heh, why? Suddenly changed your mind? Don't look down on our Tang Song anymore?"

"Hehe, that's not to that extent." Sun Xiaonan stuck out her tongue, "Just sighing about it."

They both worked within the system and had a deeper understanding of this halo brought by status.

She also knew that for such a figure, she didn't even have the opportunity to deal with the other party, let alone fall in love.

Just as they were sighing secretly.

Two low-key black Magotans drove slowly into the square.

"The County Committee leaders are here!"

A low reminder immediately came from the crowd.

A group of school leaders and local entrepreneurs immediately walked up quickly with nervous expressions.

Under Director Liu's arrangement, Xie Xuan immediately entered a fighting state, taking the cameraman and sound engineer to meet them.

At this time, Deng Yazi and Sun Xiaonan, these two "small transparents" responsible for "miscellaneous work," instead became completely idle.

Could only stand on the periphery of the crowd, watching this bustle belonging to successful people from afar.

After a long while, the scene finally returned to calm.

Sun Xiaonan suddenly remembered something and bumped Deng Yazi's arm, "By the way, when is your classmate Tang Song coming?"

"Let me ask." Deng Yazi said, taking out her phone from her pocket and sending a WeChat to Tang Song.

Actually, after the school anniversary officially started, everyone would be seated separately according to the arrangements, and after the meeting, as a reporter, she would be busy again.

She sincerely hoped that before that, she could chat with this old classmate she hadn't seen for a long time.

"Ding-dong—"

【Tang Song: "Just set off, still need about ten minutes to arrive."】

Deng Yazi replied quickly: "Okay, see you later then."

Sun Xiaonan, who was peeking from the side, instantly had bright eyes: "Wow! Ten minutes! Can see the male god immediately! Yazi, do you think I should touch up my makeup?"

"—Touch up your head." Deng Yazi rolled her eyes at her.

Just then, Director Liu's voice suddenly came from not far away: "The municipal government's motorcade is coming soon, everyone cheer up! Deng Yazi,

you follow Xie Xuan, pay attention to your standing position, don't mess up the lens!"

"Okay!"

Deng Yazi's heart tightened, and she hurriedly ran over.

Sun Xiaonan also hurriedly put away the fanatic expression of a little girl, followed behind her, pretending to be in a professional state.

Of course, the Mayor wouldn't accept interviews casually on such an occasion.

The goal of the TV station was more to shoot material of leaders arriving to give guidance, as well as brief interviews with relevant leaders of the Municipal Propaganda Department who were accompanying.

But no matter what, the form on the scene must be the most grand.

As time passed minute by minute, the news that "Municipal Government leaders are about to arrive" soon spread among the crowd.

The chatting sounds that were still somewhat relaxed on the square gradually disappeared.

County officials Zhang Chengming, No. 1 Middle School Principal Liu Zengyin, and local entrepreneurs like Li Yunfan who called the wind and rain in the mall, all put away all casualness at this moment, their faces carrying nervous yet expectant expressions, occasionally straightening their collars.

Accompanied by the low roar of the engine, two black Audi A6Ls and a Buick GL8 drove slowly into the square.

Everyone's gaze fell squarely on that middle "No. 1 car" Audi.

"Click."

The sound of opening doors sounded one after another.

Deng Yazi in the crowd couldn't help but hold her breath.

Immediately, she saw familiar figures appearing in her line of sight one after another.

Municipal Development and Reform Commission Director Chen Jianguo, Propaganda Department Deputy Minister Lin Haisheng, Government Office Secretary Wang Tao... and Mayor Li Jiping.

Mayor Li was wearing a dark administrative jacket, his figure steady.

There was no expression on his face, just scanning the scene calmly, carrying a powerful aura that did not anger but was prestigious.

At that moment, Deng Yazi's heartbeat accelerated uncontrollably—since joining Quancheng TV Station, she had never seen so many core leaders of the Municipal Government at once.

Especially this famous Mayor Li, who was more oppressive than the rumors.

"Mayor! Welcome to give guidance! All our cadres and masses in Jing County have been looking forward to your arrival—"

"Mayor Li, hello! I am Liu Zengyin from Jing County No. 1 Middle School. That you could take time out of your busy schedule to attend our school anniversary, all our teachers and students are truly honored!"

"Mayor Li, hello, I am Li Yunfan from Maixiangyuan, also an alumnus of Jing County No. 1 Middle School, welcome!"

A series of humble and enthusiastic greetings rose one after another.

Mayor Li Jiping just nodded slightly, reached out to shake hands with several main leaders one by one, and said a few encouraging words in an unhurried tone, congratulating Jing County No. 1 Middle School on its 50th anniversary.

Flashlights flashed urgently, the red lights of cameras kept lighting up, and the scene was grand and enthusiastic.

The atmosphere at the scene also climbed to the peak at this moment.

Sun Xiaonan behind her bumped Deng Yazi's arm, whispering: "Why haven't the city leaders gone in yet? It's so cold outside. Also, counting the time, your classmate Tang Song should be here soon."

Hearing this, Deng Yazi was also stunned.

Indeed, logically speaking, since the municipal government leaders had already arrived, the host County Committee and school should immediately welcome the distinguished guests into the VIP room of the main venue to rest.

Didn't everyone tacitly wait outside just to welcome the Mayor?

Why haven't they gone in yet?

Just as she was full of doubts, secretary Wang Tao hurried to Mayor Li's side and whispered a few words.

Immediately after, Mayor Li not only had no intention of moving, but turned around and cast his gaze toward the end of the red carpet, a hint of a warm smile even appearing on his face.

This abnormal move was like a silent command.

All the people with "eyes" at the scene turned around one after another.

For a time, in the eyes of Deng Yazi, Sun Xiaonan, and others, an extremely strange picture appeared on the square.

Municipal government, County Committee, and school leaders actually stopped talking at the same time, as if waiting for the arrival of some important person.

The originally noisy crowd gradually lowered their chatting sounds.

The atmosphere became tense at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Deng Yazi was stunned, unable to react for a while.

Just then, at the other end of the square, a slight commotion suddenly came from outside the cordon.

A black, solemn Rolls-Royce Phantom appeared quietly at the end of the red carpet.

The heavy and smooth body shone with a cold luster in the early winter warm sun, and the Spirit of Ecstasy on the hood shone brightly.

It drove steadily all the way, without any hesitation, stopping precisely opposite Mayor Li and the group of leaders.

The passenger door opened first.

A tall and capable figure walked out from inside.

She was wearing a well-tailored gray women's suit today, her long hair was neatly coiled behind her head, a flawless professional smile hung on her face, and she walked quickly to the back row, respectfully opening the double-opening car door for the back row.

A polished black leather shoe stepped out first.

Immediately after, a handsome figure appeared in everyone's line of sight.

He was wearing a custom-made dark blue suit, and the top-tier fabric presented a flowing luster in the sun.

The suit fit his figure perfectly, and his whole person was like a long sword out of its sheath in the sun, full of power and elegance.

He just raised his head slightly, without any extra movements, yet exuded an aura that could not be ignored.

Everyone's attention was instantly attracted.

Even Mayor Li Jiping paused imperceptibly for a moment.

Immediately after, Liu Qingning, wearing a beige professional suit, stepped down from the other side of the back door, but she had no intention of stealing the limelight, just standing there quietly looking at Tang Song.

Just then, Shen Yu Yan stepped forward half a step, her voice sounding just right: "Mayor Li, let me introduce you, this is the Chairman of our Rongliu Capital, Mr. Tang Song."

"Hello, Mayor Li." Tang Song's face revealed a confident and calm smile, taking the initiative to reach out his right hand.

Li Jiping stepped forward, gripped Tang Song's hand tightly, his voice loud and full of sincerity: "Hello, Chairman Tang! I have been looking forward to meeting you for a long time! They all say our Jing County is a place of outstanding people, seeing you today, it really lives up to its reputation!"

"Click—click—"

The sound of taking photos rang out around them.

Sun Xiaonan's mouth opened into an "O" shape subconsciously, looking at this male god who walked off the Rolls-Royce Phantom and was personally received by the Mayor, her face flushed, her body trembling slightly.

Deng Yazi stood in place in a daze, her hand instinctively holding the DSLR camera, but completely forgetting to press the shutter.

She felt her brain as if it had been struck by a thunderbolt on the spot.

This... this is... Tang Song?! ===== CHAPTER 637 =====