Chapter 203

Naturally, that money, in many people's eyes, is a huge sum, but for Xiao Ming, it's just a drop in the bucket,

When he agreed to let Xiao Yunzhe come participate in this activity, he realized that coming meant he would have to spend money.

But he spent this money happily.

Children are the future of a family and also of a nation; schools can cultivate talent, he can't do anything else, but providing some assistance is still possible.

Money should be spent where it's useful; as long as it lets students study well, his money is spent meaningfully.

A nation's development most needs technological talent, so he then said he would purchase a batch of new research equipment for the school to use in learning.

Without any doubt, what greeted Xiao Ming again was wave after wave of exclamations and applause……

After the school anniversary ended, the school again held a banquet, inviting those guests to attend.

Xiao Ming was naturally indispensable; at the start of the banquet he could still enjoy some quiet, but gradually everyone became bold, coming to toast Xiao Ming—he doesn't drink, yet he politely responded to those who offered a toast.

For those offering a toast, whether Xiao Ming drinks or not doesn't matter; they're happy just to be able to exchange a few words with him.

Some bolder ones even asked Xiao Ming for his business card; although Xiao Ming is good-tempered, he also has limits—he naturally wouldn't give his own card, but he had Xiao Yunzhe give one instead.

Xiao Ming had Xiao Yunzhe give those people his business card for a purpose.

Although Xiao Yunzhe is his son and would thereby earn respect from many, if he is to manage his enterprises well, he must have genuine ability; otherwise, that position is not secure for him.

Therefore, Xiao Yunzhe needs to build his own network; his path must ultimately be walked by himself.

After the round of entertaining, Xiao Ming finally got to talk with that teacher Xiao Yunzhe had mentioned.

But they had each had a drink, and because of the occasion, it was merely a simple greeting; they didn't mention a word about work.

It was only around ten o'clock at night that Xiao Ming and Xiao Yunzhe left the hotel where the school had held the banquet.

"Dad, you say, why is the allure of money so great? As long as you have money, relatives are everywhere, friends are everywhere; when you're poor, everyone wants to step on you—how can people be so realistic?"

On the way back, the slightly drunk Xiao Yunzhe sighed about life.

Xiao Yunzhe received plenty of flattery today, but he knows it's all because he is the son of the richest person.

If not for his father Xiao Yunzhe, he would be nothing.

Before, he had experienced too much of the warmth and coldness of human relations.

Those classmates and friends who had lost contact suddenly became enthusiastic toward him.

They have a university group chat that usually lies silent; even if someone occasionally speaks, no one thinks of his presence—but now, after he gained the identity of being the richest person's son, just attending a banquet made that group chat unprecedentedly lively.

When classmates chat, they occasionally @ him.

Moreover, many classmates who had added him as a friend years ago but hadn't contacted him sent him many private messages.

Even those who weren't his friends sent him many friend‑request messages.

"Ah, this is reality: in a bustling city no one asks after the poor, but even in remote mountains the rich have distant relatives—this saying makes sense." Xiao Ming heard his son's words, let out a slight sigh, and patted his son's shoulder.

Past experiences of his son let him understand the warmth and coldness of human relations, which is good, but because the son suffered too much injustice, when the son expressed that sigh, Xiao Ming still felt heartache.

His coming to school today also makes up for the regret of having been absent from his son's life; it's not bad, and furthermore, he met the teacher Xiao Ming recommended today, and his impression was still good—his eye for people has always been fairly accurate.

The next day, Xiao Ming had Xiao Yunzhe invite that teacher, Wu Pengqing, out.

Xiao Yunzhe personally went to fetch Wu Pengqing to the Money Cabinet Restaurant, but per Xiao Ming's request, after leading him to a private room he went to wait in the car.

Xiao Ming didn't let him sit in.

At first Xiao Ming was rather nervous, worried the talks might break down; as time passed second by second, but neither Xiao Ming nor Wu Pengqing showed any intention of leaving the restaurant, Xiao Yunzhe's anxious heart gradually settled.

It seems the talks went well.

After a full three hours, Xiao Ming and Wu Pengqing finally emerged from the private room; having sent Wu Pengqing home, Xiao Yunzhe in the car impatiently called Xiao Ming to confirm the result.

Although he had already guessed the outcome, hearing it directly from Xiao Ming's mouth that the agreement with Wu Pengqing was settled still left him unable to contain his excitement.

After hanging up, he hummed a little tune all the way home.

Not two days later, the Minghui Group issued a notice that several large companies under Xiao Ming's name were about to undergo a merger.

As soon as this news came out, the circle exploded.

Everyone was stunned; this richest person is about to pull off another astonishing move.

……

Besides launching the merger plan, the Xiao Family has another very important matter: the lifelong affair of Xiao Yunzhe and Geng Jing Shu.

After some discussion, their marriage was roughly decided.

It's time to spend money again, but Xiao Ming spends this money happily.

But figuring out how to handle this is too brain‑burning.

For a moment he actually didn't know how much money to give as a bridal gift to his future daughter‑in‑law?

At his nephew's wedding he had been generous, spending a lot; his son's wedding couldn't be less impressive than his nephew's—not because he likes to compete, but because he is now the richest person, and his son, as the richest person's son, must maintain that face.

He himself doesn't care that much, but his son is different—his son will inherit his business someday, so he must firmly uphold his son's face.

His nephew's wedding was so generous, yet when it came to his own son he became stingy; this would also give the daughter‑in‑law's family an opinion, and make relatives and friends judge the in‑laws and the Xiao Family.

After thinking it over, Xiao Ming decided to forget everything and just go all out in grandeur.

Thus he decided to handle the marriage according to the traditional procedure: first propose engagement, then finalize the engagement, then hold the wedding.

He first found a matchmaker to represent the Xiao Family in making the proposal; once that was done, it was time to finalize the engagement.

All of this took no more than three days, after which the engagement date was set; once the engagement date was confirmed, preparations for the betrothal gifts began.

Xiao Ming had people prepare 99,990,000 as the bridal gift, hoping the couple would last forever.