Chapter 1167: A Golden Pie Falling from the Sky

Jian Qiu sensed the glances Dong Yujun kept casting her way. Her brows furrowed, and a trace of displeasure appeared on her face, though she could say nothing in such a setting.

Yet, her furrowed brows only made Dong Yujun feel as if he were on fire inside.

Damn it, this woman was too beautiful, too elegant; even frowning looked so good on her.

Originally, he had planned to unite with another powerful state-owned enterprise to compete head-on with Autumn East.

He felt that with his connections and strength, combined with that other state-owned enterprise, even if Autumn East was foreign-funded, they couldn't possibly snatch this project from his hands.

But the moment he saw Jian Qiu, he changed his mind. He felt that cooperating with Autumn East was the best choice.

"Teachers and students of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, good morning," Hu Guanghui said, delivering a brief opening statement. "The country must develop, and every part of the nation must develop; naturally, Beijing must develop as well.

Therefore, the municipal government has decided to build Wang Fujing into a top-tier commercial district, a move supported by the leadership above. Consequently, the Academy must relocate.

Of course, I know everyone has an attachment to the Academy; after all, it was built by the older generation of artists with their heart and blood. Everything here, including the architecture, the flowers, and the trees, records the glory and honor of the Academy.

When the municipal government first made the plans, we were all heartbroken at the thought of tearing it all down and rebuilding. But breaking the old is an inevitable part of urban development."

As he said this, Hu Guanghui picked up the teacup beside him and took a sip. Below, there was a buzz of discussion, and many professors wore expressions of intense anger.

Listening to the commotion below and looking at those old professors and artists with white hair and beards, Hu Guanghui felt a sense of relief.

These professors were famous artists not just domestically, but internationally.

If they had followed the original plan, and these old professors and artists had strongly opposed it, the project likely wouldn't have been able to proceed even after the Academy moved.

"Yesterday, Ms. Yuan Liying, President of Autumn East Financial Investment Company in Hong Kong, and Ms. Jian Qiu, Deputy General Manager of the Beijing branch, came to the municipal government and offered their opinions."

Hu Guanghui scanned the crowd below: "They offered to fund the construction of the new campus and provide 35 million USD to swap for the Academy's land. They also promised to preserve all existing buildings, conducting only internal renovations before commercial operation."

The people below looked at each other in surprise. If that were the case, they could accept it. The faces of those old professors and artists, previously tense, softened.

Hu Guanghui smiled: "Perhaps many of you don't know that your idol, Comrade Zhou Andong, is the General Manager of Autumn East's Beijing branch."

A roar erupted; the room exploded. Everyone knew Zhou Andong was the Chairman of Yugong Group and that brands like Xurishang and Yuxi Real Estate were his industries.

But this was the first time they had heard of Autumn East, and even those who had heard of it could never have linked it to Zhou Andong.

Upon hearing that Zhou Andong was the General Manager of Autumn East in Beijing, the students, teachers, and those old professors and artists all broke into smiles.

"Mayor Hu, if it is Zhou Andong who wants the Academy's land, I have no objections," said Gu Zengquan. "It's not just because Zhou Andong donated 20 million USD to the Academy; based on his patriotism alone, we trust him with the Academy."

Following this, the old professors and artists expressed their agreement one after another.

"As long as it's handed to Zhou Andong, we have no objections."

"Right, we only trust Zhou Andong."

Hearing the shouts from below, Hu Guanghui's smile grew brighter, and the other municipal leaders laughed as well.

They were shocked, however, to learn Zhou Andong had donated 20 million USD to the Academy—a truly massive gesture.

Had they known this earlier, they would have gone straight to Zhou Andong; things wouldn't have reached this point.

Many people below were still whispering: "Did you hear? Zhou Andong's younger sister is studying at our school."

"I heard, but I don't know which department or what her name is."

"I've asked around, even our counselor, but nobody knows."

"The counselor wouldn't tell you even if they knew."

"But I heard Zhou Andong's sister is very pretty."

"Who did you hear that from?"

"Never mind who I heard it from, I'm not lying to you."

"..."

Zhou Anqin sat in the corner of the back row, her dormitory sisters beside her.

Deng Lanxia sat next to her. Hearing the surrounding discussion, she glanced at Zhou Anqin and pursed her lips in a smile.

Sitting on the other side was Huang Yu, the girl from Sichuan, who hugged Zhou Anqin's arm and whispered:

"Xiao Qin, tell the truth, are you really Zhou Andong's sister?"

Zhou Anqin smiled: "I've told you so many times that my brother is Zhou Andong, but you don't believe me."

Huang Yu looked at the smile on Zhou Anqin's face; no matter how she looked at it, it seemed like she was joking.

"You little brat," Huang Yu pinched Zhou Anqin's arm lightly: "Still not telling me the truth, are you?"

Zhou Anqin shrugged: "I'm telling the truth, can you blame me if you don't believe it?"

Huang Yu blinked: "Really?"

Zhou Anqin nodded with a smile: "Of course."

Seeing Zhou Anqin's smiling face, Huang Yu stopped believing her again.

"Forget it, I won't ask anymore. You little woman is too cunning; I can't get the truth out of you."

Deng Lanxia bit her lip to keep from laughing.

For a long time now, no matter who asked, Zhou Anqin would readily admit she was Zhou Andong's sister.

But the more readily she admitted it, the less Huang Yu and the others believed her.

"What are you all talking about?" Gao Xue leaned over to ask.

Huang Yu sighed: "The same old story."

Gao Xue blinked, looking at Zhou Anqin, wanting to ask, but ultimately shook her head and didn't.

Because if she asked, Zhou Anqin would surely admit it readily and even offer to introduce them to her brother, Zhou Andong.

But the more she did that, the less they believed her, always feeling that Zhou Anqin was just teasing them.

"Sigh!" Kang Na sighed: "If only Xiao Qin were really Zhou Andong's sister. I don't have high demands; I just want to take a photo with my idol and show it to my rival to piss her off."

Just then, Dong Yujun spoke up: "Mayor Hu, leaders, this project at the Academy was originally brought to me by you. Now you're going back on your word, making all my previous work go to waste, not to mention the time, effort, and capital wasted. How am I supposed to explain this to my staff?"

Hu Guanghui smiled: "I invited you here precisely because I considered your difficulties. If you have any ideas, feel free to speak up, and we can discuss a solution."