Chapter 824: Su Qingyu Seeking Chu Lingxi's Support

When Su Qingyu returned to the private room, Zhao Tianyu was holding a wine glass waiting for him.

"Where did you just run off to?" Zhao Tianyu looked at Su Qingyu with a half-smile: "Could it be… you went to tip someone off?"

This half-true, half-false probe made Su Qingyu's heart pound.

"Big brother, you're joking..." Su Qingyu hurriedly lifted his wine glass, forcing a smile: "I just went out for a cigarette, to get some fresh air."

"Is that so?"

Zhao Tianyu stared at him for a few seconds, as if examining the truth! After looking, he suddenly burst out laughing: "Come, drink! Today I'm happy—I won't stop until I'm drunk!"

Everyone started drinking again.

But Su Qingyu noticed that Zhao Tianyu's gaze at him was a few degrees colder than before! That scrutinizing, suspicious look left no room for even a hint of betrayal.

After thinking left and right, self-preservation still had to rely on himself.

"If there's no place for me here, there will be elsewhere?" Uh… that idea won't work—if I divorce Zhao Linlin and cut ties with the Zhao family, I'll only die faster.

For self-rescue, I can only seek another path, looking for a way out from Lin Dongfan's side.

The crucial matter requires finding the crucial person!

Su Qingyu's mind turned, quickly locking onto a lifeline—Chu Lingxi! Thinking that if he could connect with the Mayor's wife, perhaps he could find a sliver of hope.

Wednesday afternoon.

Jianglan Daxue College of Arts rehearsal hall.

Chu Lingxi wore a practice outfit, her hair tied into a neat bun at the back of her head, furrowing her willow-leaf brows as she looked at the budget sheet in her hand, worried.

Outside the window the sunlight was splendid, polishing the wooden floor to a shine, but her mood felt shrouded in gray.

"Chu Teacher." The department head pushed the door open, a kindly woman in her fifties: "As for the International Modern Dance Competition, the university affairs committee still hasn't approved it."

"Why?"

Chu Lingxi lifted her head, eyes full of incomprehension: "This is the highest-level international dance competition; if we could win an award, it would be excellent publicity for our college and the school..."

"Or it's a funding issue."

The department head sighed, then said slowly: "Registration fees, travel expenses, costumes and props, coaching staff… all added up come to at least a million. The school's budget is tight this year; we simply can't spare this sum."

Chu Lingxi bit her lip, saying nothing.

The student dance team she leads has been preparing for a full six months.

The students practice every day until late at night; the bruises on their knees never fade. All for this competition, for the chance to stand on that dreamed-of international stage.

But now, because of money, everything might go down the drain.

"I'll think of another way." Chu Lingxi said softly.

The department head patted her shoulder, shook his head, and left.

The rehearsal hall fell silent.

A few female students were still practicing basic moves in the corner, sweat soaking their practice uniforms. They didn't know the competition might be canceled, yet their eyes still shone.

Chu Lingxi walked to the window, looking at the plane trees on campus, feeling a heaviness in her heart.

Just then.

The door of the rehearsal hall was lightly knocked.

Following the sound, she looked.

Only to see Su Qingyu standing at the doorway, wearing a casual suit, holding an exquisite fruit basket. Su Qingyu's gaze also locked directly onto Chu Lingxi, his face wearing an enthusiastic yet measured smile.

"Chu Teacher, sorry to disturb you."

Su Qingyu stepped forward directly, giving a familiar self-introduction: "I'm Su Qingyu of Green Wild Landscaping. We met at the city's literary and artistic work symposium earlier. Today I happened to pass by the school and wanted to watch your rehearsal. Our company has always supported the development of local cultural and artistic endeavors."

Chu Lingxi was stunned for a moment, then quickly recalled.

Last month the city indeed held such a meeting; she attended as the College of Arts' teacher representative. At the meeting, an entrepreneur spoke about sponsoring civilian art groups—this is that very person.

"Please come in, President Su." Chu Lingxi greeted politely.

Su Qingyu entered the rehearsal hall, his gaze sweeping the surroundings.

The walls were adorned with photos of past competition winners, the cabinets displayed trophies, and the air smelled of sweat and floor wax—all of it exuding professionalism and passion.

Several students were rehearsing the competition piece:

Modern Dance "Tracing".

It tells the journey of a river from its source to the sea.

The movements were sometimes gentle as water, sometimes fierce as waves, set to ethereal music—so much that even a layman like Su Qingyu found himself drawn in.

"Is this the dance you'll enter in the competition?" Su Qingyu asked curiously.

"Yeah, the International Modern Dance Competition." Chu Lingxi's eyes flickered with a hint of gloom: "But… we might not be able to go now."

"Why?"

"Not enough funds." Chu Lingxi gave a bitter smile: "The school won't approve it."

Su Qingyu's heart stirred.

An opportunity arrived.

But he didn't immediately express his stance; instead he continued to watch the dance attentively. When the music ended and the students stopped, panting, he was the first to applaud.

"Excellent! So excellent!"

Su Qingyu praised sincerely: "Although I don't understand dance, I can feel that power—the tension of life, the rhythm of nature. Chu Teacher, you and the students are truly amazing."

Chu Lingxi felt a bit embarrassed by the praise: "President Su, you're overpraising me; these students really do work hard."

"It's not flattery, it's the truth." Su Qingyu walked up to the students, looking at each one: "How old are you? How many years have you been dancing?"

A girl with a ponytail answered: "I'm nineteen, I started dancing at six."

"I'm twenty, I've trained for thirteen years."

"I'm nineteen, I've trained for ten years."

……

Su Qingyu listened as these girls reported their dance histories, feeling moved. These young ladies had devoted their best years to dance. All for a stage, a dream.

He turned and looked toward Chu Lingxi.

He spoke solemnly: "Chu Teacher, such a work, such a team, if they cannot compete due to funding issues, it is not only a loss for Jianglan Daxue, but also a loss for our Wuzhou."

Chu Lingxi's eyes lit up: "Chief Su means..."

"We, Green Wild Landscaping, are willing to fully fund." Su Qingyu said bluntly: "Is two million enough? If not, we can add more. Costumes, props, travel—all to the highest standard."

Su Qingyu's bold words landed, and the whole rehearsal hall fell silent instantly.

The students looked at each other, hardly daring to believe their own ears.

Chu Lingxi also froze: "Chief Su, this... this is embarrassing? Two million is not a small sum..."

"Money should be spent where it brings value." Su Qingyu chuckled: "Supporting culture and art, supporting youths chasing dreams—this is the most worthwhile investment. Moreover..."

A faint smile lingered for a moment.

Su Qingyu added: "If the children can win awards at the international competition, that would not only be the honor of our Place, but also the honor of the nation. Our company making a contribution is only fitting."

These words were spoken without a leak.

In an instant, the Canhan incident was elevated to the height of bringing glory to the country!

It expressed support without mentioning any conditions, completely presenting the image of an enthusiastic philanthropist entrepreneur, making one want to refuse but unable to.