Chapter 848: Hidden Daggers in the Campus

The sharp-angled face of Deputy Director Liu was illuminated by the sunlight, half bright and half dim.

"That kid Ma Rui is not easy to deal with! That company is clearly his, but he isn't the legal representative, and the manager and deputy manager have nothing to do with him either. What can we do? He even invited the department heads and excellent teachers from the Photography Department, the Fine Arts Department, and even the Sound Recording Department to serve as advisors, putting on a show of studying while working. It's really hard to get a handle on him!"

Li Xiang said with a face full of resentment: "Uncle, Zhao Weiguo and Chen Jiadong actually made up; is there any justice in this? Now some people are spreading rumors that the 615 fight case was stirred up by me because I had my eye on Chen Jiadong's girlfriend. Is there any justice in this?"

Deputy Director Liu sighed and said: "This is gossip deliberately released by someone. Because of this matter, the Department Head even specifically talked to me, telling me to be impartial in my work."

"Uncle, I really didn't do it!" Li Xiang hurriedly cried out, his voice hoarse.

"Regardless of whether you did it or not," Deputy Director Liu waved his hand, "don't be so attentive to Li Xin in the future. Don't you know what kind of relationship she has with Chen Jiadong! At this critical juncture, you being so eager will easily give people something to hold against you."

Li Xiang curled his lip: "But Li Xin said it herself, Chen Jiadong ignores her now, can't I even show some concern?"

"I personally set the rule that freshmen are not allowed to date; are you trying to undermine me?" Deputy Director Liu said irritably.

"Uncle, I think all this gossip is spread by that bitch Liu Wei! She is just a puppet for Ma Rui now!"

Deputy Director Liu shook his head: "I've talked to Liu Wei, and she isn't even that respectful to me anymore. She's climbed up a high branch, and we can't touch her for the time being."

"Why?"

"Ma Rui pulled strings to help her sign a three-year advertising contract for Dabao cosmetics. Originally, she only needed to turn over thirty percent of the service fee to the department, but she did well for herself—she donated all the money to the department, thirty thousand yuan a year... Now she is a favorite in front of the Department Head, and even the Dean has taken note of her."

"But..." Li Xiang frowned, "Doesn't the school have regulations? Freshmen are not allowed to take private jobs outside."

"This time, the Department Head specifically went to the Dean for special approval." Deputy Director Liu snorted irritably, "Thirty thousand yuan, do you know how important that is to our department?"

Li Xiang's eyes rolled, and he lowered his voice: "I don't think Liu Wei is that noble; her mother went to Beijing for surgery. If she didn't get any benefits, I wouldn't believe it. Also, look at her clothes and makeup now; it's a world of difference compared to before... Uncle, do you think she's being kept by someone?"

"Don't talk nonsense without evidence." Deputy Director Liu glared at him, his tone unpleasant; he was the one making the rulings now. This nephew of his was too good at finding trouble for him.

Li Xiang still wouldn't give up: "Uncle, you have to find a reason to fix Ma Rui. The students in our class, especially the female students, are all crowding around Ma Rui now for no reason..."

Deputy Director Liu had a belly full of anger with nowhere to vent, and he waved his hand: "Alright, alright, stop running to me in the future."

Li Xiang's eyes rolled, he turned and walked to the door, then looked back and said: "Uncle, my mom wants you to come over for dinner on Sunday."

Deputy Director Liu was stunned for a moment, then pulled a reluctant smile to the corner of his mouth: "Okay, I will definitely go."

The door closed, and the office instantly became quiet.

Deputy Director Liu fished a cigarette out of the drawer, lit it, and took a deep drag.

The smoke swirled slowly in the beam of the setting sun. He stared at the cloud of smoke for a long time before muttering to himself: "Little brat, you only know how to use your mother to pressure me... But then again, without my cousin, I wouldn't be where I am today. This favor has to be repaid."

The next day, just after Ma Rui finished his professional course, he was called to the office by Deputy Director Liu.

The office was not large; a piece of calligraphy reading "Great Virtue Carries All Things" hung on the wall, and two spider plants were placed on the windowsill, their leaves slightly yellowing.

Deputy Director Liu sat in his chair with several documents spread out in front of him.

"Ma Rui, sit."

Ma Rui pulled over a chair and sat down, his back straight.

Deputy Director Liu flipped through the materials and said: "I heard you partnered with someone to open an advertising company outside called Juxiantang? The business is booming."

Ma Rui shook his head with a perfectly appropriate smile on his face: "Teacher Liu, that was me helping Zhao Hu pull in investment. My uncle invested in it; he holds sixty percent of the shares, and Zhao Hu, Chen Jiadong, Yu Zhiwei, and Zhao Weiguo each hold ten percent. That company has nothing to do with me. I just go over to learn things often."

Deputy Director Liu smiled: "That is where your brilliance lies. If I'm not mistaken, your uncle's percentage..."

Ma Rui shook his head with an innocent look: "Deputy Director Liu, you are wronging me. The documents registered with the Administration for Industry and Commerce are written in black and white; you are welcome to investigate."

Deputy Director Liu sneered: "The school has explicit regulations—freshmen are prohibited from doing business for profit outside of school. With you doing this, so many students in the class are thinking about following you to make money; who is still willing to settle down and study? Ma Rui, you are harming people!"

Ma Rui opened his mouth, wanting to explain.

Deputy Director Liu raised his hand to interrupt him directly: "I don't care what connections you have behind you or who is backing you, nor do I care how much money you make. Here, rules are rules. From now on, morning practice, attendance, and professional courses—I will keep an eye on you personally. Also, our school is an ivory tower; don't bring that street-smart air of yours here. I know your family has some connections. But so what?"

The office was quiet for two seconds.

Ma Rui suddenly smiled, his eyes narrowing into slits: "I understand what you mean. But I still have to explain one thing: the endorsement Liu Wei took, I just pulled the strings; it really has nothing to do with me."

Deputy Director Liu slapped the table, and the thermos on the table jumped: "What do you take me for? If Liu Wei can generate revenue for the department, I couldn't be happier!"

Ma Rui's eyes narrowed tighter, and a smile still hung on the corners of his mouth: "Deputy Director Liu is right to teach me. Although I haven't done any of the things you mentioned, I will correct my mistakes if I have them, and encourage myself if I don't."

Deputy Director Liu stared at him fixedly: "If I catch you violating the rules once, I can still expel you."

Ma Rui nodded, stood up, and suddenly seemed to remember something: "Deputy Director Liu, my mother's company is going to film a large-scale historical drama. I came here to help her contact the seniors in our department to participate; this doesn't count as a violation, right?"

Deputy Director Liu gritted his teeth and finally nodded: "Providing students with practical opportunities is a good thing; I won't stop it."

"Then thank you." After Ma Rui finished speaking, he turned and left, the door closing gently behind him.

Deputy Director Liu stared at the door and didn't move for a long time.

As soon as Ma Rui returned to the dormitory, he saw Yang Jing sitting in his chair.

"Did your mom come back with you? Why didn't you tell me? I could have gone to pick you up." Ma Rui threw his backpack on the bed and asked.

Yang Jing stood up and walked straight over to hug him, "She was sent over on Uncle Xu Tian's plane, and Xiao Tian picked her up. He wouldn't let me tell you. He said you are very busy now."

"Is your mom's health okay?"

"The doctor said many people have postoperative complications after surgery, and that was a brush with death... My mom is actually safe and sound."

Ma Rui hurriedly pushed her away: "Auntie went home? That environment at your place is not conducive to recovery at all!"

Yang Jing nodded vigorously: "The doctor said my mom must live in a very clean house, otherwise it's easy to get infected and sick."

"Our company rented a three-bedroom apartment in Mudan Yuan; you take Auntie and move in there first."

Yang Jing was stunned for a moment, then hugged him again and kissed him directly.

Ma Rui was startled, hurriedly pushed her away, and lowered his voice: "Sun Yong is sleeping upstairs."

Sun Yong, on the upper bunk, poked his head out and said with a grin: "I can't pretend to be asleep anymore; who knows what sparks you two will strike up later! I'm leaving now."

Ma Rui glared at him: "Then get out."

Sun Yong jumped off the bed nimbly, grabbed his jacket, and walked out while putting it on, muttering: "Fine, I'm rolling, I'm rolling."

The door closed, and the dormitory became completely quiet.

Yang Jing restrained her smile, her expression becoming serious: "Ma Rui, I've read the TV script you gave me. I want to act in it."

Ma Rui nodded and said: "My uncle is also very optimistic about this drama. The competition for several female roles is particularly fierce; there are dozens of people who have signed up. I can't decide your role directly, but... I will give you a fair chance to compete."

Yang Jing looked straight into his eyes and said word by word, "That is enough; I do not need you to pull strings."

Beijing Second Reception House.

He Yuzhu sat on the sofa, quietly watching Secretary Liu opposite him.