"I'm Lu Chen. If you've forgotten me, then surely you remember Miao Wan?"
This chilling voice instantly snapped Li Yuzhu back to reality on the other end of the phone.
Miao Wan? Of course he knew! Even without the other person mentioning Miao Wan, Li Yuzhu knew who that ruthless figure was. That day at Dong Qingqing's house, he'd been brutally beaten by this guy named Lu Chen, even spitting blood. He'd thought he could call his brother Miao Wan to bring men and kill Lu Chen, but unexpectedly, Miao Wan was also this guy's defeated foe. Not only did he not bring any men, but he'd also given him a severe dressing-down.
This was something he'd remember for the rest of his life, something that would haunt him forever!
Faced with a call from this unapproachable figure, Li Yuzhu quickly responded respectfully, "I know, I know, you...you're Mr. Lu! Mr. Lu, what do you need me to say?"
His heart skipped a beat. Was this all for Dong Qingqing?
Meanwhile, Ms. Song, the teacher next to Lu Chen, also heard Li Yuzhu's respectful voice. She was taken aback. This father of Li Dongdong was usually quite fierce, so why was he being so respectful to this young man?
She had originally hoped to watch a good show and vent her anger, but it seemed her wishful thinking had backfired.
Lu Chen didn't bother to say much to Li Yuzhu and simply said that he and Dong Qingqing were at Angel Kindergarten and were taking Dongdong out for a few days. He was just letting them know so that the father wouldn't be unaware.
His tone wasn't one of seeking opinions at all; it was a condescending, authorizing tone.
Li Yuzhu stammered, "This...that..."
Lu Chen went straight to the point: "Should I have Miao Wan talk to you?"
"No need, no need. It's normal for a mother to take her son out to play!" Li Yuzhu quickly said in a humble voice, "But...but Dongdong has to be willing too. Forcing him won't work!"
Now, he could only pin his hopes on his son, whom he had been constantly instigating.
Lu Chen looked at Dongdong and asked directly, "Dongdong, are you willing?"
As he spoke, he held the phone to Dongdong's big mouth.
Dongdong said happily and proudly, "Of course I'm willing, Dad! Uncle said he'll take me to many places to play, wherever is fun! Also, Mom confirmed with me that she didn't abandon me, she still loves me!"
Instantly, Li Yuzhu's face contorted with anger on the other end of the phone. He wanted to say something, but didn't dare.
"So, Li Yuzhu?" Lu Chen asked calmly.
"Okay… fine, my son is willing, I… of course I agree too," Li Yuzhu said with a bitter face.
"Then talk to the teacher," Wang Shuo handed the phone to Teacher Song, whose face was full of black lines.
A few minutes later, Lu Chen and Dong Qingqing led Dongdong out of the classroom. The moment they stepped out, he suddenly turned back and said:
"Children, don't worry, soon this teacher with no professional ethics won't be teaching you anymore. I'll fire her! Then I'll get you a good teacher who doesn't accept gifts!"
Instantly, the children's tense expressions relaxed somewhat, some even showing smiles, but they had to grit their teeth and hold them back. After all, Teacher Song was still there!
Teacher Song shouted at Lu Chen's retreating figure, "What are you so capable of?!"
Lu Chen, without turning his head, replied, "I could at least fart and kill you."
After walking out, Dong Qingqing looked at Lu Chen nervously, "Chen, are you really going to drive Teacher Song away?"
Dongdong chimed in like an adult, "Good riddance! Driving Teacher Song away is the only way we can survive. I don't want to leave here either, because..." His face flushed slightly, "Rou Rou promised to be my wife!"
Lu Chen chuckled, "Dongdong, good for you, you've already found a wife so early! Rou Rou is nice."
Dong Qingqing rolled her eyes at him, reached down, and pinched his bottom, scolding, "Don't teach the child bad things, hmph... just like you!" She then gave Lu Chen a flirtatious look, her allure making him feel instantly weak in the knees.
Lu Chen patted Dongdong's head: "Kid, tell me, where's your kindergarten's auditorium?"
Dongdong pointed to a brand-new building in the distance, almost like the Bird's Nest stadium: "There it is!"
Dong Qingqing's heart skipped a beat. She looked at Lu Chen: "You weren't going to..."
Lu Chen blinked: "Spending eight million to get rid of a bad teacher is worth it! It's all for the next generation!"
Dong Qingqing was both amused and exasperated: "You... what am I supposed to say to you? Eight million! That's a lot of money!"
Indeed, eight million! Many families couldn't earn even half of that in a lifetime.
Lu Chen looked around, scratched his head, and said: "This kindergarten is actually quite good. You can tell the owner put a lot of thought into the design, but there are a few bad apples. I think investing here would be a good idea. Sister Qingqing, I also believe in your abilities. After becoming a school board member, you'll be able to manage this place well."
"You!" Dong Qingqing's eyes widened in disbelief.
Lu Chen laughed heartily, head held high, and strode ahead towards the Bird's Nest auditorium.
Next to the auditorium was a very elegant conference room, with about thirty or forty people seated around it. Lu Chen and Dong Qingqing led Dongdong inside and sat on the periphery. Although many people noticed them, no one said anything.
At the top of the round conference table, a middle-aged woman of about forty, dressed simply but with delicate and beautiful features, was speaking eloquently. It was clear she was a very cultured and educated woman.
"That's Guo Xifeng, the kindergarten principal. Last year, she was named one of the top ten outstanding early childhood educators in the province. It's just unexpected that her cousin would be that kind of teacher," Dong Qingqing sighed, shaking her head.
"...As you've all seen from my detailed explanation, the development prospects of our Angel Kindergarten are quite vast. My dream is to become the number one private kindergarten in Yunzhou City within three years, and among the top five in the entire Fuhai Province within five years! Development cannot be separated from funding; with money, everything is easier, and all the hardware and software can keep up!"
"We will introduce the world's most advanced early childhood education, recruit top-tier teachers from across China, and even offer high salaries to teachers with advanced early childhood education expertise from Germany, France, and Italy! This requires everyone's support, and the returns will be very generous. As you all know, parents nowadays value early childhood education highly, wanting their children to win at the starting line..."
Guo Xifeng spoke with great focus, and the listeners were quite eager.
Lu Chen quietly inquired about the situation from the person next to him. The purpose of this meeting was similar to what Teacher Song had said. The thirty or forty people present were mostly local wealthy second-generation individuals with investment intentions—the rich, handsome, and beautiful.
Of course, people of Shangguan Jinwang's, Shangguan Bei's, Zhuang Sicong's, and Zhuang Keluo's caliber wouldn't appear at this kind of event; it's far too simplistic for them. Even second- or third-tier rich kids like Shangguan Mingbo wouldn't deign to come here.
After delivering her insightful remarks, Guo Xifeng surveyed the room and said calmly, "The investment standards are clear to everyone, and you all know the corresponding annual dividends."
She paused, took a sip of tea, and continued, "In short, one million, three million, five million, and eight million correspond to Level 3, Level 2, Level 1, and Special Grade shareholders, respectively. Special Grade shareholders will join the school board, participate in the kindergarten's construction and management, and will receive rewards in addition to dividends for providing valuable suggestions."
"Now, everyone can express their investment intentions. We will sign contracts on the spot, with a 10% deposit as a down payment, the balance to be credited within a week. Of course, you can also pay the full amount on the spot. But regardless, dividends will begin today. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me."
Guo Xifeng then fell silent, looking around. She noticed Dong Qingqing and Dongdong, and felt a little surprised that their parents and children were present. However, given the crucial moment, she didn't dwell on it, simply observing her surroundings.
After some whispering among themselves, the attendees raised several questions, to which Guo Xifeng provided answers that satisfied them. Then, people began to express their intentions.
After about twenty minutes, a tally was taken: twelve people became third-tier shareholders, seven became second-tier shareholders, only one became a first-tier shareholder, and no one became a top-tier shareholder.
In total, roughly two-thirds of the attendees were willing to invest, raising 38 million on the spot. The number exceeded Guo Xifeng's expectations, but she was somewhat disappointed that only one person was willing to become a first-tier shareholder.
In her mind, at least three people would have been needed.
As for top-tier shareholders, she hadn't even considered them; she had only mentioned them casually. In her understanding, top-tier shareholders couldn't come from this group; that required her to personally recruit key figures. It might even involve arduous negotiations. Regardless, she was generally satisfied with today's outcome.
Just as Guo Xifeng thought the situation was settled and was about to have her assistant distribute the contracts, a clear, young voice rang out: "I'll invest ten million!"
Ten million?
Instantly, everyone was shocked and fell silent, turning to look in the direction of the voice.
There sat a composed and distinguished young man, next to him sat a voluptuous and slender woman, and a little boy who kept grinning foolishly.
Guo Xifeng also shuddered slightly. Ten million? That's equivalent to a super shareholder and two third-tier shareholders—it sounded like a joke.
She stood up from her chair: "Sir, you want to invest ten million?"
Lu Chen nodded without hesitation: "Yes."
Guo Xifeng glanced at Dong Qingqing and Dongdong beside him and smiled slightly: "This little boy is called Dongdong, right? Hello, ma'am, are you Dongdong's mother?"
The entire Angel Kindergarten has over 1,200 children; Guo Xifeng's ability to recognize Dongdong was enough to demonstrate her expertise.
Dong Qingqing nodded in greeting, "Hello, Director Guo, I'm Dongdong's mother. This... is my younger brother, Lu Chen."
She knew, of course, that Guo Xifeng wasn't trying to confirm her identity, but rather to use her to confirm Lu Chen's. However, the true relationship couldn't be revealed to outsiders, so she simply said he was her brother.
"Oh," Guo Xifeng looked at Lu Chen with interest, "Mr. Lu, although I didn't invite you to this fundraising meeting, I'm very happy that you've come and invested. Did you know about this meeting and come specifically to attend?"