Become a Backer

While having dinner at the hotel that evening, Zhang Yang took the opportunity to inquire about the hotel's recent situation after changing its laundry supplier.

"Mr. Zhang, since the replacement, we've also conducted a customer survey, and the feedback has been quite positive," Anderson said, observing the situation.

"Hmm, not bad." Zhang Yang nodded.

It seems that Teacher Meng's Meijie Laundry Factory is indeed quite successful, living up to his trust and seizing the opportunities given to it.

As a result, he naturally wouldn't be stingy with subsequent orders.

This is a long-term, long-term...

After Anderson left, Zhang Yang, on a whim, casually flipped through the employees' resumes.

Every employee in the hotel has a record of their employment.

Even a cleaner, even a security guard.

So he easily found the information on the blond-haired guy from earlier that day and browsed through it.

"This··"

Zhang Yang blinked, looking at the academic qualifications section of the document with some surprise.

The educational background listed is high school.

The school turned out to be Yinghai Middle School, which was his alma mater.

Yinghai Middle School is supposed to be a key municipal school, yet it produced such a scoundrel.

But then I thought, what kind of weirdos aren't there in such a big school?

It's not surprising that a few people go astray.

"It seems that this old Sun has indeed put in the effort to train me," Zhang Yang muttered to himself.

Putting everything else aside, getting into Yinghai Middle School was at least based on merit. As for how he went astray later on, that's anyone's guess.

He casually put down the documents in his hand and put the matter out of his mind.

As a big boss, he wouldn't go out of his way to make things difficult for such a nobody.

They are free to come and go as they please.

··

That evening, recalling how Teacher Meng had complained about his lack of enthusiasm in replying to WeChat earlier that day, he unusually chatted with Teacher Meng for quite a while.

Teacher Meng was also in high spirits, chatting non-stop with Zhang Yang.

"By the way, I specifically told my dad to pay close attention to the Four Seasons Hotel bookings. Hmm... the feedback should be okay, right?" Meng Baihan asked, a little nervously.

"Yes, it's really good," Zhang Yang said with a smile. "I'll raise your prices later, so you don't end up losing money just to attract customers."

"Ah?" Teacher Meng was a little embarrassed. "Actually, it's still a profit, so please don't make a fuss about it..."

Zhang Yang knew perfectly well how much or how little he was making.

Regarding laundry services, Teacher Meng's family may not necessarily lose money, but they certainly won't make a lot of profit either. Well, raising the price a bit is just to be considerate of an old classmate.

He doesn't care about those few dollars anymore.

"By the way, I have a question for you," Zhang Yang asked casually, "Is there a student named Tian Long at your school?"

"Tian... Long? That sounds familiar." Meng Baihan murmured twice. "Right, I remember now... Tian Long, I think he was expelled from school a few months ago."

"What's the reason?" Zhang Yang asked again.

"It seems like they're involved in fights, forming gangs, and associating with idle people." Meng Baihan thought for a moment and said, "Could it be that you have any dealings with people like that?"

"You might not believe it, but this guy works as a security guard at my hotel now," Zhang Yang said with a shake of his head and a smile.

"I've come to stay with my senior," Meng Baihan joked.

"Forget it, he probably wouldn't even look down on my security guard job. He's thinking of going out and making his way in the world," Zhang Yang said with a laugh. "By the way, you don't have class tomorrow morning, right?"

"Your boss, Mr. Zhang, has an appointment. I have to ask for leave even if I have classes," Meng Baihan said with a light reproach. "The other teachers may not have any objections, but the students are probably very disappointed."

At this point in the conversation, the two exchanged knowing smiles, as if they had returned to their student days.

Before classes like PE and English start, I see teachers of other main subjects walk into the classroom, and the classroom is filled with groans and lamentations that their classes have been taken up.

Honestly, this time it really wasn't the other teachers' fault.

Bite!

Because the host is feeling happy and touched by his alma mater life, he is awarded a donation of 100 million yuan, which can be used multiple times.

A pleasant notification sounded in my mind.

Zhang Yang smiled slightly.

The system is quite astute; it unintentionally triggered this donation.

Logically speaking, Yinghai Middle School did nurture him, even if it didn't cultivate him into a highly talented individual. It did help him become a decent person. Theoretically, even without the system, he could have at least become a stable cog in the machine of society and lived a normal life.

Therefore, he is still grateful to his alma mater.

For Yu Li, donating money to his alma mater can also enhance his reputation and has a potential publicity effect, plus some other benefits.

Since the system pays anyway, why not?

"How about I donate some money to the school? That way, I can look out for you there," Zhang Yang said, half-jokingly and half-seriously. "Just tell the principal if you need to ask for leave."

"Are you kidding me?" Meng Baihan chuckled, not taking it seriously.

"You don't believe me? I'm serious," Zhang Yang said.

There was a moment of silence on Meng Baihan's end, then his voice suddenly rose.

"Zhang Yang, are you really going to donate to the school? Is it because of me?" Meng Baihan asked incredulously.

"Yes," Zhang Yang replied immediately.

"Do I really deserve this from you?" Meng Baihan murmured to himself, clearly moved.

Zhang Yang smiled but didn't say anything.

Since he could donate the 100 million in installments, he naturally didn't intend to donate it all at once. He wanted to do it gradually, year by year, so that the school would always be grateful to him for being such Daikin spender.

Let's donate tens of millions for the first time.

Tens of millions at a time is not a small amount; in fact, it's outrageously large.

Because some super-rich individuals have donated only hundreds of millions to their university alma maters, while for a high school, let alone tens of millions, even tens of millions is a huge sum.

On the other end of the phone, Teacher Meng finally calmed down.

"Zhang Yang, I miss you."

This was the first time that Teacher Meng had expressed her feelings so frankly.

It is both simple and bold.

"Do you miss me?" she asked again.

"I..." Zhang Yang began, his voice trailing off slightly.

The other side was quiet, but the faint sound of breathing suggested that Teacher Meng was not as calm as she appeared.

He seemed a little nervous.

"I want to," Zhang Yang said with a smile.

Whom are you thinking of?

"Miss you."

"Who misses me?" Teacher Meng said with a hint of coquettishness, "Can't you just say it all at once?"

"Okay, I miss you."

The other end of the phone was just as quiet as inside the room, and the city lights twinkled in the dark night outside the window.

Zhang Yang stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, holding his phone. Listening to the breathing on the other end of the line and looking at the myriad lights of the city below, he felt a strange mix of emotions.

They say that if you say sweet words enough, even lies will come to seem true.

What kind of feelings do I have for Teacher Meng? Is it just possessiveness? Do I like her?

There should be, right?

··

The next morning, Zhang Yang woke up in the presidential suite at the top of the Four Seasons Hotel.

The sun shines brightly through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Waking up in my own hotel room the moment I open my eyes feels really good.

Stepping out of bed and facing the rising sun, Zhang Yang gently stretched his body, letting the sunlight shine on his invincible upper body, feeling every cell in his body being awakened.

Are you up yet?

He casually sent a voice message to Teacher Meng, and then went straight into the bathroom to take a shower.

After taking a shower, I received a photo of Meng Baihan with sleepy eyes on my phone; she actually had a kind of hazy beauty.

Zhang Yang casually sent a video call.

A moment later, Teacher Meng, dressed in her pajamas, appeared on the screen, lying face down on the bed.

"So sleepy."

"You didn't have insomnia last night, did you? Was it because of me?" Zhang Yang asked with a smile.

"Nonsense." Meng Baihan blushed. "Want to grab breakfast?"

"Let's meet up, where?"

A moment later, a location was sent to Zhang Yang's phone. He glanced at it and saw that it was a long-established breakfast shop in Yinghai, which was always packed with people.

"Okay, I'll come pick you up."

"Okay, I'm getting up now, and I'll put on some makeup while I'm at it," Meng Baihan immediately sent a message.

If you're going to wear makeup, then it'll be too early.

Zhang Yang shook his head and chuckled, then slowly changed his clothes and walked straight out of the presidential suite.

Later, in the parking lot downstairs at the Four Seasons Hotel.

"Good morning, Mr. Zhang!" A security guard stood tall and proud, looking quite arrogant.

"Huh?" Zhang Yang was about to open the car door. "Are you Tian Long? You shaved your head?"

Tian Long was still the same Tian Long, but under his security guard hat, the blond hair from last night was gone, leaving behind a head of stubble, clearly shaved bald.

"In response to Mr. Zhang's question, let's start from scratch and be a good person," Tian Long said, standing ramrod straight.

"Sure, a prodigal son who returns is more precious than gold." Zhang Yang nodded and smiled, casually tossing him a pack of cigarettes from the car. "Work hard, you might just take over your Uncle Sun's job someday."

The salaries of employees at the Four Seasons Hotel are quite good. Even a junior security guard has a career path, from security guard to security captain, to security department supervisor, and finally to director.

How could the income be low once you reach the position of security department director?

Of course, whether he can actually get that position depends on himself.

"Thank you, Mr. Zhang! Thank you for your encouragement!" Tian Long was filled with excitement, his eyes gleaming with emotion.

For some reason, Zhang Yang actually saw a hint of fanaticism for himself in his eyes.

Huh?

I turned on a detector as I pleased.

Detection target: Tian Long

Degree of good or evil towards the host: Fanatical worship, Yangwang, awe

Huh?

Zhang Yang was a little surprised.

Young people this age are indeed full of enthusiasm and straightforwardness; is that what self-admiration is all about?

But looking back, he felt it was only natural.

If he were in Tian Long's shoes, facing a boss who possessed enormous assets, boundless wealth, and extraordinary personal charisma, and most importantly, who was not weak and incapable of even killing a chicken, but rather had the strength to lift a thousand pounds.

Damn it, give me a reason not to admire him? He's absolutely worthy of endless admiration in every way!

"Hmm." Zhang Yang gave Tian Long a deep look, said nothing, got into the car, and drove away first.

Tian Long himself was still immersed in excitement and elation.

Mr. Zhang actually encouraged me?!

I've caught Mr. Zhang's eye!

Me, me, me...

"You little rascal!" Security captain Uncle Sun walked over, laughing and scolding. "The cigarettes Mr. Zhang gave you? Wow! You little rascal! Mr. Zhang is treating you so well?!"

His eyes widened as he recognized the unopened pack of cigarettes in front of him.

A thousand yuan a pack, and he's never smoked one in his entire life.

"Uncle!" Tian Long excitedly opened the cigarette pack and was about to hand one to Uncle Sun. "I'll go distribute some to the others too."

"Hey!" Uncle Sun looked around and stopped him, "If Mr. Zhang gives it to you, just accept it. Don't be too high-profile. People's hearts are unpredictable. Do you know what others think?"

Tian Long was taken aback, then nodded as if he understood.

··

The roadside at seven or eight in the morning.

Zhang Yang parked the car and waited for Teacher Meng.

Not long after, a figure jogged out from the villa in the distance. The figure had long black hair, a clean and simple appearance, and an undeniable scholarly air.

"Good morning." Meng Baihan got into the car quietly, bringing with him a faint, fresh fragrance.

"Let me smell it." Zhang Yang smiled and leaned close to Meng Baihan's neck. "What perfume is it? It's light and smells quite nice."

"Don't... itch..." Meng Baihan murmured softly, her voice trembling.

Zhang Yang was just teasing her.

It's so early in the morning, it's not like she'd actually do anything serious, but I really didn't expect her to be so easily teased; her earlobes even turned red.

"Let's go eat first." He smiled as he settled into the driver's seat.

Meng Baihan gave a soft "hmm," secretly touched his burning face, and fastened his seatbelt.

The entrance to Fengxiang Hotel was bustling with traffic in the early morning.

Zhang Yang's Cullinan was parked in front of the door, and he got out of the car with Teacher Meng.

Fengxiang Hotel is a long-established restaurant in Yinghai, with decades of history, and is famous for its authentic Huaiyang-style breakfast. Stepping into the lobby, it is packed with diners, and there are also aunties pushing carts full of side dishes.

"Let's go, find a place to sit down." Zhang Yang had been here before and knew that there was practically no service available at this time.

Order whatever you want to eat and then just sit back and wait.

Fish soup noodles, shrimp dumplings, blanched dried bean curd strips... In a short while, all the dishes ordered were served.

The table was a large round table shared with others, and a couple and a few young people were sitting at it.

Zhang Yang casually tossed the Cullinan car keys aside and enjoyed a long-missed taste of home with Teacher Meng.

The fish soup is rich and smooth, and the shrimp are springy and tender...

A sip of soup and a steamed dumpling, amidst the surrounding hustle and bustle, instantly evokes the vibrant, everyday life of the city.

"How is it? The taste hasn't changed, has it?" Meng Baihan asked softly.

"Nothing's changed, it still tastes like home." Zhang Yang nodded in satisfaction.

A few young people at the table were eating, glancing every now and then at the Cullinan car keys casually placed on the table, whispering amongst themselves as they looked at them.

Fragments of conversation, like "Is it real or fake?" and "It looks very high-quality," came through.

Zhang Yang occasionally overheard a sentence or two, but he just smiled and didn't take it to heart.

He had seen this situation many times before and was already used to it.

Later that evening, after a delicious breakfast filled with the flavors of home, the sun was finally high in the sky, shining brightly, and even the traffic on the road was gradually picking up.

Zhang Yang planned to take Teacher Meng to buy some things and then go directly to her house.

There were people standing next to his Cullinan on the roadside, taking pictures with their phones.

"Excuse me, could you move aside?" Zhang Yang said casually, opening the car door.

Immediately, several people nearby awkwardly put down their phones and then pretended to be nonchalant as they quickly walked past.