CHAPTER 541: CHAPTER 325: BANQUET INVITATION (PART 1)

Professor Yu Wenze doesn’t follow the textbook when he lectures, but rather expands on the material with dry knowledge intertwined with humorous anecdotes, sparking frequent laughter in the classroom.

GF University’s Executive Vice Principal, Xu Jixiang, stood outside listening for a while, his frown deepening, before turning and heading downstairs to the Principal’s office.

Han Leming was reading a report when he heard a knock on the door, he looked up and said, "Come in!"

"Principal Han, there’s something I must express my opinion on." Xu Jixiang said as he sat down opposite Han Leming: "About this Yu Wenze, was it meaningful for us to bring him here at such a high cost?"

"What happened?" Han Leming put down the document and leaned back.

"I’ve observed three of his classes. The first class, he wasted half an hour on self-introductions and then played a small game where everyone held a basic computer science textbook while he lay on it. They lifted him up and carried him around the classroom, and then the class was over.

The second class, he wasted fifteen minutes taking attendance and then started talking about his career. When he got to the part where he was hired at our school, the class ended.

Today is the third class. He wasted fifteen minutes on attendance again, plus a small unexpected event with that student who made a First-class Merit, named..."

"Luo Ye!" Han Leming finished for him and gestured for him to continue.

"Right, plus the unexpected return of Luo Ye, it took a whole eighteen minutes before he started teaching. I listened for a while, and it was all about showing off his humor and literary flair. If it goes on like this, won’t it just be a waste of the students’ time?

And, he’s actually having students deliver his meals every morning, and key point, one of them is a female student. What kind of example does that set?

Our university’s professors with the highest seniority don’t even make a third of what he does. If everyone knew this was his level, how could they be convinced?"

After Xu Jixiang finished speaking indignantly, Han Leming stood up and poured him a glass of water: "Old Xu, after all these years, you’re still so impatient.

We are military officers in administrative positions now, not everything can achieve immediate results. Yu Wen’s authority in this field is solid, you’ve seen his research results, right?

Moreover, throughout history, those who have achieved a certain level of success in any field often have personalities that are a bit obsessive or weird. Let’s not be hasty, let’s talk about it after some time, alright?"

Xu Jixiang reluctantly said, "I stand by my opinion. And about the dinner for him tonight, do I have to go?"

"What do you think? Qing Qi is away on a business trip. You’re the Executive Vice Principal and if you don’t go, what would that mean?" Han Leming tapped his finger on the table: "This welcome dinner should have been hosted already. It’s our fault that it was delayed until today. You decide."

Xu Jixiang reluctantly nodded: "Alright, there will be six people in total. Usually, 300 is enough for such a dinner. I’ll bring 500. Is that okay?"

Han Leming thought for a moment: "Yu Wen has been abroad for so many years and probably has a certain taste for ambiance. Take 1000, and deduct it from my salary later."

"I hope he lives up to the money we’ve spent on him," Xu Jixiang sighed. "I don’t understand society nowadays. My son spends his monthly salary of 1500 in half a month. Says his expenses went up because he got a girlfriend. Back in our day, we only had a dozen or so yuan a month, and by month’s end, we still had most of it left, and there weren’t many bachelors either!"

"You need to change your mindset," Han Leming suggested. "Xu Bin is so estranged from you, have you ever really thought about it? It’s unfair to measure your child with the standards of our generation.

He’s in this environment now, people have to progress, right? Does it make sense for everyone to wear patchy clothes and eat bran and vegetables?

And about the incident with Wu Zetian, were you too hasty? Although the boy has some faults, he’s not a bully. We can’t just listen to one side of the story."

Xu Jixiang frowned: "I knew you would side with him, is it just because his parents donated to the school? Should we indulge him because of that? If it continues, might as well turn into a local university."

"Old Xu, each of our students is like our own children. We can’t spoil them, but nor can we wrong them. I’ve looked into it from the side. Yan Han and Su Dingfang have had longstanding issues, and Su Dingfang is a narrow-minded kid. It’s entirely possible that he caused this trouble.

Although we haven’t found any evidence yet, I believe Wu Zetian and Yan Han have been wrongly accused. I suggest you reconsider, so you don’t make a decision that affects the children’s lives." Han Leming emphasized: "Of course, I’m not interfering, just suggesting."

"Feng Tianzhi has already given me a heads up. He’s looking into it, and we’ll deal with it once we have results. I agreed," Xu Jixiang shook his head. "The students are spreading rumors that he came to our school just to chase a girl. Given his status, we can’t probe further. What’s this about? If it goes on like this, I’d rather transfer out."

Han Leming waved his hand: "We were all young once, try to understand. As long as they’re not openly deceitful, turn a blind eye. Think about the secret relationship you had with Wei Shuyun back then, right?"

"I’m just venting to you. Besides, was my situation with Shuyun the same?" Xu Jixiang’s frown returned.

"Alright, my mistake, I take it back," Han Leming smiled: "Old Xu, I really admire you for this matter. Shuyun has been in the hospital for eight years, and you not only stood by her but married her when she was gravely ill. You’re a real man!"

"One should have a conscience. She was healthy when we were together, I couldn’t leave her just because she fell ill, could I?" Xu Jixiang smiled bitterly: "But the pressure I faced back then was huge, none of my family and friends understood."

Han Leming patted him: "Well, that’s all in the past now."

"Yeah, it’s all in the past," sighed Xu Jixiang with regret. "It’s a pity her health has always been poor, otherwise I wouldn’t have transferred to a desk job at the school. It’s so suffocating!"

...

At six o’clock sharp, Han Leming, with Xu Jixiang, Wang Yuansong, Li Dong, and Liu Ping, entertained Professor Yu Wenze at the Liangyou Hotel.

Yu Wenze, unmarried and with both parents abroad, attended the dinner alone. After everyone had settled and exchanged a few pleasantries, Han Leming handed the menu to Yu Wenze: "Professor Yu Wenze, please choose the dishes."

Yu Wenze waved his hand: "Let’s each pick a dish instead, so as to avoid any dislikes. I’ll just have a spicy shredded potato."

The others looked at one another in disbelief. Coming to the Liangyou Hotel just to order shredded potatoes? Was this guy a bit too quirky?

Hesitating for a moment, Xu Jixiang said: "Professor Yu Wenze, I think I have brought enough money. Maybe try choosing something else?"

"No need!" Yu Wenze repeatedly shook his head: "I’ve always loved this dish. The flavor is never right overseas, and now that I am back, I want to indulge."

The waiter glanced at Han Leming hesitantly, but Han Leming smiled and said: "Put it down. Just the shredded potatoes. I’ll have sticky rice spare ribs, and everyone else choose one each."

Liu Ping, the only female guest and the deputy director of the office, smiled at Yu Wenze: "Professor Yu Wenze, you don’t eat offal, right?"

Yu Wenze gestured dismissively: "You all order what you like, don’t worry about me."

"Alright, then I’ll have a spicy stir-fried pork intestine, which I also like."

Once everyone had ordered, Xu Jixiang quickly did the math in his head and figured the total cost would just be a little over a hundred. He breathed a sigh of relief and his impression of Yu Wenze improved greatly.

After the waiter repeated the order to confirm its accuracy, they then presented the drinks menu.

"Professor Yu Wenze, please." Han Leming pushed the drinks menu to Yu Wenze.

"Alright, I won’t hold back then." Yu Wenze took the menu, scanned from top to bottom, then pointing to the top item "Liangyou Special Brew," he asked: "Is this brewed by your hotel?"

"Yes, sir. This type of wine is exclusive to Liangyou Hotel. It is handmade by professional brewers and contains a variety of medicinal herbs that are beneficial to health. It was specially formulated by the medical authority Elder Zhong Liantai for our hotel. Prices range from 180 to 8800 per half-kilogram, and here’s the detailed brochure," the waiter explained, handing over a thick brochure.

Xu Jixiang looked at Han Leming nervously. Han Leming gave him a look to keep him calm.

"Let’s have the 1800 one then; its formula suits everyone well," Yu Wenze finally decided.

Han Leming quickly agreed: "Alright! Alright! Let’s get the 1800 one."

Sweat beaded on Xu Jixiang’s anxious forehead. He only had 1000 yuan on him, and their banquet budgets were regulated. Although Principal Han had said he would deduct it from his salary, the immediate concern was how to resolve the issue at hand.

"Excuse me, I need to go to the restroom," Yu Wenze said apologetically with a smile, and left the room.

As the sound of Yu Wenze’s footsteps faded, Xu Jixiang quickly called out to everyone: "Check how much money you have on you. This ancestor really dares to order—shredded potatoes and a bottle of wine for 1800."

"We don’t usually spend money. I only have a little over a hundred," Liu Ping said, turning her pockets inside out for all to see.

"I’ve got a bit over 80."

"I have a bit over 70."

"..."

The group pooled their resources. Han Leming had the most, just over 300, which added to Xu Jixiang’s 1000 yuan and his own... cough... 20 yuan, amounted to 1720 yuan in total—not enough even for the wine.

In panic, Xu Jixiang said: "Everybody have a better look. If we can’t settle the bill later, it’ll be truly embarrassing, all the way to Grandma’s house."

"We use meal cards when we eat daily, and when we go home, we stay in the school’s residential area. There’s really no need for money; who carries cash?" Liu Ping muttered, checking her pockets again, then shrugged: "Really, there’s no more."

Wang Yuansong and Li Dong were in the same boat as Liu Ping.

Xu Jixiang counted the money again and looked at Han Leming: "What do we do? Shall I go home and try to scrape together enough? I’m not sure if I can make it."

It would’ve been best to link this Chapter with the next, as it would help those at home understand the connection between the events. But Su Nuan and friends got a meal voucher that expires today; the money shouldn’t go to waste, so Nuoxian should go for dinner. I’ll continue writing the next Chapter when I get back, which means it will be late. Guys, you can read it tomorrow. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to give your recommendation tickets, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)