Chapter 41: The Gloomy Little Darling of the 1970s
Several days passed, but nothing happened.
Shen Ci was in no hurry. The system had given him a full ten days. Since nothing had happened yet, he might as well take the initiative, complete the mission, and then see what would happen.
If she's not mistaken... something related to Shen Huai will definitely happen.
She spread out a stack of carefully prepared school materials on the large mahogany table in the study. These materials were collected by Song Mingli using a lot of connections, and they detailed the teachers, backgrounds, and college admission results of several top middle schools in Shanghai.
"Xiao Huai, come here for a moment." Shen Ci called to Shen Huai, who was reading a book nearby.
Shen Huai put down his book and walked over, his gaze sweeping over the materials that read "Huguang Middle School", "Nanyang Model School" and "St. John's Affiliated International School". These names were as distant as stars in the sky to him, who was still worrying about tuition fees in the village just a few months ago.
"Mom is planning to change your learning environment."
"Shanghai has better educational resources, which will be more beneficial to your future development." Shen Ci's finger finally landed on the information about St. John's Affiliated International School.
"My mother prefers this one."
It has a long history, emphasizes the integration of Chinese and Western cultures, and is particularly outstanding in cultivating foreign languages and broadening horizons. Of course, this is just my suggestion; I'd like to hear your thoughts on where to ultimately go.
She didn't act arbitrarily, but chose to respect and discuss. This attitude warmed Shen Huai's heart. No one had ever taken such good care of his thoughts before. He carefully looked at the schools. In fact, he didn't have high aspirations about where he studied. He just wanted to be able to read books.
"Mom, I think it's great here."
He raised his head, his eyes clear and resolute.
"I want to give it a try."
He understood that this was not a simple transfer, but a higher platform his mother had built for him. Since that was the case, he would go wherever his mother thought was better, and he would be a good child.
He was certain that his mother would never harm him.
"good."
Shen Ci smiled and nodded, "Butler Song, make arrangements to submit a donation proposal of five million to the St. John's School Future Development Foundation in my name, to support outstanding students from underprivileged backgrounds and purchase advanced teaching equipment."
At the same time, I expressed my hope that Shen Huai could get an opportunity to take the entrance examination.
"Yes, boss."
Song Mingli understood immediately and went to do it. Using a huge donation to obtain an admission ticket to a top university was an unspoken rule in this era, though it was not spoken aloud.
This is an international school, and all the students here come from very prominent backgrounds. They are children of politicians and businessmen, and children of ambassadors from various countries. It's a place where hidden talents abound. You can't get in just because you have money, but you definitely can't get in without it.
The process went unexpectedly smoothly. St. John's School attached great importance to this generous and patriotic overseas Chinese. The next day, the school's academic director and the person in charge of the foundation personally visited him, with a humble and warm attitude.
Money alone is not enough to make them come to your door in person, but Shen Ci has an overseas identity.
After a conversation that was both literary and practical, it was agreed that "Ms. Shen is a model of dedication to education and it is our school's duty to cultivate pillars of the nation."
Both sides quickly reached a consensus.
Shen Ci signed the donation agreement on the spot and handed a check for five million yuan to the school representative, who then solemnly presented him with a beautifully printed "Special Invitation Admission Notice" and stated that Shen Huai could complete the admission procedures at any time.
"Ms. Shen, Mr. Shen Huai, please do me the honor of taking a photo with me."
This will also allow our school newsletter and foundation to record this significant moment.
The school representative enthusiastically suggested that the staff behind him, who had already prepared Seagull brand cameras, welcome such a generous and wealthy person.
Shen Ci naturally agreed. She stood up gracefully, and Shen Huai followed closely behind. In front of the oil painting with a distinct Shanghai style in the villa's living room, Shen Ci stood in the center, with school representatives standing on either side, while Shen Huai stood quietly behind his mother.
A flash of light, a crisp click, and the moment was captured.
In the photo, Shen Ci smiles politely and exudes composure, while the school representative is all smiles. The young Shen Huai stands tall and has a calm expression, but his eyes have lost most of their gloom, replaced by gentleness and elegance.
Who can still see the shadow of that poor boy from Zhoujia Village in him?
A few days later, a short news item in an inconspicuous location in the Shanghai Education Newsletter, aimed at intellectuals and overseas Chinese, was published along with this group photo.
The article, titled "Ms. Shen Ci, an overseas Chinese, generously donated five million to help St. John's Middle School cultivate talents," was written in a rigorous style, emphasizing Ms. Shen's patriotism and dedication to education.
Like countless other ordinary newspapers, this issue of the newspaper was sent to various subscribers and also posted on bulletin boards in some schools.
The gears of fate turn like the flapping of a butterfly's wings.
A man from Zhoujia Village who worked on a construction site in Shanghai saw the news and the group photo in a roadside newspaper stand during his leisure time. He initially just glanced at it casually until his eyes fell on Shen Huai's face.
"Um?!"
He suddenly leaned closer to the glass, almost pressing his face against it, and carefully examined it. "This...this kid...how come he looks so much like Zhou Dayou's kid! Isn't this Zhou Huai?!"
Although he didn't see Shen Huai often, they were from the same village, and he had watched the child grow up. The features of his eyebrows and eyes, especially his calm temperament that was different from other children in the village, made him more and more certain.
Then look at the extraordinary lady next to her, referred to as an overseas Chinese, and that astronomical figure of five million...
The man's heart pounded wildly, a surge of excitement from discovering a shocking secret rushed to his head, and he looked around to make sure no one was paying attention.
As if possessed, I carefully pried open a corner of the glass frame covered with the newspaper, quietly tore off a small piece of the newspaper with the group photo and report, and clutched it tightly in my hand.
Something terrible has happened! Something really terrible has happened!
He lost all interest in working and immediately asked the foreman for leave, saying that there was an emergency at home. With the scrap of newspaper in his hand, he bought a standing ticket that night and squeezed onto a green train, rushing back to Huaicheng and heading straight to Zhoujia Village without his feet touching the ground.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!" The dilapidated wooden door of Zhou Dayou's house was smashed so hard it was about to fall off.
"Who is it?! Are you trying to kill me?!"
Zhou Dayou, reeking of alcohol and impatient at being disturbed, opened the door and started cursing before even seeing who it was.
"Brother Dayou! Brother Dayou! You've struck it rich! You've struck it rich!"
The man was so excited that he was incoherent, his face flushed red. He shoved a crumpled piece of newspaper in front of Zhou Dayou's eyes, his finger trembling as he pointed at Shen Huai and Shen Ci in the photo.
"Look! Look! Your wife! Your son! In Shanghai! They've become...become...big capitalists! Donating five million to the school! Without even blinking an eye!"
Zhou Dayou, his eyes blurry with drunkenness, was infected by the other person's excited emotions and subconsciously looked down.
The clear image of Shen Huai's face in the newspaper struck him like a bolt of lightning! Although his clothes and demeanor were completely different, it was unmistakably his heartless son!
The woman next to her, dressed in a cheongsam and exuding elegance, is none other than Shen Ci!
"Five...five million?!"
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