Chapter 52: What About You?

Chapter 52: And You?

Shen Ci spoke with sincerity and poise, and most importantly, she produced solid evidence to prove that her money was derived from investment gains.

Principal Wang could not help but be astonished when he saw the amount of stock Shen Ci held in the market; it was a staggering two thousand yuan.

He traded stocks himself, but he had poor judgment. Over the years, he had lost at least dozens of yuan; he was actually less capable than a female student.

Exhaling softly, Principal Wang finally smiled. "Good! As expected of an elite student from our University of Science and Technology. You are both capable and responsible!"

The Department Head also breathed a sigh of relief, fearing the matter might fall through. He immediately said, "In that case, Principal, shall I contact the media? We should promote this properly; it's a major event!"

Such a large donation, especially from a current student of the university, would be excellent for the school's publicity. Who wouldn't call it a heartwarming story?

Furthermore, it was customary to have the media present during a donation ceremony. Sometimes the school handled the media contacts, and sometimes the donating enterprise arranged it themselves; in any case, it was all for the sake of a good reputation.

Principal Wang nodded. "Yes, we must promote it. We should give our student, Shen Ci, proper praise."

"Principal, there's no need for publicity," Shen Ci spoke up quickly upon seeing this. "As I just said, I prefer to keep a low profile. Besides, the essence of this matter is that I am making amends for the trouble I caused the school. There is nothing worth proclaiming."

The Department Head and Principal Wang were stunned and exchanged glances.

Seeing this, Shen Ci added, "How about the Principal, the Department Head, and I take a group photo with the telescopes? Then we can post the photo on the school's bulletin board?"

Seeing Shen Ci's suggestion, Principal Wang nodded with a conciliatory smile. "That works. Since you say so, Shen Ci, we won't invite the media. We'll just take a photo among ourselves to celebrate."

The Department Head quickly chimed in, "Then I'll go to the school's photography club to find a student to help take the photo."

Following Shen Ci's proposal, several school leaders, the Department Head, and Li Jianguo took a group photo with the four donated astronomical telescopes, while Shen Ci, unable to refuse the warm hospitality, was arranged to stand in the center.

After the photo, the school leaders went to inspect the telescopes. Taking the opportunity, Shen Ci pulled the Department Head aside and whispered, "Director, I would like to ask for a leave of absence."

"Leave of absence?" the Department Head asked. "For how many days?"

"National Day is coming up soon. I want to go home and plan to take leave straight through the holiday so that I have more continuous time off."

Under normal circumstances, if a student requested consecutive leave right before a holiday without a valid reason, he would never approve it.

But after today's events, Shen Ci was clearly different. The Department Head nodded and agreed without a second thought. "No problem. Have you prepared the leave slip?"

"Not yet. Shall I bring it to you this afternoon?"

"No need. I'll approve it directly. You can just give me the slip when you return."

Shen Ci smiled and thanked him repeatedly.

Instead, seeing that no one was around, the Department Head said timidly, "Shen Ci, could I... could I ask for your advice on stock trading?"

Shen Ci: "..."

In the end, Shen Ci naturally declined politely. Even if she truly were a stock market genius, the market involved risks and always contained unstable factors.

No one could guarantee a hundred percent profit without loss.

***

"Qi Jia Sushi," South Ring Branch.

Shen Li brought her roommates here to celebrate successfully receiving her acting fee.

"Baby, you have such good taste! This is the best sushi restaurant in Longcheng," Wang Chuhan couldn't help but praise as soon as they entered.

Sun Yuan also nodded. "That's right. I heard the ingredients are flown in fresh every day. They're incredibly fresh."

Zhao Meina smiled at Shen Li and said, "Ah Li, we won't be polite with you today. We're definitely going to feast!"

The three of them were Longcheng locals from well-off families and had clearly eaten at this restaurant before.

Shen Li had also been brought here once by her sister and liked it very much. She felt the price and quality lived up to the term "grand feast," and she wanted to treat her best friends to a big meal.

"Don't be polite with me. Eat more, and pick the expensive stuff!" Shen Li was uncharacteristically lively, saying happily to the group, "After we eat, we'll go to SKP. I'll give each of you a gift!"

"Then I won't be polite this time," Wang Chuhan said, grabbing Shen Li's arm with a grin. "I want to soak up some of your good luck, baby. Gifts from you are bound to bring good fortune. Once I get a role and make money, I'll definitely return the favor with a gift for you."

Zhao Meina nodded. "Exactly. Everything has been going so smoothly for Ah Li lately; she must be favored by the Goddess of Luck. Let's share some of that luck."

The group entered the shop chatting and laughing, only to run straight into Xu Zishan, who was walking toward them.

"Bad luck!" Wang Chuhan muttered instinctively upon seeing Xu Zishan.

Xu Zishan was accompanied by two companions, clearly having finished their meal and about to leave. When she saw Shen Li and her friends, a look of disdain instantly washed over her face.

After the press conference, her heart had finally settled. Shen Li was clearly not one of the leads, so she didn't much care who Shen Li played.

Shen Li had no intention of interacting with Xu Zishan and had even proactively pulled her roommates aside to let them pass, but Xu Zishan nonetheless stopped in front of her.

"Even though I don't care, I'm still curious," Xu Zishan asked, glancing at Shen Li contemptuously. "Who exactly are you playing?"

"Forget about you playing 'A-Ru'; your styling that day wasn't a maid's look at all."

Seeing Xu Zishan bullying Shen Li so brazenly, Zhao Meina immediately spoke up to defend her. "What Shen Li plays has nothing to do with you. You used your connections to snatch her role and then provoke her every day—did you really think we wouldn't know?"

Wang Chuhan snorted and echoed, "Exactly. You should be ashamed, yet you act so proud."

But their words seemed to have no effect on Xu Zishan, because her family had the power to make it happen; she could simply take shortcuts.

"If you're so capable, go spend money to buy a role. It's not my patent; I'm not stopping you," Xu Zishan said, then looked back at Shen Li. "Fine, if you won't say. I guess you're just some minor wealthy young lady with very little screen time."

Based on Shen Li's styling that day, Xu Zishan felt her guess was likely correct.

At that moment, a short-haired girl beside Xu Zishan suddenly spoke up, intentionally making things difficult for Shen Li: "You must have received your acting fee by now, right? How much was it? Our Shanshan got 35 yuan!"

Looking at Xu Zishan's smug expression, Shen Li finally replied in a low voice, "8 yuan."

"Hahahaha!"

"Eight yuan?"

"How cheap!"

"My god, I thought it would be at least fifteen."

Xu Zishan's group burst into laughter. Xu Zishan mocked even further, "Then you'd better be careful with your eating today. This place is expensive. Don't spend half your acting fee on a single meal."

Shen Li waited expressionlessly for her to finish before adding calmly, "It's 8 yuan per episode. How about you?"