Chapter 116: An Invitation from Binhai University (Today’s First Update)

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Huang Biao had been rescued, and his injuries weren’t too severe. After some rest, he was lively and full of energy again. Yang Tian scolded Huang Juan harshly, telling her to come to him first if anything happened in the future. He didn’t want to see her get hurt, just as he wanted to protect her.

Apart from being reprimanded by Kong Lei, Yang Tian was also sternly scolded by Lang Ping. She said he had handled the whole incident recklessly. If it weren’t for her intervention, Yang Tian would have been sent to a labor camp. No matter the circumstances, resorting to violence was never right.

“Xiao Tian, are you close with Mayor Lang?” Huang Biao laughed heartily from his hospital bed. Despite his injury, his spirits remained high, and he looked as cheerful as ever. This injury actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Before, he was just a well-known figure in the jujube industry, but now he had gained status as well. When it came to selling jujubes, no one dared to mess with Boss Huang, because his future son-in-law was connected to the city government leadership.

“Is that even a question? Haven’t you seen Xiao Tian and Mayor Lang appearing together on TV and in newspapers recently?” Zhong Hehua said with a cheerful smile. Her younger brother Zhong Bangcai and sister Zhong Qian were also grinning.

Back when Huang Biao and Yang Bao were engaged as children, Zhong Bangcai and Zhong Qian had been opposed to the match. Business people tended to be pragmatic, and seeing that the Yang family was poor and lacked reliable connections, they didn’t want their niece to suffer poverty and hardship. But now, Yang Tian had turned out to be much more remarkable than they had imagined, so they no longer voiced objections.

“Ah, it’s nothing special. Xiao Tian has always been a clever kid since childhood. Who knows what he’ll become when he grows up? It’s still early to say!” Although the Yang Bao couple were delighted, they remained modest as was their usual style.

“Brother Bao, you shouldn’t say that. In my opinion, Xiao Tian is still a student. If he stops studying, that would be a disaster. Look at Zhongshan Road—it’s been developed comparable to Beijing’s Wangfujing! In the future, he’ll definitely get a good position in the Construction Bureau!” Zhong Bangcai joked.

“The Construction Bureau is nothing. With his relationship with Mayor Lang, he’ll surely work in the City Bureau and continue developing Binhai!” Zhong Qian, though nearly thirty, was well-maintained and fashionable, looking like a young lady in her twenties.

As the adults chatted freely, Yang Tian kept silent. Their talk was far from his ideals. He only wished to make those around him happy and give meaning to his second chance at life. Everything he did was based on this principle. As for fame and fortune, they were merely secondary.

“Xiao Tian, do you really want to become a government leader when you grow up?” Huang Juan, sitting beside him, asked with a smile. She wasn’t afraid of his ambition but worried that it might create distance between them.

“That depends on whether you’re willing to be the leader’s wife!” Yang Tian teased. He could guess Huang Juan’s concerns. Before his rebirth, their emotional gap caused many regrets and unhappiness. She was a diligent, gentle student, while he was a poor performer, mischievous and aloof, making it hard for them to come together.

That awkward silence and the bitterness of knowing without understanding haunted him for years. The pain was unforgettable. He would never allow it to happen again. Thus, whatever he did now, he would never leave Huang Juan and Yang Xueling behind. He wanted them to grow alongside him.

“That’s annoying—always saying useless things!” Huang Juan blushed and whispered, but inside she was happy.

“I mean it. When I grow up, I only want to be your husband!” Yang Tian playfully nudged Huang Juan’s nose and smiled sincerely, then left the hospital.

The whole fight incident was resolved thanks to Lang Ping and Kong Lei. Otherwise, he really would have been sent to a labor camp. So he decided to invite Lang Ping and the others for a dinner at the Golden Coast.

The dinner was arranged, but Lang Ping called to say that Binhai University’s president, He Yonggui, was hosting a banquet that evening to discuss the new district’s construction, so she couldn’t decline.

Binhai University was the best university in the city. Its development naturally required municipal government support. So Lang Ping had to attend.

But Yang Tian had an idea: since the two dinners were at the same time, why not combine them? Besides Lang Ping, the Construction Bureau Director Zhang Siguo, Public Security Bureau Chief Kong Lei, and Land Bureau Director Yuan Shan would also be there, as the university’s construction involved the Construction and Land bureaus.

As fate would have it, when Yang Tian arrived at Golden Coast, he unexpectedly met Zhang Xiuxiu. The Zhang family had decided to sponsor a provincial-level large library for Binhai University’s new district to establish their reputation in Binhai.

“Uncle Lang, Uncle He, who’s paying for this dinner?” Zhang Xiuxiu teased before the food and wine arrived, looking at Yang Tian with a playful gaze, as if asking whether he or He Yonggui would foot the bill.

“Well...” Lang Ping understood the young woman’s intentions and smiled, glancing first at He Yonggui, then at Yang Tian.

“Binhai University will pay. Since the new district’s construction involves many leaders, it’s only right the university covers this!” He Yonggui was very gentlemanly. Yang Tian knew him well, and the reason he remembered the university president so clearly was a story for another time.

“No, I’m the junior here; I should pay!” Yang Tian smiled. Since He Yonggui was present, Yang Tian didn’t dare mention the fight directly.

“That’s more like it! Old He, this dinner should be on Yang Tian, so this kid will cause more trouble for me in the future!” Lang Ping chuckled, pointing at Yang Tian. It wasn’t personal affection but recognition of Yang Tian’s talent. If nurtured properly, he could remain in Binhai, which would be a boon for the city.

“No, no, he’s still a high school student; he can’t afford this!” He Yonggui declined. He had heard about Yang Tian’s story and had seen the Zhongshan Road restoration project. He had long considered admitting Yang Tian to Binhai University’s Civil Engineering or Environmental Economics program, but Yang Tian was only in the second year of high school.

“A high school student? Old He, if I’m not mistaken, this kid is probably already a millionaire!” Construction Bureau Director Zhang Siguo laughed loudly.

“Not so fast. Having tens of thousands in his pocket is one thing, but a millionaire so soon? I doubt it,” said Public Security Bureau Chief Kong Lei skeptically. Even after nearly ten years as chief, he hadn’t saved a million.

“No? The land he owns near the big willow tree is already worth a million!” Zhang Siguo, who had inspected the site for the bureau, was amazed. The greenery and flowers planted there were very advanced and essential for Binhai’s future urban development. How did Yang Tian know these plants would become indispensable for modern city landscaping?

“Speaking of which, Old He, I’m going to lean on your seniority. I have something to ask Yang Tian to do!” He Yonggui smiled humbly.

“Sure, President He. I’m happy to help, but today’s dinner must be on me!” Yang Tian smoothly said. He guessed He Yonggui wanted him involved in the landscaping of Binhai University’s new district.

“Well...” He Yonggui smiled kindly.

“Oh come on, Old He, stop hemming and hawing. Let the kid treat us. Maybe he’ll attend Binhai University someday, so you’ll have to take care of him anyway!” Zhang Siguo was clever, deftly bridging Yang Tian and He Yonggui’s relationship. “Haha, alright then! Yang Tian, with your intelligence, you probably know why I want you to do this?”

“Yes, President He, rest assured. I’ll take care of it!” Yang Tian raised his glass with a smile. Everyone followed suit; they were all smart enough to understand He Yonggui’s intentions.

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“This is boring. You’re all talking business and leaving me out. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have come!” Zhang Xiuxiu teased with a mischievous pout.

“Yeah, how can we leave Lady Zhang out? Hey Old Zhang, have you talked to the talented young man about the matter we discussed last time?” Lang Ping joked. He found it surprisingly comfortable and informal dining with Yang Tian and the others, free of pretense.

“I have. My brother agrees wholeheartedly; he thinks it’s urgent!” Zhang Siguo grinned.

“What matter? Why don’t I know about it?” Zhang Xiuxiu squinted, knowing the elders were teasing her again.

“What else? My dear young lady, you’re almost twenty-five. It’s time to find a husband. If you’re not satisfied with Cheng Liang, we have plenty of suitable candidates here. How about I arrange a blind date for you?” Lang Ping teased, and everyone laughed.

“Forget it, don’t bother with me. If you do, I’ll say all these silly things!” Zhang Xiuxiu whispered with a smile, then turned to He Yonggui. “President He, how about this? I sponsor the library at Binhai University. Can I participate in the design?”

“Well... I don’t have that kind of budget to pay you!” He Yonggui smiled wryly.

“Oh, Old He, can’t you tell? Someone wants to join Yang Tian in designing the new district!” Yuan Shan, who had been laughing quietly, finally spoke, causing the table to erupt in laughter.

“Uncle Yuan, even you tease me!” Zhang Xiuxiu complained loudly.

Just then, the door to Ziyun Pavilion opened, and a young girl entered. She wore a wide-collared fleece top, her hair curled, her complexion fair and radiant, and her eyes expressive, exuding a star-like aura.

Everyone was stunned, especially Yang Tian. He knew her very well. Seeing her again stirred a flutter in his chest despite the deep hurt she had once caused him.

“Dad!” The girl walked confidently to He Yonggui’s side and whispered softly.

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