Applause filled the courtyard as Lin Feng walked onto the stage.
Camera flashes went off. The news crew's equipment hummed.
He approached Chairman Wu and shook his hand firmly.
"Thank you, Chairman."
"Thank you for being here."
They held the handshake a moment longer than necessary - just long enough for the photographers to capture it.
…
An assistant brought forward a large ceremonial cheque.
Fenghua Holdings
Donation to Zhejiang Business University
¥500,000
Lin Feng held one side while the chairman held the other.
Flash. Flash. Flash.
"Smile," the chairman murmured.
Lin Feng obliged.
…
After the photo opportunity, Lin Feng stepped up to the microphone.
The crowd quieted.
"Thank you, Chairman Wu. Thank you to everyone who made this possible."
He paused, looking out at the sea of faces.
"A few months ago, I was just another scholarship student. No money. No connections. No real prospects beyond getting a degree and finding a job."
He let that sink in.
"But Chairman Wu saw something in me. He took a chance - invested his own money in a student he barely knew."
He turned slightly toward the chairman.
"That investment changed my life. It gave me the starting capital to build something real. And now, I want to return the favor."
He faced the crowd again.
"This 500,000 yuan is just the beginning. Fenghua Holdings is committed to supporting Zhejiang Business University for years to come. Scholarships, resources, opportunities - whatever our students need to succeed."
He stepped back from the microphone.
"Thank you."
…
The applause was warm and sustained.
Lin Feng returned to the chairman's side.
"Well done," the chairman said quietly.
"Likewise."
They posed for a few more photographs, then the ceremony concluded with closing remarks from the vice-chairman.
…
Afterward, the local news reporter approached them.
"Chairman Wu, Mr. Lin - would you be willing to give a brief interview?"
The chairman smiled graciously. "Of course."
Lin Feng nodded.
The cameraman positioned himself as the reporter raised her microphone.
"Chairman Wu, can you tell us more about your decision to invest in Mr. Lin?"
The chairman's expression grew thoughtful.
"When I met Lin Feng after the Outstanding Citizen ceremony, I was struck by his maturity. Here was a young man who had risked himself to protect a stranger - and then followed through to ensure justice was served."
He glanced at Lin Feng.
"I've been in education for decades. You develop an instinct for recognizing potential. And I saw something special in him."
The reporter turned to Lin Feng.
"Mr. Lin, what does this partnership mean to you?"
Lin Feng considered the question.
"Everything I have started here," he said. "This university gave me a chance. Chairman Wu gave me a chance. The least I can do is pay it forward."
The reporter smiled.
"One last question - what's next for Fenghua Holdings?"
Lin Feng's expression remained neutral.
"We're expanding. New markets, new opportunities." He paused. "But you'll have to wait and see."
The reporter nodded, clearly intrigued.
"Thank you both for your time."
…
As the news crew packed up, the chairman turned to Lin Feng.
"That went well."
"It did."
The chairman lowered his voice.
"Go get some rest and prepare for the longer segment in Hangzhou's young entrepreneurs program."
"I got it"
The Chairman was working quite hard now, Lin Feng thought. Well, now that they were entangled in this, they needed to sell it to the public as much as possible. Not only for PR reasons but also so it becomes ingrained in people's minds - so much so that it becomes fact.
…
Later that day.
Su Yue sat in a comfortable chair, a desk in front of her with her newly built PC.
A webcam was mounted on the main monitor.
She looked past the screens to where Mengqi sat at another table with Yanzi.
"Isn't Lin Feng coming?"
Mengqi shook her head.
"Unfortunately, something came up. He won't be making it today."
She glanced at her phone.
"He told me to tell you to just do as you always do."
Su Yue pouted.
"He didn't even tell me himself and told you instead."
"Anyway," Mengqi said, setting her phone down. "We're starting. You need to be ready."
She looked at Su Yue.
"Are you ready?"
Su Yue took a breath and nodded.
"Alright."
Mengqi raised her hand and began counting down with her fingers.
1
2
3
She showed a thumbs up.
They were live.
Su Yue's expression transformed instantly - her eyes brightened, her smile widened, and she leaned toward the camera with infectious energy.
"Everyone! I'm finally back! Did you miss me?"
The chat exploded.
[MidnightWanderer]: SHES BACK
[SnackKing]: FINALLY
[WanderingKnight]: the waiting is over!!!
[SleepyPanda99]: we missed you so much fairy 😭
[CloudChaser]: wait whats with the screen
[NightOwl42]: is that... a gaming setup?
[GamingLord]: OMG IS THE FAIRY GOING TO PLAY GAMES???
[BubbleTeaAddict]: no way no way no way
[LonelyFisherman]: gamer fairy arc???
Su Yue giggled at the chat.
"As many of you have realized, we're going to be doing something a little different today."
She held up a finger.
"But first, I wanted to tell you all about something."
The chat shifted immediately.
[SnackKing]: ad
[GamingLord]: addddd
[MidnightWanderer]: aaaddddddsssss
[NightOwl42]: here it comes
[SleepyPanda99]: AD DETECTED
[CloudChaser]: knew it was too good to be true
Su Yue waved her hands.
"Calm down, calm down! It's not an ad this time."
She paused.
"Well... it kind of is."
[WanderingKnight]: lmao
[BubbleTeaAddict]: at least shes honest
"Actually," she continued, "we made physical albums for my mini album!"
She clasped her hands together.
"It'll also include Moonlit Reverie's MV as a bonus disc. You've all seen the MV, right?"
She pointed at the camera.
"It'll be linked in the pinned comment. If you're interested, go check it out!"
Then she leaned closer to the camera, cupping a hand beside her mouth conspiratorially.
"It's only ten thousand copies," she whispered. "So you should hurry up before it runs out."
[LonelyFisherman]: ONLY 10K???
[SnackKing]: LIMITED EDITION LETS GOOO
[MidnightWanderer]: wallet in danger
[NightOwl42]: shut up and take my money
[SilentObserver]: are they signed?
Su Yue leaned back and read the chat.
"Someone's asking if they're signed."
She shook her head slightly.
"Unfortunately, no. As much as I'd like to sign personally for each of you, I really can't with that many."
She placed a hand on her chin, as if thinking.
"How about this..."