Although They're Mentally ill, They're Extremely Easy to Comfort - Chapter 10

One hour ago.

To be favored by one of Xuan City’s few large corporations is like catching a pie falling from the sky—no one dares to treat it lightly.

Principal Wang, who is usually very busy with official duties, made a rare early morning appearance at the main entrance of Xuanyi University. He was followed by a group of leaders from various colleges and departments, all eagerly awaiting the arrival.

When Principal Wang received a call from Jiatai Group’s business department on Sunday about the meeting, he initially thought it was a scam. After repeated confirmation, fearing that the fat duck on the plate would fly away, he insisted on scheduling the meeting for Monday.

To show sincerity, he even set the meeting an hour earlier, hoping that the big boss arriving soon would see the vibrant and flourishing good scene of the Xuanyi campus.

They didn’t have to wait long. A Maybach, leading with the air of capital, followed by several high-end commercial sedans, finally stopped steadily at the entrance of Xuanyi University.

Jiatai Group arranged for several prominent executives to accompany Qiao Bo’er for this sponsorship project liaison.

As soon as they got out of the car, even before the school officials could greet them, Qiao Bo’er was already surrounded and ushered in by the accompanying staff.

In this way, Principal Wang immediately recognized Qiao Bo’er as the big boss on the guest list.

He quickly approached with a smiling face: “Welcome, welcome! We welcome CEO Qiao and the group leaders to visit and inspect our school. Please move to the campus conference room, where we can sit down and chat slowly. This way, please.”

Qiao Bo’er, with a gentle smile, shook hands with Principal Wang as a courtesy and said warmly, “It’s so early, and I’m troubling Principal Wang and all the leaders to greet us at the door. I’m truly sorry for the trouble.”

Qiao Bo’er was wearing an all-black designer suit. The pencil skirt perfectly highlighted her waistline. Surrounded by a group of middle-aged, slightly overweight school leaders, her presence was simply too striking.

Principal Wang bowed slightly, raised his arm to lead the way, and responded with a smile: “CEO Qiao, you are too kind. It is our honor that you can come to Xuanyi University for inspection. Would CEO Qiao mind strolling around our campus? We can walk and talk.”

Indeed, she was the big financier bringing in a massive sponsorship, and she was also one of Xuan City’s top taxpayers. With such a powerful background, anyone would be eager to treat her like royalty.

Walking along the endless sycamore-lined avenue of Xuanyi University, Principal Wang spoke non-stop, introducing the history of Xuanyi’s education with undisguised pride.

Qiao Bo’er appeared to listen attentively, nodding in response from time to time, and curiously gazing at the unique scenery only found within an ivory tower.

In truth, her mind was wandering.

Qiao Bo’er was contemplating whether that person, in the time she was absent, had passed through this sycamore path countless times, just like she was now.

Did the sunlight, filtering through the leaves into scattered, dappled light “fairies,” also land on her shoulder, playfully and happily?

When she finally snapped back to attention, Principal Wang had already led the group into the conference room.

Qiao Bo’er only observed and listened. The executives she brought were responsible for presenting the details of the investment proposal.

To the school leaders’ surprise, Jiatai Group’s generosity was unbelievable. The proposed sponsorship amount and renovation details were several times higher than the amount Xuanyi University had initially requested from the government—this was no small sum.

The accompanying project specialists were also capable and efficient. They compiled the proposal framework, detailed clauses, and points of note into bound booklets and distributed them to each leader for easy review and reference.

The attention to detail showed that Qiao Bo’er had extremely strict demands for efficiency and time.

Therefore, the meeting was not lengthy.

As it drew to a close, Qiao Bo’er asked with a light smile, “Principal Wang, are you satisfied with our proposal?”

Principal Wang was naturally extremely satisfied and nodded repeatedly: “I won’t hide it from you, CEO Qiao. We at Xuanyi University have been applying to the government for subsidies for several consecutive years, and the approval has been delayed. We’ve been looking forward to your arrival for so long.”

“In the future, for talent output from Xuanyi, multi-party project collaborations, government education support opportunities… I ask all the leaders to remember Jiatai’s kindness. Only when everyone gets what they want most can it be called a win-win situation.”

“CEO Qiao, please rest assured. Our cooperation has just begun. It will only get better and opportunities will only increase in the future.”

“Jiatai will assign dedicated personnel to liaise with the school on the proposal matters. Today, I mainly came to experience the rich campus atmosphere of Xuanyi,” Qiao Bo’er said, deliberately raising her hand to look at her wrist watch.

Principal Wang understood and immediately arranged: “There’s no rush for the proposal, we can communicate slowly… CEO Qiao is a well-known entrepreneur in our Xuan City. I wonder if you would be interested in touring our office building and learning about the various departments?”

Right into her plan, Qiao Bo’er smiled and gladly accepted: “Various departments? That sounds good. I heard that Xuanyi University’s most famous department is Archaeology. I’m quite interested in it.”

“Interested in Archaeology? Then you’ve come to the right place. Please follow me, and I’ll introduce it to everyone slowly.”

And so, a large group of people followed behind the two, tirelessly touring the departmental office building.

“Allow me to introduce you, this is the office floor for the Archaeology Department. Since the establishment of our school, the Archaeology Department has been our key specialty. Among them, Paleography has been included in the national ‘Strong Foundation Program’ and has received attention from the Ministry of Education…”

Listening to Principal Wang’s unwearying introduction, Qiao Bo’er’s pace was slow, as if she was waiting for something, stopping and looking at the archaeology profiles hanging on the wall along the way.

As Principal Wang said, Xuanyi University’s Archaeology Department has a history of nearly a hundred years, and he was particularly proud of it.

Suddenly, feeling a hostile gaze, Qiao Bo’er looked down the corridor. When she saw the pale face, the curve of her lips instantly became meaningful.

Ling Xi had seen the haunting female devil from afar in the crowd. The familiar chill down her spine instinctively made her shiver, and she could even feel her scalp tingling.

The problem was, turning and running was no longer an option. To pass through the crowd and enter her office, she would inevitably have to confront Qiao Bo’er head-on.

The school leaders, whom she rarely saw even once a year, were all gathered here today like the seven Dragon Balls—it was utterly bizarre.

Dammit, the deadly Monday meets the crazy woman. She must not have checked the old almanac before leaving home. What a complete disaster!

Principal Wang, who had sharp eyes, caught sight of Ling Xi. Her appearance conveniently tied into his topic, so he beckoned towards Ling Xi: “What a coincidence! That is Associate Professor Ling, who is in charge of the Paleography specialization.”

Qiao Bo’er raised an eyebrow slightly, her gem-like eyes harboring delight. Her gaze settled on Ling Xi and did not move away.

Compared to the hostile confrontation a few days ago, Qiao Bo’er, being lauded today and looking down from a position of authority, carried a hint of inviolable arrogance, forming a sharp contrast with the solitary Ling Xi.

Caught red-handed by the Principal, Ling Xi could only brace herself and walk up to the group. She was just about to say a few polite words and then slip away.

Qiao Bo’er would never let go of an opportunity to tease her.

She gave Ling Xi no chance to speak and directly turned the conversation to her: “I didn’t expect Associate Professor Ling, who is in charge of Paleography, to be so young. Xuanyi University is indeed a great place where talent abounds.”

Receiving such high praise, Ling Xi forced a smile.

Heh, why is she acting like this? Who is she pretending not to know?

Bad luck!

“Speaking of Paleography, I’m quite interested in it, especially Zhongshan Seal Script… I’d like to ask Principal Wang, as an outsider like myself, am I eligible to audit Associate Professor Ling’s class?”

Qiao Bo’er’s words had a hidden meaning; she simply wanted to become a quasi-member of Xuanyi University.

With the big financier adopting such a humble attitude towards learning, Principal Wang couldn’t have been happier. He immediately took the opportunity to grant a favor: “CEO Qiao has sincerely contributed to Xuanyi. I was just wondering if you would be willing to become an honorary student of our school. If you could give a few lectures on business development and innovation at our school, that would be even better.”

“Of course, there is no distinction of class in the pursuit of knowledge. The value of study lies in raising questions, and the ailment of learning is the lack of doubt—doubt leads to progress. Since CEO Qiao has some knowledge of the Zhongshan Seal Script, I will decide for Associate Professor Ling. You are welcome to audit her classes anytime. If you are willing to spend the time to attend every class, I believe Associate Professor Ling will surely share all her knowledge.”

Ling Xi maintained a polite, closed-lip smile throughout. Hearing the conversation between Qiao Bo’er and Principal Wang, her eyes widened.

She’s causing trouble! The crazy woman is overtly causing trouble!

Money talks, and Ling Xi couldn’t refuse any of Qiao Bo’er’s requests. If it weren’t for dozens of eyes staring at them, she would have torn the crazy woman apart long ago.

Hmph, to hell with sharing all my knowledge!

“In that case… I’ll have to trouble Associate Professor Ling. Please guide me in the future.” Qiao Bo’er walked up to Ling Xi and extended her hand in a friendly gesture, but her tone was somewhat provocative.

Ling Xi stared at the long, slender fingers with the luxurious manicure, lost in thought.

“Ahem… Ahem…” Mr. Chen, an accompanying director, coughed appropriately in the crowd to remind her.

Ling Xi was put on the spot and had to suffer in silence. She had no choice but to take Qiao Bo’er’s hand and politely invite her: “CEO Qiao is welcome to audit my class anytime.”

Qiao Bo’er was no pushover. She held Ling Xi’s hand tightly, leaned close to her ear in front of everyone, and whispered: “Didn’t expect this, did you? We meet again.”

Ling Xi’s wide smile became subtle. She gritted her teeth and quietly retorted, “Are you ever going to quit?”

“Heh, this is just the beginning,” Qiao Bo’er was too malicious, too wicked. Just a few words were enough to ignite the flames in Ling Xi’s heart.

Finally, after a few exchanges, Ling Xi was thoroughly defeated.

Principal Wang mumbled a few perfunctory words to Ling Xi, then led Qiao Bo’er, the big financier, away from the corridor.

“Do you believe I can torment you to death? Do you believe I can torment you to death?” All Ling Xi could hear were buzzing flies with Qiao Bo’er’s head.

She couldn’t stumble over the same crazy woman twice. Qiao Bo’er was Ling Xi’s pillar of shame!

Ling Xi clenched her fists and began to twitch all over again.

She was furious!

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