— Ouyang Chen on the phone —
Sister Hong: "Cai Yadong has indeed been in close contact with the higher-ups recently. He's very eager to push through the nuclear power plant project."
Ouyang Chen: "Then it seems he wasn't just putting on an act for me..."
Sister Hong: "Also, I have some information that's not entirely confirmed, but I think it has some value."
Ouyang Chen: "What is it?"
Sister Hong: "I heard that Gulf University's admissions for next year are already full. This year is special; everyone with a recommendation slot has already submitted their list."
Ouyang Chen: "What?!"
Ouyang Chen was a bit angry. This meant Cai Yadong was truly playing him. If the lists had already been submitted, why meet so often?
And even create the false impression that Ouyang Chen still had a chance?!
Ouyang Chen: "Can you find out who Cai Yadong recommended?"
Sister Hong: "That's impossible to know. You should prepare yourself. Although the lists have been submitted, there's still an approval period, and recommenders can withdraw at any time."
Ouyang Chen flicked his thumb, and a coin flipped into the air before landing steadily. He swiftly caught it in his palm.
Cai Yadong, that old fox, had played him. Ouyang Chen wouldn't let himself be toyed with. He wanted to see him one last time!
Sister Hong: "Oh, and one more thing. Your new secretary, Crystal, doesn't seem to have any ties to the Su Corporation. I checked her background; it's very clean."
Ouyang Chen: "Understood."
— Ouyang Chen's call ends —
Ouyang Chen had already prepared himself mentally. Even if Cai Yadong had played him, he would see this through to the end!
He arrived at Cai Yadong's office once again. It was rare, but Cai Yadong seemed more relaxed today than in their previous encounters.
Ouyang Chen: "Uncle Dong, I won't take up too much of your time today. I have only one thing to say."
Cai Yadong seemed unsurprised.
Ouyang Chen: "Has your recommendation slot already been used?"
Cai Yadong: "Actually, I was under a lot of pressure. I thought for a long time, and I felt that the spot had to be worthy of the name of my recommender."
Ouyang Chen: "Can you tell me who it is?"
Cai Yadong: "It's you."
This left Ouyang Chen even more confused. If he had already decided to write his name, what had he been doing all these days? Why make things difficult for him?
Cai Yadong: "You are indeed qualified to be admitted to Gulf University as one of the new students, and you fully meet the criteria."
Ouyang Chen: "So you were testing me?"
Cai Yadong: "Before the list is announced, I hope you can keep it a secret."
Cai Yadong continued, "Listen to me. These past few days, you've truly shown me that you are a valuable person. But you also need to understand that recommending you means this is a valuable undertaking."
Ouyang Chen thought for a moment and understood. Cai Yadong's recommendation came with a price!
If he had thought that a shady deal could earn him a spot, he had truly underestimated Cai Yadong!
Cai Yadong: "I have something you want, and you have something I want. We both need something from each other."
This time, Cai Yadong was much clearer.
Ouyang Chen immediately thought of the nuclear power plant project Cai Yadong had mentioned in their last conversation!!!
Ouyang Chen: "What I can offer you is a blank check, isn't it?"
Cai Yadong nodded.
The implication was that the nuclear project required Ouyang Chen to invest in it.
However, the resistance to this project far outweighed any investment. He even sensed it was linked to higher authorities, no longer a purely business venture. Ouyang Chen was unwilling to get involved and didn't want to be investigated thoroughly.
Cai Yadong tried to stop Ouyang Chen from leaving, but Ouyang Chen's stance was clear: he couldn't touch that territory!!!
Cai Yadong: "Wait, although I've submitted my spot, I can withdraw it at any time. You need to think about it; you're a smart person! I only have a week to wait for you!"
But Ouyang Chen didn't look back. Cai Yadong had truly treated him like a fool!