NOVPUB
Chapter 101: Chapter 101 More and More People Tonight
Before long, Xiao Meier came in herself, carrying the plate of fried rice with eggs.
"Mr. Chen, your order."
Chen Jin smiled and said, "Thank you for the trouble."
"If there’s anything unsatisfactory, let Xiao Cheng know, and I’ll have the kitchen improve it."
Xiao Meier did not stay long, "Enjoy your meal."
Chen Jin nodded.
After a few bites, he turned to Chen Cheng beside him, "Mr. Chen, I have an impertinent request."
"Go ahead."
"I’d like to borrow a cup of your wine, to toast to Professor Zhang."
Chen Cheng thought he was finally going to talk business, but it turned out to be this, "Lao Chen is joking again, let’s go together."
The two left the private room, and Chen Cheng had Zhao Ling fetch a new wine glass.
Chen Jin, holding the wine glass, approached Professor Zhang’s table with a sincere smile on his face:
"Professor Zhang, it’s my honor to dine with you and so many colleagues today at Mr. Chen’s restaurant. Here’s a toast to you first."
Zhang Jingsong also stood up, "Chairman, you are too kind."
Their glasses clinked.
After Chen Jin downed his drink and refilled it, he drank with others at the table.
"Professor Zhang, I’ve heard about the girl who was hit." Chen Jin put down his glass and slowly began, "It’s been all over the legal department this week."
Zhang Jingsong nodded in agreement, "They are all our senior and junior colleagues, and indeed, this case is a bit special, making it difficult for anyone to remain indifferent."
Chen Jin slightly sighed, then said, "I heard that the girl’s family isn’t wealthy, and the person responsible can’t pay that much."
He paused, "Our foundation has always made charitable donations. On behalf of LinkedIn, I can donate this money."
As soon as he said this, hope was visible in the eyes of everyone present.
Zhang Jingsong twitched his eyebrows, "Chairman, this..."
"I was once a student from a humble background myself, I know how difficult it is for a family to support a university student." Chen Jin spoke earnestly, "We cannot let this ruin the girl’s future."
Over the years, LinkedIn has been active in philanthropic activities.
From sponsoring impoverished students to donating educational facilities, to providing aid to disaster-stricken areas, they’ve always adhered to a philosophy of "giving back to the society, caring for others."
Chen Jin continued, "The LinkedIn Foundation is willing to provide funds to help this young lady finish her education and to cover the expenses of her surgery and subsequent treatment."
"We will communicate with the hospital to ensure that every penny is well spent," he added.
Zhang Jingsong was well aware of the power and influence of the LinkedIn Foundation; with their help, that girl’s future had hope.
"Chairman, your benevolence..." Zhang Jingsong was at a loss for words.
Chen Jin waved it off with a smile, "Professor Zhang, would it be convenient for you to contact the girl’s family? I want the surgery to be as successful as possible."
Zhang Jingsong looked towards another teacher at the table, "Lao Xu, please contact the family."
He paused for a moment, seeking Chen Cheng’s opinion, "Xiao Chen, shall we arrange the meeting here, is that alright?"
Chen Cheng nodded silently, "No problem."
Lao Xu immediately left to make a phone call, and the people at the table lavished praise on Chen Jin’s generous donation, with warm words flowing freely.
They even invited him to join the meal and participate in this organization’s event.
So, three additional non-faculty members were added to the table.
Chen Cheng, Chen Jin, and Ding Zhaohui.
Ding Zhaohui nudged Chen Cheng’s leg under the table, "Man, you really know all the big shots now, huh?"
"I just checked online, that LinkedIn Foundation manages billions!"
His expression was excited; apart from envying Chen Cheng’s rapid rise, he was even happier watching his childhood friend succeed,
"You’ve truly become a phoenix perched atop the tree!"
Chen Cheng’s mouth curled in a smile, "Don’t you also have your dear father to rely on for a meteoric rise in status?"
"Let’s drink to that!"
Their glasses clinked.
And the atmosphere at the dinner table became more relaxed; the evening would surely be memorable.
Half an hour later, the girl’s family arrived.
She walked up to the entrance of Wanbao Hall, looked up at the sign, and froze.
The visitor was Liu Zhiya.
Remembering how Wen Shulin had introduced Chen Cheng back at the club at the sight of the familiar "Wanbao Hall" sign.
Xiao Meier noticed someone standing at the doorway, hesitating to come in.
So, she walked over.
That’s when she realized how tall the visitor was.
"Miss? Are you here for dinner?"
Still that sweet smile and enthusiastic greeting.
Liu Zhiya looked at the stunningly beautiful lady before her, momentarily taken aback, and nodding.
Then she shook her head.
"That... Lao Xu asked me to come here," Liu Zhiya replied.
Hearing this name, Xiao Meier looked toward the table still enjoying their drinks, "Right over there, I’ll take you."
"Alright."
Liu Zhiya followed Xiao Meier’s steps.
But just a few steps away, she really saw Chen Cheng, with whom she had embraced to sleep the night before.
Their two hands were nervously clasped together, and her originally pale complexion now looked even more bloodless.
"Miss Liu, this way, please."
Xiao Meier did not notice Liu Zhiya’s peculiar state and politely led her to the main table.
Liu Zhiya followed Xiao Meier, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
She never expected to see Chen Cheng again in such a setting.
Thinking back to the madness at the club last night, and Chen Cheng’s cold departure at dawn today, she felt both embarrassed and a bit heartbroken.
"This lady is here to see Lao Su," introduced Xiao Meier.
Upon hearing this, everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to look.
Chen Cheng was no exception.
"It’s so alike! Exactly the same!"
"If you hadn’t said it, I really couldn’t tell who is who!"
Liu Zhiya, nearly without makeup, radiated the pure innocence of a young girl.
A simple white T-shirt, light blue jeans, and a pair of canvas shoes completely removed the gaudiness from the night before.
Chen Cheng gulped, and he too recognized her in an instant.
"Miss Liu, your sister can have her surgery now."
Lao Su said cheerfully, "This is Chairman Chen of LinkedIn Fund. His foundation is willing to donate for the surgery and subsequent treatment costs."
Liu Zhiya turned to look at Chen Jin.
With just one glance, she also recognized the man before her, one of the ten men from last night’s club.
Chen Jin smiled blandly, pretending as if he had never seen Liu Zhiya before, "Hello, Miss Liu."
"You... Hello."
Liu Zhiya was nervously fiddling with her fingernails.
"Look, Miss Liu is so excited she doesn’t even know how to speak!" Lao Su, noticing her extreme nervousness, quickly came to her side, "Miss Liu, this is a rare opportunity."
Liu Zhiya’s gaze lingered on Chen Cheng, unsure of how to start speaking or face the situation.
Chen Jin’s mouth carried a faint smile, "Miss Liu must be just shy."
He suggested, "Mr. Chen, how about we use your private room to talk it over?"
Chen Cheng immediately realized that this was Chen Jin’s purpose for coming today.
But he didn’t understand why Lao Chen was doing this.
"Okay," Chen Cheng agreed.
"Would you lead the way, Mr. Chen?" Chen Jin asked with a smile.
Liu Zhiya: "Lao Su..."
"Rest assured, it’s all right."
Chen Jin and Liu Zhiya joined Chen Cheng in the Camellia Room.
The table still displayed the barely-touched stir-fried egg with rice.
Chen Cheng closed the door and asked with a frown, "Lao Chen, what’s this all about?"
"Miss Liu, you know Mr. Chen, right?" Chen Jin took out two metal tubes and handed one to Chen Cheng.
Liu Zhiya nodded but kept looking down at her toes.
"Your sister’s situation will be taken care of; you can rest assured."
Chen Jin continued, "I’ve made contact with the hospital, and the ambulance is already on its way. The orthopedic, internal medicine, surgery, cardiology, cardiothoracic, anesthesia, extracorporeal circulation, blood transfusion, and nursing teams are all on standby."
Liu Zhiya looked up, unable to believe what she heard.
"You go handle the transfer procedures later, tonight, your sister can undergo surgery," Chen Jin continued.
"About that..." she said quietly, "I’ve already raised the money for my sister’s surgery."
Chen Jin fiddled with the metal tube in his hand, "It’s the money Wen Shulin gave you, right?"
Chen Cheng immediately thought of the camera he had discovered.
He felt that this seemingly innocent girl was not as simple as he had imagined.
Tears suddenly appeared on Liu Zhiya’s face, and she nodded in acknowledgment.
"People like Xiao Wen always act out of self-interest," Chen Jin said, not avoiding the topic, "She thinks money can buy everything."
He looked at Chen Cheng and said, "Miss Liu, you should thank Mr. Chen."
"If he hadn’t mentioned it to me, I would have had no idea you were in such trouble," Chen Jin clearly told a lie that Liu Zhiya was unaware of.
Liu Zhiya looked at the still silent Chen Cheng and suddenly thought of his hasty departure in the morning.
In her eyes, anyone who could attend last night’s party was a powerful figure.
It wouldn’t be surprising if they knew about her situation.
"You left this morning just for..."
Chen Jin waved his hand to interrupt her, "Hurry to the hospital, the transfer is important."
Liu Zhiya bowed deeply, then looked at Chen Cheng intently, as though engraving his image in her memory.
Then, she ran out of the private room.
When the door of the room closed again, Chen Cheng couldn’t help but ask, "Chairman Chen, why are you doing this?"
Chen Jin continued smiling, "I know Wen Shulin took 30 million from you in exchange for the two sisters."
He paused for a moment, then sincerely said, "Today, Lao Chen here, give you two real sisters."
Chen Jin picked up a spoon and scooped a spoonful of the cold stir-fried egg with rice, "I hope Mr. Chen accepts it graciously."
