NOVEL NEXT Chapter 261 Approval
In the room, Hu Yongbo sat in the study, put on metal-framed reading glasses, and slowly took out a book from the solid wood bookshelf and opened it.
Noticing Xu Yingning bringing him hot tea at the door, Hu Yongbo said calmly, "Ying Ning, what do you think of this President Li?"
Having long expected this question, Xu Yingning set down the hot tea and replied with a smile, "An interesting young man, somewhat different from what I anticipated."
"Different?" Hu Yongbo raised his head, his gaze passing over the lenses to look at her, "In what ways different?"
"I originally thought that a young man who was so successful at such a young age should have some arrogance, but he has always maintained humbleness. I haven't seen any self-conceit or pride in him at all."
"You mean he is more humble than you expected?" Hu Yongbo's expression remained as calm as water.
"It's not just superficial humility, I think he genuinely believes it in his heart—he thinks his success is largely due to good luck."
"Calling his success luck?"
Hu Yongbo's expression finally changed a little, pausing before he spoke in a deep voice: "That's rare. Nowadays, people can't wait to credit all their achievements to their effort and talent, unwilling to admit the part luck plays."
"Indeed, this kind of 'elite mentality' is increasingly common among young people today."
Xu Yingning gently rubbed the Buddhist beads in her hand, nodding lightly: "The elite mentality advocates survival of the fittest, always feeling that their success comes entirely from effort and ability, while attributing others' frustrations to a lack of effort or ability, thus highlighting their superiority and looking down on others."
While speaking, she glanced at the bright lights outside the window: "Yet they are unwilling to admit that in this world, relying solely on ability and effort doesn't necessarily lead to success; luck is an indispensable part."
As the words fell, Xu Yingning turned back to look at Hu Yongbo by the desk again: "Thus, the fact that this President Li can sincerely admit that his success has elements of luck is the fundamental reason his mindset remains humble and composed, which is indeed rare among young people."
After listening, Hu Yongbo contemplated silently for a moment, seemingly reminiscing about his recent interaction with Li Jing, then slowly nodded.
He apparently thought of something amusing, took off his reading glasses again, turned to Xu Yingning, and smiled faintly: "President Li recently personally made a charity donation to his hometown to fund school construction. Guess how much he donated?"
"A personal donation? How could I guess that?"
Xu Yingning didn't understand why he suddenly mentioned this but still guessed casually: "If it's a personal donation, fifty thousand? Or a bit more, two or three hundred thousand?"
Hu Yongbo smiled and shook his head, raised one finger: "Ten million."
"Ten million?"
Even the always gentle and composed Xu Yingning was slightly surprised upon hearing this number, exclaiming: "A personal donation of ten million?"
Seeing him nod, Xu Yingning couldn't help but think again of the young man who said he didn't know how to drink tea earlier, feeling a subtle shift in her perception of him.
"And he spent nearly ten days personally investigating several impoverished towns in the mountains and eight primary schools, and finally donated according to the investigation to five schools."
In Hu Yongbo's eyes, there was rare, faint approval: "In this respect, this President Li is indeed a person who gets things done."
At this, Xu Yingning also nodded in agreement, then said, "All of this was told to you by Hua Ming, right?
However, today Hua Ming chatted with me about another thing regarding President Li, which I find quite interesting, you actually seem to have some fate in common."
"What is it?"
Hu Yongbo was somewhat puzzled: "Is there something else about Li Jing that Hua Ming hasn't told me?"
"Hua Ming only learned about it recently, plus he probably didn't think it was important, so he didn't mention it to you."
Xu Yingning explained for Liu Huaming, her gaze falling on the somewhat old book in his hands, before asking: "What book are you reading?"
"Weren't you going to tell me about Li Jing's matter, why ask what book I'm reading?"
Hu Yongbo slightly furrowed his brow, then displayed the book's cover in his hand, responding: "Mortal, you know it's my favorite contemporary novel, having read it five or six times without boredom, and increasingly feeling that in the face of the great wheel of time rolling forward, both you and I are but mere mortals."
"I remember your favorite character is Jiangnan, right?"
Xu Yingning spoke gently: "Jiangnan learned a lot but due to the changing times and unfavorable fortune, ultimately in old age, has to rely on welfare to survive."
"Indeed, Jiangnan has some personality flaws." Hu Yongbo looked at the large 'Mortal' letters on the book: "But if it weren't for that era, his life would have been starkly different."
Xu Yingning smiled slightly: "So the interesting thing I have to say is that Li Jing happened to invest in the film adaptation of Mortal, and the character he plays is Jiangnan."
"What a coincidence?"
This news made Hu Yongbo, who was always calm and steady, show a few traces of surprise.
"Indeed very coincidental. Perhaps all of this is arranged by fate."
Xu Yingning smiled with a sense of reflection: "Just like the affair with the Cultural Park, when you couldn't find a suitable investor, President Li appeared."
Upon mentioning the Cultural Park, Hu Yongbo returned to a serious and rational expression, contemplating for a moment before saying: "This matter isn't urgent, it can be deliberated from a long-term perspective.
This President Li can be observed further."
Xu Yingning nodded softly, "Yes. But judging from today, it seems Hua Ming didn't judge him wrong."
...
After leaving Hu Yongbo's home, Liu Huaming's attitude towards Li Jing became even closer, not only chauffeuring Li Jing home but also chatting about many things within the system.
Though Li Jing wasn't very interested in these, he noticed Liu Huaming's extensive network of contacts, having friends and acquaintances in almost every system in Tianhai.
Liu Huaming is typical of those who prioritize networking resources. However, most of his contacts are within the system, conversely having little contact with entrepreneurs.
According to his view, having too deep contact with entrepreneurs isn't a good thing.
The primary reason he could become close to Li Jing is that Li Jing doesn't have business needs with him, doesn't bind interests, nor does he ask for projects.
This is Li Jing's biggest difference from other entrepreneurs and it's the fundamental reason Liu Huaming trusts him.
However, amidst various topics, Liu Huaming also hinted at internal conflicts in the system, hence he and Hu Yongbo wish to connect with more clean entrepreneurs and investors like Li Jing.
That night, after Li Jing returned home, nothing notable happened.
On the next day.
When Li Jing arrived at the crew, he realized there was a considerable change in the way people looked at him.
Just when he was puzzled, Yang Xiaoxiu approached quickly and explained in a low voice:
"Brother Jing, Dai Weiwei and her boyfriend Qian Xin came over, apparently looking for you, they are waiting for you with Director Wen."