148: Behind the scenery is bitterness

“Lin Yang, your Uncle He, I was just lucky enough to live in a good era. My Old He family has been single-line descendants for generations, and none of them had a talent for studying. It was hard enough for me to even get through middle school back then.”

“Fortunately, I encountered a good era, dabbled in various things, and accumulated some family wealth. But don’t let the surface prosperity fool you; in reality, those truly big bosses, they simply weren’t willing to cooperate with me. They thought my education was too low and that it would embarrass their companies.”

“Over the years, although my family’s factory has continuously expanded, in the eyes of those cultured big bosses, it’s still not presentable. Some don’t say it to my face, but they ridicule me behind my back. They only put up with me because of the money.”

“So, I worked my butt off to make money, donating money and buildings at all costs, finding connections and throwing money around, just to get this little brat He Ming into university. It was all to get rid of my Old He family’s label as illiterate nouveau riche.”

At this point, He Zhong glanced at He Fatty and couldn't help but laugh:

“Haha, it’s a pity this little brat still inherited my Old He family’s genes; he really has no talent for studying.”

“Dad…” He Ming’s expression was complex. Only now did he understand why He Zhong was willing to spend so much money to send him to university.

But this reason made him feel uncomfortable.

He had always thought his dad, running a big factory and making a lot of money, was someone everyone envied.

But now he knew that his dad had such bitterness hidden in his heart.

“Don’t act like that.”

He Zhong immediately glared at He Fatty, then turned his head, looked at Lin Yang, and said seriously:

“Originally, I didn’t have much hope. I just wished this little brat would learn something at school so he wouldn’t squander the family fortune in the future.”

“However, Lin Yang, seeing several university presidents personally vying for you just now, I felt that this little brat has good luck. Being able to make a friend like you might be this kid’s greatest opportunity in his life.”

“So, Lin Yang, Uncle He doesn’t dare to have any other extravagant hopes. I just ask that when you achieve success in your studies in the future, you look out for Ming Ming a little in society, so he doesn’t get bullied too badly.”

He didn’t even ask why Lin Yang’s studies weren’t good before, but now the presidents of several prestigious universities were personally vying for him. Instead, he took out a thick envelope and handed it to Lin Yang:

“Lin Yang, there’s one hundred thousand yuan in cash here. Although you’re being fought over by the university presidents, you definitely won’t lack scholarships, but the cost of living in a place like the Imperial Capital is high.”

“This money is a small token of Uncle He’s appreciation. From now on, Uncle He will transfer one hundred thousand to you every semester for social expenses and living costs. If you need money, you can always tell Uncle He. I just ask that you look out for He Ming in the future. Consider it Uncle He begging you.”

Lin Yang instantly took a step back, looked at He Zhong, and said seriously: “Uncle He, you’re being too polite. Pangzi and I are good buddies, good brothers. If he ever needs help, I will definitely help. You absolutely don’t need to be so serious, and you don’t need to give money. My friendship with Pangzi isn’t about money!”

“This…” He Zhong was stunned for a moment, then still wanted to persuade him.

Lin Yang interrupted him first: “Uncle He, have you forgotten? A few years ago, my dad’s company ran into difficulties and couldn’t even pay salaries. You directly transferred a large sum of money without a word. I remember all of that!”

“So you don’t need to overthink it. In the future, as long as I have something to eat, Pangzi won’t go hungry. And please don’t use words like ‘begging’; it’s too polite!”

He Zhong was stunned, then remained silent for a long while before taking back the envelope and laughing heartily:

“Alright, it’s my kid’s good fortune to have a friend like you in this lifetime. Then Uncle He won’t delay your time. School is starting soon, and you’ll have to report to school in the next two days. You’ll probably be busy, so I’ll leave first. However, if you encounter anything where you need help, remember to tell Uncle He.”

“Definitely, Uncle He, take care.” Lin Yang waved his hand, looking at He Zhong’s retreating figure, and couldn’t help but sigh.

To be honest, he hadn’t expected that He Zhong, this seemingly glamorous big boss, would also have his own bitter stories and would say such things to him.

He even felt such a large status gap that he only dared to wait outside for Liu Songzhou and the others to leave before coming over.

It really is true that every family has its own difficulties.

After He Zhong walked away, He Fatty fully came back to his senses and said faintly: “Lin Yang, only today did I realize that my dad isn’t as glamorous as he appears on the surface.”

“Why think so much? Respect is earned. The fact that Uncle He could build such a large family fortune is a testament to his ability!”

Lin Yang patted He Ming’s shoulder and said:

“If you don’t want to disappoint Uncle He, study hard when you go to university. In the future, bring honor back to Uncle He, and don’t let all that money Uncle He spent go to waste.”

“Mm.” He Fatty nodded, then as if remembering something, he looked at Lin Yang and asked:

“You’re not really Fellow Student Big Shot, are you?”

“Haha, I can say I am, but the key is, do you believe it?” Lin Yang smiled.

“I don’t believe it.” He Fatty answered decisively.

“Then there you have it.”

“But I still don’t understand why even Kyoto University and Huaqing University are fighting over you!” He Ming stared with wide eyes.

“Didn’t I tell you during dinner just now? When I was Overseas, I met a domestic professional team and helped them solve a physics problem. The solution to that problem is why they invited me.”

Lin Yang once again brought out the excuse he used to fool his mom last time.

“…Although it’s well-reasoned, I always feel it’s not quite real. You said you helped a professional team solve a problem, but when we were in school, I never saw you have any special talent in physics. You failed every exam.” He Ming grumbled incessantly.

“That’s called being low-key, do you understand?”

“Low-key? Give me a break!”

He Ming burst out laughing, then violently shook his head and said:

“Alright, I’m too lazy to ask. In short, you’ve made something of yourself now, and I’m happy for you from the bottom of my heart, my friend. When you take off in the future, remember to bring me along.”

Lin Yang was about to say that this Dead Fatty had suddenly become much more sensible, but the next second, he heard He Ming say with heartfelt anguish:

“Why didn’t you take that one hundred thousand yuan from my dad just now? That was one hundred thousand! A whole one hundred thousand!”

“Even if you didn’t want it, couldn’t you have taken it and then given it to me?!”

Lin Yang: “…”

He was speechless, truly speechless.

After 2.5 seconds of silence, Lin Yang still couldn’t hold back and directly smacked the Dead Fatty hard on the forehead, raging:

“Are you out of your mind?! You also know that was one hundred thousand!”

“Don’t you think about the consequences if this gets exposed later?! If you want to die, go die by yourself, don’t drag me into it!”

“The Imperial Palace Hotel didn’t charge for dinner just now, saving you six thousand. Are you still not satisfied? Huh?”

This Dead Fatty really dared to think!

Embezzling one hundred thousand!

If his family found out later, not only would the Dead Fatty get beaten, but he himself wouldn’t be spared a good beating from his mom!

“Damn it, just talk, why hit me? It hurts so much! Can’t I just pretend I didn’t say it? I’m going home first. The farewell meal is over. See you in the winter break!”

He Fatty covered his forehead and scurried away, chasing after his dad.

“…”

Watching He Fatty scurrying away, Lin Yang smiled knowingly and then walked towards home.

Mom must be very happy now, right?

“Beep beep, you have a new email.”

Suddenly, a notification made Lin Yang pause slightly.

“The Ecology Institute wants me to help research the plant seeds brought back from the Moon?”

After glancing at the email from Zhao Zizhen, Lin Yang hadn't had time to reply when he received a message from Butler One.

“Commander, we have detected a new Blue Star spaceship landing. They are attempting to exchange for more advanced spaceship construction technology. Would you like to proceed with the exchange?”

“Huh? New spaceship? Which country?” Lin Yang was immediately stunned.

Have Western countries already landed on the Moon to exchange resources so quickly?