I am a Big Player
Chapter 286 - 284. What is Qinghe Fund? (Third Update)_1

Chapter 286: 284. What is Qinghe Fund? (Third Update)_1

That very afternoon, after Ren He and Elder Zhou finished discussing various matters, an explosive piece of news broke: The literary leader resigned from his positions as Chairman and Chief Editor of the Capital Journalism Group, announcing his official participation in charity work with Qinghe Fund!

My goodness, what is happening here? Everyone had grown accustomed to seeing Zhou Wumeng appear on screen associated with the Capital Journalism Group. It had been such a long time, people almost instinctively linked Zhou Wumeng with the Capital Journalism Group and vice versa.

Now, with Elder Zhou suddenly declaring his departure, everyone was struggling to adjust, especially the staff within the Capital Journalism Group. Over a decade ago, Capital Journalism was a second-tier media firm, not quite top-tier but not the worst. But now, it had become one of the nation’s leading institutions with immense influence.

Some of the old employees who had worked day and night alongside Elder Zhou for over a decade were truly reluctant to let him go. If they were told that Elder Zhou could no longer keep up with the work and wanted to retire peacefully, they could understand. But why would he suddenly abandon the business he had dedicated more than a decade to and venture into an unfamiliar field?

Charity? The state of domestic charity is pretty murky these days, so why make such a decision out of the blue?

But those in the know were aware as early as last year that Elder Zhou had already started busying himself with a charitable organization called Qinghe Fund and had even stayed away from the Capital Journalism Group for three consecutive months, falling ill earlier this year due to the workload.

Elder Zhou was known for his robust health, so why the sudden illness? There was no shortage of issues to deal with at Capital Journalism, yet Elder Zhou had always managed them efficiently.

Quietly packing up his belongings in his office, Elder Zhou reflected on the ten years he had spent there—the Capital Journalism Group building was completed just a decade ago, and he had occupied this same office for all that time. It held too many memories. The thought of leaving was a tough one to grapple with.

However, the organization had already approved his retirement application, and, in truth, he had reached the retirement age some time ago.

He had experienced ten springs and autumns right here in this office; Springs filled with lush greenery and Autumns bursting with golden abundance. Recalling his arrival at the journalism group as an ambitious man in his thirties, he now realized he had become an old man.

In the blink of an eye, the blooming flowers of spring turned to winter; swiftly, swiftly, the prime of life faded without a trace.

Any regrets? Zhou Wumeng’s greatest pride in life was that he had always acted uprightly. At this age, there was nothing he truly regretted.

And now, Zhou Wumeng contemplated the meaningful and joyful things he could still do in his remaining years, feeling quite at peace.

As Ren He said, he simply couldn’t compare to Elder Zhou’s state of being.

Ren He was a man who controlled tens of millions in assets, supported by a powerful moneymaking machine, and driven by knowledge from a past life to pursue philanthropy. As for Elder Zhou, he was a lone figure, simply seeking to do something more meaningful with his life.

So Ren He was still an ordinary person, and he was content to remain just an ordinary person. Elder Zhou, on the other hand, had transcended his own life’s realm.

Ren He didn’t recommend that anyone try to follow in Elder Zhou’s footsteps, just like the teacher who left without a word to teach in remote areas—Elder Zhou’s spirit was unique and irreplicable.

But he admired Elder Zhou, which was not contradictory. He simply understood that people have different pursuits in life. If Elder Zhou knew Ren He was still engaging in extreme sports, he wouldn’t suggest all young people follow Ren He’s lead either.

Reporters converged at the base of the Capital Journalism Group building, all with one objective: to interview Elder Zhou.

Zhou Wumeng shook hands with each coworker from Capital Journalism, "Thank you all for your sincere cooperation over these 17 years, farewell."

Many of the staff who had worked with Elder Zhou for years broke down on the spot, the scene resembling the latter days of a hero—bittersweet. Even knowing that Elder Zhou was moving on to charity work, they couldn’t help but feel this way.

After shaking hands with everyone, Elder Zhou left, with all eyes following his retreating figure.

On encountering the reporters at the door, Zhou Wumeng didn’t address their specific questions but simply said with a smile, "Actually, I’m very grateful to my New Boss. His Qinghe Fund has helped me rediscover the passion of my youth and has given me a new dream. Moreover, I can pursue the charity work I desire without relying on anyone. Part of the reason for leaving Capital Journalism is certainly my age—it’s time to pass on the torch since even the newspapers from my own company are becoming hard to read. On the other hand, I also feel a genuine affection for this work. I welcome everyone to follow and support Qinghe Fund."

After saying that, he got on Qinghe Fund’s battered business van and headed for the headquarters of Qinghe Fund.

In fact, the business van was also a recently purchased high-spec model, it’s just that their daily expeditions into the deep forest and mountains were really tough on vehicles...

The journalists looked at each other, bewildered. They had set out today to investigate the Qinghe Fund, but the results of their investigation were astonishing. Yet, the only data they could find indicated Zhou Dreamless as its legal representative, while the identity of the actual owner eluded them.

Moreover, Qinghe Fund’s operating model was extremely peculiar, relying solely on the revenue from two books as its source of funding: The Kite Runner and the Three Character Classic!

It was the first time they had seen such an operational approach, with no private or public fundraising, just depending on the income from two books to do charity work.

They knew how profitable The Kite Runner was, as it was topping the bestseller lists every day.

But there was a problem: The owner of Qinghe Fund was the author of The Kite Runner, right? Otherwise, it would be impossible to explain how its royalties became an asset of Qinghe Fund, along with the Three Character Classic.

This author was not only writing anonymously but was also dedicating all income to charity. Who was this person?!

The reporters had a hunch that maybe the identity of this person was a bigger story than Elder Zhou’s resignation... Elder Zhou’s New Boss, just the intrigue of that title was thrilling enough. How many people in the country were qualified to be Elder Zhou’s New Boss?!

Many people started inquiring about the Qinghe Fund due to the news of Elder Zhou, eager to know what kind of organization could make Elder Zhou willingly resign from his position at the Capital Journalism Group and join them. At that moment, the latest explosive news broke out: Qinghe Fund had quietly built 47 Hope Primary Schools in just six months and proposed a plan to create a team of supporting teachers!

Built silently, 47 of them, and all in just half a year—it was astonishing! A large number of photos were also exposed, showing the conditions of the original school sites which were truly heartbreaking.

Some started thinking about donating to Qinghe Fund, there are indeed many kind-hearted people in society.

However, just at that moment, everyone suddenly discovered something even more incredible... Qinghe Fund didn’t accept external donations?

This was truly a novelty, the first time they saw a charity foundation that didn’t need donations... So Qinghe Fund was planning to sustain its charitable deeds solely on the revenue from two books?

What people commonly saw were scandals involving charity foundations, like the embezzlement of public funds, undervaluing donated goods, or profiting from them, which chilled the enthusiasm to do good deeds and left hardly any trustworthy organizations!

Then there was this charity foundation that didn’t accept donations at all, utterly self-sufficient... starkly different from those wanton outfits. But this made people even more eager to donate, feeling that Qinghe Fund could be trusted. They didn’t even want donations; how could they possibly covet your money?

This was a group of genuinely like-minded individuals coming together.

So this was what Elder Zhou meant by "never asking for help from others."

Public opinion suddenly shifted, and the online forums were filled with messages pleading with Elder Zhou to accept donations, with people willing to offer whatever little they could.

This twist was something neither Ren He nor Elder Zhou had expected...

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Bonus update for rewards