I am a Big Player
Chapter 489 - 483. Continuation of the Classic of Mountains and Seas (Second Update)_1

Chapter 489: 483. Continuation of the Classic of Mountains and Seas (Second Update)_1

Being an honorary principal is essentially a nominal title; yet, the ability to acquire such a title in itself says a lot, at the very least it signifies that Zhang Ming holds a certain influence at the Central Academy of Drama.

Indeed, that is the case. To outsiders, Zhang Ming may only seem like a good director, but within the complex networks of China’s system, no one knows just how substantial his family’s influence is.

It was at the Central Academy of Drama that the casting for Kunlun was first announced, and over the years, most of the stars Zhang Ming propelled to fame were students from the Academy, including Xia Yuting.

Appearing mature and sophisticated, Xia Yuting is in fact just a junior at the Central Academy of Drama.

Ren He never expected his schooling to find a path forward here; he didn’t mind what major he studied or which school he attended—the important thing was the school itself.

He had even considered whether he should rely on the Divine Punishment System to get into Tsinghua or Peking University, knowing that it was hopeless to rely on himself. Getting into Tsinghua or Peking University was a dream he joked about as a child, yet it was not his own dream, so he had no obsession with it; he just wanted to see what China’s true elites were like.

Many people are teased by their families as children, "Which school will you go to when you grow up?"

"Tsinghua or Peking University!" all the kids would say proudly.

However, in reality, getting into Tsinghua or Peking University is far from being as simple as it seems, and even if one does manage to get in, it doesn’t guarantee a successful life.

No one’s life can be determined by a single school. College entrance exams are merely a shortcut to social resource distribution at life’s crossroads; the better the score, the closer one is to society’s core, but that is just one of the influencing factors.

Ren He’s mentality had already changed, truly like an idle cloud or a wild crane. After he left last night, the old principal even made another phone call, intending to induct him into the alumni hall of fame. That is to say, the old principal planned to hang Ren He’s photo in the hallway of the teaching building.

Even when he donated a Qinghe Scholarship, which amounts to tens of millions each year, the old principal had never mentioned this idea; it seems that in the old principal’s eyes, money wasn’t as thrilling as Ren He battling with a sniper rifle in New York. Ren He thought that perhaps because of this incident, the old principal finally decided to place him in the alumni hall of fame...

When the principal asked what inscription he wanted beneath his portrait, Ren He didn’t even have to think before replying, "This advertising space for long-term lease..."

The principal hung up with a darkened face. Ren He initially thought such a phrase would never make it, but then Jiang Haoyang called him this morning: his portrait was now placed at the entrance of class 11, grade two, and beneath it was emblazoned the phrase: This advertising space for long-term lease!

When this portrait was hung up, it set Capital Fourth Middle School ablaze—absolutely shocking news!

Hang on the hall of fame wall in No. 4 Middle School were successful middle-aged individuals or scientists, and so Ren He’s young face seemed somewhat out of place.

No. 4 Middle School had never had someone so young on the wall, but now there was this exception.

This matter was controversial within the school administration. Some questioned, "Isn’t this kid just a businessman no matter how extraordinary? Why hang him up so soon?" However, the old principal did not provide them with a specific reason, simply insisting on doing it.

In No. 4 Middle School, once the old principal truly decides on something, there really isn’t anyone who can refute it, so it was hung up just like that.

But to hang there is to hang... Below the portrait is supposed to be a place for a motto, why on earth did you write "Ad Space for Rent"?!

Elder Zhou chuckled during casual conversation, "We at No.4 Middle School always say we’re open, enlightened, and eager to forge ahead, but what kind of openness and enlightenment is there in just a bunch of bookworm students? If not for one or two extraordinary cases, I’d feel I’m letting down the previous principal as well as the responsibility entrusted to me by the organization!"

This portrait added yet another halo to Ren He’s legendary life. While everyone was still taking pride in No.4 Middle School, Ren He had nonchalantly entered the school’s hall of fame. And what did that mean? It meant No.4 Middle School took pride in him!

And that phrase "Ad Space for Rent" was like a reflection of the young man’s spirit of self-mockery. Ren He also thought that he didn’t really have much right to write any motto to inspire others, what he could do was to live his own life well.

So instead of writing some motto, it might be better not to write anything at all. Even when he was teaching in the mountain village, he only talked about principles, never about maxims.

It’s tentatively settled now; Ren He is going to be a freshman at the Central Academy of Drama in September, being a 17-year-old college student doesn’t seem too out of place. When Yang Xi heard that Ren He was going to be schoolmates with Xia Yuting, she hesitated for a moment, but then she thought about how Xia Yuting was always away filming and hardly returned to school, so she felt somewhat relieved.

Although she trusted Ren He completely and was confident in her own merits, it was undeniable that Ren He just shone too brightly in her heart. Who could have imagined that Queen Yang Xi would show a trace of insecurity in front of others?

Going to the Central Academy of Drama was a done deal, and no one would think that the author they were all eager to work with on a drama series was right beside them. And even though Ren He’s identity was exposed, the media never had the chance to snap any images of him, so his face was still not widely known.

However, Zhang Ming also joked that if Ren He didn’t produce another part of Classic of Mountains and Seas before the semester started, he would have to renege on his promise.

Even though Ren He knew that Director Zhang was just joking, he still found it somewhat amusingly frustrating. Why was it that other people had a smooth sailing school life, yet he had to face such hurdles and even exchange his admission for writing two works?

In fact, Ren He was quite gracious about it; after all, even if he did write those two pieces, Zhang Ming wasn’t going to make any money from them. The other party just wanted to complete the trilogy through a full adaptation.

After dinner, they sat under the walnut tree enjoying the cool breeze, and Elder Zhou mentioned expanding the teaching team for the Qinghe Fund. He wanted to recruit more volunteer teachers.

However, Ren He did not agree. Initially, he was very optimistic about the prospects of Harry Potter, but now, it was Elder Zhou who was overly optimistic. In Ren He’s view, the trillion-dollar dream was a long-term prospect and hard to realize without a professional operations team.

Even if it were realized, the money wouldn’t come all at once. The Harry Potter of his previous life had taken over a decade to evolve and still hadn’t reached that stage, with its various franchises still developing, and the theme parks hadn’t been constructed yet.

Yet, if they expanded the volunteer teaching team further, even if the Qinghe Fund was wealthy now, they would eventually start to feel the strain.

Education is, after all, a matter for the state, and rather than trying to steal the spotlight and do what the government should be doing, it would be better to think about how to achieve sustainable development.

After some thought, Elder Zhou agreed as he had long since started to trust Ren He’s judgment of the situation unconditionally.

...

First, I’ll write two Chapters; there’s a thank-you dinner later, and I’ll continue writing when I get back tonight. On May 13, back at my hometown in Wuhan, we’re going to have another wedding ceremony, but it’s just a formality and shouldn’t affect the update schedule. Don’t worry, everyone.

I’m asking for a monthly ticket, about to drop out of the rankings...