Not far away, Zhou Rui was greeting guests in a beautiful dress, the one she bought last year. Lin Chuan took a careful look and thought for a moment, realizing that she hadn't bought any clothes for a long time.

Lin Chuan took a deep breath and then walked over.

"Lin Chuan, you're here?" Zhou Rui greeted him with a charming smile, lightly tucking her hair behind her ear, a gesture that was very alluring.

However, Lin Chuan's face was grim. Zhou Rui had a bad feeling.

"Come over here!" Lin Chuan suddenly grabbed Zhou Rui's arm.

The nearby aunts from Changlin Factory were startled. Zhou Rui quickly said, "Aunties, you chat first, I'll be back after talking with Lin Chuan!"

Before she could finish, Lin Chuan dragged her aside with an intimidating presence. Zhou Rui didn't know what was happening, so she had to obediently follow Lin Chuan.

The observing aunts were a bit curious.

"Do you think that girl from the Zhou family is really with Lin Chuan?"

"Why not? I think they make a great match, a talented man and a beautiful woman. It's great."

"Exactly, with Lin Chuan being so handsome and Zhou Rui so beautiful, plus she's a graduate of a prestigious foreign university. I think they're perfect together."

A few aunts chatted happily. But if this had happened two years ago, they wouldn't have believed that a poor boy from the Lin family could be with a girl from the Zhou family. It would have been like a toad lusting after a swan. So, a man cannot be without money, or else he is short of ambition.

Lin Chuan dragged Zhou Rui to a secluded tree.

Zhou Rui looked up at Lin Chuan's seemingly fierce eyes and awkwardly said, "Lin Chuan... what's with that look, I... I didn't offend you. Besides, it's you who took advantage of me, making it seem like I took advantage of you."

Hearing this, Lin Chuan's heart softened. But he knew he couldn't be soft-hearted about this matter.

"Let me ask you." Lin Chuan questioned sternly, "Since you started at the company, have you not received a single cent?"

"Uh..." Zhou Rui's eyes widened, she angrily said, "Did that brat Zhou Kai tell you?"

"How long were you planning to keep it from me?" Lin Chuan scolded, "If Zhou Kai didn't tell me today, were you planning to hide it from me forever?"

"I..." Zhou Rui blushed and said, "With the company's current financial strain, how could I take such a high salary?"

"But you haven't taken a penny!" Lin Chuan glared at Zhou Rui.

Zhou Rui's eyes darted, unsure of how to explain. After a long pause, she finally spoke, "I... I've lent the money to the company, haven't I? The company will pay me back, with interest too!"

"Who cares?" Lin Chuan said irritably, "Your dress is from last autumn, right? Those crystal sandals are from two summers ago, right? You haven't bought new clothes for a year, and when you do, you buy them from street stalls. Do you think this will move me?"

"I..." Zhou Rui was at a loss for words.

"When you go on stage later, make sure to settle your two years of salary." Lin Chuan said coldly.

"No!" Zhou Rui quickly said, "The company is struggling financially; my payment can wait a little longer."

"The company won't miss your one or two million." Lin Chuan said, leaving those words behind as he turned to leave.

Zhou Rui watched Lin Chuan's departing figure, pouting stubbornly. She looked at Lin Chuan in frustration, her face filled with disappointment. She wasn't doing this to move Lin Chuan, but for the financial needs of the company. The Sichuan University Group was in its growth phase and required more funds for development. If the capital chain was broken, the entire group might collapse, so Zhou Rui carefully protected the company's finances, fearing any financial issues.

This time, Lin Chuan had taken out twenty million in cash as a year-end bonus for the brothers, which was quite extravagant. These twenty million might not mean much to the entire Sichuan University Group, but it still made Zhou Rui wince. If Lin Chuan hadn't insisted, she would not have agreed.

Of course, this move had its benefits. It not only showed the suppliers and partners the strength and exceptionality of the Sichuan University Group but also fostered more unity within the group, stimulating internal employees' potential.

............

Today, besides Zhou Kai and the others, there were others who were extremely happy. That included the group of core family members led by Aunt Zhou in the Sichuan University Group. They were genuinely happy to see the Sichuan University Group doing so well because their children held important positions within the group.

"Aunt Zhou, you'll be enjoying a good life from now on!" A woman in her forties walked over to Aunt Zhou and said with a smile, "Zhou Rui is now the CEO and general manager of Sichuan University Group. It's said her annual salary is in the seven digits. Tsk tsk, I'm really envious of your Xiao Rui."

"Oh, your Xiao Qiang isn't bad either." Aunt Zhou replied with a smile, "Li Qiang is now making over half a million a year, isn't he? That's considered middle to upper income in Jiangbei City."

"Can't compare to Zhou Kai and the others." The woman looked radiant.

A lot of people were gathered around Aunt Zhou, all trying to outdo each other. On the surface, it seemed casual, but inside, they were ecstatic. Every one of them was secretly pleased, especially the family members of key figures like Zhou Kai, Lu Dapao, Huang Bo... These people were almost all gathered in a circle. Others seemed unable to join this circle.

Zhou Kai's parents were surrounded by a group of people.

"Kai's mom, when you have time, talk to Kai about promoting my kid." A young woman approached with a smile, "My kid Ah Cai is introverted and doesn't have social skills. We completely rely on your Kai to help out."

"Sure, sure, absolutely." Zhou Kai's mom maintained her smile constantly.

On one side, someone was pleading, and on the other, someone was asking for help. These people were all incredibly busy.

At this gathering, there's not only food and drinks, but I've heard there's money to be had. Everyone was very excited. Of course, they didn't really care about how much money they could take home today; they cared more about the opportunities for their children to develop at Sichuan University Group. Nowadays, Sichuan University Group is a prestigious name in Jiangbei City. As long as the kids do well at Sichuan University Group, is there any need to worry about money for retirement in the future?

The scene was lively, with everyone gathered together speaking quietly.

At the entrance, a white BMW 5 Series slowly stopped. Liu Jianjun somehow got wind that Sichuan University Group was holding a year-end gala at this resort tonight and had invited people from Changlin Factory, so he showed up uninvited.

Zhou Kai and others were well-dressed, in black suits, white shirts, black ties, and black leather shoes. More than a hundred people were maintaining order at the scene. At the entrance, over twenty people stood opposite each other, bowing and saluting as they saw family members arrive, indicating welcome.

"Stop." Suddenly, Zhou Kai stopped the white BMW.

"Zhou Kai, it's me." Liu Jianjun quickly lowered the window, poked his head out, and said with a smile, "I'm also from Changlin Factory, why are you stopping me outside?"

"Do you have an invitation?" Zhou Kai's lips curled into a cold smile.

"Invitation? What the heck is an invitation?" Liu Jianjun quickly asked.

"Coming here without an invitation, you must be looking for trouble, huh?" Zhou Kai glared at him impatiently and said angrily, "Get lost quickly, or don't blame me for being rude."

"You... you can't be so impolite." Liu Jianjun quickly said, "In terms of seniority, you should call me uncle."

"Get lost!" Zhou Kai suddenly swung the axe in his hand.

"I'm... I'm leaving, I'm leaving!" Liu Jianjun shouted quickly. He drove away in disgrace. However, he did not go far. Instead, he parked the car by the roadside, then sneaked over to the resort's fence, quietly climbed over the fence, and quickly ran towards the venue.

............

At the gathering, there were dozens of people maintaining order, all dressed neatly and full of energy.

Zhou Kai and others stole the spotlight today. Half the people from Changlin Factory were gathered here. When everyone saw Zhou Kai and the others at the scene, they all gave them a thumbs up. Nowadays, the only thing Changlin Factory can take pride in are these kids. Although once glorious, and once brilliant, after the economic reforms began, things got tougher for state-owned enterprises day by day, until eventually, the factory went bankrupt and shut down. The once-glorious parents suddenly fell into poverty and destitute, and this situation persisted for a long time. They thought this life would continue with their children.

Who knew their sons would carve out a path, making all the older generation from Changlin Factory look at them with new admiration.

The gala was very lively.

Right at seven-thirty, a group of people quickly walked onto the stage, starting the first act. A seven-person team performed a dazzling ethnic dance on stage. They opened the gala with their passionate dance moves.

Soon, a graceful figure came from behind the stage. She was wearing a red long dress, with the hem trailing on the ground. Her beautiful appearance immediately drew everyone's attention.

"Oh my, isn't that the former host from Jiangbei TV Station?"

"Yes, yes, what's her name again?"

"She's called Mu Bai!"

Upon seeing her, the crowd immediately started buzzing, and a round of enthusiastic applause erupted at the venue. Mu Bai left the TV station not long ago, and her last program was the day before she resigned. On that day, she aired the true story of Long Wu's death, and that episode opened everyone's eyes and left a deep impression.

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