"How much did you say you're planning to invest in charity next year?"

Wang Rengang confirmed once again.

"Ten billion, and that will be the annual investment every year thereafter."

Gu Bai met his eyes directly, his tone devoid of any ripple, as if ten billion was no different from a hundred dollars.

"Are you kidding?"

"Uncle Wang, do you think I would joke about something like this?"

If someone else had said this, even a CEO of a listed group, Wang Rengang wouldn't have believed it. But since it was Gu Bai who said it, he was already eighty percent convinced.

Reaching his level, he can already access some secrets unknown to ordinary people.

Gu Bai, being so young and rising out of nowhere in such a short time, couldn't possibly have avoided investigation.

Thinking of this, Wang Rengang asked Gu Bai, "Do you have any connection with the Future Foundation in Europe?"

"Future Foundation?"

Gu Bai looked at Wang Rengang in confusion.

"The Future Foundation is a foundation that has existed for over two centuries. Its total internal assets exceed 400 billion US dollars, making it the world's largest private foundation organization. The multiple transfers you've received were also initiated by the Future Foundation."

Gu Bai's mind shook.

Indeed, the system's funds definitely don't appear out of nowhere, but he had never known where the money came from before. The system also never provided an answer. It wasn't until Wang Rengang mentioned it that he realized that the over 20 billion he had received was actually from a foundation named Future.

Nevertheless, Gu Bai only momentarily startled before shaking his head, saying, "I don't know what the Future Foundation is. My money was transferred to me from my family, and I'm not very clear through which account the remittance was made."

Wang Rengang stared at Gu Bai's glasses for a few seconds before slowly beginning to smile, "It's okay not to know. As long as the money is legitimate, it doesn't matter where it comes from.

However, are you really planning to donate ten billion annually to complete the Spark Project?"

"That's right. As long as I'm not bankrupt and there are impoverished students in the country, this charity project will continue."

Wang Rengang patted Gu Bai on the shoulder with satisfaction.

"So young and already understands giving back to society and the country, Gu Bai, you are remarkable!"

Ten billion, even to someone of Wang Rengang and Cui Hong's stature, is an astronomical figure. Yet Gu Bai made the promise so casually. This kind of audacity exceeds that of contemporary young people, and the title of one of the top ten young leaders is well deserved!

Just as Wang Rengang wanted to say something more, Wu Changyong, standing on the stage, invited him to speak.

"Next, let's have our leader speak a few words with everyone."

Wang Rengang stood up with a smile, first turning and smiling at the nearly thousand people behind him, then walking slowly onto the stage.

As for Gu Bai, he had already placed this Future Foundation in his heart.

Although the system is magical, based on its current performance, it doesn't display many supernatural features. Even the super-intelligent robots were delivered to him by transportation rather than appearing out of thin air.

This sparked Gu Bai's interest in the origin of the system.

...........

On the stage, Wang Rengang tested the microphone and then began speaking, "First of all, I want to express my gratitude to the Hu Shang Drama Academy for inviting me, allowing me to truly feel the elegant atmosphere emanating from this hall of art. My usual work keeps me so busy that it's rare I can take time out to participate in such activities. Speaking of which, I must thank student Gu Bai. If it weren't for his repeated invitations, I might have missed this grand occasion because of work."

While saying this, he turned his gaze to Gu Bai, sitting in the first row, whispering with Cui Hong without knowing what they were discussing.

Though these words were spoken in a joking tone, to the listeners, they carried another meaning.

It's equivalent to Wang Rengang saying, "I'm very busy and don't have time for such activities, but I'm here to give Gu Bai respect," instantly sparking more discussions about Gu Bai.

Those unfamiliar with Gu Bai kept asking those around them, curious about who this young man really was.

Meanwhile, more of the shock came from the celebrities sitting on the other side.

They initially thought Gu Bai was merely wealthy, but to their surprise, he also had such strong official backing, immediately prompting each to start calculating their own schemes. Even Hu Ge watched Gu Bai's back with a continually changing expression.

Gu Bai smiled calmly, accepting Wang Rengang's praise.

The rest of what Wang Rengang said was too official; the listeners were more interested in probing Gu Bai's identity and background.

But this didn't affect the invited media's excitement. Their original intent was to capture some celebrities, but this unexpected delight was a bonus.

The leaders jointly attended the Shanghai Theatre Academy's 72nd anniversary celebration.

It was definitely a good news story.

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

The two-hour-long anniversary commemoration concluded.

The host returned to the stage, picked up the microphone, and said, "For this anniversary, our academy specially prepared two theatre performances, 'The Young Generation' and 'A Patriotic Heart.' Guests who wish to watch can proceed orderly to the Shanghai Theatre Academy."

The host's words officially announced the beginning of the second phase of the school's anniversary celebration.

Wang Rengang said to Wu Changyong, who was sitting on the other side, "Dean Wu, we have work and can't stay long."

Saying this, both he and Cui Hong stood up, and the secretaries and staff not far away, seeing the two big leaders getting ready to leave, also got up.

"Work comes first. Again, thank you for taking the time to attend our Shanghai Theatre Academy's anniversary,"

he said, letting Lu Ang beside him to attend to the guests while he intended to personally see the two of them out.

Cui Hong, who hadn't spoken until now, immediately declined Wu Changyong's goodwill.

"Dean Wu, you should entertain the guests attending your school's celebration. Gu Bai is young and should move about more; let him see us off."

Hearing Cui Hong's words, Wu Changyong paused. Looking at Gu Bai standing beside the two, he grudgingly said, "Then let student Gu Bai see the two leaders off in my stead."

Gu Bai didn't want to remain there anyway and followed the trend, accompanying Cui Hong, Wang Rengang, and others out of the main hall of the Hu Shang Drama Academy.

As he watched Gu Bai and the others disappear, Lu Ang sighed lightly by Wu Changyong's side, "It seems our two great leaders in Shanghai have taken a liking to Gu Bai."

Wu Changyong turned his head and smiled at him, "A 20-year-old billionaire; isn't that a reason to appreciate him?"

Lu Ang nodded.

"The lad is a good one. Regardless of his identity, he understands respect for teachers and traditions, though he's a bit too straightforward and intolerant of nonsense."

Upon hearing this, a cold gleam flashed under the lenses of Wu Changyong's glasses.

"In any case, Gu Bai is a student of ours at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, an outstanding alum recorded in our books. The better Gu Bai develops, the more it benefits our academy."

Then he instantly changed his tone, "The deputy director in the reception office for whom Old Huang pleaded, is it Li Gang? Dismiss him from his position and inform everyone within the school."

Lu Ang quickly said, "Didn't the meeting decide on a demotion? Why is it now outright dismissal?"

"The school cannot tolerate those who hold foreign interests in higher regard than their own!"

After saying that, Wu Changyong turned and left.

On the other side, as Wang Rengang was about to reach the parking area, he laughed and spoke to Gu Bai, "I heard your company invested 2 billion, planning to establish its media channel?"

Gu Bai was startled. He hadn't expected that within a few days, Wang Rengang would already know. It seemed this big shot paid quite a bit of attention to him. He didn't deny it and nodded.

Seeing Gu Bai's response, Wang Rengang continued, "We have an official media outlet planning to transition to private operation. If you're interested, you can have someone contact my secretary. I'll have him help reach out to you."

As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Bai's face couldn't hide his delight.

An official media planning to privatize, that would be the best communication channel.

It carries significant influence, and because it was previously official, due to people's stereotypical opinions, it would make the public more likely to believe the news it publishes.

Simply put, it's easier to control public opinion.

"I'm interested!"

Without even thinking, Gu Bai answered resolutely.

"Then have someone contact my secretary when the time comes. In Shanghai, as long as your company is growing healthily and you're holding the title of one of the top ten young leaders, we'll offer some concessions.

But I still hope, given ample funds, that you engage more with real industries, creating more job opportunities."

"Rest assured, Uncle Wang. Our company's investment focus for next year will shift towards real industries and high-tech sectors, striving to create greater social value,"

Wang Rengang also patted Gu Bai's shoulder, having nothing more to say.

As Wang Rengang and Cui Hong's black Audi and Hongqi cars slowly drove away, Gu Bai finally caught his breath.

When sleepiness comes, someone sends a pillow. He didn't expect that just after word spread about his plan to build a media channel, the big shot would come to give him support.

Gu Bai didn't believe an official media pivot would happen without other companies competing to acquire it. Since Wang Rengang openly mentioned it, it implied that no matter how others vie for it, this media was already reserved for him.

Doing charity indeed has its perks. At the very least, it has earned him goodwill among the top echelons.

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