Chapter 209: Honorary Alumnus

The beautiful figure slowly walked out of the building.

Her jet-black hair bobbed like flowing water and the hem of her skirt fluttered in the wind. Her beauty was breathtaking.

The other female students who were pa.s.sing by were stunned by her appearance. Their faces displayed expressions of admiration or envy.

“Isn’t that s.h.i.+ Yan’er? She’s usually in her school clothes. Why did she dress up today?” Some of the female students mumbled.

Everyone in First High knew who the pure beauty queen was.

Yan’er stepped out of the entrance of the dormitory building. She looked around and saw the familiar figure standing under a tree. Her beautiful eyes sparkled.

She quickly walked over. A charming smile appeared on her face.

“Brother Hao!” She greeted Tang Hao with a sweet voice when she came over.

The female students all around were shocked when they heard that.

“Who’s that guy?”

Gossip started to spread among the girls like wildfire.

Their eyes were focused on the somewhat handsome boy in a white b.u.t.ton-down s.h.i.+rt standing under the tree.

“I don’t think I’ve seen him before!”

The female students whispered among each other.

Suddenly, someone shouted excitedly. “That’s him! The beauty queen’s boyfriend!”

The surroundings went silent for a while, then everyone exclaimed in surprise.

The girls heard about the gossip that the beauty queen had a boyfriend who was a legend in First High.

The rumor was that the beauty queen’s boyfriend knew kung fu, and was an incredibly powerful martial artist. He had defeated a group of boys on Registration day.

In the beginning, the rumor was that he defeated tens of boys. The rumors became more ridiculous as it evolved into different versions, though each one of them involved him defeating hundreds of boys.

The beauty queen’s boyfriend had become a legendary figure like Dugu Qiubai. (TN: Dugu Qiubai is a legendary swordsman in Louis Cha’s wuxia novels. His name literally means “seeking defeat”.)

Another legendary feat by the beauty queen’s boyfriend was to dethrone the previous dean of students.

In many students’ eyes, he was a hero.

Some of the female students shrieked. Their gazes upon Tang Hao were pa.s.sionate.

Tang Hao was confused when he saw that.

“What’s going on?” He muttered.

Yan’er smiled coyly. “You’re a popular figure now, Brother hao! Don’t you know that you’re a legend in many students’ eyes?”

Tang Hao scratched his head and was at a loss for a reply. He knew that it was because of the incident during Registration Day.

“Alright, let’s go!” Yan’er walked in front, though she turned around occasionally to steal glances at Tang Hao.

“What business do you have in school today, Brother Hao?” Yan’er asked.

“Oh, I just need to settle some paperwork here before I go to college,” Tang Hao replied.

Yan’er was surprised. “You’re going to college?”

Tang Hao nodded. “I have some connections in Provincial City. He got me a spot at Z University.”

Yan’er mouth became slightly agape and her face displayed a look of incredulity.

Z University was the top college in the province and one of the top universities in the country. Many third-year high school students], including s.h.i.+ Yan’er, dreamed of going there.

“Congratulations, Brother Hao!” Yan’er said with a bright smile.

She was truly happy for Tang Hao.

Then, she continued, “I’ll have to do my best so that I can enter Z University too.”

“How are your studies now? Can you cope?” Tang Hao asked.

“Of course I can. I got twelfth place in the midterms,” Yan’er raised her head and said proudly.

“That’s amazing!” Tang Hao was surprised.

First High had more than a thousand students. It was a great achievement to obtain twelfth place.

As they continued walking, many students crowded around them to see.

They walked around the school once, and it was soon time for cla.s.ses. Tang Hao sent Yan’er to her cla.s.sroom, then went to the administration building to look for Princ.i.p.al Cai.

“Long time no see, Lil Bro Tang!”

Princ.i.p.al Cai shook hands eagerly with Tang Hao when they met.

They exchanged some pleasantries, then they sat down and Tang Hao explained what happened.

Princ.i.p.al Cai was secretly shocked. The person who managed to procure a spot for Tang Hao in Z University must wield a lot of authority. There were not many people in the entire Province Z that could do that.

He thought for a while and said, “The paperwork is no big deal. I can help you with that.

“Right, I’ve heard from Ol’ Li that your company is doing very well!”

“It’s not bad!” Tang Hao said.

Princ.i.p.al Cai laughed heartily. “You’re too humble! You’re still young, yet you’ve accomplished so much. You can be an honorary alumnus. Right, are you interested?”

“Honorary alumnus?” Tang Hao was surprised. He had never considered that before.

He knew about honorary alumni from back when he was studying in First High, though they were all middle-aged people or at least thirty years old.

He was only eighteen years old!

“I think I’m too young for that?” Tang Hao hesitated.

“Age isn’t a problem. In fact, it’s better that you’re young so that your achievements are emphasized. You can be the role model for your juniors.”

“Well…” Tang Hao felt embarra.s.sed.

Princ.i.p.al Cai seemed to be planning to publicize his deeds.

He had seen it happen to other people while he was a student, but he did not expect that his turn would come so soon.

“Eh, you don’t need to be shy! The students should know about the good deeds of an accomplished youth like you. You’re the pride of First High!” Princ.i.p.al Cai said with a smile.

“Well… alright then!” Tang Hao finally agreed.

“OK, that settled it!”

Tang Hao felt emotional. More than a year ago, he was expelled from school and his reputation was ruined. Now, he was back and became an honorary alumnus. The situation then and now was like comparing heaven and earth.

An honorary alumnus was a prestigious t.i.tle. That would increase his good reputation.

Tang Hao had to give back something to repay Princ.i.p.al Cai’s goodwill.

“Princ.i.p.al Cai, First High is my alma mater. Now that I have some money, I think I ought to repay my debt of grat.i.tude. I’d like to donate some money to improve the conditions of the school so that my juniors can enjoy a better study environment.”

Princ.i.p.al Cai was shocked, then he smiled widely. “Alright! Thank you on behalf of all the students of First High!”

“I’ll donate five million yuan! Is that enough?” Tang Hao said.

“That’s enough!” Princ.i.p.al Cai could not close his mouth from smiling. “This is a momentous event. We’ll hold a donation ceremony another day. Don’t worry, every cent of your donation will go toward improving the school’s infrastructure.”

They chatted for a while more before going to the office to settle the paperwork.

The paperwork was settled very quickly, thanks to Princ.i.p.al Cai’s a.s.sistance.

Then, Tang Hao sent the doc.u.ments over to Provincial City.

Two days later, Tang Hao received a call from Vice Governor He. The enrollment procedure was complete, and he was a student of Z University with immediate effect.