"Chen Yang, a special leader will be attending this sports meet. You need to perform well. I believe that leader will be very interested in your talent in foreign trade and business."
"Don't be fooled by his current廳-level rank. He's only forty years old, and there's a high probability he'll be promoted to Beijing. My father has a very good relationship with him."
"If I didn't think highly of you, I wouldn't have specially brought you to the banquet. You must seize this opportunity."
Just as Chen Yang was contemplating how to approach the influential figure at the sports meet, Zhang Yingying unexpectedly sought him out, asking him to be her dance partner at the banquet.
"Teacher Zhang, thank you immensely for this precious opportunity."
"No matter what, I will not waste your earnest efforts."
Chen Yang's heart trembled. He had been trying his best to connect with this future influential figure, and he never expected that Zhang Yingying would so easily present him with this rare chance.
If Chen Yang recalled correctly, this influential figure would be promoted to Beijing early next year.
He was only forty-two. Crossing that threshold meant a promising future, especially with a move to Beijing. Such a career trajectory seemed as natural as eating and drinking, a sure success.
Opportunities for promotion that others could only dream of were as simple as eating and drinking for him.
This was merely the first stage. In just five years, he would ascend even higher...
Such a path of advancement was something Chen Yang had never dared to imagine in his life. As for what came after, Chen Yang dared not speak, lest he be silenced on the street.
"Perform well. Go back and practice the standard ballroom dance. Don't step on my feet, or it'll be embarrassing if someone sees."
As Zhang Yingying spoke, her pretty face flushed. For some reason, whenever she faced Chen Yang, she felt an inexplicable sense of awkwardness.
This feeling was peculiar. Her background, which she had always prided herself on, still couldn't make him show the slightest hint of fear.
It was precisely because of Chen Yang's demeanor, which differed from other men Zhang Yingying knew, that she had informed him.
Otherwise, let alone Chen Yang, an ordinary student, many teachers in the school wouldn't even have the qualification to attend this meeting.
Only professors and leaders at the department head level and above were eligible to attend. Apart from them, at most, some teachers who performed outstandingly would qualify.
"Thank you, Teacher Zhang. Don't worry, my ballroom dancing is quite good."
A confident smile flickered across Chen Yang's face. He wasn't boasting. Having spent so many years abroad in his previous life and served as chairman for so long after returning, dancing was naturally not an issue for him.
Moreover, Chen Yang's skills in golf, archery, bowling, and air rifle shooting were all first-class.
In short, Chen Yang was proficient in almost everything that constituted the upper-class social scene. If you weren't proficient, you couldn't integrate into that circle.
This was what constituted a social class!
Since learning the time of the influential figure's arrival, Chen Yang had been actively preparing. This was his only opportunity to connect with that person. If he could gain his support, Chen Yang's future would be free from many troubles.
He could develop with peace of mind, without worrying about people being jealous of his achievements and plotting against him in secret. Wasn't that how "Shazi Guazi" (a famous Chinese brand) ended up in trouble?
With the influential figure's endorsement, Chen Yang would never have to worry about this in the future.
"Da Biao, collect calligraphy and paintings diligently during this period. It would be best to collect a few unique pieces. Money is not an issue."
That influential figure had no other hobbies. He abstained from extravagance, wealth, and even women.
Of course, it was precisely because of his integrity that he was still in a position to potentially ascend further.
He had only one hobby: he loved landscapes and famous paintings.
This hobby was something Chen Yang had learned by chance. After all, such influential figures who frequently appeared in the news were not easily understood by ordinary people.
Chen Yang could only seize this precious opportunity. Once he entered Beijing, it would be too difficult to find a chance to connect.
Fortunately, Chen Yang was lucky. Zhang Da Biao had accompanied him to the countryside a few times and had indeed bought some calligraphy and paintings from some distant relatives.
Shanghai was once a concession, and many good things were plundered by foreigners. There were also some retired foreigners living in Shanghai, and they had good possessions.
However, as their era ended, some of these items remained in the hands of the common people.
In the past, possessing such items was not a good thing. Although they knew these items were valuable, holding onto them felt like holding a hot potato.
Therefore, when Zhang Da Biao went to the countryside to collect these antiques, it was surprisingly smooth. They didn't even haggle much over the price, as people weren't asking for much.
Generally, it was only a few dozen yuan, which Chen Yang could afford. Zhang Da Biao wasn't inclined to play hardball. As long as it didn't exceed the bottom line price Chen Yang set, he would buy it.
As for those who made exorbitant demands, he couldn't make decisions. He would usually arrange to go with Chen Yang to inspect the items in person. Those that Chen Yang approved of were also purchased.
Half a month passed in a blink of an eye, and finally, it was the sports meet of East China University of Finance and Economics. Chen Yang saw the distinguished guest on the main stage, alongside the speaker for the freshman address and the opening of the military training drill.
He was not the president of East China University of Finance and Economics, yet he received treatment befitting someone above the presidential level. This was a scene Chen Yang had never witnessed in both his lives.
Soon, after the opening ceremony of the sports meet, most leaders merely glanced at the students sweating profusely and then turned their attention to the leaders gathered around the canopy on the main stage.
There was no alternative; society was like this now. Promotion was based on hierarchy. Even just appearing before the leaders above was better than mingling with these students.
Even though this sports meet was their home ground, did the leaders genuinely care about who came in first place or who won the most medals?
No, no, no. What they cared about was how much money the school cafeteria could earn, how much rent it collected, and how much remained after paying all the teachers' salaries and bonuses to expand the scale.
For the school to develop, relying solely on government funding and local government support was not enough.
As for Chen Yang's objective, it was even simpler: to get to know that influential figure through this banquet and find a suitable opportunity to leave a deep impression. With this influential figure's endorsement, Chen Yang could roll up his sleeves and work hard.
He glanced at his luggage bag, and his heart felt even more at ease. Inside lay a landscape painting from the Song Dynasty. Although it was certainly no match for "Along the River During the Qingming Festival," it was still a rare landscape painting. After all, it was something from hundreds of years ago, and its preservation was a feat in itself.