Chapter 205: Chapter 172: Pure and Naive
A few minutes later, there was a sound outside the office of the community branch.
At the same time, the dean, Wu Changyong, and the director of the school affairs office, Huang Liang, walked in directly.
Wu Changyong was still wearing a plain black Zhongshan suit, his beer belly pushing the clothes up high.
Seeing the newcomers, Gu Bai stood up, looked at Wu Changyong in front of him, and smiled, "Why did the dean come in person? Wasn’t it enough for Director Huang to make a trip?"
Facing Wu Changyong, Gu Bai still maintained the respect a junior should have towards a senior.
"I just happened to have nothing to do, so I came along with Director Huang. By the way, what’s going on here?"
"Let Director Li explain it to you in person."
As Gu Bai finished speaking, the gaze of the two bigwigs from the Shanghai Theatre Academy fell directly on Li Gang.
Li Gang first exchanged pleasantries, then truthfully recounted what had just happened to Wu Changyong, with Gu Bai, who was involved, standing right beside him. He didn’t dare to twist anything, being very honest.
However, he glossed over his own servile behavior, still claiming it was to give these foreign students more care on behalf of the school.
After listening to Li Gang’s words, Wu Changyong and Huang Liang roughly understood what had happened.
"Director Li, I remember this isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Last time, you already had a similar complaint."
There was a hint of displeasure in Wu Changyong’s tone.
"Dean, I’ll take this student and his parents to the arranged reception dormitory now."
Hearing these words, Wu Changyong, with so many years as a vice director, Li Gang knew he didn’t mean to settle scores with him, feeling elated inside, and quickly made assurances to Wu Changyong and Huang Liang.
Wu Changyong nodded upon hearing this.
Ma Zhijia’s parents were an honest peasant couple. Seeing the dean personally arrive, they hurriedly thanked Wu Changyong continuously.
Seeing Li Gang heave a sigh of relief, Gu Bai frowned and continued, "Dean, in fact, we understand that our school has fewer staff and sometimes can’t keep up with everything.
But this Director Li places more importance on these foreign students than his own parents, not caring about ordinary students. Can I describe him as servile?"
"Gu Bai, mind your words; Director Li, after all, is your senior," Wu Changyong said somewhat sternly to Gu Bai. Criticizing a vice director in front of so many people, if word got out, it would be the whole Shanghai Theatre Academy’s reputation at stake.
Director of the school affairs office Huang Liang stepped forward to mediate.
"Student Gu Bai may seldom interact with Director Li. He has no ill intentions, just a bit sleek. I believe after this incident, he will definitely be more cautious in the future."
"Does Director Huang mean to let this matter just end like this?"
Although Huang Liang was somewhat displeased, he didn’t show it towards Gu Bai, still smiling brightly, "The reception office is under my jurisdiction. I’ll decide, deduct Director Li’s three-month bonus. What do you think?"
Li Gang instantly felt a sharp pain in his heart upon hearing this.
The basic salary at Shanghai Theatre Academy is low; the major part of the income comes from bonuses. To have three months’ worth deducted at once, how could he not feel the pinch, but he dare not voice any opposition, still wearing an expression of acknowledgment and willingness to change.
Gu Bai didn’t give face to Huang Liang.
Throughout Shanghai Theatre Academy, there are only two people Gu Bai needs to give face to: one is Wu Changyong in front of him, and the other is Director Lu Ang of the directing department.
The face given to these two is more about friendship rather than position. As for Huang Liang, what face could he have with Gu Bai? He immediately continued towards Wu Changyong, "Dean, many influential figures might return for this school celebration, and I’ve even invited Mayor Cui of Shanghai. He replied affirmatively, saying that if time allows, he would definitely come.
The reception office is responsible for entertaining these figures. Do you think someone like Director Li can handle it?"
After hearing Gu Bai’s words, a sharp light flickered in Wu Changyong’s eyes.
"Mayor Cui said he would come to participate in our Shanghai Theatre Academy’s anniversary?"
Gu Bai nodded, "He gave me a definite reply that as long as he has time, he will come. However, whether he has the time, I can’t guarantee, as you’re also aware, Mayor Cui is usually very busy with official duties."
Wu Changyong replied cheerfully, "That’s quite right. We can’t let this small matter of ours delay his work."
Even receiving such an answer from Gu Bai, Wu Changyong was still very excited.
If it were as Gu Bai said, that Mayor Cui could come on the day of the school celebration, then this celebration would definitely surpass those of the previous years, even surpassing the 70th-anniversary celebration two years ago.
At that thought, Wu Changyong’s gaze at Li Gang was full of disgust.
Upon hearing this, Huang Liang immediately sensed something wrong and quickly said, "Although Director Li’s way of doing things is incorrect, his intentions are still for the school. I think deducting a quarter’s bonus is fine, just let him pay attention in the future."
Li Gang and Huang Liang have known each other for many years, and that’s why Huang Liang has always been protecting him.
"Director Huang must have a good personal relationship with him, right? But I think sometimes personal and public matters should be distinct. In my group, any employee found guilty of dereliction of duty or similar behaviors is dismissed without leniency for personal connections.
Li Gang’s face of foreign fawning servility is not just a loss of his face but the entire school’s. Persisting in this, will foreign students come to see themselves as inherently superior to our local students?"