The External Relations Department held a full meeting in Classroom 202 of the teaching building at 1 PM.
Chen Pingjiang was busy with other things during the previous second round of interviews and didn't go at all, but this didn't prevent him from being admitted.
Today's meeting, according to Zhai Fei, was for new cadres to get to know each other and to solicit sponsorships for the college student union's freshman welcoming party.
Chen Pingjiang's appearance truly surprised many people.
Sui Yuan snorted, her face full of displeasure.
The college student union was just that big; the dispute that arose during the last interview had spread everywhere.
Now, not only within the External Relations Department but even other departments of the college student union knew about a character like Chen Pingjiang, who was incredibly fierce, having directly confronted Sui Yuan during the interview.
After a long string of pleasantries, Cui Yuqi solemnly said,
"The college student union's freshman welcoming party is tentatively scheduled for September 28th at the University Activity Center. Chairman Hao has assigned our External Relations Department a task: a sponsorship of five thousand yuan, preferably cash. Other things like coupons, gifts, or even banners are also acceptable."
Sui Yuan interrupted untimely, completely disregarding that they were in a meeting:
"Last year, I remember it was only three thousand yuan, right? Why has it increased so much all of a sudden this year?"
Cui Yuqi helplessly glanced at Sui Yuan and patiently explained,
"Last year, the neighboring finance school's freshman welcoming party was very successful. In comparison, the attendance at our School of Business Administration's freshman welcoming party was much lower.
It's said that the teachers had some requirements, and Chairman Hao plans to invite some external assistance from Dongjiang Conservatory of Music, so..."
Counting publicity fees, appearance fees, lottery prizes, props, posters, and miscellaneous expenses, it would almost amount to this much money.
At the end of September, various colleges and student clubs within the university would have an endless stream of freshman welcoming parties and club events.
There were only so many surrounding businesses, and they were almost bled dry.
Some even got headaches when students came knocking.
Sponsoring wasn't very effective, but refusing meant they feared these student cadres would badmouth them.
Upon hearing that it was designated by the chairman of the college student union, Sui Yuan stopped talking.
Zhai Fei complained with a bitter face,
"Even if you sold me for five thousand yuan, it probably wouldn't be enough."
Sang Xuegao smiled and teased,
"Packaging it as a whole might indeed not be enough, but if you sell me piece by piece, I reckon it's about right."
Cui Yuqi coughed,
"Stop complaining, everyone. Let's claim our tasks. Sui Yuan and I will each be responsible for 1500 yuan, and Zhai Fei and Sang Xuegao will each be responsible for 1000 yuan."
"We are all vice-ministers, why should my task be more than theirs?"
Cui Yuqi coaxed her like a child,
"If the three of you each take a thousand, then a task amount of 2000 would be given to me alone. The party funds definitely wouldn't be enough, and then we'd all get scolded. Someone has to step up. Sui Yuan, you've done well before, so this time, those who are capable should do more."
The newly recruited first-year and remaining second-year cadres were divided among the ministers.
Zhai Fei specifically asked for Chen Pingjiang, and Sang Xuegao also wanted him.
In the end, the two almost started arguing.
This left Cui Yuqi and Sui Yuan completely bewildered.
Could this freshman have superpowers or "money-powers"?
Otherwise, why were they all fighting over him?
Zhai Fei and Sang Xuegao knew that Chen Pingjiang was the boss of Xiao Chen BBQ.
They had even sent a flower basket yesterday on behalf of the External Relations Department, but they hadn't publicized it everywhere.
After the meeting, the members of Zhai Fei's group met up.
Besides Chen Pingjiang, there was one first-year girl and one first-year boy among the cadres.
The first-year girl, named Bai Lijia, asked with an innocent face,
"Minister Zhai, a thousand yuan isn't much, so why are you ministers all looking so gloomy?"
Chen Pingjiang glanced at the girl's clothing, noticed they were all brand names, and just smiled without speaking.
"The college student union's freshman welcoming party is much smaller in scale than the university student union's. Firstly, it's only for our School of Business Administration, and the University Activity Center can't accommodate many people. If you were a business owner, which one would you choose?"
Zhai Fei sighed and asked.
Bai Lijia thought for a moment,
"No need to ask, definitely the university student union."
Zhai Fei nodded,
"Exactly. Plus, we notified businesses a few days later than others, so the shops near the school gate have probably been approached several times already. So, while the money doesn't seem like much, it's really difficult and we often hit dead ends."
"Well, how about this then?"
Bai Lijia said casually, sipping her milk tea twice,
"I'll just directly sponsor a thousand yuan, wouldn't that be fine?"
Zhai Fei really wanted to nod and agree, but he could at least think clearly.
If this got out, how would others see him?
As a gigolo?
Although he admitted it sounded very appealing.
"You joined the student union to develop your communication skills with society and businesses. And there are plenty of parties during your four years of university; do you think it's just one time?"
Bai Lijia was undoubtedly a pure rich second generation.
Her nonchalance and casual attitude towards money were enviable.
"I joined the student union just to have fun and meet handsome guys."
After saying that, she subconsciously turned her head to look at Chen Pingjiang.
A question mark immediately popped up over Chen Pingjiang's head.
"I was planning to just have Xiao Chen BBQ directly sponsor it, and also arrange for some coupons or something, but I didn't expect you originally wanted to train the cadres' communication skills, so never mind."
Zhai Fei was stunned and uttered a "huh."
"Damn, how could I forget about a rich big shot like you? Her money is personal, but you're different. I have absolutely no psychological burden taking your money. At most, I'll ask the host to mention your store's name a few more times."
Zhai Fei was also a shrewd person, so how could he forget Chen Pingjiang's identity?
He was just hesitant to immediately approach Chen Pingjiang for sponsorship right after he joined the External Relations Department, fearing Chen Pingjiang might be unhappy.
Since Chen Pingjiang himself brought it up, it was certainly for the best.
"Let's go, let's go, to your store to sign the contract. I'll also take some promotional materials and order a few banners."
Bai Lijia and the other first-year new student looked at Chen Pingjiang in surprise:
"You own Xiao Chen BBQ?"
Chen Pingjiang bared his teeth and smiled,
"Come back with your friends to the store and support the business."
As a rich second generation, Bai Lijia was merely surprised, but the other male student looked at Chen Pingjiang with a hint of admiration.
When the group arrived at the entrance of the BBQ restaurant, they saw Sui Yuan also with several new cadres, introducing things volubly to Zhu Yuanlan inside.
Zhu Yuanlan listened very carefully; she had quickly entered the role of store manager and knew that opening a store near the university town required good relations with student cadres.
Upon seeing Chen Pingjiang's appearance, a look of pleasant surprise immediately appeared on Zhu Yuanlan's face.
She was about to speak but was signaled by Chen Pingjiang with a shake of his head.
Sui Yuan turned around and saw Chen Pingjiang and the four others, and her face immediately fell.
"Why are you here? I'm already negotiating with this store. You all go somewhere else."
Zhai Fei and the others looked at Chen Pingjiang, then at Sui Yuan's stance, and immediately stifled their laughter.
They thought,
"This really is having eyes but failing to see Mount Tai, being so arrogant on someone else's turf."
It was a break time in the afternoon, and Zhu Yuanlan was the only one in the store.
She understood the meaning in Chen Pingjiang's eyes, but she hadn't expected this female student in front of her to actually have some conflict with the boss.
"Soliciting sponsorship isn't about first-come, first-served. It's about who's capable. The boss will sign with whoever they want to sign with,"
Zhai Fei said with a playful, annoying demeanor, thinking,
"I have both jokers in my hand, how could I possibly lose this game?"
Sui Yuan sneered,
"That's too bad then, you came late. Manager Zhu has already decided to cooperate with us."
When Zhu Yuanlan heard Sui Yuan call her "Manager Zhu," especially in front of Chen Pingjiang, her face instantly blushed, and she awkwardly waved her hands repeatedly:
"No, no, I'm not any Manager Zhu. I'm just the store manager, not the owner."
(End of chapter)
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