Chapter 400 – This Matter Cannot Be Taken Lightly
Afterward, Xu Aiguo asked Ning Di about her next plans, essentially inquiring whether she intended to return to Country A.
“I’m not going back. I’ve lived in Country A for decades, having dedicated all my youth and prime years there. Now, as I am getting older, I plan to settle down in this country for the rest of my time.”
“The medical university in Beijing plans to invite me to be the dean of their medical school and has arranged for me to be a professor, teaching several classes each week. I intend to accept the offer.”
She wanted to dedicate everything she had to her motherland.
She planned to use her money to build the primary school, and after the school in Qinghe Village was completed, she would use her remaining resources to establish other primary schools.
Her most valuable asset was her medical knowledge. She knew that there was a gap between the medical fields in her homeland and Country A, so she intended to teach and impart all her medical knowledge without reservation. Even if it meant training a few more medical talents for her country, she was willing.
Hearing that Ning Di planned to settle in the country, Xu Aiguo felt relieved. This way, he would have the opportunity to see his younger sister.
Although she mentioned settling in Beijing and teaching at the university, it was still better than being abroad.
Xu Aiguo would not force his sister to stay in Qinghe Village, just as he wouldn’t confine his own daughters to the village.
He understood that whether it was his daughters or his sister, they were like eagles. They didn’t belong to this small village; they needed a broader sky.
Though he felt reluctant, he was pleased to watch them soar high from afar.
The most important thing was that no matter how high or far they flew, he would always be there to support them. If they ever got tired, they could always return to him for rest.
After confirming Ning Di’s plan to build the primary school in Qinghe Village, Xu Aiguo did not delay. That evening, he called the village chief and the village secretary and informed them about the matter.
The two men were stunned upon hearing the news.
“Aiguo, is this really true? You can’t be joking about this.”
They both understood what having a primary school in Qinghe Village would mean, but they needed to be sure. Such matters were not to be taken lightly to avoid false hopes.
“Uncles, this isn’t something to joke about. Since I specifically asked you to come and tell you about it, I am absolutely serious.”
“Aiguo, it’s not that we don’t trust you, but building a school is no small task. First, it requires a lot of money…” The village chief turned to Ning Di, “Aiguo’s little sister, are you sure you have the means to do this?”
Ning Di nodded with certainty. “Yes, I can provide the funds. Would one million be enough? If not, I can get more if needed.”
“Cough, cough…” The mention of one million caused both men, who were drinking tea, to choke.
At that time, people with ten thousand yuan were just beginning to emerge, and it was already considered very wealthy for a single family to have that amount.
They had initially thought that if Ning Di could provide tens of thousands of yuan for the school, it would be impressive.
But to their surprise, she mentioned one million.
One million—that was a hundred times ten thousand. It was an astronomical amount.
“Is it not enough?” Ning Di asked, a bit confused.
Her question was understandable, given that even though she had returned to her country, she had spent decades living in Country A, where the cost of living was different.
Xu Aiguo was also almost shocked by his sister’s question.
As Ning Di was about to ask more questions, Xu Aiguo quickly pressed down on her hand.
In his heart, he thought: ‘Little sister, I know you have money, but it’s better not to flaunt it too much, especially not to reveal so much.’
And you even asked if one million was enough? If the village chief and the village secretary said it wasn’t, would you just add more?
Xu Aiguo knew that the village chief and the village secretary were not greedy people. Otherwise, if his naive sister didn’t have him around, she could be easily taken advantage of.
At this point, the village chief and the village secretary had also regained their composure. They exchanged glances and realized that this younger sister of Aiguo, who had returned from Country A, was indeed a person of great wealth.
One million right off the bat!
“Xiao Ning, right? You don’t need a million, that’s too much.”
“How about this: let’s start by planning, such as buying materials and hiring workers… We’ll calculate how much is needed and give you the bill. You can then provide the funds. Does that sound good to you?” The village chief suggested after some consideration.
“That’s fine.” Ning Di agreed without hesitation.
“As for the official approval, leave that to me,” said the village secretary.
Building a school was a good thing, and since the only thing missing was the money, with someone willing to fund it, he was sure the authorities would approve once he reported it.
“Alright, I’ll also call the authorities to expedite the approval process,” Ning Di said.
The group discussed some more details about the school construction. As it was getting late, the village chief and the village secretary left Xu’s home.
However, as they supported each other, their steps were somewhat unsteady.
They couldn’t shake off the shock of hearing Ning Di mention one million so casually.
Although the school construction was now decided, it happened so quickly that they were still having trouble believing it and felt a bit dazed.
They thought about Ning Di’s aura and her display of wealth.
They couldn’t help but marvel.
“Old Xu, it looks like Qinghe Village is about to welcome a benefactor.”
“Yes, a benefactor indeed. But she was originally from our Qinghe Village, born here. She said she now has the means and wants to give back to her hometown.”
“From now on, the children in Qinghe Village who get to attend school should always remember her.”
“I’m planning to put up a statue of Xiao Ning in the school once it’s built, so that all the teachers, students, and people of Qinghe Village will know that it was because of her that this school was established. The opportunity for education they will have is also thanks to Xiao Ning.”
“That’s the right thing to do.”
“Thinking about it still excites me. Our Qinghe Village actually has hope for a primary school now.”
The village chief and the village secretary, having reached their positions, were people with foresight.
They understood the importance of education.
“Let’s hurry up and get to tomorrow. I’ll go to the authorities first thing to get approval for our village to build the school,” said the village secretary.
If it weren’t so late, and if the officials weren’t already off work, he might have gone directly to them.
But as it was late, they would have to wait until tomorrow.
“We’ll announce the news once everything is finalized.”
