CHAPTER 348: CHAPTER 133: THE TALLEST TOWER

At the final graduation ceremony of Kelly Women’s College, only twenty graduates remained after a rigorous selection process.

On June 20th, inside the grand auditorium of Kelly Women’s College, the unified singing of the graduation song, along with the few hundred present and past students, all witnessed these twenty women don their red and purple robes, symbolizing their graduation from Kelly Women’s College.

Wen Maixue stood at the center, representing the twenty graduates in delivering the farewell speech. At the same time, she also represented the Wen family, summarizing the trials and tribulations Kelly Women’s College had experienced over more than 200 years.

This was the first time Su Ziceng genuinely applauded for Wen Maixue. Her speech was impassioned and powerful, embodying the emotions of every graduate.

The three years of student life concluded like a grand dream. Nearly all teachers attended the graduation ceremony — even the ever-wandering Ms. Qian set aside her globe-trotting to be present.

Only two seats were left vacant at the ceremony; one belonged to Pello, who excused himself for being too busy, and the other was for the school’s chair of the board, who was reportedly unwell.

Su Ziceng recalled seeing Old Master Wen at the Su Bi Auction, appearing quite spirited, only to deteriorate in health a few months later.

The graduation ceremony proceeded, and Su Qingzhang, amidst discussions with Pello, paused, "Today is the graduation ceremony at Kelly Women’s College. I heard you were quite popular at Kelly, so I didn’t plan to attend."

"What’s past is past. Compared to Kelly Women’s College, which has become yesterday’s news, I am more eager to see the Su Family scale new heights."

"Scale new heights?" Su Qingzhang shook his head, pointing outside the floor-to-ceiling window to the distant Parliament Building that was under construction, "In a short while, the Su family’s ’Shengshi Huasha’ will no longer be the tallest building in Mo City."

The selection for the City Council’s chairperson had been announced, and after Mr. Fei’s election, he hosted a banquet for many friends and relatives, pointedly excluding Su Qingzhang. Some officials who were previously on good terms with Su Qingzhang began to curry favor with the Fei Family.

"Then we’ll just build another one," Pello said nonchalantly.

Su Qingzhang wasn’t without the thought; his temperament wouldn’t allow anyone to challenge his authority. The Fei Family’s actions were undoubtedly a challenge to his status as the top dog in Mo City, "The costs and future returns... constructing a skyscraper is an expensive project."

"I’ve looked at the return on investment for the Su Family’s projects over the years. The largest industry under the Su Family is mining, with coal mines being the most abundant. Half of the private coal mines in Shanxi are under the Su Family’s name," Pello analyzed all the profitable and loss-making projects within over a month. His work ethic was at odds with the impression his appearance gave.

He wasn’t like the new HR manager who started with drastic reforms and layoffs. Instead, he took the time to understand the personalities of everyone in the department before making suitable job changes.

His gentle approach, like fine rain, helped him establish a strong reputation within the department and the company. Clearly, from the perspective of selecting personnel, Chang Mei was much stronger than Yan Wuxu.

It had been several days since Su Qingzhang had formally met with Chang Mei. Recently, Chang Mei hadn’t even appeared at the dining table for meals. Su Qingzhang felt somewhat guilty and wanted to find an opportunity to have a proper talk with her.

"Coal mining is heavy industry, and in recent years, as the country is moving towards industrial governance, these heavily polluting industries will inevitably be phased out," Su Qingzhang’s vision was much better than his temper. Reading the papers every day, he probably had a clear analysis of the government’s stance.

"But there won’t be any significant change in the next ten or twenty years. Coal mining is a labor-intensive industry with a significant demand for workers, substantial tax contributions, and considerable profits. We can use the profits from these few years to build another leisure center. Mo City still lacks such facilities." Pello also saw the Parliament Center that was under construction.

The Fei Family is just a company fond of flaunting their wealth and power, constructing so many floors, yet only using them for government offices. It’s hard to say whether it’s smart or brainless.

"The daily operating costs of the coal mine are very high, and I don’t have enough funds on hand," Su Qingzhang was calculating. In a few years, the project mentioned by Hang Yishao would also start, and he needed to prepare some flexible funds.

"Why not discuss it with the Wen family? As far as I know, after selling Kelly Women’s College, the Wen family must have accumulated an astonishing amount of wealth," Pello suggested, surprising and delighting Su Qingzhang.

Kelly Women’s College was sold along with the education rights and land, and judging by the current land prices in Mo City, the amount is definitely no less than three billion.

However, Su Qingzhang still had some concerns, "My relationship with the Wen family is very general," which was a polite way of putting it. To be exact, Su Qingzhang hardly had any relationship with the Wen family.

"I do have some connection with Old Master Wen," Pello said, looking at Su Qingzhang again, waiting for his response.

"Then let’s do as you suggest," Su Qingzhang took another look at the Parliament Center. If things continue to develop, once the Parliament Center is completed, the view in front of Shengshi Huasha will no longer be pleasant.

Pello acted efficiently and within two days, had arranged a meeting between Su Qingzhang and Old Master Wen.

Su Qingzhang and Old Master Wen sat down for an entire afternoon. During this time, Pello stepped away, so no one knew exactly what the two had discussed.

Later, when Su Qingzhang returned home, he announced a new decision: the Su Family would cooperate with the Wen family to construct a high-rise with sixty-six floors. Not only in Mo City but at that time in the entire country, it would be unrivaled.

The women of the Su Family had varying reactions to this sudden news. But after announcing the news, Su Qingzhang, as usual, went to play with his beloved son.

Chang Mei saw Yan Wuxu heading upstairs and stealthily followed. Yan Wuxu didn’t return to her own room. Laughter from Su Qingzhang emanated from her room.

Yan Wuxu glanced behind her and slipped into the newly decorated nursery.

Chang Mei pressed her ear against the nursery door and listened for a while. The voices inside the nursery were soft; it seemed like Yan Wuxu was on the phone with someone.

Su Ziceng also went upstairs and happened to witness this scene. Chang Mei coughed and walked away.

The nursery door remained closed, and Su Ziceng stood in the corridor, listening to Su Qingzhang’s laughter. She felt both envious and emotional, as her childhood memories were still vivid. Back then, Su Qingzhang had never shown such an expression.

Su Ziceng didn’t know whether hiding the truth about the child from Su Qingzhang was right or wrong. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to vote for it with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)