Chapter 476: Song Yu: Seriously? You're Going to Set Me Up?

Chapter 476: Song Yu: Seriously? You're Going to Set Me Up?

The next day.

The news of the Ye Deng Clan Head's 60th birthday celebration quickly spread throughout the surrounding towns, undoubtedly causing a stir among the people.

At the same time, it set a new standard for 60th birthday celebrations across the county.

Unfortunately, in all of Bobai, apart from Deng Shirong, no one else could afford such a luxurious celebration.

After all, a single birthday banquet cost hundreds of thousands of yuan. Even in the future rural areas, few people would be willing to spend so much money, let alone in the current era. Unless they were truly wealthy, who would be willing to spend that much?

The children, who were all quite busy with their work, hurried back to celebrate their father's 60th birthday and then quickly returned to their jobs.

Deng Shirong, however, was not idle. He led a team to Beijing to participate in the second CCTV Bid King auction.

In November of the previous year, Deng Shirong, representing the Deng Clan Group, spent 33,333,333 yuan to win the first CCTV Bid King, then promoted the previously unknown Nongfu Spring mineral water.

Here, Deng Shirong couldn't help but marvel at the effectiveness of the CCTV Bid King. There was truly no more powerful advertisement in the world, especially for the first three Bid Kings, whose effects were the best.

He remembered that in his previous life, the second CCTV Bid King was won by the Qinchuan Distillery from Linqiu County, Shandong, for 66,660,000 yuan.

The following year, Qinchuan Distillery's sales skyrocketed from 230 million yuan to 980 million yuan.

In the third CCTV Bid King auction, Qinchuan Distillery again won the title with a record-breaking 320 million yuan.

At the time, the Qinchuan Distillery management proudly told the media, "In 1996, we drove a Santana into CCTV every day and drove out in a luxury Audi. Next year, we will drive in a BMW and aim to drive out in a stretched Lincoln!"

From this, one could see how incredibly effective the CCTV Bid King advertisements were.

Nongfu Spring, as the first CCTV Bid King, had a year of rapid growth, with sales increasing day by day, leaving other brands struggling to keep up. The advertising effect was truly dominant.

By now, the money the Deng Clan Group invested in advertising last year had more than tripled, and it had significantly boosted the brand value of Nongfu Spring. Winning the CCTV Bid King was truly worth it.

Because Nongfu Spring became the first CCTV Bid King, the mineral water market expanded by more than double.

Unlike other CCTV Bid Kings who expanded blindly, Nongfu Spring was well-prepared and perfectly absorbed the advertising effects of the CCTV Bid King. They only needed to develop steadily, and as the mineral water market expanded, Nongfu Spring would naturally grow.

Given the excellent results of the first CCTV Bid King, Deng Shirong was determined to win the second one.

After all, spending less than 70 million yuan to win the CCTV Bid King was truly worth it.

As the previous CCTV Bid King, Deng Shirong and his team were warmly welcomed by the hosts.

The specific competition details are not worth mentioning, but in the end, the Deng Clan Group spent 68,880,000 yuan to successfully retain the title, becoming the second CCTV Bid King.

This time, the Bid King would not promote Nongfu Spring.

The mineral water market was still relatively small, and using the first CCTV Bid King to promote it had a bit of a "pulling up the seedlings to help them grow" feel. The second CCTV Bid King could not promote mineral water again.

The main product promoted by the second CCTV Bid King was the Deng Clan Group's flagship product, Master Kong instant noodles.

It was now 1995, and 1996 was just around the corner. The number of migrant workers was exploding, and the number of people traveling long distances by train was also increasing, leading to a growing demand for instant noodles.

Currently, the annual sales of instant noodles had reached the billion-yuan level, making it the largest source of income for the Deng Clan Group.

Although Master Kong instant noodles were already well-known domestically and had an unshakable market share, with the persistent competitor Uni-President, it was prudent to launch a strong advertising campaign to increase market share.

Moreover, Master Kong was a well-known brand. Although this time the focus was on instant noodles, the entire brand's reputation would rise, and other Master Kong products would also benefit.

Therefore, the second CCTV Bid King was a perfect fit for Master Kong instant noodles.

...

Nanning.

Five Peaks Plaza Mansion.

Upon returning from Beijing, Deng Shirong received some good news: his fourth daughter-in-law was pregnant!

"Great, this is wonderful!"

Deng Shirong repeatedly expressed his delight and then instructed, "Yue Mei, from now on, stop all your work and focus on taking care of yourself at home."

Fan Yue Mei smiled and replied, "I understand, Father."

She had been married to the Deng family for over a year. In fact, she could have conceived and given birth much earlier, but she had been busy with work, so they had avoided pregnancy until recently when they were fully prepared, and she successfully became pregnant.

Deng Yunhua chuckled beside her, his "aim" had always been accurate, as one might say in modern terms, it was a "one-shot success."

Deng Shirong was already very experienced with the diet and precautions for pregnant women. For the next few days, he stayed at home and cooked for his fourth daughter-in-law.

Fan Yue Mei then truly realized the extent of her father-in-law's culinary skills. Even during her early pregnancy when her appetite was poor, the meals her father-in-law prepared still easily whetted her appetite. Many of the dishes she had never even heard of, let alone tasted.

Eating a different delicacy every day, each one a rare treat, this way of nourishing the pregnancy was something Fan Yue Mei had never even dared to imagine before.

From this, Fan Yue Mei vaguely understood why her sisters-in-law respected their father-in-law so much. It wasn't just because he was wealthy, but because he genuinely cared for them.

With his wealth and status, if he didn't genuinely care for his daughters-in-law, why would he spend so much time cooking for them every day?

Being able to marry into the Deng family and meet such a respectable father-in-law, Fan Yue Mei felt incredibly lucky. She must have been an incredibly good person in her past life, saving countless lives, to deserve such good fortune in this life.

When her mother learned of this news, she couldn't help but feel deeply moved. This in-law was truly beyond reproach.

At the same time, her mother began making preparations to gradually hand over her business to her niece so that she could focus on helping her daughter when the baby was born.

...

In the afternoon.

Five Peaks Plaza Mansion.

During dinner, Xiaodong'er suddenly said, "Grandpa, I have already completed all the junior high school courses on my own. If I continue to attend junior high school, it seems like a waste of time. I want to take the high school entrance exam next year. What do you think?"

Deng Shirong was somewhat surprised and asked, "Xiaodong'er, you want to skip a grade?"

Xiaodong'er nodded, "Yes, Grandpa. I want to skip to the third year of junior high school next semester and take the high school entrance exam next year."

Everyone was taken aback by this.

Deng Shirong knew that his granddaughter had been self-studying higher-level courses, and he had always supported her in doing so, but he had never thought she would want to skip a grade.

This was the legendary skipping of grades!

Those who could skip grades were without exception geniuses among geniuses. Even his second and third sons, who had been admitted to Tsinghua and Peking Universities, didn't have that capability.

Deng Shirong asked, "Xiaodong'er, have you really thought this through?"

Xiaodong'er nodded, "Grandpa, I have. Junior high school knowledge is not challenging for me, and there's no need to waste an extra year in junior high school."

Deng Shirong smiled and said, "Good. Since you've made up your mind, I'll talk to your school's leaders and teachers about this tomorrow."

Fan Yue Mei couldn't help but admire, "Xiaodong'er, you're really amazing. You want to skip a grade! When I was in junior high and high school, I studied my heart out just to maintain the top spot in my class. I'm far behind you."

Xiaodong'er laughed, "Fourth Aunt, you're amazing too. You got into Wuhan University, which is much better than my fourth uncle, who couldn't even get into a regular university."

Fan Yue Mei couldn't help but glance at her husband with a smile.

Deng Yunhua was speechless. After so many years in society, he was still being "humiliated" by his niece with his past academic performance, and he couldn't even argue against it.

Dongzi said dejectedly, "Sister, if you skip a grade, won't you be in high school by the time I start junior high?"

Xiaodong'er laughed, "What's the problem with that?"

Dongzi muttered, "Of course there's a problem. I want to go to school with you."

Deng Shirong chuckled, "Dongzi, if you want to go to school with your sister, you need to have the ability to get into the same junior high school as her."

"True," Dongzi scratched his head and said, "Then I guess I'll give up. Sister goes to the best junior high school in the city, and there's no way I can get in with my grades."

Everyone couldn't help but laugh at this.

Especially Deng Yunhua, who saw a bit of his younger self in Dongzi. Back then, his father had offered monetary rewards to motivate them to study hard, and his second brother, third brother, and Xiao Heng had all received the rewards, but he never did.

Now, Dongzi's learning ability was so similar to his at that time.

The matter of Xiaodong'er skipping a grade was thus decided.

The next morning, Deng Shirong went to Xiaodong'er's junior high school with her.

As for Dongzi, he was naturally taken to school by the security personnel.

Upon arriving at the school gate, Deng Shirong said to his granddaughter, "Xiaodong'er, Grandpa will wait here. You go inside and ask your homeroom teacher to come out. I need to talk to him first."

Xiaodong'er replied with a nod and entered the school.

Fifteen minutes later, Xiaodong'er returned with her homeroom teacher.

Deng Shirong had met her homeroom teacher twice before. Seeing him come out, he greeted him with a smile, "Teacher Jiang, good morning!"

Jiang Zhenan also greeted him with a full smile, "Grandpa Deng, good morning!"

Deng Shirong smiled and said, "Teacher Jiang, I came to talk to you about something related to our Lili. I wonder if your schedule is convenient?"

Jiang Zhenan nodded repeatedly, "It's convenient, of course. Grandpa Deng, please come in, let's talk in the office."

Deng Shirong thanked him and followed Jiang Zhenan into the school, heading to his office.

Since the matter was related to Xiaodong'er, she naturally accompanied them to the homeroom teacher's office.

Once they were seated in the office, Deng Shirong said, "Teacher Jiang, to not waste your time, I'll get straight to the point."

Jiang Zhenan nodded, "Sure, Grandpa Deng, just go ahead and say what you need to."

Deng Shirong spoke directly, "Teacher Jiang, our Lili has already completed all the junior high school courses on her own. If she continues to follow the regular curriculum, it seems like a waste of time.

Therefore, I came today to discuss with you the possibility of her skipping to the third year of junior high school next semester and taking the high school entrance exam next year."

Jiang Zhenan was taken aback, never expecting that Grandpa Deng would come to discuss the matter of Deng Changli skipping a grade.

Deng Changli was the most talented student he had taught in over twenty years. She had entered their junior high school with the top score in the city and continued to excel, maintaining the top spot in her grade in all subjects, with no one able to surpass her.

While other top students might match her in some subjects, it was only because the exams were not challenging enough to differentiate their scores. No one could truly match her level.

Such an outstanding student was impossible for any teacher to dislike.

However, after only a year and a half, his star pupil was about to move on to another teacher's class, which naturally made Jiang Zhenan feel a bit heartbroken and reluctant.

Jiang Zhenan looked at his student and asked, "Deng Changli, have you really completed all the junior high school courses on your own?"

Xiaodong'er nodded, "Yes, Teacher, I have completed all the junior high school courses."

Jiang Zhenan sighed, "I knew you had the habit of studying ahead, but I never imagined you would surpass the curriculum by so much. Since you have completed all the junior high school courses, continuing with the regular curriculum would indeed be a waste of time. I agree with your decision to skip a grade."

Xiaodong'er smiled, "Thank you, Teacher."

Deng Shirong also smiled, "Thank you, Teacher Jiang. If our Lili performs well on the high school entrance exam next year, it will be partly due to your efforts. I will make sure to inform the school leadership about this."

Jiang Zhenan couldn't help but smile. Although it was a bit disappointing not to have his star pupil for the full three years, teaching such an outstanding student would certainly be a point of pride in his teaching career.

With the homeroom teacher's approval, the rest of the process went smoothly.

The school leadership was delighted to have a genius student skipping a grade.

The teacher currently in charge of the third-year class, upon learning that the top student from the second-year class would be joining his class, was overjoyed, feeling as if he had won a grand prize. This was a stroke of good fortune.

Thus, the matter was settled. When the next semester began, Xiaodong'er would leave her current class and join the third-year class.

...

Evening.

At a restaurant in Fuzhou, Deng Yunheng was attending a social gathering.

The person who invited him was a middle-aged man named Wu Weiguo, a minor leader in a state-owned enterprise, at the department director level.

With this connection, Deng Yunheng naturally needed to maintain a good relationship with Wu Weiguo.

After a few drinks, they began chatting about family matters.

Naturally, the conversation turned to marriage.

Deng Yunheng asked, "Director Wu, I heard you haven't married yet?"

Wu Weiguo nodded, "That's right, I haven't married yet."

Deng Yunheng couldn't help but ask, "With your family background, you could find any girl you want. Why haven't you married at your age? Is it convenient to talk about it?"

Wu Weiguo sighed, "There's no harm in talking about it. When I was in college, I once liked a girl. Unfortunately, her family was not well-off, and my father disapproved, so he forcibly broke us up."

In the past, to spite my old man at home, I never dated anyone.

Later, I finally put this matter aside, but my age had already crept up unnoticed. Now, finding a suitable partner is no longer an easy task."

"Ah, I see."

Deng Yunheng suddenly understood and then asked, "Does your father still insist on marrying someone of equal status?"

Wu Weiguo shook his head and said, "Though my old man doesn't say it outright, I know he must regret it. If he hadn't stopped me back then, his grandson would probably be about to finish primary school. Unlike now, we don't even know where his granddaughter-in-law is."

Deng Yunheng said, "If he doesn’t insist on equal status, then with your conditions, there are plenty of women waiting for you to choose from. Why are you still single?"

Wu Weiguo sighed again, "My old man is very stubborn. Even if he regrets it, he will never admit he was wrong. So, not finding someone of equal status is not a requirement, but at least not someone who can’t match my conditions."

Deng Yunheng said, "I understand, Director Wu. You are a university graduate and have a high position in your unit. Finding someone who matches your conditions and also catches your eye is indeed not easy."

Wu Weiguo nodded, "That's the main reason I'm still single."

Deng Yunheng pondered and said, "Director Wu, I have an older Classmate who is also single. Would you like me to introduce you to her?"

Wu Weiguo was taken aback, "Older classmate?"

Deng Yunheng smiled, "Yes, my older classmate from Peking University, also my fellow townsman."

Wu Weiguo's heart stirred, and he said, "Leader, can you tell me the basic information about your older classmate?"

Thinking of his classmate who had been single for so many years, Deng Yunheng enthusiastically introduced, "My older classmate is two years ahead of me. She is about the same age as you. Her father retired last year from the County Magistrate position. She herself is also a full-level official, serving as the Secretary of a district in Nanning for several years. She could become a Deputy-Hall level official at any opportunity.

For many years, she has always been high and low, making her parents worry a lot about her marriage, but they haven't found a suitable partner for her yet.

If you are interested, I can help you two get to know each other."

Wu Weiguo asked, "Leader, what about your older classmate's figure and appearance?"

Deng Yunheng was straightforward, "Her figure is good, and though she isn't considered beautiful, she has excellent poise."

Wu Weiguo raised his glass, "Then I'll trouble you to introduce us."

Deng Yunheng clinked glasses with him and smiled, "Sure, I'll play the matchmaker. I hope you two have the right chemistry."

...

The next morning.

In a district office in Nanning, Song Yu was sitting at her desk handling official business.

Suddenly, her office phone rang. Song Yu picked it up and said, "Hello, this is Song Yu."

Deng Yunheng's voice came through, "Sister Song, it's me."

Song Yu's face lit up with a smile, and she put down her pen, joking, "No wonder I heard magpies chirping this morning. It seems good news is coming."

Deng Yunheng, knowing she meant his call, couldn't help but smile, "Sister Song, you're right, good news is coming."

"Ah?"

Song Yu was taken aback, putting aside her teasing, she hurriedly asked, "Big leader, what good news?"

Deng Yunheng laughed, "I'm here to play matchmaker for you!"

Song Yu, somewhat surprised, said, "Seriously? You're going to set me up?"

Deng Yunheng said, "That's right. I have someone with very good conditions, I feel quite suitable for you. If you're willing, I can set you two up. If not, it's fine too."

Song Yu, who knew this outstanding junior and fellow townsman very well, understood that if the man's conditions weren’t good, he would never introduce him to her. The fact that he wanted to play matchmaker for her proved the man must be really good.

Thinking this, Song Yu finally took it seriously and asked, "What's the man's situation?"

Deng Yunheng gave a brief introduction, "The man is about your age, graduated from an ordinary university, and is a minor leader in a state-owned enterprise, also at the full-level official. His father is one of the top leaders in Fujian, with a very prominent background."

Song Yu was taken aback. She had always known that if Deng Yunheng set her up, the man's conditions would be good, but she hadn't expected them to be this good.

The man's personal conditions weren't outstanding, actually poorer than hers, but his background was far superior.

Would someone like that be interested in her?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end