Chapter 111: A Sugar-Coated Bullet
"Good afternoon, Professor,"
Lai Xiangrong greeted Zhang Zhongyu with a smile, then got to the point:
"According to our agreement, we paid 30% of the survey fee up front before your team started work—60,000 yuan."
"Yes, we received that already," Zhang replied.
"Now that the survey work is complete, we're settling 80% of the total fee,"
Lai continued, glancing over the financial summary.
"So you're here today for that part?"
"That's right," Zhang said, pointing at the statement.
"After deducting the 60,000 already paid, the remaining settlement amount is 100,000 yuan."
One hundred thousand—almost ten years of his salary!
"I've heard the report has already been submitted, and the data was very helpful for guiding the drilling layout."
"Yes."
"Technically, the final 20% of the survey fee should be paid after project acceptance—once you submit the stamped report and attend the final inspection. Payment would follow approval."
"That's what the contract states."
"Did you already issue the invoice for the remaining 20%?"
"To avoid multiple trips to the tax office, I issued two invoices at once,"
Zhang admitted.
"Well then," Lai said, nodding, "since you've already provided the invoice and the total amount isn't large—only 140,000 yuan—I'll go ahead and sign off on the full payment today. You can pick it all up from the finance department."
That was Lai's plan from the start.
"This way, you won't have to run back and forth."
Zhang's face lit up.
"Thank you, Director Lai! I truly appreciate it!"
"The fees are paid, but I still hope that when it comes time for the project's final inspection, you'll be willing to come back if needed."
Lai laughed.
"You're Li Tang's teacher. That connection alone gives us plenty of confidence in your work!"
He then wrote directly on the financial statement: "One-time settlement of 140,000 yuan," signed his name, and handed it to Luo Qinzhong.
"Take Professor Zhang to the finance office to settle the payment."
"Thank you, Director Lai,"
Zhang said, letting out a long sigh of relief. This was more than he had hoped for.
"You've done a great deal for the Yunyue Bauxite Project. If anything, I should be thanking you,"
Lai said as he personally walked them out.
Thanks to Lai's signature and Luo Qinzhong's assistance, the finance office quickly transferred the full 140,000 yuan to Zhang's account.
Zhang made a special trip to the bank to confirm the deposit. Once he saw the amount, his lingering worries completely vanished.
That evening, to show his appreciation, Luo hosted a dinner for Professors Chen Jinan and Zhang Zhongyu.
Everyone drank a little and went back to the guesthouse early to rest.
Li Tang had just taken a hot shower and was feeling clear-headed when there was a knock at the door.
He opened it to find Zhang Zhongyu standing there.
"Professor Zhang? Haven't gone to bed yet?"
"Wanted to talk to you for a minute,"
Zhang said as he stepped in and quietly shut the door.
Li Tang's mind, soaked in alcohol, suddenly sobered up.
He was startled.
"Professor, couldn't this wait until morning?"
"Everything's settled now. Professor Chen and I are heading back to Yanjing tomorrow."
Zhang pulled a bundle wrapped in newspaper out of his pocket and placed it on the table.
"This is for you."
"What is it?"
Li Tang unwrapped it—three thick stacks of cash.
He jumped in surprise.
"Professor, what is this supposed to mean?"
For a second, he genuinely thought his teacher was trying to seduce him with money.
But Zhang's expression was calm and sincere.
"This money has already been taxed. It's completely clean. Call it a bonus from the gravity survey project or a personal thank-you from me—it doesn't matter. You won't get into any trouble for accepting it. And you're not an employee of Huazhou Aluminum, so there's no issue of conflict of interest."
"This isn't right,"
Li Tang said, pushing the money back toward him.
"You guys worked hard on the mountain—pulling long nights to write reports. You earned this money with your skills and labor. It doesn't really have anything to do with me."
Then he remembered something.
"You brought more than ten students to help with the survey. Did you pay them?"
"Yes. Don't worry—I have integrity,"
Zhang said, patting his chest.
"I paid each student double the originally agreed wage. You should've seen them—grinning as they counted their money. It was priceless."
"Then that's fine."
Li Tang chuckled too.
"Now take the money,"
Zhang urged, seeing Li Tang about to refuse again.
"You probably don't know how tough it usually is to get paid for survey work. Most projects are subcontracted, or the clients come directly. Once it gets to me, the price is slashed in half. There's almost no profit left. And getting paid is like pulling teeth—sometimes you chase after a few thousand yuan for a year or more, and often you don't get paid at all."
Li Tang understood. Still, as a student, he felt uneasy accepting money from a professor.
"But the Yunyue Bauxite Project was different,"
Zhang said.
"I signed the contract directly with Huazhou Aluminum. No middlemen, no deductions, and they paid according to the full budget."
He patted Li Tang's shoulder.
"Let's be honest—if not for your connections, I never would've been treated this well."
"Professor, you're making this too formal."
"Well then, keep the money. If you don't, I'll feel guilty."
Zhang smiled.
"Besides, I hope you'll remember me in the future. I'm not greedy—I just believe in mutual support."
Li Tang scratched his head, feeling trapped. Taking the money felt wrong, but so did refusing it.
"Just consider it compensation for you and He Runqi for your survey work,"
Zhang said, turning toward the door. Then he paused and whispered,
"I didn't give anything directly to He Runqi. You can handle that however you see fit."
And with that, he gently closed the door and left.
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