Ma Tengfei knew exactly what Li Yuan wanted. Without hesitation, he smiled and began to speak. "Li Yuan, focus on your work. Expand and strengthen this website, and showcase the brilliance of our Daxia students. As for any non-commercial competitive tactics, the university has your back. You can proceed with confidence."

Upon hearing Ma Tengfei’s assurances, Li Yuan’s smile broadened. This really is a great leader! The thousands he had spent on Maotai, premium cigarettes, and tea were well worth it.

With Ma Tengfei’s promise, if he ever faced non-commercial competition in the future, he now had grounds to seek the university’s help. Given the standing of Daxia University and Ma Tengfei’s connections, those were resources Li Yuan couldn’t hope to access on his own anytime soon.

Li Yuan quickly stood up, feigning excitement as he offered his earnest thanks. "Thank you, Principal Ma! I truly appreciate it!"

Ma Tengfei chuckled, waved his hand, and gestured for Li Yuan to sit back down. "Little Li, I’m personally very interested in seeing this website of yours develop. You’re a computer science major, so it’s right in your field. Once the company grows, it can also provide some employment opportunities for the university."

Ma Tengfei spoke with great skill and tact. His words not only encouraged Li Yuan but also gave him an out. After all, Daxia University is a top-tier 985 university. And while computer science isn’t its ace program, it’s still excellent. Ordinary graduates wouldn’t even give a small, unknown company a second glance. Even upperclassmen from Daxia University’s computer science program, like Hu Zhenqiang, only chose Li Yuan’s new company because of an economic downturn, the high salary he offered, and the potential to achieve their personal dreams.

"Principal Ma, you can rest assured. I’ve already planned to use the incubator space you approved as the operations base for the Zhihu website. At the same time, I’ll be recruiting some students from our university who are facing financial hardship to work part-time at the company..."

Seeing how savvy Li Yuan was, Ma Tengfei’s smile grew warmer and he felt even more satisfied with the young man. A sensible student like this... who else should he support, if not him?

"I remember the incubator space I approved for you was three rooms on the first floor of the research building, correct?"

"Yes, Principal Ma. You have an excellent memory," Li Yuan replied with a smile, adding a little flattery as his anticipation grew.

Sure enough, Ma Tengfei grinned. "Your company is just starting out, so you’re probably short on office space. I’ll make an executive decision and approve the three classrooms next door for you as well. They’ll be part of your incubator space, and you’ll receive the highest level of entrepreneurial support policies... How does that sound? Satisfied?"

Li Yuan nodded repeatedly. "Satisfied! Extremely satisfied! Thank you for your incredible support, Principal Ma!"

Ma Tengfei smiled at Li Yuan. "Haha, Little Li, then go out there and work hard. Be bold, unleash your wild, youthful ideas, and write your own future."

Li Yuan smiled back, his voice filled with confidence. "Yes, Principal Ma. I will do my best."

"Haha, Little Li, you should get going. The website just launched, so you must have a lot to take care of." Ma Tengfei tactfully issued his "dismissal order."

Li Yuan naturally understood the hint and chuckled. "Alright, Principal Ma. I’ll let you get back to your work, then."

Just as Li Yuan was about to stand and leave, he heard Ma Tengfei’s voice again. "Take those things back with you. There’s no need for that between you and the university."

Li Yuan replied cheerfully, "I heard you enjoy tea, so I just brought a small tin of leaves. It’s just a small token of appreciation from a student."

Ma Tengfei chuckled, gave Li Yuan a deep look, and then nodded with a smile. "Alright, then. But don’t let there be a next time."

Li Yuan smiled and nodded. "Got it. Well, you have a good day, Principal Ma."

After leaving Ma Tengfei’s office, Li Yuan felt a great sense of relief. With the endorsement of a vice-principal, he could set aside his worries about non-commercial competitive tactics, at least for now.

Li Yuan’s business plans were vast. It started with the website, but next came games, then bubble tea and food service. In the future, he envisioned expanding into food delivery, short-form video, and more. Backed by a giant like Daxia University, he wouldn’t have to worry about being completely wiped out by non-commercial competitive tactics, at least not in a city like Modu. If he ever ran into an insurmountable obstacle, he could always play his trump card—calling for reinforcements! 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

As Li Yuan descended the stairs, he glanced toward Qi Siyu’s office and licked his lips with a hint of regret. That sexy, mature lady isn’t in her office today.

「Back in the dorm」

Just as Li Yuan returned, he ran into Liu Jia, Ren Jun, Wu Hao, and the others coming his way.

Liu Jia spotted him from a distance and jogged over, greeting him excitedly, "Yuan! Is that really you? You finally decided to grace us with your presence!"

Li Yuan raised an eyebrow and teased, "What’s this? Is someone not happy to see me?"

Liu Jia looked momentarily confused before laughing and slapping Li Yuan’s shoulder. "How could that be? If anyone dared not to welcome our Yuan back, I’d be the first one to go flatten him!"

Li Yuan gave a meaningful chuckle. "I’ll hold you to that."

Puzzled, Liu Jia was about to ask what he meant when Ren Jun, Wu Hao, and the others surrounded Li Yuan, all talking at once.

"Yuan, you’re playing in the match later, right?"

"We’ve all been waiting for you, Yuan! With you playing, crushing those guys from Computer Science Class Two will be a piece of cake."

"You’re not going to flake on us again, are you, Yuan?"

Hearing them out, Li Yuan nodded with a smile. "Yeah, I just finished up my business. I’ll play."

At Li Yuan’s confirmation, the faces of Liu Jia, Ren Jun, and everyone else lit up. They all started cheering and laughing exuberantly.

"Whoa, that’s awesome!"

"NICE! This is a golden opportunity. We have to play our best."

"Heh heh, nobody is going to stop me from showing off today!"

"We have to beat Class Two by double digits, and then we can finally get some dates!"

This reaction left Li Yuan a bit baffled. He asked, "Guys, I’m just playing in one basketball game. Why are you all so worked up about it?"

Liu Jia grinned. "Yuan, I think there’s something you’re not getting."

"Oh? What’s that?" Li Yuan asked, his curiosity piqued.

Liu Jia stuck out a finger, pointed it at Li Yuan, and said in a mock-mysterious tone, "Yuan, do you even know who you are right now?"

Li Yuan rolled his eyes and rapped Liu Jia on the head. "Liu Jia, I haven’t seen you for a few days. Has your IQ shot up to 250 or something?"

Liu Jia just laughed, unfazed. He looked at Wu Hao and the others. "Fellas, tell our boy Yuan who he is!"

"Let me go first!" Wu Hao eagerly raised his hand, cupping it like a microphone. He playfully aimed it at Li Yuan and began to perform. "To all the beautiful ladies out there! Standing beside me is the one and only... Li Yuan! He’s a Great Writer! A Music Genius! The Zhihu Founder! Now, let’s give him a huge round of applause for his grand entrance... Let me hear you scream!"

Liu Jia shot Li Yuan a wink and a smirk. "So, Yuan. Get it now?"