21: 21. Commendation meeting
Lu Feng is a decisive person; he acts as soon as he says it.
He immediately got up, washed, dressed, and went downstairs for a run. After running a few kilometers in the morning sun, Lu Feng was exhausted, but his body and mind felt much refreshed.
Returning to his residence nearby, famished, Lu Feng found a breakfast place, ready to feast. Just then, his phone rang.
“Hello, is this Student Lu? I’m Officer Liao from the Jiangcheng City Police Department. The city has approved your application for yesterday’s heroic act, and an awards ceremony will be held this afternoon at the Jiangcheng Official Building to present you with an honor certificate and a bonus. Please be sure to attend.”
Lu Feng hadn’t expected it to be so quick, so he agreed. He glanced at the time; it was past nine. He quickly finished breakfast and headed straight to a nearby shopping mall.
Although he wasn't particular about his appearance, it wasn't appropriate to be too casual for such an occasion, so he bought a few new, well-fitting clothes.
In the afternoon, Lu Feng, dressed in his new clothes, was about to hail a taxi to the venue. Unexpectedly, the principal had already driven downstairs to wait for him, accompanied by Teacher Zhou Wenmei. Both of them had clearly received the notification.
Zhou Wenmei helped him straighten his collar and smiled, “Student Lu, looking good! Very sharp!”
The principal was also beaming, finding Lu Feng more and more pleasing to the eye. He hadn't expected this student to bring such a positive impression to the school so close to graduation.
Zhou Wenmei smiled, “Let’s go. Don’t keep them waiting too long.”
Lu Feng nodded, opened the back door, and got in. They then headed towards the Jiangcheng Official Building.
They arrived shortly, and staff members stood at the entrance to personally welcome them in.
Pushing open the door to the conference room, the small room was full of people. Besides officials, there were also many media reporters.
On the screen at the head of the table, it clearly read, “Awards and Commendation Ceremony for Granting Lu Feng the Honorary Title of ‘Jiangcheng Model of Righteous Courage’.”
“Our little hero is here!”
Seeing them enter, the reporters’ cameras unanimously turned towards Lu Feng. At the same time, Director Zhou Baiquan stood up and was the first to applaud, after which applause resounded throughout the room.
Lu Feng showed a humble expression, following behind the principal with a smile, walking towards the front row.
Just as he was about to sit down, he suddenly caught sight of an acquaintance sitting next to him.
“Oh, Chairwoman Xu, you’re here too?”
Xu Ting smiled and stood up, saying, “Of course, I specifically came to attend your commendation meeting.”
Lu Feng laughed wryly. The two had fought side-by-side before, but they weren't too familiar, and their relationship wasn't that deep, was it?
“Thanks for coming.”
The sight of them being familiar shocked many people present.
How could this high school student be acquainted with the famous chairman of a local enterprise? This was an unexpected connection.
Even the principal and Zhou Wenmei found it incredible.
“No wonder Chairwoman Xu said yesterday that she would personally attend. So you two know each other,” Zhou Baiquan said in surprise.
Xu Ting smiled, “Speaking of which, Student Lu is my benefactor. He helped me a great deal. Now that he has done a good deed and is being commended as an outstanding individual, I naturally cannot be absent.”
“Ah???!” The entire room was in an uproar.
Everyone suspected they had misheard. To be called a benefactor by the chairman of a listed company, how much help must that have been? The other person was clearly just a high school student!?
The principal’s expression as he looked at Lu Feng was dumbfounded.
Zhou Wenmei, however, thought of Lu Feng’s peculiar English level last night. How many secrets did her student still hide? She couldn't see through him, truly couldn't see through him.
Reporters frantically pressed their shutters, flashlights continuously lighting up, documenting this scene.
“This young man is unusual. Could he have some special background?”
“I think so too. Which high school student can chat so casually with a chairman? And Chairwoman Xu even said the word 'benefactor,' hiss, hiss, hiss… it’s chilling to think about.”
“There have been acts of righteous courage conferences before, and even if companies participated, they only sent a representative. When has a chairman ever come personally?”
“…”
With Lu Feng’s arrival, the commendation ceremony officially began.
The host on stage passionately introduced Lu Feng’s heroic deed. Although it was a coincidence, in that situation, even a coincidence genuinely averted a disaster.
Then Zhou Baiquan went on stage to speak and personally presented Lu Feng with the certificate of honor for righteous courage, the medal for an outstanding individual, and a red envelope containing a fifty-thousand bonus.
“Thank you, Student Lu, for promoting the traditional virtue of righteous courage and for bringing warmth and strength to society.”
Xu Ting then followed him onto the stage, smiling, “Donghai Group has always paid attention to events that embody positive social energy. Young people like Student Lu, who are both courageous and resourceful, are particularly important to us. Therefore, our group has decided to fully sponsor Student Lu’s tuition and living expenses throughout his university studies as an encouragement.”
The conference room erupted in an uproar, and applause once again surged like a tide.
Lu Feng looked at Xu Ting in surprise, “This…”
“This is a small contribution from our company to society, so Student Lu, please don’t decline,” Xu Ting explained.
“Alright then, thank you, Chairwoman Xu.”
Zhou Wenmei clapped vigorously below the stage, her hands red. She was genuinely happy for Lu Feng.
The old principal’s smile never faded, his face glowing as if he had been drinking.
At the end of the commendation ceremony, everyone took a group photo, and the meeting concluded perfectly.
Walking out of the conference room, Lu Feng was still a bit dazed. It was his first time receiving an official certificate and medal at this age.
Behind him, the sound of high heels approached. Xu Ting called out, “Student Lu.”
Lu Feng turned and saw Xu Ting walking over. She smiled, “Student Lu, let me treat you to dinner. I have something I need to discuss with you.”
The old principal and Zhou Wenmei, though curious about what they would discuss, found it inappropriate to follow. They could only smile and say, “Then we’ll head back first, Chairwoman Xu. Student Lu is in your hands.”
Xu Ting nodded, then invited Lu Feng into her Maybach.
As the car started, Lu Feng said directly, “Chairwoman Xu, let’s skip dinner. Could you just tell me what it’s about?”
Xu Ting chuckled, “You don’t have to keep calling me Chairwoman Xu. You can call me Sister Xu.”
Finishing speaking, she put away her smile and said with an apologetic tone, “Student Lu, you helped me a great deal with the USB drive last time. But because of this, you’ve been… targeted by certain people. However, don’t worry, you are now an officially designated outstanding individual for righteous courage. At this time, no one will dare to touch you.”