Chapter 611: 411. The Fairy Tale of Idealism_2
"I will always remember the light in her eyes the day we signed the contract."
"This story sounds like an idealistic fairy tale."
"...But this story is true."
In the audience, He Ying bit her lip, hands crossed, trying hard to control her emotions, with her eyes fixed on Lu Jincheng’s figure.
The man paused for a moment, then continued speaking.
"This employee once described a scene to me."
"On a high mountain, sat a little girl, with a sickle and basket beside her."
"That was her younger self."
"If she hadn’t scored well, if her family hadn’t been moderately open-minded and didn’t need extra hands during busy farming seasons, she might never have returned to school."
"Married off early by her parents, exchanged for dowry, cluelessly going out to work, earning money for the family."
"Since that time, she resolved to change her fate and have more choices."
"Many people have no choice but to accept the arrangements of fate."
"But actually, everyone has dreams."
In the corner of the audience, He Ying wiped her eyes quietly with her sleeve.
"Who is Lu Jincheng talking about?"
"I don’t know... Golden Stone Media has so many heiresses, the hosts are all dressed glamorously, where would someone be miserable like this?"
"Could it be made up?"
Xu Ya and Ni Jiayun were still whispering.
Elsewhere, the guest speech continued.
"As a boss, I admire and respect people like her."
"Persistently striving, undeterred by difficulties, digging through the earth for even a little bit of light above."
"Therefore, I am willing to support her dream."
"When she achieves her dream, I think that will be the moment we entrepreneurs feel most fulfilled.
"Helping employees find self-worth is also a responsibility that a good company should bear."
"One person’s success plants a seed in the hearts of other employees."
"This seed may stay dormant, but at many crossroads in life, a little bit of light, a bit of faith, a bit of yearning, a bit of perseverance, can keep the journey going."
"So, I want to say to everyone."
Thousands of students and teachers in the audience looked towards Lu Jincheng simultaneously.
The auditorium’s top lights glistened, casting a layer of warm light on the man’s profile.
At this moment, regardless of listener or the person involved, everyone was focused, listening intently.
"You are born a mountain, not a stream, nature strikes you with wind and snow, you respond with song."
"You are born a remarkable person, not a weed, fate places you at a precarious brink, you repay the world with fragrance."
"May your steps lead you out of your comfort zone, navigating every corner of human understanding, and until the constraints and oppression of birth are completely eliminated, do not easily believe that talent is the reversal of cause and effect; may you reclaim the achievements you deserve in fields occupied by capital."
"May you, in popular culture or intimate relationships, not be objectified, diminished, subordinated, or treated as pets, and receive truly equal love and respect."
"I wish Nanhu University’s graduates, regardless of industry, can take their fate into their own hands, independently and equally, with pride and freedom."
Lu Jincheng stood up, bowed slightly, and greeted the teachers and students in the audience.
The auditorium, silent as a pin-drop, erupted into thunderous applause.
Such genuinely heartfelt speeches possess the most fundamental power.
Among the graduates troubled by spring recruitment, most are actually from less privileged backgrounds.
If the family conditions are good, would the children’s jobs still need parental concern?
Quite a few clenched their fists tightly, feeling heavy with distress.
Some even had reddened eyes.
The applause was so enthusiastic, lasting long.
Even the leaders seated at the front stood up, applauding Lu Jincheng.
Leaders experienced and knowledgeable, rarely moved by speeches in such settings.
But this time, even they felt some unknown emotion growing in their hearts.
Three generations up, who isn’t a farmer?
Just as Lu Jincheng said, having the chance to join Golden Stone Media could change one’s fate.
Stories filled with idealism like this are indeed very powerful.
The speech ended, but there was a brief stall on stage.
According to the usual practice, it’s time for the host’s segue and the microphone exchange, introducing the next guest speaker.
Lu Jincheng turned his head, trying to locate the host’s position.
But the spot originally belonging to He Ying was empty.
Ten seconds later, he picked up the microphone again, playing the role of a temporary host.
"Now, let us welcome the next guest with a warm round of applause!"
"She has too many titles, too many labels, everyone knows very well, I don’t need to introduce them one by one."
"Please welcome Nanhu University’s first-ever celebrity—Mou Keyan!"
With thunderous applause once more, the highly anticipated closing guest finally stepped onto the stage.
...
Lu Jincheng finally found a chance to go backstage, holding a pack of tissues, looking for the missing host.
Because He Ying, listening quietly on the side, had long lost control of her emotions, bursting into tears.
The dignified Student Union president indeed hid backstage alone.
She faced away from the exit, shoulders trembling, her crisp shirt sleeves slightly crumpled, emotions not yet settled.
"Hurry back, what are you doing here!"
He Ying’s voice was somewhat strained, her brows gently furrowed.
As a competent assistant, she worried if Lu Jincheng coming backstage might upset the rightful heroine emotionally.
"Came to check on you."
Mr. Lu maintained a casual demeanor, despite using someone’s story as an example for the entire audience; he now behaved as if nothing had happened.
He handed her a tissue, smilingly kneeling slightly, approaching He Ying.
"Wipe your tears, you’re crying like a little cat."
"You’ll be hosting later, keep your appearance in mind."
"I... I just couldn’t control it."
He Ying’s body was tense, striving to keep her voice and tone steady, yet inevitably infused with a bit of a sob.
"You didn’t follow the script! I stayed up late preparing your speech, and you only read a few lines..."
"If you love improvising so much, don’t make me write it, yet you shared my story without even telling me..."
Speaking of this, He Ying’s eyes reddened further, the dark eyeliner slightly washed away at the corner.
Whether it’s about work frustration, being valued deeply, or other feelings, it’s hard to tell.
Crying for what reasons, she couldn’t discern herself.
Hard to distinguish.
"Ha."
Lu Jincheng chuckled, extended a hand to wipe away the tear on He Ying’s cheek.
His fingertips became glistening.
"Why, was this story... unpleasant to hear?"
The man continued speaking, in a calm and stable tone that makes people naturally let down their guard.
"Unpleasant."
He Ying shook her head.
"Not pleasant at all."
"I think it sounds nice."
"Oh."
He Ying sniffed, unusually retorting, "Then don’t tell it in front of me next time."
After a few seconds, seeing the man not reply, she continued.
"You should go back quickly; it’s not right if they realize you’re not there."
"My speech is over, why do I need to be on site?"
Lu Jincheng asked with a smile.
"..."
He Ying thought for a moment, said nothing.
"Over there isn’t important."
"Miao Miao, unlike me, can actually provide job opportunities, her role is just as a mascot, to cheer everyone up."
The man pulled out a tissue again, like doing a magic trick, found a lipstick from He Ying’s bag, and handed them over together.
"In comparison, you are more important."
"The host sobbing like a flower in rain, what would it look like on stage later?"
"If it’s spread, it’ll affect the company’s face."
"And my face."
"Here, take it, fix your makeup before going out."