Chapter 578: Anniversary Speech, Reckoning?

As the waiting continued, Finance University’s fiftieth anniversary celebration drew ever nearer.

“The leaders have arrived. Let’s go greet them.” Someone spoke up with a reminder.

“Let’s go, all together!”

As they spoke, the VIPs from the Jinghua Pavilion headed together toward the hall entrance to receive them.

Soon, a group of leaders in administrative jackets approached, accompanied by university staff. The middle-aged man at their head was Li Xiaohui’s father. Flanking him were leaders from Pearl City, the university president, and other senior university officials.

The leaders shook hands with the Jinghua Pavilion VIPs one by one. When the Leader shook hands with Liu Yutong, he added deliberately that he wished to speak with her privately after the ceremony.

Liu Yutong, who had remained composed until then, couldn’t help but wonder uneasily: Could this be a reckoning?

Ever since Li Xiaohui had joined Wanlong Society, she had feared this day might come. Especially now that Li Xiaohui was increasingly resembling an “internet-addicted girl,” it wasn’t impossible for her father to come looking for trouble.

Since it’s happening, I’ll face it calmly. If a talk is coming, so be it.

After exchanging brief pleasantries, the entire procession set off majestically toward the main field.

When Liu Yutong and the leaders arrived, the students and faculty below were already in place. Over ten thousand people gathered together, creating an overwhelmingly grand and spectacular scene.

The sight even sparked a thought in Liu Yutong: When could Wanlong Society host a gathering of over ten thousand people? Just imagining that scene…

Based on her status, Liu Yutong should have been sitting with her own class, since she was still a Finance University student.

But this time, the university had specially arranged for her to sit in the second row, alongside a dozen distinguished alumni. The front row on the platform, of course, was reserved for the leaders and senior university officials.

Shortly after she took her seat, the ceremony officially began with the stirring strains of the national anthem. Everyone stood as ten thousand voices sang in unison. The magnificent spectacle moved even the seasoned elites from all walks of life to sing along with solemn expressions and swelling emotions.

After the flag-raising ceremony concluded, the university president took the stage first to deliver his address.

He recounted Finance University’s fifty-year journey through trials and triumphs, enumerated its academic achievements, and expressed gratitude to alumni from all sectors for their support of their alma mater.

His speech concluded to resounding applause from the entire audience.

Subsequently, the various leaders spoke in turn, offering high praise for Finance University’s accomplishments and expressing earnest hopes for its future development.

Then came the speeches by distinguished alumni representatives.

The speaking segment alone took over an hour.

After everyone had spoken, the host finally announced: “Now, please welcome our student representative, Chairwoman of Wanlong Society Group, Liu Yutong!”

The moment these words left his mouth, the entire field erupted.

Compared to those seniors and leaders, the students below were clearly more eager to hear Liu Yutong speak. This was easy to understand—Liu Yutong was their peer.

Moreover, this peer was still a student herself, a celebrity on campus.

Just considering her age and achievements, it was hard not to feel admiration… well… and a bit of awe.

In short, everyone showed tremendous enthusiasm for Liu Yutong, far exceeding the fervor shown for the previously speaking distinguished alumni and business seniors.

Seeing this, the Leader seated in the center of the platform turned to the university president with a smile: “It seems Student Liu Yutong is quite popular among her peers.”

The president smiled in response: “Indeed, she’s now the pride of Finance University.”

Liu Yutong walked to the podium, first bowing to the leaders on the platform, then turning to bow to all the teachers and students. This gesture drew another round of applause.

Only when the applause subsided did she begin her speech.

Unlike the lengthy speeches of the previous leaders, hers was brief, lasting only a few minutes.

“Here, on behalf of all current students, I make this solemn promise to our alma mater: We will live up to our prime, press forward with determination, and repay the university’s nurturing grace with outstanding achievements!”

“I also take this opportunity to say to my fellow students: Please cherish every day at Finance University, and bravely try, innovate, and chase your dreams! Thank you all!”

With Liu Yutong’s speech concluded, the ceremony drew to a close, and lunchtime arrived.

This lunch would naturally be held in the university cafeteria.

The university had originally arranged for the leaders and alumni to dine on the second floor, but the Leader chose to eat on the first-floor cafeteria with the students, wanting to chat with them about their studies and lives.

Liu Yutong had originally wanted to find an inconspicuous seat, trying to minimize her presence, but the secretary still invited her to the Leader’s table.

“Come, come, Student Liu, sit here.”

“Thank you, Leader!”

Liu Yutong sat down as instructed, but her heart pounded. She noticed that other local leaders were seated at the neighboring table—she alone sat with the Leader. This was clearly deliberate arrangement.

The secretary then brought two trays—one for the Leader, one for her. Both were standard student meals: two meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, rice, and soup.

Seeing the food served, the Leader gestured to Liu Yutong directly: “Come! Eat! Let’s eat first!”

The more courteous the Leader was, the more uneasy Liu Yutong became. This meal was rather torturous.

It wasn’t as if she had forced Li Xiaohui into esports—that girl simply loved gaming and esports too much. What was she supposed to do? She could only support her. She wasn’t some old-fashioned fuddy-duddy who considered games and esports a cancer on society.

She had always believed that as long as one walked the right path, working in esports was nothing to be ashamed of. In the future, it might even bring glory to the nation.

After both had quietly eaten a few bites, the Leader finally spoke: “What’s Xiaohui been up to lately? That child always rushes to hang up after just a few words when she calls home, unwilling to chat more with me.”

Liu Yutong quickly replied: “Xiaohui has indeed been quite busy lately. Besides her studies, she’s independently managing a project, so it’s normal for her to be pressed for time. But, Leader, she’s truly working very hard.”

Leader: “Working hard? Is she working hard at playing games, at that… esports thing?”

Hearing this, Liu Yutong’s scalp tingled. She thought: So the reckoning has indeed arrived.