NOVEL WEB Chapter 20:
Chapter 20: A Donation of 10 Million! Establishing a Courage Foundation!:
After Lin Xian’s speech, the host came on stage to proceed to the next segment of the event—the award ceremony.
Elder Song ascended the stage, took the Medal of Courage from the tray carried by an usher, and personally pinned it onto Lin Xian’s chest. Then, he picked up the Certificate of Valor, opened it, and ceremonially handed it to Lin Xian with both hands.
Smiling warmly, Elder Song shook hands with Lin Xian, and together, they turned to face the media for photographs.
Meanwhile, the host announced to the audience:
“In addition to the certificate and medal, Mr. Lin Xian will receive a government-awarded 100,000 yuan Courage Award bonus!”
“Furthermore, Chairman Dai Shuangcheng of the Donghai Chamber of Commerce has donated 10 million yuan in Mr. Lin Xian’s name to establish the Donghai City Courage Foundation.”
“The foundation aims to reward individuals and groups in Donghai City who exhibit courage and altruism in the future.”
As this news was shared, Dai Shuangcheng walked out from backstage, his face glowing with pride. After shaking hands with Lin Xian, he turned to the media and made his announcement:
“Just as Mr. Lin Xian said, courage and selflessness are traditional virtues of our nation. Today, I am using Mr. Lin Xian’s name to donate 10 million yuan to establish the Donghai City Courage Foundation.”
“Heroes may shed blood and sweat, but we must never let them shed tears or remain unsung.”
“I hope the people of Donghai will take Mr. Lin Xian as a role model and continue to foster a spirit of courage and selflessness.”
The crowd erupted into thunderous applause again.
What began as Lin Xian’s simple act of bravery had propelled the moral compass of the entire city forward in leaps and bounds.
The final segment of the ceremony featured a speech by Elder Song titled “The Young Generation of the New Era—Learning from Mr. Lin Xian.” He called on all schools, institutions, and government agencies across Donghai City to conduct activities promoting the spirit of courage and altruism.
The event, lasting about an hour, concluded orderly at 11 a.m., and attendees began to disperse.
Before leaving, Dai Shuangcheng personally exchanged contact details with Lin Xian and formally invited him to lunch at his home the next day as a gesture of gratitude. Lin Xian accepted without hesitation.
…
“Hi, Lin Xian!”
As Lin Xian finished speaking with the dignitaries and prepared to leave, someone tapped him on the back. He turned to see Dai Chuchan.
“Wow, Lin Xian, you were so handsome today! Your speech was incredible!” she said, her face beaming with admiration.
Lin Xian responded with a faint smile, saying nothing.
“It’s almost lunchtime,” she continued. “Let me treat you to a meal! Yesterday, I left in such a hurry, and I was too nervous to even thank you properly. It was so rude of me!”
Before Lin Xian could decline, she grabbed his sleeve and started tugging playfully. “Come on, say yes!”
“Alright,” Lin Xian finally agreed.
“Yay!” Dai Chuchan cheered. “This is amazing! I can’t wait to tell my classmates I had lunch with the heroic senior Lin Xian!”
“Did you know, Lin Xian? Everyone at our school is talking about you, even the teachers who used to give you lectures still remember you!”
…
On their way out, Dai Chuchan chatted incessantly while Lin Xian listened quietly, responding occasionally. To leave the conference hall, they had to pass through the exhibition space in the main lobby, which was hosting an international painting exhibition showcasing masterpieces from around the world.
Since they were already there, the two decided to take a look before heading to lunch.
This touring exhibition, stopping in only two cities in the country—Beijing and Donghai—featured original works from many renowned painters. As an art student majoring in painting, Dai Chuchan was particularly enthusiastic, explaining the historical significance, artists, and backstories of each piece to Lin Xian.
Though Lin Xian was a novice in the field of art, he found her explanations captivating.
“Look at this oil painting, Lin Xian!” she said, pointing at one piece. “Can you guess who this is?”
“That’s too easy. It’s Einstein,” Lin Xian replied, smiling.
The painting depicted an elderly man with a weary expression, deep, sorrowful eyes, and a head full of unruly white hair—a classic image of the world-renowned physicist, the proposer of relativity, and the founder of nuclear physics: Albert Einstein.
“But why does this portrait make Einstein look so depressed? He seems like he has clinical depression,” Lin Xian remarked.
Pointing at the informational plaque beneath the painting, Dai Chuchan began explaining:
“This painting was created by the famous modern artist Carmorrison in 1953 during a visit to Einstein. At the time, Einstein was deeply afflicted by severe depression. He lived with constant guilt, blaming himself for the creation of the destructive nuclear weapon that led to countless deaths.”
“Two years after this painting was completed, Einstein passed away from illness, weighed down by his sorrows. So, this is also the last portrait of Einstein ever created.”