Return to the 1982 Staff Compound

Chapter 60 Award Ceremony

When I returned to school on Friday, the stands below the flag had already been decorated. Qiu Huoming leaned on the window and watched for a long time. Gu Xiaoran sat in his seat, supporting his chin, staring into the distance in a daze.

Ding Yu came over and said, "You and Gu will definitely be called up to the stage soon. Think about what you want to say. It would be best if you could mention me so that I can also contribute."

"What do you want to ask me? Are you going to serve me tea and water, or massage my shoulders and feet?"

"They said I supervised your studies and didn't let you slack off for a moment..." After saying that, Ding Yu laughed to himself, "Hahahaha, forget it."

Gu Xiaoran said leisurely: "Why don't you guess what the prize is."

Qiu Huoming's body trembled, "There are prizes?"

"There must be a provincial competition, and I'm probably ranked in the top three."

Ding Yu got excited, "It must be a book with your name written on it and a seal..."

Qiu Huoming immediately relaxed, "It's boring, why not give me a thermos? The shell of my thermos is about to break."

A few people were still talking when the morning class bell rang.

Qiu Huoming sat back in his seat, opened the previous year's test paper that Gu Xiaoran gave him, and started doing exercises.

Even though you have already done it once, it is a good idea to do it again to get a feel for the questions.

After the morning class, the students from Class 3 arrived at the playground at an early hour.

The entire Class 3 on the playground was making a fuss, causing the neighboring classes to look over here. Qiu Huoming and Gu Xiaoran looked at each other helplessly. Students these days were probably too bored. It was a rare occasion for them to see something lively, so they were more excited than the real person.

There was a podium on the stands, with a microphone tied with a red silk cloth standing on it with a long line.

Not far away, a group of people were surrounding two people and walking towards this side. It should be time for morning exercises, but the familiar music had not yet sounded.

Most students saw this situation and knew that something was going to happen.

Qiu Huoming had sharp eyes. In addition to an old man with white hair leading the group, the other person walking side by side with him was the person who interviewed him in the examination room last time.

Qiu Huoming was a little surprised. Why did this person come?

Behind them were the school's management. Director Jiang was carrying a chair and following the old man, seemingly ready to support him at any time.

Director Chen was also in the team, with Teacher Huang and Teacher Cheng walking at the end, one in front and one behind.

Ding Yu, who was standing in the last row, patted Qiu Huoming on the shoulder and said, "Hey, this is a bit of a scene."

"That should be our principal." He said in a low voice.

Qiu Huoming also roughly guessed who he was.

After a while, the group stopped under the stands. Director Jiang put down the chair and helped the old man up the stairs. When they reached the podium, the old man waved to the students below.

"Classmates, comrades, good morning everyone." The old man's voice was loud and clear with a local accent.

Sporadic applause broke out and gradually grew louder.

"I'm Principal Cheng. Not many of my students have met me. I came here today to see with my own eyes who the winning student is."

"Not long ago, the provincial capital held a province-wide mathematics competition. Students from our school won first and second place respectively. Their names are..."

"Hey, do you guys want to know?"

Principal Cheng smiled slyly, "Please invite Professor Li Yongguang from the Computer Center to come on stage... He is the award presenter today, I am just here to watch the fun."

Director Jiang beside him brought a chair up and placed it next to him. Principal Cheng sat down directly without refusing.

The middle-aged man was still wearing a well-fitting Mao suit and walked quickly from the side to the front of the stage.

He walked briskly up to the stands, holding two rolled-up certificates in his hands.

"Thank you, Principal Cheng, for your introduction. I am honored to be the one to present this award today... Without further ado, please welcome the first place winner Qiu Huoming and the second place winner Gu Xiaoran to the stage..."

Amidst thunderous applause, Qiu Huoming and Gu Xiaoran walked through the crowd towards the stands one after another.

Qiu Hongye, who was in the audience, grabbed the arm of her friend next to her in surprise.

Her friend exclaimed, “Isn’t this your brother!”

She nodded, and her mind went blank for a moment.

She knew that her brother went to the provincial capital to compete, but she didn't know that he actually won first place. Her brother's figure suddenly became taller as he quickly walked onto the stage.

She was very excited and stared at her elder brother who walked onto the stage without blinking.

After Qiu Huoming and Gu Xiaoran received the certificates, they stood on either side of the podium. Professor Li handed out the certificates and leaned closer to the microphone again and said, "Next, please invite the winners to give their speeches."

Qiu Huoming and Gu Xiaoran looked at each other. "You go, ladies first." Qiu Huoming said.

"You are the first place, it is not appropriate for me to go. Don't waste time. The sooner you say it, the sooner you will step down." Gu Xiaoran silently took a step back.

Qiu Huoming stepped forward and said, "Thank you to the school leaders and teachers, thank you to my classmates, thank you to my family, I will continue to work hard, thank you all..."

After saying this, he quickly stepped aside. Gu Xiaoran took a few quick steps, leaned closer to the microphone and said, "Achievements at this moment don't mean anything. I would like to encourage you all. See you in college..."

There was thunderous applause from the audience. Professor Li leaned over to Qiu Huoming and said, "Your speech this time was not very exciting. It was not as good as that young lady's."

"..." Qiu Huoming pursed his lips and said nothing.

"Come down from the stage and chat with me in my office..."

Qiu Huoming turned his head to look at him and nodded. This guy could be so impressive in his school, so he must be a big shot. It wouldn't be a bad idea to go and have a listen.

Li Yongguang smiled, then suddenly took a few quick steps, leaned closer to the microphone and said, "Don't leave the stage yet. The top three winners will not only receive certificates, but also prizes."

Principal Cheng then stood up from his chair and took out a long flat box from the pockets on both sides. Qiu Huoming noticed that the word "eternal life" was written on the box.

Principal Cheng handed the first box to Qiu Huoming with a smile.

"Study hard and serve the motherland."

He handed the second box to Gu Xiaoran and said the same words.

Qiu Huoming took a look at the outer packaging. It was a fountain pen. This brand had won the Quality Product Award from the Ministry of Light Industry.

After the award ceremony, there was no time for morning exercises, and all the students present dispersed on the spot. Director Jiang helped Principal Cheng down from the stands, and several school staff members stayed nearby to start moving the podium and other items.

Director Chen walked in the crowd, and people on both sides kept a certain distance from him.

He was in a complicated mood, and vaguely felt somewhat dissatisfied with Qiu Jianjun. If Qiu Jianjun had not insisted on targeting his nephew, he would not have offended him for no reason.

Director Chen didn't care about Qiu Huoming. What he cared about was Director Jiang's attitude towards him. Ever since Director Jiang came back from the provincial capital last time, he seemed to be somewhat dissatisfied with him...

Qiu Huoming followed Li Yongguang and went to the school office building with the main group.

In the conference room on the first floor, Li Yongguang sat face to face with him.

"Qiu Huoming, this is a good name. Your father should also be a cultured person..." He spoke first.

"Yes, Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University." Qiu Huoming answered honestly.

"He also taught you Mathematical Olympiad?"

"No." Qiu Huoming could lie to others and say that the college student next door taught him, but facing Professor Li, this answer was not rigorous and it would be better not to give a direct answer.