CHAPTER 613: CHAPTER 613 THE TRUTH OF SUCCESS

As Principal Zhao entered the venue, the guests and students were already seated, and the school celebration officially began.

First, Principal Zhao delivered a speech, recounting numerous glorious past events of Tianhai High School. After boasting for a long time, everyone felt a bit bored; it was too dull.

Finally, when Principal Zhao finished his speech, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Next, Principal Zhao began introducing the outstanding alumni present.

"Our Tianhai Middle School is dedicated to cultivating excellent talents. Every year, a large batch of outstanding individuals graduate from our school, with bright futures ahead, becoming the elites of various industries. As the principal of this school, I am very proud and honored! For this centennial celebration, we are fortunate to have invited many outstanding alumni back to attend. Now, let me introduce them to you. The reason for this introduction is to inspire the current students to work hard and strive forward, using these outstanding seniors as role models, and to become excellent talents themselves in the future!"

"Let me introduce the first one. How about this, I’ll call the alumni to come on stage, so the junior students can get to know them. What do you all think?" Principal Zhao said with a smile, looking very pleased, as this was his favorite segment. These outstanding alumni could greatly boost his prestige.

Among the guests present were many of his friends or important connections within his network. If the principal managed this well, it would be highly beneficial for the school.

Highlighting the excellence of a century-old institution could direct more resources to Tianhai High School, which would visibly benefit the faculty, students, and Principal Zhao’s own future.

Bringing in the outstanding alumni and praising them was undoubtedly a simple and effective method. These outstanding alumni were practically like living billboards.

"Great!"

Applause thundered from the students.

"Meng Xiaoming, a graduate of our school’s class of ’99, is currently the Vice President of Orange Airlines, with a net worth of over a hundred million. He is a very successful private entrepreneur, and for this school celebration, Little Ming is also the main sponsor! Let’s give a warm welcome to Little Ming!" Principal Zhao exclaimed.

Applause thundered again.

A pot-bellied, suit-clad middle-aged man walked on stage with a smile.

"Hello, students!" Meng Xiaoming waved, walking with confidence and an air of vitality. What could he do? To these junior students, he was nothing short of a godlike figure.

"Wow, that’s amazing, Vice President, assets over a hundred million, that’s incredible!"

"I wish I were as outstanding as him."

"Isn’t it? Assets over a hundred million; if only that money were mine."

The students wore expressions of awe, deeply impressed and highly admiring of Meng Xiaoming.

Meng Xiaoming was indeed a good role model.

Principal Zhao was very satisfied with the students’ reactions. This is how it should be; they should admire and learn from excellent individuals. As long as they succeeded in the future, the school would also benefit greatly, and he, as the principal, would feel proud and dignified!

Unlike Lin Fan, who fared poorly, making Principal Zhao lose face.

Thinking of Lin Fan, Principal Zhao felt a bit displeased. That Lin Fan, really ungrateful—doing so poorly, he shouldn’t even have come to the school celebration!

If the junior students found out they had a senior doing so poorly, graduating only to deliver takeout, it would really dampen morale.

Principal Zhao wished everyone could be as outstanding as Meng Xiaoming.

"Little Ming was a student brought up under my teaching. Back then, when I was still a teacher, I greatly admired Little Ming, predicting that he would achieve great things, and indeed he did. I’ll admit, Little Ming is a pride. Little Ming, come, say a few words to everyone!" Principal Zhao said with a smile.

Meng Xiaoming said, "Hello, students. Seeing your youthful faces reminds me of my high school days. I really miss it! Back in school, people called me a bookworm, but I didn’t mind. I worked very hard in my studies. Every day, apart from eating and sleeping, all I did was study. I believed reading could change my life. I came from a farming family with no better paths or anyone to rely on, so I could only change my fate through study. Fortunately, after graduating, I met some excellent partners who, along with my own efforts, helped me achieve some small successes. So, what I want to say is, students, never give up on working hard! Thank you, everyone!"

Applause thundered once more.

Principal Zhao said, "You all heard it, study hard and take Senior Brother Meng as a role model!"

The students immediately nodded, very earnestly agreeing with the sentiment.

Outside the scene.

Lin Fan looked at Meng Xiaoming, uttered a sound of surprise, and said, "I know this guy, and I know a bit about him."

Jia Xiaoling, beside him, curiously asked, "Lin Fan, you know him?"

Lin Fan replied, "It’s not exactly knowing him, more like just having heard about him occasionally."

Liu Qiang overheard this and disdainfully remarked, "Lin Fan, stop pretending. You, a delivery guy, knowing someone who’s a company VP? Give me a break."

The students laughed.

Lin Fan ignored Liu Qiang, turning to Jia Xiaoling, and said, "This person’s rise isn’t the result of what he claims effort and hard work. He married a wealthy wife, whose father is an executive at Orange Airlines. With that connection, he climbed the ranks and later became the VP."

Jia Xiaoling paused, then laughed, "So, his success has little to do with his own efforts."

Lin Fan smiled, "You could say that. Successful people often preach about hard work, but who’s not working hard? Yet most people, no matter how early they rise or how hard they labor, can’t become company presidents. Decades of effort can’t compete with having a wealthy dad, father-in-law, or cousin."

While saying this, Lin Fan casually glanced at Liu Qiang, with an obvious implication.

Liu Qiang felt insulted, seething with anger.

"Hmph, I won’t stoop to your level, Lin Fan. Even if what you say is true, so what? I have a cousin; Senior Brother Meng has a good father-in-law. You’re just jealous because you don’t have any!" Liu Qiang sneered.

Lin Fan smiled, "I just want to say, stop spouting motivational nonsense. The truth about this world is much harsher than those stories, and your efforts might be worth nothing. Yet some people succeed through connections and still package themselves as hardworking, which is just disgusting."

Many successful individuals’ stories are vividly embellished with tales of struggle and difficulty, claiming their success was all due to personal effort.

Yet, the true key to their success might be being a Rich Second Generation or having a good father-in-law. The startup capital they received is more than most people earn in a lifetime.

Meanwhile, the students were deeply moved by Meng Xiaoming’s speech, their faces flushed with ambition. It’s as if they all believed they were just a step away from being a company VP.

Narratives like these are indeed compelling.

After introducing Meng Xiaoming, Principal Zhao continued, "The next person to introduce is a beautiful lady and an outstanding senior. Let’s welcome Lai Xiaomei on stage!"