novelraw Chapter 132 : Commendation
Chapter 132 : Commendation
Chapter 132: Commendation
University professors might be the highest-ranking people ordinary folks encountered in their lives. This statement was not wrong at all.
Lin Mo could not help but sigh. The seemingly inconspicuous little old lady before him actually had such strong connections that even the principal of their school had to call her “senior sister.”
Of course, what he did not know was that it was precisely because of this connection that Professor Mu chose their ordinary second-tier university after her retirement.
For one, it was close to home. For another, their principal had personally gone to invite her more than once before she finally agreed. Otherwise, based on Professor Mu’s academic status alone, there were countless universities wanting to rehire her.
Do not think that rehiring someone like Professor Mu had no impact on the school. This was the very embodiment of teaching strength. If not for Principal Tang persistently pleading as her “junior brother” and softening her up, she might not have come at all.
Fortunately, at her age, she had no desire to toss around anymore, so she simply treated it as a place for retirement.
After fighting her whole life in the academic world, could she not enjoy life a little now?
Let’s put it this way: at her age, to speak bluntly, even the police could hardly control her. If anything happened, she could just sit on the ground, and even the uncle with the hat would have to smile and coax her, fearing something might happen to this old lady.
It could be said that with the little old lady’s identity and age, she was simply a hexagon warrior with maxed-out buffs. As long as she did not want to, she hardly needed to care about anyone’s opinion anymore. Living happily for herself was enough.
“This is my student Xiao Lin, this is the vice principal.”
“This is the associate dean, and my student is—”
“This is your department head. Oh right, what’s your name again? This is my student Xiao Lin.”
Inside the small auditorium, aside from the principal, it was all the leadership from their department and faculty. Lin Mo followed behind the little old lady, bowing and greeting people he did not recognize at all.
At that moment, Professor Mu seemed like an ancestral patriarch wielding a sword to open the heavens for her disciple. In front of others, she repeatedly emphasized Lin Mo as her student, just to ensure his future path would be smoother and that he would not be looked down upon.
She even introduced him to some people she herself was not very familiar with. Normally, she was not good at socializing, yet she carried this out with great skill.
Because throughout her teaching career, she had done this more than once for her students, widening their network just to make their future paths easier.
From this alone, one could see that the little old lady truly liked Lin Mo.
Mainly, Lin Mo’s age was about the same as her grandchildren. Coincidentally, her children were not around her. Having finally found someone pleasing to the eye, naturally, she wanted to protect him.
Very soon, Lin Mo had been briefly introduced to all the important figures in the room. Meanwhile, the official media on the side had already set up cameras, preparing to record.
At the same time, from the other side of the auditorium, four or five people entered. Leading them was a man holding a silk banner.
“This is Lin Mo, the student who operated the excavator to save people. And this is the family of the rescued mother and daughter.”
A staff member introduced.
Hearing this, the man quickly stepped forward. As he handed over the banner, his knees bent straight down:
“Thank you for saving my wife and child~ Thank you~”
Seeing this scene, Lin Mo was dumbfounded. His own knees softened, and he nearly knelt down too. Fortunately, the school leaders rushed forward, pulling the two of them up.
“No need, really no need. You’re too polite. Besides, I wasn’t the only one who saved them.”
Lin Mo quickly explained. He had never seen such a scene before. After all, in the eyes of the Chinese, kneeling in gratitude was the highest form of etiquette, something one could never accept without an enormous favor.
Of course, to this man, it indeed was an enormous favor—Lin Mo had saved his wife and daughter.
The man’s skin was dark, seemingly a laborer, not highly educated. Yet his honest nature left him only this way to express his gratitude.
After standing up, he still could not stop thanking Lin Mo. His voice was a little choked. He could not imagine losing both wife and daughter at once, so all he could do was repeat his thanks while holding onto Lin Mo’s arm, unwilling to let go.
This entire scene was captured on camera. In the end, Lin Mo accepted the silk banner embroidered with the words “Act of Bravery.” In front of the media and all present, they took a group photo.
Afterward, the school leaders went on stage one by one for photos, saying it was for publicity. They even hung a red sash around Lin Mo’s neck.
It read: Jiangning University of Science and Technology, Act of Bravery Award.
At the same time, the principal personally awarded him an honorary certificate, along with a plaque reading: Prize Money 27,800 Yuan.
Inside the auditorium, Lin Mo stood at the front. Facing him were the school leaders, media workers, and some student council members.
Principal Tang even announced to the cameras the rewards granted to Lin Mo, stating that the whole school would be informed and praised. From time to time, warm applause erupted.
How to put it… Lin Mo felt like he was just going through the motions. The whole process did not require him to say anything on stage—just hold the certificate and the plaque with the prize money amount written on it for the photos.
After the whole set of procedures, his face nearly stiffened from smiling.
Simply put, this was a publicity event. Society needed such examples, the media needed such positive stories, and the school needed such influence. As for Lin Mo, all he had to do was hold his certificate. After all, the prize money would not even be given out right away.
It was close to noon when the whole process finally ended.
Principal Tang came over, patting Lin Mo on the shoulder with a grin blooming like a chrysanthemum: “Good, very good, Lin, you did excellently this time. Today was for the media. In a few days at the Freshmen Welcome Gala, the school has decided to let you give a speech on stage. At that time, we’ll give you even greater publicity. Go back and prepare for it.”
Clearly, this time was a bit rushed. Principal Tang was not satisfied. How many people could this small auditorium hold? No, this had to be big—before the whole school.
Hearing this, Lin Mo immediately felt his vision darken. More? And he was socially anxious! Today, with just a few people in the auditorium, he was already nervous enough. To speak before the entire school? That was no different from taking his life.
Thinking of this, he turned toward Professor Mu.
“Hey, that’s enough, isn’t it? You’ve given him the rewards already, why drag us into more work?
Also, forget about the bonus. But as for the city’s rewards, you’d better fight for them. And those social awards, especially honorary titles, model citizen, all those—you’d better not try to fool my student with them.
Xiao Lin is young and doesn’t understand, but don’t think you can get away with it with me around.”
Catching Lin Mo’s pleading glance, the little old lady intervened decisively. To put it simply: benefits must not be short, but work was not to be done anymore.
She had already cooperated once for the school. To think they wanted to keep using him for free publicity? Absolutely not.
And this was just the school’s reward. There were still city-level rewards, and even social-level awards to coordinate. Even within the school, there were still more benefits to fight for.
Principal Tang could only give a wry smile. His formidable senior sister gave him no face at all.
“Then… then can we at least have Xiao Lin accept one more interview? Jiangning Daily wants to understand his rescue process in detail. As fellow city units, we have to cooperate with their work, right?” Principal Tang asked.
Hearing this, Professor Mu nodded. She knew some things could not be avoided. All she could do was minimize Lin Mo’s troubles within the school and fight for him the maximum benefits.
“Alright. But as for the rest of the awards, you must do your best to secure them, and quickly.” Professor Mu agreed.
Principal Tang let out a breath of relief: “Of course. That’s my job. How could I let your proud student suffer?
Well then, Xiao Lin, go prepare. Don’t worry, your teacher and I are here for you.”
Lin Mo cast a grateful look at Professor Mu and said, “Alright, Principal, I’ll go prepare.
Teacher, thank you for your trouble!”
“What trouble? Go on now. Oh, and find some time to come to my house. My old man has been asking about you, says your medicine is almost finished.” Professor Mu waved her hand, unconcerned.
“Alright, I’ll pay a visit another day. Thank you, Teacher, for your concern.”
Lin Mo felt grateful yet also a little embarrassed. He had not even thought to message Professor Li. What a blunder.
“Wait—what did you just call him?”
Just as he was about to leave, the little old lady asked in confusion.
“T-Teacher. Last time at the hospital, Professor Li asked me to call him that.”
At these words, the little old lady’s forehead veins popped as she spat:
“He’s no damn teacher! From now on, call him Old Li! Got it?!”
Lin Mo: …
In the end, he dared not reply. He quickly ran off. Call him Old Li? Not in this lifetime! Their old couple’s problems were theirs to handle!
After Lin Mo left, the little old lady panted heavily in anger. Her own husband trying to snatch away her student—outrageous!
“Uh, Senior Sister, what’s the relationship between this Xiao Lin and you?” Principal Tang asked curiously.
At this, Professor Mu glanced at him: “My old man wants to take him as a last disciple. I don’t agree.”
Principal Tang: ???