Applause crashed through the venue like a violent storm.
Even through the curtain wall, one could feel the boiling blood and surging passion in that applause.
Lu Zhou had actually grown rather indifferent toward things like honors.
If he could win more honor and recognition for himself, for those who supported him, and for his people and country, he certainly would not refuse. But even without them, he would not feel any regret.
However, when he truly stood on the award stage, a faint stir still rose in his heart.
Just like the things he had learned to take lightly, worldly fame was nothing more than an insubstantial bubble, as light as reeds before the mysteries of the universe and the glory of the human mind.
Yet the weight hanging from his chest, symbolizing responsibility, and the light symbolizing hope contained not the slightest falsehood...
Jinling University's cafeteria.
It was packed early in the morning.
Whether they were fresh-faced freshmen or seasoned third-year graduate students, cramming for postgraduate entrance exams and CET-4 or CET-6, or simply slacking off as usual, they had all unusually risen early on what should have been a day for sleeping in.
A long line had formed before the window selling breakfast noodles. The television hanging in the corner had been switched on long ago and was broadcasting a news program on CCTV-1.
"Did you hear?"
"Hear what?"
"Academician Lu from our university received the National Honor Medal yesterday!"
"Seriously?! The medal that only the few people with the most outstanding contributions in every field can receive?"
"Of course!"
"That's incredible. How many national awards has Professor Lu gotten already?"
"No idea. Right now, I'm only curious about one thing—who was the big shot receiving the award alongside him?"
"No one received it with him.