After presenting the awards, Xiao Zhigang left the podium without a word.
But losing his verbal clash with Qin Siyang had ultimately damaged his image as a minister in everyone's eyes.
To the tens of thousands of spectators, no matter what he meant to convey with his silence, his retreating figure looked somewhat defeated.
Once Xiao Zhigang finished presenting the awards, it was Gu Weiyang's turn to congratulate the university that had won the Championship Tournament.
Gu Weiyang walked toward Zhao Longfei with a smile and extended his hand. "Principal Zhao, congratulations!"
Zhao Longfei hurried forward to meet him, taking several quick jogging steps and adopting a deferential manner without sacrificing his dignity.
Having held a position of authority for so long, Zhao Longfei would never display groveling flattery in public. Taking three running steps for every step Gu Weiyang took was already the most appropriate way he could show respect to the Secretary-General.
Watching this, Qin Siyang could not help marveling at the subtleties behind every gesture. He still had a long way to go before he could match an old fox like Zhao Longfei.
"Without Secretary-General Gu's strong support for this Championship Tournament, how could Nanrong University have earned this honor? Ultimately, all our faculty and students owe Secretary-General Gu our thanks!"
Gu Weiyang kept smiling. "Everyone saw the hardships Nanrong University faced on its road to victory. You won because of Principal Zhao's excellent guidance and the unity of Nanrong University's students. I certainly can't take the credit."
Zhao Longfei grinned. "Secretary-General Gu is always so gracious and modest. It's admirable. As the saying goes, even the best cook can't make a meal without ingredients. Even with our abilities, if Secretary-General Gu hadn't upheld the principle of fairness and given us the stage of the Championship Tournament,