How can I justify myself as a Magnate if I don't indulge myself?

Everyone is chasing profits; the trend of mediocrity prevails.

I have no authority or right to criticize this behavior, for such a trend cannot be formed by one individual or a specific group alone.

However, I still hope that the young people who hear me speak will, if their lives are still manageable, choose to focus on scientific research fields as much as possible to contribute to national construction instead of merely pursuing popular majors for a better life. We, from Peking University, being the top academic institute in the country, with its students among the very best, ought to be the pioneers!

I won't say much more, but I hope my younger peers take this to heart."

After finishing, Chen Zhizhong handed the microphone to the next person...

Warm applause erupted from below the stage...

Although Chen Zhizhong knew his words might seem empty and would probably be forgotten by most as soon as they left the auditorium...

If they could influence even one-thousandth of the people, that would already be a success for him...

Meanwhile, Gu Heng was also applauding along with the crowd...

Even though he himself lacked ambition and was self-serving, that did not stop him from admiring those scientists who genuinely cared for the nation and were making real contributions...

And had Gu Heng just heard that Chen Zhizhong's research focus was on new energy science?

Could it be possible...

that he himself fund his research?

Even as a business novice, Gu Heng knew that new energy and smart AI were the hottest areas of development at the moment...

If Chen Zhizhong actually managed to make a breakthrough, wouldn't Gu Heng himself become a soaring pig in the wave of the new era? Future generations wouldn't have to worry about money...

If the research led nowhere, it wouldn't matter.

He would consider it as support for the national cause...

If successful, he would gain both fame and fortune.

If failed, he could still gather a great deal of publicity...

And what he would give up was, for him, the least important and most easily obtained resource: money.

However, Gu Heng decided to shelf this idea for now...

At Chen Zhizhong's level, every year there are plenty of companies eager to offer funds for scientific research...

With Gu Heng's current fortune, even if he eagerly offered money, he probably couldn't even find the opportunity...

As Chen Zhizhong concluded, the next alumnus began speaking...

Each person's speech was quite brief...

With each only speaking for about three to five minutes...

In just over ten minutes, the microphone had passed into Gu Heng's hands.

"Next, let us invite the 24-year-old distinguished entrepreneur and current master's student at the Guanghua School of Management, alumnus Gu Heng, to speak. Gu Heng, devoted to his alma mater, donated 10 million yuan after enrolling, supporting our Peking University's initiatives."

Indeed...

As soon as these words were spoken, the chatter among the audience intensified...

"I knew it, it had to be because of a donation. Otherwise, why would he be recognized as an alumnus by Peking at 24?"

"10 million, quite a large sum..."

"10 million must be just pocket change for him, right? After all, he can spend over two hundred million buying cars; 10 million is astronomical for us, but it's nothing to him..."

"So if I donate 10 million, can I become a Peking alumnus too?"

"Theoretically, yes, but first you'd need to pay off your credit bill before considering donating 10 million."

Various comments buzzed among the crowd...
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Gu Heng held the microphone, looking at thousands of faces below him, and couldn't help but feel nervous...

It was his first time speaking at such an event, and with thousands of eyes staring at him, how could he not be nervous?

Taking a deep breath, Gu Heng gripped the microphone tightly and began to speak slowly to the audience below...

"I believe many are questioning my status as an alumnus, right?

If so, I might as well tell everyone straightforwardly that I indeed became an alumnus of Peking University because I donated 10 million to the school."

As Gu Heng's words echoed, all the Peking University leaders' expressions changed...

Liu Qiao also looked slightly stern, his gaze fixed on Gu Heng on stage...

Gu Heng had completely disregarded the speech draft provided to him, now speaking off-the-cuff...

If something went wrong, although it would not greatly affect Liu Qiao, it would still have an impact...

Because it was Liu Qiao who had recommended Gu Heng to become an alumnus...

For the audience and the media looking for excitement, this was even more thrilling...

Becoming a Peking alumnus at 24 was already an impressive highlight, and if a few more sensational statements were made on stage, it might directly hit the trending searches!

As everyone waited for what else Gu Heng might say, his voice rang out again.

"Some might think that donating money to become a Peking alumnus and speaking as a representative is an insult to Peking University.

But I don't see it that way.

Isn't the status of an alumnus of Peking earned through contributions? My donation of 10 million, supporting the school's work and improving education facilities—isn't that a contribution? You can't deny my contributions to Peking just because I am young, can you?"

Gu Heng's words were coarse...

But the logic was solid...

The initial skepticism about Gu Heng stemmed solely from his age...

But on reflection, being an alumnus of Peking isn't actually a formal position; what does being young have to do with anything?

To put it bluntly, among the many alumni of Peking, those who have made academic contributions probably only make up a quarter, while the majority are those well-known entrepreneurs...

Some of those entrepreneurs might not have donated a single penny to Peking and still could be recognized as Peking alumni...