Chapter 36

The hall became increasingly lively. In the end, everyone could no longer restrain their enthusiasm for a discussion.

Finally, the chairman of the organizing committee delivered a closing speech. “I will announce that the total amount of funds we’ve raised this time amounted to 4.211 billion!

Thunderous applause came from the audience.

“I would like to give my sincere wishes that Earth Age can withstand the journey of 20 light-years and successfully reach its destination to build humanity’s second civilization!”

“I, therefore, declare that the 43rd Galaxy Award ceremony is officially over!”

While the wonderful art performances were slowly playing on stage, everyone left one after another.

“Hu~ It’s finally over.”

Zhang Yuan released a long sigh of relief as he lamented over the fact that his afternoon had been wasted just like that.

He swiftly made his way to the restroom, changed out of the formal suit, and passed it to Wang Lili.

“Hey handsome, I didn’t expect that you’re so good with words!” Wang Lili took the clothes and jokingly teased, “I even felt nervous on your behalf!”

“Why?”

“Because it’s a live broadcast and the biggest local award. Besides, it is an award ceremony before the departure of Earth Age so the public would definitely be paying great attention to it. That question from the reporter was really touching on a sensitive subject. If I were you, I would definitely have been flustered…”

Wang Lili turned on her mobile screen and waved it around in his face.

“If you answered badly, you would have been trending on the internet. Oh wait, you’re already trending!”

Zhang Yuan grabbed Wang Lili’s mobile phone and took a closer look.

A bold black title appeared in the middle of the screen.

The popularity of that article was currently soaring!

Zhang Yuan’s expression turned dark. These media companies were being unscrupulous just to get attention.

He released a long sigh and said, “Forget it, I would be scolded no matter how I answered the question. I’ve already have mentally prepared myself. Donating the prize money was something I decided in advance. How could I possibly know it would cause such a…”

What’s more, there was a war of different ideologies such as whether it was more important to help the poor or to support the space and aviation industry.

Most people on Earth were normal people with ordinary values in life. As if it was a crime not to donate money to them. Internet trolls would always find a way to criticize people.

They would continuously type out remarks while pretending to be noble, prodigal, and all sorts of strange descriptions.

“Thank you for the invitation, I’m on the moon and just got off the spaceship. My monthly income is a million yuan, and there are too many people in this circle thus it’s hard for me to comment. I’ll leave myself anonymous.”

“Mr. Zhang, do you have a girlfriend? You must be a wealthy person!

“I think he has a girlfriend and perhaps a few. Are you interested?”

“Haha, and you’re not interested?”

“It doesn’t matter if he has a few girlfriends. It would do as long as he’s rich. Plus, he’s also handsome!”

Zhang Yuan felt inexplicably content when someone praised that he was handsome.

However, he was not rich.

“I bet that this guy will enter the entertainment industry! This is a very good opportunity to create a good image of himself. The next step would be to film dramas or to participate in variety shows. Everyone, let’s wait and see!”

“It’s a smart choice to spend 10 million as advertising fee to make a name for yourself. Unfortunately, the son of a scientist wishes to become a celebrity.”

“What’s wrong with being a celebrity? It’s good being a celebrity!”

“What do you know?”

Zhang Yuan felt slightly dizzy. He praised the main bulk of the people’s ability to make conjectures. Since they were so good, why don’t they become scientists instead?

“Do you want to be a celebrity? You might perhaps make it after some light touch-ups!” Wang Lili said while laughing.

“No, I don’t. I’m tone-deaf and I don’t know how to dance.”

There were also some troublemakers who wanted to dig up Zhang Yuan’s past. But fortunately, he did not have the habit of commenting on social media, so those people did not manage to dig up any special information, thus wasting their time. They only managed to find out his alma mater and examination results.

“He’s only admitted to Z University. He did not study abroad and his GPA is only 4.58…”

“What era are we in? Is he supposed to study abroad at some aboriginal school?”

“What do you mean only 4.58? The full score of Z University is only a 5 and his average score is 95.8! These retards who have never studied in a university should shut their mouths!”

Regardless of anything, even though Zhang Yuan was not considered the most outstanding type, he was still pretty good. He did not have much dark history, but there were still a group of people who were tirelessly looking into him. Even the system of having to use their real name over the internet could not stop these groups of idle people…

Of course, there were also another large group of people supporting him and the majority of them were females.

Zhang Yuan found the whole situation to be a headache. How could he possibly have known it would lead to this?

Wasn’t it just a donation?

When there was envy, jealousy would exist, When there was jealousy, hate would exist. In any case, he had lived honestly so he did not fear anything. They could dig up whatever they wished.

After listening to his various complaints, Wang Lili also opened her social media app and made a rude comment. “Other than being slightly handsome, this guy does not have any good qualities. I’ve personally witnessed his prodigal actions and I feel so angry!”

(Like) (Like) (Like)

In less than a minute, she received tons of likes.

“You’re throwing stones at my predicament…?” Zhang Yuan helplessly shook his head.

“Mr. Zhang, please come here to sign your signature!” All of a sudden, someone behind called for him

“Okay, sure.”

Zhang Yuan turned around, signed his name on a Donation Agreement, and pressed his fingerprint on the document.

He would not renegade on what he said. After he finished signing the document, the 10 million yuan prize money would be officially donated.

Anyway, he was about to leave soon so Zhang Yuan did not feel a pinch in his pockets. It was as if he had just donated virtual game currency from a video game account.

That sort of feeling was very weird.

According to government policy, there were no taxes on the prize money won from a national technology award. Therefore, this act was equivalent to the foundation passing this sum of money from its left hand to its right.

However, the corresponding procedures had to be done. The Deep Space Foundation had a century-long history and now that it had developed to its current scale, a very standardized administrative system must be formed. Most of its cash flows were transparent to the public.

Wang Lili and Xu Yunjing, these two volunteers, spectated the entire process, and they would meet each other’s gazes from time to time. They would also reveal a very resentful look.

“There’s so many zeros behind that 1… When will I ever earn so much money? It might not even be possible throughout my entire life…” Xu Yunjing sighed.

Wang Lili said quietly, “That’s right. A fine, young, rich man had turned into a prodigal and ended up as a poor man… He seems rich on the surface, but in fact, he only has that much money.”

“Among the relatives and friends I know, there are some who have assets worth hundreds of millions of yuan but they have never donated such a huge sum of money before. It’s 10 million yuan for goodness sake. How I wish I can snatch it away to buy clothes. Tons of clothes!”

Xu Yunjing nodded in agreement. “Fortunately he’s not my boyfriend. Else I’ll be angered to death by him. I would want to beat him up so badly…”

Even though he knew they were joking, Zhang Yuan still felt awkward. He had no idea what to say in response.

Wang Lili asked another strange question. “Can astronauts suddenly change their minds? For example… you suddenly wish to remain on Earth and coop yourself at home.”

“Of course we can.”

Zhang Yuan thought about it and said, “However, if we suddenly change our minds without any legitimate reason, we would be treated like deserters. We have to undertake a great risk.”

“Do you know what deserters are? It’s those who refuse to undergo military service… First of all, we would have to pay a fine of hundreds of thousands of yuan, which is the cost of our training. Moreover, most of the social welfare we have access to would be canceled. We then would have to undergo so many social credit investigations and so much more. There are numerous punishment measures. In any case, it would be hard to get a good job in the future if you are a deserter…”