Chapter 122: Kunlun Badge (2)

The first few people called up included a farmer who cultivated a new high-yield seed, a factory worker who improved production lines, a garbage worker representative handling star beast residue, a housewife who invented a cost-saving nutritious porridge, and a wilderness supply truck driver who had worked 720 consecutive days without missing a day.

In short, without exception, they were all ordinary laborers. There wasn't a single aristocrat, major entrepreneur, or tycoon among them. This only increased Li Xiaofei's respect for Tan Zhenwei. Truly, he was a practical city leader.

"These people, can they really receive the Kunlun Badge?" One of the teenagers at the table said in dissatisfaction.

Xiong Zhigang also frowned and said, "Isn't the government's award criteria a bit too much of a political show? It's almost a joke."

Li Xiaofei looked at him and sneered, "Why shouldn’t people who have been diligently working at their posts for years, performing their duties well while making additional contributions that improve the city's livelihood receive the badge?"

"What do you know?" Xiong Zhigang sneered disdainfully. "A liar like you who’s days away from death dares to spout nonsense here? Are you worthy?"

"You'd better take care of yourself first."

"Shut up, you have no right to speak at this moment."

"A lowly person like you doesn't understand a thing."

Several teenagers glared at Li Xiaofei.

"What? Since those lowly people receive the Kunlun Badge, do you think you can get one too?" Xiong Zhigang couldn't help but mock, "If you want an award, you'll have no hope in this life. Try harder in your next life—"

Before Xiong Zhigang could finish his sentence, Tan Zhenwei's voice echoed throughout the venue as he announced another name.

"The final award recipient is... Li Xiaofei."

The voice was clear and loud, resonating throughout the hall. Xiong Zhigang's smile froze instantly. He even subconsciously touched his ear, thinking he might have misheard. The other teenagers were also stunned, their faces filled with disbelief.

Li Xiaofei? Is there another person with the same name?

Mizutani Hikaru and Tsukiha Yaiba both looked surprised. All eyes at the table focused on Li Xiaofei. Truth be told, even Li Xiaofei himself was a bit bewildered.

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

What is going on?

It seemed that City Leader Tan was calling his name, but he wasn't sure if there was another Li Xiaofei in the venue. So, he hesitated and didn't immediately get up to go on stage.

The rest of the attendees were also curiously looking around. The previous recipients had all eagerly stood up and quickly made their way to the stage as soon as their names were called.

Why is the tenth recipient not showing up?

At that moment, Tan Zhenwei smiled as he continued, "Li Xiaofei from Red Flag High School, please come up to receive your award."

Li Xiaofei was shocked. It really was him. There was no mistake. There couldn't be two Li Xiaofeis at Red Flag High School. But the question was, how did he end up winning this award?

Li Xiaofei rose with a puzzled expression and slowly made his way to the stage. Meanwhile, Xiong Zhigang and his companions sat there, stunned and speechless. Their minds seemed to have short-circuited, leaving them in a state of blank disbelief.

The sudden slap in the face was almost too much to process. Xiong Zhigang felt as if his cheeks had been lashed with a belt soaked in chili water as they burned with embarrassment. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to find a hole to crawl into.

Why did Li Xiaofei win? What did he do to deserve this?

This question was on the minds of many in the room, including Li Xiaofei himself. He had a vague suspicion, but it seemed too unlikely to be true. Under the gaze of countless eyes, Li Xiaofei calmly walked to the stage, shaking hands with the other nine awardees before taking his place at the end of the line. Everyone was astonished by his youth.

At that moment, Tan Zhenwei revealed the reason for Li Xiaofei's award. It was the pure water source.

"Ten days ago, Li Xiaofei, representing the slum, donated a pure water source located in the wilderness outside the city to the municipal government. After professional exploration, it was found that the water source has a staggering capacity of six million cubic meters... "

The entire venue erupted in gasps and astonishment.

Six million cubic meters? Such a massive natural water source hasn't been discovered in over fifty years! In today's water-scarce times, a water source of this magnitude was nothing short of a colossal natural treasure.

If someone were to claim it and sell the water, it could turn a pauper into one of the wealthiest individuals in the city overnight. And yet, this young man donated it without hesitation?

People in the venue were unable to contain their shock and disbelief.

Is this boy out of his mind?

Li Xiaofei himself was stunned.

What the... So the water source discovered by the slum's exploration team had such a massive capacity? If only I had known earlier... Never mind, even if I had known, I couldn’t have kept it. The slum could never have monopolized such a treasure. If I were too greedy, I might end up losing everything.

He quickly adjusted his mindset. As the passionate and stirring ceremonial music began to play, the award ceremony officially commenced. A line of etiquette hostesses dressed in white uniforms, holding trays with certificates and badges, walked in gracefully, each standing in front of one of the ten awardees.

Zhong Ling was among them. And coincidentally, her position was right in front of Li Xiaofei. When their eyes met, Zhong Ling's beautiful eyes were filled with unmistakable shock.

Li Xiaofei smiled at her, "I told you I was invited, but you didn't believe me."

Zhong Ling lowered her head, speechless. She didn't know what to say.

Just then, Tan Zhenwei walked over to present the award to Li Xiaofei. When he saw their interaction, he smiled and casually asked, "Do you two know each other?"

Li Xiaofei replied, "Childhood friends."

He didn't elaborate further, understanding that Zhong Ling didn't want people to know she was from the slum. There was no need to say more.

Tan Zhenwei naturally didn't press for details. He followed the ceremony protocol and awarded Li Xiaofei the third-class Kunlun Badge.

After placing the badge on him, Tan Zhenwei smiled and said, "Were you wondering why the city government's reward didn't reach you immediately after you donated the water source?"

Li Xiaofei answered honestly, "To be honest, I didn't have time to think about it. I've been too busy with cultivation and competitions."

Tan Zhenwei nodded with satisfaction and smiled, "The city government organized heavy truck convoys these past ten days and were working around the clock. We finally managed to transport all the pure water back to the city just before last night's beast tide attack."

So that's how it is.

Li Xiaofei suddenly understood. He had been worried about whether the water source near the city would still be preserved after last night's beast tide. It turned out the government had already made arrangements.

"The wilderness has been unstable recently, making resource gathering more difficult. Some people have been inflating the prices of survival resources in the city. This batch of water has made the price of water in the city to reduce by at least 20 percent. I must thank you on behalf of the citizens," said Tan Zhenwei.

Li Xiaofei replied, "As a good citizen, it was my duty."

Tan Zhenwei nodded in satisfaction, "The state and the people will never mistreat you, nor will they abandon the slum. Besides your personal reward, your community and convoy will also be rewarded, and this will be announced tomorrow."

"Thank you, City Leader."

Li Xiaofei was overjoyed. This was excellent news. His efforts to clean up the slum since becoming a leader were finally bearing fruit.

After the awards ceremony, there was a group photo session. Then the hostesses lined up and left the stage. Zhong Ling lowered her head, saying nothing, and left quietly. Her steps seemed a bit unsteady, almost stepping on the person in front of her. It was unclear what she was thinking.

Li Xiaofei touched the badge on his chest. It felt solid, like the towering Kunlun Mountains, embodying the spirit of the Great Xia people. At that moment, he suddenly felt that donating the pure water source was the best decision he had made since his journey began.