Chapter 96

At this moment, a photographer who was taking pictures of Jin Xiantai suddenly stopped, put down his camera, and stared at Jin Xiantai for a while.

"Ah! This is William Kim, the brave boy from the shooting incident. How did he also receive an invitation from Governor George?"

The photographer, who recognized Jin Xiantai, suddenly looked as if he had discovered a rare animal, his expression instantly becoming very vivid. He quickly said a few words to his colleagues nearby.

At the same time, many people also recognized Jin Xiantai and immediately surrounded him.

Seeing this situation, Dave couldn't maintain his pose and quickly stepped in front of Jin Xiantai, saying to the surrounding media reporters, "William is still in the recovery phase and will not be giving interviews. Please understand. We are here to attend this charity dinner because we were invited by Governor George."

Annie needed to avoid the media, so Dave had to step forward. He was very clear about his role.

Therefore, as soon as he stepped forward, he told the media reporters that Jin Xiantai was still recovering and would not give interviews. He also explained that they were invited to attend this dinner to avoid endless questions from the media.

Unfortunately, if these media people were so easily deterred, they wouldn't be in this line of work.

They completely ignored Dave.

"William, do you know that Governor George is going to run for president next year?"

"Hey! Kim, what do you think of Governor George's campaign platform? Do you think it's a bit too radical?"

"William, I'm Kenton from the Los Angeles Entertainment News. I want to know if you support Governor George's governance philosophy?"

These guys asked questions about George, and there were no questions about the shooting incident, indicating that the media no longer cared about it.

Dave, who was ignored, was a little disappointed.

But Jin Xiantai didn't care and was even glad that the shooting incident wasn't being focused on.

After all, he didn't intentionally seek the spotlight; he was forced into it.

Now, what the media needed to focus on was the elder George, who had announced his candidacy for the presidential election next year, his radical campaign platform, and his governance philosophy.

These were what the public liked to see and understand the most.

The shooting incident had been reported for over a month, and the public had long lost interest.

Unless there was a verdict from Benny, the public wouldn't pay attention again.

Jin Xiantai didn't respond to the media's questions but remained silent, leaving the media reporters with no way to deal with him.

After all, if Jin Xiantai didn't speak, you couldn't go over and pry open his mouth to force him to say something.

Annie, who was hiding to the side, highly appreciated Jin Xiantai's smart approach.

Though the media couldn't be offended, in a country that values freedom of speech, you also have the right to remain silent, don't you?

It's better to say nothing than to say too much and offend people.

Moreover, Jin Xiantai was still a minor, and using such a shameless method was also an effective approach.

On the small stage, the spokesperson for the California public department was still using flattering words to express gratitude and thanks to Jin Xiantai, who had donated 1.5 million dollars. It was all cliché and not very engaging.

Annie's gaze passed through the crowd and looked at the elder George, who was preparing to take the stage. Then she looked at Jin Xiantai, who seemed a bit listless.

Seeing that Jin Xiantai was not in good spirits, Annie knew he was tired. After all, his body was not fully recovered yet.

Fortunately, the elder George's appearance on stage relieved the situation for Jin Xiantai.

When the elder George stepped back onto the small stage, the media surrounding Jin Xiantai dispersed and pushed their way toward the stage.

"Are you okay? You don't look well."

Annie walked over, looking at Jin Xiantai with concern.

Indeed, he was feeling a bit tired, but it wasn't a big problem.

Seeing Annie's concerned look, Jin Xiantai felt a warmth in his heart.

After all, he was a normal person and occasionally needed someone to care for him.

"I'm fine. I can hold on a bit longer. But my body is still quite weak. I think I should start physical rehabilitation training. If I keep like this, I'm afraid I'll become a weakling."

After responding to Annie to ease her worry, Jin Xiantai smiled bitterly and made a small request, hoping to start physical rehabilitation training at the rehabilitation center.

Since he was shot, he had been lying in bed. Even at the rehabilitation center, his body was slowly recovering, but he still needed a wheelchair to go out, and his gunshot wounds hadn't fully healed. Jin Xiantai clearly felt that his body wasn't as strong as before.

Therefore, Jin Xiantai was very afraid that he would become weak and frail in the future, like a sissy, coughing after walking a few steps, and even shivering in the wind.

This situation was terrifying and disgusting to him.

"No problem. I'll discuss this with the rehabilitation center when I get back and work with the medical team to come up with a plan."

Annie looked at Jin Xiantai with a pained expression and then bit her lower lip. "William, why don't we leave now? We can have someone deliver the award to the rehabilitation center."

She truly felt for Jin Xiantai. Seeing his tired appearance, Annie felt very uncomfortable and finally made a suggestion.

Jin Xiantai shook his head. "That's not good. I'll wait until I receive the award before leaving."

He thought more than Annie did, fearing that he would offend the elder George and leave a bad impression, so he didn't accept Annie's suggestion.

Since Jin Xiantai didn't accept her suggestion, Annie had no other options.

She could only hold Jin Xiantai's hand and say to him with a pained heart, "Don't push yourself. If you really feel unwell, say so. Governor George is a good person and won't blame you."

Jin Xiantai smiled at Annie and gently patted her hand. "Don't worry, it's fine."

At this moment, the elder George was already on the small stage, holding the microphone and saying some cliché words. The guests below clapped politely, and the atmosphere was harmonious and pleasant.

The elder George killed a lot of film, and his posture on stage was perfect, at least in Jin Xiantai's opinion.

Elegant! Dignified!

Humorous and witty, with occasional clever remarks.

It had to be said that American politicians were quite different from officials in China.

This gave Jin Xiantai a strong sense of novelty, making him find it very interesting.

"Next, I want to invite a brave young man to the stage. I believe everyone is familiar with him. I want to say that this young man, when faced with a gunman, used great courage to push away his classmates and risked his own life..."

Jin Xiantai blushed. The elder George's praise was a bit too much, and he couldn't even bear to listen.

As soon as the elder George finished speaking, applause broke out again.

The guests around Jin Xiantai turned to look at him, all with faint smiles.

With the elder George's words, how could the people present not know who he was talking about?

Obviously, it was this young man in the wheelchair.

"Come! Let's give him a warm round of applause as he takes the stage. Let's also congratulate him on receiving the 'California Sunshine Boy' award."

The applause that hadn't yet faded broke out again. Dave slowly pushed the wheelchair, bringing Jin Xiantai to the small stage.

Below, the flashbulbs were still dazzling, making it hard for Jin Xiantai to open his eyes.

The elder George took a certificate framed in a photo frame from the staff and handed it to Jin Xiantai, who was sitting in the wheelchair.

What is the 'California Sunshine Boy' award?

And it's a state-level award.

So, this award is just a California award.

Jin Xiantai wasn't very familiar with the information about this award and was quite confused.

However, seeing that Annie and Dave, who were with him, seemed very happy about his receiving this award, it should be a good award.

Jin Xiantai thought to himself.

Regardless, since George gave him this award, he would accept it.

At this moment, the elder George squatted down, completely disregarding his image as a governor, appearing very approachable.

This immediately won him the favor of many people.

This was a basic skill of American politicians. If you couldn't do this, you were a failure.

"Did you feel no fear when you faced the gun?" the elder George, who had squatted down, asked Jin Xiantai a small question.

Jin Xiantai, holding the certificate, shook his head.

"I didn't think much about it. Honestly, I didn't have time to think about fear or anything."

Jin Xiantai's words were very sincere, without any embellishment, but they sounded very genuine and not at all fake.

Everyone thought to themselves that if they were in such a situation, would they have time to consider whether they were afraid?

What a joke!

It was impossible.

So, Jin Xiantai was telling the truth.

And because he was telling the truth, people had a good impression of him.

The elder George observed the reactions of the guests below and then asked, "Do you regret it? I heard you were shot three times and even had a heart attack."

"I don't regret it. If time could be reversed, I would make the same choice. I couldn't abandon the girl and run away; that's what a scumbag would do. More importantly, I am a man!

And I believe that all the gentlemen present would make the same choice in such a dangerous situation, right?"

Jin Xiantai had a flash of inspiration and asked the guests below.

Faced with such a question, how could the male guests, who were 'successful people,' answer?

Of course, "Right! As men, we must act like men! Young man, your choice was right!"

What a clever little guy.

The elder George nodded secretly.

Below, the flashbulbs flashed again, and the sound of "click! click!" filled the air.

The elder George stood up, holding Jin Xiantai's right hand, and slowly scanned the guests below.

"William has set an example for all of us! A great example! He is a role model. After all, many adult men might not make such a choice in a life-or-death situation, as it involves a choice between one's own life and the lives of others."

The elder George put away his smile and became serious.

"We must admit that William is a noble person. He has taught us through his actions that in this restless society where everyone only cares about money, we cannot abandon our moral principles. The idea of standing up in times of crisis must be upheld and promoted..."

Listening to the elder George, Jin Xiantai felt a bit uncomfortable.

Is this still America?

Are you still an American politician?

Why do I suddenly feel like I'm facing a Chinese official!

The elder George's speech earned another round of enthusiastic applause, but how many were genuine, no one knew.

Finally, Jin Xiantai took the microphone and began his closing remarks.

Below, it was quiet, and all eyes were on him.

"I don't dare to call myself a good person. I have my flaws, and as you all know, I am an underage single father, so in a strict sense, I shouldn't be considered an excellent young man."

After thinking for a moment, Jin Xiantai began by self-denying and downplaying himself, while also pointing out his 'black history.'

The guests below laughed softly.

Jin Xiantai's 'black history' had been reported in the media.

Being an underage father, the reputation wasn't good.

But by saying it himself, Jin Xiantai made people feel he was very sincere, not at all fake, and this made people have a better impression of him, increasing their goodwill.

After the laughter subsided a bit, Jin Xiantai continued, "I don't deserve the title of 'hero.' What I did was just what a man should do. Any person with correct moral principles and a sense of justice would make the same choice in such a dangerous situation, so there's nothing special about me..."

Sincere people always gain the favor of the majority.

Jin Xiantai was no exception.

Although he only said a few words, he achieved this effect.

Applause!

Very enthusiastic applause.

Annie, holding Coco in the corner, couldn't hide her smile.

Coco, in her arms, wasn't paying attention to her father but was looking at the自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食自助美食