516 The Show has Begun (1/2)

Chapter 516: The Show has Begun

Translator: _Min_Editor: Caron_

The opera house was full of people in addition to the two presidents and government officials; Frankberg citizens and invited business elites were among the people attending the show. Sitting in a VIP booth, Sim Gorde looked at the packed crowd below him. He couldn't help but smile.

Frankberg was a parliamentary system; although the federal President represented Frankberg internally and externally, the real power was in the parliament and appointed Prime Minister. The main duties of the President in the House were only to sign and publish the bills passed by the parliament as well as the laws and regulations signed by the Federal Minister, but he had no veto power. The Prime Minister was the head of state, but he was only a representative figure.

Even the President only really tasted power during diplomatic meetings.

The light illuminated the opera house. The baton swayed as harmonious music drifted down from the stage with the audience immersed in the melody. The performance today was from the world famous Mino Orchestra from Vienna.

The deputy Prime Minister, Evelyn Gillwick, was sitting behind Sim. He looked up at the clock on the wall, pulled the tie around his collar, and moved closer to the President's ear.

”Mr. Sim, I have another commitment in a bit - is it okay if I leave you here alone?”

...

Sim's eyebrows furrowed as the act of being excluded from formal functions made him extremely displeased.

”A commitment? What kind of commitment? How come I don't know about this?”

”It's a private function. My alma mater is hosting a seminar and I reserved front row seats.”

When Sim heard it was a private function, Sim's eyebrows were no longer furrowed. He gently coughed and took on the role of a President.

”You can go; just leave this place to me.”

Evelyn expressed his apologies to the Austrian President and Deputy Prime Minister then immediately departed. The moment he stepped out of the opera, he felt relieved.

”To the University of Ber. Quick, the gala will start in ten minutes.” Evelyn scanned the security in the area as he instructed his assistant.

…

Outside the University of Ber church, it was packed with people. Although it was a Han student gala, when people heard that the chief designer of Future 1.0 and president of Future Group, Jiang Chen, would attend the gala and deliver a speech during the opening ceremony, people other than students showed up.

”Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to attend this gala out of such a sudden request. We didn't think so many people would show up.” Inside the small church, Chen Yuqiao kept thanking Jiang Chen.

”No worries - it was my honor to receive your invitation.” Jiang Chen smiled.

When Chen Yuqiao received Jiang Chen's affirmation, a relieved smile appeared on her face.

With a large crowd outside the church, Ayesha looked tensed.

”Do we not need to worry about security concerns? What if—”

”No need to worry.” Jiang Chen tried to comfort the worried Ayesha.

The four Celestial Trades bodyguards were already stationed at the four corners of the venue. Jiang Chen was wearing a carbon Nano bulletproof vest on him and Ayesha was with him as backup; he wasn't worried at all.

The church bell rang and struck six o'clock.

The members of the student organization, school officials, and special guest, Jiang Chen, all entered the venue. The MC introduced a few things before immediately handing the microphone to Jiang Chen.

With microphone in hand, Jiang Chen calmly stepped onto the stage.

He faced a similar situation countless times already, so having a larger audience wouldn't affect his state of mind.

”I'm surprised there are so many of you in the audience; I thought I would only have to say a few things in order to meet the demands of your student leader, but now I have to be more serious.”

As Jiang Chen spoke, he jokingly made a funny face.

He waited for a moment for the friendly laughter and clapping to die down before he continued.

”All of your academic qualifications are probably higher than mine, not to mention your professional knowledge. Your professor Graeme knows much more than I do, and many of your classmates' grades are still in his hands.”

Hearing Jiang Chen mention his name, Professor Graeme cast a surprised expression then gave Jiang Chen a friendly smile. It was a consensus that Future Technology replaced IBM as the leader in artificial intelligence application. For Professor Graeme to be recognized by the chief designer of Future 1.0 was a demonstration of his abilities.