Chapter 20: Donation

Seated in the boardroom of the university, Luke found himself surrounded by a group of people – the top leadership and board members of Melb University. This was his first time attending such a high-level meeting, and he felt incredibly nervous and uneasy.

Following Luke's interview as a potential board member, he began discussing the amount he would need to donate with the other board members. Luke knew this was a crucial test, as the donation amount would not only represent his sincerity and determination but also directly affect his chances of becoming a board member.

A board member inquired, "We'd like to know, how much do you plan to donate in Australian dollars?"

Luke pondered for a moment, then held up a single finger, indicating he would donate ten thousand Australian dollars. As his words fell, the room fell silent.

When Luke held up one finger, signifying his intention to donate ten thousand dollars, the board members were dumbfounded.

Luke's sudden declaration shocked the board members, who found it hard to believe their ears. After all, a donation of ten thousand dollars was a considerable sum, especially for a student. It was astounding.

In this world, one Australian dollar was equivalent to five Hua Yuan, and ten thousand Australian dollars equated to 50 million Hua Yuan. It seemed nearly impossible for a 20-year-old student to donate such a substantial amount, unless they came from a super-rich or hidden family.

The board members were stunned by Luke's words. Their expressions shifted from surprise to bewilderment, then finally to admiration. They had thought Luke was just an ordinary student, with little money to spare. However, reality proved otherwise.

Their eyes were fixed on Luke, as though he were a miraculous being. Both his words and actions left them in awe. They couldn't help but think of legendary figures, heroes in their minds, and Luke had now become one of them.

This young man, without any pretension, calmly stated his donation amount. The number was enough to shake their hearts, leaving them to sense Luke's extraordinary generosity and open-mindedness. The figure was not just a token of Luke's commitment to the school, but also a testament to his beliefs and aspirations in life.

Under these circumstances, Luke faced little opposition or skepticism. The sum of ten thousand dollars was significant enough for the board members to believe in his sincerity and sense of responsibility.

Once Luke decided on the donation amount, he immediately pulled out his chequebook and began writing a cheque. He wrote carefully, each number and letter clear and confident.

The board members watched Luke, their eyes filled with astonishment and reverence. They had never seen a student so generously donate their own money, let alone such a large sum.

When Luke finished writing the cheque and handed it to the board's chair, the room went eerily silent, as if only Luke's heartbeat echoed through the space. The board members stared at the cheque, their eyes filled with shock and awe.

Luke stood there, feeling an unparalleled sense of satisfaction. He believed he had done something truly meaningful, contributing to the school and proving his worth and abilities.

The board members began discussing how to use the money most effectively, to contribute as much as possible to the students and the school.

Ultimately, they decided to use the ten thousand dollars to construct an 18-story academic building, naming it Luke Tower. The building would become one of the school's most advanced and modern facilities, providing students with the best educational resources and learning environment.

As Luke handed over the cheque, his hand trembled slightly, but his eyes were resolute, knowing his decision was right.

"Here's a cheque for ten thousand Australian dollars," he said to a finance department staff member. "Please keep my name confidential. I don't want my actions to cause too much commotion."

The finance department staff member nodded, accepted the cheque, and solemnly promised to maintain confidentiality.

A few days later, Luke suddenly found himself the subject of much discussion at the school.

"Mysterious philanthropist donates 10,000 AUD to Melb University and decides to build a new academic building named Luke Tower."

His donation became a hot topic in media reports, attracting the attention of students and professors alike.