Chapter 642 - 289: Returning to Alma Mater, Outstanding Alumnus Speech (Part 4)

And so, they parted ways here.

Afterwards, Li Younan, guided by Chen Lu, went to the ceremony venue to get a brief understanding of the general process, and a journalist from the school newspaper also came over to take a photo of him.

After a hectic morning, they had lunch at the school cafeteria.

Staff from the school led Li Younan and the other two to eat — the better the university, the higher the cafeteria’s standards, yet the prices are cheaper.

The variety of dishes here is incredibly rich, leaving Liu Li a bit stunned.

After wrapping up the morning’s tasks, Li Younan went back to prepare his speech, while Jing Chaoyi took Liu Li to continue strolling around the school.

...

The student union worked with high efficiency; by afternoon, Li Younan was already featured as a distinguished alumnus invited to participate in this graduation ceremony on their promotional posters.

Several lines beneath his poster introduce his titles.

Over the next two days, Li Younan and Jing Chaoyi took Liu Li to visit some of the famous spots in Shanghai, enjoying themselves thoroughly.

Then, the day of the graduation ceremony finally arrived.

Jing Chaoyi and Liu Li blended into the crowd, watching the ceremony from the audience.

Meanwhile, Li Younan took a seat in the special alumni section as an invited guest.

It’s worth saying that many sitting here are truly influential figures.

Although most prominent figures don’t attend this kind of graduation ceremony — after all, it’s not the school anniversary — each graduation season still sees some alumni participating.

For instance, this time, an academician sat right next to Li Younan.

Li Younan didn’t feel too nervous; coincidentally, the old academician’s research field was electromagnetic and electrical, aligning with Li Younan’s skills, and they began to chat joyfully.

As the conversation progressed, the academician was a bit surprised and couldn’t help but ask, "What was your major in college?"

Li Younan replied, "I studied Computer Science."

The academician’s expression turned somewhat complex: "Why didn’t you study Electrical Engineering? Was your score not high enough?"

Li Younan was taken aback, laughing vaguely in response.

The academician, slightly cross, said, "You should’ve studied Electrical Engineering back then, what a pity. Who’s the current dean of the Electrical Engineering School? They need a good talking to — don’t they know how to teach according to talent?"

Li Younan was momentarily speechless and could only silently apologize to the dean of the Electrical Engineering School in his heart.

Later, the graduation ceremony formally commenced.

At the fourth agenda of the meeting, Li Younan, as the most renowned alumnus in recent years, took the podium to speak.

Standing at the lectern, looking at the energetic juniors and sisters in the audience, Li Younan felt stirred.

He briefly organized his thoughts and smiled as he began, "Students, hello everyone! I’m Li Younan, and I’m honored to be invited here to share some of my experiences and views with you."

"You are about to graduate and venture into society, stepping onto your own path."

"So today, the theme I would like to share with you is — the Map Path and the Compass Path."

"These two concepts might be unfamiliar because I came up with them myself."

"In my view, all roads traveled by individuals can be categorized into two types: the Map Path and the Compass Path."

"What is the Map Path, then? Simply put, it’s a broad route paved with experience."

"With clear routes, transferable methods, and discernible patterns, just like a detailed map, you only need to follow the markings to cultivate, mimic, and review to gradually reach similar heights."

"Examples of the Map Path are numerous: becoming a driver involves repeatedly practicing the operational guidelines and learning from others’ safety experiences to continually improve driving skills."

"Also, programmers honing their coding abilities, chefs refining culinary skills, professionals optimizing workflow — all fundamentally advance along a traceable map."

"The road’s characteristics are very distinct: through accumulation and summarization, from entry to this road’s end, there’s roughly a thirty to forty times difference; it’s secure, clear, with a guaranteed lower limit — the easiest path to tread, yet its upper limit is visibly apparent, with an end in sight."

"So what is the Compass Path?"

"The Compass Path is quite the opposite; it’s the path for solitary travelers with guidance but no map, lacking ready-made routes, reproducible templates, or reusable experiences, leaving only the ’compass’ within to point out the general direction."

"For example, becoming a writer — the unique spirit and insight in words cannot be copied."

"Investing in stocks demands market intuition and judgment that cannot be replicated."

"Entrepreneurship involves unpredictable business opportunities and decisions."

"Moreover, the inspiration for artistic creation, breakthroughs in cutting-edge research are similar."

"The Compass Path’s upper limit is absurdly high; it might achieve what far exceeds the imagination of ordinary people, but those who truly tread this path are one in a million. Each person successfully walking the Compass Path has paved unique paths with individuality — there has never been a second identical sample."

"Today, I want to share a brutal yet charming truth with everyone."

"Every person here has their own exclusive Compass Path, yet no one — including myself — can tell you precisely where it lies."

At this point, Li Younan couldn’t help but recall that, before resigning, he was walking the Map Path.

And though he has systematic assistance now, he indeed embarked on the Compass Path.

"This path is woven from your innate talents, life experiences, and heartfelt passions, unique and personal, unperceivable and unreplicable by others."

"No one can offer you any effective advice on this path — it’s not that others are stingy, but they simply can’t."

"Those traversing this path are probing the unknown themselves; others’ experiences are outdated, and their advice is akin to scratching an itch through a boot because your Compass Path has never been walked by predecessors nor does it have any referable map, ultimately relying solely on your compass guidance to step forward bit by bit."

"I believe you, sitting here, are bewildered at this moment as you are about to graduate."

"Only a few have specific directions."

"I wish each student could advance steadily on the Map Path."

"Moreover, I wish every student could find their own Compass Path."

"You are the pride of our school."

"Our school has never lacked outstanding alumni treading the path of greatness."

"This compass’s needle forever points towards your passion, your talents, and the most authentic resonance within your soul."

"Listen to it."

"Then, summon the courage to step into your unexplored wilderness and personally blaze your Compass Path!"

This conclusion was derived by Li Younan through synthesizing his experiences over the years.

After he finished speaking, the audience indeed fell silent, then erupted into strong applause.

Many showed contemplative expressions.

Compass Path? Map Path?

The academician in the audience also displayed a curious smile.

It was indeed an intriguing concept.

At this moment, Li Younan felt very satisfied.

But in the next moment, his expression stiffened slightly.

Because right in the crowd, he suddenly spotted a familiar face, a girl calmly gazing at him, her eyes carrying a touch of complex emotion.