Passing on the torch and forging ahead
In early spring in Beijing, willow branches are already tinged with fresh green. Inside the conference room at the foundation's headquarters, Mo Xiaoyu and Li Xiaoyu are making final preparations for the upcoming annual strategic meeting. Sunlight filters through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm glow on them.
"This is your first time independently hosting an annual strategic meeting," Mo Xiaoyu gently pushed a document toward Li Xiaoyu. "Are you ready?"
Li Xiaoyu took the document, her fingertips lingering for a moment on the words "Work Report" on the title page. A year ago, she was merely an assistant standing behind Mo Xiaoyu; now, she would represent the Foundation to report on its annual work to the Board of Directors and unveil its three-year development plan. This transformation came naturally, yet it was also profoundly significant.
"I'm a little nervous," Li Xiaoyu said frankly, "but I'm mostly looking forward to it."
Mo Xiaoyu nodded with satisfaction. She recalled watching Li Xiaoyu grow from a naive intern into a capable leader over the years—promoting the "Lighthouse of the Heart" program on campus, fielding inquiries from government officials at the negotiation table, and coordinating resources within the community... Each challenge made her more mature.
Inheritance has quietly taken place as we fight side by side day after day.
On the day of the strategic meeting, Li Xiaoyu stood at the podium, facing the foundation's directors, partners, and expert advisors. Her opening remarks surprised everyone:
"Five years ago, as a psychology student, I first walked into the foundation's office. At that time, I asked Professor Mo: 'Can we really change anything?' Today, I want to answer that question with real stories."
She did not first show the glamorous data, but instead narrated the daily life of an ordinary community worker - how Wang Yafen, the station director, received calls for help from residents late at night, how she patiently guided a teenager who wanted to commit suicide, and how she became the "psychological gatekeeper" of the community through her ordinary persistence.
She also mentioned those young "lighthouse keepers" - how they received professional training in addition to their studies, how they keenly noticed the abnormalities of their classmates, and how they used the understanding and companionship of their peers to save hearts on the verge of collapse.
"These seemingly small efforts are weaving a warm and resilient social support network," Li Xiaoyu said in a firm and clear voice. "And today, we must make this network even bigger and denser."
She announced the foundation's three-year plan: expand service coverage from the current two pilot provinces to eight; train 10,000 community psychological gatekeepers; let "spiritual lighthouses" illuminate 1,000 universities; develop a mental health service model suitable for rural areas... Behind each goal, there are detailed implementation paths and evaluation standards.
In the audience, Mo Xiaoyu listened quietly. She saw Li Xiaoyu's composure in answering the trustees' questions, her meticulous professionalism in explaining technical details, and her genuine enthusiasm in outlining her vision. At that moment, she knew clearly: the foundation had welcomed a new leader.
The best inheritance is not to copy another self, but to help everyone become a better self.
After the meeting, Mo Xiaoyu and Li Xiaoyu visited the foundation's "Original Aspiration Wall." This wall records every detail of the foundation's development: photos of its first community event, a message from its 1,000th recipient, and commemorations of key breakthroughs...
"Remember when we first started, there were only three of us, crammed into a tiny office?" Mo Xiaoyu whispered. "Back then, we even worried about next month's rent."
Li Xiaoyu smiled knowingly. "I remember. You said at the time that as long as we do the right thing, there will definitely be people who will walk with us."
"Now, our team has grown so large." Mo Xiaoyu's eyes swept across the photos on the wall, "and you will lead this team into a more promising future."
She pulled a slightly worn notebook from her bag and solemnly handed it to Li Xiaoyu: "This is my work notebook from these years, recording successes and failures, joys and confusions. Now, it's yours."
Li Xiaoyu took the notebook and felt its heavy weight. This was not only a transfer of experience, but also a trust.
At the subsequent handover ceremony, Mo Xiaoyu announced a shift in her work focus: she would no longer oversee the foundation's daily operations, but would instead focus on strategic planning, talent development, and international exchange. Li Xiaoyu officially assumed the role of Secretary-General of the foundation, taking overall responsibility.
"This isn't a farewell, but a new beginning," Mo Xiaoyu said in his speech. "I will continue to work with the cause we love in a different way."
The audience burst into warm applause, which was both a thank you to Mo Xiaoyu for his years of dedication and an expectation for Li Xiaoyu's future work.
After the ceremony, a young employee curiously asked Mo Xiaoyu, "Are you really willing to give up the business you've run for so many years?"
Mo Xiaoyu looked at Li Xiaoyu, who was chatting with the board members, and smiled, saying, "You see, a gardener diligently nurtures a sapling, not to support it forever, but to see it grow taller than themselves. True achievement lies not in where you stand, but in how far the team you lead can go."
As night fell, only Mo Xiaoyu and Li Xiaoyu were left in the office. They stood by the window, gazing at the city lights.
"Actually, I've been thinking about this recently," Li Xiaoyu said. "As the foundation grows, will we gradually drift away from the people we originally served? Will we, in the pursuit of impact, forget why we started?"
Mo Xiaoyu looked at her with admiration. "The fact that you can think about this shows you won't get lost. Remember, no matter how far you go, you must always return to the front lines of service and listen to the real voices. This is the foundation we must never lose."
They discussed their future plans: Mo Xiaoyu will establish a public welfare talent training base to provide more professionals for the industry; at the same time, they will promote international exchanges and share China's innovative practices in mental health services with the world. Li Xiaoyu will continue to deepen existing projects while exploring new models for mental health services in the digital age.
"It feels like we are completing a relay race," said Li Xiaoyu.
"No," Mo Xiaoyu shook his head. "We're more like digging a canal. I participated in the initial exploration and excavation, and you will continue to widen and deepen it so that the canal can nourish more land. Perhaps one day, you will also pass on the digging tools to the next group of people."
The passing of mission has never been a simple handover, but a long march from one generation to the next.
A month later, under the new operational framework, the foundation demonstrated renewed vitality. Li Xiaoyu led the team in launching the digital upgrade of "Soul Lighthouse," developing online services more suitable for Generation Z. They also opened up new frontiers in rural mental health services, exploring a three-tiered service model encompassing county, township, and village levels. Mo Xiaoyu also achieved breakthroughs in talent development, collaborating with several universities to establish a public welfare talent development program to cultivate talent for the industry.
At their first monthly review meeting, each team led by their respective leaders, Li Xiaoyu shared new findings from their field research, while Mo Xiaoyu shared new ideas for international exchange. They were pleasantly surprised to find that this division of labor and collaboration enabled the foundation to maintain both stable operations and innovative breakthroughs.
"Look," Mo Xiaoyu said with a smile after the meeting, "we've found the best way to work together. You're rooted in reality, while I gaze into the distance. You cultivate the land meticulously, while I expand my territory."
Li Xiaoyu looked at the guide who was both his teacher and friend, and suddenly understood the true meaning of inheritance: it is not a ritual completed at a certain moment, but continuous mutual nourishment; it is not a one-way giving, but a two-way growth.
In the spring garden, newly planted saplings have sprouted new leaves, joining the weathered trees that have grown through the years to form a vibrant forest. The roots of the old trees are deeply embedded in the soil, providing support for the young trees; the branches and leaves of the new trees grow upwards, attracting more sunlight for the entire forest.
In this endless cycle, Mo Xiaoyu and Li Xiaoyu have both found their place. They know that what matters is not where one stands, but that the cause they jointly protect is continuing with even greater vitality.
Just like a stream flowing into a river or sea, it will surge forward with even greater force.
Inheritance is not an end, but a continuation in another form; just like a stream flowing into a river or sea, it will rush forward with even greater power.
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