Chapter 103 The Olympics End
"This Olympic Games has come to an end. This may be the last Olympic Games for mankind in the solar system, but the Olympic spirit will never end. No matter what country we come from or what race we come from, we will unite and overcome the solar crisis together."
The sound of the broadcast came from afar, with a long echo. The virtual torch flickered slightly in the night sky, casting a faint light, then slowly went out and dissipated into the air.
Lu Mingfei stood at the edge of the venue, watching the scene quietly. His gaze seemed to penetrate the virtual firelight and look into the distant future.
The wind blew gently past his ears, carrying the hustle and bustle of the city away. The 17-day Olympic Games were over, and at this moment, all he had was silence.
The audience around left the venue one after another. The sounds of footsteps and whispers gradually became audible. Inside the venue, the space that was once filled with cheers and screams was gradually returning to tranquility.
People slowly stood up from their seats with smiles or reluctance, and everyone held on to this last bit of beautiful time in their hearts.
This Olympic Games was held perfectly, or we can say that it was the most successful Olympic Games in history. It perfectly embodied the Olympic philosophy of pursuing excellence, unity, fair competition, lasting friendship and mutual understanding. The philosophy of pursuing excellence and unity allowed countless people to see hope for the future and gave them the belief to continue to survive.
Even the streets were filled with supporters of the once arrogant Digital Life faction and the Happy 100 Years Plan, but the number of supporters had decreased significantly. It seemed that in the light of this event, all rebellion and chaos were temporarily suppressed.
"It's finally over." Xu Yanbo's voice broke the brief silence. He walked to Lu Mingfei, his eyes following the slowly flowing crowd leaving the venue, and sighed. There was a sense of fatigue in his tone, but at the same time there was a sense of relief after the mission was completed.
Lu Mingfei and his team members played an indispensable role in the successful conclusion of this Olympic Games. In just 17 days, they handled nearly a hundred emergencies and attacks. The nerves of every security guard were stretched to the limit. Even so, the Olympic Games finally ended successfully without any major accidents.
"The higher-ups have approved it and given us a one-month vacation. Now you can go back and visit your family." Lu Mingfei said to Xu Yanbo, turning his head to look at him.
Xu Yanbo's eyes lit up, and then he couldn't help but cheer loudly: "Really? Brother Lu, you are on vacation too? Are you planning to go home or somewhere else? I have never seen you call home, nor have I heard you mention that anyone wrote to you..." He talked on and on, his tone full of excitement, as if all the burdens on his shoulders had been lifted off his shoulders at once.
Lu Mingfei smiled and did not directly answer Xu Yanbo's question. He just looked up into the distance. There was a hint of fatigue in his eyes, but more of a deep loneliness and indifference.
"I'm not going anywhere," Lu Mingfei said in a low voice, his tone calm, "There are still many things to do."
Xu Yanbo frowned and looked at Lu Mingfei's profile. He always felt that he seemed to be carrying too many unspeakable responsibilities. Since he met Lu Mingfei, he had never seen him have any contact with his family, nor had he heard him mention his past.
"Brother Lu, you are always so mysterious. Is there no one you want to see?" Xu Yanbo asked tentatively, with a hint of concern in his eyes.
Lu Mingfei's silence lasted for a moment, as if he was recalling something, with a slight smile on the corner of his mouth, but that smile did not reach his eyes. Instead, it seemed to be covered by a layer of faint loneliness.
He raised his hand and patted Xu Yanbo on the shoulder, and said in a relaxed tone: "You should go back and accompany your family as soon as possible. Don't let them wait too long. Leave this to me."
Due to the difficulty of this security mission, the superiors have approved that after all the spectators leave, they can report to their original units or departments and go home to rest.
Xu Yanbo wanted to ask something else, but seeing Lu Mingfei's expression that didn't allow for much discussion, he finally nodded helplessly and sighed, "Okay, Brother Lu, if you don't want to say it, I won't force you, but you have to promise me that you will have a good rest and don't always keep yourself so tense."
“I will.” Lu Mingfei nodded slightly, his eyes drifting away following Xu Yanbo’s departing back. The crowd around him had gradually dispersed, and the noise in the venue seemed to disappear along with the extinguishing of the virtual torch, and the night sky also became clear and cold.
He stood there quietly, as if isolated from the whole world. The noise, cheers, and celebrations seemed to have nothing to do with him.
During this Olympics, he witnessed many people begin to become full of hope and faith, but deep in his heart he always remained calm.
As the last group of spectators left, the stadium became empty and silent. Only the occasional sound of the wind broke the silence. Lu Mingfei put his hands in his pockets and walked towards the exit with steady steps. His figure looked lonely and determined in this vast space.
Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps behind me broke the silence.
"Brother Lu, do you want to come to my house this month? I'll take you to have a good time in Shanghai!" Xu Yanbo ran back panting, with a smile still on his face.
Lu Mingfei was slightly stunned, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously curled up into a smile. The world is always like this. When you think you are alone and helpless, there will always be someone by your side.
"Okay, but I still have to go to the Shanghai Military Region to report on this security work." After thinking for a moment, Lu Mingfei nodded, which was considered as his agreement.
When Xu Yanbo heard this, he immediately became excited: "Brother Lu, with your achievements this time, your rank of major is set in stone!"
"Who knows..." Lu Mingfei just smiled. After crossing several quiet streets, Lu Mingfei and Xu Yanbo finally arrived at the gate of the Shanghai Military District.
Two soldiers stood at the gate with solemn expressions. The weapons in their hands shone with a cold metallic light, slightly reflecting the faint night light.
As soon as they entered the military area, they met two unexpected people.
Zhou Zhezhi, the diplomatic representative of the government to the United Nations, was standing in front. His figure was straight and steady. Although he was getting old, his temperament still carried a dignity and demeanor that could not be ignored.
Next to him stood a young woman. Lu Mingfei recognized her as Hao Xiaoxi, who had spoken at the global live broadcast of the planetary engine ignition. She was a face that countless people remembered.
Diplomats are a very important profession in this era. They have to participate in global joint government meetings, express the country's position on major issues such as the Earth Wandering Plan, negotiate with diplomats from other countries, seek consensus and cooperation, play a role in communication and coordination at critical moments, and stabilize the international situation.
Zhou Zhezhi's gaze stayed on Lu Mingfei and Xu Yanbo for a moment, then he greeted them with a faint smile.
"You are Lu Mingfei, the security chief for this Olympics. You are really young and promising." Zhou Zhezhi's voice was gentle and powerful, with a hint of appreciation in his words.
Faced with such praise, Lu Mingfei did not show too much emotional fluctuation. He just nodded slightly and maintained his usual calm attitude.
He had long been accustomed to such scenes. Having experienced countless crises and life and death situations, he no longer felt much about these superficial compliments.
"Thank you." Lu Mingfei responded briefly, his voice as calm as usual.
Zhou Zhezhi smiled slightly when he saw this. He obviously didn't expect Lu Mingfei to have any excessive reaction. He gently patted Lu Mingfei on the shoulder and said in a tone of eldership: "You young people are the future of this world. No matter what kind of difficulties you face, remember that you are carrying the hope of the entire earth."
Hao Xiaoxi, who was standing nearby, also stepped forward with a smile, her eyes soft and gentle: "Mr. Lu, the security work for this Olympics is excellent, and the whole world has seen your efforts." Her voice was clear and gentle, but it revealed a convincing power.
Lu Mingfei nodded, but his eyes unconsciously glanced towards the military district gate in the distance.
Xu Yanbo, who was standing nearby, saw that the atmosphere was a bit tense, so he quickly interrupted and tried to ease the atmosphere: "Brother Lu, this is an important person. You will definitely be promoted and make a fortune this time. You will definitely get the rank of major! But don't forget that you have me as your little follower. Don't abandon me in the future!"
His tone was a bit naughty, and he didn't forget to wink and make eyes, trying to amuse the people around him.
Hao Xiaoxi chuckled, looking quite happy. He gently raised his hand to cover his lips and said with a smile: "I heard that you have made a lot of contributions in this mission. I really admire you."
Xu Yanbo waved his hands quickly, scratched his head, and smiled innocently: "Oh, no, no, it's all because of Brother Lu's good leadership. If it weren't for Brother Lu, I might still be running errands in a corner." Zhou Zhezhi was also amused by Xu Yanbo's words, and then said: "It seems that you two work well together as a team. I look forward to more outstanding performances from you in the future."
Lu Mingfei remained calm and didn't say much.
Everyone present knew that the shadow of the solar crisis still loomed over the Earth. Although the planetary engines had been successfully ignited, whether they could truly lead the Earth to escape the destruction of the Sun remained an unsolved mystery.
In this process, the forces hidden in the dark are still watching covetously, and the conspiracy of the Digital Life Faction has not yet been completely disintegrated.
Zhou Zhezhi seemed to have noticed Lu Mingfei's deep thoughts. He waved his hand and said gently, "Okay, go and report. We still have some follow-up work to deal with. We will have a chance to talk again in the future."
Lu Mingfei and Xu Yanbo nodded to them and then continued walking towards the military district gate.
While walking through the military corridor, Xu Yanbo still refused to stop. He asked excitedly, "Brother Lu, I didn't expect that we could run into such a big shot. Do you think they have noticed you a long time ago?"
Lu Mingfei snorted and shook his head. "It doesn't matter. What really matters is what happens next."
"What's next?" Xu Yanbo was stunned for a moment, then he understood what Lu Mingfei was referring to. Although the Olympics were over, the crisis was far from over. Forces such as the Digital Life School would certainly not stop there, and the situation in the future would definitely become more complicated and dangerous.
“Oh, I get it. Brother Lu, you’re just too worried.” Xu Yanbo sighed and followed Lu Mingfei’s steps. “But don’t worry. No matter what happens next, I will follow you.”
Lu Mingfei did not respond, but just nodded slightly, his steps still steady. Lu Mingfei and Xu Yanbo went through the reporting process. After completing all the formalities, Xu Yanbo finally got his wish and pulled Lu Mingfei out of the military district gate with an excitement on his face that he could not hide.
"Brother Lu, let's go! Let's go to my house. I promise you'll have a good time and eat! My parents heard that I was going to bring my teammates home, so they already prepared a table of delicious food." As Xu Yanbo spoke, he couldn't wait to call the self-driving car on the terminal.
"You really can't wait." Lu Mingfei smiled. Although he had a smile on his face, his eyes still revealed the kind of fatigue that was difficult to conceal.
"Of course. Brother Lu, you have helped me accomplish so many feats this time and have always been taking care of me. How can I not ensure that you have good food and accommodation?" Xu Yanbo said excitedly.
The car drove up quickly, and the two of them got in one after the other. The door closed gently, and a soft mechanical female voice prompted: "Destination: Shanghai Pudong, estimated arrival time: 30 minutes."
For this Olympics, the United Nations government briefly reopened the Internet in Shanghai to make it more convenient for spectators to travel, but with the end of the Olympics, the Internet will be completely shut down. This may be the last time they ride in a driverless car.
Outside the car window, the night scene of Shanghai flows slowly. Under the night sky, the city is still noisy and busy, with brightly lit high-rise buildings, driverless cars shuttling back and forth, and huge advertising screens flashing occasionally, giving the city a dreamy color.
Lu Mingfei leaned back in his chair, looking out the window with a slightly tired look. It was a rare moment like this for him, where he put down the responsibilities on his shoulders and felt the brief tranquility in this bustling city.
"Brother Lu, I told my mother in advance that you like to eat braised pork elbows. I asked her to make it for you so you can eat as much as you want later." Xu Yanbo said excitedly.
Lu Mingfei nodded slightly without saying much. He just looked at the traffic passing by outside the window and felt a little relaxed. Xu Yanbo's excitement somewhat infected him, allowing him to temporarily put aside the complicated thoughts in his mind.
About half an hour later, the car slowly stopped in front of an old residential building. This place was somewhat out of tune with the bustling city center of SH. It looked a bit old and quiet. Although it was not as modern as those high-end residences, it had a warm atmosphere of fireworks.
Xu Yanbo pulled Lu Mingfei out of the car and walked towards the door of the apartment building, saying impatiently: "Brother Lu, hurry up, let's go up, my parents must be waiting anxiously!"
They walked into the apartment building, and the elevator opened with a ding. The two stepped in. As the elevator slowly rose, Lu Mingfei felt a sense of peace that he had never felt before. This family atmosphere and the warmth of life were completely different from the battlefield he was used to.
The elevator stopped on the sixth floor. When the door opened, there was the warm entrance of the Xu family. Before the door was knocked, a bustling sound came from inside the house, with the faint sound of pots and pans colliding, mixed with the tempting aroma of food.
"Dad! Mom! I'm bringing Brother Lu back!" Xu Yanbo shouted loudly and pushed the door open.
The light in the house is soft, there are several pots of green plants in the living room, and family photos are hung on the wall, making it look very warm.
A middle-aged man was sitting on the sofa, holding a remote control and changing channels, while a figure was busy in the kitchen. As Xu Yanbo called out, the figure immediately poked his head out of the kitchen. "Hey, Yanbo, Captain Lu is here?" Xu's mother came out of the kitchen with a smile on her face, wearing an apron, and wiped her hands. She said enthusiastically, "Come in, come in, the food will be ready soon."
"Auntie, sorry to bother you." Lu Mingfei smiled and said politely.
"Don't be so polite, we are all family." Mother Xu greeted them and quickly returned to the kitchen to continue working. Father Xu also stood up and patted Lu Mingfei on the shoulder with a smile: "Xiaolu, come to our house and feel free. Don't be restrained. Yanbo always mentioned you to me, saying that you made great contributions in this Olympics."
"Yes, I've always heard Yanbo mention you, and finally I have the opportunity to come to your house." Lu Mingfei smiled slightly, his tone gentle.
Father Xu smiled and waved his hand: "Oh, don't be formal with us. We don't have anything good to prepare at home today. These are just some home-cooked dishes, but you must eat more." After a while, the meals were served on the table one after another.
Lu Mingfei looked at the table full of food. Xu's mother's cooking skills were indeed excellent. A dish of braised pork elbow, steamed fish, homemade tofu, and a few refreshing side dishes were neatly placed on the table, exuding an enticing aroma.
"Come on, Captain Lu, try the braised pork elbow I made. Mr. Yanbo said you like it." Mother Xu greeted him warmly, her eyes full of anticipation.
Lu Mingfei nodded, picked up a piece of pork elbow and put it in his mouth. It melted in his mouth, the meat was tender and tender, with a strong aroma of sauce. It was indeed delicious. He smiled and nodded to Xu's mother: "It's really delicious. Auntie's cooking skills are great."
"Oh, if it tastes good, eat more. If it's not enough, I'll make more." Mother Xu was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling.
The whole dinner was held in a warm atmosphere. Lu Mingfei rarely had such a relaxing moment. Feeling the family warmth made the tense string in his heart relax a little.
The Xu family's enthusiasm and kindness made him gradually forget the troubles of the outside world, as if he was also a member of this family.
After dinner, Xu Yanbo took Lu Mingfei to the balcony. In the night, the lights of Shanghai were bright, the tall buildings in the distance were glowing faintly, and there was a moist smell in the air.
"Brother Lu, now you can have a good rest for a few days, right?" Xu Yanbo leaned on the balcony railing with a relaxed smile on his face.
Lu Mingfei looked at the night scene in the distance with a deep look in his eyes. After a moment, he nodded gently: "Yes, it is indeed time to have a good rest."
Xu Yanbo looked at Lu Mingfei's expression and felt a little puzzled. He knew that Lu Mingfei was a calm and responsible person, but he had never seen him truly relax. It was as if something was always weighing on him.
"Brother Lu, you are always so serious. How about we find a place to relax these few days? I will take you to some fun places. By the way, Liu Peiqiang is also in Shanghai. Let's call him when the time comes." Xu Yanbo suggested with a smile, trying to make Lu Mingfei forget those complicated troubles.
Lu Mingfei lowered his head and was silent for a moment, then a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth and he said softly, "Okay, it would be nice to walk with you."
In the darkness of night, the two stood on the balcony, looking at the prosperity and tranquility in the distance, enjoying this rare peace for a short while.
(End of this chapter)
