The various department heads of the Student Union emerged like bamboo shoots after the 3E results were released, including a vice president from the Lionheart Society.
“I’ve heard much about you, Lionheart Society Vice President, Lancelot, a Frenchman.” Lancelot looked at the gift boxes piled high in the dorm room, feeling a bit awkward about coming empty-handed.
The President said Lu Mingfei might not like such behavior, so he turned back halfway from the gift shop, not wanting to engage in a foolish scramble with the Student Union crowd.
But looking at the scene before him, Lancelot still felt a little flustered.
Perhaps the President wasn't entirely accurate either; after all, they weren't classmates, nor even in the same grade.
“Ah, ah, hello.”
A somewhat numb Lu Mingfei finally realized that the visitor was not from the Student Union, but from the Lionheart Society led by Chu Zihang.
He wondered if the famous Chu Zihang knew about him. If Chu Zihang was more gossipy, perhaps he did? After all, his crush on Chen Wenwen was well-known throughout Shilan.
Lu Mingfei couldn't imagine a stoic Chu Zihang having a gossipy heart.
Lu Mingfei pushed aside the stacked gift boxes, barely finding a spot for Lancelot, and couldn't help but marvel again at the Student Union's immense wealth, as none of the gifts were duplicates.
At least by size.
“The President asked me to invite you to join the Lionheart Society,” Lancelot said.
Then came a long silence.
Lu Mingfei hadn't expected the Lionheart Society to be so concise and direct, getting straight to the point without any superfluous talk. He had prepared himself for Lancelot to talk about the Lionheart Society's ancient history or its advantages compared to the Student Union.
Lancelot’s smile was stiff. In fact, he hadn't even seen Chu Zihang today; he had only called Chu Zihang after seeing members of the Student Union flocking to Lu Mingfei’s room.
As a result, Chu Zihang only provided him with some potentially misleading information and a casual answer.
“I heard you and the President were schoolmates. Would you like to meet him?” Lancelot, in a flash of inspiration, threw the ball to Chu Zihang.
Caesar didn't come to find Lu Mingfei, but Lu Mingfei went to meet Chu Zihang. This in itself was a statement.
To outsiders, this was a sign of an S-rank choosing a side.
Lancelot hadn't intended to use such a dirty trick, but the two-meter-high, one-meter-wide stack of gifts beside him constantly stimulated his nerves.
He couldn't determine if Lu Mingfei was someone unaffected by material gains or losses. The Student Union had given Lu Mingfei such great benefits, it would be strange if Lu Mingfei didn't join the Student Union.
“Alright.”
Lu Mingfei was more than happy to go. Who knew how many more Student Union members he would encounter if he stayed in the dorm? It was better to use the Lionheart Society as an excuse and get some fresh air.
As for whether Chu Zihang would remember him, or if he was just an insignificant NPC in Chu Zihang's life, these were not concerns for Lu Mingfei.
The two hit it off and left the dorm one after the other.
According to Lancelot, Chu Zihang would regularly appear at the College's Kendo Club to practice, like a fixed-spawn world BOSS. On that day, many students would flock to the Kendo Club to challenge Chu Zihang.
Even if they couldn't defeat the BOSS, being able to personally spar with Chu Zihang was considered an honor.
Lu Mingfei couldn't help but feel embarrassed. It sounded like Chu Zihang still hadn't shed his succubus-like charm even at Kassel College.
Back in Shilan, there were even girls who specifically formed a navigation club for Chu Zihang, which could almost be considered a support group.
He hadn't expected that at Kassel College, this influence wasn't just popular among girls but had also spread to boys, and the boys seemed even more fervent.
“Lancelot, you brought him after all.”
Lost in thought, Lu Mingfei heard someone speaking in front of him.
He looked up and saw Chu Zihang's pair of pale Golden Eyes. The Lionheart Society President was actually waiting for him at the entrance of the Kendo Club.
“Lancelot called me today, and I guessed he would go find you. If you had refused his request, he would have come to me using the excuse of being schoolmates,” Chu Zihang said softly, looking at Lancelot.
Lu Mingfei turned to look at Lancelot, only to find that the Frenchman had already raised his hands in surrender at some point.
Chu Zihang patted Lu Mingfei’s shoulder and smiled faintly, “Don’t blame him. Inviting an S-rank is something that truly shows importance when done by the President. I usually pay little attention to matters outside the Lionheart Society.”
“Long time no see, Lu Mingfei. I am Chu Zihang.”
Lu Mingfei had never imagined Chu Zihang would smile. In Shilan, Chu Zihang always had an expressionless face, even when he was blasted by a black gun, he remained calm.
His lack of expression was different from Caesar’s coldness. Caesar’s was the pride of being aloof, while Chu Zihang’s was indifference to everything.
But now, being gazed at by Chu Zihang, Lu Mingfei felt like he was being watched by a brother from another mother.
He hadn't expected Chu Zihang's opening line to be 'long time no see.' Before, he had only seen Chu Zihang; he never knew Chu Zihang had also been watching him from some unknown place.
Was it when his morning exercises were not up to par?
Lu Mingfei really couldn't think of anything in Shilan that would merit Chu Zihang’s attention. Could it really be that his secret crush was overheard by Chu Zihang?
“How is your brother?” Chu Zihang asked again.
“He… I’m not sure,” Lu Mingfei rubbed his head, “Honestly, I’ve lost contact with Aunt’s family.”
Chu Zihang’s expression paused, and a strange light, seemingly curiosity, flickered in his eyes.
“Is that so?” Chu Zihang nodded, “That’s fine too.”
“You’re not afraid to meet my gaze, are you?” Chu Zihang said again.
“No, I’m not,” Lu Mingfei met his gaze calmly.
“That’s good. Actually, there aren’t many eyes I can look into. Others don’t like me making eye contact with them.”
Lu Mingfei suddenly remembered that when Chu Zihang spoke to Lancelot, he had his eyes lowered. Because those Golden Eyes were a symbol of his bloodline, they would involuntarily cause others to feel fear, so he always avoided people’s gazes.
At this moment, his Golden Eyes were fully open towards Lu Mingfei, exuding an eerie beauty, but Lu Mingfei felt nothing.
“This is my formal invitation. Please join the Lionheart Society,” Chu Zihang smiled, “You will become the next President after me. I promise.”
“Because of S-rank?”
Lu Mingfei asked, the weight of S-rank growing heavier in his mind.
“Because the person who can succeed me must be someone who can become my opponent,” Chu Zihang said.
Chu Zihang looked directly into his eyes, his expression calm but very serious, like a young and promising monarch, taking every word he said seriously.
Unlike Caesar, whom he had seen that night, Caesar was like an emperor of ancient Rome, his words carrying the aura of unifying the world, but he never clearly expressed his true feelings.
“Caesar will also look forward to you joining the Student Union. If you choose the Student Union, that’s fine too,” Chu Zihang said faintly, “Someone like you, whether as a friend or an opponent, I will be happy.”
He lowered his eyes, patted Lu Mingfei’s shoulder, and turned to leave.
Lu Mingfei stood dumbfounded in place, rows of text gradually appearing before him.
