Chapter 75

Page 75

"It's not a bother at all. I've been sleeping for over ten hours. I was just feeling lazy..."

Lu Mingfei tidied his hair to make himself look more refreshed. Then he noticed that Chu Zihang was staring at his face, calm and attentive, seemingly unaware that such eye contact between two men could easily be awkward.

Even someone like Zhao Menghua would give a strange laugh that looked like his face was twitching when he looked at Lu Mingfei during group activities in PE class. Lu Mingfei had never heard of anyone like Chu Zihang who could look at another boy so intently.

"That's good. I came here on personal business, so I hope you don't mind." Chu Zihang nodded, took out a notebook from his backpack, unfolded it carefully, and placed it on his lap.

It felt like an interrogation... Lu Mingfei suddenly had a feeling that the Chu Zihang he knew from his classmates was not the same person he had met.

Lu Mingfei was stunned for a long time, but after a long while, he realized that the man opposite him had been waiting quietly without making a sound.

"It's alright, it's alright." He quickly waved his hand. "It's good that it's a personal matter. You saw Caesar when he went out just now, right? He was just there to issue a challenge. I really don't want to receive another challenge."

"I didn't mean that," Chu Zihang explained seriously. "I don't think I have the strength to kill a Super-Next Generation Species."

"Let's get down to business..." Lu Mingfei chuckled dryly.

"Hmm." Chu Zihang nodded, then turned his gaze to the notebook spread out on his lap. "I was also present at yesterday's meeting, and I've heard about the Executive Department's conclusions. Your opinion is that this Super-Next Generation Species is related to Odin?"

“Yes, yes.” Lu Mingfei nodded like a chick.

His heart suddenly leaped into his throat. He thought to himself, "Senior Brother Chu, please don't be investigating me because you've discovered something! I really don't want to be forced to kill someone to cover it up..."

"Why?" Chu Zihang asked.

In Lu Mingfei's mind, asking such a question made him seem more like a detective who was the only one who was sober in a world of drunks.

“Because the features are very similar…” Lu Mingfei continued using the same explanation as before, “That dragon was wearing a mask and had only one eye. I think that feature is quite obvious.”

As Lu Mingfei was saying this, he suddenly heard a crisp snapping sound. He looked down and found that the pen in Chu Zihang's hand had been broken in two.

Lu Mingfei became even more nervous. When he went back to his dorm to sleep yesterday, he felt that this matter should have been over, but now another person who "questioned" him had appeared. He couldn't help but empathize with those helpless villains.

"Are there any other characteristics? Please describe them in detail, this is very important to me." Chu Zihang's voice was somewhat trembling.

In other people's eyes, he had always been a calm and collected person, but now, his voice sounded trembling, like a crying child, like a child suppressing anger.

Lu Mingfei was somewhat confused about the situation and could only rack his brains to think of any evidence that could strengthen his persuasiveness...

“Uh…” he pondered, then slowly said, “If I had to put it into words, those dead servants appearing everywhere are quite different from what the academy knows. They’re almost sentient. I guess they’ve been implanted with some kind of command. And that mask… I guess it’s some kind of alchemical tool—”

"It's not these." Chu Zihang seemed anxious. He suddenly interrupted Lu Mingfei, then realized he had lost his composure. After saying apologetically in a low voice, he returned to his calm demeanor.

Even so, his facial expression remained unchanged, as if he were born with facial paralysis and unable to make any expressions.

He asked, “I wanted to ask about the characteristics of this masked dragon. Did it appear without anything else? Like an eight-legged warhorse, or some other feature, just like the real Odin?”

Lu Mingfei suddenly understood what Chu Zihang was curious about. He breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that he wasn't being targeted by a meticulous detective.

“No.” He shook his head. “If those extremely well-known characteristics appeared, I wouldn’t have used speculative words like ‘maybe’ or ‘probably’ in my report.”

Chu Zihang blinked quietly, then lowered his head to look at the notebook on his lap, which looked like it had been turned countless times and was even a little wrinkled. Although his disappointment was not visible to the naked eye, the change in atmosphere was obvious.

"Are you interested in Odin?" Lu Mingfei couldn't help but ask with curiosity.

Chu Zihang nodded, "Because of some personal reasons."

He clearly didn't want to say much.

But at this moment, Lu Mingfei suddenly recalled certain fragments, remembering the things he had said to Su Xiaoqiang when he was bragging—

Chu Zihang seemed to be getting up to leave. He said thank you, then stood up to pack his notebook and the pen that was folded in half.

"Senior Brother Chu, when you were in junior high school, there was that year when it rained heavily, a really bad time, didn't you go to that elevated road in the city?" Lu Mingfei asked abruptly.

Finger had originally planned to come over and clean up the mess. He was muttering about how unlucky he was to share a dorm room with Lu Mingfei. Not only did he have to be Lu Mingfei's babysitter, but he also had to be the babysitter for other club bigwigs. But when he got to his chair, he found that Chu Zihang turned around and sat down steadily. Finger was startled by the feint and fell hard to the ground.

However, Chu Zihang had no time to care about anything else. His eyes emitted a strange light that spilled out from the side, as if he were wearing colored contact lenses but the light was leaking out. He quickly pulled the chair over to Lu Mingfei.

He still maintained that expressionless face, but his eyes were no longer so calm.

Chapter 179 Perhaps they are the same kind of people

"Don't, don't get excited..." Lu Mingfei was a little flustered and shrank back.

Fortunately, Chu Zihang was always able to adjust his state in time. He leaned his head back slightly and moved away a bit, but his eager attitude remained unchanged.

"How did you know?" he asked. "I remember that day, you talked to that girl and got on the bus, but she ignored you, so you went home in the rain. How did you know I got on the elevated highway?"

"No way, your memory is that good too?"

Lu Mingfei couldn't help but feel excited. He hadn't expected that Chu Zihang would remember the events of that day so clearly, and even be able to recount the details.

However, he also wanted to mourn for Liu Miaomiao, as it seemed that Chu Zihang didn't remember her name at all...

"Because it was raining so hard that day, I took a detour home. When I came out, I saw your Maybach parked under the overpass..." Lu Mingfei easily gets into the conversation when he talks about the past.

He paused, unable to resist his curiosity any longer, and asked in a slightly lowered voice, "But speaking of which, I've always been curious, is that man driving your father or your family driver? I think you look quite alike..."

Lu Mingfei asked the question with a gossipy mind. He actually thought the man driving the car was a bit too slovenly and didn't fit the image of Chu Zihang, a cold and aloof young master. So he couldn't help but have some wicked speculations—maybe there was a melodramatic story about Young Master Chu, like the family driver seducing the mistress of the house.

But despite his burning curiosity, Lu Mingfei only saw that Chu Zihang's unchanging face could no longer hold back. This man, who was usually expressionless, gradually revealed a strange expression, not just one emotion, but a multitude of emotions flowing through him. Finally, he sighed, reached out and patted Lu Mingfei's shoulder, and said thank you.

Thanks?

Lu Mingfei thought about it a hundred times but still couldn't figure out why Chu Zihang would suddenly thank him.

"Thank you for remembering him. I once thought I was the last person in the world to remember him," Chu Zihang said softly. "I never expected that there were other unrelated people who also remembered him."

That's really hurtful! What do you mean by "unrelated"? There wasn't even a hint of politeness! Lu Mingfei silently protested.

However, Lu Mingfei was more concerned about the outcome of the gossip, "So he is..."

“He is my father, my biological father,” Chu Zihang said.

Lu Mingfei suddenly realized, "No wonder I remember your name used to be Lu Mang, it turns out your stepfather's surname is Chu."

"No, my biological father's surname is Chu, and I changed it back to Chu later." Chu Zihang seemed to have opened his heart, and he would answer such a very impolite question.

Moreover, a hint of surprise could be seen on his otherwise expressionless face; he was astonished that Lu Mingfei remembered things about him so clearly…

"Huh?" Lu Mingfei opened his mouth wide, not understanding what was going on.

"Because my father has disappeared..." Chu Zihang deliberately used this phrase. Perhaps he actually wanted to say the word "death," but as a son, he was reluctant to say it, so he chose another way of saying it. Or perhaps he felt that there was still a chance for things to turn around, and he believed that his father was not dead.

He said, "On the day of the torrential rain, we encountered Odin, who ultimately failed to escape in order to protect me."

"Wow, big news..." Fingel, still lying on the ground, kept his mouth open.

"I can let my usual scandals go, but don't spread this kind of thing around." Lu Mingfei warned Fingel seriously. He was feeling heavy-hearted now. His parents always held a high place in his heart, so he was always very serious about things related to them.

"I won't say anything nonsense." Fingel rubbed his hands together sheepishly, looking like he'd been caught red-handed.

"Of course I believe you, dear senior brother, but I must ask you to leave first." Lu Mingfei gestured for him to leave, ruthlessly shooing him away.

Fingel's expression changed instantly. He was indignant at missing a great opportunity to find out big news, but under the intimidating influence of Lu Mingfei and Chu Zihang, he even obediently closed the door for them.

"Thank you." Chu Zihang thanked Lu Mingfei, and then continued his story. He seemed to have been keeping this to himself for a long time, and now he had finally found someone to confide in.

He said, "I went back to look for it later, but I found nothing, because the road we entered was very strange; it was a special space."

“Nibelungen,” Lu Mingfei read out the answer.

Chu Zihang moved even closer and nodded. "That's right, it's the Nibelungen. My mentor Schneider and I discussed this issue before, and he also thought it was one of those legendary alternate dimensions... But I'm still a little curious, how do you know so much about it?"

“It’s quite a coincidence…” Lu Mingfei chuckled, genuinely feeling that life was truly full of coincidences. “Because not long ago, I also entered that space. Going up from the ramp, crossing the boundary that covered the road sign, I could feel myself entering that space.”

Chu Zihang suddenly stopped talking again. He became silent and didn't say a word for a long time, but he was extremely serious and didn't move at all.

“However, I didn’t see Odin. I only heard some sounds, like thunder, like horses’ hooves, and flashes of lightning… but I’ve never actually seen his face,” Lu Mingfei said. “So, I’m sorry, I probably haven’t seen your father either…”

“No, no…” Chu Zihang shook his head. “I’ve already thanked you so much. Many times, I’ve thought that maybe all of this is just my imagination… After that incident, I investigated a lot of things, and even took the initiative to contact the academy, but I never found any news about Odin. But now, I know that he is real, and that’s enough.”

He murmured his thanks, having already thanked her several times today… Lu Mingfei had never imagined that Chu Zihang, so glamorous and capable of causing girls he'd never spoken to to fight each other, would have this side to him… For a fleeting moment, he suddenly felt that he and Chu Zihang were actually the same kind of person…

“Don’t be discouraged.” Lu Mingfei reached out and patted the stunned boy on the shoulder. “Although it might be a bit presumptuous to say this, I think your father might still be alive. I don’t believe Odin created alchemical tools that could issue commands just to show off. Do you remember Valhalla from mythology? Maybe it’s related…”

This wasn't just a comforting remark; Lu Mingfei genuinely believed it. Although he always felt that the image of Odin in mythology was very similar to himself, he had absolutely no recollection of the act of summoning the soldiers of Valhalla. That must have been the work of some King of the Sky and Wind.

And this thing must be related to that one-eyed mask.

Chu Zihang completely agreed with this point. Even if he only took it as Lu Mingfei's words of comfort, he felt very grateful. He sincerely thanked the boy who brought him hope.

"If I get any other information, I'll let you know right away," Lu Mingfei encouraged sincerely.

However, he couldn't help feeling happy, because this made his plan to pin any blame on Odin much easier, since nothing was more unforgettable than the "murder of one's father".

Lu Mingfei believed that even if he said that 9/11 was actually orchestrated by Odin, Chu Zihang would at least hesitate for a minute before giving an answer that "this possibility cannot be ruled out."

Lu Mingfei smiled at Chu Zihang, and Chu Zihang nodded heavily in response. This man, who was rumored to never show any expression, now revealed the most solemn look in his life.

Chapter 180 If you want it, beg me.

It was another ordinary afternoon, in the activity room of the pretty girls' book club.

"If you want it, just ask me." Xia Mi raised her head imperiously, acting like the mistress of the house.

"Please, please," Lu Mingfei pleaded, clasping his hands together without any dignity, like a little dog wagging its tail.

“Don’t beg her…” Zero pulled his hand, trying to stop this heartbreaking scene.

She didn't care much about other things. Whether it was a few more girls around him or some girls behaving intimately with him, it wasn't too much of a problem. Really, she really thought so. It wasn't excessive at all...

But this is the one thing she simply can't accept...

She didn't want to see him in a way that only she had ever seen, displayed before other girls—that pitiful yet adorable appearance, like a baby seal with its belly exposed. Why should others see him like that? He was a sight meant only for her…

What is it that you absolutely need her to do?

No matter how turbulent Zero's heart was, the proud empress would not soften her heart in the slightest.

Xia Mi hummed as she sat down in the chair where Lu Mingfei usually sat. Her long legs were crossed after being raised high. She was very pleased that she was finally not the one who always lost. Watching this guy who was always tugging at other girls now looking so humble and pleading was like drinking fine wine.

"Let's go." Zero still tried to pull Lu Mingfei away from the activity room. She was starting to hate her own cold mask that she couldn't take off and her mouth that was as clumsy as a dumb egg.

"Leave? If you leave, you won't hear the top-secret story~" Xia Mi revealed her tiger teeth.

Most of the time, including now, she looks like a beautiful and youthful girl, but in Zero's eyes, she is now an extremely vicious snake, showing her fangs!

"No, no, who said we were leaving? We didn't say we were leaving." Lu Mingfei chuckled awkwardly, then turned to soothe Ling's emotions, "There's nothing we can do. It's something only she knows. When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head..."

His kind words calmed Zero down a little; at least she now knew that this was out of necessity, something he had no choice to do, not something he did voluntarily…

The girl, who felt awkward inside but couldn't show it on her face, couldn't express her true feelings. She was even more embarrassed to say that she had a vulgar desire to possess his pitiful and cute appearance. After a long pause, she could only whisper to Lu Mingfei not to be so humble, at least not to show that pitiful expression.

Lu Mingfei readily agreed, but when he turned around and met Xia Mi's teasing gaze, he secretly winked, begging her not to be so malicious anymore.

Fortunately, Xia Mi was a girl who knew when to stop. After getting what she wanted, she nodded with satisfaction, then crossed her legs on the other side, rested her elbows on her thighs, and supported her face with her palms.

"What do you want to hear?" she asked.

"I want to hear anything, as long as it's about Odin, I'll tell you anything." Lu Mingfei chuckled, thinking to himself that he could get information just by smiling, this was really a windfall.

Odin?

Zero now realized that what Lu Mingfei had been begging Xia Mi to tell him since yesterday was about this matter...

A sense of helplessness welled up within her. She knew nothing about this matter, and even if she wanted to help, she didn't know where to begin... No wonder he had to beg Xia Mi so humbly...

Zero stopped secretly pulling Lu Mingfei's hand. She quietly moved her chair next to Lu Mingfei, and they sat down side by side, each taking half of the chair. In this insignificant way, she silently resisted the tyranny of the hateful viper.

"We need a direction, right? It's hard for me to start talking like this. If I talk about everything, we might end up talking until graduation," Xia Mi patiently reminded her.

"Direction..." Lu Mingfei was also stumped. Although he really wanted to know all the details about this guy, now that it was mentioned, he realized that he didn't even seem to know which parts he should know...

Information about "Odin" was all blurry in his mind. He remembered the image, very clearly, but the image of the one-eyed king riding an eight-legged steed was like a blow from a club, all mixed up together.

"Fine, seeing how conflicted you are, I'll just pick and choose a part to tell you." The haughty girl was actually quite considerate. She hummed and changed her posture again before starting her story.

She said, "First of all, his appearance. I'm not very good at drawing, so I can only describe it to you verbally. He actually looks... well, how should I put it... like a very ordinary middle-aged man, and a bit of a chatterbox. Anyway, I find him annoying—"

“It sounds like my uncle…” Lu Mingfei rolled his eyes, thinking of his uncle.

"I've never met your uncle, only your aunt." Xia Mi snorted. "If that's the case, I might as well go home with you this year to find out. Maybe you're actually living in a spy's den."

Lu Mingfei's lips twitched involuntarily. He imagined it carefully: if the man who would practically crawl under a chair whenever his wife raised her voice was Odin, then he really had to thank his uncle for being so kind as to live this long...

"Don't you have your own home? Why are you going home with him?" Zero was clearly more concerned about another topic, and she didn't even care about the explosive information implied in these words.

"One more won't make a difference~" Xia Mi deliberately showed her canine teeth again, just like Qi Ling. She covered her upper lip with her lower lip and showed an extremely irritatingly innocent expression. "Anyway, our President Lu is broad-minded and willing to take me in, so it's no big deal for me to go, right?"

"Yes, yes, yes..." Lu Mingfei could only feign compliance for the time being.

"Hehe~" The girl grinned and continued, "But if we look at it from another angle, in terms of combat strength, that assessment doesn't apply to him at all. He's the strongest warrior, the real deal! Okay, okay, don't make that face. You're even stronger, you're the strongest~"