“I know, say your goodbyes to your classmates.”
“Come to the Lijing Hotel again tomorrow. Professor Guderian said he wants to see you.”
“Alright, Senior Brother.”
Ye Sheng on the other end didn't reply; it seemed he had already gone offline.
Lu Mingfei tilted his head back and let out a long breath.
Saying goodbye to his classmates wasn't difficult; what he had to consider was how to explain things to his Aunt’s family.
Although he could simply pack his things and slip away quietly like today, his Aunt and Uncle had been his guardians for so many years.
Moreover, he didn't have enough money for a plane ticket to the other side of the ocean.
The next morning, at the Lijing Hotel.
On the ninth floor, in the Executive Level VIP dining bar, Lu Mingfei sat down alone.
A well-dressed waiter immediately stepped forward: “Mr. Lu Mingfei? Green tea or black tea?”
“Does it cost money?” Lu Mingfei asked softly. He only had a little money left for internet access, certainly not enough to pay for tea at the Lijing Hotel.
“Professor Guderian booked the Presidential Suite, and everything is complimentary for guests of the Presidential Suite.”
“The Professor is so rich,” Lu Mingfei said with reverence.
As he was sighing, the direct elevator doors opened, and a burly, white-haired old man headed straight for the table where Lu Mingfei was sitting.
On his left was Ye Sheng, on his right Shuhtome Yaji, a handsome man and a beautiful woman, who immediately took Lu Mingfei's hand without a word.
“Hello! Lu Mingfei!”
His tone was exactly the same as when he called that day.
Lu Mingfei was startled by this overflowing enthusiasm; he doubted his own parents would be this enthusiastic if they reunited after many years.
“Hello… Professor Guderian? Your Chinese is very good.”
Professor Guderian's eyes lit up. “Really good?” He scratched his head happily.
“Our Kassel College is fully popularizing Chinese. When you go to the school, Mingfei, there will be no language barrier.”
Lu Mingfei blinked twice.
Everyone speaks Chinese?
He had thought his TOEFL score contributed to his admission; had they actually completely believed his chuunibyo ramblings?
Lu Mingfei couldn't help but worry about his future.
However, seeing that the Professor was wealthy enough to book the Presidential Suite, he wasn't so pessimistic.
Ye Sheng tugged on Professor Guderian's sleeve from behind, and the three of them finally sat down opposite Lu Mingfei.
“Let's have breakfast first.”
Professor Guderian held a fork in his left hand and a knife in his right, but his gaze was still on Lu Mingfei.
Lu Mingfei felt that the way he looked at him was like a glutton looking at a roasted chicken, full of anticipation.
Ye Sheng had made ample preparations, intending to demonstrate the Kassel College's strength to reassure Lu Mingfei's guardians about sending him to the school.
But unexpectedly, Lu Mingfei came alone.
“Mingfei, where are your guardians?”
Lu Mingfei's hand paused: “I didn't tell them. I received the Kassel College's reply.”
“…”
The dining table instantly fell silent, with only the sound of knives and forks clinking against plates.
“This…” Ye Sheng's expression was awkward, and he asked, forcing himself: “Can you explain why? For something like going abroad, it's better to inform your family.”
Lu Mingfei couldn't come up with a good reason, and it wasn't easy to say he could see the fortune signs, so he could only scratch his head and confess his background.
He spoke very objectively.
But to Ye Sheng and the others, it clearly sounded like he wasn't liked by his family, to the point that Lu Mingfei didn't dare to tell his Aunt about this matter.
Professor Guderian couldn't listen anymore, he slammed his hand down, a little angry: “Mingfei's parents are honorary alumni of our school, and they've made donations to the Kassel College. How can Mingfei be subjected to such treatment?”
Guderian said righteously:
“You don't need to worry about tuition fees. I will allocate a scholarship of 36,000 US dollars per year from my name, which will be enough for you to complete four years of university.”
“Since Mingfei has come of age and entered university, he has the right to manage his affairs. I will have Noma handle this matter, and all future living expenses will be deposited into a card solely belonging to Mingfei.”
Lu Mingfei gasped.
Firstly, he hadn't expected his parents to have such a connection with Kassel College.
Secondly, he hadn't expected the Professor to be so domineering, able to secure his living expenses in just a few words.
He gazed at Professor Guderian opposite him, his heart rate unconsciously quickening.
“Professor, you said my parents are honorary alumni of your esteemed Kassel College?”
“Of course!” Guderian said confidently:
“Although I haven't met them, I've heard they've been busy with an important project, flying all over the world these past years.”
“I also have a photo of them here, and a letter your mother sent for your university admission. This is also why I absolutely had to see you.”
He took a photo from his pocket and pushed it in front of Lu Mingfei.
Lu Mingfei lowered his head and took it, his heart thumping like a little rabbit.
He had forgotten how long it had been since he received news from his parents. Every time his mother wrote, it was always to tell him to study hard and take care of himself, which was always the same.
This once made Lu Mingfei think his parents didn't care about him at all.
Lu Mingfei caressed the photo. It showed a summer garden, with the Kassel College vaguely in the distance bathed in the setting sun, and countless creeping vines in the foreground.
A man and a woman walked hand in hand among the vines.
He reached out his finger and gently touched the faces of the two people in the picture.
These were his parents, so far away from him, in a corner of the world he could never reach.
A letter appeared in front of Lu Mingfei at the right moment.
After silently reading the letter, Lu Mingfei remained silent for a long time.
“Mingfei, Daddy and Mommy love you.”
His mother's voice from memory suddenly appeared at the dining table. Lu Mingfei sharply looked up, only to find that it was Professor Guderian's phone making the sound.
Professor Guderian showed an embarrassed smile:
“The Headmaster said I absolutely had to convey your parents' greetings, so I had Noma synthesize some using your mother's voice. I hope you don't mind.”
“...I...don't mind...”
Lu Mingfei's voice choked. “I'm sorry, I need to go to the restroom.”
Ye Sheng and Shuhtome Yaji both watched Lu Mingfei gently, and Professor Guderian also nodded at him.
Lu Mingfei stood up and went to the restroom.
Leaning against the restroom door, he was silent for a while, then his tears finally flowed silently.
Throughout the six years he had lived with his Aunt's family, he had always felt that no one in this world loved him.
Until his mother's voice suddenly appeared in his ears.
Lu Mingfei suddenly felt that he was wrong.
When he heard that voice, he suddenly broke down.
“I love you.”
Seeing and hearing were different feelings.
Especially for a neglected, wilted child.
Three minutes later.
Lu Mingfei composed himself and sat back down.
“I'm sorry, I wasted everyone's time.”
“It's fine, it's fine,” Shuhtome Yaji said understandingly, showing a kind smile.
Lu Mingfei was touched by the beautiful smile, his previously low spirits lifted considerably, and he remembered another matter Professor Guderian had just brought up.
“Professor just said that the living expenses my parents sent me could be put on a new card?”
Professor Guderian nodded, “Of course, after all, it's money sent to you, and you are the ultimate beneficiary, as long as you agree.”
“Didn't your family tell you?”
Lu Mingfei's breath hitched, remembering the items his Aunt's family had purchased with this money over the years.
He shook his head, “No.”
“So, do you agree now?”
“…”
The silence only lasted a few seconds, then Lu Mingfei nodded in agreement.
“I agree.”
“Verification passed, Mr. Lu Mingfei, it's a pleasure to serve you.”
“I am Noma, the secretary of Kassel College. Your new bank card will be delivered within three weeks, and it will include all your unused living expenses from the past six years, as well as future living expenses.”
A calm female voice sounded from the phone.
Professor Guderian's voice appeared simultaneously:
“It's good that you agree. Noma will take care of the rest. You just wait for the email.”
“There are still a few days left for the Presidential Suite at the Lijing Hotel. If you don't want to go home these days, you can stay here.”