Chapter 26: To See the Words is to See the Person, Yet Better Never to Meet

It is a common custom among the Chinese to discuss business over a dinner table. While enrollment might not strictly count as business, Guderian perhaps believed it was a way to "do as the Romans do."

At the table, he lavished praise on Lu Mingfei’s performance during the interview, speaking of him in terms that made him sound like a peerless talent. For an average young man, such an outpouring of flattery would be enough to make him finish two large bowls of rice, even if he were only having plain white rice for breakfast. Lu Mingfei was pleased by the compliments, yet he never showed any sign of being overwhelmed by the favor.

Ye Sheng and Akiha Shide, acting as wingmen, assumed that Professor Guderian’s enthusiasm had intimidated Lu Mingfei. Consequently, they brought out copies of Cassell College’s credentials and a campus photo album, introducing them one by one to prove that they were, beyond a doubt, a legitimate and reputable university.

Lu Mingfei wiped his hands and took the album. He flipped through it quickly, his gaze not lingering on the magnificent, castle-like architecture, nor on the bright, charming, and sexy female students. It was clear to everyone that he was searching for something—or someone—specifically that senior named "Chu Zihang."

The only familiar Asian face Lu Mingfei could find was Ye Sheng, who had included a photo of himself riding a windsurfer through the waves. He introduced it as Cassell College’s annual windsurfing competition, boasting that they had bested the University of Chicago for three consecutive years.

"That’s truly impressive," Lu Mingfei praised, though his heart was clearly not in it. Despite never having attended university, he knew that only mediocre schools would emphasize such trivial honors. If Cassell students had defeated the University of Chicago in an academic competition, he would have gladly offered his applause. But a windsurfing race—a sport for the wealthy and idle? How was that any different from comparing a star athlete to an average student at a high school sports meet?

Failing to find the star freshman representative Chu Zihang, he handed the album back. "If I may ask, I’m the only one among the seventeen interviewees who passed, aren't I?"

"Indeed. You are the most qualified among all the candidates this time," Professor Guderian nodded slightly in affirmation.

Lu Mingfei raised an eyebrow. "Unbelievable. My competitors were all the pride of heaven."

"Do not sell yourself short. The fact is, you are more outstanding than them." Although Guderian hadn't actually read the interview notes for the other sixteen, that didn't stop him from believing Lu Mingfei was the best.

"All right then. May I ask what exactly you saw in me? Is it my peerless gaming talent? Are you planning to establish an e-sports major this year?"

"Your overall potential! You have great promise, and we are very optimistic about your future!" Guderian’s tone was sincere. He pressed his hand to his chest and promised, "To honor your excellence, I will allocate a scholarship of $36,000 annually from my own funds. That is enough to cover your four years of university!"

"That is... truly overwhelming." Lu Mingfei was stunned by Guderian’s generosity. To be fair, this was more than all his tournament winnings from his first year in the scene combined; after all, the top prize for the WCG StarCraft World Finals that year was only $10,000.

"You deserve it," Guderian said affectionately. "And there are no strings attached to this scholarship."

"That sounds excellent." Lu Mingfei seemed tempted, but his tone shifted quickly. "However, I would like to hear the truth. You must have seen more in me than just that."

Meeting his sharp, bright eyes, Professor Guderian coughed twice. "Of course, there are indeed other reasons."

"Heh." Nono, who had been focused on her breakfast, suddenly let out a laugh. Before anyone could look at her, she acted as if nothing had happened and swiped the remaining salmon roll from Ye Sheng’s plate.

With her brief interruption, the subtle tension eased. Professor Guderian continued, "Actually, your parents are honorary alumni of Cassell College and have made donations to the school. Under equal conditions, we prioritize the children of alumni."

"So, I’m a legacy admission after all." Lu Mingfei’s suspicions were confirmed, but he didn't look particularly happy. He didn't look at all like someone who had just received news of his long-absent parents. He was used to life without them. When he first learned they had been traveling the world for six years without returning or even making a phone call, he had felt a bit of sadness. He knew they had their own pursuits and ideals, a noble spirit of sacrificing the small family for the greater good, much like Yu the Great who passed his own door three times without entering. But the object of their devotion was not his homeland.

Furthermore, Lu Mingfei himself had once been a father. Never mind six years—if he didn't see his daughter for sixty minutes, he would be worried sick. He feared she might trip or fall when he wasn't looking, or that she would cry because she couldn't find her daddy. People’s joys and sorrows are rarely shared.

On the very first day of his rebirth, Lu Mingfei had read those dozen letters his parents had sent back. He couldn't say they were entirely devoid of concern, but based on the lines telling him to "listen to your uncle and aunt," he had stopped holding any expectations long ago.

Perhaps sensing something was off, Guderian pulled out a photograph and handed it to Lu Mingfei. "I have a photo of your parents here. They really do care about you; they’ve just been running around the world for years, occupied with very important research."

Lu Mingfei looked at the photo of the couple strolling hand-in-hand through a garden at sunset. The two figures, long blurred in his mind, became clear once more. He tapped his finger lightly against the background of the photo, where Cassell College seemed to merge with the sunset, and suddenly, he began to laugh. He laughed until his teeth were stark white and his gums were bright red.

At that moment, the name of the alt-account he used to troll Lu Mingze—"Trace of the Sunset"—flashed through his mind, along with its melancholy signature: "Let your smile and your sorrow be the marks upon my life."

In the photo, the couple, who didn't look particularly aged and carried themselves with elegance, looked at each other with warm smiles, seemingly enjoying their romantic world for two. They were completely oblivious to the fact that the unfortunate child they had conceived together was, on the other side of the planet, serving rice, washing dishes, and cleaning the house for his aunt and uncle, risking a scolding for the slightest mistake.

Seeing Lu Mingfei’s increasingly unbridled laughter, Ye Sheng and Akiha Shide exchanged a look, sensing something was wrong. Why did that smile look so chilling? They turned their eyes toward the red-haired girl, hoping for her insight. But Nono was currently busy stealing a salmon roll from Akiha’s plate, fully engrossed in her breakfast, showing no sign of wanting to be a wingman.

Finally stopping his laughter, Lu Mingfei asked, "May I keep the photo?"

"Of course, it was meant for you." Professor Guderian handed him an envelope. "Oh, and here is a letter your mother wrote to the school regarding your situation."

It was called a letter, but it was essentially a printed email. Lu Mingfei scanned it, reaching two conclusions: First, the principal of Cassell College was named Angers. Second, their research had reached a new stage, and they would be unable to see him for a long time to come. The legend of the Lu orphan continued.

As for his parents going through the trouble of writing to the principal to pull strings for his education, Lu Mingfei didn't take it to heart. Going to school was impossible; he would never return to a classroom in this lifetime. He could only maintain his livelihood by dominating the world of gaming.

His gaze fell on the final sentence: "Please convey to him that his mother and father love him." Lu Mingfei gave a light chuckle, devoid of much emotion. Some things cannot be conveyed across mountains and seas simply by a written message.

Just as he was about to put the letter away, he saw the old man, Guderian, clear his throat and, with an incredibly affectionate tone and slightly accented pronunciation, say, "Mingfei, Mom and Dad love you."