102: 102. Conditions for taking leave

Hearing about the Freshmen Welcome Gala, Lu Feng instinctively resisted, hesitatingly asking, "What kind of help?"

"The school's Freshmen Welcome Gala requires every department to participate with a performance, and our Psychology Department naturally needs to prepare a few..."

Li Qian said, while pulling up Lu Feng's information on the computer. This was the personal form he filled out during enrollment a while ago, and one section was about hobbies and special skills.

Seeing this, Lu Feng's brow twitched, and he inwardly thought, "This isn't good." For the hobbies and special skills section, he had just plundered many miscellaneous skills in his dream, and didn't think much of it when filling out the form, figuring no one would look closely. So he casually and perfunctorily wrote down badminton and piano.

Who would have thought it would be recorded in the system, and now even pulled up for viewing?

"Piano? Hmm, not bad!"

Li Qian's eyes lit up: "I didn't expect you to know how to play. How about this... the two psychology classes will put on a poetry recitation with piano accompaniment. You'll be responsible for playing the piano, and I'll have another student recite. Perfect!"

Lu Feng immediately shook his head and said, "Teacher, I haven't practiced in a long time, I'm afraid..."

Li Qian waved her hand, not giving him a chance to refuse: "It's fine, just a simple piece... 'Für Elise,' it's only five minutes at most. The gala is still several days away, so you can practice in your spare time, how about it? It'll also be a contribution to the collective, and you can even get extra comprehensive evaluation points."

Lu Feng: "..."

He really didn't want to show off in such an occasion, but a brief five-minute performance compared to a week of scorching sun... He weighed his options for a moment and could only nod reluctantly: "...Okay, I agree."

"Great! Then it's settled!" The counselor quickly signed the paper, as if afraid he would change his mind.

Thus, Lu Feng exchanged the opportunity to freely enter and exit the school for the price of making an appearance at the Freshmen Welcome Gala.

Was it... not a loss?

Li Qian was in a very good mood and said with a smile, "As for the other person, I'll go 'trick'... no, I'll go see which student is willing to participate and then contact you."

Lu Feng sighed helplessly and walked out of the office.

He still had important things to do today. Arriving at the school gate, Lu Feng stood by the roadside waiting for a car. Before long, a black Maybach silently glided to a stop in front of him.

Lu Feng got into the car deftly and immediately said, "Old Yu, help me with my driver's license. It's quite troublesome not having a car these days."

Yu Tianxiong nodded: "Yes, Sir, I'll arrange a good instructor for you right away."

Lu Feng shook his head: "No need to trouble yourself, I know how to drive. Once the formalities are handled, just arrange the test, the sooner the better."

Driving skills could be said to be the first skill Lu Feng learned, so there was no need to waste time.

"I understand." Yu Tianxiong nodded, without suspicion.

The sedan arrived at a seemingly ordinary fitness and physical training gym on the outskirts of the university town.

The location was secluded, and the storefront was inconspicuous. After getting out of the car, Lu Feng could still see a 'Temporarily Closed' sign hanging above.

"They're already inside," Yu Tianxiong whispered.

Lu Feng smiled and said, "Let's go in."

Pushing open the door, the interior scene was completely different from the desolate exterior. There were no flashy gym machines; the space was vast, looking more like a comprehensive combat training ground and tactical training room.

The air was filled with the smell of sweat and a hint of rust, and faint sounds of fists and feet colliding with flesh, along with deep shouts, could be heard.

Lu Feng's gaze swept to the center of the training ground.

There were five people in total, two of whom were engaged in close-quarters combat, their movements swift and sharp, every move practical. The other three watched from the side, arms crossed.

Hearing the movement, everyone instantly stopped, their gazes uniformly turning towards the door.

"Attention!!"

Tian Peng suddenly shouted loudly, and instantly the five men stood rooted to the spot like javelins, awaiting Lu Feng's inspection.

Tian Peng stood in the middle, and beside him were four other men with equally tough dispositions and sharp eyes, all around thirty years old. Although they wore ordinary sportswear, the steady aura of rigorous training and combat experience could not be concealed.

They stood together, the atmosphere silent and oppressive, like the most reliable wall.

However, upon seeing such a young man, even with a hint of student-like innocence, approaching them, the eyes of these four retired soldiers flashed with unconcealed surprise and bewilderment.

He was truly too young.

Was this the mysterious Mr. that Brother Peng spoke of, who could produce five million with a wave of his hand and was about to invest in an astonishing project?

The contrast was so stark that it gave them a strong sense of unreality.

In comparison, the steady middle-aged man following behind the young man looked more like the boss they had imagined.

Tian Peng stepped forward, his voice booming: "Mr. Lu!"

The four men behind him also straightened their backs slightly in unison, their gazes focused on Lu Feng, filled with scrutiny and curiosity.

Lu Feng took in their reactions, not surprised.

He calmly walked forward, his gaze sweeping over the five men one by one, then settling on Tian Peng: "Lao Tian, are these your old comrades?"

His tone was natural, not condescending, yet it carried an invisible aura.

"Yes! Mr. Lu!"

Tian Peng turned and introduced them, "This is Engineer Lei, an explosives and mechanical expert; there's no device or circuit he can't handle. Shan Bao, a scout, excellent at tracking and counter-tracking. Daozi, a master of close-quarters combat and cold weapons. And Tiejiang, a heavy weapons specialist, proficient with heavy weaponry and vehicle driving, and can operate heavy machinery."

Each person nodded to Lu Feng as they were introduced, their expressions serious.

Lu Feng looked at them and slowly spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears:

"I have a general understanding of your experiences and abilities. I'm not looking for you to engage in fighting, but rather I need your professional skills, absolute trustworthiness, and execution to do something more important and also more legal."

He paused, explaining, "For example, security escort for important personnel and assets, escorting materials in special environments, information gathering, and handling some... less conventional emergencies."

Lu Feng's gaze deepened: "I know it will take time for you to fully trust a young man like me. I don't need you to immediately treat me as your boss; we can start with an employment relationship."

"I can promise three things: First, the compensation will absolutely satisfy you; second, what you do will never violate your bottom line and principles; third, by following me, the world you will see will be far more than just this small plot of land before you."

He didn't use grand words, just stated things calmly, yet it inexplicably gave people a sense of credible power.

Especially the last sentence, which carried an inspiring subtext.

Tian Peng was the first to express his stance: "We will follow Mr. Lu's arrangements!"

Engineer Lei, Shan Bao, and the others exchanged glances, their doubts slightly reduced.

This young boss seemed much more reliable than they had imagined. They said in unison: "We are willing to follow Mr. Lu's arrangements!"

Lu Feng revealed a slight smile. The initial subjugation was achieved, but he also knew that true trust needed to be built in subsequent matters.

He did not want to delegate this armed force to others. It was crucial for these soldiers to understand from the beginning who the decision-maker was.