160: 160. Mr. Xu pays homage
While undercurrents surged in the outside world, the campus of Jiangcheng University was a vibrant scene of youth.
The annual Autumn Sports Meet was in full swing.
Young students competed fiercely on the track and field, while in a corner of the stadium lawn, a fun event filled with laughter also attracted a large crowd of students.
"Two-person three-legged race, start!!!"
"Old Lu! Go! Rhythm! Watch the rhythm! Go together! Take them down!" Zhang Wenfa shouted excitedly, his left leg and Lu Feng's right leg tied together as they struggled to coordinate their steps, sprinting towards the finish line.
The twenty participating teams on site displayed various forms; some cooperated seamlessly and moved swiftly, while others frequently encountered problems, making fools of themselves.
Just a few steps after Lu Feng and Zhang Wenfa's team started, they heard an "ouch" nearby, and turning their heads, saw another pair of partners fall flat on their faces due to running too fast, eliciting a burst of good-natured laughter from the onlookers.
Lu Feng was also amused by the clumsy scene.
Zhang Wenfa kept shouting "one-two-one," but almost tripped over his own feet, causing Lu Feng to stumble as well.
"Old Zhang, can you even do this?" Lu Feng teased.
"I can't control myself! Slower, slower, that's better!"
The two finally managed to steady themselves and continued walking in a comical manner.
Suddenly, the audience erupted in enthusiastic cheers. Zhang Wenfa glimpsed, and a pair of sports students zoomed past them with incredible speed and astonishing coordination, their binding straps seemingly sparking.
As they passed, they even flashed triumphant smiles at Zhang Wenfa and Lu Feng before leaving them in the dust.
"Holy moly! Those two are too insane! That fast!?"
The fifty-meter distance didn't seem long, but everyone was wobbling along. Only the sports student duo crossed the finish line first, triumphantly waving their arms.
In the end, Lu Feng and Zhang Wenfa, this pair of unfortunate brothers, after a bumpy journey, successfully secured third place.
"Third place! Hahaha, Old Lu, we got a medal!"
Zhang Wenfa excitedly untied the strap, took the bronze medal, and bit it proudly.
Seeing his girlfriend Su Yan approach, he immediately scurried over to show off.
"Junior Lu Feng, this is for you."
Lin Wanqiu, who had been waiting nearby, handed him a bottle of mineral water. Lu Feng took it and smiled, "Thank you."
"You two were so funny just now. I didn't expect you to participate in such a fun event; I thought you boys preferred playing basketball or something."
Lu Feng shook his head, "Just to complete a task."
As he drank water, he seemed to sense something and his gaze inadvertently swept across the sports meet grandstand. Besides enthusiastic students and family members, there were also some people from outside the school.
His gaze fixed on an inconspicuous corner where Xu Ting, dressed in a sharp business suit, stood waving at Lu Feng.
Beside her stood an old man in a simple Tang suit.
It was the Xu Family's pillar of strength, Old Master Xu.
Lu Feng was slightly surprised; Xu Bang's health seemed to have mostly recovered.
Old Master Xu was also watching him with a complex gaze, his eyes filled with an indescribable reverence, and even a hint of... bewilderment?
When he noticed Lu Feng's gaze, Old Master Xu bowed slightly, greeting him.
Lu Feng merely nodded faintly in response.
At this moment, Zhang Wenfa had finished showing off and ran back, grabbing him, "Old Lu! Quick! The next event is about to start! Your psychology class against our finance class, let's go watch!"
Lu Feng was pulled along, running towards another venue, his figure disappearing into the noisy crowd.
In the corner of the grandstand, Old Master Xu watched the direction where Lu Feng disappeared for a long time, muttering to himself in a voice so soft that only Xu Ting beside him could hear:
"Playing in the human world... Truly playing in the human world, he is a divine being..."
As an older generation, he already revered Lu Feng as a god, but he couldn't understand why an existence like a Dream Master with such unfathomable abilities would immerse himself in childish activities like a campus sports meet, just like an ordinary young man.
Perhaps this was a unique way for a god to experience life over long ages?
Listening to her grandfather's words, Xu Ting looked at Lu Feng's receding back, her eyes also filled with complex and unreadable emotions.
"Grandpa, I've sent a message to Mr. Lu. We'll meet in a bit."
Xu Bang let out a long sigh and whispered to his granddaughter, "Xiao Ting, there are some things I cannot say, but Mr. Lu is a dragon hidden in the abyss; he is destined to soar to great heights in the future. Whether my Xu Family can regain its glory, or even ascend to a higher level, may depend on this one move. You must handle the situation well and maintain this good relationship."
Xu Ting nodded silently, looking in the direction where Lu Feng disappeared, her gaze growing even more resolute... The campus sun was still bright, and cheers from the sports field were continuous.
Lu Feng squeezed out of the crowd and walked towards outside the campus.
A moment later, he arrived at a private tea room in the university town.
When Lu Feng arrived, Old Master Xu Bang and Xu Ting were already waiting. Seeing Lu Feng push the door open, Old Master Xu immediately stood up.
This old man, who had weathered decades in the business world and seen countless storms, now had a devout solemnity on his face.
He walked around the tea table, intending to perform a grand bow to Lu Feng.
Lu Feng, quick-witted, calmly extended his hand to support Old Master Xu, preventing him from actually kneeling.
"Old Master Xu, there's no need for such formality. Please sit."
Xu Bang felt the irresistible yet gentle force, and his heart was even more shaken. He sat down as instructed, but his posture remained incredibly humble.
"Mr. Lu, great kindness needs no words of thanks. You saved this old man and the Xu Family from peril, and enlightened us. This kindness is like a second chance at life."
Lu Feng poured himself a cup of tea and smiled, "It was a small matter, no need to mention it. The Xu Family's ability to stabilize the situation is due to your own capabilities, and besides... Sister Xu and I are also friends."
Xu Ting had now officially taken over the Xu Family, becoming its head, but facing Lu Feng, she was still somewhat confused.
Why was Grandpa so respectful towards Lu Feng, as if... he were a god?
"Mr. Lu is too modest."
Xu Bang's tone was earnest, "Without your help, my Xu Family would have long been doomed. I came today, firstly, to thank you in person, and secondly, to express my sincere intentions to Mr. Lu. From now on, my Xu Family is willing to follow Mr. Lu's lead. Should you have any commands, there will be no second thoughts!"
These words carried immense weight, essentially staking the entire Xu Family's future on Lu Feng.
Although Xu Ting beside him had already been mentally prepared, hearing her grandfather speak such resolute words in person still stirred waves in her heart, and she looked at Lu Feng with complex emotions.