Dragon Raja: Lu Mingfei Returns from Sekiro

Be careful! Be extremely careful!!!

Impulsiveness is the devil; think carefully before you speak!

One wrong step, one wrong step!

Lu Mingfei shifted his weight slightly to the edge of the bench, held his breath, stared intently at Jiu Deya, and listened to the sounds of all things.

The rustling of leaves in the wind, the footsteps of two or three pedestrians...

The sounds were exceptionally clear, “tap tap tap.” Lu Mingfei’s ears twitched slightly, his eyes lit up, and he stood up.

Heaven helps those who help themselves; there's always a way out!

"Senior Susie! Senior Brother Chu Zihang! You're here too!" He waved to the two figures in the distance.

The two people in front stopped and turned around to look at them.

The frozen air melted away, the trembling feeling in his heart disappeared, and Lu Mingfei quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's Chu Zihang and Su Xi, long time no see," said Aki Shude.

Although she didn't have much interaction with these two, they were still at the level of occasionally bumping into each other. After all, Chu Zihang and Susie were celebrities in the college. Before Lu Mingfei enrolled, the top trending topic on the forum was either Caesar or Chu Zihang. Students in Kassel had all heard of their names. Sometimes, paparazzi photos of Susie and Chu Zihang in the same shot could even reach the top of the trending list.

"Senior brother, you're discharged from the hospital. How are you? Are you alright?" Lu Mingfei walked over, with Aki following behind him. The four of them stopped by a street lamp.

“I’m fine,” Chu Zihang said. “But I don’t know how Fingel is doing. When I left, I saw the nurse giving him an IV drip again.”

"That guy's tough, he'll be fine," Lu Mingfei patted his chest confidently. "I'm just about to go to the school hospital to see him. Are you guys going there too, senior?"

"Go to the Lionheart Society for a meeting," Chu Zihang said. "Because of my previous hospitalization, I haven't been able to handle many things, especially the procedures for new members joining the society. The current president must lead the meeting with a speech."

"Is it that formal?" Lu Mingfei recalled joining the Young Pioneers in elementary school, when the brigade leader with three stripes stood on the flag-raising platform and led his group of third-grade students, all wearing red scarves, in reciting the oath.

At the end, wasn't it supposed to be "The oath taker, so-and-so"? At that moment, the brigade leader clenched his right fist and placed it next to his temple, and after he finished reading his own name, all the children, including Lu Mingfei, followed suit and read the brigade leader's name, causing a big joke. The teachers next to him were amused and had to start all over again.

I didn't expect the Lionheart Society's initiation ceremony to be so formal, with an oath and speech.

“If we’re really talking about age, the Lionheart Society is older than Kassel College. It was established before Kassel was founded, and Principal Angers was one of its original members,” Susie said. “By the way, what are you doing here with Senior Aki?”

Her eyes were filled with suspicion. The news that Ye Sheng and Jiu Deyaji were officially dating and planned to get married before the end of the year had not yet spread. Only a handful of people knew about it, including Lu Mingfei, Caesar, Professor Mans, and the principal. Moreover, the two of them were seen as mortal enemies by Susie, so in her eyes, Jiu Deyaji was single.

Lu Mingfei is also single. Do you believe there's nothing going on between a single man and a single woman sitting on a bench chatting at night?

Just the day before yesterday, they were asking how to deal with enthusiastic "fans," and today they've let loose and met up with them in person?

Men really are all big pigs.

"If Chu Zihang were a jerk, that would be great," Susie thought. But then she thought, "If Chu Zihang were a jerk, would I be interested in a jerk? Wouldn't that be a paradox?"

Speaking of which, Susie received an invitation today, inviting her and Chu Zihang to a ball at Norton House tomorrow night.

Everyone knows that Norton House is owned by Lu Mingfei. Could it be that he's planning a grand and romantic confession at tomorrow's ball?

Keshu Deya's looks and figure are not outstanding in Kassel College, and she is not young either. Aren't the newly enrolled 18-year-old beauties more appealing? Even among the senior students, there are many who are better than Deya. Or does Lu Mingfei just prefer the gentle and kind girl next door type?

Chu Zihang's gossipy nature was also piqued, and he watched Lu Mingfei and Jiu Deya with great interest.

Although Lu Mingfei wasn't particularly bright, he wasn't the slow-witted male protagonist from a Japanese anime. With his highly focused mind, he keenly sensed that something was amiss.

Jiu Deya didn't speak up to explain first, but stood quietly behind Lu Mingfei, looking at him as well.

In an instant, he became the focus of the three people's attention, and the pressure once again turned into a heavy burden on his shoulders.

Susie and Chu Zihang were fine; they were just there for the fun of it. The problem was the gaze from behind them.

A wise person is careful with their words! A careless remark could cost you your head!

Have you not seen how many people in history have been executed at noon because of a single sentence?

Lu Mingfei's little brain was working at lightning speed. If his brain were an engine, it would be roaring under overload and emitting white smoke.

In a flash of inspiration, he seemed to have grasped the key to the matter.

"I just bumped into Senior Aki and chatted for a bit." Lu Mingfei said with a serious face. "You guys don't know, do you? Senior Ye Sheng and Senior Aki just submitted their marriage application to Professor Mans this week and are planning to get married at the end of the year. When I enrolled, my interview room was with Senior Ye Sheng and Senior Aki. When I first saw them, I thought they were a match made in heaven, they were just too perfect for each other. At that time, the phrase popped into my head: a talented man and a beautiful woman, a golden couple. There is no one in the world more suitable for each other than them."

His tone was solemn, and his expression serious; he wasn't joking at all.

Susie and Chu Zihang were both taken aback by his appearance.

Shude Aki covered her face shyly, "No, you're exaggerating."

“I’m telling the truth.” Lu Mingfei’s eyes were sincere. “If I had to choose the best couple, it would definitely be the two of you. If I had to put a time limit on this love, I would hope it would be ten thousand years.”

He shamelessly quoted lines from "A Chinese Odyssey".

"Senior Aki, is everything Lu Mingfei said true?" Susie asked.

"Mmm," Aki lowered her head and answered in a hesitant, soft voice.

"Congratulations!" Susie immediately leaned over and started chatting with Aki.

This is a senior colleague who's getting married! If I could learn even one or two tricks that slip through their fingers, wouldn't that be...?

She asked Aki and Ye Sheng how they got together, her eyes inadvertently glancing at Chu Zihang.

Chu Zihang, however, unappreciatively rolled up his sleeves and checked the time on his wristwatch.

"Lu Mingfei, do you have any thoughts about joining a club?" Chu Zihang asked.

"Clubs? If there's an e-sports club or an anime club, I might consider it," Lu Mingfei said, stroking his chin.

In high school, I went to the literary society with Chen Wenwen. In the end, all I had to do was write an extra reading report on European and American literature every week, help organize activities and collect money, etc. They even put together a campus newspaper, collecting poems and good articles written by students and teachers. But Lu Mingfei did all the hard and tiring work, such as waiting for printing at the printing press, distributing flyers and newspapers to various classes, and running errands and helping out every day.

Chen Wenwen used the computer lab to do layout work for the campus newspaper. She would stand under the flagpole at the Monday morning assembly to receive praise and awards. Occasionally, she would go on stage as a guest host, and he would clap his hands and shout, "The president is awesome!"

Actually, it wasn't that tiring, just a bit unlucky, always being bossed around. But when Chen Wenwen said thank you and bought him a taro-flavored milk tea that cost 3 yuan and was made with hot water from the classroom water dispenser, he was very happy. Happiness back then was so simple.

Looking back now, my idea of ​​participating in club activities in high school was very simple: I just wanted to spend more time with the girl in the white dress, talk to her more, and help her with some of her work.

The feelings back then were so pure; all I could think about was her.

Unfortunately, people change, and Lu Mingfei could no longer find the happiness he once had.

Chen Wenwen is still the same Chen Wenwen, but Lu Mingfei is no longer the same Lu Mingfei.

In the blink of an eye, so many things have happened. If I were to tell Zhao Menghua and Su Xiaoqiang about these things while sitting in a high school classroom, they would definitely say that his storytelling skills are really bad, and that he deserves to get such a low score on his Chinese composition.

“Sigh…” Lu Mingfei sighed, “Senior brother, do you want me to join the Lionheart Society? I’m really sorry, I don’t plan to join any organization for the time being. I’ll have to exert all my strength just to keep up with the teaching schedule.”

“When I first came here, I was just like you, not knowing a single person. But because I got an A grade in the 3E exam, the student council, the Lionheart Club, and a bunch of other clubs all extended offers to me.” Chu Zihang patted Lu Mingfei on the shoulder. “At the time, I didn’t plan to join any club or organization, because I didn’t come here to play around.”

"But later I realized that as long as you live in this world, you will definitely interact with other people, and there's nothing wrong with interacting with others more," Chu Zihang said. "If you encounter difficulties, we can help you. When others need you, you can lend a helping hand. We can have meals and sing together, and then after graduation we will go our separate ways and may never see each other again. But in the Lionheart Club, everyone knows me, and I can call them all by name. This is actually a big family made up of people from all over the world. If you change your mind, we welcome you anytime."

Chu Zihang rarely said so much to persuade someone, but looking at Lu Mingfei's lonely face, he couldn't help but urge his fellow villager to join the Lionheart Society.

Looking back on his time at Shilan Middle School, his classmates envied him for being picked up and dropped off in a Maybach, for his many talents, and for the pretty girls who all wanted to be his girlfriend. Little did they know that he lived in a cramped rented room when he was a child, with his bedroom and living room combined into one. Even eating braised pork ribs was a memorable experience.

Beneath that glamorous exterior lies a stubborn, rebellious child.

Just like Lu Mingfei now, the students of Kassel College only know the "S-class" supernova from China, but they have never seen the thin figure who carried his schoolbag on his head and slunk into the rain during that rainstorm.

The past is inescapable. No matter how much you experience or how much you grow, it will always follow you like a shadow. The only difference is whether you let go or not, whether you smile knowingly or feel depressed for a long time when you think back to those days.

Chu Zihang's memory was still stuck in the past, and he didn't really feel what Lu Mingfei had changed. However, he could see the confusion in Lu Mingfei's heart and had a kind of empathetic understanding, just like when he stood under the overpass that year and regretted why he had run away and didn't dare to turn back like a man.

“Senior brother, it’s true what they say, when fellow countrymen meet, tears well up in their eyes…” Lu Mingfei nodded and said with emotion, “You really understand me. Your words have touched my heart.”

No joke, he was genuinely persuaded by Chu Zihang's words.

But not yet. He still has a contract with Lu Mingze that costs him a quarter of his life, and he will not have peace until this contract ends.

“But, well, you know, my academic performance has never been very good. I’ve been getting extra lessons from Professor Mans lately.” Lu Mingfei declined, “If I join the Lionheart Society, I’ll probably only have the title, and it won’t be very effective. That would be pointless. How about this, let’s wait until next year. If I’ve adapted to the learning pace here next year, I’ll give you an answer then.”

"Mm." Chu Zihang nodded and said no more.

He will be a senior next year and will graduate soon. At that time, the Lionheart Club will elect a new president. He was entrusted with the position by the previous president before graduation, but so far, he has not found a suitable successor among the freshmen.

Once Chu Zihang becomes the president, he will take full responsibility. He cannot watch the Lionheart Association, which he has painstakingly built, decline. Therefore, before graduation, he must find someone capable of taking on the role of president after he leaves. Lu Mingfei is a good candidate, so he will act as the persuader.

"It's almost time. The meeting starts in 15 minutes." Chu Zihang glanced at his watch again. Hearing this, Su Xi quickly followed. "Then we'll be going now. Goodbye."

"Goodbye," Lu Mingfei said.

Susie also said goodbye to Shudeya, and then hurriedly left with Chu Zihang.

"Oh dear, it's already this late!" Lu Mingfei took out his phone from his inner pocket and slapped his forehead. "I have class tomorrow, and I also need to visit Fingel at the school hospital, so I'll be going now, Sister Aki."

"Is that so? Then..." Shudeya covered her face, paused for a moment, stared at Lu Mingfei's face for a few seconds, and said, "If we bump into each other on our next walk, let's chat again."

"Hahaha, next time for sure, next time for sure." Lu Mingfei retreated step by step.

Just then, a familiar figure emerged from the Norton Building.

"So that's where you've been!" Ye Sheng waved as he strode forward, but suddenly his steps froze and his movements became still.

"Aki...Aki, what are you doing here?"

"What, can't I be here? Do I have to report to you if I want to do post-meal exercise?" Aki walked step by step to Ye Sheng.

"No, I...he...yes! Lu Mingfei called me over. He said he wanted me to help organize the dance, so I came to help!" Ye Sheng quickly came up with a plan. "Right, Lu Mingfei?"

He turned his head and looked, but Lu Mingfei, who was wearing a baseball cap, was nowhere to be seen. The streetlights were empty, with only a few moths fluttering in the pale light.

Better to die for your fellow Daoist than for this one!

Ye Sheng, you got yourself into this mess, so you'd better clean it up yourself!

Lu Mingfei concealed himself among the flowers, completely masking his presence. After silently mourning Ye Sheng for three seconds, he quickly left the crime scene and headed towards the school hospital.

"No, Aki, I really didn't lie to you." Ye Sheng gesticulated wildly.

“Look into my eyes, do you think I’m lying!” He pointed to his eyes.

“We’ve trained together for so long, don’t you know what I’m thinking?” he said, getting impatient.

However, standing opposite him, Shuto Aki simply smiled without saying a word, her smile kind and gentle, as if it would never change.

Chapter 124 The Withered Rose

Fingel lay on the white sheets, staring at the light above him.

The room was pure white and square. There were no nurses in their uniforms or visitors. It was very quiet, like a tranquil forest. The window was half open, and you could see the thick, century-old sycamore tree through the night.

In early autumn, the sycamore trees are not completely withered, but the green leaves are tinged with pale yellow as they gradually lose moisture. After a few weeks, the dark green sycamore leaves will dry up and fall off the branches one by one, leaving the branches bare and unsightly.

After the lushness of summer, all that remains is the withering of autumn and the desolation of winter.