Scholar’s Advanced Technological System

“We are about to arrive in Beijing. Passengers, please remember to take your luggage and exit the train in an orderly manner.”

The announcement didn’t interrupt the conversation between the two old men.

The old man sitting across him was called Liu Peizhong. He was also a Jiangling native.

Even though Liu Peizhong didn’t seem to believe in him, Lu Bangguo didn’t care. His retired life of drinking tea and reading newspapers had cultivated his mind and given him a peaceful temper.

His life was getting better and better, so there was no reason to get angry.

He was going to brag, regardless of whether people believed him or not.

The two chatted happily along the way.

“Um…”

“What?”

“Does your son have a partner?”

“Not yet.” Old Lu sighed and said, “He’s nearly 30, so I’m getting worried about it.”

Liu Peizhong tried to comfort him. “Guys should still focus on their careers. A successful man doesn’t have to worry about getting a wife. Don’t pressure your kid too hard.”

Liu Peizhong was actually laughing on the inside.

Look at how hard you’re bragging.

If you’re son is so impressive, how come he can’t find a wife?

Liu Peizhong felt like he could see through Old Lu.

However, Lu Bangguo did not notice that Liu Peizhong had seen through his “lies”. He continued to “brag”.

“Sigh, I’m not worried about his career. I always tell him that money doesn’t matter. Meaning and purpose are the essences of life! He’s earned more money than he could ever spend, what’s the point?—Ouch! Why are you pinching me?”

Fang Mei, who was sitting next to him, gave Lu Bangguo a dirty look. The message in her eyes was obvious, like she was saying, “Don’t embarrass me in front of these strangers.”

Seeing how angry his wife was, Lu Bangguo paused for a second and tried to calm his wife down.

Liu Peizhong couldn’t help but laugh.

More money than he could ever spend?

This guy is definitely drunk!

The train arrived at the station.

Old Lu was about to get his luggage when two men in uniform came over.

“Mr. Lu, let me help you.”

“Thanks, young man… Wait, how did you know my last name is Lu?”

“Um… It’s written on your ticket.”

“Oh.”

Lu Bangguo didn’t think much of this. He let the two young men handle his luggage.

The old man sitting opposite them looked at the two young men in uniforms. They didn’t look like train attendants, but seeing how the train attendants ignored them, they were obviously not scammers either.

The group of people got off the train and exited the high-speed rail station.

Liu Peizhong was about to take a taxi to the hotel when he noticed that there were no taxi drivers.

Where are they?

What the hell?!

Are taxi drivers not working today?

He was also surprised to see that the whole high-speed rail station looked completely different than when he came here last time. Even though the construction had not changed, something felt totally different…

It felt like everything around here became more regulated and orderly.

“Where are all the taxi drivers?”

“… I don’t know.”

Old Lu was also confused. He was confused as to why the two “train attendants” were helping him carry his luggage out of the train station.

If he recalled correctly, he only bought second-class seats.

Even first-class seats wouldn’t receive this kind of treatment.

When Old Lu arrived at the taxi parking area, he was about to say thank you to the two young men and tell them that they could head off now. However, he was stunned by what he saw.

A black car with a red flag parked on the side of the road. It occupied the entire waiting area with not even a single car in front of or behind it.

A man in a tunic suit stepped forward, smiled at the two old men, and nodded. He then took the suitcases from the two young men and said to them, “Thanks, I’ll take it from here.” He then swiftly placed the two suitcases into the trunk.

As Lu Bangguo and Fang Mei looked at the car door being opened, they were speechless.

Old Liu and his wife, who was standing behind them, were the same. When they saw the license place, their mouths were wide open as their faces turned red.

“Um… Brother Lu.”

“Yeah, what…” Old Lu knew this was probably about his son.

“Your son… is not married yet?”

“Yeah… We just talked about it five minutes ago.”

Old Liu’s demeanor totally changed. He excitedly grabbed Old Lu’s arm.

“I have a niece that works in Beijing, and she happens to be single too. Look at how easily we clicked, how about we introduce our kids to each other? I remember I have her business card on me. I think it’s in the suitcase, let me try to find it…”

…

Lu Zhou didn’t know that his dad had arranged him a “partner introduction”.

However, even if he knew, he wouldn’t have the time to deal with it.

At the great hall not far from the hotel, there was a banquet for the invited guests.

As one of the important guests at the banquet, he might be interviewed by TV stations. The hair and makeup staff members were working on his appearance.

Lu Zhou looked in the mirror at the lady combing and waxing his hair. He coughed and said, “Actually, I feel like… Just take it easy, I don’t look like myself.”

The stylist smiled and kept working on his hair.

“Oh, Academician Lu, how is it not like you?”

“How long will it be?”

“Soon.”

“… That’s what you said half an hour ago.”

Finally.

He was done.

Chen Yushan was waiting at the door with her arms folded. When she saw Lu Zhou walk out of the dressing room, she looked surprised.

“Not bad, you look completely different.”

Lu Zhou wasn’t happy to hear this.

“What is that supposed to mean, that I’m not good looking before?”

But then again, the stylist was different than the average hairdresser. He was a little worried that they would make him look old and mature. However, after some combing and waxing, his entire vibe had changed. He didn’t look like a scientific researcher anymore, he looked… like a pop star.

Chen Yushan was the same.

Lu Zhou had known her for nearly nine years, and he had long gotten accustomed to her beauty. However, she was wearing a long evening gown, and she looked just like a princess. Her shiny eyes were like polished gems, and he couldn’t help but get distracted for a few seconds.

Chen Yushan smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear.

“You’re always good looking, but now, you’re even more handsome!”

Emm…

Okay then.

Makes sense.

Lu Zhou was satisfied with this answer, so he decided to drop this trivial problem…

They were only a block or two away from the great hall. However, they still sat in the black sedan parked at the entrance of the hotel.

When they got off the car at the entrance of the great hall, the pair happened to bump into Fang Mei and Old Lu.

When Old Lu first glanced at his son, he almost didn’t recognize him. He stared for a while before he finally recognized Lu Zhou. However, just when he was about to say hello, all of his attention was taken away by the girl standing next to Lu Zhou.

Old Lu’s eyes widened, and he grabbed Fang Mei and excitedly pointed at Chen Yushan.

Lu Zhou looked at his parents, who were in shock. He didn’t know why they were so excited. Lu Zhou didn’t know what to say.

Chen Yushan felt the attention on her, so she smirked confidently.

Even though she was confident, she didn’t want to seem arrogant.

She gently pulled Lu Zhou’s sleeve and led him to greet the old couple. Lu Zhou, on the other hand, was muddled.

After that, she led the old couple and Lu Zhou inside the great hall.

Lu Zhou didn’t know why Chen Yushan was acting this way…

Inside the great hall.

The sea of guests sat in their seats.

The round tables were covered with brocade clothes. The wine glasses were placed neatly, and the staff members were pouring wines and other drinks.

After the majestic musical performance and opening remarks, an old man with white hair wearing a tunic suit walked on stage and reached for the microphone.

He paused for a second and said, “Through the ups and downs, another year has passed.

“Looking back at the past and the changes in the world, it was full of laughter and joy, but it was also filled with difficulties and obstacles.

“However, no matter how difficult the road is, no matter how tough the weather is, our wisdom and our courage will push us through the storm, and nothing can stop us.

“On this great day, I wish that the future will be even better, even more beautiful!

“Let us toast to the bright future of our motherland!”

Everyone in the banquet hall raised their wine glasses.

“Cheers!”

The hall was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

All of them had sincere smiles on their faces.

The audience began to quiet down.

Several foreign guests and ambassadors also stopped talking and curiously looked at the stage.

The old man on the stage looked around, cleared his throat, and spoke.

“In order to commend those who worked hard for our common cause and for our bright future…

“On behalf of everyone, I would like to give the highest level of honor, the National Medal of Honor, to the person who brought glory and brilliance for all.

“The winner is—

“Lu Zhou!”