MWC – Chapter 73 Rising Fame and Adolescent Fantasies

I AM DROPPING THIS NOVEL. IF ANYONE WANTS TO CONTINUE THEY CAN. IF POSSIBLE PLEASE SHARE THE LINK SO I CAN BINGE READ TOO.

He woke up suddenly after dozing off in the car, only to find that the sedan had already parked in the shade of his backyard. Next to him, Zhen Shi was gently fanning him to ward off mosquitoes.

In fact, the Xuelong 950 had air conditioning, though it was only a cold air system. Currently, car air conditioning was in its infancy, with only about 5% of high-end cars in the empire equipped with it.

The car wasn’t hot, nor were there any mosquitoes; Zhen Shi was just doing it out of habit.

Seeing Lu Ming open his eyes, Zhen Shi said joyfully, “Master, you’re awake?” She immediately moved to open the car door, and outside stood Luo Yi, holding what appeared to be a hangover soup.

“Forget it! No need to drink that,” Lu Ming said, pulling her back. After a brief nap, he felt much more refreshed and no longer tired.

Gently holding Hanzhu’s soft, delicate hand, he couldn’t help but marvel. How could such a hand exist? He could never hold it enough.

Zhen Shi blushed with both joy and embarrassment but softly reminded him, “Master, we have guests at home. You agreed to host a banquet tonight to celebrate.”

“Ah!” Lu Ming shook his head, “Alright, let’s go see the guests!”

…

The dining room was luxurious beyond compare, with bright, dazzling chandeliers. The dining table, draped in white silk tablecloths, exuded an extremely luxurious elegance. Maids in matching uniforms bustled about, and the silver platters on the table shone brightly.

This was the first time Wang Da’an, Chen Qinghua, and Jiji had visited since learning that Lawyer Lu had moved.

Hehe, what a place!

They had only heard legends before, but now they were witnessing it firsthand.

On the spacious, clean tree-lined street, even the patrolling guards seemed novel.

Lawyer Lu’s home was even more impressive. Such an environment made one feel like eating a meal here was almost a crime, fearing they might dirty something.

Sun Lutian, Sun Erniang, and Pu Xiuna were also sitting at this table for the first time.

Tonight’s dinner was Lu Ming’s way of entertaining family and colleagues.

“Rodman hasn’t returned all year, has he?” Lu Ming asked with a smile.

“Yes…” Wang Da’an was secretly glancing at the unparalleled beauty in the red dress sitting beside Lawyer Lu, but quickly answered, not daring to look again.

He didn’t dare to look too closely, but she was too beautiful, like a fairy.

As for how beautiful a fairy was, that could only be imagined.

Lawyer Lu truly had fairy-like fortune. Who would have known he had such a stunning concubine?

Regarding Ms. Pamela, Wang Da’an sighed inwardly. Who would have thought this noble Western lady would become a concubine? And here she was, sitting openly with another concubine on either side of Lawyer Lu. This didn’t even account for Lawyer Lu’s identity as a Zhongzhou native. Pamela’s mindset wasn’t that of someone who’d be a mistress; if she were willing, there were plenty of Western nobles, even suitors. She wouldn’t need to come to Beiguan for this.

Moreover, this wasn’t a secret affair but an open position as a second wife.

Wang Da’an smiled wryly. Lawyer Lu, not only are you a legal expert, but in many ways, you are a role model for us. You’ve achieved many people’s daydreams.

Lu Ming thought for a moment and said, “As for Rodman, if he doesn’t want to come, let him be. No need to force it.”

“Yes, but recently, many graduating law students have submitted their resumes to our firm!” Wang Da’an mentioned, glancing at Lu Ming. “Shall we take on a couple of interns? It would also benefit our firm’s evaluation.”

Lu Ming nodded, “Do as you see fit.” It was graduation season, after all, the time for students to leave college.

He also needed to visit Furnard Academy. It seemed the remedial classes were over? It was time to register for the new academic year. He himself should be moving up to the fourth year of middle school, and by this time next year, he could take the university entrance exam.

But all in all, he hadn’t attended the academy much.

“How’s the Baoyin Bank case going?” Lu Ming remembered this key lawsuit.

“They’re still dragging it out. The next court date hasn’t been set!” Wang Da’an shook his head helplessly.

With Baoyin Bank’s assets frozen, the longer the lawsuit dragged on, the more severe the losses. Even if they won, it would still be a loss in the end.

Lu Ming nodded, “I’ll think of something soon!” Then, turning to Bess, who was yawning, he smiled and said, “Little one, getting sleepy? Alright, no more talk of work!”

Bess, thrilled to finally have her uncle’s attention, exclaimed, “Uncle, after you finish talking and you adults have had three drinks, I want to congratulate you. I’ve already thought of the words!”

Lu Ming laughed, “You understand the rules well. Come, sit with Uncle!” He then told everyone, “Alright, let’s eat and drink. No need for formalities, just enjoy yourselves. Congratulations can be skipped. What’s the point? This meal is not meant to imprison you. Jiji, eat more! Long time no see, and you’ve lost weight!”

Jiji’s face turned red with excitement. Although Lu Ming was her boss, he was almost a mythical figure, rarely seen.

“Qinghua, don’t hold back, help Jiji with more food!”

“Uncle Sun, Auntie Sun, eat more too. No need for so many rules. What seasoning can’t you eat? Just eat!”

Sun Lutian and Sun Erniang, sitting at the same table as the “Holy Envoy,” were so scared they barely dared to breathe. Even though they couldn’t feel the Holy Envoy’s intimidating aura, they didn’t dare to look up, nodding repeatedly at Lu Ming’s words.

“Nana, you’ve been working hard lately, often eating snacks in the car as meals. You’re at an age where maintaining your figure is important. I feel a bit sorry for you.”

In this setting, Pu Xiuna didn’t dare say much, only murmuring, “Sir, you overestimate me.”

Pamela nodded slightly at her associate, satisfied she hadn’t embarrassed herself.

At this moment, Bess had already run to Lu Ming’s side. Lu Ming laughed, moved over, and lifted her to sit beside him.

The host’s chair was spacious, accommodating both Lu Ming and Bess comfortably.

Ever since he had scolded Bess, he felt guilty and now doted on her, feeling it was only right to hold her while eating.

“From now on, I’ll focus on eating and not pay attention to you all. Let’s eat!”

Lu Ming really did focus on eating with Bess, laughing and serving food, ignoring the others.

Everyone was stunned but eventually started eating. It turned out that just eating without worrying about toasts and pleasantries made the meal more enjoyable. By the end, everyone felt pleasantly full.

Lu Ming smiled to himself. This was how it should be. A table full of good food shouldn’t be wasted on formalities.

Besides, apart from work, he didn’t have much in common to talk about with them. It was always him talking, and they listened.

As everyone left, Lu Ming handed out red envelopes he had prepared.

Sun Lutian, Sun Erniang, and Pu Xiuna each received 500 yuan. Chen Qinghua and Jiji received 200 yuan.

Even if the amount didn’t matter, giving out red envelopes on a happy occasion was about acknowledging recent hard work.

They all happily accepted the envelopes, thanking Lu Ming profusely.

…

Early the next morning, Lu Ming finally had Pu Xiuna drive him to Furnard Academy.

The remedial classes had indeed ended, but the official term hadn’t started yet. There were still a few days before the new term began.

Lu Ming went to the administrative office to check if he would be assigned to a different class for his fourth year.

Every year, some students dropped out of middle school, either to work or to get married.

So, from the first to the fourth year, the number of students decreased. There were eight classes in the first year, but only six by the fourth year.

There were two young female teachers on duty in the administrative office.

He remembered the kindly bespectacled teacher who had processed his admission; her surname was Wang.

Lu Ming approached her with a smile, explaining his purpose.

“I’m Lu Qianxing from Class 3-6. I was wondering which class I’ll be in for my fourth year?”

The teacher enthusiastically went to the filing cabinet, searched for a while, and returned with a file, frowning and scrutinizing Lu Ming.

“Lu Qianxing from Class 3-6, right? According to your class teacher Mr. Wang’s report, he recommended you be transferred to the second year. The administrative office has approved it. You’ll be in Class 2-3 next term, with Ms. Lin as your class teacher.”

“What…?” Lu Ming was stunned, more shocked than by any courtroom revelation. He was speechless.

“Because you often skip classes, Mr. Wang said he barely saw you. But the main reason is your grades in the remedial class. You only took one test and skipped the rest, including the final exam, right? Based on your single test result, your Griffinney is too poor to keep up with the fourth-year curriculum. So, for your benefit, the school decided to place you in the second year.”

Lu Ming was dumbfounded, at a loss for words. He had gone from the third year to the second year? He was Lu Qianxing, the most sought-after lawyer in Beiguan, worth millions, a reincarnated person in a low-tech world, and now he was being demoted to the second year?

Suddenly, he felt his thoughts were quite immature.

The Furnard Academy seemed like a sanctuary, untouched by the outside world’s chaos.

But apart from those in his legal circle and his close associates, he wasn’t that famous.

The newspaper rarely mentioned his full name. Ordinary people bought papers for entertainment and might forget the names of the prosecutor and lawyers involved in the high-profile case against the Japanese devils in a few days, let alone remember his name.

“Actually, you’re barely fit for the second year, but considering your age, we’ll let you try it out first. If you still struggle, come back to me, and I’ll help you transfer to the first year. At your age, attending school isn’t easy. Don’t squander this opportunity. Your future depends on it. Understand?” The teacher sighed, looking at Lu Ming with pity, thinking he was a poor student who had finally gained admission to this charity school, only to be too dumb and lazy to succeed. He was likely to end up as a tenant farmer.

Lu Ming forced a smile. This school genuinely cared for its students.

But he felt so frustrated.

Under the teacher’s watchful eyes, Lu Ming whispered, “Yes, thank you, teacher!” and quickly left.

Too embarrassing! How would he explain this at home? Pamela would laugh at him. Hanzhu wouldn’t, but it would tarnish his image in her eyes.

Bess? Would she naively say, “Uncle, I also want to be demoted to the first grade”?

He had to maintain his image as a role model for her.