High Martial: I Grind Professions

Chapter 388: Chapter 228: Reunion

These people might be humble and polite on a normal day, but in the torrent of people now leaving, everyone had their own path and pace.

Facing these academic seniors and authoritative professors, Wei Wu was keenly aware of how insignificant he was.

He couldn’t even think about pushing his way through the crowd; even a slightly urgent shove filled him with pressure, terrified of causing any dissatisfaction or offense.

He could only shuffle forward cautiously, his eyes glued to the tall, straight back of the figure currently passing through the main doors.

He watched as Li Wen, accompanied by several titans of academia, was about to vanish completely from sight.

Wei Wu felt his heart sink as if submerged in ice water, leaving him with nothing but bitter frustration and unwilling disappointment.

’Did I... miss my chance after all?’

He lamented inwardly, his steps slowing unconsciously as he nearly gave up the futile chase.

Just as Wei Wu, dejected and nearly resigned to his fate, was inching toward the exit with the crowd...

Li Wen, who had already walked through the doors of the hall, suddenly stopped.

”Academicians, please wait a moment.”

Li Wen’s gentle voice rang out, carrying a hint of unshakeable certainty. ”I’m waiting for a friend.”

The titans from various fields, who had been chatting amiably and were about to leave together, all froze and stopped in their tracks.

A friend for whom the Changning King, a man in his prime, would ask several major figures of the academic world to wait?

This was no small matter! A fire of intense curiosity instantly ignited in their eyes.

Their gazes landed in unison on the hall’s exit, the direction in which Li Wen was looking.

”He should be out soon,” Li Wen added with a confident smile, waiting patiently where he stood.

He waited for over a minute.

For these powerful and respected academicians, this brief wait felt unexpectedly long, especially since Li Wen’s reason for waiting—for a friend—sparked their imaginations.

In their minds, each was rapidly sketching out the identity and profile of this mysterious friend.

Finally, a somewhat disheveled figure squeezed out of the doorway.

Wei Wu was panting, his forehead beaded with sweat, his face etched with a lingering loneliness and a hint of confusion.

He had completely lost hope and was just mechanically following the crowd out of the hall, feeling empty inside.

However, when he subconsciously looked up for one last glance at the spot where Li Wen had been, he froze, his eyes instantly widening.

Just a short distance ahead, surrounded by the very titans of literature and theoretical physics whom he could normally only admire on the covers of academic journals or on the dais of important conferences...

...that face, both familiar and yet so incredibly foreign, was watching him quietly with a warm and genuine smile.

’It’s Li Wen! He hasn’t left, and he’s waiting for someone! The person he’s waiting for... could it be... me?!’

An indescribable, electric shock shot up his spine to the crown of his head.

Wei Wu stood frozen in place, his mind a complete blank.

The frustration, resentment, and disappointment that had filled his heart just seconds before were instantly wiped away as if by an invisible hand.

In their place came a volcanic eruption of astonishment and disbelief.

This was followed by a massive, surging wave of joy and uncontrollable excitement! A prickle of emotion even stung his nose.

’He really recognized me! He’s waiting for me!’

”What’s wrong? Don’t you recognize your old classmate?” A gentle, smiling tease broke the momentary stillness.

While Wei Wu was still reeling, overwhelmed by the storm of emotions, Li Wen had already taken the initiative to move.

He walked toward him with a relaxed and easy gait. The composure of a King-level powerhouse was still present in his stride, yet it didn’t create any sense of distance.

Gazing at the figure who walked straight up to him.

The smiling face gradually overlapped with the diligent, steady boy with clear eyes from their high school classroom more than a decade ago.

Time had bestowed upon the man before him a revered status and supreme power.

But the sincerity in his smile and the friendship for an old companion in his eyes seemed unchanged.

”Wen... Li Wen! Your... Your Excellency, the Changning King!” The vast difference in their statuses made Wei Wu subconsciously reach for a title, his words stumbling.

”What ’Your Excellency’? Just call me Li Wen.”

Li Wen cut him off with a laugh, already extending his right hand naturally.

That simple sentence, that simple gesture, completely shattered the last barrier in Wei Wu’s heart.

It was as if the invisible mountain that had weighed on his heart for over a decade, born from their disparate statuses, had come crashing down.

His eyes suddenly reddened, and a lump formed in his throat, rendering him unable to utter any more pleasantries or explanations.

He practically stumbled forward a step and reached out with both hands.

He forcefully and tightly gripped the warm, strong right hand that Li Wen had offered.

He gripped so hard that his knuckles turned white, as if to confirm that this wasn’t just a dream too good to be true.

His eyes were filled with the thrill of a long-awaited reunion and a deep, hidden gratitude. A thousand words were contained in that silent, firm grasp and his reddened eyes.

At that moment, the expressions on the faces of the academic titans standing nearby were a sight to behold.

Aside from Academician Wang Shouzhuo, who had a clear flash of astonishment in his eyes upon seeing Wei Wu’s face...

...the curiosity on the faces of the other academicians and professors was practically overflowing.

They exchanged probing glances with one another:

”Who is this young man? I don’t recognize him...”

”Judging by his clothes and demeanor... he doesn’t seem to be an elite from a top institution?”

”Elder Wang?” one academician, noticing Wang Shouzhuo’s unusual reaction, asked in a low voice, ”Do you know this young man?”

Academician Wang Shouzhuo’s gaze lingered for a few seconds on Wei Wu, who was too emotional to speak.

He then looked at the perfectly natural Li Wen, lowered his voice, and replied with an exceptionally complex expression:

”I know him... To be precise, I just heard him introduce one of his projects during the tea break today. He has some interesting ideas... His name is Wei Wu, and he’s a... lecturer at Xiliang University’s School of Basic Physics.”

When he said the word ”lecturer,” Elder Wang’s voice subconsciously grew softer, his disbelief clearly audible.

”Xiliang University? A lecturer?” The bigwigs beside him all sucked in a sharp breath, looking at each other in dismay.

On one side, a King-level powerhouse and academic rising star standing at the apex of the Human Race; on the other, an unknown lecturer... The gulf in their statuses was simply too vast.

However, Li Wen’s attitude was an undeniable declaration that the value of their friendship as classmates far transcended worldly hierarchies.

”This isn’t the place to catch up. Let’s find somewhere else to talk.”

Li Wen tactfully diffused the potential awkwardness of Wei Wu’s overwhelming emotions. He withdrew his tightly gripped hand and naturally clapped Wei Wu on the shoulder.

The warm strength and friendly tone were like a gentle current, quickly calming Wei Wu’s turbulent emotions and helping him find the strength to speak again.

”Okay... Okay!” Wei Wu nodded forcefully, his eyes shining with nothing but trust and the willingness to follow.

Li Wen led the still-unsettled Wei Wu back to the titans, who were still covertly observing and speculating, and offered them a polite, apologetic smile.

”Academicians, I apologize for the wait. This is my high school classmate, Wei Wu. We haven’t seen each other in a long time, and since we happened to run into each other, I’d like to bring him along, if you don’t mind.”

”Not at all! Of course we don’t mind!”

”It’s a pleasure to meet a classmate of the Changning King!”

”Welcome, welcome!”

The academicians and professors immediately put on warm, inclusive smiles, voicing their welcome one after another.

Academician Wang Shouzhuo’s gaze shifted slightly as he took another discreet look at Wei Wu.

Under Wang Kang’s thoughtful arrangements, the group soon arrived at a shop deep within the academy district. It was unremarkable from the outside, with a quaint, antique facade and a plaque that read ”Moyun Xuan.”

Pushing open the heavy wooden doors revealed a whole new world inside.

Pavilions, waterside verandas, and secluded winding corridors were complemented by exquisite, elegant decor. The atmosphere was steeped in ancient charm yet filled with the conveniences of modern technology.

Every detail bespoke its privacy and high-end status, clearly not open to the public.

A waiter led them into an elegant private room overlooking the water, insulated from all outside disturbances.

After they were seated, Li Wen naturally guided the conversation.

He first chatted with the academic titans for a few moments about the earlier forum, then transitioned the topic, formally introducing Wei Wu with a gentle smile:

”Seniors, this is one of my best high school classmates, Wei Wu. He was the absolute academic prodigy of our class,”

”with a profound interest in and unique insights into basic research. He is now dedicated to teaching and research at Xiliang University’s School of Basic Physics.”

He paused, his sincere gaze sweeping over the assembled bigwigs.

”It’s a little embarrassing to say this. As his old classmate, I may have achieved a higher station, but every man has his own specialty.”

”When it comes to deep cultivation in literature, philosophy, or even basic theoretical physics, I’m a complete layman compared to you seniors.”

”He has been diligently pursuing his studies all these years. I believe that if some of his ideas and projects were fortunate enough to receive your guidance or support,”

”he could avoid many detours and realize his greater potential. I hope that when you seniors have a moment to spare,”

”you might extend a little care to this diligent junior. Li Wen thanks you in advance!”

These words clarified Wei Wu’s identity and his relationship with Li Wen, while also highlighting Wei Wu’s capabilities.

It emphasized his diligence, expressed Li Wen’s own stance, and cleverly pointed out the area where support was needed.

His posture was humble and his tone sincere, yet he had indisputably pushed Wei Wu into the spotlight before these top-tier scholars.

Coming from someone of Li Wen’s status, words like ”hope you might support him” carried unimaginable weight.

He didn’t need to mention any specific projects; that single word, ”support,” was in itself the highest level of endorsement and recommendation.

Its value far exceeded that of ordinary courtesy!

”You’re too kind, Changning King!”

”Guiding the next generation is our duty! For Mr. Wei to receive such high praise from the Changning King, he must be a tremendous talent!”

”Indeed! Mr. Wei, if there’s anything you’d like to discuss, you can come find me anytime.”

The academicians immediately agreed with smiles, and their gazes toward Wei Wu instantly became much warmer and kinder.

They were no longer scrutinizing him, but truly seeing him as a promising talent worth cultivating.

Just then, Academician Wang Shouzhuo, who had been lost in thought, spoke up at the perfect moment.