Chapter 457: Chapter 291: Plant Thorns!

What do you mean?

First, you threaten and pressure me to step back and play the good cop, then you throw out Si Yu to soothe and win me over to play the bad cop?

Both the stick and the carrot, one hand brandishing a club, the other offering honey.

Are you trained in the art of face-changing like the performers from Sichuan opera?

But he was actually telling the truth.

Tang Fei indeed had close ties with the Lu Family, even better than outsiders imagined.

The old man owed him a life-saving debt, and Si Yu had imparted knowledge and skills to him.

He was able to win the championship in the mechanical contest mainly based on the new materials and new technology provided by Si Yu… and also his own thick skin.

Otherwise, with his little foundation, how could he have crafted a powerful weapon like the Golden Armored Kirin in such a short time?

Tang Fei didn’t know if his grandpa had mentioned his origin to Lu Dongsheng; if he had, it meant he was reminding Tang Fei that they were family, and he should be mindful in his actions.

However, judging by his way of speaking and treating him, he probably hadn’t mentioned it.

But these people are deep and calculating, mixing truth with lies – who can really discern their true intentions?

While Tang Fei was pondering how to respond, Lu Dongsheng suddenly changed the topic and said, “Of course, I’m not telling you all this to get you to let us off the hook because of our past relationship.”

He stood up and walked briskly towards Tang Fei.

Tang Fei had grown a lot over the past year, now standing at 182 centimeters.

But still, in front of the nearly two-meter-tall Lu Dongsheng, he felt frail and small, immensely pressured.

Lu Dongsheng’s solid hand heavily patted Tang Fei’s shoulder and he instructed, “The Monitoring Bureau’s most important principle is to clearly differentiate between public and personal matters. Public is public, private is private. Although you have always had good relations with the Lu Family, if anyone from the Lu Family commits a crime, they will be arrested and tried accordingly…”

“Rule by law, base on facts, and show no mercy to criminals.”

Tang Fei amiably agreed, standing tall, and looked seriously at Lu Dongsheng, “Yes, Minister Lu, I understand.”

Minister Lu turned to look at Dean Yan, his voice stern, “Lu Yunhang is the Dean of the Mechanical Design Institute, which is a core department under the Mechanical Department. If you really have any evidence, then we’ll start preparing for a new dean.”

“If you have no evidence or insufficient evidence, then release him and let him continue shining in his position. The Mechanical Design Institute is a national treasure; how could it go leaderless for long? Dean Yan, don’t you agree?”

Dean Yan also stood up, fake-smiling as he locked eyes with Lu Dongsheng in a silent struggle, “Minister Lu, rest assured, we’ll provide you with a satisfactory answer.”

“Good. I trust you will,” Lu Dongsheng nodded, “Knowing how busy the Monitoring Bureau is, I won’t trouble you further.”

“Let me escort you.”

“No need, Dean. Please stay,” directed Lu Dongsheng, pointing at Tang Fei, “Let this young man escort me instead.”

Dean Yan nodded and said to Tang Fei, “Tang Fei, please escort Minister Lu for me.”

“Yes, Dean,” Tang Fei bowed in response.

Under Tang Fei’s lead, they walked toward the VIP exclusive elevator on the side of the building.

Tang Fei pressed the elevator button, and with a crisp ‘ding,’ it arrived in front of them.

Swift as the wind.

Lu Dongsheng stood at the elevator entrance, not entering directly, but turning around to Tang Fei with a grave tone, “A broad view comes from a broad mind. Young people have a wonderful future ahead, so be sure not to choose the wrong path.”

“Thank you for your guidance, Minister Lu,” Tang Fei replied, “I know what I’m doing.”

“Heh heh…” Lu Dongsheng cracked a smile and said, “Good to know. It’s good that you understand. I’ve always thought of you as a smart person.”

Lu Dongsheng said no more and, with his secretary, turned and entered the elevator.

Only after the elevator doors had closed and it disappeared without a trace did Tang Fei gather himself and knock on the dean’s office door once again.

Yan Wenli beckoned to Tang Fei and said, “Come, join me for a drink.”

“Dean…” Tang Fei initially wanted to refuse, saying he couldn’t drink during work hours.

But if the dean was already drinking, what did he have to worry about?

He went straight to the sofa in front of Yan Wenli and sat down, saying, “Thank you, Dean.”

Yan Wenli poured half a glass of whiskey for him and another for himself, then raised his glass and said, “Here’s to you.”

“I couldn’t, I toast to you, Dean,” Tang Fei said respectfully, lowering his glass.

Yan Wenli chuckled, sipped his drink, and asked, “So, how are you feeling? Nervous?”

“Nervous,” Tang Fei admitted. “Minister Lu is imposing and dignified, not easy to approach.”

“Right, imposing and dignified, not easy to approach.” Yan Wenli appeared very pleased with Tang Fei’s description and said, “Not just you, I’m scared too.”

“There are people who frighten even the Dean?” Tang Fei feigned surprise.

“In this life, how can there be no one to fear? If you covet others’ power, they will covet yours. If you wish for someone’s life, they will wish for yours.” Yan Wenli gently swirled the strong liquor in his glass, his eyes shadowy and profound, and said, “I’ve killed so many people; how many want to kill me?”

“The Dean always acts for the public good…”

Tang Fei’s flattering words hadn’t fully left his lips before Yan Wenli interrupted him, saying, “No one cares about that… No matter what your intentions or how noble your mission is, as long as you harm others, they will think about revenge.”

“To empathize is to have a heart like Buddha’s. But how many are willing to put themselves in others’ shoes to understand their perspective? Why would they consider things from a different point of view?”

“If I’m not happy, then I’ll make sure you’re unhappy too… The office isn’t just about social niceties; there’s violence too.”

“Yes, I’ve learned my lesson,” Tang Fei said aloud.

Yan Wenli looked at Tang Fei and asked, “Did Minister Lu say anything to you?”

Tang Fei was so startled that he immediately stood up and responded, “I was just about to report to the Dean… When I was escorting Minister Lu to the elevator, he told me that one should have a broad view…”

“He also told me that young people have a bright future ahead, but one must be careful not to take the wrong path… and that I am a smart person who should know what to choose and what to forsake.”

“Although I have a good relationship with Lu Siyu, I believe in keeping professional and personal matters separate. I will surely handle the case impartially and will not be influenced by any personal feelings.”

“Sit down, sit down.” Yan Wenli gestured downwards with his hand, indicating for Tang Fei to sit and talk, and said, “Don’t be nervous, let’s just chat casually.”

“Yes, Dean.”

“Lu Dongsheng said these things in front of me to sow discord, to create conflict and doubt between us…”

“How could such a low tactic be effective?”

“Weren’t you already afraid?” Yan Wenli squinted at Tang Fei, speaking in a teasing tone.

“…”