AAWOMAHI Chapter27

This competition was fully sponsored by the Lu Group, so the final results would be announced and awards presented to the winning students by President Lu. The beautiful and gracious host invited President Lu from the audience to the stage.

 

When Lu Xingmian saw President Lu in a suit on stage, he was momentarily stunned. He had seen this President Lu from afar at a banquet once. From a certain angle, this President Lu bore a slight resemblance to Lu Shiran, perhaps a subtle similarity between their eyes.

 

He also looked somewhat like the suited figure he’d seen at the Lu clan home that day. However, that figure’s back was broader than President Lu’s back now, and that figure was also taller than the President Lu, who was currently on stage. If there was a similarity, the figure from that day resembled Lu Shiran’s back more.

 

As President Lu walked onto the stage, Lu Xingmian heard two girls behind him softly discussing how handsome President Lu who was on stage was. Lu Xingmian thought to himself, Though President Lu is handsome, he’s not as handsome as Lu Shiran.

 

Lu Yu, guided by the host, proceeded to announce the list of winners.

 

A total of one hundred students participated in the final round, but only nine would be awarded prizes in this final. There would be five third-place winners, three second-place winners, and one first-place winner.

 

Lu Yu began by announcing the third-place winners. In the tense atmosphere, Gao Yan heard his name. He was a little surprised, not expecting to have won third place. Chen Che and Lu Xingmian congratulated him from the side.

 

Before Chen Che could even finish offering his congratulations, his own name was called. He paused in surprise until Lu Xingmian gave him a nudge, prompting him to snap out of it and step onto the stage alongside Gao Yan.

 

The five winning students smiled happily on stage, holding their medals and certificates. Chen Che’s eyes were almost invisible from his wide grin; usually, his eyes looked quite large, while Gao Yan maintained a very calm demeanor.

 

After returning from receiving his award, Chen Che whispered to Lu Xingmian, “I think first place is definitely yours.”

 

Chen Che knew his own academic performance very well. Lu Xingmian’s scores were better than both his and Gao Yan’s. Since they had both received third prize, there was a high possibility that Lu Xingmian would win first prize. Even if not first, it would definitely be second prize as well.

 

Lu Yu announced the second-prize winners, but Lu Xingmian’s name still wasn’t called.

 

Next up was the most anticipated result of this final: who would take first place in the competition.

 

As Lu Yu opened the card, he caught a glimpse of Lu Shiran in the corner of the stage and couldn’t help but complain about his own brother.

 

His own younger brother had truly pushed him onto the rack.

 

He was at his company when Lu Shiran called him, directly telling him to come to Mingcheng Middle School. Hearing Lu Shiran’s urgent tone, he thought something serious had happened and rushed over in a panic. But it turned out Lu Shiran just wanted him to present the awards.

 

A stampede of wild donkeys galloped through Lu Yu’s mind. Isn’t this Lu Shiran’s event? Why was I called here? Lu Yu asked Lu Shiran for a reason, but Lu Shiran didn’t say, and so Lu Yu was simply pushed onto the stage.

 

On stage, Lu Yu glanced at Lu Shiran. He’d thought Lu Shiran had some matter to take care of, yet he was merely there watching? And instead of taking a proper guest seat, he had chosen to sit all the way in the back. Just what was Lu Shiran up to? It felt like he was worried about being seen by someone, but his younger brother had never been afraid of anyone; it was usually others who were afraid of him.

 

When it was time to announce the first-prize winner, Lu Shiran, who had been motionless, suddenly straightened up.

 

Lu Yu’s gaze returned to the card: “The student who won first prize in this competition is…”

 

During Lu Yu’s pause, the entire auditorium fell silent. Chen Che and Gao Yan were even more nervous, silently chanting Lu Xingmian’s name. Lu Xingmian, however, was relatively calm, thinking that he might have been a bit too confident this time and needed to reflect on where he went wrong.

 

When Lu Yu opened the card and saw Lu Xingmian’s name, he paused slightly. Because of his wife, he now also recognized Lu Xingmian’s name, that was the child from the Lu family.

 

He had seen Lu Xingmian from afar at a Lu clan banquet, he was good-looking, clean, and well-behaved. He sat quietly in a corner, making it hard for people not to notice him.

 

It was unexpected that the first-place winner of this competition would be Lu Xingmian, who grew up in an ordinary environment yet was so exceptional.

 

Lu Yu powerfully read out Lu Xingmian’s name: “Lu Xingmian from SS First High School, congratulations to student Lu Xingmian!”

 

A wave of warm applause swept through the hall. It took Lu Xingmian a moment to register that his own name had been called. Was the President Lu on stage truly calling for him?

 

This time, it was Lu Xingmian who didn’t react until Chen Che excitedly shook his arm, bringing Lu Xingmian back to his senses. Under everyone’s gaze, Lu Xingmian walked onto the stage to receive his award.

 

This award ceremony was open to the public, and many students from Mingcheng Middle School came to watch out of curiosity, including Lu Sihang. However, he didn’t come out of curiosity; he just wanted to see Lu Xingmian fail.

 

When Lu Xingmian’s name wasn’t called for either third or second prize, Lu Sihang, who was in the audience, almost burst out laughing with joy. Lu Xingmian surely got no prize at all.

 

There’s no way he could be in first place; that’s absolutely impossible. The first-place student must be from our school.

 

Through the crowd, Lu Sihang observed Lu Xingmian’s calm expression. Lu Sihang knew he was pretending; what he hated most was Lu Xingmian’s composed demeanor. He must be unhappy inside, right? Let’s see how long he can keep up the act.

 

However, Lu Sihang’s joy was short-lived, as he then heard Lu Xingmian’s name, which resonated throughout the entire auditorium. Watching Lu Xingmian walk onto the stage, Lu Sihang gritted his teeth in anger. He couldn’t comprehend how Lu Xingmian had managed to win first place.

 

What were the other ninety-nine people in this competition doing? Couldn’t they all outperform one Lu Xingmian? How did he manage to get first place?

 

Many people were also shocked when they saw Lu Xingmian on stage. Wasn’t this the very person who had slipped into the exam hall at the last possible moment? Back then, many assumed he was merely there to make up the numbers and had no hope of winning anything. Yet, to everyone’s astonishment, the top prize went to the very one they believed stood no chance, the one who had only barely made it in.

 

Students participating in the competition knew that the questions were very difficult, with many questions going beyond the curriculum and simply unsolvable. Therefore, the abilities of students capable of winning awards should never be underestimated, least of all those who take first place.

 

So, how incredibly talented must this student named Lu Xingmian be to just barely make it to the exam and still get first place?

 

Lu Xingmian winning the award made the accompanying teacher the most excited; Lu Xingmian had almost missed this final.

 

When Lu Xingmian received the medal and certificate from Lu Yu, Lu Yu said, “Keep up the good work, Lu Xingmian! You are truly amazing and excellent. Keep it up.” For some unknown reason, Lu Yu felt a fondness for this child upon seeing him. He couldn’t help but want to encourage him. This child was very resilient in the face of so many difficulties; he was a good kid.

 

Lu Xingmian was stunned when he heard Lu Yu offer him so many words of encouragement. Is this President Lu always so encouraging to everyone? He’s quite thoughtful. So Lu Xingmian smiled and said, “Thank you, President Lu.”

 

As Lu Xingmian took the certificate and medal from Lu Yu’s hand and turned to face the audience, he paused. He thought he saw Lu Shiran in a corner, but the figure vanished in a flash, and the spot was empty. There was no one there.

 

Perhaps the stage lights were too dazzling. Lu Xingmian figured the fleeting glimpse was just his imagination. How could Lu Shiran be here in the very back corner of Mingcheng Middle School’s auditorium? That’s impossible. He must have seen wrong. Moreover, if it really were Lu Shiran, he wouldn’t hide from him.

 

A student sitting in the back of the auditorium casually glanced sideways and blinked in confusion. He remembered a man sitting there, but how had he suddenly disappeared? He hadn’t heard anyone leave the auditorium. Looking down again, the student suddenly realized that the man was picking something up.

 

Although Lu Shiran had temporarily called Lu Yu to take his place on stage for the award ceremony, he had been sitting in the very back of the auditorium. He wanted to see Lu Xingmian go up to receive his award. He wanted to witness Lu Xingmian’s moment of excellence.

 

On stage, under the brilliant lights, the young man in a school uniform holding his medal smiled purely and beautifully. Despite his difficult circumstances, he remained an outstanding individual, shining brightly on stage, enjoying his well-deserved honor.

 

Such a bright and sunny youth should not be tormented by insomnia. This was also why Lu Shiran dared not face Lu Xingmian directly right now, worried that Lu Xingmian would be angry and ignore him and worried that his insomnia symptoms would worsen.

 

Lu Shiran had investigated, and prolonged insomnia was a painful experience, causing not only emotional distress but also physical harm. Especially now, with Lu Xingmian’s college entrance exams approaching, it was a crucial time, Lu Shiran didn’t want him to be affected during such a critical period.

 

When Lu Xingmian stepped off the stage, he glanced back again, but it really seemed he had been mistaken; he didn’t see anyone resembling Lu Shiran. Back in his seat, he subconsciously pulled out his phone, wanting to share his joy with Lu Shiran. As he looked at his phone, he realized a problem: with the phone so shattered, he needed to get a new one.

 

This competition made Lu Xingmian famous among various schools. Lu Xingmian from SS City First High School was not only good-looking but also an academic ace, instantly capturing the hearts of many girls.

 

When Lu Xingmian walked out of the auditorium, many people came up to ask for his contact information. Lu Xingmian explained that his phone was broken and even showed them the damaged device. As a result, the students began jotting down their contact information on slips of paper and passing them to him.

 

It wasn’t until the accompanying teacher arrived that everyone dispersed. The accompanying teacher had once been young himself and understood the students’ intentions; Lu Xingmian was good-looking and good at studying, so he was indeed very likable.

 

When Lu Shiran came out, he saw many students surrounding Lu Xingmian. It seemed Lu Xingmian was very popular. He saw many students stuffing slips of paper into Lu Xingmian’s hand.

 

Did Lu Xingmian actually accept them?

 

Lu Yu walked up to Lu Shiran: “What are you looking at?” Following Lu Shiran’s gaze, he could only see Lu Xingmian surrounded by many people. The kid is quite popular.

 

Lu Shiran said, “Nothing.”

 

Lu Yu said, “It’s settled then, all company matters will be handed over to you for the New Year. I’m taking my wife and kid on vacation.”

 

Lu Shiran looked at Lu Xingmian, who was in front of him: “En.”

 

After taking a few steps forward, Lu Xingmian felt as if someone was watching him from behind. He turned around, only to see Lu Yu in the distance talking to the Mingcheng principal, with no one else beside him. Was he mistaken again?

 

–

 

Lu Yan and Xia Yuefang were also aware of the competition held at Mingcheng Middle School today. Although they knew Lu Sihang had been eliminated in the first round, they still kept an eye on the competition. When Xia Yuefang returned from school, she casually asked Lu Sihang whether the first-place winner this time was once again a student from their school, as Mingcheng students usually claimed the top spot.

 

Lu Sihang paused his eating, then chuckled: “Mom, I’m not really sure, but I heard our classmates say that this year’s first place seems to be from our school again.”

 

He didn’t want his parents to know that Lu Xingmian had taken first place. He was worried that if his parents knew Lu Xingmian was so exceptional, they might bring him back. He deliberately said it this way so that if his parents found out later, they couldn’t blame him, because he had said he wasn’t clear and was just repeating what other classmates had said.

 

Xia Yuefang nodded, thinking, Sure enough. The best resources were all in Mingcheng, so it was only natural for Mingcheng students to easily win first place. However, Xia Yuefang still comforted her son. Even though he was eliminated in the first round, Lu Sihang at least participated in the first round. Lu Sihang was already very impressive.

 

Yancheng in winter was very cold. Lu Yan and Xia Yuefang also told Lu Sihang that they planned to take him on a vacation abroad during the winter break. The college entrance exams were approaching soon, and Lu Sihang’s grades were decent. They felt that he needed to relax, balance work and rest, and relieve his study pressure.

 

Lu Sihang happily served food to his parents: “Thank you, Mom and Dad.” The family enjoyed a harmonious meal.

 

Lu Sihang was still excited when he returned to his room. His parents said they would take him on a vacation abroad, and they hadn’t even mentioned Lu Xingmian’s name earlier. His parents truly loved him the most.

 

What reassured him even more was that Lu Xingmian’s phone was completely broken, and he no longer had to worry about the recording on it being heard by others.

 

–

 

Meanwhile, on the way back, the accompanying teacher was overjoyed. All three of their school’s students had won awards, how could the teacher not be happy? This was fantastic news!

 

When the results were announced in the auditorium, the accompanying teacher promptly shared the news in their group chat, and the other teachers were equally delighted.

 

Li Mei, who was Lu Xingmian and Chen Che’s homeroom teacher, was immensely proud when she saw the announcement; her students were all incredible. She hadn’t anticipated Lu Xingmian winning first place, and she noticed that ever since Lu Xingmian’s brother visited last time, Lu Xingmian himself had changed, becoming a bit more cheerful and lively.

 

With the students winning awards, the accompanying teacher was thrilled. Once they arrived back in SS City, he planned to treat Lu Xingmian and the others to a meal.

 

Chen Che suggested, “Teacher, let’s go for barbecue! Lu Xingmian, Gao Yan, what do you guys think?”

 

Lu Xingmian and Gao Yan had no objections.

 

The accompanying teacher readily agreed: “Alright, then we’ll go for barbecue!” He told the driver to head straight for the best barbecue restaurant in SS City.

 

On the way, Lu Xingmian asked Gao Yan, “When President Lu presented your awards, did he say anything?”

 

Gao Yan replied, “He just said, ‘Congratulations, congratulations.'”

 

Lu Xingmian: “And then?”

 

Gao Yan was puzzled: “And then nothing else. Is there something wrong?”

 

Chen Che also chimed in: “President Lu also just told me ‘Congratulations.’ It seems he said the same to other students too. That was it. Is there something unusual about that?”

 

That was it? He thought President Lu had said many encouraging words to everyone.