Chapter 105: 101, worth it
Governor Bai Jingwei—no one on Saturn didn’t know him.
During Bai Jingwei’s thirty years as Governor, he had worked diligently, elevating Saturn from its original eighth-place ranking to its current fifth, trailing only Blue Star, Mercury, Mars, and Jupiter. His contribution was indispensable.
Especially on Saturn’s East Forest Continent, the focus of the first stage of development, the local people’s living standards, income levels, and even the Awakening rate of high school students had drastically improved.
In the eyes of all Saturnites, although Bai Jingwei was not a god, he was undoubtedly a great meritorious official who had led the citizens of Saturn to a better life.
Many young people like Lu Lin hadn’t experienced Saturn’s darkest period, so they didn’t know. But some older people were keenly aware of Bai Jingwei’s immense contributions to Saturn.
Yet, how could Governor Bai suddenly appear at Junsheng Hotel, and not only that, warmly embrace Lu Lin?
This scene undoubtedly made many jaws drop and many eyes widen in disbelief.
"Little Lu, quite a few people came today, I see."
"It’s alright, Governor Bai. They’re mostly relatives and friends."
"Please, come in."
Lu Lin greeted Bai Jingwei, Cen Xian, and Zhuge Li, then led them into the Junsheng Hotel.
Cen Xian patted Lu Lin’s shoulder, a knowing glint in his eye, but he just smiled and said nothing.
"Governor Bai! Governor Bai!"
"King Cen Hu! King Cen Hu!"
The shouts were repeated, echoing through the entrance.
Years ago, Cen Xian had led the Star Martial masters of the Saturn Military Department. When the Alien Space Crack opened, his group of just over thirty warriors held off an assault by hundreds of Black-Blooded Ferocious Tigers.
In that battle, Cen Xian led from the front, sustaining over a hundred wounds while slaying 79 Black-Blooded Ferocious Tigers.
He saved a city of millions on Saturn’s West Sand Continent.
After his deeds were reported by journalists, the story was included in Saturn’s fifth-grade compulsory education language textbooks.
Upon seeing Cen Xian, everyone attending Lu Lin’s Promotion Banquet, young and old alike, began chanting the nickname he had earned while protecting humanity.
Bai Jingwei and Cen Xian smiled and waved to the crowd, while Zhuge Li, an Academician of the Three Academies, remained little known.
The general manager, lobby manager, and waitstaff of Junsheng Hotel were all flushed with excitement.
They never imagined that Junsheng Hotel would one day be fortunate enough to host Governor Bai Jingwei and the renowned Boss Cen Xian.
The hotel’s general manager, even as he rushed downstairs in the elevator, was on the phone, excitedly reporting the news to the shareholders.
"Ah, this is truly enviable..." Zhao Lei, who had just arrived at the entrance, muttered, unsure if he was talking to himself or to Xiao Yan and Xiao Li beside him.
Sighing, Zhao Lei found a place to sit down without waiting for Lu Lin to greet him.
"Boss, isn’t it a bit inappropriate for us to come empty-handed? We should at least bring Lu Lin a gift," Xiao Yan said, pointing to a large, round table nearby, specially designated for presents.
Each arriving guest would select a small gift for Lu Lin, often accompanied by a few words of advice or congratulations.
But so many people came today. A large, round, turntable-equipped table, big enough to seat twelve for dinner, was already piled high with gifts of all shapes and sizes.
Although Xiao Yan was usually carefree, she felt that arriving without a gift was somewhat improper at this moment.
"What’s there to give?" Zhao Lei retorted. "Didn’t Xiao Li say that a third of Lu Lin’s 95 million bounty has already arrived in his account? When the rest comes through, he’ll get all of it. We won’t take a single cent."
Xiao Yan was exasperated; her boss could be quite the cheapskate sometimes. After all, he was a supremely powerful Level 9 Unblemished Realm master.
Actually, Zhao Lei had come prepared. Before arriving, he had discussed Lu Lin’s situation with the Star Investigation Office Headquarters on Alien Star.
Lu Lin had been with the Star Investigation Office for less than ten days. Yet, he had already uncovered a wealth of hidden intelligence on the Black Shark Society, helping the Star Investigation Office earn a major commendation within the Federation.
Just yesterday, at Maolin Training Base, he had demonstrated an ability to improve the level of exotic beasts, something Zhao Lei had witnessed clearly.
If I hadn’t been there, Bai Jingwei would have definitely poached Lu Lin, Zhao Lei thought.
As for the huge impact that exposing Lu Lin’s ability to enhance exotic beast levels would have on the Federation, Zhao Lei neither wanted to manage it, nor could he.
He only needed to ensure Lu Lin remained with the Star Investigation Office.
Given Lu Lin’s importance, the head of the Star Investigation Office Headquarters had approved Zhao Lei’s telepathic request, making an exception to promote Lu Lin to Elite Investigator.
This was unprecedented in the history of the Star Investigation Office. A Probationary Investigator was being promoted past the formal investigator stage to Elite Investigator before even reaching the rank of Level 1 Star Core Warrior.
Zhao Lei was confident that once Lu Lin held this status, not even Bai Jingwei could lure him away, no matter how hard she tried.
As for a gift, Zhao Lei mused, what gift could possibly compare to the status of an Elite Investigator?
Lu Lin’s parents felt as if they were in a dream, only jolting back to reality when Bai Jingwei stood before them.
So, our son wasn’t lying, they thought. He really knows Governor Bai Jingwei.
Meng Yu felt a pang of guilt. Just yesterday, after seeing Lu Lin’s photos, she had not only dismissed them as photoshopped but had also told her husband, Lu Ping.
They had both thought Lu Lin was suffering from some sort of genius-delusion, constantly fantasizing about connections with influential figures.
"G-Governor Bai, h-hello," Meng Yu stammered.
Lu Ping, however, stared intently at Cen Xian.
Suddenly, Lu Ping snapped to attention, his feet together, and rendered a crisp military salute to Cen Xian.
"Reporting! Fourth Level Soldier Lu Ping, of Saturn’s X Division, X Army, greets you, Sir!"
Lu Ping’s voice was firm and powerful, making even Lu Lin look at his usually taciturn father with newfound surprise.
He had never known much about his parents’ past and hadn’t expected his father to be a veteran.
Bai Jingwei and Cen Xian both smiled warmly at Lu Lin’s parents.
"Lu Ping, Meng Yu, you’ve raised a fine son for the Federation," Bai Jingwei said.
"Especially you, Meng Yu." He shook her hand. "As a woman, you’ve worked hard managing the household, been frugal and thrifty. You’ve endured so much over the years."
Meng Yu was so moved she couldn’t utter a word, tears streaming down her face. She tried to speak several times but was choked by emotion.
Cen Xian also stepped before Lu Ping and returned a standard military salute.
"Comrade Lu Ping, you are excellent. In the army, you trained diligently and fought bravely. In life, you have shouldered your family’s burdens, cared for your wife, and loved your children. In my eyes, you are, without a doubt—"
"A Great Soldier!"
"Thank you, Commander Cen!" Lu Ping roared in response.
"Alright, alright, let’s all compose ourselves," Bai Jingwei said gently. "Today is Lu Lin’s Promotion Banquet; we shouldn’t steal his limelight."
"Mr. Lu, Ms. Meng, we old fellows will take a table together, if that’s alright with you," he asked politely.
"Of course, of course! Governor Bai, please, sit wherever you like," Meng Yu finally managed to say a complete sentence.
At this moment, only one thought filled her mind.
It was worth it. she thought. All the hardships I’ve endured in this life, all the difficulties I’ve faced—it was all worth it. Every bit of it.
Lu Ping and Meng Yu looked at Lu Lin, their hearts swelling with emotion.
We really raised a wonderful son.
By now, they no longer cared about the shocked gazes of their other relatives. They could meet the envious eyes of everyone in the hotel with equanimity.
Lu Lin. Their son. Their pride.
In the hall, members of the Star Guide Division, Lu Lin’s classmates, and the fighters from Wild Kill Martial Arts Hall all looked at Lu Lin with a mixture of envy and admiration.
Da Xiang’s mouth hung open even wider.
Wait, I remember something now, Da Xiang realized. Last night, Lu Lin mentioned he came back on a private jet with Governor Bai Jingwei. And I didn’t believe him!
Now, seeing the Governor sitting right there, in the flesh, Da Xiang wished he could slap himself twice.
From now on, I’ll believe anything Lu Lin says, no matter how outrageous, he resolved. Even if he tells me he’s a transmigrator from another world, I’ll just nod and agree!