Chapter 1071 The Opening Ceremony of Two Schools
Dark's new work 'Constant' was highly praised by the industry as it was an international sci-fi masterpiece. Its popularity and quality made it become a phenomenal original. Once again, Gu Mang had become a dominant force in another field as well as the god of Capital University's Chinese Department.
The summer vacation was coming to an end.
The Traditional Chinese Medicine Science Experimental Class's teaching team and materials had all been prepared, and it would officially start from this year's batch of freshmen.
Principal Ren and Yang Tianming, along with their team, personally recruited a group of geniuses who were interested in TCM. Most of them were around the age of fourteen with the youngest being eleven, and they had all finished their high school syllabus.
There were also medical students and exchange medical students from Jijing Island who were admitted to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Science Experimental Class.
Traditional Chinese medicine shouldered heavy responsibilities.
Since Principal Ren and the others were with Gu Mang, they didn't want to drag her down and ruin her reputation.
In the middle of August, Capital University's freshman military training was scheduled. A new batch of overachievers would be coming, and it was unknown who would become the most popular freshman on campus this time.
Word had it that the teachers of Capital University's admission office could take it easy. They didn't need to compete with the neighboring schools to recruit students when the results of this year's university entrance exams came out. The students applied to the university they wanted to attend.
The top students from all provinces had chosen Capital University, and it was all because Gu Mang was there. The Medical Faculty's admission score was broken because of her existence.
Gu Mang's expected delivery date was drawing close. Although she still reported to the Medical Faculty, she didn't hang out in the lab as often as she used to.
She and Lu Chengzhou had moved back to the Lu Manor. The reason being that their apartment at Royal Garden was too small for the many visitors Gu Mang was receiving every day. Lu Chengzhou had to control the crowd and make the visitors queue up.
Old Master Bai had also moved into the Lu Manor, while Lan Sha came back from Changning County.
Red Scorpion held a large-scale drill every year, but since Lu Chengzhou refused to work, Lu Zhan could only go and oversee it himself.
Ye Junci, on the other hand, visited the Lu Manor everyday with expensive nourishing tonics on the behalf of herself and Lu Zhan. As she had the intention to train Ye You, she handed many of the Ye family's affairs to her. In fact, she just remained in the capital this time without any care about the Ye family's affairs. To her, the Ye family's interests were her bottom line. She would do everything she could for Lu Chengzhou as long as it was within her boundaries, but the moment it exceeded her boundaries, she could only consider things from the Ye family's standpoint.
Lu Chengzhou maintained a balance with her and didn't restrict her access to the Lu Manor. Although he didn't give her a cold attitude, their relationship was absolutely far from the typical relationship a mother and a son would have.
Meng Jinyang, Qin Yaozhi, and the others would come to visit Gu Mang whenever they were free too.
"Sister Mang, have you finished writing your speech?" Qin Yaozhi asked while holding onto a small tub of ice cream and sitting cross-legged on the sofa. "Tomorrow is the school's opening ceremony."
As the first freshman of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Science Experimental Class, Gu Mang had to give a speech on a stage.
Gu Mang was currently looking down and reading an ancient medical book that Gu Si had bought for her on Jijing Island's black market. Even for her, she found its contents a little obscure and hard to understand.
She nonchalantly said, "Yes."
Lin Shuang raised her eyebrows as she poked a piece of banana. "You even have to write a speech?"
Actually, she didn't need to write one, nor did she have the intention to do so. However, Principal Ren insisted on her writing one on paper. As this would be her first speech to the students of the experimental class, he wanted to frame the penned speech on the classroom's wall.
Meng Jinyang was around when Principal Ren called Gu Mang that day, so she knew about it. She thus explained it to Lin Shuang.
Lin Shuang clicked her tongue. "So you were forced to do it."
Just then, Old Master Bai entered the room. When he saw Gu Mang reading a book again, he quickly strode over and snatched it out of her hands. "Why aren't you listening to me? I told you that you need to rest properly. Pregnant women shouldn't think too much, you know."
Gu Mang was speechless.
He then picked up the remote control. "I remember Lu Qi sending a prenatal educational video earlier today. I'll play it for you."
Gu Mang raised her eyebrows. If I remember correctly, it was sent from No. 14 Research Center.
As soon as Old Mr. Bai turned on the TV, a loud boom was heard. The first image was several fighter jets whooshing up into the clouds, then swooping down and firing shells everywhere to create a huge and deep crater in the ground. This was followed by the appearance of a cartoon character, who explained the characteristics and principles of this fighter jet, complicated mathematical and physics formulas, and the simulation of its trajectory.
Old Master Bai was speechless. This is… a prenatal education video? What is all this stuff? What are they making my great-grandchild watch?
Gu Mang slowly changed her sitting position and lazily leaned back as she watched the video No. 14 Research Center had sent. It was rather intense.
Meng Jinyang, who knew that No. 14 Research Center would send a prenatal educational video over every month, took a grape from the fruit plate and handed it to Gu Mang. With a smile, she said, "Grandpa Bai, the video is from No. 14 Research Center."
Old Master Bai knew very well what kind of place No. 14 Research Center was. He snorted and changed the channel to a cartoon channel. "How can they destroy my great-grandchild's childhood?"
Just then, Lu Chengzhou, Qin Fang, He Yidu walked down the stairs with a few subordinates and elites in suits in tow. They had been in a video conference since nine in the morning, and it had only ended now, which was two whole hours later.
After greeting everyone, the subordinate and elites left the Lu Manor right away. They still had work they needed to do.
Lu Chengzhou sat next to Gu Mang. He knew who had changed the TV channel as soon as he saw the cartoon playing.
He Yidu sat next to Lin Shuang too.
When Qin Fang saw this scene, he picked up an apple and took a huge bite at it.
Butler Lu then came over and asked what everyone would like to eat for lunch.
Qin Fang, who decided to channel his misery into appetite, ordered five dishes at one go. "That's all I want!"
The rest of the people ordered a few more other dishes.
Lu Chengzhou poured a cup of water for Gu Mang. "Watch your step when you go up the stage to give a speech."
"Okay." Gu Mang took the cup from him.
Hearing that, Old Master Bai asked in confusion, "Aren't you going with her tomorrow?"
Lu Chengzhou's maternity leave was far longer than the combined leave he had taken in almost ten years, and only He Yidu agreed that men being able to take maternity leave was a great decision. After all, with Lu Chengzhou being the precedent, it would be easier for him to take maternity leave in the future.
Ever since Lu Chengzhou went on leave, he spent most of his time by Gu Mang's side. Thus, it was surprising that he wouldn't be accompanying her to the opening ceremony tomorrow.
Gu Mang explained, "Grandpa, Beihang University starts tomorrow as well, and it's their 70th anniversary. He'll be there to make a speech."
Beihang University, also formerly known as the Capital University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, was located near to Capital University. Every year, they would send a large number of talents to No. 14 Research Center.
As the owner of No. 14 Research Center, there wasn't anything wrong with Lu Chengzhou giving a speech at their 70th anniversary.
"I'll go fetch you afterwards," said Lu Chengzhou as he kneaded her waist.
Gu Mang took a sip of water. "No need. Principal Ren wants to eat with the professors of the experimental class after the speech."
She had to go since the other experienced professors would be around too.
"Alright." Lu Chengzhou nodded. "Text me when it's over then."
…
Early next morning.
Lu Chengzhou sent Gu Mang to Capital University first before going to Beihang University himself.
Gu Mang was wearing a black cap and a mask. Her white loose shirt was unbuttoned at the collars, and it revealed her delicate collarbones and pretty neckline. The sunlight made her fair skin look like it was glowing. Other than her bulging stomach, one would almost be unable to find any other signs that would indicate that she was pregnant.
The sky was blue, and the sun was shining. New life was injected into Capital University as it bade farewell to the quietness that had accumulated over summer vacation.
New faces could be seen walking around the campus and forming groups to head to the stadium.
"I heard from the Student Union that Professor Gu Mang will be giving a speech today!"
"For real?! She rarely shows her face! I heard that she spends most of her time in the lab when she's at school and that she doesn't really participate in large-scale events since she dislikes crowds. It's really hard to see her even though they're in the same school as her!"
"It's true! I saw the schedule! I'm so excited just thinking that I'll get to meet her today! I resisted the temptation of a million-yuan scholarship from the university next-door and insisted on coming to Capital University all for the sake of meeting her!"
"I'll listen to her speech while kneeling! She was just a freshman at Capital University a year ago, but now, she's become the chief professor!"
"Not mentioning her results, do you remember the record she set at Red Scorpion's base? She came in first for everything and even bested all the instructors there! D*mn…"
The group of freshman scholars couldn't help but be impressed by Gu Mang. She's just too capable!
Gu Mang didn't say anything as she walked past these people.
Having gotten used to hearing such things while staying at Gu Mang's side, Lu Qi was very composed when he heard that. He wore a poker face as he followed Gu Mang and nonchalantly walked through the crowd. All of a sudden, he felt a little bit curious as to how these people would feel if they were to know that she had just brushed past them.
"I'm the top scholar of my province, but I don't think it's anything worth bragging about."
"Aren't you finding trouble for yourself when you compare your results to the perfect score of 750? Sigh, muggles like us can't be compared with a god!"
"My copy of 'Constant' doesn't have an autograph. Should I muster my courage and shamelessly go to the Medical Faculty to ask Dark for it?"
The mention of 'Constant' reminded everyone of how the book was quickly sold out. Websites crashed, and bookshelves were emptied as soon as the books went up.
"Then you just wait to get punished by the school! God Gu is someone even the school leaders worship! Who knows, you'll become famous after the principal comes to have a talk with you!"
The girl clasped her hands together and prayed to the sky. "Oh, heaven! Please bless me this one time! Let me meet God Gu just once!"
Just then, someone shouted, "Gu Mang!"
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Gu Mang slowed down and turned around to see Shao Jin and another girl.
There were a lot of people around them, and that shout got everyone looking over.
Shao Jin jogged toward Gu Mang while carrying a bag of things. It seemed that he had gone out to buy these items earlier.
"Seniors," Gu Mang politely greeted them.
At the end of last year, Shao Jin and that girl were elected to become the Student Union's president and vice president.
"You just came, Gu Mang?" The girl wasn't too familiar with Gu Mang, but they could still exchange a word or two.
Gu Mang nodded.
Shao Jin lifted his chin. "Come on, let's go to the stadium together. Principal Ren and Professor Yang are probably there already."
"I'm going over to the Medical Informatics Faculty first." After thinking about it for a second, Gu Mang took a folder out of her bag and passed it to Shao Jin. "This is the handwritten speech Principal Ren wants. Please help me take it to him."
Shao Jin knew that Gu Mang was a busy person, so he took the folder from her. "Alright. If you're busy, I'll send you a message when it's almost your turn. You can come over later."
Gu Mang thanked him.
As they were heading in the same direction, they chatted along the way. Shao Jin asked Gu Mang when her due date was.
"Next month," answered Gu Mang lightly. She wouldn't be doing any teaching for the time being and would just give guidance to Yu Zhongjing and the others from the side.
Meanwhile, the people around them were all dumbstruck when they saw this scene, and they stood rooted to the spot. Eventually, someone asked, "W-was that… God Gu?" Did she just walk past us?!
…
Shao Jin thus brought Gu Mang's handwritten script to the stadium's lounge, where several school leaders were already seated inside. He passed the folder to Principal Ren. "Gu Mang said that she's dropping by at the Medical Informatics Faculty for a moment."
Principal Ren nodded and took out the written speech. The handwriting on it was exactly the same as the one on Gu Mang's precious medical manuscripts. Unlike the handwriting she used for tests and exams, it was powerful, flowing, and majestic.
She really uses different handwriting for different occasions… The corners of Principal Ren's lips twitched.
This year's military training was at Red Scorpion's reserve base again. However, the person who came was the person-in-charge instead of Lu Chengzhou.
One of the school leaders asked, "Young Master Lu isn't coming today?"
The person-in-charge replied, "Young Master Lu is at Beihang University."
Principal Ren knew about this matter as well. "They're having their 70th anniversary, so he has to attend it at least."
The school leader nodded in understanding.
Even the boss of Capital Daily and Song Han had come to attend Capital University's school opening ceremony and do an interview of the school leaders. However, they failed to interview Gu Mang.
As someone who had connections to Gu Mang, Song Han felt that she was a failure at managing her connections.
Just then, she received a message from their agency's group chat. It was from a reporter who was responsible for doing the interview at Beihang University. It read, [Omigosh! I managed to interview Lu Chengzhou!!! I'm hella lucky today!!!]
Song Han was speechless.
The reporter then sent a video that was five-minute long.
Song Han played the video. The beginning of the video was the reporter asking Lu Chengzhou some formal questions about academics and his thoughts on aviation and aerospace. Towards the end of the video, however, the reporter asked, "Mr. Lu, can I ask you a personal question?"
Song Han raised her eyebrows at that and felt that Lu Chengzhou definitely wouldn't answer that question. However, she was proven wrong the very next second, for Lu Chengzhou nodded and said, "Yes."
Although the said reporter was known to be very professional within the company, she couldn't contain her excitement when she heard Lu Chengzhou agree to her request. She even had to force herself to calm down and maintain the professional smile on her face. "The divorce rate is high nowadays. Many married couples choose to get a divorce because the time they spent together is too short. Is there any relationship troubles between you and Professor Gu Mang since both of you are usually very busy?"
Song Han was on good terms with this reporter. The latter was usually a nice and friendly person, so Song Han figured that she was just genuinely curious about this matter. After all, the photo showing both Gu Mang's and Lu Chengzhou's hands made waves on the internet previously and drove the fans crazy.
"Troubles?" Lu Chengzhou repeated.
Although his expression remained the same, Song Han could feel even through the screen that his aura seemed to have changed. The depths of his cold eyes seemed to have warmth in them. She then heard him say, "Is giving me food in exchange for me to write her speech considered a conflict?"
Song Han was speechless. Everyone knows that Gu Mang will be giving a speech at Capital University's school opening ceremony, but her speech was written by Lu Chengzhou?
Lu Chengzhou curled his lips as he drummed his defined fingers against his seat's armrest. "She's pretty heartless. As soon as I was done writing her speech, she had a one-eighty change in attitude and claimed that it was an equal exchange. How was it equal at all? The time spent isn't equal at all."
Inwardly, the reporter thought, It's so obvious he's showing off their relationship.
The corners of Song Han's lips twitched. She felt as if she had been forced to watch a mushy display.
The boss of Capital Daily saw the message too. Upon knowing that his subordinate managed to interview Lu Chengzhou, he immediately played and watched the video.
Principal Ren leaned in and watched it too. He was utterly speechless when he found out that the script in his hand wasn't written by Gu Mang. The handwriting looks exactly the same though… So did I succeed in getting Gu Mang's handwritten script?
…
Both Capital University and Beihang University were among the top universities in the country. Thus, their school opening ceremonies were very important, and many school leaders would come on this day.
There were performances from the national theater and various school clubs. There was even a live-stream on social media platforms.
When it was almost time for Gu Mang to give her speech, the number of viewers watching the live-stream soared, and comments flooded the screen.
It was almost time for Lu Chengzhou to give his speech as well, so somebody connected the two live-streams together for everyone to watch.
Appearing on the huge screens behind the two big shots were the words: Follow the past, herald the future, and forge ahead.
The comment section was filled with laughter.
[It feels like the two speeches were written by the same person!]
[Exactly!]
As Gu Mang gave her speech in a very recognizable voice, the words 'Bai Ye' flooded the screen. The fans never thought that they would one day hear the voice of their ace voice-over artist at Capital University's opening ceremony.
Gu Mang's speech was short yet profound with minimal official sayings. Towards the end, she slowed down and said, "Live up to the legend and to the prosperous world. Be worthy of yourself and of the times."
She then looked at the freshmen present. "I wish everyone a smooth journey. See you at the top."
Meanwhile…
Lu Chengzhou's speech at Beihang University had also come to an end. His magnetic voice rang out. "I wish everyone a meteoric success. See you at the top."
As the two live-streams were connected, both of them showed up on the screen at the same time. Their overwhelming presence made everything fade into the background. This was an unprecedented scene.
At the end of her speech, Gu Mang turned around and was just about to leave the stage when she suddenly felt a pain around her stomach. It came so suddenly and sharply, making her freeze to the spot for two seconds. She showed no change in expression as she calmly left the stage.
Standing at the side door, she pulled out her phone and gave Lu Qi a call. As soon as the call connected, she said somewhat slowly, "Drive the car over and take me to the hospital."