Dragon Clan: Lu Mingfei Returns from Japan

Chapter 732 Assistant Commissioner
Early in the morning, the rain was still falling, and the car windows were shrouded in mist, resembling blank sheets of paper untouched by poetic brushstrokes.

The night rain poured down relentlessly, and the rain showed no signs of stopping by dawn. Such heavy rain certainly didn't seem like a good time to travel far.

Lu Mingfei wiped the fog off the car window with his hand. The world that came into view seemed to be covered by a gloomy filter unique to rainy days. However, the umbrellas blooming on the street were colorful, like mushrooms of different colors that would grow in the deep mountains after a summer rain.

The first day of August brought this unexpected downpour. It always felt like something bad was brewing, a sense of impending doom.

The last time Lu Mingfei experienced such a severe rainstorm was when Typhoon Dandelion made landfall in his hometown. Chu Zihang's father, Chu Tianjiao, also disappeared after that storm. No one knows if he was forever lost in Odin's Nibelungen.

"This is not a good sign." Thinking about the mission he was about to undertake, Lu Mingfei couldn't help but mutter to himself.

"Is this your first mission as a specialist, Mingfei?" Angers' voice suddenly rang out, his blue eyes reflected in the rearview mirror of the Maserati. He was looking at Lu Mingfei.

In a broad sense, all members of the execution department who participate in a mission can be considered as specialists for that mission.

However, strictly speaking, there is only one specialist in a mission, who is also the main person in charge of the mission. The others can only be considered assistant specialists.

For example, in the mission at the "Eye of Kuimen" in the Three Gorges, the mission specialist recorded in the Executive Department's files was Mans Rundschnett alone.

Whether it was Aki, Lu Mingfei, or Professor Guderian, they could only be considered assistants on that mission.

Lu Mingfei had experienced this situation before. For example, when retrieving the SS-level document that Raymond had lost, the mission specialist assigned by the academy was Lu Mingfei, while Chu Zihang was just his assistant.

Although he contributed almost nothing to the entire mission, Chu Zihang was the one who found help to investigate, infiltrate the building, and retrieve the lost documents from beginning to end. He also sent staff from the execution department to fix the toilet seat at his uncle and aunt's house.

He was just having dinner with pretty girls at the restaurant. But the credit for the task was still given to him.

So, all things considered, that was Lu Mingfei's first time carrying out a mission as a specialist. This trip to the Zhou family should be considered his second time carrying out a mission as a specialist, that is, the main person in charge of the mission.

The entanglements of past and present lives are too complex to unravel. Lu Mingfei could only give Angers a vague reply: "Um... more or less."

"Do you feel any pressure? You're only in your second year of high school in the preparatory class, and you're already being assigned a mission as a specialist. Even for the best students in the academy, we usually only assign them as specialists to perform simple tasks in their second or third year of university," Angers asked.

Lu Mingfei told the truth: "It would be a lie to say that I didn't feel any pressure... I was a little nervous, but it wasn't my first time participating in a mission, so it was alright."

The Zhou family and Kassel College are now partners. According to Angers, the college has already largely finalized the matter of borrowing Samson's dragon bones with the head of the Zhou family. Lu Mingfei's trip to the Zhou family was more of a formality.

This is similar to how Emperor Qianlong had already prepared a "newbie gift package" of Heshen for Emperor Jiaqing, waiting for Jiaqing to ascend the throne and unpack this "newbie gift package," at which point all the achievements would be recorded in Jiaqing's account book.

It was simply a matter of letting Lu Mingfei, as the academy's representative, meet with the Zhou family's higher-ups and have a couple of cups of tea. Compared to all the missions and events he had participated in, this one was practically a very easy task. It was probably even easier than Emperor Jiaqing unpacking a newbie gift pack.

Moreover, he wasn't the only one involved in this mission; the academy had even specially assigned him two assistants...

Lu Mingfei glanced to his left. A petite girl was facing out the window, her hands neatly placed on her lap, revealing only her delicate profile and neatly combed blonde hair to Lu Mingfei.

When Lu Mingfei learned that Zero would be his assistant and accompany him on this mission, he was actually quite surprised.

Angers' reasoning was that Zero had also participated in the "Eye of Kuimen" mission, and Zhou Li of the Zhou family had a good impression of Zero. That's why Zero was chosen as Lu Mingfei's assistant for this mission.

In fact, Aki would also be a suitable candidate to be Lu Mingfei's assistant on this mission. She had previously been in contact with the Zhou family, was a sophomore, had carried out numerous missions, and possessed the ability to work independently. However, Aki was, after all, a student teacher in the preparatory class, and was also responsible for teaching duties, so she couldn't leave her post. Therefore, the responsibility of assistant officer ultimately fell to Zero.

As for the other assistant, Lu Mingfei hasn't met him yet. He's supposedly an outside helper the academy found for him.
Since this mission to the Zhou family will inevitably involve some negotiation, the academy has specifically hired a self-proclaimed expert in negotiation as his second assistant, recommended by a member of the board of directors. They will meet at the airport.

Angers smiled and nodded: "It's good to have a good mindset. It's normal to feel a little pressure. Flamel often says when he teaches his students that carrying out a mission is like asking a beautiful stranger for her phone number. No matter how many times you've succeeded before, you'll always feel nervous the next time. But nervousness can often increase your success rate in getting her phone number."

Lu Mingfei naturally knew that Flamel was the name of the Night Watch. Thinking of that lecherous vice-principal, who compared carrying out a mission to asking a pretty girl for her phone number, Lu Mingfei thought to himself that only that vice-principal could come up with such a metaphor.

The Maserati stopped in front of the airport VIP lounge. The rain hadn't stopped yet, and staff opened the car doors and held umbrellas for Lu Mingfei and his companions.

"Please show me your identification so I can verify your booking information," the pretty ground staff member said with a smile.

Lu Mingfei took out his ID card from his pocket, while Ling handed over her passport. The ground staff took them, verified their booking information, and then bowed to return their documents.

Angers rolled down the window: "Mingfei, Ling, I'll leave you here for now. Once you arrive in Xiangyang, the Zhou family will send someone to pick you up at the airport. The other assistant specialist who will assist you is already in the VIP lounge; you should be able to meet him once you go in."

Lu Mingfei said, "Okay, goodbye, Principal."

Zero said coldly, "Goodbye, Principal."

Angers smiled and said, "Yes, goodbye."

The Maserati drove away in the rain. A pretty ground staff member smiled and led Lu Mingfei and his companion through the VIP passage to the airport's VIP lounge.

Lu Mingfei found a four-seater booth in the spacious rest area and sat down. The staff helped them with the check-in and baggage check-in procedures. The service at the VIP lane was just that considerate.

He looked up and around: "Didn't the principal say that another task officer had already arrived at the VIP lounge? There don't seem to be many people in the VIP lounge, so I don't know which one it is... Speaking of which, the principal didn't give us a photo or anything. What if the other party doesn't recognize us, and we don't know him, so we can't make contact?"

Zero, who was sitting directly opposite him, stared at him without blinking, and suddenly said, "She's here."

"coming?"

Lu Mingfei was taken aback for a moment, looking around but not seeing anyone approaching them. However, the next moment a bag was tossed onto the empty seat next to Ling, and a graceful figure came from behind him, passing by him and sitting down in the empty seat next to Ling, leaving behind a fragrant breeze.

"Yo." The newcomer blinked, crossed his legs, and waved at him with his arms crossed. "You're here so early. I was almost ready to take a nap." Upon seeing the newcomer's face, Lu Mingfei froze. "...You?"

"What? We've known each other for a while now, why do you look so surprised? Or do you want me to shake your hand again and give you a formal self-introduction?" the other person said, pursing their lips.

For some reason, she seemed to still have some resentment towards Lu Mingfei.

There was no need for self-introduction. Although Lu Mingfei didn't know her as well as his junior sisters Miaomiao and Wenwen, nor did he have the same level of lingering affection as Aki and Mai, they were indeed old acquaintances...

However, Lu Mingfei was still somewhat surprised, after all, he never expected that the other assistant assigned to him by the academy, who claimed to be an expert in negotiation... was actually Su Enxi.

Zero and Su Enxi... If Mai Shude also showed up now, then the trio would be complete.

Lu Mingfei couldn't help but scrutinize Su Enxi.

Her beauty is undeniable. Lu Mingfei had always referred to Su Enxi in his mind as the beautiful female boss of Takamagahara, so beauty must have been Su Enxi's main characteristic.

Although she doesn't possess the breathtaking beauty of Mai Shutoku or Elizabeth, nor does she have a flawless face like Natsumi.

But even if you put Su Enxi in a place like the School of Foreign Languages ​​or the School of Business, where there are lots of beautiful girls, she would definitely stand out. She's definitely a campus beauty.

However, this pretty young boss was wearing a white silk shirt that highlighted her professionalism today, with a black suit jacket over it. The dark pencil skirt paired with high heels made her look even more composed, and she also wore rimless glasses on her high nose bridge.

She gives off the vibe of an elite lawyer from a top-tier law firm or a female actuary who's a force to be reckoned with on Wall Street.

Lu Mingfei didn't know why Su Enxi always liked to dress so maturely. She didn't look much older than him at all.

She has a certain charm, but how should I put it? At the same time, it gives off a feeling of a minor girl using her older sister's cosmetics... Don't girls usually like to dress themselves up to look more youthful and beautiful?

Even after turning twenty, he still likes to say that he is seventeen years old every year.

Perhaps because Lu Mingfei was staring at her, Su Enxi pursed her lips and finally couldn't help but frown: "Why are you staring at me like that...?"

Lu Mingfei realized he might have been staring at Su Enxi for too long, which was rather impolite. He paused for a moment, then changed the subject, saying, "Ah... I see your dark circles are still quite severe. Are your upstairs neighbors still throwing parties every night lately?"

Lu Mingfei didn't know why, but the moment he asked the question, he felt Su Enxi's gaze become even colder: "...Yes, it's still running. Last night they even had a big one, which was noisy until three or four in the morning."

Lu Mingfei nodded: "Oh... such a neighbor is indeed quite rude."

This topic seemed to have scratched a nerve with Su Enxi. She echoed Lu Mingfei's words and complained fiercely, "It's not just lacking in manners, it's downright immoral! Doesn't he have any awareness of disturbing the peace?!"

Lu Mingfei wholeheartedly agreed. Even he sometimes worried about disturbing the neighbors, but the soundproofing in his rented apartment seemed quite good. The only downside of the old house was its age, but it was built with high-quality materials.

He also subtly inquired with Zero, who lived downstairs, whether she had heard any strange noises at night. Zero replied that no, that every night was quiet and she slept very well.

Lu Mingfei gradually felt relieved when even Ling, who lived directly below him, didn't hear any strange noises.

Last night, because I was about to leave on a long trip for a mission, I had another five-person team game with my junior sisters Miaomiao, Xiaotiannv, and Wenwen, just like on my birthday. The sweet and affectionate banter between the couples lasted until three or four in the morning.

When I left home this morning, the four girls were still soundly asleep in bed, exhausted.

That's for the best. If they were all awake, they would definitely be holding hands with Lu Mingfei again before leaving, their eyes filled with tears and speechless with emotion... How could Lu Mingfei bear to go on a long trip to that damn Zhou family to carry out a mission?

Lu Mingfei looked at Su Enxi and said with a smile, "But it's good now. This time you're going on a long trip to carry out a mission, so you can stay away from your rude neighbor. You can get a good night's sleep now."

Su Enxi glanced at Ling beside her without showing any emotion, and said, "...I hope so."

Zero blinked innocently at her best friend.

Lu Mingfei naturally didn't notice Su Enxi's somewhat meaningful look.

However, he also discovered that the ninja girl's network of relationships seemed to be more extensive than he had imagined.

Lu Mingfei was well aware that it was no coincidence that the academy had assigned Su Enxi as his assistant and negotiation expert this time.

Originally, Su Enxi and Jiu De Mai often helped her from the shadows. Now, their help seems to have moved from being hidden to being overt.

I don't know if it's because I've seen through Mai's disguise too many times, so I've simply given up and stopped pretending.

Miss Ninja's disguises were always quite professional, but the distinctive fragrance emanating from her always betrayed her true identity to Lu Mingfei.

However, Su Enxi and her team of female assistants gave Lu Mingfei ample confidence to carry out this mission.

He had witnessed Su Enxi's negotiation skills firsthand. Back in Kabukicho, facing the overwhelming encirclement of the Hebi-Hachi family in the pouring rain, she stood alone in the rain and intimidated several heads of the Hebi-Hachi family, forcing them to retreat through negotiation. Her professionalism was beyond question.

However, Su Enxi's willingness to participate in this mission also reveals something...

Lu Mingfei thought to himself, this mission is probably not as easy as I imagined.
……

(End of this chapter)