Hogwarts: A Chinese-Style Professor

Chapter 284 Li Wei's Older Fan

In the room where there were only two people, Li Wei suddenly extended an invitation.

But no one found it abrupt.

Dumbledore didn't speak, but waited quietly, a glint in his eyes—he was actually very curious whether Horace would come out to see Livy.
To my shame, during Li Wei's student days, he knew very little about Li Wei. Should I say that he lacked the energy, or that he was good at pretending?
In short, Dumbledore didn't know much about Livy during his student days, so he wasn't sure if Livy still held any attraction for Horace.
If this trip can't solve it...
"Li Wei? You're Li Wei?!"

A surprised voice rang out, with a slightly comical tone, immediately dispelling Dumbledore's doubts.

Under his strange gaze, the only bulging armchair not far from them, which had not yet returned to its original position, suddenly stood up.

In the blink of an eye, it had turned into a bald, fat old man.

He was wearing a pale purple nightgown with a brownish-purple velvet overlay, and although he was standing, he was about the same height as Dumbledore, who was sitting.

Slughorn showed no embarrassment at being discovered; instead, he plopped down in front of Levi.

"I've been keeping an eye on your work lately! You're amazing—look, you found the Slytherin Treasure, dealt with the Basilisk, and unleashed such incredible potential in those kids—so many NEWT students with eight 'O's! And the Ravenclaw tiara—did you really find it? Can I see it? I just want to see it, and if you don't mind, it would be even better if I could host a small, private appreciation session—and the book, could I have a copy of your book too? I'm so interested—you truly are a genius, no matter what others say, I've always believed you are—it was a real loss not to bring you into my club!"

He glared at everyone and rattled off a long string of words without stopping, his silver beard twitching and gleaming, which, combined with his waving hands, made him look like a fat sea lion constantly roaring and clapping.

Faced with his blunt remarks, Li Wei simply listened expressionlessly without any reaction.

"My dear Horace, aren't you going to greet an old friend?"

Dumbledore, acting as the mood-setter, spoke with a smile.

“Oh—Dumbledore, I’m not happy to see you—I thought I made myself clear enough last time.”

He had already declined Dumbledore's invitation once.

I didn't expect them to come a second time.

Horace Slughorn suddenly became somewhat wary.

He stared at Li Wei with his big eyes, but his gaze quickly softened and became greedy.

It's like an adventurer who has conquered a dungeon staring at a treasure chest; he can't help but be tempted—even if what he finds inside is a treasure chest monster, let him suffer the pain!
He couldn't resist the temptation.

All the promising young talents should join his club—although Levi is getting on in years—he still looks young.
“Gululululu——”

The water boiled, and the teapot floated to the surface. A cup of black tea was poured for each of the three people.

"Let's talk, shall we?"

Li Wei spoke first.

"Okay—I mean, of course! One cup of tea isn't enough for our conversation!"

Slughorn sat down without hesitation in the chair opposite Levi and Dumbledore, but leaned his body towards Levi.

Dumbledore was both annoyed and amused by his clear-cut attitude—the last time he invited the other man to talk, the man's attitude was far too curt, not even giving him the chance to sit down and have a drink.

Could it be, as Livy said, that there are really many people in the wizarding world who secretly dislike and are wary of him? Dumbledore relaxed and drifted off into thought—judging from Slughorn's attitude and his temperament, he had already foreseen the outcome of this conversation.

"How have you been lately, Li Wei? I was so surprised when I heard that you hadn't joined any organization after you graduated."

I used all my connections to find you. I knew you must be doing something very important—many people told me you were probably dead somewhere, but I never believed it! You're destined for great things! My judgment of people is always spot on!
Sure enough, after seeing your news in the newspaper, I knew that genius was about to return!

I asked around a lot to find out about you—that's how I learned about what you've been doing. I guess some things are still secret, right? But they can't escape my network of informants.

Slughorn then launched into a long speech.

Well, at least he fully expressed his passion for Li Wei.

Seeing that someone trusted him so much in an unknown corner of the world, Li Wei's feelings became somewhat complicated.

I wouldn't say I was happy, but I certainly couldn't bring myself to slap a smiling face—even though this guy's enthusiasm had caused me some unnecessary trouble in the past.

"Thank you for your trust—but that's not why I came to see you today."

"Oh—of course—"

Slughorn's enthusiasm cooled somewhat as he considered the two men's possible intentions.
Li Wei, however, did not speak immediately.

Dumbledore didn't have it either.

Slughorn paused for a moment, then gradually felt the seat beneath him becoming increasingly uncomfortable—he spoke again:
"So what brings you here? Just tell me."

Slughorn stared at Levi with teary eyes, as if he would agree with whatever the other said.

“I heard some things from Dumbledore.”

Li Wei thought for a moment, considering the other person's arrogant personality, and continued:
"The magical world will soon become dangerous—can you sense it?"

"Of course—of course I felt it."

Slughorn's expression turned serious.

“Levy, what you’re trying to promote in the Ministry of Magic is dangerous—if it’s really as powerful as the students in the castle say, most pure-bloods will stand up against you.”

Upon hearing his answer, Li Wei was momentarily stunned—he and Dumbledore exchanged a glance, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.

Seeing their expressions, Slughorn assumed they knew nothing about it and explained in detail:
"You are undermining the nobility of purebloods, Livy—your encyclopedia will break the monopoly of knowledge."

When that time comes, your supporters will cheer for you, but they won't thank you.

Those who originally controlled the rules of this world will feel an unprecedented threat. They will hate the book and even more so the people who wrote its rules.

If you ask me, this thing of yours is really powerful. Once it's widely adopted, it will be as authoritative as the Daily Prophet, as announced by the Ministry of Magic, and as a ancestral precept of pure-blood families.
All thoughts, both tangible and intangible, will inevitably compete with the information network you have created for the thoughts and loyalty of every wizard.

(End of this chapter)