Although Zhou Wang’s status today was as a "guest," having a former teacher help him open the car door still seemed a bit excessive.
"Hello, Teacher Ni, I am Zhou Wang."
Zhou Wang smiled and proactively extended his hand to Ni Hong.
Ni Hong was momentarily stunned. Although she had already seen Zhou Wang’s photo and, out of curiosity, had watched his performance on Wuyou Night, seeing him in person, Ni Hong could only say one thing... Zhou Wang looked younger and more dignified in person than in the video.
His smooth, slightly cool, and sweat-free palm joined with Ni Hong’s, who squeezed it firmly and said with a smile, "Hello, Mr. Zhou, I am Ni Hong from the school’s Youth League Committee. Welcome back to your alma mater."
"I’m sorry for being late due to traffic on the way. The schedule for the event has all been planned, right? I hope I didn’t cause you any trouble..."
Zhou Wang sincerely apologized.
"No, not at all. The timing for today’s lecture activities is still ample... So, Mr. Zhou, why don’t you come with me first? Principal Bai, Dean Qin, and Professor Wang are already waiting in the small meeting room."
After shaking hands with Jiang Qingkui as well, Ni Hong said to Zhou Wang.
The Principal Bai mentioned by Ni Hong was Bai Lisheng, the current vice-principal of Cai University. It was his numerous invitations that finally convinced Zhou Wang to agree to attend the reunion event. As for Dean Qin, he was the dean of Cai University Law School and had taught Zhou Wang a required course in civil law. Naturally, Professor Wang was Jiang Mo’s former graduate advisor, Wang Hongying, who was now also an acquaintance of Zhou Wang.
"How could I keep the leaders waiting for me? What a mistake, what a mistake. Teacher Ni, please lead the way..."
Zhou Wang said, feeling both honored and startled.
As they took steps forward, Zhou Wang finally got a chance to greet Wang Qiaobin, who was beside him.
"Zhou Wang, you’ve really made it big now..."
Before seeing Zhou Wang, Wang Qiaobin felt like he had quite a bit to say. But after hesitating for a long time, that’s all he could manage to say.
Especially after hearing that even the vice-principal was waiting for Zhou Wang, Wang Qiaobin couldn’t help but feel a myriad of emotions.
During the previous exchange activities, those leaders hadn’t shown up at all...
"B Bro, let’s not just trade compliments. You’re doing well too!"
Zhou Wang just laughed it off.
Seeing Zhou Wang’s unchanged attitude from before, Wang Qiaobin relaxed quite a bit and laughed, "That’s true."
After meeting Zhou Wang, Wang Qiaobin went ahead to the venue. Zhou Wang and Jiang Qingkui, under Ni Hong’s guidance, arrived at a small meeting room next to the large lecture hall. As expected, there were already four or five people drinking tea and waiting. Seeing Ni Hong bring Zhou Wang in, several people stood up.
"Haha, Student Zhou Wang, Mr. Zhou, after longing and hoping, we’ve finally awaited your arrival..."
Even without Ni Hong’s introduction, Zhou Wang instantly understood the identity of the middle-aged man who greeted him with a big laugh. He quickly took a couple of steps forward to shake hands.
"I’m sorry, Vice-Principal Bai; when you first called me, I should’ve immediately made a visit to my alma mater, but I was really caught up..."
"We understand, we understand. Given Mr. Zhou’s status now, taking the time to come back is already a heartfelt gesture!"
After exchanging pleasantries with Bai Lisheng, Zhou Wang promptly shook hands and greeted the others, behaving quite respectfully while mixing in a few harmless little jokes.
"Dean Qin, you are still as impressive as ever. Now, thinking back, I’m really ashamed of having skipped your class back then..."
"Professor Wang, we meet again. Thank you for the book you sent me; I gained a lot from reading it!"
Besides Dean Qin and Professor Wang, present were the alumni association’s secretary-general, and the deputy director of the academic affairs office.
Zhou Wang’s counselor was a doctoral senior in the same college, who had recently gone out of town with his mentor for research, so he wasn’t at the school. In fact, even if he were, he might not have participated, as Zhou Wang was genuinely not familiar with him.
"Mr. Zhou, I’ve long admired your name..."
In contrast to the somewhat reserved attitude of several school leaders, the secretary-general of the alumni association and Director Wang from the academic affairs office were much more enthusiastic.
"Director Wang, long time no see."
While shaking hands with Director Wang, a trace of emotion flickered in Zhou Wang’s eyes.
Director Wang was somewhat baffled because, in his own impression, he hadn’t interacted with Zhou Wang before.
But it didn’t stop Director Wang from jovially continuing, "Being able to leave a deep impression on Mr. Zhou suggests my work has, indeed, been a bit effective..."
"Certainly."
After some small talk, thus completing the routine, Ni Hong leaned close to Vice-Principal Bai and whispered a few words.
Bai Lisheng glanced at his watch, raised his head, and said to Zhou Wang, "Mr. Zhou, it seems about time. Shall we first complete the lecture activities and then chat more leisurely afterward?"
"Sure, I have no problem."
The group proceeded to exit, and Ni Hong discreetly tugged on Zhou Wang’s sleeve, who understood and slowed his pace slightly.
Walking next to Zhou Wang, Ni Hong handed him a sheet of paper and whispered, "Mr. Zhou, have a look, please. This is the sequence for the upcoming lecture. According to your request, we’ve arranged for three other outstanding graduates to speak on stage. We’ve currently placed you last... Does that work for you?"
Zhou Wang took a quick glance, initially intending to hand it back to Ni Hong, but then he saw a familiar name.
Zhou Wang was somewhat surprised, "Is this Lu Chen from the School of Economics?"
"Yes, Mr. Zhou, do you know him?"