Lu Mingfei licked his lips. “I’ve made up my mind. Thank you to Cassell College for this opportunity. I’ll study hard.”
Under the streetlights of the small alley, a child had drawn a hopscotch grid with chalk, and Nono, barefoot, was jumping back and forth inside the squares, not even looking at Lu Mingfei.
“Are you sure?” Guderian asked happily.
“Confirmed.” Lu Mingfei felt that his words were like a girl saying “I do” at a wedding. These two words would influence his life.
Just then, Nono, who was hopping through the squares, suddenly stopped, turned around, and looked at Lu Mingfei. The night wind lifted her gauzy skirt like swirling black smoke, her skin glowing pale as if she were an elf.
Her eyes were as deep as the night sky, and her voice seemed to come from ancient times. “Are you truly ready to wear the crown?”
“Once you wear the crown, it will be hard to take off. Many have bled for the crown, and many have died for it,” she softly prophesied, like a sorceress.
But it was already too late. At the moment she stopped and turned back, Lu Mingfei had already said, “I’m sure.”
“Verification complete. Option activated. Lu Mingfei, date of birth: July 17, XXXX, male, temporary ID: A.D.0013, rank: ‘S,’ added to the Cassell College roster. Database access granted, account opened, course selection form generated. I am Norma, Cassell College’s secretary. Pleased to serve you. Your ticket, passport, and visa will be delivered within three weeks. Welcome to Cassell College, Lu Mingfei.” A calm female voice spoke through the phone.
Lu Mingfei was dazed for a moment. Nono was still jumping inside the hopscotch squares. He wasn’t even sure if what she had just said was real or a figment of his imagination.
Guderian was overjoyed: “Fantastic, Mingfei! The voiceprint signature is complete. From now on, you’re officially a member of our college! Are you with Nono? Stay right where you are. I’ll send transportation to pick you both up immediately! There are just a few minor paper documents left for you to sign. I’m so proud of you, Mingfei! Your parents will be proud too!”
The call ended, and Lu Mingfei stood there, utterly bewildered. All he had done was say a few words, and it seemed like he had gained so much. Yet Norma’s seriousness and Guderian’s overwhelming gratitude made it feel as though he was about to lead a human expedition to Mars.
“Leave the rest to Norma—”Norma is the college’s central computer, an anthropomorphic computer. Just leave anything to her, she’s absolutely top-notch!” Nono said. “Come on! Let’s hopscotch together!”
“Alright,” Lu Mingfei replied.
Under the streetlights, Lu Mingfei began hopping in the hopscotch squares, clueless about the events that were now unfolding across the globe as a result of his confirmation.
Countless data packets streamed from the supercomputer known as “Norma,” transmitted via satellites and the internet to every corner of the world. Many confidential locations were now accessible, and the name “Lu Mingfei” began appearing on countless screens, becoming firmly remembered. The data lock was released, and thousands of secret gateways on the earth were open to “Lu Mingfei”.
Cassell College was opening its vast arms to embrace this new student!
Suddenly, a fierce wind swept through the dark night, and Lu Mingfei looked up, spotting a massive shadow looming low in the sky.
“No way…” he murmured.
“The old man are in such a hurry to pick you up?” Nono said, tilting her head up. “He even sent a helicopter.”
On May 15, 2009, a Wednesday, a helicopter soared over the skies of the southern town like a giant bird, hovering above the young Lu Mingfei’s head.
The long-hidden war in history was about to reopen its curtains.