121 International Flower Exhibition

"This is our new classmate, Zhong Yun."

On the podium, Zhong Yun accepted the scrutinizing gazes of several dozen students while calmly observing his future classmates.

Following the customary routine of self-introduction, he spoke a few brief words and then found a seat in a corner to begin his first day of school.

The class was not disrupted by the arrival of a transfer student. As for his first day, Zhong Yun had only one impression: the atmosphere in the class was indifferent. As the newcomer, he was completely ignored; when classes ended, not a single person came over to greet him.

After school, instead of heading straight home, Zhong Yun detoured to the junior high department.

The junior high and high school sections of Yuehu School were quite far apart, so Zhong Yun took a transport vehicle. Finding Class 4 of the first grade, he peered into the classroom from the doorway.

A few students were laughing and playing inside. Seeing Zhong Yun poking his head in, they watched him with suspicion.

"Excuse me, sorry to bother you." Seeing that the person he was looking for was not in the classroom, Zhong Yun asked, "May I ask if Guan Qingqing is in this class?"

"Who are you?" a fair-skinned, handsome boy asked instead of answering.

"I'm her older brother," Zhong Yun replied with a smile.

"Liar." Another girl wrinkled her nose. "I've been to Qingqing's house; she doesn't have a brother."

"Are you Little Qing's good friend?" Zhong Yun remained unruffled, still smiling. "Have you ever heard her mention a Brother Yun?"

"Ah." The girl let out a small cry. She stared at Zhong Yun with large eyes for a moment, then suddenly shook her head and said very earnestly, "Liar. Qingqing said her Brother Yun is very, very handsome. But you aren't handsome at all."

"..." Zhong Yun felt rather wounded, especially since the little girl had said it with such solemnity, leaving him quite depressed.

The other children with the girl were turning bright red from suppressed laughter. If it weren't for Zhong Yun's dark expression, they probably would have burst out laughing.

"Ahem." Zhong Yun coughed twice. "Well, since Little Qing isn't here, I'll be going. If you see her, tell her I came to look for her." With that, he turned and left. He really couldn't bear to stay any longer; being told that by an innocent little girl was too much for even his thick skin to handle.

He regretted not calling her beforehand to surprise her. Who would have thought he'd be unintentionally teased by a little loli?

"Brother Zhong Yun—" Just as he had walked a few steps, he heard Little Qing's surprised voice behind him.

Turning around, he saw her running toward him. He opened his arms, and her petite figure rushed into his embrace, hugging him tightly. Students in the classroom heard the noise and ran to the windows to look; seeing the scene, the little girl from before couldn't help but stick out her tongue.

Little Qing seemed to have just returned from exercise; her body was warm. Zhong Yun brushed her forehead, his hand covered in sweat. "What were you doing running around?"

"Just finished playing ball." Little Qing pulled away from his arms, her face radiant. "You came to see me; I'm so happy."

Seeing a towel stuffed in her pocket, Zhong Yun pulled it out to wipe her sweat. "I had some business and was away for a few months. Have you been behaving?"

Little Qing wrinkled her nose, complaining, "I'm in junior high now, don't treat me like a child."

Zhong Yun smiled slightly and pinched her wrinkled nose. "That's true, our Little Qing has grown into a big girl."

"Hateful!" Little Qing stomped her feet in annoyance.

"Get your things, I'll take you home." Zhong Yun finished wiping her sweat and put the towel away.

"Guan Qingqing, is this the man you rejected me for?"

A somewhat immature male voice suddenly came from the side. Zhong Yun turned to look. It was the handsome boy who had spoken to him earlier. His face was flushed red, and he was glaring at him with hostility.

Little Qing glared back at him. "Li Xiufan, I already told you I don't like you. Stop pestering me." She then went into the classroom to get her things.

The boy named Li Xiufan had red-rimmed eyes, staring fixedly at Zhong Yun as if he were the root of all evil. Zhong Yun looked up at the sky, pretending not to notice, sighing to himself about children these days...

After packing her things, Little Qing held Zhong Yun's hand and waved goodbye to her classmates.

After sending Little Qing home, seeing that it was still early, he decided to stroll through the flower market. He had originally planted a few pots of ordinary flowers in his courtyard, but after being away for months, they had withered from lack of care. He intended to buy some new seeds; it just didn't look right for his courtyard to be devoid of flowers.

As dusk approached, the flower market was crowded. Most people here had a leisurely air, unlike the hurried crowds in the city center.

Strolling along the flower street, the air was filled with a mix of floral scents that were refreshing and relaxing.

Zhong Yun only wanted to buy some common ornamental flowers today, so he stayed on the first two streets. Buying flowers was a refined pastime; Zhong Yun moved unhurriedly, browsing shop after shop.

After visiting a dozen shops, Zhong Yun entered one with a unique, artistic decor. It was antique-style, looking less like a flower shop and more like an antique store.

As soon as he stepped inside, he heard an argument. One of the voices, an elderly one, sounded quite familiar. "Old Huang?" Seeing Old Huang arguing with someone who looked like the shopkeeper, Zhong Yun was surprised. Why was Old Huang here, and why was he arguing with someone?

He stepped closer to listen for a while. It turned out they were arguing over the age of a potted flower. The shopkeeper insisted the flower was ten years old, while Old Huang, using his professional expertise, judged it to be no more than eight.

Neither could convince the other. Zhong Yun watched from the side, amused. Why bother arguing over this? It wasn't some rare treasure, just a very common orchid.

"You, come and judge this." The shopkeeper noticed someone had entered and pulled Zhong Yun over to act as a referee.

Old Huang also turned his head. Upon seeing Zhong Yun, his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. His hand trembled as he pointed at him, looking as if he had seen a ghost. "You..." He nearly lost his breath.

Zhong Yun was startled and hurried forward to support him, patting his back to help him breathe, asking with concern, "Old Huang, are you alright?"

The shopkeeper was also terrified. Did this old gentleman have heart disease or something? He had just been arguing with him; if he were to drop dead from anger in his shop, that would be...

The thought made him shudder, and a layer of cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He scrambled forward to help.

After a long while, Old Huang's breathing steadied. Zhong Yun helped him out of the shop and into a shuttle car.

"I didn't expect you to still be alive." Old Huang looked relieved. "When I heard the news of your death, I truly felt a deep sense of regret."

"It was Yang Siqing who told you, wasn't it?" Zhong Yun was slightly moved; he could tell the old man was sincere. Seeing his face still pale, he asked with concern, "Are you better now? You scared me to death just now."

"It's just an old ailment. Whenever I get excited, my body can't help but shake. I'll be fine after a rest," Old Huang said dismissively.

The flower market was very close to Old Huang's home, and they arrived in a few minutes. After helping Old Huang inside, just as he was about to say goodbye, Old Huang suddenly said to him, "There is something I would like you to help me with."

"What is it?" Zhong Yun sat back down.

Old Huang took out some tea and brewed a pot. He poured a cup for Zhong Yun, pondered for a long time, and finally said, "I want you to grow another pot of 'Seven Fairies'."

Zhong Yun was stunned; he hadn't expected such a request from the old man. He picked up his teacup and began to consider it.

Old Huang didn't rush him, merely tapping his finger lightly on the table.

After a dozen seconds, Zhong Yun looked up. "May I ask why you need the 'Seven Fairies'?"

Old Huang sighed slightly. "I am acting on someone else's behalf." He looked at the emerald green tea in his cup. "The World Flower Exhibition will open in half a year. As the host, Davo is lacking in truly prestigious, world-class varieties."

"The President has personally looked into this matter and asked me to seek out some rare flowers. But finding flowers of the caliber of the 'Seven Fairies' is no easy task. Although Mr. Fei is willing to exhibit his 'Seven Fairies', it is ultimately not enough."

Zhong Yun was aware of the World Flower Exhibition. It was the grandest event since Davo's promotion to a mid-level civilization and the first time they were hosting an interstellar event. Naturally, it was highly prioritized.

To ensure the success of the exhibition, the Presidential Palace and Parliament had cleared every obstacle. As the host city, Fenghua City had been preparing for years. Now, the venues and everything else were mostly ready.

With only half a year left until the opening, the media had mobilized, creating a countdown. It was one of the most popular topics among the public.

It was understandable that the President was concerned. The World Flower Exhibition not only involved participation from mid-level civilizations but also from the three great high-level civilizations of the Omi star system. This was absolutely a great opportunity to boost interstellar recognition.

However, Davo had only recently ascended to a mid-level civilization and lacked the deep-rooted heritage of other nations. They couldn't even find a few impressive flowers to display. The only significant one, the "Seven Fairies," had come from Zhong Yun's own hands.

Under normal circumstances, Zhong Yun would have helped without hesitation, but he was currently in a sensitive period where keeping a low profile was paramount. The new identity Yang Yunrong had given him was not entirely without flaws.

Moreover, this was work for the President. If he thought they wouldn't conduct a background check, he would be a fool.

After weighing the pros and cons, Zhong Yun felt the risk was too great. But looking at Old Huang's aged face, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.

The old man was so advanced in years, yet still worrying about national affairs—it was truly exhausting.

Old Huang had always been kind to him; if he didn't help, he would feel guilty.

Thinking of this, Zhong Yun made up his mind. "I can help you, but you must agree to one condition."