Ou Kang'an's expression soured when Zhao Dongwen said that.
As the president of Fudan University, Ou Kang'an always considered his students' well-being.
They were already under immense academic pressure, and some were on the verge of graduation. What harm could there be in a gathering to relax?
"You're back. I'll go down and say hello." Ou Kang'an instructed Lu Feng not to go out, suggesting it would be better if he went down himself.
This was to prevent Lu Feng from saying anything unpleasant and scaring his students.
These people were so high and mighty. If they spoke with sharp tongues, it might wound the students' hearts.
"Lu Feng, let Principal Ou go down." Zhao Dongwen nodded at Lu Feng.
"Alright." Lu Feng had no objections.
Without a word, Ou Kang'an rose and walked towards the private room's exit.
After Ou Kang'an left, Zhao Dongwen couldn't contain himself. He turned to Liao Changwei and complained, "Mayor Liao, isn't Ou Kang'an being too uncooperative?"
Zhao Dongwen had come to apologize, which was already somewhat awkward. The commotion from the students below earlier had led to a verbal spat between them, making Zhao Dongwen even more displeased.
"What did I tell you when I arrived? I brought you here to apologize, not to complain. Besides, what's wrong with students having a good time? Have you forgotten your roots from being in a high position for so long?"
Liao Changwei frowned and reprimanded Zhao Dongwen when he found him complaining.
Liao Changwei found Lu Feng's actions earlier hard to watch. Everyone was here to spend money, so why should he stop them?
Lu Feng's attitude likely reflected his past conduct in life.
Seeing Zhao Dongwen remain silent, Liao Changwei continued to warn him, "The power granted to you by the state is to serve the people, not to show off. You must always keep your position straight."
"Yes." Zhao Dongwen hadn't expected a simple complaint to earn him such a rebuke.
After Liao Changwei's warning, the private room instantly quieted down.
Ou Kang'an walked out of the private room and headed downstairs. Halfway down, he realized that this group of students was from a specially selected class, all taught by Xia Feng.
Without time to think, Ou Kang'an hurried downstairs.
Upon closer inspection, he saw that Xia Feng was among these students. He quickened his pace.
"Professor Xia, you're having a gathering here." Ou Kang'an's face instantly broke into a smile, like a blooming chrysanthemum. As he couldn't reveal Xia Feng's true identity, Ou Kang'an appeared to be just greeting him, but his attitude was exceptionally polite.
"Principal Ou." The students called out to him.
"Good, good, students." Ou Kang'an nodded politely.
"Principal Ou, are you also eating here?" Xia Feng asked as Ou Kang'an approached.
"Mmm, I just finished eating and was about to leave. I saw you all gathered here, so I came to say hello," Ou Kang'an said, his face not betraying a hint of dishonesty as he fabricated his excuse.
"Principal Ou, would you like to join us for a bit more?" Xia Feng asked politely.
"Excellent, excellent. Then I'll accompany Professor Xia and the students for a chat." Ou Kang'an had no intention of refusing and quickly agreed.
Whether Xia Feng's invitation was a mere courtesy or genuine, he decided to sit down first.
He felt awkward after the verbal exchange with Zhao Dongwen earlier and didn't want to go back up.
Subsequently, a student brought Ou Kang'an a chair and added it to Xia Feng's table.
"Students, you are all the pride of the school. With Professor Xia's guidance, I am very reassured. You must study diligently and strive to promote the prosperity of Chinese medicine."
After sitting down, Ou Kang'an felt it impolite not to say anything, so he encouraged everyone to study hard.
Clap, clap, clap...
As soon as Ou Kang'an finished speaking, the students erupted in warm applause.
Ou Kang'an raised his hand to signal for quiet, then picked up the orange juice on the table and said, "Let us all toast Professor Xia. We toast him for bringing honor to Chinese medicine and for his contributions to the field."
As Ou Kang'an finished speaking, the students all stood up, raised their drinks, and called out to Xia Feng, "Teacher Xia, we toast you."
Xia Feng stood up, smiled, and said, "The future of Chinese medicine in China still relies on all of you to promote it. I will not hold back what I can teach. Today, I can assure you all that as long as you study hard, adhere to your duties, save lives, and embody the spirit of 'doctors are parents to the people,' Chinese medicine will undoubtedly regain its former glory."
"The road ahead is still long. Let us work together, overcome all obstacles, unleash our infinite potential, and bring glory to China."
"Good."
As Xia Feng finished speaking, the students shouted in unison.
"Then I wish you all success in advance. A toast to the rise of Chinese medicine in China." Xia Feng raised his orange juice.
The students' faces flushed with excitement, and they all downed their drinks.
Meanwhile, Liao Changwei and Zhao Dongwen waited in the private room. When Ou Kang'an didn't return and the commotion downstairs grew louder, Zhao Dongwen wondered aloud, "Mayor Liao, Principal Ou went down and hasn't returned. Has he started drinking with his students down there?"
He had been gone for nearly ten minutes, yet he hadn't come back up, and the noise had only increased.
He couldn't believe Liao Changwei would remain indifferent to Ou Kang'an's actions.
"I'll go take a look." Liao Changwei said, standing up and heading for the exit. Zhao Dongwen, wanting to see what was happening, followed him.
Upon exiting the private room, Liao Changwei rested his hands on the railing, leaned his head out, and peered towards the lobby.
Due to Ou Kang'an's age, he was quickly identified, and indeed, he was sitting and drinking with them.
As Liao Changwei saw this, Zhao Dongwen also saw it and chuckled, "Principal Ou is truly warm-hearted, isn't he? He's so engrossed in drinking that he's almost forgotten himself."
After saying this, Zhao Dongwen shifted his gaze to Liao Changwei, anticipating if he would get angry.
Liao Changwei's anger never came. Instead, he looked terrified and quickly turned to walk downstairs.
He had seen someone who made him feel suffocated, sitting right beside Ou Kang'an. That person was Xia Feng.
Seeing Liao Changwei rushing downstairs, Zhao Dongwen followed him.
After all, one had to stay close to their leader at all times.
Liao Changwei descended the stairs quickly and nimbly, taking two steps at a time. He soon reached the lobby.
"Professor Xia, hello. I didn't expect to run into you here." Liao Changwei approached and respectfully greeted him, his body slightly bowed, indicating his deference.
Hearing the voice, Xia Feng turned to look at Liao Changwei.
He recognized this person; he had visited his villa with Old Huang.
However, Xia Feng didn't know Liao Changwei's name; they had only met once.
Xia Feng smiled and said, "Hello, I remember you visited my place. What was your name again?"
For an ordinary person, asking the mayor his name like this would be extremely disrespectful. Zhao Dongwen quickly interjected to introduce him, "This is Mayor Liao from Modu."