Chapter 36: He Looks Down on Me

Nan Zhizhi’s name is renowned worldwide, but in truth he is still quite young, only in his early forties.

He is tall and slender, wearing frameless glasses; when the host finished speaking, he walked slowly onto the stage amid thunderous applause.

Reaching the center of the podium, he glanced calmly over the audience, and the entire hall fell silent at once.

He began slowly: “Thank you sincerely for the organizers’ invitation…”

After briefly delivering his pleasantries, he gave a concise summary and affirmation of the exhibition’s displays, then answered several questions raised by attendees from the audience.

Many wished to ask questions, but time was limited; after about half an hour, Nan Zhizhi stepped down from the stage.

The conference still had other segments; after descending, Nan Zhizhi walked toward the front-center seat prepared for him by the organizers.

As Nan Zhizhi passed in front of them, the corporate magnates seated in the front row all rose to shake his hand and greet him, leaving those seated further back—especially the technicians—envious.

One of the people seated beside Nan Zhizhi was Feng Tingshen.

As he approached, Feng Tingshen stood up.

Lin Wu, beside him, also rose.

Feng Tingshen extended his hand to shake Nan Zhizhi’s: “Mr. Nan, it’s been a long time.”

Yes, Feng Tingshen and Nan Zhizhi had met before.

Many years ago.

Nan Zhizhi reached out with a cold expression: “Indeed, it’s been a long time.”

If counted precisely, it had been over a decade.

Nan Zhizhi’s coldness was not directed at Feng Tingshen—he treated everyone this way, including his own students.

Lin Wu also extended her hand: “Hello, Mr. Nan, I’m Lin Wu. It’s an honor to meet you.”

Nan Zhizhi glanced at her, murmured “Mm,” shook her hand, then shook hands with a few others who stepped forward, before sitting down.

Feng Tingshen sat to Nan Zhizhi’s right; the person on Nan Zhizhi’s left initiated conversation with him after he sat.

Nan Zhizhi responded with occasional, half-hearted replies.

Feng Tingshen simply sat there, listening to the speakers on stage.

Lin Wu wanted to speak to Nan Zhizhi, but Feng Tingshen sat between them, making it inconvenient.

Seeing that Feng Tingshen made no move to speak to Nan Zhizhi, she was puzzled and leaned over to whisper: “Did you and Mr. Nan have a falling out before?”

Feng Tingshen smiled: “No.”

“Then why…”

Who wouldn’t want to seize the rare chance to speak with Nan Zhizhi?

He’s sitting right beside you, yet you’re doing nothing…

She had considered asking Feng Tingshen to switch seats.

But Nan Zhizhi was already chatting well with the corporate magnate beside him.

That magnate wasn’t just anyone—she was a junior with no notable reputation; if she interrupted them, she risked offending him.

Realizing this, she gave up and didn’t ask Feng Tingshen to switch seats.

“He looks down on me.”

“What?”

Lin Wu froze, wondering if she’d misheard.

Seeing the smile on Feng Tingshen’s face, she knew she hadn’t.

But…

If that’s true, isn’t that still a falling out?

Yet Feng Tingshen seemed completely unconcerned.

Feng Tingshen gave no further explanation, so Lin Wu didn’t press further.

After some time, the conference finally ended.

Someone spread the word that Nan Zhizhi wouldn’t leave immediately.

Upon hearing this, many rushed toward the front row at once.

But by the time those seated further back pushed forward, Nan Zhizhi was already surrounded by those who had been sitting in the front.

Lin Wu was also in the front row, but she hadn’t spoken to Nan Zhizhi; Lin Lilan noticed and grew anxious, waving to her.

Lin Wu saw her and walked over: “Auntie.”

She knew what Lin Lilan meant, so before her aunt could speak, she said: “Mr. Nan is surrounded by important people now. Even if I squeezed in, I’d get only a few words. Feng Tingshen says we can find another chance to speak with him privately later.”

“True…”

Lin Lilan finally realized she’d been too eager.

Feng Tingshen’s circle consisted of magnates they could never normally reach; Lin Lilan wanted her to network more, so she nudged her, urging her to return to that side.

Lin Wu’s expression remained cool: “I already know all those people.”

Because of Feng Tingshen, those magnates treated her with great courtesy.

Lin Lilan knew Feng Tingshen cared deeply for Lin Wu; hearing this, she relaxed and smiled: “Good.”

Though she said so, after chatting with Lin Lilan for a while, Lin Wu returned to Feng Tingshen’s side.

There were many people there; it wasn’t easy for an ordinary person to push through.

But now everyone knew she was Feng Tingshen’s companion; they willingly made way for her.

Some magnates, after speaking with Nan Zhizhi, no longer crowded around him but gathered to discuss business matters among themselves.

Seeing Lin Wu return and stand beside Feng Tingshen, someone smiled warmly: “Miss Lin is truly talented and beautiful—Tingshen has excellent taste and great fortune.”

These magnates, though high in status, did not judge people solely by family or position.

Lin Wu’s record was outstanding; she was beautiful, poised, and composed, with a calm, steady temperament.

Altogether, she was already an exceptionally impressive young woman.

So when they praised her, they meant it sincerely.

Feng Tingshen smiled; Lin Wu smiled back graciously: “Mr. Yuan, you flatter me.”

Their side was chatting pleasantly enough, but Nan Zhizhi had little time; soon after, he told everyone he had to leave.

No one dared to stop him.

After all, Nan Zhizhi was backed by the government—no one dared guess how important his affairs might be.

Nan Zhizhi left.

Meanwhile, Rong Ci and her group were deeply engaged in conversation with technicians from other companies.

She and Yu Moxun had never joined the others in crowding forward to speak with Nan Zhizhi.

After all, they didn’t need to.

If they wanted to meet Nan Zhizhi…

Well, it wasn’t especially easy, but it wasn’t difficult either.

Sure enough, shortly after Nan Zhizhi left, Yu Moxun received word.

Yu Moxun pulled Rong Ci out.

They left the exhibition hall and met Nan Zhizhi outside the parking lot.

Nan Zhizhi was holding his phone, seemingly replying to a message.

He looked up as they arrived.

Rong Ci stopped: “Teacher…”

Nan Zhizhi: “Mm.”

Nan Zhizhi said coldly: “I saw your exhibits—they’re passable… but,” his gaze swept coldly over the two of them: “Three years have passed, and this is all you’ve achieved?”