Chapter 17: Caesar Gattuso

The floor paved with black marble, walls embedded with tiles as bright as mirrors, magnificent crystal chandeliers, and pure black sandalwood tables gave the environment an elegant yet rustic feel.

If Lu Chen hadn't known where he was, he might have thought he had stumbled into a luxurious restaurant. The cafeteria of Cassel Academy was decorated so lavishly, it was enough to make one want to condemn Western capitalism!

Students, each with their trays held upright, moved about the cafeteria as if they were attending a high society banquet rather than getting their meals.

Guided by Chu Zihang, Lu Chen finally arrived at the long-awaited free food counter.

Lu Chen had thought that the offerings at the free counter would be simple, like steamed buns with vegetable soup...

But once again, Cassel Academy's extravagance astounded him. Braised pork, braised duck feet, braised pig's trotters, mapo tofu, stewed ribs, spicy chicken...

The array of dishes before him was overwhelming. Were these... all free?

What kind of dishes would be served at the paid counters then?

Here, apart from not being able to take the food out, one could eat as much as they wanted!

Chu Zihang casually ordered some mapo tofu, spicy chicken, and sweet and sour pork ribs. He could afford to dine at the exclusive second-floor restaurant with dishes prepared by top chefs, but he knew Lu Chen seemed to have little money. If he invited Lu Chen, the latter might refuse, and he didn't want to create any class divisions, so he chose to eat together at the free counter.

Besides, the chefs at Cassel Academy were all quite good, and even the food from the free counter was delicious.

Unlike Chu Zihang, Lu Chen... almost filled his plate with every dish available and scooped up eight bowls of rice. He made several trips back and forth to the table with his overloaded tray.

The auntie at the free counter who served the food was astonished and hurriedly said, "If you can't finish it, it will be wasted, and you'll have to pay."

"Auntie, don't worry. He... should be able to finish it," Chu Zihang, who had seen Lu Chen's appetite, could only make an excuse in silence.

After they sat down, a breeze swept through the room.

"Brother Chu, you seem to handle spicy food quite well?" Lu Chen, watching Chu Zihang send those crimson foods into his mouth, asked casually.

"My dad used to bring home insanely spicy braised pig intestines when I was a kid, so I got used to it," Chu Zihang replied, taking another bite of mapo tofu.

"Braised pig intestines, huh? They're quite delicious. I just prefer my food without too much spice," Lu Chen said, swallowing a mouthful of rice. It was one of the few types of cuisine he had tried in his previous life.

"Indeed, they're delicious. But they're not available here..." Chu Zihang's gaze drifted off. Even if they were available, they wouldn't taste the same as they used to...

Lu Chen noticed Chu Zihang's change in mood but didn't say anything. He wasn't one to pry into others' emotions. Instead, he continued eating.

At that moment, there was suddenly some commotion in the cafeteria, and many students turned their heads towards the entrance. Chu Zihang also paused his meal to look in that direction.

Curious, Lu Chen wiped his mouth and turned to look as well.

That was a tall and well-built young man, with long hair as dazzling as gold cascading down. His face was as clear-cut as a Greek sculpture, extraordinarily handsome, with rare ice-blue eyes devoid of any warmth, as if nothing in the world could affect him. It was an absolute pride, yet so natural, as if he were born to be the greatest leader.

Without deliberately holding his head high, his exaggerated pectoral muscles made the school uniform seem a bit swollen, and his confident aura filled the entire space.

If everyone's confidence were a mine, then the confidence emanating from this man was like an endless vein.

Lu Chen's extraordinary hearing allowed him to catch the murmurs of the crowd referring to this young man as Caesar Gattuso, the current president of the Student Union.

As he strode through the cafeteria, the crowd parted like a tide, as if welcoming the arrival of a king. And the direction he was headed towards was where Lu Chen and Chu Zihang were seated.

"Caesar Gattuso, it's a pleasure to meet you both."

Approaching Lu Chen and Chu Zihang's table, Caesar flashed a brilliant smile. His eyes, which were as cold as glaciers, suddenly seemed like the rising sun, quickly ascending to their zenith. Beneath that smile, one could only feel a warm and welcoming sensation, involuntarily generating a favorable impression of the man.

Although this man was so proud and confident, his manner of speaking didn't come off as condescending. Instead, it was like a casual greeting between friends.

"Chu Zihang, from the class of '08, undecided on major."

"Lu Chen, same as above."

The two stood up to respond. It was a matter of courtesy, even though Lu Chen didn't understand why this seemingly prominent figure had approached them at this moment. Yet, he didn't seem malicious.

"I apologize for interrupting your meal, but my purpose here is quite clear. I hope you two elites will consider joining the Student Union."

Caesar got straight to the point. He never beat around the bush, as politicians did, and he detested that kind of behavior the most.

"The 3E exam has not yet begun, and our bloodlines have not been finalized. How can you be sure that we are definitely elites?" Chu Zihang spoke up.

Caesar smiled confidently. "Even in the elite-dominated Cassel Academy, the two of you stand out among the elites. And what I value, naturally, can only be elites."

In one sentence, he elevated both of them and himself.

Normally, such words would seem somewhat arrogant, but it was different when coming from this man. It seemed fitting, as if it were only natural for him to exude such confidence. Coupled with his sunny smile and straightforward demeanor, it was hard not to like him.

Lu Chen and Chu Zihang exchanged a glance, and ultimately, Lu Chen spoke first. "We appreciate President Caesar's kindness, but we have not yet officially enrolled. These matters can be considered later."

It wasn't that Lu Chen disliked Caesar or didn't want to be subordinate to someone. He simply didn't have the desire to be a leader. Although he was once known as the Eastern God of War in his previous life, he was just a large-sized soldier. He didn't have any opinions on the Student Union, and perhaps it was a good place for debauchery and indulgence, as described by his roommate, Senior Fingall. Caesar, the boss, was indeed generous and treated his subordinates well.

If Caesar had come knocking yesterday, when he was just brainwashed by Fingall, he might have agreed in a daze.

But Caesar's timing was unfortunate. Just as he was leaving his dorm, he received a text message from his mentor, Schneider, asking him to join the Lionheart Society, which was said to be beneficial for his growth and development.

After spending two days in the academy and probing for information from Fingall, he realized the status of his mentor, Schneider. He was an important figure, the Minister of the Executive Department, which suited his taste.

Following his mentor, he believed, would inevitably lead to opportunities. The Student Union might seem wonderful, but if his mentor recommended the Lionheart Society, then perhaps that was more suitable for him.