Chapter 98: President Lucas Is Actually Him?!

Chapter 98: Chapter 98: President Lucas Is Actually Him?!

As the host introduced the next speaker, an elderly gentleman slowly approached the podium. A little marmoset sat perched on his shoulder. It looked charmingly naive, like a plush toy, and instantly drew everyone’s attention.

She wondered if he was the elderly gentleman she had met on the Starship.

"Hello, everyone. I am Lucas."

Lucas had served as the president of the Interstellar Animal Protection Association for nearly thirty years, but he didn’t attend every training and exchange conference. Therefore, President Lucas’s appearance was a pure, unexpected delight for everyone in the audience.

"God! It really is President Lucas! He’s my idol!"

"I’m a fan too! I grew up listening to the legends of President Lucas; that’s why I chose to be a Breeder!"

"Legends? What legends? Isn’t President Lucas just the president of the Animal Protection Association?"

People all around were whispering to each other, and Liang He naturally caught the gist of their conversation.

It turned out that before joining the Animal Protection Association, President Lucas had also been a Breeder—and an exceptionally outstanding one at that. He had participated in various animal rescues, large and small. Most of the fluffy creatures that ended up in his care suffered from psychological trauma in addition to their physical injuries.

"Others can never get close to animals that have been hurt by humans, but President Lucas is the exception. He stays by their side day and night, resolutely refusing to give up on a single one."

Unlike Liang He’s innate affinity with animals, President Lucas used his genuine sincerity to earn their trust. Only after spending a considerable amount of time with him were the animals willing to get close to humans again. Under President Lucas’s meticulous care, the animals gradually lowered their defenses and eventually recovered. By the time they left, they had even gained quite a bit of weight. Netizens on the Blue Star playfully nicknamed President Lucas the "Propane Tank Breeder" for turning his rescues into round, chubby furballs.

"Later, President Lucas chose to join the Animal Protection Association because he had seen too many animals harmed by humans, and he wanted to do everything in his power to protect more of them."

The effort one could exert in a single rescue was always limited. Only by addressing the problem at its root could more animals be saved. Liang He completely agreed with his perspective on this.

"Liang He?" Seeing that the speech had ended but Liang He showed no intention of getting up, Soros poked her arm to remind her. "Hey! Wake up!"

"Hmm?" Liang He, who had been completely absorbed in the gossip, finally snapped back to reality. She turned to look at Soros and silently rescued her sleeve from his grasp. "What’s wrong?"

Sensing that Liang He didn’t particularly like physical contact, Soros gave an awkward smile and withdrew his hand. "Sorry, I didn’t mean to. It’s just that the speech is over, and we should be heading to the luncheon."

Liang He looked in the direction Soros was pointing and found that only the staff members moving equipment remained on the podium. President Lucas was nowhere to be seen.

"It’s fine. Thank you."

Only the wrap-up crew remained in the large conference room. Seeing the cleaning staff advancing toward their row of seats, Liang He quickly got up and walked toward the main doors, with Soros following closely behind.

"Miss Liang He, please wait a moment."

Just as Liang He was about to head to the banquet hall, someone suddenly called out to her. She looked at the man in confusion, not recognizing him at all. "You are?"

"Hello, I am President Lucas’s special assistant, Mr. An."

Hearing his introduction, Liang He remembered that she had shared her profession and name with President Lucas on the Starship. It made perfect sense that he would seek her out now.

"Hello, Assistant An."

After a friendly handshake, Liang He looked around but didn’t spot President Lucas anywhere. "Did the president want to see me?"

"Yes, the president is waiting for you in the VIP room. Please come with me."

Perhaps it was because of President Lucas’s special attitude toward Liang He that Assistant An treated her with such exceptional respect. After all, anyone who could become the president’s special assistant was practically guaranteed the vice president’s position if they were ever promoted.

"Alright."

Seeing that Liang He intended to go to the VIP room with Assistant An, Soros tactfully left on his own, which actually made Liang He appreciate him a bit more.

When she followed Assistant An into the VIP room, a tiny figure suddenly pounced into her arms. Looking down, she saw a pair of big, round eyes staring at her without blinking.

"Koko, we meet again." Liang He reached out a finger and gently stroked the little marmoset in her arms, leaving Assistant An completely dumbfounded.

The little marmoset that President Lucas carried with him everywhere was also a rescued animal. Shortly after it was born, it had witnessed its parents being brutally murdered by humans. As primates, they were highly intelligent and naturally more susceptible to psychological issues. Other than President Lucas, who had painstakingly hand-reared it, it was impossible for anyone else to get close to the little marmoset—let alone have it voluntarily throw itself into their arms!

"Miss Liang He, are you very familiar with An’an?" Seeing this practiced interaction, no one would believe him if he said they weren’t close!

"We shared a meal once." Liang He had fed the little marmoset one meal at the time, so it wasn’t wrong to say that.

"You actually fed Koko?!" Assistant An was so shocked that his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

The little marmoset’s parents had eaten poisoned food fed to them by humans, leaving them defenseless as they were slaughtered. In the very beginning, even President Lucas couldn’t feed the little marmoset. He had to find a nursing sheep and let the little marmoset bond with it so it would eat on its own.

"Ah? What’s wrong?" Liang He didn’t quite understand Assistant An’s overreaction. After all, the fluffy creatures she had cared for always loved the food she gave them.

"No... nothing," he stammered.

On the surface, Assistant An composed his expression, but inwardly, he was screaming frantically, "What’s wrong? It’s a massive deal! How can someone be so utterly logic-defying, completely winning over an animal they’ve only met once?! No, wait. From what Liang He is saying, the little marmoset was won over on their very first meeting... Great, just great. I’m the only clown here. What were all my years of trying to curry favor with it even for?!"

Assistant An felt the urge to writhe in a dark corner for a while just to soothe his traumatized soul.

"Miss Liang He, the president is right inside. Take your time talking. I’ll wait outside the door."

Watching Assistant An leave with a thoroughly defeated aura, Liang He blinked innocently. She moved the little marmoset onto her shoulder and then walked into the inner room of the VIP suite.

"President Lucas?"

"Haha, Liang He is here! Come in, come in!"

Liang He had thought President Lucas would be alone in the VIP room. She never expected that all the experts and professors who had just given speeches on stage would be gathered in this small space, chatting passionately.

"I was wondering why Koko was so excited and suddenly ran out. It turns out it went to welcome you," President Lucas said, teasing her with a hint of jealousy as he watched the little marmoset affectionately inspect Liang He’s hair for fleas. "Now that Koko has a pretty young lady, it doesn’t want this cranky old man anymore. It looks like I’m not far from stepping down and passing the torch."