Closer to Revealing My True Self
Chapter 612 - 400 Can’t Lose Face_1

Chapter 612: Chapter 400 Can’t Lose Face_1

After meeting Feng Cheng, Feng Yi didn’t stay at the conference venue for too long.

He realized that there were still some people there who recognized him. Perhaps they didn’t confirm it at first glance, but they were suspicious, surprised, and some even seemed eager to try something.

Not everyone would show it on their faces, but Feng Yi was able to judge their true thoughts by the changes in their emotional cues around him.

Misjudging the overall environment, Feng Yi put on sunglasses, quickly made a round through several key areas of the venue, marked the blueprint he carried, and then hurriedly left.

Back at the hotel, Feng Yi stayed indoors for the next few days.

According to what Jia and Ding found, he did have some fame online, not only domestically but also internationally. Many people had seen his news, especially the information exposed about his shareholder status in Ancestral Factory which people still mentioned from time to time.

If he had been an older businessman, it might not have attracted much attention.

But Feng Yi was young, good-looking, skilled at catching snakes, a certified expert by the Conservation Bureau, and very wealthy!

This series of attributes combined made him very eye-catching!

The media would not miss these opportunities to attract traffic.

Especially among the younger crowd, Feng Yi had substantial fame. Even if they couldn’t recognize him in person, they had heard his name. To speak frankly, it was a bit like the enthusiasm of fans pursuing celebrities.

Having learned this, Feng Yi stayed in his hotel room to study materials diligently. Although he had thought about taking a trip to the tropical rainforest while chatting with Steve, the serious business took precedence. He would only consider other plans after taking care of the pressing matters.

During his stay at the hotel, Feng Yi reviewed some journals and related materials to gain an understanding in advance, so he wouldn’t be clueless and unable to contribute to the discussions at the meeting.

Even in snake-catching techniques, he had to learn more, considering things from the perspective of ordinary people. He couldn’t let others think that, as an expert, he was an idiot in all aspects other than catching snakes.

That would be embarrassing.

As the recommending department, the Conservation Bureau would also lose face and be suspected of nepotism.

Even if Feng Yi had thick skin, he couldn’t afford to embarrass himself in front of experts from all over the world.

At this kind of conference, the attendees represent not only themselves but also the experts of their respective countries.

If it was something that could be resolved by studying more material, why not do it?

Therefore, Feng Yi spent most of his time in his hotel room reviewing materials, while Jia and Ding were responsible for collecting information related to the conference, including online forums and changes at the venue.

Of course, he didn’t stay cooped up in the hotel all the time, sometimes going out for a night run. He only went out during the day once, encountering the local "dark forces"—otters.

But he didn’t run into any gang fights. As Feng Yi walked along a narrow path, he found an otter lying across the road, sleeping.

Since Feng Yi had restrained his aura, to those otters, he was just one of the many ordinary and unexceptional bystanders in the city.

Feng Yi didn’t approach to chase it away; instead, he took out his phone to take a picture and sent it to Feng Chi.

It wasn’t long before Feng Chi replied:

[Did you go out to play?! I’m so jealous!! I’ve been swamped at work recently, I’ve even gotten dark circles under my eyes, but thankfully, the face mask magic has kept them at bay. Bro, do you need any... oh, I almost forgot, you probably aren’t lacking.]

Feng Yi: [I’m here for a conference, not for fun. I spend every day in the hotel looking through materials. Today I just went out to register.]

Feng Yi chatted with Feng Chi for a while, fiddled with his sunglasses, and continued walking toward the venue.

He went on foot to the venue to sign in.

The conference was to be held in two days, so these two days were for attendees from all over the world to check in and rest.

Today’s venue interior was different from what Feng Yi had seen on his last visit, and there were not many young people around. There were younger attendees, but their attire was more casual and not as trendy, yet they carried an air of scholarship.

People around Feng Yi’s age who came here were mostly attending as assistants or team members. Young people like Feng Yi who had secured an official quota and had a seat in part of the venue were not many.

Feng Yi went in to sign up, removing his sunglasses, as he had to confirm his identity and collect relevant conference documents and badges.

With the document bag in hand, and without further looking at the venue’s layouts, he planned to return to the hotel.

He had barely taken two steps when he was called by someone.

It was a participant in his forties, with a few people around him, likely workers from his team.

Feng Yi did not recognize the man, but the man recognized Feng Yi.

After the man introduced himself, Feng Yi quickly put a face to the name.

He had a document with brief information about many experts attending the conference, especially those in the field of reptile research.

He didn’t recognize him at first mainly because the man’s appearance today was quite different from the image photo released on the conference’s official website. Probably due to a hasty schedule, he looked a bit tired and his hairstyle was slightly disheveled, as he wore a pair of framed glasses.

"It’s an honor to meet you, Professor Godley!" Feng Yi extended his hand and shook the man’s.

Professor Godley was very pleased to see Feng Yi: "I’ve seen your snake-catching videos. Oh! My God! It’s unbelievable! You’re a truly remarkable person!"

As they were both in reptile research, albeit in different areas, Professor Godley was often in touch with Steve. This time, before coming here, he had talked to Steve and knew that Feng Yi would be attending, but Godley didn’t expect to run into him so coincidentally. Today, he was taking his team to familiarize themselves with the venue and to check in. He also needed to confirm some arrangements with the venue. Just as he was about to sign in, he saw Feng Yi.

Now that they had met here, Godley had something he wanted to ask:

"I have a report on the changing role of snakes in the ecological chain, and I was wondering if I could use some of your snake-related photos, the ones that are circulating online, during my presentation."

While saying this, he illustrated the pose of Feng Yi catching snakes.

There was a time when Feng Yi’s snake-catching videos were very popular online, not only domestically but also abroad, with high views.

When Feng Yi went to Florida to catch pythons, he visited the research center there, which housed many snakes from all over the world. From fat vipers like hognose snakes to larger ones like the king cobras, and even the domestic Qinglong.

Back then, Feng Yi helped the research center extract snake venom. The center’s staff took some photos and videos, which were posted online and became viral for a while.

Even before the revelation of his shareholder status, Feng Yi had significant presence even on foreign websites.

Especially for those who like reptiles and herpetology enthusiasts, as well as researchers in related fields, the impression of Feng Yi is quite profound. It might be due to his capabilities, or perhaps his good looks.

Professor Qiao De Li’s understanding of Feng Yi, in addition to what he found online, also came from what he learned from Steve, which is why he was very friendly to Feng Yi upon their first meeting.

Of course, Feng Yi’s status as a shareholder of Ancestral Factory also scored him points.

However, today, Professor Qiao De Li’s main purpose was simply to seek Feng Yi’s authorization.

After all, at such a formal event, it’s essential to get consent from the individual before using photos that contain their likeness.

When Professor Qiao De Li talked about this, his eyes were very sincere.

Feng Yi could discern good and evil intentions, not by how people behaved, but through emotional information.

This person indeed harbored goodwill, just as his friendly demeanor suggested.

Since there was no malice, Feng Yi naturally agreed to the small request.

"Certainly, please feel free to do so."

Professor Qiao De Li had many other matters to attend to, and although he was eager to continue discussing herpetological topics with Feng Yi, time constraints prevented it. He expressed deep regret and hoped they could chat another day.

After exchanging contact information, Professor Qiao De Li went on with his team to attend to other business.

Feng Yi put on his sunglasses and, carrying his document bag, headed back to the hotel.

He realized that quite a few people recognized him.

Of course, he did not believe that their familiarity was due solely to his talents.

The identity of a shareholder of the Ancestral Factory shone like a halo in the night, impossible to ignore!

Compared to complicated politicians and crafty businessmen, this young man, Feng Yi, seemed much more approachable.

It’s not often that a shareholder of the Ancestral Factory is around...

Even if they were too proud to approach Feng Yi themselves, their assistants or students from their teams could do it, right?

If they could glean some secretive information from Ancestral Factory, like research progress on certain important projects or new findings, that would be even better!

But Feng Yi moved too fast, showing his face only upon signing in, and then he was nowhere to be seen.

Some had seen Professor Qiao De Li speaking with Feng Yi and went to inquire, but unfortunately, Professor Qiao De Li refused to divulge anything.

Finally, the day of the conference arrived.

Feng Yi arrived at the venue, exchanged pleasantries with both acquaintances and strangers, and then began his learning journey for the event.

The morning mainly featured speeches from high-ranking decision-makers, managers, and representatives of research personnel, who discussed hot topics from a broader international perspective, raised questions, sought solutions, and shared their views on the opportunities and challenges they faced.

There would be electronic documents available from the morning talks, so Feng Yi didn’t take too many notes. In the afternoon, as the various reports kicked off, he would have much more to learn.

Feng Yi took notes attentively.

He may not have understood all the other projects studied, but he could see how well-known experts presented their reports and from what angles they approached them.

He might have evaded presenting this time, but next time might not be so certain.

Among the presentations he found incomprehensible, there were those he understood a bit more, like Professor Qiao De Li’s report.

Topics related to snakes were presented with a wealth of data, all part of Professor Qiao De Li’s and his team’s research findings.

The data was dizzying for Feng Yi, but thankfully he could grasp more thanks to the accompanying graphs and charts.

Some of the pages indeed featured photos of Feng Yi catching snakes.

Some people in the lecture hall recognized Feng Yi.

There were murmurs about possibly the report’s content, or maybe about Feng Yi himself.

Someone noticed where Feng Yi was seated and nodded in acknowledgment.

Feng Yi returned the gesture with a polite smile.

Before his smile faded, he noticed on the big screen beside Professor Qiao De Li on the stage, it shifted to a new page – aside from the text, there was only one image: an "artistic style" photo of Feng Yi that was circulating online.

Feng Yi: ...

His smile froze.

The room fell silent in an instant.

The gazes from around the venue carried all sorts of meanings.

Feng Yi felt so embarrassed he thought his hair might explode.

With so many photos online, why use that one?!

He wished the floor would open up and swallow him whole!

But it was impossible to flee, and he had to maintain composure on the surface.

The more such a situation arose, the more he needed to retain an air of dignity.

On the surface: A calm smile.

Inside: Can’t you give your report without showing my true form, esteemed expert?!!!