The Boys' Weapons

... Why did you scientists, who might not even have time to cook, buy so many of these things?

Okay, Liu Bai has already imagined the story of two useless scientists getting married, both full of ambition to change their useless lives, but in the end they still succumb to reality.

In short, the current situation has made things much easier for him.

"Let me make this clear beforehand: I don't have any hidden culinary genius persona, nor can I make glowing dishes or clothes-bursting dishes. At most, I just make edible things with the help of a series of modern seasonings."

He does know people like Rita and Fu Hua who are good cooks, but he himself is completely out of touch with that.

"No, it's alright, I'm not picky, Doctor, whatever you do is fine."

With that in mind, Liu Bai started making fried rice for Mei with peace of mind. It was simple, quick, and... it was oily and salty, so it was filling.

Although feeding a little girl such a greasy and salty late-night snack might cause her to gain weight... if we continue with bland and watery food, Mei will probably be starving by tomorrow.

Besides, it's not like Mei doesn't train; she can just lose whatever weight she gains through training.

"Tomorrow..." Liu Bai suddenly realized it was already one or two o'clock, and immediately changed his mind, "Let's go buy a few packs of instant noodles after dinner tonight. Your family's cooking conditions are really bad. How do your parents usually cook for you?"

The advantage is that it is clean and tidy, and most of the kitchen utensils can be found, and they are all brand new.

The downside is that there's really nothing there.

"... I can see the prepared meal as soon as I come back."

Okay, I understand.

"Um..." Mei looked at the pot that was "unused" but was still used to fry rice, "Doctor, do you think I can learn to cook?"

"My advice is to eat your fill before you rethink this."

Liu Bai tapped Mei's forehead again.

"Are you full?"

Liu Bai asked while cleaning up the "criminal traces" in the kitchen.

"Don't worry, there's still leftover rice and eggs."

"... I'm really full."

Mei blushed and lowered her head. "Besides, there's no rush to learn cooking..."

"That's more like it."

Liu Bai didn't touch much in the kitchen, so he just washed the pots and pans and that was it.

What? You mean seasonings and eggs—it would be a miracle if Mei's parents could remember those.

As for leftover rice, probably no one would care about the amount in a bowl.

"Then go back to sleep—by the way, tomorrow morning, you can ask your nanny to cook you a little extra food, and the reason... well, you can say you're growing."

Growing up is a universal excuse for food lovers—though it's only really applicable to children.

"I understand, Doctor. Thank you for your suggestion."

After eating her fill, Mei's brain finally came back online—although the slight blush on her face just wouldn't go away.

[Compatibility +10%]

Under your guidance, Mei and Kevin's training is improving steadily.

Shortly after, Mei's parents returned home from their academic seminar, but their return did not affect your teaching and training.

However, Mei's talent was rather ordinary; she never even scratched the surface of martial arts, while Kevin and Sue were just beginning to grasp the basics of their chosen paths.

Whether he gets close or not doesn't matter. Liu Bai isn't raising a second Fu Hua; as long as she can improve her health, that's enough.

As for Kevin and Sue, those two mischievous monkeys... they'll definitely be hungry, so Liu Bai doesn't need to worry about them.

[In fourth grade, the rivalry between Kevin and Sue, the two students, finally came to an end—the "battle" ended with Kevin riding on Sue's back.]

Turning a basketball game and an exam into a human-riding contest... You're something else, Kevin, and Sue too.

You two really do have similar brains.

Mei's life remained largely unchanged; she continued her routine of learning, training, and... having late-night snacks with you—okay, the last one isn't the main point. The main point is that Mei grasped the knowledge of mechanical manufacturing very quickly.

Kevin's compatibility +5%, Mei's compatibility +10%

In fifth grade, Kevin's progress became more noticeable; Kevin became more adept at swordsmanship, while Sue's progress began to slow down.

There is a difference in talent between the two, so Liu Bai was not surprised by this situation.

Although both of them worked equally hard, and Su was even more self-disciplined, that's just how reality is: with the same amount of effort, someone else's gains can be several times greater than yours.

[Mei, on the other hand, has just begun to grasp the basics of boxing.]

... It's really not easy.

This was probably an unexpected surprise, right? Anyway, Liu Bai never really expected Mei Mei to be able to master it.

[In sixth grade, Mei started puberty; her body gradually changed from childlike to more mature. She also started to grow taller.]

"Um... Doctor, I've been feeling a little something in my chest lately..." Mei asked, her face slightly flushed, before training. "Is this... normal?"

Mei is starting to look like a young woman now.

The so-called development was completely ignored just because Mei was a bookworm.

"This is normal. Just let nature take its course."

Liu Bai said this was normal, "It'll be fine in a while—by the way, you haven't studied biology much, have you?"

Girls are reaching puberty, isn't that normal?

Mobius never asked him that kind of question back then.

"... I haven't had any contact with it before." Mei hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"When you have time, you can find a few books about development to read. It can't hurt to learn about that area."

"That aspect...?"

"You'll see for yourself." Liu Bai coughed lightly. After all, a girl's development isn't limited to her breasts and height. If he were to tell the truth about certain parts, it would sound like he was being indecent. So it was better for Mei to see for herself.

"I see... I understand, Doctor."

[Compatibility +5%]

In junior high, Kevin and Sue started to grow taller and began to show signs of becoming handsome, which led to them receiving many love letters from girls—unfortunately, neither of them were interested in them.

The two of them are now only interested in who is the elder brother—although the open struggle has ended, they seem to still be competing behind the scenes.

The term "brat" doesn't quite apply to Kevin and Sue anymore—although they're still just as mischievous.

[You see this all too clearly, but you're quite supportive of this healthy competition, so you choose to become a "double agent" between Kevin and Sue, guiding them on how to become each other's "brother"—poor Kevin, of course, remains completely unaware of this.]

Kevin's compatibility +20%

Meanwhile, your practical learning with Mei is also gradually yielding results. Mei quickly learned about weapons manufacturing and began to apply it—of course, this needs to be done very discreetly.

Fortunately, Mei's parents frequently need to travel around the world to attend various academic conferences, and Mei is now older and has more autonomy, so your project was able to proceed smoothly.

However, since your practices are no longer suitable for doing things at home, you have found a "secret base" outside.

"How was it, Doctor? Not bad, right?"

Inside the secret base, Mei put down her welding torch and mask, and looked at the air around her with a smile.

Although it's supposed to be a secret base for children, at first glance it looks more like a miniature factory.

The basic equipment for most machines can be found here—of course, these are not things Mei bought with money; most of them are salvaged from scrap. It is both a harvest and a test for Mei.

"While there are still some flaws, it's very good overall."

Liu Bai looked at the mechanical skeleton in front of him and gave an objective evaluation.

"Being able to weld things precisely and firmly is also a skill. If Mei went out and became a welder now, she certainly wouldn't starve."

"Doctor, is that all you can say?"

Mei gave a coquettish look, "If I really don't become a scientist in the future and instead become a female welder, then I'll come and get revenge on you, Doctor."

However, a bright smile then appeared on Mei's face.

For her, Liu Bai's simple "very good" was enough to make her happy for quite some time.

... Why am I more easily satisfied than when I was a child?

"Shall we proceed to the next step now?"

"Of course, let's keep going with this momentum, Mei."

"Clear!"

Chapter 120 The Young Men's Weapons

"Hey! Kevin! Take this!"

"You? You're far from good enough! Su, today I'll show you why I'm your senior brother!"

"... Kevin, you bastard, you really dare to bring that up! Perfect, let's settle all our old and new scores today!"

As Liu Bai grew tired of the opening remarks, Kevin and Su, as always, started fighting.

"... Are those two idiots?" Mei asked Liu Bai, pointing at the two men wrestling by the river.

"Mei, if you have to ask me such an obvious question, I have to question your intelligence."

"...Too."

Mei couldn't help but facepalm. "Doctor, want to go fishing together? It's too noisy here."

Just looking at those two people over there, Mei felt like her IQ had been lowered.

As Mei spoke, she took out the fishing rod and bait that she had prepared beforehand.

... They came prepared.

"You are..."

Liu Bai didn't ask where Mei's fishing rod came from, since the equipment (scrap) in the base could be easily sold after being repaired.

High-end fishing rods are definitely out of reach, but ordinary fishing rods shouldn't be too difficult to buy.

"Don't worry, Doctor, I didn't waste any money."

"I'm not talking about whether or not we should spend money recklessly... Okay, since you've put it that way, let's go together."

We can't just leave Mei aside and watch these two silly boys fight, can we?

"But this riverbank..."

"Go up this river, and there's a lake up there."

"... You've become more cunning, huh, Mei."

Liu Bai looked at his student with a meaningful expression.

Clearly, Mei has figured out how things work here. Although she still looks like a bookworm, she has become much more agile inside.

"N-no, I just wanted you to have fun, Doctor."

Mei, who had been calm and composed, immediately turned her head away guiltily.

"After all, it's a rare opportunity to go camping with you, Doctor... cough, and my fellow students..."

You didn't think about your junior brothers at all in the first place, did you?

Liu Bai looked at the two fishing rods he had and complained inwardly.

However, looking at the two idiots over there, Liu Bai didn't know what to say.

I only brought a bunch of snacks with me when I went camping...

Okay, actually Su does have some common sense, but when she's with Kevin down with his intelligence and defeats Kevin with his rich experience... Although sometimes Su can lead Kevin astray, that doesn't stop Liu Bai from wanting to kick those two idiots' butts hard.

However, Liu Bai was too lazy to expose Mei's little scheme.

"Let's go. It's actually not bad to have an extra meal tonight. After all, the food we brought won't be enough for the three-day camping training."