The Ultimate Outfit?

As they shook hands, Mei added with a smile.

"..."

Why do my hands suddenly feel ten times heavier?

Chapter 169 The Decisive Set?

50,000 years?

Mei looked at the face in front of her that was so similar to her own and immediately felt an invisible pressure.

"Oh... is this a show of force?"

Rita looked at the two Mei who seemed to be at odds with each other and chuckled.

I thought these two would be an unbreakable bond, but now it seems I was overthinking it.

"It was just a very ordinary self-introduction, and it has nothing to do with putting on a show of force. Miss Rita, you're overthinking things."

Mei glanced at Rita with a smile—it seemed Mei was indeed very happy today.

Tsk, that smile...

Rita looked at Mei's smile and inexplicably thought of Otto.

This is hardly a pleasant association.

So, it really was a show of force, wasn't it?

Mei silently withdrew her hand, gradually realizing the problem.

Although they look very alike, maybe it's precisely because they look alike that they can't get along peacefully.

"Is it because of overlapping character settings?"

Although Mei denied it, Mei had subconsciously agreed with Rita's statement.

After all, without the other party's "show of force," Mei actually felt a sense of crisis.

Women who are more mature, more voluptuous, or more intellectual than himself... wouldn't that be too bad for Liu Bai, who prefers simple and easy-to-understand things?

No, it's not bad for Brother Liu Bai, it's bad for myself!

"... No, I think the least relevant thing about the two of you is your persona."

As if realizing the difference between the two, Liu Bai's lips twitched slightly.

"Mei, it's been 50,000 years. Has your cooking improved at all?"

Liu Bai directly attacked the victim's spirit.

"... I sincerely hope that you, teacher, will not reopen your students' wounds."

Mei's lips twitched. She thought that her reputation was ruined by her cooking skills.

"Besides, even though it was a shortcut, the dishes I imitated were at least above average, right?"

"Above average?"

Liu Bai chuckled twice, "Come on, Mei, show Mei what you can do."

"Huh? Huh? At this time, me?"

Mei, a little confused, pointed to her nose.

Is this the right time to do something like this?

... Although her original plan could no longer be implemented.

But isn't it a bit too much to suddenly switch from infiltration to cooking?

"Didn't I tell you before that I was going to introduce you to someone whose cooking skills are absolutely terrible?"

Although Mei couldn't see, Liu Bai still pointed at Mei.

"... Is this how you introduce me to others?"

Mei sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Please stop focusing on my shortcomings. Take a look at my strengths too."

"Hmm... how should I put it? I guess it's because I know that what you've done is amazing, so when I talk about those things... it feels like there are too many to count, right?"

Liu Bai spoke the truth.

"And besides, Mei, your cooking skills are really so bad that... um... it's hard to describe?"

"... Please give me back the emotion I felt just now, dear teacher."

Mei sighed softly, then turned to Mei beside her, "Since the teacher said so, it means your cooking skills are indeed very good, right?"

"... I've only gained some insights."

Mei looked at the woman in front of her, who seemed to be a "powered-up version" of herself, and subconsciously said modestly.

Mei nodded and smiled, "Well, in that case, it's better not to make it. If it tastes too good, I might not be able to resist eating it."

"... Was that a joke?"

Although, considering the context and the current atmosphere, the other person's statement was undoubtedly a joke.

But...

Mei's eyes met Mei's briefly before looking away, and then she lowered her head somewhat guiltily.

... This guy, there's no smile in his eyes.

"If you want breakfast, please have the hotel bring it up."

Mei pushed up her glasses, her smile fading, and she seemed to revert to her usual aloof scientist persona.

... I originally thought that I was the same as myself in this era, but it turns out... just as my teacher said, apart from looking alike, the two of us have absolutely nothing in common.

No, if it's just a difference in professions like scientist and Valkyrie, then it's not a big deal.

Mei, who even feels that Mei has fulfilled her "wish" from her youth, might be quite gratified.

But the problem is... isn't this "self" a little too overpowered in terms of wifely qualities?

Mei is slightly depressed.

They all have the same face, can't you at least respect my status as the "senior"?

This "junior" of mine can cook and has a great personality. Compared to myself back then... tsk.

Looking back now, Mei always feels like she wasted her prime years—although this feeling is full of self-pity.

It just goes to show what Mobius was saying... younger than me, more energetic than me, even more likable than me...

Isn't this just a "powered-up version" of myself?

(Tsk, I don't want to be huddled in a corner crying with that Mobius guy.)

Mei feels that the negative example of her own romantic life is that of Mobius, that older single woman. If she ends up like that older single woman, then life would really be meaningless.

"Oh dear... Dr. Mei, is your cooking really that bad?"

After Mei finally finished discussing Mei's cooking skills, Rita smiled and asked, seemingly not intending to let Mei change the subject.

That's right. If we're just talking about skill level, Rita's cooking skills are in no way inferior to Mei's; at most, they just have their own strengths and weaknesses.

For example, Mei is better at putting her heart into her dishes, while Rita is better at being elaborate and complex.

Rita wouldn't give up such a rare opportunity to exploit her strengths and attack the enemy's weaknesses so easily.

Mei's gaze could scare Mei, but what was it to Rita, who had seen it all?

"Miss Rita, are you deliberately trying to upset me?"

"No, I sincerely wish Dr. Mei a pleasant day."

"... You two are really terrifying."

Mei complained.

Is this how adults communicate?

"Mei, you're 20 years old this year, right?" Liu Bai teased. "But Rita, don't just flirt with Mei all the time."

"I just wanted to see Dr. Mei get angry and embarrassed; I didn't mean any harm."

"You were full of malice when you said that!"

"You two are really never going to stop." Liu Bai sighed wearily. "Besides, two against one is a foul."

It's really not good that Mei gets beaten up by the other two "Gods of Cooking" in the Honkai 3rd world.

After all, Mei had been taught a lesson about cooking by Fu Hua before, and if she were to be taught a lesson by Rita and Mei again today...

Well, after being lectured by "Honkai Impact 3rd Chef God" in turn, if this were a game, I should have unlocked an achievement by now.

"Um... okay, okay, let's get back to the main topic."

After Liu Bai intervened, Rita immediately raised her hands in surrender.

Anyway, she just couldn't help wanting to tease Mei a little, and it wouldn't be bad to stop after she'd done teasing her.

"Going shopping? Want to come along?"

"Certainly."

Mei answered without even thinking.

"I've been spending all these past few days in the lab, it's time to get out and relax— Mei, what about you?"

"If I won't be arrested by your people on the street, I'd be happy to accompany you."

Mei naturally had no reason to refuse. After all, wouldn't it be great to turn Liu Bai and Rita's date into a trip for four?

This situation of mutual checks and balances...

"... I suddenly miss my sister Edison a little."

Mei suddenly said something out of the blue.

Rather than Edison, it's more accurate to say that the elders of Anti-Entropy were all very good at handling this kind of mutually restraining situation.

Mei, think about what Edison's sister did back then?

Edison's sister's words...

Yes, first and foremost, you can't let your other competitors, who are lacking information, know about it.

And the person in this state now... is Tesla's sister, right?

What happened to Edison?

"No, it's nothing."

Mei quickly shook her head. "Wait a moment, I'll send a message to the base, it'll be done soon."

[Tesla, I've found Kiana. She might not be able to get back for lunch and dinner, so please take care of your own. — Raiden Mei]

"Okay, all done, the message has been sent."

Mei casually put away the communicator.

So where should we go first?

"Hmm... when it comes to shopping, the first choice is probably a large shopping mall, right?"

"Hey... Mei isn't coming back today?"

Tesla, which was assembling a drone, was taken aback.

"Hmm... really, but that girl should be able to take care of herself, right? Hmm... why is my left eyelid starting to twitch?"

"Hmm... did you guys create the Moonlight Throne?"

While shopping, Mei listened to Mei's description of the current state of Anti-Entropy.

Compared to Gray Serpent, information heard from insiders like Mei is more valuable.

"It's truly remarkable that you were able to create the Moonlight Throne using current... no, I should say last century's level of technology. But the flaws must be quite significant, right?"