Gray Serpent Is No Neutral NPC

"It's okay. In five or six years—maybe even less—you should start wearing makeup too, Mei."

Okay, the subject of this sentence is very clear: it's her.

But... is this considered a curse?

A curse from the "adult version of oneself"?

... This kind of curse really increases the pressure.

And besides, why are you telling me this?! I wear makeup! It's this guy who doesn't wear makeup, okay?! Why are you putting pressure on me?

Rather, why did the hatred inexplicably shift onto me?

"...I usually wear some light makeup," Mei couldn't help but retort.

"I also wear light makeup, but I mainly focus on skin care and such." Rita shrugged. "And as you all heard, I tried to teach Lady Bianka before, but it didn't work."

Although everyone here looks good even without makeup, aside from a few individuals, who would refuse a simple, quick, and flattering light makeup look?

While the group of people next to him were discussing makeup, Liu Bai was busy comforting Tesla.

"Okay, okay, I think Tesla looks great even without makeup."

"It's dry and... completely unconvincing."

"No, I'm serious. It's not like I haven't seen you with makeup on, Tesla. I don't think there's much of a difference."

"A heads-up, this is a sensitive topic for girls—although Dr. Tesla isn't exactly a girl anymore." Rita glanced at Liu Bai upon hearing this.

This statement, from another perspective, negates the significance of girls wearing makeup.

"Ugh... So, does that mean makeup is useless? Am I... am I really that hopeless?"

I'm really about to cry... Tesla, that red-haired, tsundere with twin tails, is going to cry or something...

... This seems to be really bad.

Although Liu Bai used to find it amusing to make a proud and arrogant character break down and cry, he didn't find it amusing at all when it happened to him!

Although this is her delicate side, let's just let it go.

"No! Who would think you're hopeless, Tesla! I mean, Tesla, you're excellent in my eyes whether you're wearing makeup or not!" Liu Bai quickly added.

"By the way, does anyone here know how to draw?"

Rita suddenly spoke up at this moment.

"I've got an idea in my head called 'The Crying Loser,' what do you guys think? Does it have the potential to become a timeless masterpiece?"

Wait, Rita? Why are you saying this now?

Liu Bai looked at Rita was adding fuel to the fire, with some surprise.

"Who... who are you calling a loser?"

Tesla, fighting back tears, glared at Rita —but this expression held little intimidation for Rita.

"Dr. Tesla, aren't you being quite self-aware?"

Rita chuckled and picked up Liu Bai, who was possessing the doll.

After thinking about it, Liu Bai gave up struggling—he felt that Rita wasn't the kind of willful person.

"If you want to have a good cry, I can book you a soundproof private room where you can cry from now until the next night."

Rita wore a formulaic, fake smile.

"In any case, please don't spoil our lunch mood, Dr. Tesla."

"You bastard..."

Tesla glared at Rita through gritted teeth.

Whenever I see Rita, it's never a good thing!

Who's the loser here?! And I didn't cry! I didn't cry!

"Okay, it seems none of us here can draw—so let's ignore that crying loser and enjoy our hard-won lunch."

"... How about we sit down and eat first?" Liu Bai asked Tesla for his opinion at this moment.

Tesla bit his lip and nodded silently.

We can't let that jerk Rita look down on us!

And there's also that brat Mei!

Tesla glared fiercely at Rita and Mei, who was Mei.

"Alright, alright, as a reunion after sixty years, we can't possibly start with tears, can we?"

Liu Bai floated to Tesla's side, which made Tesla feel a little better.

"...Um."

Tesla reached out and wiped away his tears, then hugged Liu Bai.

"This doll is so small... Liu Bai, you won't abandon me, will you?"

"Just because you're not wearing makeup?"

"Because I... didn't I mess up this reunion after sixty years? I'm really useless, aren't I?"

"Hmm... I think that's kind of cute."

Chapter 179 The Gray Serpent is Not a Neutral NPC

With the turmoil caused by Tesla subsiding, Shiora glanced at Rita with some surprise.

Playing the villain to help one's love rival... Raven felt a little confused.

But then again, it's none of her business.

Then Raven glanced at the children at the next table.

Well, in a way, she owed Rita a small favor.

Although Tesla did not do it intentionally, objectively speaking, Tesla's presence did disrupt the children's meals.

If Rita hadn't taken the initiative, it's hard to say when Liu Bai would have been able to deal with Tesla.

Fortunately, the matter has finally been settled.

The only problem is...

Raven glanced at Mei.

At this moment, Mei looked utterly hopeless, her hands, which were picking up food, trembled like rusty machinery lacking lubrication.

There were only three people present who had a direct connection with Tesla — Liu Bai, Rita, Raiden Mei.

Given that the issues with Tesla and Liu Bai have been resolved, and Tesla, though unhappy with Rita, won't go looking for trouble, who's left?

Of course, it's Raiden Mei who secretly ate alone and got caught!

Clearly, this young lady is probably not in a very good mood, but... she brought it on herself, so what does it have to do with her?

"Mei, let's go home."

After finishing the meal, Tesla smiled and put his hand on Mei's shoulder.

"Um... Doctor..." Raiden Mei's face stiffened.

"Want to make excuses, Mei? Sure, as an elder, it's a responsibility to listen to the excuses of a junior."

Tesla's smile was devoid of any genuine joy.

You're completely unwilling to listen to explanations!

... Although Mei doesn't really have much to explain.

After all, the perpetrator has been caught red-handed, and the evidence is irrefutable.

If stealing food is illegal, Mei could already be convicted.

"I... I think we should have some more moderate... uh... discussion?"

"I refuse." Tesla refused without even thinking. "To be honest, I'm super, super, super angry right now."

"Ah..."

The reason for his anger is self-evident.

"I'll buy you a plane ticket tomorrow. Go back to ChangKong City. Remember to give my regards to your father."

"No, that's not a good idea." Mei forced a stiff and ingratiating smile. "Besides, I don't really know where Dad is right now—of course, he's probably not in Siberia."

"I think it's great."

Tesla said quietly.

"At least it lets me vent my anger."

... That's quite honest of you.

"Um... wouldn't you be in great danger if I weren't here? Like Miss Rita, Miss Rita, and Miss Rita and so on."

Rita glanced at Mei.

Are you trying to slander her?

Believe it or not, I'll use you as a sales metric tonight.

"This..."

Tesla wavered slightly upon hearing this and glanced at Rita silently.

It has to be said that Mei's words were somewhat tempting.

After all, Rita, a woman exuding a dangerous aura, was truly unsettling... even though she had just helped him.

Well, Tesla may be a bit arrogant and domineering, but he's not really stupid. Rita was playing the bad cop quite obviously back then—and of course, she was also very deserving of a beating.

However, thanks to Rita, this matter was able to end smoothly.

So, because of this incident, Tesla's opinion of Rita has changed slightly... but really only slightly.

There's absolutely no way you'd get her to say thank you or anything like that!

After all, she's been called a "loser" again! Does she really look like a "loser"?

"So, Doctor, you see, I'm still somewhat useful, aren't I?"

"But I always feel that you might be more dangerous around me."

Tesla looked at Mei.

"Where... where..."

"Here." Tesla forced a very displeased smile. "I planned everything, but I never expected you, you brat, to be able to eat alone behind my back."

"... I learned this from Edison." Mei looked away and began to shirk responsibility.

"You choose to learn bad things instead of good ones? That's an even bigger offense."

Tesla sneered, "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. Moving to a hotel? Forget it. Come back with me today, we'll talk about the rest tomorrow."

Tesla essentially handed Mei a death sentence.

Tesla then turned to look at Liu Bai.

"Sorry, Mei is a child who doesn't know any better. I'll take her back first. Um... Liu Bai, you... remember to come home. Although Nancy knows you're back, Einstein and that old woman Planck probably don't know yet, right? You should at least tell them."

No, you were the last one to find out—I can't bring myself to say that now.

The fact that Tesla didn't say it would break their defenses again.

"... Okay, sure."

Once in the car, Mei was visibly more relaxed.

The younger version of "myself" is finally gone!