Upstairs in his room Vincent was improving the output of the Alchemy Engine, while downstairs, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne and Hermione were chatting happily.
"He really likes Chinese food. Yesterday I made a few dishes according to our cooking teacher's recipes, and after he finished eating them, he asked me to make more Chinese food."
Evelyn enrolled in a Chinese cooking class with Hermione, and the two even made plans to go to Chinatown together yesterday afternoon.
Eric had only just found out about this. "That kid always keeps things to himself, Hermione. That's just his personality. Don't be too accommodating to him."
Hermione shook her head and quickly explained, "Uncle, Vincent is a very opinionated person. He didn't say it because he didn't want to trouble everyone."
The Wayne exchanged another silent glance.
Since you understand it so clearly, it seems there's nothing to worry about.
Evelyn winked at Eric. "Yes, he's always been a very opinionated kid. Once he's made up his mind, no one can stop him."
Hermione is actually the same type of person.
She smiled and fed the Gu Gu in her arms some snacks. "Auntie, don't you think someone like that is very charming?"
People who are completely absorbed in something and don't even realize the passage of time are often very focused.
Sensing the hint, Eric gently shook his head at Evelyn, "That's the only good thing about him. He must have gotten into a lot of trouble at school, right?"
Hermione shook her head instinctively, almost without thinking, "Of course not. He's one of the few model students in the school. Without him, our house wouldn't have won the House Cup for three consecutive years."
This was the first time the Wayne had heard of this.
Every time Vincent came home, he would only briefly mention his grades and some major events that had happened at school, and nothing else.
However, he has never liked to show off since he was a child, perhaps because he felt it was unimportant or because he didn't want his parents to worry too much.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, the Wayne couple learned a lot about their son's school life through Hermione.
For example, the origin of certain campus ghost stories, or the battle of wits with a certain professor.
Despite the old principal's obvious bias, Vincent's ability to help the academy win the House Cup for three consecutive years under such obvious targeting speaks volumes about his skill.
"He also gained another title recognized by all the students this year: Hogwarts' number one social terrorist."
He dared to post disgusting pink toad photos at the entrance of the rival club for the entire school to see, and he didn't become the school's public enemy entirely because of his consistently good reputation.
Especially among girls.
Lockhart, the Wizarding World's number one conman, taught them not to judge people by appearances, but that true character is always more important than a glamorous exterior.
As parents, Eric and Evelyn unconsciously straightened their backs.
They knew their son was excellent, but they never imagined he was this outstanding. The club they spontaneously started even attracted almost the entire school.
With such popularity, he's sure to become the Prefect in fifth grade, Head Boy in seventh grade is practically guaranteed.
After graduation, I can make a name for myself anywhere in the Wizarding World, no matter how carefree I am.
The smiling Wayne had no idea that Hermione was actually hiding a lot of things.
She took a sip of black tea and fed some snacks to Gugu, who was staring at her Gu Gu.
Suddenly, a loud "boom" came from upstairs, followed by wisps of black smoke rising from the stairwell.
"Cough cough cough—" Vincent, covered in soot, emerged from the black smoke, holding a metal boot in his hand.
The Wayne couple and Hermione approached with concern.
"Cough cough... just a little accident." He waved his hand to send all the black smoke back upstairs, then looked back at the metal boot in his hand.
Although he just blew one up, he has found a way to make Flying Boots.
Alchemy Engine have a wide range of applications; installing them inside flying brooms is just the basics. The only thing that can limit them is imagination.
Vincent suddenly looked up and stared blankly at Hermione in front of him.
He looked at his parents, "Mom and Dad, am I seeing things?"
Hermione winked at him playfully, "You really don't believe your eyes?"
Vincent stretched out his dirty hand and then withdrew it, before glancing down at his clothes.
He didn't feel ashamed at all. "I didn't believe it before, but I do now."
Hermione's lips curled up slightly. "Wait for me a moment."
She went back to get her small handbag, took out a bag of wet wipes, and handed it over.
Vincent didn't take it, but leaned closer to her.
Hermione glanced at the Wayne couple beside her, then carefully opened the package and took out a wet wipe.
Her movements were gentle as she lightly wiped the dirt off his face.
Eric and Evelyn exchanged a smile, and wisely made an excuse to leave, giving the two of them some space.
"Honey, it's been a long time since we went shopping together, hasn't it?"
"Let's go, it's almost noon, we can go to the supermarket while we're at it."
As soon as the Wayne couple left, Hermione suddenly increased the pressure on her hands.
Vincent looked completely innocent. "Be gentle, it hurts..."
Hermione's slender fingertips gently traced his face. "Really? You're so thick-skinned, and I didn't use much force. It shouldn't have hurt you, right?"
Vincent grabbed her fidgeting little hand. "I'll do it myself."
She's getting bolder and bolder now, which is a good thing.
She has always been a proactive person, so this behavior means she's starting to adapt to their relationship.
Vincent wiped his face clean and looked down at his clothes again.
The explosion was a bit too intense; my white shirt is almost completely black now.
He handed the wet wipes back to Hermione, saying, "I think I need to take a shower now."
Hermione glanced curiously upstairs. "Okay, I'll wait for you here."
Vincent knew perfectly well what she was curious about.
In the West, where personal privacy is highly valued, even parents don't casually enter their children's rooms.
"Would you like to wait upstairs? You haven't seen my room yet, have you?"
"Okay." Hermione's eyes were full of anticipation.
Although she already knew him very well, the two were now in a relationship, and she always wanted to learn more about her boyfriend's preferences and daily life.
"Wait a moment." Vincent raised his hand and caught the Accio Serpent Staff.
"Scourgify— "
His room, which had been like a ruin, was restored to its original state, including the hole that had been smashed in the ceiling.
"Let's go."
"Gu Gu!" The Gu Gu on the sofa suddenly flapped its little wings and flew into Hermione's arms.
It stared at me with its big, pitiful eyes, as if it were trying to hint at something.
Hermione smiled and nodded, as if she knew what it was implying.
Vincent looked at her, then glanced at Gu Gu, who was being held tightly in her arms.
"What are you doing following me, you little traitor?"
"Gu Gu!" It proudly raised its round little head.
"A guide? Do I need a guide to tour my room?"
"Gu Gu!"
Vincent was speechless.
He just wanted to sneak some snacks, and he went to all the trouble of using the tour guide as an excuse. This kid is hopeless.
Out of respect for Hermione, he only warned Gu Gu with a look and did not expose it on the spot.
The two men and the eagle went upstairs.
Slightly different from what Hermione had imagined, a huge alchemical furnace could be seen as soon as she reached the third floor.
Vincent reached out and gently patted it. "I don't need this much anymore, so I moved it out of the room."
She immediately pictured a factory-like room.
Boiler, forging table, robotic arm...
She wasn't disappointed at all; on the contrary, she raised her expectations to the maximum.