Mooches a Meal

For the past three months, Li Ming had basically been living in the research lab, with no time to rest at his apartment. Several times, he'd slept in the dormitories arranged by the academy before rushing back to the lab to continue his research.

The research topic was the problem of automatic and semi-automatic conversion in mechanical systems. Most of the research and operations were guided by his mentor. During this time, he had met his mentor, Ritsell Albert Einstein. To be honest, when he first met her, Li Ming realized he had already seen her when he went to pick up his report that day.

This made him increasingly feel that the situation back then was a setup. But now that he was already roped in, there was no way he could run. Although he hadn't signed a contract, Li Ming knew that if he really tried to slip away, let alone see stars shatter, Tesla might just show up with the Godfather and take him away directly.

However, Einstein also took good care of him while he was participating in the research project, just like she had helped Mobius in the Elysian Realm. Einstein not only taught him some basic mechanical knowledge but also a lot of specialized knowledge that Li Ming had never encountered in his original life or his previous one. Furthermore, she provided him with great inspiration in independently designing systems and algorithms. Li Ming felt like a sponge, madly absorbing knowledge.

Now, he felt that even if he were to travel back in time, he wouldn't be afraid of not finding a job.

"Li Ming, there's an error in this algorithm. Remember to recalculate it when you go back. Get some good rest during the holiday, and we'll proceed with the physical simulation of the experiment after you return." Einstein glanced at someone who was zoning out and couldn't help but remind him.

Startled by the mention, Li Ming snapped back to attention. "Yes, Professor Lieserl."

Einstein simply sighed and turned to leave. After Li Ming and a few other students cleaned up the laboratory, a tall man with blond hair walked over and said to Li Ming with a smile, "Ming, tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Want to go to a party tonight? I heard there will be some beautiful girls!"

As he spoke, the man raised an eyebrow, but Li Ming still refused. Another person beside him chuckled and said, "Ming is already getting cozy with that genius girl from our academy. He doesn't have time for your party. You might as well ask me."

"I'm so envious. I heard only Ming is allowed to accompany Miss Himeko." The tall blond man said with some helplessness.

"Yeah, so envious. Why isn't it me going with Ming!" the last, thinner, coffee-colored man said.

The two men silently distanced themselves from the coffee-colored man, who looked at Li Ming's retreating back with envy.

"Hey, Li Ming, how's it going today?" After Li Ming had put some distance between them, Himeko quietly patted him on the back. "Christmas is coming soon. What did Professor Lieserl say?"

"The research institute is planning to give us a month-long holiday. She told me to rest well during the break. What about you? Haven't you been following Professor Kol to research that asteroid recently?"

Originally, after Raiden's persuasion, Himeko had almost given up on the idea of creating a club. When Himeko actually created the Extraterrestrial Civilization Research club, she couldn't find any students who genuinely liked researching extraterrestrial civilizations; most people were attracted by Himeko's beauty.

However, after the club was established, the two supervising teachers, Welt Yang and Ritsell Albert Einstein, ended up joining. This, in turn, allowed the Extraterrestrial Civilization Research club to be successfully established, making an exception for a club to be formed with fewer than five members.

Over the past three months, Himeko also stopped trying to recruit members, dedicating more of her energy to her interests and studies. By leveraging the advantages of the two supervising teachers, Himeko could borrow any equipment she wanted, facing virtually no obstacles. After three months of observation, Himeko actually discovered something.

It was an asteroid, a newly discovered asteroid.

Both Himeko and Li Ming were shocked when it was discovered because the asteroid was slowly heading towards the solar system. Calculations indicated that it was highly likely to be captured by the Sun's gravitational field and enter the solar system.

The discovery of this asteroid caused a sensation throughout the academy, and even the international community had some reactions, as people at this time still held great hope for the existence of aliens beyond Earth.

This asteroid completely solidified the status of Himeko's Extraterrestrial Civilization Research club. Welt Yang served as the research supervisor, while Professor Lieserl, due to her busy schedule, temporarily declined the position. An old professor from the astronomy department participated in the research progress of the asteroid. This asteroid, named Asteroid 439, became a lifesaver for many astronomy students in this cohort. After all, it would take at least two more years for the asteroid to reach Earth, which meant a graduation thesis topic had arrived!

It was much better than many senior students whose thesis topics had either fallen through or been snatched by others, posing a great risk. This asteroid was like a bright ray of light on their path forward.

Because of this, Himeko also came into Professor Kol's sight. He cherished this talented and extremely studious student like a pearl in his palm, afraid to let her melt in his hand or break when holding her. Seeing Li Ming was like seeing a pig about to ruin his cabbage; he either wanted to drive Li Ming away or pull Himeko away.

In any case, the two of them were not allowed to be together when Professor Kol was around. For this reason, Professor Kol even asked Professor Lieserl to kindly increase Li Ming's research workload. However, the two still walked back to the apartment together.

But Li Ming had to prove something for himself: he really didn't dare to have any thoughts about Himeko. Given Himeko's current age, he probably wouldn't pass the underage verification even if he were to come out.

Therefore, Li Ming was always very careful about maintaining their relationship.

"Teacher Kol said that since Christmas is in a few days, he's letting me have a holiday. He said I'm already on winter break, and my tasks will be handled by other senior students."

Himeko explained why she was able to come out today. After all, she wasn't stupid and could see why Professor Kol disliked Li Ming so much. However, Himeko herself didn't have those kinds of feelings; she now only considered Li Ming her best friend.

"So, what are we eating tonight?" Since their apartments were close, if one of them was too lazy to cook, they would go to the other's apartment to freeload a meal. Raiden was like that too, but Raiden had been increasingly busy lately and didn't have time to come over for meals, usually just buying fast food from convenience stores for dinner. "Are we having potato dumplings with fried rice again? Or glutinous rice dumplings with pumpkin porridge? I've invented some new dishes recently, want to try them?"

Recalling what they had eaten recently, Himeko couldn't help but shudder. "Let's not. I've already eaten potato dumplings and fried rice six times recently. As for new dishes... if I really have to, I'll just make curry rice!"

After three months of interaction, Himeko discovered that besides potato dumplings and fried rice, Li Ming only knew how to make glutinous rice dumplings. And they didn't look very appetizing. He had tried other dishes later, but they all ended in failure, with the "delicacies" being fed to the trash can.

"Curry rice?" Hearing about curry rice, Li Ming felt his throat dry up, and a certain area tightened, with a faint, sharp pain. He forced a smile, "Um, why don't we go to Teacher Welt's place and freeload a meal? I'm sure Teacher Welt won't refuse us."

He had no choice. Himeko's curry rice was said to be a family recipe, but Li Ming felt that Himeko's curry rice was different from everyone else's. Other people's curry rice was usually spicy and salty, or sweet, but Himeko's curry rice had only one flavor: insanely spicy. Even her miso soup was extremely spicy.

Every time he finished eating, Li Ming would feel like his chrysanthemum was withering for a period.

Yet Himeko felt nothing. The first time Li Ming tasted it, he thought it was his imagination. Later, as he kept eating, there was indeed no spicy taste, but his throat became drier and drier, and the after-effect was the wilting of his chrysanthemum.

That time, Li Ming took three days off directly.

The two looked at each other and finally reached a consensus.

Knock, knock, knock!

Welt, who was studying the new plot of "Alahato" at home, put down his pen when he heard the knock. He thought it was the person he was expecting, but when he opened the door, he saw the smiling red and black hair. His face darkened, and he prepared to close the door.

"Good evening, Professor Welt!"

He had no choice. Ever since he made Li Ming breakfast last time, this guy had been coming over to freeload meals every few days. Welt was starting to regret recruiting Li Ming. Seriously, who was the subordinate and who was the superior? Was it reasonable for a superior to cook for his subordinate every day?

But later, when Welt tried Li Ming's "dark cuisine" and Himeko's "insanely spicy curry rice," he never brought up that question again. After all, that day he had diarrhea and his chrysanthemum was in ruins. He, with his Herrscher physique, couldn't handle it. What kind of biological weapon was this?

Later, when the two came over to freeload meals, Welt didn't dare to let them near the kitchen.

To make things easier for himself recently, he hadn't even let the two into his apartment. Today, he accidentally opened the door to them. Li Ming quickly tried to push the door shut, but Li Ming and Himeko held the door firmly, preventing Welt from closing it.

"Teacher Welt, just give up. We've already bought the ingredients. We absolutely won't let you do any cooking!" It was Himeko who was so well-behaved and considerate.

"Yeah, in Schicksal terms, since we're already here, how can we leave? It's not easy for us. Teacher Welt, please let us in!" And this sneaky one was Li Ming.

Unfortunately, Boss Yang hadn't evolved into Welt Yang Beyond yet. Otherwise, both of them would be insignificant. But even so, Welt resisted with all his might, vowing not to yield. "No, you're not stepping into my apartment today!"

But Li Ming directly used his skill, releasing and retracting his strength. Although Welt Yang didn't fall, he still let the two in.

Himeko followed Li Ming sheepishly, obediently carrying the ingredients in her hand, but her eyes were full of cunning.

Li Ming, on the other hand, was quite smug. "Hahaha, Teacher Welt, I've made a new dish recently. Come and try it quickly!"

Looking at the two in front of him, Welt felt his life had turned bleak.