Dining and Dashing

For the past three months, Li Ming had basically spent all his time in the research lab, with no time at all to return to his apartment and rest. Several times, he had slept in the dormitory arranged by the academy before running straight back to the laboratory to continue his research.

The research project concerned the automatic and semi-automatic conversion of mechanical systems. His advisor had guided most of the research and practical work. During this time, he had also met his advisor, Ritsell Albert Einstein. To be honest, when he met her, Li Ming realized that he had already seen her on the day he went to collect the report.

So now, he increasingly felt that the whole situation had been a trap. But now that he had been lured in, escaping was impossible. Although he had not signed any contract, Li Ming understood that if he really tried to run, never mind whether he would see stars being crushed to pieces—Tesla might simply drive the Godfather over and haul him away.

Still, Einstein had taken very good care of him during the project, just as she had helped Mobius back in the Elysian Realm. Einstein had taught him not only basic mechanical knowledge, but also plenty of professional expertise. None of it was something Li Ming could have encountered in either his original body's life or his previous life. She had also given him tremendous inspiration in independently designing systems and algorithms. Li Ming felt like a sponge now, greedily absorbing knowledge.

Now, he felt that even if he were sent back at this moment, he would not have to worry about finding a job.

"Li Ming, there is an error in this algorithm. Remember to recalculate it when you get back. Rest well during the break. Once you return, we will begin the physical simulation of the experiment." Einstein glanced at someone who was currently spacing out and could not help reminding him.

Li Ming jolted at being called out and immediately came back to himself. "Yes, Professor Lieserl."

Einstein merely sighed, then turned and left. After Li Ming and several other students cleaned up the laboratory, a tall blond man walked over and said to Li Ming with a grin, "Ming, tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Want to go to a party tonight? I heard there will be pretty girls there!"

As he spoke, the man waggled his eyebrows. But Li Ming still refused. Another person beside them laughed and said, "Ming is getting cozy with that genius girl from our academy. How would he have time to go partying with you? You might as well invite me instead."

"I am so jealous. I heard Ming is the only one allowed to walk with Miss Himeko," the tall blond man said helplessly.

"Yeah, I am so jealous! Why can't I be the one walking with Ming?" said the last man, a smaller, brown-haired fellow.

The other two silently moved away from the brown-haired man, while he watched Li Ming's retreating back with a face full of envy.

"Hey, Li Ming, how was today?" After Li Ming had walked some distance away, Himeko sneaked up behind him and patted him. "Christmas is almost here. What did Professor Lieserl say?"

"The institute is planning to give us a month off soon. She told me to go back and get some proper rest during the break. What about you? Haven't you been studying that asteroid with Professor Kol lately?"

After Raiden persuaded her, Himeko had nearly given up on the idea of founding a club. When she truly established the Extraterrestrial Civilization Research club, she could not find any students who genuinely enjoyed studying extraterrestrial civilizations. Most of them had come only because Himeko was pretty.

But after the club was founded, Welt Yang and Ritsell Albert Einstein unexpectedly joined as faculty advisors. This allowed Extraterrestrial Civilization Research to be officially established despite being an exception—a club that had not met the minimum requirement of five members.

Then, over these three months, Himeko had given up recruiting members and put more effort into her interests and studies. With the advantages offered by the two advisors, she could borrow whatever equipment she wanted with virtually no obstacles. After observing for three months, Himeko had actually discovered something.

It was an asteroid, a newly discovered asteroid.

When it was discovered, both Himeko and Li Ming had been stunned. The asteroid was slowly flying toward the Solar System. Calculations suggested that it was highly likely to be captured by the Sun's gravitational field and enter the Solar System.

The moment the asteroid was discovered, it caused a sensation throughout the academy. It even drew some international attention, because people still held great hopes at this time regarding whether extraterrestrials existed beyond Earth.

This asteroid thoroughly solidified the status of Himeko's Extraterrestrial Civilization Research club. Welt Yang became the research advisor, while Professor Lieserl was too busy with other matters and temporarily declined the position. An elderly astronomy professor joined the asteroid research instead. The object, named Asteroid 439, became a lifeline for many astronomy students in this class. After all, the asteroid would take at least another two years to reach Earth. Wasn't that a ready-made thesis topic for graduation?

It was much better than the projects of many upperclassmen, which had either been scrapped or snatched away by others. Those carried enormous risks, whereas this asteroid was simply a bright ray of light on their path forward.

Because of this, Himeko also caught Professor Kol's attention. For such a gifted and diligent student, he truly treasured her like the apple of his eye, afraid she would melt in his mouth or break in his hands. Whenever he saw Li Ming, it was like seeing a pig trying to root through his cabbage—he would either drive Li Ming away or pull Himeko aside.

In any case, the two of them could forget about being together whenever Professor Kol was around. To that end, Professor Kol had even asked Professor Lieserl to kindly increase Li Ming's research workload. Still, the two of them walked back to their apartments together.

But Li Ming had to defend himself here: he truly did not dare have any improper thoughts about Himeko, okay? At Himeko's current age, he doubted he would even pass her minor-protection review.

That was why Li Ming was always very careful about maintaining their relationship.

"Professor Kol said Christmas is in a few days, so he is letting me take a break. He said my winter vacation has already started, and my tasks can be handled by the other senior students."

Himeko explained why she could come out today. She was not stupid, after all, and could tell why Professor Kol disliked Li Ming so much. But Himeko herself did not have those sorts of feelings either. Right now, she only regarded Li Ming as her best friend.

"So what are we eating tonight?" Their apartments were close anyway. If either of them was too lazy to cook, they would go to the other's apartment to mooch a meal. Raiden did the same, but he had been getting busier and busier lately and no longer had time to come over for free food. He usually bought convenience-store meals for dinner instead. "Potato balls with fried rice again? Or glutinous rice balls with pumpkin porridge? I have invented some new dishes lately. Want to try them?"

Remembering what she had been eating lately, Himeko could not help shuddering. "Let's not. We have already had potato balls and fried rice six times recently. As for new dishes... if it comes to it, I will just make curry rice!"

After three months of getting to know him, Himeko had discovered that aside from potato balls and fried rice, Li Ming only knew how to make glutinous rice balls. None of them looked particularly appetizing. He had tried other dishes afterward, but they had all ended in failure. In the end, those "delicacies" had been fed to the trash can.

"Curry rice?" The moment Li Ming heard those words, his throat went dry, something clenched somewhere, and a faint ache surfaced. Forcing a smile, he said, "Um, why don't we go mooch dinner at Professor Welt's place? I am sure Professor Welt will not refuse us."

It could not be helped. Himeko said her curry rice was a family recipe, but Li Ming felt that hers was completely different from everyone else's. Other people's curry rice was generally spicy and salty, or perhaps sweet. But Himeko's curry rice had only one flavor—insanely spicy. Even her miso soup was extra spicy.

Every time he finished eating it, Li Ming would spend a while feeling as though his asshole had withered away.

Yet Himeko felt nothing at all. The first time he tried it, Li Ming had even thought he was imagining things. Later, as he kept eating it, he really could no longer taste the spiciness. His throat just got drier and drier, while the aftereffects left his asshole feeling like a wilted flower.

That time, Li Ming had taken three days off.

The two looked at each other and finally reached an agreement.

Knock, knock, knock!

Welt, who was at home working on the new storyline for Alahato, put down his pen when he heard the knocking. He had thought the person he was waiting for had arrived. But when he opened the door, he saw a redhead and a black-haired man grinning brightly at him. His face darkened, and he immediately moved to shut the door.

"Good evening, Professor Welt!"

It could not be helped. Ever since Welt had made Li Ming breakfast once, the guy had come over every few days to mooch meals. Welt was beginning to regret bringing Li Ming in. Seriously, who was the subordinate and who was the boss here? Was it reasonable to make your superior cook for you every day?

But after Welt later tried Li Ming's dark cuisine and Himeko's insanely spicy curry rice, he never raised that question again. That day, he had suffered both diarrhea and a ruined asshole, leaving him feeling awful all over. Even his Herrscher physique had not endured it. What kind of damned biochemical weapon was that?

After that, whenever the two came over to mooch meals, Welt did not dare let either of them near the kitchen.

Recently, to make things easier on himself, he had not even let them into his apartment. Yet today, he had carelessly opened the door for these two. Welt hurriedly tried to push it shut, but Li Ming and Himeko firmly braced the door open, making it impossible for him to close.

"Professor Welt, just give up. We already bought the ingredients, so we definitely will not make you do the cooking yourself!" The one being so obedient and considerate was naturally Himeko.

"Yeah. As they say in Shenzhou, since we are already here, how can we leave so easily? It is not easy for anyone, Professor Welt, so just let us in!" The one speaking in that irritatingly shameless way was Li Ming.

Unfortunately, their Boss Yang had not yet evolved into Welt Yang Transcendence. Otherwise, the two of them would have been complete small fry. Even so, Welt resisted with all his might and refused to surrender. "No! Neither of you is taking a single step into my apartment today!"

But Li Ming skillfully used a clever burst of force, withdrawing and releasing his strength in one motion. Welt Yang did not fall, but he still ended up letting the two of them inside.

Himeko followed behind Li Ming apologetically, obediently carrying the groceries in her hands, though her eyes were also full of mischief.

Li Ming, meanwhile, looked thoroughly smug. "Hahaha, Professor Welt, I recently made a new dish. Come and try it!"

Looking at the two of them before him, Welt felt as though his life had gone dark.