Plan

In the end, Li Ming's new dish never made it out under Himeko and Welt's vehement objections. However, Himeko's curry rice was unleashed instead, because she had deliberately bought enough ingredients for an extra serving when she went grocery shopping.

The main course was still Welt's specialty—grilled meat. The snack was Li Ming's potato balls, while the side dish was Himeko's curry rice. In the end, Li Ming and Welt decided they could just use a little less curry when eating it.

Just as the three of them were about to eat, there came another knock at the door. When Himeko opened it, she found a blue-haired woman with short hair and a beautiful red-haired woman with twin ponytails standing outside. They were Einstein and Tesla.

Welt had originally been waiting for the two of them. Once Li Ming and Himeko arrived, he simply urged them to come over for dinner as well. In the spirit of sacrificing his fellow Daoist to save himself, Welt Yang had ultimately been led astray by Li Ming too.

"Mm, Wel—Welt, why were you in such a hurry?" Tesla stood with her hands on her hips. Her Gothic-style short skirt and knee-high socks gave her a lively, youthful look, though she seemed rather awkward after nearly letting something slip.

After observing the situation inside, Einstein said, "It looks like you're having dinner. Li Ming and Miss Murata are both here!"

Einstein's words also served as an introduction for Tesla. In truth, Tesla only did not know Himeko. But seeing the girl with the same hair color as her own, along with what she had heard from Ritsell and Welt, she held quite a favorable impression of this hardworking genius girl.

"Hello. My name is Frederica Nikola Tesla." After reluctantly introducing herself, the two of them consciously entered the apartment. The five sat around the dining table.

Himeko said in astonishment, "You're Frederica Nikola Tesla, the president of E.T. Studio! The Heavy Mech Alahato we watched last time was produced and directed by her! Li Ming, do you think I can ask Ms. Tesla for an autograph later?"

Himeko was excited upon seeing Tesla, though it was more the excitement of meeting a celebrity. After all, Heavy Mech Alahato and Demon Mech Alahato had been childhood favorites for most people in the Americas and the Far East.

"All right, all right, don't get so excited. I'll ask Dr. Tesla later. For now, let's eat properly."

Li Ming quietly soothed the excited Himeko. He felt that she was unusually hyped up. Over the past three months, Li Ming had also become familiar with Dr. Tesla, one of Anti-Entropy's executors, since all his inhibitors during that time had been administered by her.

Li Ming did not understand why the leaders of such a major organization as Anti-Entropy all seemed so relaxed, even idle.

So the real workhorses were Mr. Raiden Ryoma and Miss Cocolia?

"What a feast!" Tesla made herself at home after sitting down. She speared a potato ball with her fork and stuffed it into her mouth, showing no concern whatsoever for maintaining a ladylike image.

Einstein put away her bag before sitting upright properly. Looking at the greasy grilled meat and the tender potato balls before her, she ultimately chose the potato balls.

Meanwhile, Welt attentively served the two women bowls of Himeko's insanely spicy curry rice. The moment Li Ming saw Welt's movements, he knew Old Yang was up to no good.

Still, to ensure his own future would be easier, Li Ming thoughtfully brought each of them a glass of water.

Yet after finishing their food, the two merely commented, "The flavor's pretty good!"

They even wiped their mouths with napkins. Their behavior instead left Welt and Li Ming uncertain. The two exchanged looks, then each served themselves a bowl of curry rice. After just one bite, Welt felt that familiar sensation flood his tongue again, and it made certain parts of him tremble.

After eating the curry rice, Li Ming did not feel the insane heat. However, the parched feeling in his throat made his stomach shudder. He understood that the chrysanthemum of his hometown was about to bloom again.

"Not bad. Keep eating!" Tesla wiped the sweat from her forehead, took a drink of water, and continued speaking. Himeko was here, after all. If she had not been, what they would have heard was probably Dr. Tesla's familiar stream of expletives.

"The curry rice does taste rather good, though it's too salty. There's a little too much chili powder." Einstein still gave her evaluation with a perfectly serious expression, although the fine sweat on her forehead exposed how far from calm she truly was.

The two men who had been tricked had been stripped down to nothing and were on the verge of tears.

Fortunately, Himeko had not made much curry rice. With two additional people eating, it was quickly finished instead.

Afterward, the two of them prepared to take their leave.

Come on, why would they not leave? Were they supposed to stay and watch the show?

After watching too much, there was no guarantee they would not be silenced.

With that in mind, Li Ming dragged away the unwilling Himeko. She had not wanted to leave at first, but after Li Ming took a photo of her with Tesla and got her an autograph, he still forcibly pulled her away.

After all, if you came to mooch a meal, you had to act like someone mooching a meal. The two of them also cleaned up all the trash in Welt's apartment and took it away with them.

Inside Welt's apartment.

Tesla and Einstein each held a glass of milk, drinking as they watched Welt pour an entire bottle of milk down his throat.

"Isn't the Alliance Leader being a little too dramatic? Did he not want to embarrass himself in front of his student just now?" Einstein's eyes darkened slightly.

"He's an idiot, a childish brat. He actually used such a childish method." Tesla spoke irritably, since she had been badly burned by the spice just now.

Welt had no time to respond to them. Only after quite a while did the three finally recover.

Einstein was the first to speak. Welt created a transparent barrier around the three of them to prevent their voices from carrying outside, while the door was locked layer upon layer. Other than certain special individuals, no one could enter at all.

"The base in Mexico State has basically been completed. All that remains is the establishment of Silver Bullet. However, calculations currently indicate that Asteroid 439 will not reach Earth for the time being. It is still at least two years away from Earth. Professor Kol's research on this matter remains highly convincing."

"Over the past three months, the remnants of H&K Company have all been absorbed. There is only one final location left, and Li Ming can handle it when the time comes. However, Ryoma still needs to fight for the market share." Tesla paid more attention to matters concerning H&K Company.

"Li Ming's condition needs to be monitored. Don't let him overwork himself. His headaches still haven't been resolved." At Li Ming's name, Welt frowned.

"Even if we don't send him, he'll force himself to go for the money. Once he comes back, I'll arrange for him to go to St. Dote for another examination. And after this time, Li Ming won't need to participate anymore." Tesla helplessly spread her hands. Welt could only temporarily agree to the arrangement.

Welt Yang then propped his chin on his hand. "Schicksal has made major adjustments in Shenzhou, relocating many Titan troops to the northwest of Shenzhou. Many of our liaisons have been monitored to varying degrees. After the recent adjustments, I plan to have those liaisons in danger relocate to Qinghe Port on the east coast for evacuation."

"You're planning to act personally?"

Einstein and Tesla spoke at the same time. If Welt Yang took action himself, there was no telling what outrageous move that Lord Bishop might make. After all, she had once directly launched a Honkai fission bomb just to eliminate them.

"Don't worry. I definitely won't go personally. But we painstakingly trained those liaisons, so naturally we cannot abandon them so easily. I've already contacted Shenzhou headquarters. Cocolia will be sent there when the time comes, along with the Type II Clone. There should be no problem if they are merely providing support."

Hearing that Cocolia would lead the team, the two women breathed a sigh of relief. However, Tesla still had some doubts. "Cocolia has been making rather a lot of moves lately. I'm not entirely comfortable letting her lead."

"She will not betray us for now. She simply needs a warning."

A red light flashed through Welt Yang's eyes, and the gentle air around him gradually receded. Only then did the bearing of the Alliance Leader of Anti-Entropy fully reveal itself.

"Yes, Alliance Leader!" The two no longer questioned him. However, Einstein raised another issue. "We still do not know whether those unknown special radio waves affect the Type II Clone. Isn't it too risky to send it on a mission like this?"

At that, all three fell silent. In the end, Welt Yang spoke. "Then temporarily set an energy-level authorization for the Type II Clone. Exceeding that authorization will indicate loss of control or other abnormalities. Tesla, notify me immediately."

The plan was ultimately finalized. Meanwhile, Himeko and Li Ming, on their way back to the apartment, were chatting about gossip.

"Hey, what exactly is the relationship between Professor Welt, Professor Ritsell, and Ms. Tesla?"

Himeko did not quite understand Welt's behavior earlier.

Li Ming naturally saw that Himeko had misunderstood something, so he merely said, "Professor Welt, Dr. Tesla, and Professor Ritsell have been friends for a very long time. The three of them also founded E.T. Studio together, so don't overthink it."

Li Ming naturally knew more, but how could he dare speak carelessly about such things? He did not even have a source for that information. If Welt and the others found out, would he not be silenced?

"Oh, I see. It seems Ms. Tesla and Professor Ritsell are friends like family to Professor Welt. Then Professor Welt's Christmas Eve will definitely be lively!" Himeko thought for a moment, then smiled at Li Ming. Yet there was a hint of envy in her voice.

Li Ming merely nodded. Himeko was not wrong. It really was like that. After all, Alliance Leader Welt had been raised by Dr. Tesla herself. Calling them family was not inaccurate—though it was the kind of family that could send you to an orthopedic hospital at any time.

After Li Ming escorted Himeko to the entrance of her apartment, she skipped inside. "All right, I'm home. Hurry up and go back!"

But just as Li Ming was about to leave, Himeko suddenly poked her head back out. "Oh, right. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Why don't you come find me, and we can go out together?"

"Sure." Li Ming agreed without hesitation.

"Then it's settled. I'll come find you tomorrow night. If you're not there, you're a puppy!" Himeko made an agreement with Li Ming.

Li Ming simply nodded. After seeing his confirmation, Himeko pulled her head back inside. Li Ming said nothing more and silently returned to his own apartment. His heart was already bursting with joy, but before his butt had even warmed the seat, his mobile phone received an email.

"Ah, tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Boss, you can't make me work overtime like this. But if I go, it'll be another nice little payday. Fine, I'll do it for the money!"

The message had been sent to his mobile phone by Tesla. It informed him that he was to deal with the last remaining resistance group from H&K Company in Mississippi, along with the time and plane ticket.

The time was nine tonight. A car would come pick up Li Ming in half an hour, so Li Ming went completely numb. He had only mooched one meal. Was there really any need to be so petty?

Though he grumbled internally, he still grabbed a waist bag and quickly ran downstairs.