"I don't get to come back often, so I have to take care of some of the backlog while I'm here."
When Liu Shuang asked her question, she seemed much more at ease than before. She was clearly prepared to accept any answer.
Even so, Fu Qian didn't hedge. He nodded without hesitation.
"Besides, if I leave right away, Professor Lisha might have a lot to say about me making empty promises."
There were plenty of interesting things he'd found on this trip back, and it was worth spending a little time sorting through what he'd learned.
And while he wasn't one to care about fame or fortune, since he'd claimed to be the acting head, he had to do what he could to secure a good academic environment for the club—no, the academy.
"Hehe... Knowing Professor Lisha, if she agreed to treat you, she definitely won't go back on her word. But she'll probably charge you interest when the time comes."
Seeing Professor Lisha, who'd just been saddled with another task, get teased again, Liu Shuang smiled easily but was still quick to defend her mentor.
"But she really has seemed exhausted lately. Having something else to do might not be a bad thing."
Ji Liushuang hadn't said much the whole time, but she'd been sharp-eyed as she watched everything unfold. She clearly supported Fu Qian's assignment.
Then, thinking of something, she asked cautiously, "Will Professor Fu be staying in the lab? If anything comes up, can I come find you there?"
"Probably. I'm heading back there now, at least. And I'm just going to wander around, so don't let that disrupt your routine."
Fu Qian waved a hand, the picture of someone who didn't want to inconvenience anyone.
"Go ahead and keep using the lab as you planned."