Meanwhile, Li Qinwu was eating at a roadside stall under the surveillance of dozens of invisible combat suits.
He was eating something similar to takoyaki, prepared T'au-style.
One serving contained three fist-sized balls. The owner made Li Qinwu a serving, placed them on a plate, and handed it to him.
Li Qinwu saw that there were not three balls on the plate, but four.
His brow twitched as he asked:
"Didn't you say there were three in a serving? Why are there four?"
The owner smiled and rattled off a stream of words to Li Qinwu. The horse-faced official beside Li Qinwu translated:
"He says this is the first time he's seen a customer like you, so he gave you an extra one as a treat."
Li Qinwu seemed thoughtful. He sat beneath a parasol nearby and began eating the little balls.
After finishing them, he took out a notebook and began writing. In an instant, hundreds of cameras focused on his notebook, wanting to see what he was writing.
Li Qinwu wrote:
I feel that Sweet Star is a very peaceful planet, a wonderful place.
Its level of modernization is extremely high, even higher than Terra's.
When I walk the streets of Terra, I hardly see anyone smiling. Everyone is always in a hurry.
But when I walk the streets of Sweet Star, every face is smiling as though they have eaten honey.
I began reflecting on why there was such a huge difference. In the end, I concluded that the people of Terra pursued material desires too much and had lost their pursuit of life's true essence.
As for the people of Sweet Star, their smiles are very genuine, carrying a peace rooted deep in their bones.
Finally, I want to say that takoyaki is truly delicious.