Marty entered the venue with his colleagues, and the first person he saw was the central figure surrounded by generals.
Wearing a gemstone crown adorned with laurel and olive branches, she was talking to someone beside her.
It was Hua, the Marshal's adopted daughter.
Given his relationship with Hua, he really ought to have wished her a happy birthday the moment he saw her.
But... there were so many people.
Marty hesitated for a moment and decided to greet Hua once the crowd had dispersed.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Guan Liang heading straight toward a deserted corner.
Puzzled, Marty took a step in Guan Liang's direction.
Then something tugged at his sleeve, stopping him.
Marty looked back. It was his student.
She clutched his sleeve tightly and said timidly, "Professor..."
Marty understood.
The Laboratory's staff came from very simple backgrounds. Most were Xianzhou locals, while a small number came from obscure planets, had attended schools built with Xianzhou aid, and subsequently distinguished themselves through exceptional talent.
His student belonged to the latter group and had never seen anything this grand. She had only been allowed to accompany Marty to the Luofu after several rounds of screening confirmed there were no issues with her identity.
Marty patted his student's shoulder and encouraged her.
"Relax. It's easy..."
He trailed off mid-sentence.
He was a man who buried himself in research, too! What advice could he possibly offer about socializing?
Marty could only search his memories and repeat the Marshal's words.
"Why not try a different expression? That way, people won't be able to tell what you're thinking."
His student looked miserable. "What expression? A blank one?"
Marty shook his head. "Try smiling. As long as you smile, people will have a hard time guessing what you really