CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 46: WHY IS IT YOU AGAIN

As Lin Guang waited for the elevator to come down, he took out his phone to check a message from Instructor Yu that he hadn’t read yet.

[I noticed your partner looks really hungry, so I took her to the cafeteria. The data isn’t fully collected yet, but I’ll bring her back to the battleground once she’s done eating.]

Coincidentally, just as Lin Guang returned to the first floor with a box containing the Potential Potion from the third-floor laboratory, he ran into Miaomiao, who was hopping down the stairs.

"Hey!"

Seeing Lin Guang looking a bit tired, Miaomiao widened her eyes and waved her little hand. She quickly made her way to his side, "What a coincidence! Want to have lunch together?"

Lin Guang felt a bit uneasy about such boundary-less behavior, but upon reflection, since they had been neighbors growing up, there really wasn’t much of a boundary. In fact, he felt somewhat trapped by not remembering much and not knowing how to handle it.

He paused for a few seconds, sighed lightly, and finally didn’t refuse: "If you’re not worried about any rumors spreading around school."

"Rumors stop at wise people. It’s just a meal; why care about other people’s gazes?"

Miaomiao laughed with a "giggle," pulling Lin Guang’s right arm as they headed out to the research center’s cafeteria, "Let’s go, let’s go, or the dishes won’t be fresh."

Along the way, some faculty members watched Lin Guang being dragged along by Miaomiao, looking quite surprised.

A young woman in a lab coat, seemingly familiar with Miaomiao, gave them a thumbs-up and teased, "Miaomiao, found yourself a boyfriend finally? Handsome and suits you well."

Miaomiao rolled her eyes lightly, "Sister, stop imagining things; we’ve just known each other since we were kids."

"Rounding up, that’s still a boyfriend."

"I’ll poke you with Qiuqiu!"

"Oh no, I’m scared." The woman in the white coat put on an exaggerated scared expression, then looked at Lin Guang again, examining him closely, and nodded, "This student indeed has an extraordinary appearance. No wonder Miaomiao took a liking to you."

You do have good eyes.

Lin Guang could only adjust his glasses and give an awkward yet polite smile, "You misunderstand."

"Haha, who knows what the future holds. Our Miaomiao isn’t bad either; don’t let her down."

Leaving such words behind, the woman in the white coat turned and left.

The two of them remained composed, both being the type not to get awkward over such teasing.

Yet, Lin Guang found it curious: within just one semester, how did Miaomiao get to know so many people at the research center?

Seemingly noticing his confusion, Miaomiao explained, "I already knew Dr. Kaiwen from before. I would come here on weekends to learn from her and help her handle some data and stuff."

This explanation only deepened Lin Guang’s curiosity—how had Miaomiao connected with Dr. Kaiwen?

After all, the latter was possibly an advanced Spirit Beast researcher—no one knew how much wealth her patents and research achievements brought her each year, nor how many projects she led. Even if she wasn’t at this school, there would be plenty of places eager to have her. It’s unlikely she would randomly take interest in an ordinary student like this.

However, Lin Guang decided not to pursue it further.

The cafeteria at the integrated research center, like the student cafeteria, was divided into two areas for spirit beast shapes and humans, just on a smaller scale, as there were only a few hundred regular staff here.

The cafeteria was bustling with people, and just by standing together, Lin Guang and Miaomiao attracted plenty of attention.

This scene reminded Lin Guang of what happened two days ago when he first brought Vishdair into the cafeteria.

"Holy... Lin Guang?!"

Yes, yes, back then it was that rascal Wang Dawei...

Hmm?

Lin Guang sharply turned his head, and upon seeing Wang Dawei’s jaw almost dropping to the ground, he narrowed his eyes, giving a dangerous look—you shouldn’t be called Intel Wang Dawei; you should really change your name to "Right Place, Right Time Dawei."

Somehow, you always manage to catch everything.

Joking aside, when Lin Guang saw the slightly listless White Phoenix Parrot on Wang Dawei’s shoulder, he understood why Wang Dawei was here and why he looked so worried this morning.

[Species]: White Phoenix Parrot (Big Bird)

[Status]: Indigestion (Negative) (Under Treatment)

"Lin Guang, you..."

Wang Dawei wanted to say something, but seeing Lin Guang’s eyes narrow and his left hand draw a line across his throat, his voice trembled and he fell silent.

There was a deep understanding between the two, and Wang Dawei immediately knew to shut up.

But for the first time, his chatty face showed an indescribable complex expression, as if in disbelief, mixed with some envy and jealousy, culminating in a sigh, silently giving him a thumbs-up, turning with his tray in hand and leaving. His silhouette exuded a hint of loneliness.

"Your friend?" Miaomiao quipped with a smile, seemingly unconcerned by any misunderstandings, "He seems interesting."

"Don’t mind him." Lin Guang shook his head, "He won’t spread it, or else..."

He’s doomed.

"It’s fine; even if it spreads, I don’t mind."

Miaomiao, pulling Lin Guang to the counter, recommended the chef’s specialties—the Di San Xian and spicy chicken (extra mild version). The cafeteria lady, who glanced at Miaomiao standing beside Lin Guang, suddenly overcame her long-term shaking hands and served him a heaping plate, almost more than he could handle.

"So, how is it? Isn’t Chef Liu’s cooking great?"

Faced with Miaomiao’s cheerful inquiry, Lin Guang looked at his plate and silently gave a thumbs-up.

Seriously, you’re so noticeable at school; why didn’t I recognize you before?

"Got any plans after this?"

"Not until Vishdair returns."

"Vish...dair, so that’s her name." Miaomiao nodded, continuing, "I haven’t finished my work from this morning. Want to check out my research lab? Interested?"

"Your research lab? Your own?"

"Dr. Kaiwen lent it to me."

Lin Guang was a bit surprised, but said nothing more, nodding, "As long as it doesn’t interfere with your tasks."

After finishing their meal, they returned to the third floor of the research center, stopping at the door to a particular room. It was adorned with colorful stickers of various plants.

The lab’s setup was similar to the previous one, but "greener", with peculiar plants placed everywhere, and even a white ordinary-level coffee milk tree growing in the corner.

As soon as they entered, Lin Guang felt something as if a layer covered his body, a faint glow enveloping both him and Miaomiao.