Full-Time Public Enemy

"No problem."

Then Chen Gu's eyes widened—the cook was actually a Fifth Energy Level master! With professional skill, the cook swiftly prepared a portion of food and handed it to Chen Gu. "Hurry and take this to Master Zhong," the cook urged. "We can't let him go hungry. His temper gets even worse when he's starving…"

Chen Gu took the food and dashed off. This was the first time he had truly experienced the formidable presence of a mentor within the school.

So, after Chen Gu returned to the Far North Hall with the first portion of food, he adopted a demeanor completely different from the proud defiance he'd shown earlier. He stood attentively by his mentor, "thoughtfully" holding a glass of ice water, and leaned in slightly to ask, "Teacher, are you satisfied with today's dishes? Are they to your liking? Is the seasoning right? How is everything cooked?"

What an actor I am, Chen Gu mused. Changing personas on a dime like that.

Bai Shengyuan glanced at his junior brother in surprise. Good lad, very promising, he thought. No wonder Uncle told me you were the only new student this year with any hope of saving me from this mess!

Zhong Yuanbei wasn't particular about his food. In his opinion, as long as it met a professional's normal energy requirements, it was sufficient. Of course, there was a difference between good and bad-tasting food, but he considered it meaningless. The priority was not to delay his research time.

However, Zhong Yuanbei's personality also meant he had a strong desire for control. While Chen Gu's flattery didn't particularly impress him, he was quite satisfied with this display of "obedience" and "compliance."

So, he glanced sideways at this new student and said, "Acceptable."

This was an answer to Chen Gu's questions about the food, and also a subtle assessment of Chen Gu himself.

Bai Shengyuan was so excited that his hands, holding his rice bowl, trembled. A new student, on only his second meeting with the teacher, had received a positive evaluation: "Acceptable!"

What? You say 'acceptable' isn't a positive evaluation? he thought incredulously. For a strict and demanding mentor, any feedback that isn't negative *is* positive! In fact, 'acceptable' is quite high up in the teacher's ranking of positive evaluations! There are others like 'not bad,' 'ordinary,' and 'so-so,' all of which rank below 'acceptable.' Do you know how long it took me to get my first positive comment from him? Three whole months! And that first positive comment was just 'so-so'!

His heart brimming with longing for the outside world, dreams of a bright future, and the desperate hope of escaping this cage, Bai Shengyuan forced a calm tone and said to his teacher, "With Junior Brother here to help you, I can finally graduate with peace of mind."

"Dream on," Zhong Yuanbei said flatly, shattering Bai Shengyuan's hopes. But just as Bai Shengyuan felt himself plummeting into an abyss, Zhong Yuanbei pulled him back at the perfect moment, saying, "If he wants to take over your duties, he must at least become proficient with all the laboratory equipment, thoroughly understand every ongoing project, and instantly know the significance of any data I mention."

"Teacher, you must keep your word!" Bai Shengyuan exclaimed, jumping to his feet.

Zhong Yuanbei, ever efficient, finished the large remaining portion of his rice in one go, calmly wiped his mouth, and said, "Of course, I keep my word."

"Alright! Give me three months, and I will definitely graduate!"

Chen Gu looked at his senior brother, who was brimming with hope and confidence, and sighed inwardly. Senior Brother, you underestimate me. Three months to get familiar? I'm the Brain Domain Hacker! A born top student. If I wanted to, you could graduate tonight. But recently, some sly old fox tricked me into taking the fall for his nephew, and I'm not happy about it. Something I could master in thirty minutes, I now plan to spend three years on, studying much more diligently and deeply. Of course, if that sly old fox is willing to pay a price, my learning schedule is very flexible. The higher the price, the shorter the time! Marry Bai Xianya to me, and I guarantee, Senior Brother, you'll be a graduate of Huai Shan Branch School by tomorrow morning! Scratch that last part; I accidentally let my true thoughts slip out.

Zhong Yuanbei was well aware of his senior disciple's burning desire for freedom. As for which number disciple Bai Shengyuan actually was... that was unimportant.

Zhong Yuanbei waved his hand at Chen Gu. "You go eat as well. I'll give you ten minutes, then come straight back."

"Okay!"