For a while, Doctor Xiao wondered if he had the face of a villain.
Isn't this an injustice?
He only wanted to remind the general about the instability of his situation and how heartbreaking it would be if those spiritual plants were destroyed due to his outburst.
If he jumps into the yellow river, can the stain of misunderstanding still be removed?
Injured mimics are so damn sensitive.
Doctor Xiao was tired. It's time to retire and change careers.
After planning of selling himself, the golden butterfly clung to the cluster of tiny purple blossoms, fluttering his wings, and buried himself in the refreshing fragrance.
Since getting severely injured, he has never been fully awake, nor can he truly sleep. He felt every sound and every breath, and the flashing images in his head were like lingering ghosts.
His consciousness flung back and forth into a tortuous nightmare.
As if to catch up on all the sleep that he had lost, Liele let himself fall under the influence of the refreshing fragrance and entered an unprecedented state of tranquility.
Without caring about being in an unfamiliar place, he slept for a long time.
The following day, as he expected, Doctor Xiao was given a contract with an overlord clause. Seeing the terms and conditions doing a couple of somersaults on the bottom line of the law, his eyes kept twitching.
Sadly, the situation was stronger than the person, and he was even forced to write his resignation letter on the spot.
However, the sense of injustice he hid in his heart had a crack after sitting on the breakfast table.
"Is this for breakfast? Spiritual plants?"
Hua Lian introduced in an understatement, "Stir fried vegetables and cold salad."
Mainly, she remembered that turtles chew on grass and raw vegetables, so a cold salad was added.
But to confidently call it a salad would need its literal definition to defend it. Hua Lian just tossed in anything she found with green leaves and something crunchy based on her judgment. It does not even have a dressing.
As for how far natural instincts can influence the living habits of an adult mimetic, Hua Lian lacked understanding.
Anyway, leaves must be on the menu of the majority!
Doctor Xiao was in a trance. "The meals included, are they all made with spiritual plants?"
"Temporarily, yes. As for later, it depends on the production of the work. The variety is also limited so don't expect a grand list of menu."
Doctor Xiao took a deep breath.
As natives of the interstellar era, they commonly eat two meals a day, one in the morning to fuel up for the start of the day and another in the middle of the afternoon, just to replenish the energy required to function.
These so-called meals are either nutrient pastes or nutrient bars.
"You–... I appreciate the generosity, but these spiritual plants are very precious; each of them has a high medicinal effect and purer spiritual power. Eating them like this is a waste—"
"Either shut up and eat or come work with me!" Eggy interrupted the long winded creature.
Doctor Xiao picked up the chopsticks and concentrated on eating, showing Eggy by practical actions that he won't talk anymore.
He clumsily held the pair of sticks, not very used to them.
Although the cold salad was plain in Hua Lian's opinion, for Doctor Xiao, it was enough to be fresh and crunchy. No, just eating a spiritual plant was extravagant enough.
He has a decent income but he only encountered spiritual plants used for medications. As for low energy spiritual plants, they are only circulated in the upper class and monopolies by specific businesses.
For the first time, he experienced the joy of using the essential functions of his teeth.
With every bite, he tears into the raw leaves using his incisors. His premolars crush it, producing a crisp sound, and his molars grind it into smaller pieces, and he swallows with a sound full of desire.
He suddenly remembered the old researchers who insisted on the production of nutrient bars for civilians instead of nutrient solutions that soldiers carry.
They feared that if the need to chew and tear were lost, the corresponding gene would be discarded in the process of evolution, making all their teeth fall out.
Such degenerate outcome were deemed extreme, and they were called paranoid, unable to shred their fear from the Era of the Great Evolution. It was also known that alienation goes on the opposite extreme, producing countless eyes enough to cause someone trypophobia or rows of jagged teeth.
These old antiques were too hold up in the research institute and had to be kicked out to see sights other than the shining balding of each other's heads.
Still, at this moment, Doctor Xiao offered sincere admiration.
These historical figures are far-sighted!
Thankfully, thankfully, all of his teeth are still intact!
Hua Lian's breakfast was accompanied with Doctor Xiao's live eating. The constant crunchy sound served as the audio noise and confirmed to her that the guy was chewing that way on purpose.
It made her question if making sounds on the dining table was proper social etiquette. She observed the person sitting in front of her with more scrutiny in her gaze.
Two persons can initiate a social interaction. An interaction must have communications and communications is a two way response. Communication and response, either talking or making a sound?
Eating together is a social interaction. No. No. As long as there are two people, it is a social interaction. This was regardless of place, time, or activity.
So, should she also make a sound as a response or not?
Hua Lian was worried how to get along with her new contract worker throughout the morning while Eggy resolutely grabbed him to serve these precious spiritual vegetables.
For the following days and for the future that is yet to come, let him experience what kind of little ancestors these sensitive plants are.
He will have a very very long time slaving on the soil.
Eggy was prepared to demonstrate the proficient use of sticks and carrots alternately.
…..
When Liele woke up, the sunlight shone on the windowsill, bathing him in warmth and illuminating the fascinating scenery. He stared in a daze at the picturesque view outside the window, ignoring the man toiling on the soil.
Although the greenery outside was tempting, he does not envy the hard work needed to get a closer touch. In comparison, his vibrant, flowery bed, which was occupied without effort, was more to his taste.
Liele refrained from moving and almost got mistaken for an ornament. If not for the ripples of spiritual aura, this worn out ornament had long been thrown as trash by the cleaning drone.
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A bunch of advertisements played in the background, eventually distracting Liele from his daydreaming. He even accurately heard a cringy advertisement jingle.
The perception insulator of this house was nonexistent in the face of his 3s rank spiritual power.
Hua Lian was absorbed in picking up knowledge when a golden butterfly landed on the tip of her nose. Flapping his broken wings, the golden butterfly domineeringly blocked her view.
"Hey Buddy, good afternoon!"
Liele head throbs at the repeating slogan and brainwashing playing on the holographic device. With this additional shout of 'buddy', he felt his ear ringing.
"Did you like your bed? Did you sleep well?" Hua Lian's interest in her little working buddy has not diminished. "Lavender, the king of spices, can relieve anxiety and have a strong sleep promoting effect. As a member of the mint family, they're one of the pollinators' favorites! Not only does the flower head offer good seats, but the cluster of tiny flowers also provides maximum nectar access."
Liele, "..."
This tiny lady, you know more than me, the actual butterfly mimic here.