Looking at the simple, almost austere meal on the table, Leon couldn't help but ask, "Professor Tang, is this really our lunch for today?"
Sienna Tang shot him a glance and said, "Considering it's your first day, I personally prepared this."
The underlying message was clear: shouldn't they be praising her culinary skills?
But looking at the mix of dishes emitting an odd sour smell, the best compliment Leon could muster was, "Well, at least it's cooked…"
Stella Ling and Leon exchanged glances, each urging the other: "You eat first, you eat first…"
"Hurry up and eat, there's still a lot of work to do. Time is precious," Sienna Tang urged impatiently.
With a mutual understanding, Leon and Stella each picked up their bowls. The tough tofu with a scattering of greens and bits of meat looked less appealing than the food in the cafeteria.
Taking a bite, Leon instantly felt a surge of discomfort. Both he and Stella turned pale and rushed to the bathroom.
"Kids these days can't handle anything," Sienna Tang shook her head, taking a bite of the tofu. "Hmm, it's not bad. My cooking skills have improved."
"Professor Tang, did you really make this?" Stella asked in a complaining tone.
"Is it not good?"
"It's inedible," Leon still felt the lingering salty bitterness in his mouth. Seeing Sienna eat it without flinching, he gave her a thumbs-up. "Professor Tang, you're my idol."
"You can't handle this?" Sienna scoffed. "You should try eating sand with your food in the desert. You'd appreciate this then."
Leon and Stella were stunned. They never imagined that their elegant professor had such a harsh past. No wonder she could eat this so comfortably.
They immediately felt a newfound respect for her.
"You two need more training. To research a project, you can't be picky," Sienna lectured.
"But Professor Tang, this isn't archaeology or fieldwork. We're in the city. You shouldn't eat like this," Stella protested, still feeling her tongue tingle.
"The cafeteria is closed now. If you want to work on an empty stomach, be my guest," Sienna replied nonchalantly.
"Professor Tang, Stella is right. It's our first day; we don't need to be this frugal," Leon sighed.
"Sorry to disappoint you, but my cooking skills are limited. Stella, why don't you cook?" Sienna suggested.
"I can't cook," Stella admitted, embarrassed.
Seeing the two women, Leon felt helpless. "Fine, I'll do it."
"You?" Sienna and Stella gave him a skeptical look, as if a man cooking was the most outrageous thing.
Leon didn't say much, heading to the kitchen and opening the fridge. Finding plenty of ingredients, he quickly selected a few and started cooking. From washing and cutting vegetables to cooking and seasoning, his movements were fluid and practiced. Soon, the aroma of delicious food filled the air, even catching Sienna's attention.
Stella watched Leon cook, impressed by his skill. "You're really good at this. I wouldn't have guessed."
Leon responded while managing the heat, "If your family once ran a restaurant and you had to help out in the kitchen, you'd get this good too."
That explained it, Stella thought.
In about ten minutes, a fragrant dish of stir-fried beef and a countryside-style pork rib soup were served.
Stella admired the presentation, "Leon, this is amazing. You really are the ideal man. No wonder Lily picked you."
"Yeah, my family has a sister like you who can't cook, so I had no choice," Leon rolled his eyes. He didn't take the compliment too seriously.
"A good brother too!" Stella laughed.
Sienna nodded, satisfied after tasting the food. "Not bad. I should consider making you my chef, Leon."
"Let's eat."
It's often said that good food brings lively conversations, and important occasions are often accompanied by elaborate meals to set the mood. If the table was filled with hard tofu and sour dishes, who'd feel like chatting?
A dining table is the best place to open up, as proven by Sienna. With a good appetite, she shared some of her untold field experiences, leaving Leon and Stella wide-eyed.
During the meal, Stella asked about Leon becoming Sienna's assistant. She mentioned how Sienna's requirements were extremely high, demanding knowledge of ancient texts, various sciences, and unsolved mysteries. Stella thought Sienna's ideal assistant was either an alien or a Super Saiyan level 3.
Finding out that Leon was the "Super Saiyan level 3" assistant surprised Stella, drastically changing her opinion of him. Sienna hadn't mentioned that Leon's knowledge wasn't entry-level but expert-level, or Stella might have called him a "Super Saiyan level 5."
"Compared to Leon, some people really don't measure up," Sienna teased while wiping her lips.
"Professor, I worked really hard to get you that sponsorship," Stella protested.
"Stella didn't pass any exams?" Leon asked curiously.
"She used her connections," Sienna said.
"Don't underestimate me. The funding, materials, and information for Professor Tang's research were all secured by me convincing my father," Stella said proudly.
Leon was still puzzled.
Sienna explained, "Stella's grandfather is a general who contributed to major national projects. Her father is a chief engineer at a national research institute. Her sponsorship is state funding under the university's name. Some projects require central approval, which is a hassle."
Leon realized Stella's prominent background and how her lively demeanor made him forget she was in the front row during Sienna's lecture.
"Didn't expect the country to value Professor Tang's 'Mystery Space Project' so much."
"An unrecognized theory can't be valued," Sienna said with a soft smile.
Stella added, "Yes, if there's no significant progress soon, my father said Professor Tang's research might be terminated."
It would be a shame if that happened, but it was understandable. Sienna's theory was too advanced, and even if it were true, no country would want to pursue it, fearing it might threaten humanity's existence.
"You two are just driven by youthful curiosity. You'll grow tired of it eventually," Sienna said.
Leon smiled. He wasn't just curious. Though he didn't want to prove anything or shake the scientific world, he had personal reasons for wanting to explore further. Seeing Lina again would be a bonus.
"But why is Professor Tang so convinced of the upper realm's existence?" Leon asked.
Sienna was about to answer when the doorbell rang.
"Finish your meal and get back to work. I've arranged for you both to have time off from school," she said, getting up to open the door.
Seeing the visitor, Sienna froze.