"Is it that cutting-edge technology being researched by major universities?"
Across from Bai Tang, Bai Xiao recalled a news article he had read before.
"Yes, my mentor accepted an invitation from a laboratory."
"This mechanical laboratory was funded by the Holy Sect Group, in collaboration with several key universities investing resources and manpower. The standards are very high, and the treatment is also good, but because it involves cutting-edge technology, participants must sign a confidentiality agreement and cannot disclose details to others..."
Bai Tang looked at Bai Xiao and explained, point by point.
"So now you..." Bai Xiao paused, his hand holding a metal clip.
"I don't need to disclose specifics, the information I told you is public, many of my schoolmates know about it." Bai Tang smiled gently, his expression soft. He reached out with his chopsticks, dipped into the spicy side of the hotpot, grabbed a heap of lamb, and then placed it into Bai Xiao's bowl.
"Brother, here you go, you can eat now."
Bai Xiao hesitated for a moment, then quickly dipped the steaming lamb into sesame oil sauce, and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing eagerly. He realized that his previous feelings were correct, Bai Tang was a good person, as shown in the details. Normally, the relationship between brothers sometimes lacks communication and interaction, but Bai Tang was an exceptionally affectionate younger brother.
The original person had struggled with jobs like delivering food and being a security guard. Paying for rent and meals while still squeezing out living expenses for Bai Tang each month seemed to have its reasons.
In the hotpot, green vegetables and white slices of meat tumbled in the spicy oil, emitting an enticing mixed aroma. The two brothers quickly began to eat, with Bai Tang having a smaller appetite, so much of the food ended up in Bai Xiao's mouth.
19:45, the seat by the right-hand side floor-to-ceiling window at the Old Flavor Hotpot Restaurant.
Bai Tang picked up a lime-flavored soda drink, took a sip, then put it down.
"Brother, I will also be involved in this project with my tutor, and I should be able to earn quite a bit of money each month. So, you don't have to provide for me anymore, I can support myself. Also, brother, you should take care of yourself, don't overwork yourself. Be more careful when riding your bike, and it's best not to always work part-time, that way you'll have more time to rest..."
He spoke sentence by sentence, not so much like a younger brother, but rather like a worrying old mother. Bai Xiao was patient enough to listen to it all.
"And also, brother. Later on, I might not be able to reply to your messages in time. The lab is confidential, I can't bring in my phone, so I'll generally only be free in the evenings, my replies via mobile will be delayed..."
Bai Tang picked up a slice of meat, placing it into his bowl.
"Hmm." Bai Xiao took a sip of his drink, then remembered the call he had with his grandparents before and said, "By the way, Xiao Tang, grandma and grandpa asked me to ask you if you have made a girlfriend at school. I think, you being so handsome, you must have lots of admirers, right?"
Bai Xiao teased, following the customs of how the original person and Bai Tang interacted.
"A girlfriend? No."
"Well, admirers, I guess there are some..."
Bai Tang's face showed a somewhat awkward and bizarre expression.
"It's like, there are both boys and girls, and they even posted on the school's confession wall. It has gotten to the point where now someone is spreading rumors at school that I am abnormal. This led to some girls asking for my contact not to date me, but to become 'sisters' with me...uh..."
Bai Xiao across the table fell silent, sizing up his younger brother.
He had a youthful charm but not any softness or femininity, completely unrelated to being effeminate. So, Bai Xiao thought for a moment, then said.
"Maybe someone did it on purpose."
"Because they see you're popular with the girls, so they smear you?"
"After all, handsome people always attract jealousy, and it comes with many annoyances..."
He rested his elbow on the edge of the table, his forearm robust and veiny.
"If you have any troubles at school, tell me, I'll help you."
As one of the few relatives of the original person.
Bai Xiao was somewhat concerned, since Bai Tang was a decent person.
"In school, it's all young, impulsive students, conflicts and clashes are quite normal. Even if I encounter some aggressive people, I can discuss calmly with them, clarifying the reasons often solves the problems..."
Bai Tang spoke with a bit of pride about his way of dealing with people.
His popularity among his class was quite impressive.
In the entire school, he hadn't made any enemies.
Of course.
If there was indeed an irreconcilable conflict, it would likely be with a fellow disciple under the same mentor, Feng Yu. Bai Tang's mentor, who was involved in a confidential project, was only allowed to bring two students. The disciple who had followed the mentor the longest, adept and insightful Pei Ying, and the highly gifted Bai Tang were chosen by the mentor, leaving out senior disciple Feng Yu from the project.
It was a classic scenario, Feng Yu felt that Bai Tang had stolen his spot.
So, recently, the two had almost broken off their friendship.
"It's best if you can handle it yourself."
"But if there's something you can't solve, remember you still have a brother…"
Bai Xiao exchanged a deep glance with Bai Tang.
Bai Tang quickly nodded and reached out with his chopsticks to pick up some food.
However, outside the full-length windows of the Old Flavor Hotpot Restaurant, a familiar figure was sneaking around, appearing to be peeping. When Bai Tang turned his head, he saw their class's study monitor, a girl with a ponytail and glasses thick as beer bottle caps, sporting a mischievous smile.
Her hands were busy on her phone, sending who knows what.
Perhaps sensing Bai Tang's gaze, the study monitor suddenly looked up, startled. She then awkwardly smiled and hurried away.
"It's done…"
Bai Tang had a speechless expression.
"What happened?"
Bai Xiao asked, suddenly consuming a few pieces of lamb.
"It's nothing, brother. Keep eating, I'm going to the restroom."
Bai Tang stood up and walked to the corridor on the other side of the hotpot restaurant.
While walking, he took out his phone.
He opened YY and found the study monitor's chat window.
"Study monitor, I just saw you…"
"I'm just dining out with my brother today, don't think too much."
The next second, the screen flashed.
Study monitor: I understand, I get it all... AuntySmile.jpg
Bai Tang: What do you understand?!
At that moment.
Bai Tang felt once again the damage rumors could inflict on a person.
Half a minute later.
He really reached the restroom, as he had drunk a bit too much beverage.
After taking care of business, Bai Tang pulled out his phone and saw on the YY interface the chat with his senior disciples, especially senior disciple Feng Yu. Though he had been deleted, due to their recent interactions, Feng Yu's chat was still near the top of his message list. Bai Tang stared silently for a moment.
"Sorry, senior brother…"
"The mentor chose me; I couldn't just hand over this opportunity to you. After all, that mechanical lab contains such devices…"