The feeling of going home was joyful.
Learning that Herta was researching his oddities made him uneasy.
When Asta said that Ms. Herta might return to Herta Space Station soon, Bai Luan was afraid.
To comfort himself by thinking Herta wouldn't return for a long time was self-deception.
The next day, when he learned from Asta that Herta was on her way back, Bai Luan was devastated.
I don't understand.
Herta hadn't returned to Herta Space Station for half a year, but as soon as I came back, before I even had half a day to relax, Herta was already coming back.
Bai Luan was a bit depressed and even more puzzled.
Could he really be that unlucky, that as soon as he stepped into Herta Space Station, the thought of coming back to take a look suddenly popped into Herta's mind?
This is too ridiculous…
"Didn't you say that Ms. Herta lost interest in Herta Space Station? Has Ms. Herta not returned for half a year?"
"Station Master, actually, I feel… this has something to do with you."
"How could I be that important? For Ms. Herta, I'm just very 'useful' that's all."
Ah…
So that's how the Station Master views his relationship with Ms. Herta…
No wonder he reacted that way yesterday when he heard Ms. Herta wasn't around…
The Station Master really is…
Asta looked at Bai Luan, revealing a smile that, to Bai Luan, was of unclear meaning but exceptionally bright.
"Asta, what are you laughing at?"
"Nothing, Station Master, I just thought of something happy."
"What is it? Tell me so I can be happy too."
"I won't tell."
…
Bai Luan, with a hint of resentment, looked at Asta, who had piqued his curiosity but wouldn't say more.
Asta responded to Bai Luan with an even brighter smile, almost as if little stars were sparkling around her.
It seemed she wasn't going to tell him.
Fine, don't tell.
Bai Luan thought for a long time about how to fully enjoy the peace before Herta's arrival.
After much deliberation, nothing satisfied him. In the end, Bai Luan chose the simplest way to pass the time: he found a lounge chair and lay down on it.
Simple indulgence, ultimate enjoyment.
Looking at the starry sky outside the cabin, Bai Luan's eyes gradually unfocused and became clear.
He usually thought too much, but now he finally had time to clear his mind.
He didn't know how much time had passed.
Goo~ Goo~ Goo~
A UFO with a special tune flew by in the air, and after seeing Bai Luan, it slowly flew over.
"Goo didn't come out for a walk, goo didn't even realize you were back, goo."
However, Bai Luan, still in a state of mental blankness, did not respond to the Inspiration Shroom.
He was now completely immersed in his own world, oblivious to everything around him.
Seeing Bai Luan unresponsive, the Inspiration Shroom began to select from its library of strange sound effects.
Hmm, this is the one, goo.
The UFO base of the Inspiration Shroom gently nudged Bai Luan, and then a secret message came from the Inspiration Shroom's voice:
"Wai Bi Ba Goo?"
Almost subconsciously, Bai Luan spoke:
"Wah wah oh!"
"Ding Dong Ji Ding Dong Ji Goo!"
"Big Dog Big Dog Chew Chew Chew!"
"Mambo Mambo Goo!"
"Mazuri Mambo!"
"Inspiration Guli Guli Wachaa Inspiration Goo!"
"Stop, stop, stop!"
Bai Luan shook his head, shaking those strange noises out of his mind. Who was helping him review his past internet DNA chain here?
"Are you awake, goo?"
Bai Luan's lips curved upward slightly, for no other reason than that the Inspiration Shroom's words reminded him of the famous Tang Monk and his three disciples' meme.
Are you awake? The surgery was successful, you are now a girl.
"It's Inspiration Shroom."
"Goo just called you, but you didn't respond. Goo remembers you told goo that's called 'freezing'.
You taught goo that goo could use that method to 'boot you up', goo."
Looking at the Inspiration Shroom in front of him, Bai Luan's mouth twitched, and he said:
"What have I taught you…"
『So you also know that what you taught are all strange things』
Ignoring the system's jab at him, Bai Luan turned to look at the Inspiration Shroom.
It was still the same as always.
"Looks like you're awake, goo."
"Morning, Inspiration Shroom."
Chizuru flew down from the Inspiration Shroom and landed beside Bai Luan.
"Morning to you too, Chizuru."
"Strictly speaking, it's not morning anymore, goo."
A floating panel appeared in front of the Inspiration Shroom. It glanced at the time and said solemnly:
"It's almost noon, goo."
"Eh, that fast?"
Bai Luan scratched his head, then took out his phone to check the time.
It really was almost noon.
Too bad he couldn't turn back time.
"Inspiration Shroom, this control panel of yours… who added it for you? It's pretty well made."
"The big iron man added it for goo, it's very easy to use, and it won't confuse goo's front and back, goo."
"Looks like Xiu has learned a lot this year too."
Bai Luan stretched, loosening his muscles and bones.
He'd had enough of being a slacker here; it was time to find something light and enjoyable to do.
His pocket watch still wasn't fixed, so he might as well take this opportunity to repair it.
Speaking of which, System, can you provide after-sales service?
He really didn't want to experience being caught in a time-space turbulence a second time.
『I just happened to be away last time』
What if you're away again?
What if your mentor needs you again?
You can't always be looking at me when you're with your mentor, can you?
Can you watch me twenty-four hours a day, every minute, every second?
What if I accidentally croak? It would be troublesome to restart the project, wouldn't it?
…
『I'll write you an insurance, alright?』
That's perfect! That's awesome! My friend!
『6』
With the system's guarantee, Bai Luan could now rest assured and go fix his pocket watch.
Speaking of which, with the system's protection, he didn't have to worry about time-space turbulence at all.
Does that mean that if he encounters someone he can't defeat in the future, he can first use the pocket watch to stop time, then throw the pocket watch out, shoot it, and send the enemy into the time-space turbulence?
The enemy, due to time stop, wouldn't be able to resist at all.
Hmm… it seems unresolvable.
It's just that the cost is a bit high; he'd lose the pocket watch every time, and might not even be able to recover the wreckage.
Unless absolutely necessary, it's better not to use this move.
Seven seconds of time stop can solve most problems.
Bai Luan's phone vibrated twice.
Herta: I'm bringing a guest to Herta Space Station.
Herta: Prepare yourself.
Bai Luan: Approximately how long?
Herta: I just picked her up, a few system hours.
Bai Luan: Any requirements?
Herta: She likes pastries.
Seeing this message, Bai Luan immediately understood.
Ruan Mei is coming.
It seems repairing the pocket watch will have to be postponed.
Making pastries?
That's pretty good too, more relaxing than repairing a pocket watch.
Perfect, the account responsible for daily life hasn't been updated in a long time; this is a good opportunity to film an episode.
"Inspiration Shroom, you can be my photographer."
"Alright, goo."
Bai Luan walked into the logistics department and borrowed the Herta Space Station's kitchen.
The equipment, of course, was complete, though its size was a bit smaller compared to Ms. Herta's kitchen at home.
Bai Luan glanced at the Herta Space Station's food reserves. Hmm… everything was available.
It was obvious that Asta's money wasn't spent in vain.
With such complete ingredients, some Chinese pastries would be good.
Lotus Puff, Mung Bean Cake, Lotus Seed Cake, Flower-Folded Goose Cake…
Chinese pastries primarily emphasize poetic beauty; they are delicious and also pretty.
Of course, the price of being perfect in color, aroma, and taste is that it's quite mentally and physically demanding.
Take the simplest Mung Bean Cake, for example; just soaking the mung beans takes a lot of time, and then there's stir-frying the bean paste…
The most delicious time for pastries is when they are fresh out of the oven, so he also had to roughly estimate the time.
Not only did he have to make them delicious, but he also had to arrange the production process of each pastry well, utilizing time efficiently.
He would probably be incredibly busy for a while, but…
Bai Luan tied on an apron, the fabric rubbing with a slight sound.
This was quite interesting too.
Time to start cooking.
Prepare the rice flour and wheat flour needed for various pastries, and take out the butter to soften.
While soaking the mung beans for the Mung Bean Cake, he would cut the goose meat needed for the Flower-Folded Goose Cake and season it.
Take out the flour and butter, mix them, and drip in the coloring solution…
Bai Luan's figure darted around the kitchen, the production of each pastry progressing in an orderly manner.
The Inspiration Shroom hovered in the air, aiming its lens at the ingredients, recording the moment they transformed into pastries.
Pink flaky pastry wrapped around yellow lotus seed paste, the pastry cut three times, then deep-fried. When it entered the oil, it was a shy bud; when it came out, it had bloomed brilliantly in the waves of oil.
Layers of flaky pastry unfurled like petals, blossoming into a lifelike lotus flower—this was the Lotus Puff.
The prepared dough sheets were pressed into petal shapes with a mold. Three white sheets and two pink sheets were stacked together, forming a long strip.
Goose meat filling was placed between the dough strips. Starting from the pink sheet, it was carefully rolled up, forming a rose-like shape with pink inside and white outside.
Water was boiled, and it was steamed for ten minutes.
This was the Flower-Folded Goose Cake.
All the pastries were done.
Bai Luan rummaged around and found several pastry boxes with an ancient style.
Each pastry box had three layers, and each layer could hold four or five pastries.
Different pastries were placed on each layer, filling a total of three boxes.
After everything was prepared, Bai Luan breathed a sigh of relief.
It was a shame the refrigerator wasn't here; otherwise, putting them in after they were made would have been foolproof.
Just as Bai Luan waited for a while, his phone vibrated twice.
Herta: We've arrived.
Bai Luan smiled. Perfect timing.
It was when the pastries tasted best.