"What's wrong, Megumi? You haven't become distant from me just because we haven't seen each other in a while, have you?" Liu Ming asked curiously, seeing Tadokoro Megumi's hesitant expression.
"Of course not! How could I become distant from Master?" Tadokoro Megumi quickly explained.
She thought for a moment and still couldn't help but ask, "I'm just a little curious, Master, why would you agree to such a troublesome thing? It doesn't seem like your style."
"Hehe, Megumi really understands me," Liu Ming smiled, then looked at Tadokoro Megumi gently.
"Haven't we not seen each other for a while? I was a little worried about you, so I took this opportunity to come and see how you're doing."
"Master!" Tadokoro Megumi looked at Liu Ming, moved, her eyes a little red.
"Wuwu~ I'm so touched!" The emotional Yoshino Yuuki couldn't hold back any longer and hugged Sakaki Ryoko.
Sakaki Ryoko, meanwhile, felt fortunate for Tadokoro Megumi, who had found such a caring Master.
Liu Ming scratched his head, looking at the moved expressions of the Polar Star Dormitory members, wondering if he had exaggerated a bit.
Mito Ikumi finally walked over. Due to Tadokoro Megumi, the Polar Star Dormitory members were not unfamiliar with her.
"Hello, I'm Mito Ikumi, a member of Megumi's research society," Mito Ikumi said nervously, looking at Liu Ming.
Liu Ming gave her a strange look. Although he knew who she was, they seemed to have no connection, but he still politely nodded and said, "Hello."
Tadokoro Megumi seemed to notice Liu Ming's confusion. She explained, "Ikumi and I had a Food War. I won in the end, and then she joined my Chinese Cuisine Society."
Mito Ikumi nodded awkwardly on the side. After all, it was her embarrassing past, and she couldn't refute it.
Liu Ming nodded, but then quickly paused. He looked at Tadokoro Megumi and asked, "Your Chinese Cuisine Society? I remember it belonged to Kuga Terunori, didn't it?"
"Are you an Elite Ten member now? No, if you were an Elite Ten member, you wouldn't possibly not tell me about such a big thing."
But this made Liu Ming even more confused.
He hadn't been separated from Tadokoro Megumi for long, had he? How did so many things happen?
Tadokoro Megumi scratched her head sheepishly and slowly explained, "Senior Kuga's Chinese Cuisine Society isn't really a true Chinese Cuisine Society at all."
"After all, I'm your disciple, so how could I allow him to insult Chinese Cuisine like that? So I had an unofficial Food War with him."
"I defeated him with a dish of Mystical Mapo Tofu and became the captain of the Chinese Cuisine Society."
"Senior Kuga seems to be very interested in Mystical Mapo Tofu. He even stayed on as vice-captain and pestered me every day."
"You've put in a lot of effort," Liu Ming said gently.
"It's all what I should do," Tadokoro Megumi said as a matter of course. She genuinely didn't feel she had done anything major.
Through Tadokoro Megumi's narration, Liu Ming also learned about what had happened during this time.
Mito Ikumi, instructed by Erina, wanted to test Tadokoro Megumi, but not only did she lose, she also lost a subordinate.
Then Tadokoro Megumi wanted to have a Food War with Kuga Terunori, with an Elite Ten seat as the stake, using Mystical Mapo Tofu.
Unfortunately, Kuga Terunori didn't fall for it. His explanation was, "Knowing I can't beat you, and still having a Food War with you? Do you think I'm stupid?"
And the other Elite Ten members were the same. After hearing that Kuga Terunori had lost to Tadokoro Megumi, they all refused to accept Tadokoro Megumi's Food War challenges.
This was not only because they were wary of Tadokoro Megumi's strength, but more so because Tadokoro Megumi didn't have a corresponding stake.
"Master, Megumi has disappointed you," Tadokoro Megumi's expression suddenly became downcast.
"Silly girl, more than Elite Ten, I hope you can enjoy a pleasant school life. Besides, you're only a first-year now. You have plenty of time; Master isn't in a hurry."
Liu Ming chuckled as he patted Tadokoro Megumi's head, comforting her with a gentle tone.
"Mm." Tadokoro Megumi softly assented.
"Sigh, I don't know why, but I suddenly envy Megumi," Yoshino Yuuki's tone became a bit sour.
"Hehe." Sakaki Ryoko playfully slapped her.
Even so, you shouldn't say it out loud.
"Please help me take care of Megumi in the future," Liu Ming suddenly looked at Mito Ikumi.
"How could that be? Megumi is much more capable than me. If anything, she'll be taking care of me." Mito Ikumi quickly waved her hands. She had, after all, lost to Tadokoro Megumi in a Food War.
"Hehe, after spending time with her, you should understand her personality a bit. Megumi's cooking skills certainly don't need worrying about, but in other aspects, I'll need your help to look after her. Of course, as compensation, during these few days of training, if you have any questions, you can ask me."
"Really?" Mito Ikumi immediately became excited.
"Mm." Liu Ming nodded, indicating that she hadn't misheard.
"Wow, Mr. Liu, you're too biased! We met first!" Yoshino Yuuki immediately jumped out, ran in front of Liu Ming, and stared at him with wide eyes.
Liu Ming rolled his eyes at her, extended a finger, and flicked her forehead.
"Ow, that hurts!" Yoshino Yuuki immediately squatted down, clutching her forehead.
Liu Ming looked at everyone, then said, "The same goes for you, members of Polar Star Dormitory. If you have any questions, you can all ask me. Consider it my thanks for your continued care and concern for Megumi."
Anyway, it was just giving some pointers; he could do it by just talking, it wouldn't be too much trouble.
"Thank you, Mr. Liu."
The Polar Star Dormitory members immediately became excited, one by one thanking Liu Ming.
At this moment, Hojo Miyoko also walked over.
"Miyoko, long time no see," Liu Ming greeted softly.
"Mm." Hojo Miyoko responded, but didn't know what to say.
The incident from last time was still vivid in her mind. She had sincerely sought Liu Ming as a master, but was mercilessly rejected.
Seeing Liu Ming again this time, she felt a bit awkward.
"Master, Miyoko is also a member of the Chinese Cuisine Society!" Tadokoro Megumi had also heard about what happened last time, but she didn't mind at all.
Liu Ming's cooking skills were so amazing; there must be many people who wanted to become his disciples. Anyway, she was already Liu Ming's disciple, and even if Liu Ming took on more disciples, it wouldn't change that fact.
"I didn't expect your research society to be so full of talent. In that case, Miyoko, if you have any questions, you can also ask me." Liu Ming didn't mind guiding Miyoko. He considered it helping Tadokoro Megumi improve the strength of her subordinates, after all, there were ten Elite Ten positions.
"Thank you, truly, thank you very much!" Hojo Miyoko hadn't expected to finally have this day. Although she wasn't Liu Ming's disciple yet, being able to receive his guidance already made her very happy.
On the stage, Gin Dojima looked at Liu Ming's side with a helpless expression. He was speaking up there; couldn't Liu Ming give him some face?
He must be retaliating.
He must be retaliating for what happened last night.