"Uh... carefully, carefully."
It seemed that the calmness surrounding her made MEI feel at ease.
Tian Shi wanted to laugh at MEI, who was secretly cheering herself on.
This kind of action really didn't look like what the MEI he knew could do.
So, MEI tiptoed cautiously and opened the door.
"This distance..."
As soon as MEI opened the door, she silently looked at her bed.
This was obviously to calculate the distance.
Was she afraid of triggering her own 50-meter forced movement?
Tian Shi saw through MEI's thoughts at a glance, which made him even more interested in what she wanted to do.
Then, after MEI determined the distance, she continued to tiptoe and began touching the handrail to go down the stairs...
This was quite dangerous.
Tian Shi walked silently in front of MEI, making sure he could catch her steadily if she fell.
But at the same time, Tian Shi was also a little confused.
What did MEI want to do in the middle of the night?
Was she secretly studying?
Or was she secretly practicing martial arts?
Tian Shi thought about it, and with MEI's character, he could only think of these two possibilities.
However... MEI snuck into a place that Tian Shi had never considered: the kitchen.
"...?"
Is she... hungry?
Tian Shi was outside the kitchen with a strange expression, and then he saw that the kitchen light was turned on.
It seemed that after successfully reaching the "target location," MEI's courage had also grown.
This kid.
After roughly understanding MEI's purpose, Tian Shi entered the kitchen wordlessly.
Sure enough, the still-very-young MEI was opening the refrigerator in front of her and laboriously shoved her body inside.
Seeing this, Tian Shi sighed and pulled MEI out again.
"Stop looking. These nerd scientists' kitchens are probably cleaner than their butts. That's not an insult, just facts."
"Doctor? Aren't you asleep?"
MEI looked a little surprised.
"Ghosts don't sleep, although I occasionally take a nap."
Tian Shi tapped MEI on the forehead.
A ghost that doesn't possess a body doesn't sleep at all. It's better to have a body for that.
"So, you came out in the middle of the night to eat?"
"Yes."
MEI rubbed her stomach with a flushed face.
"Since when?"
"It started with the training... but I endure it and it passes."
MEI lowered her head as if she had done something wrong.
"It's just that today, the training volume increased, so I was so hungry I couldn't endure it..."
"You couldn't endure it?!"
Tian Shi let out a long sigh.
After all, cooking wasn't his responsibility, so he didn't pay much attention to it (all men who know how to care for children know this), but he didn't expect MEI to be hungry all the time.
"So you just starve yourself? Are you stupid?"
Tian Shi never thought that one day the word "stupid" would be used to describe MEI.
"I don't buy bread at school."
During school hours, Tian Shi was in charge of that silly boy, Kevin.
After all, he felt he didn't have to worry about MEI.
"That's not bad. You know how to buy bread, but why didn't you tell me? What if I let you starve to death?"
"Since you are only responsible for teaching me knowledge, it would be a shame to bother you in this regard, Doctor."
MEI replied softly.
"..."
This reason is unique.
From this perspective, this girl is actually quite susceptible and would really feel embarrassed about something like this.
"No, even though I'm your teacher in name, you can actually treat me like a nanny. If you're hungry or thirsty, just tell me directly."
"How could I find you bothersome? I have to face another fool every day..."
Tian Shi helplessly tapped MEI's little head.
"Let me see what's in your refrigerator. Just so you know, don't get your hopes up."
"Like I said before, scientists' kitchens might be cleaner than their butts."
It's not that Tian Shi had never lived with scientists before, so even if he couldn't generalize, he at least had some reference value.
For example, when Einstein and Tesla were in Laboratory 42, the only "food" they cooked was sandwiches...
"Is that so?"
"It is. Didn't you notice that your nanny comes every day after doing the shopping? What luck that there are also eggs!"
Eggs are a relatively convenient ingredient.
"There's still rice left in the pot... why did you check the refrigerator first? Do you know how to cook?"
"No."
MEI, who had just raised her head, lowered it again, her face red.
"It's just that the refrigerator is closer to me, and it's very likely to have something to eat..."
"You're so hungry you're confused..."
Tian Shi was speechless.
Then he looked around again and successfully found soy sauce, vinegar, oil, salt, and other condiments, and the amount was even quite large.
Why do you scientists, who don't necessarily have time to cook, buy all these things?
Well, Tian Shi had already imagined the story of when two scientists got married, both full of ambition to change their current life of instant meals, but ultimately succumbed to reality.
In short, the current situation made things much easier for him.
"Let me clarify beforehand: I don't have any hidden chef personality, and I can't make luminous dishes or ones that burst clothes. I can only make something that people can eat with the help of a series of modern condiments."
He knew people like Rita and Fu Hua, who were good at cooking, but he himself was completely isolated from it.
"No, it's okay. I'm not picky. Doctor, whatever you make is fine with me."
With these words, Tian Shi began to make egg fried rice for MEI with confidence.
It's simple and fast, and... it's very oily and salty, so it's very filling.
Although feeding the little one such a salty and oily midnight snack might make her gain weight... but if she keeps eating bland food, MEI will probably starve to death tomorrow.
And it's not like MEI doesn't train.
At most, she can lose as much weight as she gains from training.
"Tomorrow..."
Tian Shi suddenly realized that it was already one or two o'clock, and immediately changed his words.
"Go buy a few packs of instant noodles after dinner tonight. Your family's cooking conditions are very poor. How do your parents usually cook?"
The advantage is that it's clean and tidy, most of the kitchen accessories can be found, and they're still new.
The disadvantage is that there's really nothing.
"I see prepared meals as soon as I come back."
Okay, got it.
"Um..."
MEI looked at the pot that was "unused" but was frying rice.
"Doctor, do you think I can learn how to cook?"
"My advice is to reconsider when you're full."
Tian Shi tapped MEI's forehead again.
"Are you full?"
Tian Shi said while cleaning the "criminal traces" in the kitchen.
"Don't worry, there's leftover rice and eggs."
"I'm really full."
MEI blushed and lowered her head.
"Besides, there's no hurry to learn to cook..."
"That's better."
Tian Shi didn't touch much in the kitchen, so after scrubbing the pot, he was done.
What?
You said condiments and eggs.
It's impossible for MEI's parents to remember them.
As for the leftovers, I'm afraid no one would care about the amount of a bowl.
"Then go back to sleep. By the way, tomorrow morning, you can ask your nanny to prepare more meals for you. The reason is... that you're growing."
Growing is a multi-purpose excuse for eating, although only children can use it.
"I see, Doctor, thank you for your advice."
MEI, who was full, finally put her brain back online, although the slight blush on her face didn't disappear.
[MEI compatibility +10%]
[Under your guidance, MEI and Kevin's training is improving step by step.]
[Not long after, MEI's parents finished the academic seminar and returned home, but their return did not affect your teaching and training.]
[However, MEI's talent is more than average, and she has never been able to master the art of boxing, while Kevin and Su have just begun to gain some experience in their respective paths.]
It doesn't matter if she reaches the threshold or not.
Tian Shi doesn't want to raise a Fu Hua No. 2.
It's enough for her to just keep fit.
As for Kevin and Su, those two little troublemakers... they will definitely get hungry, so Tian Shi doesn't need to worry about them.
[In fourth grade, the competition between Kevin and Su finally came to an end: Kevin ended the "battle" by riding on Su's back.]
To be able to turn basketball games and exam competitions into piggyback rides... you two, Kevin and Su, are worthy of it.
You two have similar brains.
[MEI's life remains unchanged. She follows you step by step to study, train, and... have dinner – well, the last one is not the important thing. The important thing is that MEI has mastered the knowledge of mechanical manufacturing very quickly.]
[Kevin compatibility +5%, MEI compatibility +10%]
[In fifth grade, Kevin's progress is more evident. Kevin is more skilled in swordsmanship, while Su's progress has begun to slow down.]
After all, there is a gap in their talents, so Tian Shi was not surprised by this situation.
Although both work equally hard, and Su is even more disciplined, the reality is that with the same effort, others' gains are probably several times yours.
[MEI, on the other hand, has just begun to learn the basics of boxing.]
It's really not easy.
It was probably a pleasant surprise.
Anyway, Tian Shi hadn't expected that from MEI.
[In sixth grade, MEI began to develop a figure that gradually went from immature to youthful. Her height also began to grow.]
"Um... Doctor, my chest has been hurting a bit lately..."
Before training, MEI asked with a slightly red face.
"Is this... normal?"
MEI is a bit of a big girl now.
The so-called development didn't leave MEI out just because she's a nerd.
"It's normal. Just let it happen naturally."
Tian Shi said this was normal.
"Everything will be fine after a while. You haven't studied much biology, have you?"
Girls are at the age of development, isn't that normal? Mobius didn't ask him that question back then.
"I haven't had any contact with it."
MEI hesitated for a moment and then nodded.
"When you have time, you can find some books about development and read them. It's always good to learn more about that aspect."
"About that aspect...?"
"You'll know when you see it for yourself."
Tian Shi coughed slightly.
After all, girls' development includes their chests, among other things.
If he said anything, he would sound like a pervert, even if he was telling the truth, so it would be better for MEI to see it for herself.
"That's how it is... I understand, Doctor."
[MEI compatibility +5%]
[In high school, Kevin and Su also started to grow, and began to show some masculinity, so they also received a lot of love letters from girls. Unfortunately, neither of them was interested in that.]
[The two are now only interested in who is the boss. Although the fight on the surface is over, they still seem to be secretly competing.]
Kevin and Su are no longer properly described as troublemakers, although they are still as mischievous as ever.
[You saw this, but you quite supported this healthy competition, so you chose to be a "double agent" between Kevin and Su, instructing them on how to become the other's older brother. Poor Kevin was, naturally, kept in the dark by you.]
[Kevin compatibility +20%]
On the other hand, MEI's learning and practical application gradually materialized, and she quickly learned knowledge about weapon manufacturing and began to apply it. Of course, this kind of thing must be done in a very covert way.
[Fortunately, MEI's parents need to travel the world from time to time to attend various academic seminars. In addition, MEI has grown, so she has greater autonomy, which allows her practice to develop smoothly.]
[However, since your practice has been insufficient for a long time to do it at home, you have found a "secret base" outside.]
"How is it, Doctor? Is the result this time good?"
In the secret base, MEI put down the soldering gun and the mask in her hand and looked at the air around her with a smile.
Although it's called a secret base, at first glance it looks more like a miniature factory.
Most of the basic equipment for machinery can be found here.
Of course, they weren't free.
Most of them were repaired from scrap, which served as both a reward and a test for MEI.
"There are still flaws, but overall it's pretty good."
Tian Shi looked at the mechanical skeleton in front of him and commented objectively.
"Being able to weld things precisely and firmly is also a skill. MEI, you won't starve to death if you become a welder now."
"Is that all you can say, Doctor?"
MEI showed a happy expression.
"If I really can't be a scientist in the future and I become a welder, then I'll come to get revenge against you, Doctor."
But then, a bright smile appeared on MEI's face.
For her, a single word of "good" from Tian Shi made her very happy.
How could she be happier now with a compliment than when she was a child?
"Shall we move on to the next step now?"
"Of course, let's keep up this momentum, MEI."
"Ohh!"