Bai Luan led them from the platform back to the familiar office area.
The moment Lars returned to his exclusive little den for slacking off, although he restrained himself because Bai Luan was present, he still couldn't hide his excitement—he had missed this chair, this workstation, and that gossip group full of laughter and slacking off.
Olivia's reaction was far less exaggerated than Lars's.
She simply returned quietly to her workstation and sat back down in her chair.
She then closed her eyes, felt the familiar environment, took a deep breath, and enjoyed the sense of calm that welled up inside her.
As for Jarvis, it didn't care much.
Following Lars and Olivia, everywhere was its home; there wasn't much difference.
Of course, it would be even better if there were a dedicated power port. Although it could use other built-in charging methods, they were all too slow.
Bai Luan felt very pleased watching them seamlessly switch back into the role of Space Station Staff Members the moment they returned to the familiar place.
Afterward, he began seriously considering what reward he should give Lars.
Clearly, Lars considered the answer to the question "Does he count as one of the Old Novices?" as compensation for the business trip, but Bai Luan didn't see it that way—how could a mere answer be considered a reward?
It made it sound as if he wouldn't answer if Lars usually asked.
If others saw this, they would think he couldn't afford a proper reward.
Therefore, what Lars said didn't count; Bai Luan decided to prepare a separate reward.
Although he really wanted them to decide what they wanted, seeing the identical confused expressions on Lars and Olivia's faces, it was clear that he would have to make the decision.
Hmm... fine, who told him he was the Station Master?
Bai Luan rubbed his chin, pondered for a moment, and suddenly had an idea:
"To celebrate, I'll cook you a feast."
This reward was just right—it wasn't so valuable as to make them uneasy, nor was it cheap, making it easy to accept without any psychological burden.
"Great! That's wonderful, Station Master!"
Lars nodded repeatedly.
"Tell me directly if there's anything you want to eat."
Hearing this, Lars looked at Olivia, and the two immediately huddled together to engage in a fierce discussion about the dinner menu.
Just as their argument was heating up, Jarvis quietly flew closer with a sneaky aura, printing out a detailed menu for Bai Luan.
"Mr. Bai Luan, please prepare according to this menu."
Jarvis deliberately lowered its volume.
"You don't have to wait for them to finish discussing; that will take a long time."
To emphasize, it added:
"A really long time."
Bai Luan couldn't help but smile, waving the menu, and lowered his voice to cooperate with Jarvis:
"Are you sure this menu will satisfy them?"
"Of course. After all, their daily dinners are usually decided by me."
"That's good. But why are you being so sneaky?"
"Because whenever Mr. Lars and Miss Olivia argue about what to eat for dinner, I find it especially amusing.
If they found out I gave you the menu directly, this amusing argument would end."
Good heavens!
Jarvis, did you catch the Mask?
Never mind, that's not important.
"If you secretly give me the menu like this, what happens when they find out?"
"They will forgive me."
Jarvis's tone was full of confidence.
"After all, this isn't the first time I've done this."
Bai Luan looked at Jarvis and could almost imagine the scene of Lars and Olivia discussing dinner back at the University:
"What should we eat tonight?"
"Whatever."
"Hotpot?"
"You have mouth ulcers, did you forget?"
"Oh right, I wasn't thinking... then ramen?"
"We ate that yesterday."
"Barbecue?"
"Too tired, too lazy to go out."
"I feel the same way, actually... So what should we eat?"
"Whatever."
"How are we back at square one?"
Olivia was silent for a moment, then spoke:
"It's up to you."
"What's the difference between saying that and saying 'whatever'?"
Lars first complained, then turned to Jarvis:
"Help us, Jarvis."
"I already ordered takeout for you."
"When was that?"
"When Miss Olivia mentioned your mouth ulcers."
Hmm, his imagination was as rich as ever.
Bai Luan left with the menu and soon returned with a hearty feast.
For the first time, Lars saw food that glowed—not metaphorically, but truly sparkling, as if special effects had been added.
"Station Master, how did you do that?"
"Don't ask. If you must ask, it's magic techniques."
However, upon tasting it, Lars felt a hint of strangeness.
He tasted his mother's flavor in the meal; he was certain it was made using her usual cooking techniques.
How exactly did the Station Master manage this? Did he perhaps specifically go and visit his mother?
Out of curiosity, Lars leaned closer to Olivia and asked:
"Olivia, do you think the Station Master might have specifically consulted my mother just to cook this meal?"
"..."
Olivia was chewing a mouthful of rice and couldn't answer immediately, but her eyes clearly conveyed:
"What nonsense are you talking about? (Chew, chew, chew)"
"No, seriously, this food tastes exactly like my mom made it. Do you think the Station Master invited my mom here?"
Olivia swallowed the food in her mouth and replied:
"Your family's taste is quite similar to mine; both are slightly milder."
"Milder?"
Lars took another bite.
"This isn't mild, is it?"
"Huh?"
Olivia also took a bite.
"This isn't mild?"
The two seriously argued about this matter, continuing even after they finished eating.
Olivia questioned whether Lars's sense of taste was faulty, while Lars argued strongly in his defense.
Until a voice suddenly interjected into the dispute:
"Hey! Hey! Why can't you attribute the difference in taste to your all-powerful Station Master's superb culinary skills?"
The two arguing people turned their heads at the sound and saw Bai Luan, who had appeared without them noticing.
Olivia said in surprise:
"Station Master? Why are you here?"
"Jarvis messaged me saying you had been arguing about this for half a System Hour."
Lars couldn't help but complain:
"Station Master, you came just because it messaged you?"
Bai Luan put his hands on his hips and laughed:
"It's fun, why wouldn't I come?
I happened to be free, so I came to chat with you and inquire about the situation at the University, treating it as catching up on my 'alma mater'."
He casually found a spot to sit down and looked at Lars, asking:
"How did you get to know Mu Zi? Isn't he always very busy?"
"Olivia and I were discussing the lecture topic at the time and hit a bottleneck.
We weren't sure about the average level of First Truth University students, and we were struggling—we were afraid that if we spoke in too much detail it would be tedious, but if we spoke too briefly, they wouldn't understand.
Just then, there was a knock on the door of the room."
"Oh, I see. First Truth University considered the difficulties you might face and specifically sent Mu Zi as a student sample?"
"No."
Lars shook his head.
"He came to persuade us to cancel the return flight we had booked in advance and take their special vehicle back instead."
"..."
"He also said: 'Our spaceship is definitely faster than the company's flight. Mr. Bai Luan even praised us for being awesome back then.' Oh, right, Station Master..."
Lars looked at Bai Luan, asking with a hint of curiosity:
"Did you really send the Principal the four words 'Awesome, awesome'?"
Hmm... he really did that.