Seele wrapped up her last task of the evening, trying to decide where to take Chen Lin for a proper tour. Turning around, she caught sight of him standing there with a faint, somewhat absent-minded smile on his face. His gaze was unfocused, and something about it ticked her off.
She waved a hand in front of him. “Hey! Wake up!”
“Haha, sorry, got lost in thought for a bit.”
“What were you thinking about? You looked so smug…” Seele narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Were you thinking about a woman?”
“Huh?” Chen Lin froze for a moment.
It wasn’t her accusation that shocked him—it was how casually she threw out such a question. Wasn’t she still a kid?
With a mocking grin, Seele continued, “Heh, figured. Every time I see those lazy punks lounging around, making that face, they’re always thinking about girls.”
“It’s… not like that,” Chen Lin muttered, a little embarrassed.
What was he supposed to say? Oh, I was just fantasizing about being someone’s dad? That would sound insane.
“It’s fine.” Seele patted him on the shoulder, speaking like an old friend. “Totally normal. Nothing to be ashamed of. At least you’re not like those drunks by the drink stalls, always babbling nonsense and calling it ‘artistic expression.’”
Noticing Chen Lin’s silence, she paused for a moment before lowering her voice. “Was it about a girlfriend?”
“Not exactly. She’s a student… under 24.”
“And why isn’t she your girlfriend?” Seele tilted her head. “You said you came here on some big fancy ship, right? What was it called again?”
“Research vessel.”
“Uh-huh. And no women on board?”
“There are.”
“Then…” Seele rubbed her chin as if she’d solved a mystery. “So, what, no one likes you? Want me to introduce you to someone? I know a few girls who are very cute.”
“That’s not the issue,” Chen Lin replied. “I’m just a researcher—poor, busy, and boring. Who would want to date someone like that?”
“Who says money matters? As long as you can afford food, what’s the problem?” Seele looked genuinely puzzled.
This entire exchange gave Chen Lin the distinct feeling of being interrogated by a nosy relative during Lunar New Year. Desperate to change the topic, he pointed down the street. “Hey, wasn’t there a food stall we passed earlier? I’m starving, and I bet you are too. My treat.”
Before Seele could respond, Chen Lin strode off in the direction of the stall, leaving her to trail behind.
I’ve been thrown into another world, and I’m still getting grilled like this? What’s next, a lecture about having kids?
—
At the food stall, a rectangular grill sent waves of heat into the chilly air. The aroma of spices and sizzling meat filled the street. Seele, being a familiar face, was greeted warmly by the other patrons. Nobody asked about the unfamiliar man with her, but the curious glances they cast in his direction made it clear they were wondering.
The food on display looked similar to what Chen Lin had seen in the Upper District, though the seasoning seemed heavier. Almost every dish was slathered in thick, spicy marinades that packed a strong punch of aroma.
Chen Lin didn’t mind street food in the slightest. Back home, he’d often sought out local street stalls when traveling, relishing the authentic flavors you couldn’t find in fancy restaurants.
After ordering a few skewers, he turned to Seele. “Get whatever you want. It’s on me.”
“You sure? Don’t come crying if you can’t afford it,” she teased. Despite her words, she only picked a handful of cheap, familiar options.
The stall owner, recognizing Seele, generously added a few extra snacks for free. It was clear that the locals adored her.
With their food in hand, they left the stall. Chen Lin noted that the prices were shockingly low compared to the Upper District, but given the average income here, even a simple skewer was likely a luxury for many.
“Oh, right,” Seele said suddenly between bites of her oily skewer. “Natasha wanted me to let you know that gathering the materials you need might take some time. She said to stay at the inn for now and make sure to rest.”
“That’s about what I expected. Some of the materials I need probably aren’t readily available. I’ll have to gather those myself,” Chen Lin replied.
Items like salt and vinegar were straightforward enough, given the local industrial base, but more specialized components—like the ester-based oil needed for antifreeze—would require some hands-on work. Fortunately, synthesizing it wasn’t too difficult. More complex substances, like sulfur chloride, would take more effort, but Chen Lin had plenty of ideas for sourcing what he needed.
“I don’t understand half of what you’re saying,” Seele admitted, chewing thoughtfully. “But Natasha told Oleg, and he said I should stick with you for the time being. Just in case someone tries to mess with you. So… you’re definitely up to something big, aren’t you?”
Chen Lin chuckled and shook his head. “Not really. I just want to improve living conditions down here a bit—do what I can to help. Extreme poverty and stagnation aren’t good for anyone.”
Of course, his real motive was much grander. Once the ships were built, he needed a population that could operate them. Teaching some basic industrial skills now would save him a lot of headaches later.
“I see…” Seele trailed off, then suddenly remembered something. “Oh, by the way, March said something about you pulling me out of the way during that fight. How did you do that? Do you have some kind of special ability?”
She had been too preoccupied at the time to ask but was now clearly intrigued.
Chen Lin smiled and gestured to the half-eaten skewer in her hand. With a subtle flick of his fingers, the meat began to float, pulling itself off the stick as if by magic.
“Wha—?!” Seele’s eyes widened in shock.
Chen Lin guided the floating meat back onto the skewer with a small flourish. “It’s called psionics. A little something from us ‘supernatural scientists.’ Want to learn?”
Inwardly, Chen Lin couldn’t help but chuckle. He had big plans for this world, but he was holding off on activating the game’s “Grand Awakening” mechanic. It’d be far more satisfying to unleash that kind of world-shaking event after he’d fully established control of Jarilo-VI.
When that time comes… oh, it’s going to be glorious.
The thought made him grin. Just imagining the chaos and excitement was enough to make his heart race.
—
This is a fan translation of 在星穹铁道点群星科技树真的没问题吗？ by 杏雨诗韵 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!
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