Chapter 105: Even the Pigs Were Awake!

Young people left the cafeteria in waves, following the campus paths into the academy buildings.

Since they were attending the same class, Gu Xuning invited Xie Jianxun to walk together. Xie Jianxun, thinking he wouldn’t have to find his own way, gladly agreed.

Along the way, Xie Jianxun walked beside Gu Xuning, with the two roommates behind them clutching their heads in despair.

“Ugh, I really couldn’t solve that structural question yesterday…”

“What do you think the professor will assign for the final? Last year’s innovative design diagram nearly killed me.”

“…Don’t jinx it. You think switching to a paper is any better?”

Xie Jianxun perked up his ears, listening intently, almost stopping in his tracks to focus on their chatter.

Gu Xuning carried a bag of breakfast in his hand and found it amusing. He explained to Xie Jianxun, “Those two aren’t great at the teacher’s structural engineering, so they’ve always found the classes pretty painful.”

“Not just not great—they’re completely clueless.”

One of the roommates behind them overheard and muttered, “Young Master Gu, as the professor’s direct disciple and top student, of course you’re not worried.”

“Sigh, why don’t I have a useful brain…”

The preparatory bell rang, and the four realized they’d lost track of time while goofing around. They hurried their steps and rushed into the teaching building.

They should have made it on time, but the elevator was packed with young people. The doors closed, the smooth metal walls reflecting the dazed faces of the students crammed in the lobby—all rushing to their early morning class.

Xie Jianxun’s group: “…”

They couldn’t even squeeze through the doors and could only watch enviously as others took the elevator, dejectedly lining up behind.

One roommate wailed, “We’re done for, we’re done for! We’re going to be late! Can the people in front hurry up?!”

Even Gu Xuning sucked in a breath. “The teacher doesn’t care about much, but he hates tardiness. He’ll definitely deduct attendance points… Quick, let’s take the stairs.”

He pointed to the stairwell. The roommates made an “eight” gesture with their hands, eyeing him as if to ask if he was serious.

Eighth floor! You want to climb?!

But true to form as Idis’s disciple, Gu Xuning was a man of action. No sooner had he spoken than he dashed into the stairwell, sprinting upward.

Xie Jianxun followed, mustering his energy to climb—he couldn’t be late on his very first day of class!

The roommates exchanged glances, closed their eyes in despair, and followed.

They finally made it into the classroom just in time. Looking around, the middle and back rows were fully occupied, with only a few seats available in the first two rows.

Gu Xuning, used to it, found an empty seat in the front row and sat down. The two roommates, however, sauntered to the back, clearly having connections—someone had saved seats for them.

It was a large lecture for the entire major, filling the hundred-person classroom to capacity.

Xie Jianxun circled once and decided to take the empty seat next to Gu Xuning.

Gu Xuning looked surprised to see him sit there.

The young man smiled. “I thought you’d go to the back like them.”

Xie Jianxun asked, puzzled, “There are no seats in the back anyway. Why go there?”

“You can hide behind the people in front and secretly play with your Light Brain… cough.” Gu Xuning cleared his throat. “Looks like you’re a good student.”

Xie Jianxun felt quite pleased. Though he’d never attended school, he threw himself fully into learning and considered himself a good student. “Thanks. Looks like sitting here was a good choice.”

He could see Idis’s face clearly and hear his lecture voice up close—a prime spot.

The classroom suddenly fell silent as noise came from the door.

The sound of wheelchair wheels rolled in, followed by whispers from the back rows that Xie Jianxun caught entirely: “The professor himself is here!”

“Nice, nice. Looks like class will go slower today. Last time I looked down to play with my Light Brain and reply to a few messages, he lost track of where he was in the lecture.”

“You only had a few? You were busy chatting with dozens from your sister!”

Idis appeared at the door, scanned the room, then wheeled up to the podium and placed his textbook on the surface. A massive light screen unfolded to his left, ready for the slides.

Just as he was about to speak, hurried footsteps pounded in, and someone burst through the classroom door with a bang.

The entire room turned stunned gazes toward this brave soul who dared to be late.

Final grades for this class were usually low, relying on attendance points to boost them, and Professor Idis was especially strict about tardiness—easy to lose points. Disaster.

The latecomer suddenly remembered this and sucked in a loud breath.

The young student, with his fluffy curly hair, locked eyes with Idis and desperately tugged at his lips. “Uh, Professor? Sorry…”

Idis had no intention of chatting. Coldly, he said, “Still standing? You really want me to note your name down?”

The curly-haired guy bolted to the front row like he’d been pardoned, sitting on Xie Jianxun’s other side. He roughly shoved his backpack into the drawer, his face full of disbelief.

Incredulously, he said, “Why didn’t he deduct points today? He’s in such a good mood!”

Gu Xuning handed over the breakfast bag. “He, this is for you.”

He accepted it with a grin. “Thanks, thanks.”

He had no intention of eating in class and challenging the professor’s authority with his life. Instead, he stuffed the bun into his pocket, warming its pitiful heat with his body.

As he did, he pulled out his book from the bag and flipped to the end of the previous lecture.

He muttered nonstop, “The demon king’s class again. Early mornings are such a headache—can’t understand it, can’t take notes on it, and so sleepy I want to die. This is torture.”

Xie Jianxun was very curious and whispered, “Why can’t you skip it?”

He whispered back, mimicking him. “Miss one class, and when you’re back in the dorm doing homework, you’ll realize no one in the whole dorm understood it.”

Xie Jianxun: “…”

He continued, “To keep being the dad of those losers, I have to… Hey, aren’t you that Xie Jianxun?! How are you here? You taking the demon king’s class too?!”

He finally recognized the familiar golden-eyed classmate in front of him.

Xie Jianxun smiled. “I’m auditing Professor Idis’s class.”

“Oh, auditing… huh?”

He’s reaction was identical to the roommates’, looking at him like an innocent newbie untouched by hardship.

After a moment, he sighed with world-weary wisdom. “If you don’t get something, borrow Gu Xuning’s notes. He’ll have all the key points written clearly.”

Seeing the stories etched on his face, Xie Jianxun nodded respectfully. “Got it, thanks for the tip.”

Gu Xuning said calmly, “You can’t fail again this semester, or you’ll end up on the teacher’s blacklist.”

Curly-hair wiped his eyes. “Wah…”

Xie Jianxun took out his textbook and flipped to a middle page like them.

Gu Xuning glanced over and was slightly surprised. “Your book…”

He leaned in too and saw the margins filled with simplified sketches of parts, annotations in the gaps between text. His eyes widened. “My god, which senior did you get this from? It’s so detailed!”

Xie Jianxun closed the book and opened the title page.

They clearly saw a signature, slightly slanted below the title:

Idis.

Gu Xuning: “…”

He: “…”

After a moment’s thought, He realized. “Did you steal it from Professor Idis’s house?”

Gu Xuning opened his mouth, then closed it, looking like he wanted to shut He’s mouth.

Xie Jianxun said cheerfully, “A couple days ago, I said I wanted to learn this class, and he gave me the book. Want to see it?”

He pushed the book toward He, who shook his head vigorously like a rattle.

“No, no. Stuff this complex gives me a headache. You look at it.”

He gave Xie Jianxun a monstrous look, then said seriously to Gu Xuning, “I think your position as the sole direct disciple is in jeopardy.”

“First row, third seat.”

The professor’s voice rang from the podium. He looked up abruptly and met Idis’s eyes.

The young professor tugged his lips and gestured. “What did I just say?”

He: “………………”

Curly-hair slumped down dejectedly. The classroom fell deathly silent—no one dared be the chicken that got plucked next.

They’d thought they’d have to attend class on tenterhooks, but the professor was much milder than usual.

The pace slowed, his tone evened out, and he even paused at the class’s bewildered stares to explain foundational points. The whole room was baffled.

The Little Adventurer was probably the happiest one in class.

He felt like he only had one head, and it wasn’t enough.

He kept looking up at Idis’s slides, scribbling notes furiously, ears perked high, mind filled with the key points emphasized in the professor’s flat voice from the podium.

When the bell rang for break, he set down his pen, fingers aching, realizing in a daze that so much time had passed.

He leaned over in confusion, glancing at his two pages of notes.

He said definitively, “You really suit this class.”

“You can keep up, understand it, remember it.” Gu Xuning leaned over too, checking the notes. “I might need to borrow yours.”

Xie Jianxun pushed the notes toward him. “Here, take a look.”

Wheels rolled up from in front, casting a shadow.

Idis had come down from the podium. Front-row students widened their eyes, fearing he’d pick on them during break.

Until they saw him stop in front of the unfamiliar face and ask softly, “What was this lecture about? Did you understand?”

Xie Jianxun replied happily, “I got it, thanks Professor Idis.”

Idis: “Recap it.”

The students held their breath and truly heard the newbie summarize the day’s content. He went on in some spots, chattering for a few minutes before reluctantly stopping.

Idis nodded, thought for a moment, and asked, “I have class this afternoon and will return to my office at noon. Come to the office for lunch with me, or eat on your own?”

Xie Jianxun: “I’ll eat at the cafeteria and wander around. Call me when you head back.”

They conversed as if no one else was there. Nearby students wore expressions of utter disbelief.

…So it wasn’t an illusion.

The professor had really slowed down the lecture to accommodate the new auditor.

He’d even replayed previous demo slides!

Broken down the details!

And thoughtfully asked about lunch!

Someone murmured, “Is this really Idis?”

Had he taken another disciple besides Gu Xuning? One clearly favored.

Break was exceptionally short, ending in mere minutes. Idis returned to the podium.

Xie Jianxun sat back down, flipped to a new page in his notebook, and eagerly previewed the later textbook content.

He wasn’t a total beginner without foundations. Julius had taught him since childhood, he’d absorbed knowledge by osmosis, and he’d gained practical experience on the previous planet, so he picked it up quickly.

Some structural formulas still puzzled him, though—he’d need to ask Idis more later.

Xie Jianxun chewed his pen tip, locking eyes with the young professor on the podium, gifting him an enthusiastic, sweet signature smile—the Little Adventurer’s unbeatable one!

The other glanced at him, then lowered his eyes and switched to the next slide.

After class, Xie Jianxun hugged his books and ran to ask Idis questions. They leaned against the side of the podium, going back and forth for twenty minutes until Idis explained it clearly.

Seeing the familiar bewilderment in Xie Jianxun’s golden eyes, Idis closed his eyes briefly.

Strangely, unlike his irritation with college students who didn’t get it, he felt an inexplicable, willing helplessness.

“You should go eat.”

For the first time, he urged his student to eat first. “We’ll go over what you don’t get tonight.”

Xie Jianxun waved it off, looking sheepish but feeling none of it. “That’d be too much trouble—you’d have to sacrifice your evening rest for me, Professor Idis.”

Idis said, “Teaching a student isn’t trouble.”

With that, he maneuvered his wheelchair out of the classroom. Xie Jianxun returned to the front row with his notes to pack up.

He and Gu Xuning were still in their seats, gazing at him with brand-new eyes.

“You guys are still here after all this time.”

Xie Jianxun felt thoroughly uncomfortable under their stares and rubbed his arm. He whispered, “Is there something on my face?”

The little curly hair guy clucked his tongue and shook his head exaggeratedly. “This is the first time I’ve seen the professor speak so… gently.”

Gu Xuning didn’t say anything, but the intensity in his eyes showed he thought the same.

Xie Jianxun recalled Idis’s tone from earlier—it hadn’t seemed any different from usual. Whatever, he decided not to overthink it. Time to eat.

He pulled his messenger bag out of the drawer and urged them, “Come on, let’s go. Isn’t it time for lunch yet?”

Everything else was fine, but he had particularly high expectations for the school cafeteria—rumor had it the food was cheap, served in big portions, delicious, and incredibly varied!

Sure enough, in the Bai Shao Elite Academy cafeteria, the Little Adventurer ate until he was stuffed. He slumped in his seat with a satisfied sigh, like a plump, round penguin that could only roll around on its belly.

He had just finished a bowl of self-served mixed veggies stir-fried with chili and spices, plus a complimentary bowl of glistening white rice. The aroma had filled his nostrils completely.

Gu Xuning was discussing the next Mecha League with He. They were both members of the school mech team and would graduate soon, so they needed to train the newcomers and hone their skills.

As Xie Jianxun listened, something occurred to him. “I heard that the team that wins the academy Mecha League can get an Advanced Mech Engineer certificate right after graduation?”

Gu Xuning nodded reservedly. “It’s just the certificate, but the skill levels among Advanced Mech Engineers vary hugely. Take the professor, for example—I might need another ten years to catch up to his current level.”

That was still a highly respected Advanced Mech Engineer at Bai Shao. Xie Jianxun congratulated him generously.

He poked at his rice with his chopsticks and chimed in, “What about the field training?”

Gu Xuning hesitated a bit. “Isn’t that a little dangerous…?”

Xie Jianxun was puzzled. “Does training the newcomers require going out into the wild?”

The little curly hair guy shook his head with a laugh. “You wouldn’t know this, but in the previous years, including ours, the championship teams all came out of field training. Sparring against people in the training grounds too much creates mental ruts. You need to face those untamed Mineral Beasts to refine your control precision.”

“The title of Advanced Mech Engineer was never earned just by fixing parts.”

That afternoon, Gu Xuning went to train with his team. Xie Jianxun wandered around the campus again, and by the end, he was exhausted, his calves aching. He let out a long sigh as he climbed into the Air Sedan, waiting for the driver to take him and Idis home.

The young mech professor didn’t quite understand. “Where did you go wild that left you this tired?”

The Little Adventurer was in the safe confines of the university campus, but his heart still harbored restless thoughts of adventure.

He described his route tactfully: from the teaching area to the grand auditorium, measuring the sports field behind it with his footsteps, then greeting the swans and ducklings by the lake in the dorm area across the street.

Idis calculated it in moments and realized he had traversed the entire campus.

Who knew how many detours and winding paths he’d taken in between.

The drive home took some time. Xie Jianxun leaned against the car window. The Air Sedan glided extremely smoothly, as steady as standing on the ground, with almost no bumps.

He had gotten up unusually early that day and endured half a day of mental storms and physical exertion. Now he was incredibly sleepy.

As the car hummed along, he dozed off easily, like it was second nature.

The only sound in the air was the airflow slipping through the car window cracks, quiet enough to hear the different rhythms of breathing inside.

He hadn’t planned to actually sleep, just rest his eyes for a bit.

But lulled by the ambient sounds, he sank into a hazy half-dream, half-awake state, thoroughly muddled.

Noticing he had fallen asleep, Idis hesitated for a moment, then called out softly twice. No response.

“…Xie Jianxun?”

Idis’s voice was low and deep, like reciting a poem of praise when calling his name.

Unfortunately, aside from the driver—who had his ears metaphorically plugged—no one heard it.

The little guest who had fallen asleep so easily was scooped up by the waist, his upper body lifted as if he were voluntarily nestling into the man’s chest, sitting on his lap and softly embedding himself into his embrace.

The problem was, the movements were a bit too vigorous.

Such big motions—even pigs would wake up!

Xie Jianxun blearily opened his eyes, propping himself up from the embrace and meeting Idis’s gaze.

Idis: “…”

Xie Jianxun: “…Huh?”

They stared at each other in silence for three seconds. The ghostly mech genius, Silver University’s gold-standard professor Idis, remained exceptionally calm, his expression unchanged.

He gave the excuse he’d thought up in those three seconds: “I saw you sleeping restlessly and wanted to adjust your position for you.”

Xie Jianxun: “…”

Dude!

Did he think he would buy that?!!