The Great Worm Lich

the simple and exquisite crystal chandelier made from crystal clear material hanging on the ceiling emitted soft light. The cries of the insects exclusive to the green hill close to the city at night resonated from the open vent of the French casement windows. Breathing in the fresh air after the rain in the mountains, the girl remembered her delay in leaving that the heavy rain caused, forcing them to have a couple dinner together, which was not at all a terrible set-up. Thus, the atmosphere began to turn unexpectedly pleasant.

Even though the boy did not speak much or say anything particularly humorous, he was calm, composed, and courteous. He was not pretentious in his talks but still possessed his own unique attitude.

Although the girl was extravagant and enthusiastic, she was born into a famous family in China. Her paternal and maternal grandparents were influential figures in the modern history of China. Her father had a business and was now involved in politics, having a far-reaching influence in both the political and business circles of China. Her mother was also a powerful figure in the business world. Therefore, when the occasion became slightly more formal, she would easily come to have an extraordinary air around her.

The two chatted for a while and Torres brought two maids to serve delicious-smelling steak on a bright plate.

Judging from the grains and texture of the steak, it was clear that they cut the steak from an expensive beef. They cooked it in a US style, furnished with colorful, attractive fruits and vegetables along with nutritious mushrooms. Although it was just a simple dish, it could make the most picky voracious eater to clap too.

“Thank you, Mr. Torres! This is really sumptuous!” When the plate was placed in front of Guo Caiying, she glanced down and showed an extremely impressed smile.

Then, the girl used a knife to cut a small piece of beef before putting it in her mouth with grace. After eating it in satisfaction, she glanced towards Zhang Lisheng who had accepted all her taunts and cracked another joke, “Junior Brother! Even though we’ve hung out a few times before and I know that you have a very easy-going character, I didn’t expect you to be able to make fun of yourself too! You do indeed have a good personality, but if you keep doing this, you’ll become the ‘clown’ in the circle of life around you.”

“People’s evaluation comes from status and achievement. If someone would regard a person who becomes a billionaire before the age of 20 and win the Nobel Prize in biomedicine before the age of 30 as a ‘clown’, then he himself would be a ‘joke’,” Zhang Lisheng chowed down on his steak and drank his Coke as he answered casually.

Guo Caiying was stunned. In her daze, she saw the shadow of one of the most important people in her 20 years of living for the second time, causing her to frown and blurt out, “You’re actually very arrogant! It’s just that other people’s arrogance is shown on the surface while yours is in the bone…”

“You’ve misunderstood, Senior Sister! It was only a metaphor. I wasn’t talking about myself. Who would know such a thing as a future Nobel Prize awardee?” Zhang Lisheng chowed down as he explained.

“There’s nothing remarkable about the Nobel Prize. There’re many people who win prizes all over the world. Every year, several people would win it anyway…” Guo Caiying pretended to say in disdain. However, after saying such words and saw Zhang Lisheng’s composed gaze, she felt a little embarrassed, prompting her to pout and added, “Alright, I admit! The Nobel Prize is very great. Junior Brother, since you’re so confident and have the ability to support this confidence, have you ever thought about doing something for our motherland? I know that you’re developing things very well in the US…”

When the girl was still talking halfway, Zhang Lisheng’s heart gave a jolt, and he suddenly smiled, “Senior Sister, I went straight to studying Ph.D. in biology at Stanford University from New York Lowbige Junior High, and I’ve not even gotten my doctorate yet. However, I’m already presiding the Stanford Biological Laboratory on the Shrimp B1 Island. Of course, I admit that the reason these academic achievements can be achieved so smoothly is related to my generous donation. However, do you think that if I were to be in China, I’d be able to rely on donations to rise from high school straight to studying Ph.D. in a university and then support the science laboratory of a university, erm, let’s say maybe the Tsinghua University, in the foreign world?”

After hearing these words, Guo Caiying was so stunned that she could not speak. The young man pondered for a while before adding some exaggeration, “Frankly, sometimes, you are too, too idealistic, Senior Sister! Actually, even if I want to, there are some things that the circumstances do not allow! I haven’t finished my Ph.D. and I didn’t get any high school diploma. If I leave Stanford, I’ll only have a primary school diploma according to the Chinese education system. I wouldn’t even have the qualification to go to the lab to sweep the floor. How should I do the things I have to do once I return?”

Guo Caiying stared with a dumbstruck expression for quite some times before suddenly saying in a rage, “I was merely asking casually. Look at how you go with your long-winder argument! I look down on people like you the most! You’ve only come to the US for a few days, and you already grumble all day long when China is being mentioned! You’re not contributing anything and only know how to complain! How long have they established the US modern education system? Compared to that, how long is China’s? It’s not like there’s really no opportunity if you really put your heart into it. That’s right, I remember! You can always, always be a visiting scholar by using the identity of Stanford University’s Ph.D. student. It’s not like I ask you to take your ready-made research results there, but you can contribute your advanced research ideas with the local biologists there! This will become a welcome contribution. You’re from Western Sichuan, right? As long as you agree, they can send Sichuan University’s invitation letter to Stanford within a month. It can even be either Tsinghua or Peking University too.”

Zhang Lisheng showed a casual smile and said with a grin, “Impossible. Senior Sister, this is…”

“If I can say it out loud, it means that it’s possible! If I hadn’t realized it, then I’ll just take a detour when I see you every time for my entire life.”

Now that Zhang Lisheng had reached his purpose, he smiled and said, “Oh, so this is the confidence of a second red generation! Okay! Since you’ve said so, then, well, one month is barely enough, but four months later, my research on the Shrimp B1 Island should be nearing its end. By that time, I’ll go to Sichuan University to pay a visit as a visiting scholar. I’ll wait for your invitation letter then, Senior Sister!”

Guo Caiying usually hated seeing those companions who grew up in the same hometown with her acting arrogant outside, but when she heard the ‘second red generation’ coming out of the young man’s mouth, she was immediately pulled out of her inexplicable anger. Recalling what she talked about just now, she secretly cursed herself for getting her brain fogged by her anger as her cheeks blushed.

Right at this time, a ringtone suddenly resonated from her sweatpants’ pocket.

Guo Caiying, who was feeling a little awkward, now secretly sighed in relief. Taking out her phone, she looked at the screen and told Zhang Lisheng as though nothing had happened, “The phone line is finally back in service. I’m sorry, Junior Brother. I’ll need to take the call first.”

Then, she picked the call.

Immediately, a voice that was loud enough for everybody in the room to hear despite not having the hands-free function turned on, reverberated from the phone, “Guo Caiying! It’s raining so heavily! Where the hell have you been?”

“Oh my, looks like my lovely wifey Ai is worried about me!” Guo Caiying returned to her normal way of speaking and replied loudly, “Haven’t I told you, I was going to Girlina by bicycle to see some clothes in the afternoon? It’s you who refused to follow me and yet you now…”

“I went to Girlina, and they said you didn’t come at all! The rain is so heavy and I’m very worried! Don’t you know that!” As the girl’s voice that was resonating from the phone spoke, she started to choke on her sobs.

“Er… Er… Ai Chuhe! don’t cry! I’m alright, see? Why are you crying? Listen to my explanation first! I originally planned to go to Girlina today, but I accidentally came across Junior Brother Lisheng at the campus’ bus stop. This big genius just came back from the foreign world’s island and since he had immersed himself in the first line of human biological science research for too long, he has exhausted himself so much that he’s pale as f*ck! He finally wanted to take some rest but when he went back to his dormitory, there was a belt hanging on the handle, so he had no choice but to end up in the streets. When I saw this, I couldn’t just leave him sleeping on the wooden chair at the bus stop, could I?”

“Was I so miserable, Senior Sister?” Zhang Lisheng who was putting the last bite of steak into his mouth said with a bitter smile.

“Well, you were like that just now. Heck, you were much worse than how I described…” Guo Caiying grinned at the young man and suddenly heard her friend asking in a stutter.

“Y-You have been together with Lisheng from the afternoon till night?”

“Yeah! Not only that he’s a genius scientists, he’s also a genius industrialist. He has a mansion numbered Kmart One at the edge of Silicon Valley. Even though the name sounds similar to the ‘smart’ scene subculture, it’s completely different, you know. It’s a true, real mansion! I sent him home by bike, and when I was about to leave, the sky suddenly turned dark, so I had no choice but to stay here.”

“So what about tonight?”

“What else can I do? The road is impassable, so I can only stay here for tonight!” Guo Caiying was stunned for a while. Her jabbering suddenly became somewhat unnatural. “But don’t worry, he has a butler and many maids. Besides, he’s so tiny that I can even pick him up by using one hand. It’ll be alright!”

As the girl was talking, she suddenly waved her fist at Zhang Lisheng, showing her beautiful line of biceps.

“But that doesn’t seem to be too good! Senior Bingya is here too. Maybe we can go pick you up!”

“Why is he there too?”

“He came to the dorm when the rain poured the heaviest just now. He was worried that you would go out for outdoor sports…”

“What is he worried about? I’m not a kid, anyway. Alright! I’m having my dinner now, so I’ll hang up first. Don’t come over! It’s flooding everywhere, so it’s very dangerous. Don’t come over…” The girl hung up the phone. Then, she absent-mindedly ate a few mouthfuls of steaks and stood up. “The rain has stopped for a long time already, so the flood on the road should have retreated now. I think it’s better for me to return to my dorm.”

“How are you going back? By your bicycle? If you’re not an Olympic swimming champion, it’d be crazy enough!” Zhang Lisheng ate a few mouthfuls of newly ordered steaks and wiped his mouth with a napkin before saying with a smile, “Let me send you back then, Senior Sister.”

“No need, Junior Brother. I can…”

“I insist! Just treat it as the return gesture for the invitation letter from Sichuan University,” Zhang Lisheng replied, partially meaning it. “Abigail, ready a car! Make sure that it’s high and as heavy as possible.”

“Sir, it’s better for me to…” When the butler heard it, he immediately volunteered.

“Abigail, you didn’t send a driver because you found it to be dangerous, so do you think I’ll let you go for my sake because of the danger? Go, prepare the car now. Immediately!”

Torres was stunned for a moment. Then, for the first time, he bowed deeply and said, “You’re a real gentleman, sir! It’s my pleasure to serve you.”

After saying so, he turned and retreated.