Chapter 550: NO.133: Choosing the Lesser of Two Evils

NO. 133: Choosing the Lesser of Two Evils

Although turning back to youth itself is quite a challenge to common sense, the juvenile body still obeys the law of conservation of energy.

For example, replenishing the body's energy can effectively curb the aggravation of juvenilization.

After all, his juvenilized state stems entirely from an extreme imbalance between spirit and body.

So although Aomo resents Lei Miule, he still has to admit that the dinner she brought is truly delicious.

But even so...

"Aomo, Aomo, what's it like to turn into a kid?"

"Right! When did you and Qielinenana get so close? Even Pulande seems anxious!"

"Don't be so quiet while eating, Aomo—say something!"

"Is this really tasty? I've always thought spaghetti was pretty ordinary—I didn't expect her to buy this for you."

Like a poorly designed small‑workshop mobile‑game assistant, it chatters nonstop beside him with an extremely high voice‑trigger frequency, fully showing its garrulous nature while occasionally tapping the phone screen.

To be frank, Aomo is not lacking in experience dealing with garrulous people, and he can ignore them without any guilt.

But when the other person's phone suddenly switches to self‑camera mode and focuses on him, he still can't help letting a hint of disdain show on his face.

"Has your internal communication not ended yet?"

"Eh?" The very blunt girl, without even muting the camera shutter, snapped a photo, froze a shota face full of disdain, and clicked to upload it to the chat room.

"How could it possibly be over? It's blazing hot! Want to see some feedback? I can pick out a few items to broadcast for you."

"Is it curating or filtering?" Aomo asked irritably, though he didn't really want an answer, burying his face in the noodles in his bowl.

His attitude toward this Euro‑style food is much like Angel's—not very interested, but he's never a picky eater.

But Angel, who had just feigned ignorance with an "Eh‑hey!", meant to speak up for him and steered the conversation back to food:

"Honestly, do you really like spaghetti? She usually brings food according to the other person's preference—could it be that she has a grudge against you?"

"It's just that she's nearby; my situation looks bleak at first glance, and she's also in a hurry." Aomo said coolly.

Counting the time he spent talking with Pulande and the time needed to prepare the food, Texas wasted not a single minute.

"That's right," Angel nodded. "You haven't even told Qielinenana about your condition, have you?"

"Has Qian told you guys about my condition?"

"It depends on how you put it," Angel said, turning around and spinning in Texas's room. "Want an apple pie? Texas usually has all the ingredients ready."

"Is her place your usual hangout?" Aomo was somewhat speechless.

Pulande barged in earlier and acted like the owner without hesitation, and now Lei Miule naturally heads for the fridge to grab an apple and dough, then dashes to the kitchen.

Even if the Rhodes Island forum has no extreme remarks about their relationship, he can't help pondering the truth of some radical creations in otherworldly knowledge.

"Exactly, everyone's quarters are best suited here in Texas."

That's indeed…… Aomo can easily imagine how messy Angel's room is, how many stacked boxes Kesong's room has, and Mositima's room……

Has she really settled in the Border Gate area?

Looking at it this way, they definitely can't go to Pulande's place.

So Texas's room…… He glanced around, his observation more meticulous than before, yet still found it neat and orderly, with no trace of mess.

Penguin Logistics can't do without Texas, just as the West can't do without Jerusalem.

Among those drifting between normal and abnormal, only Texas has borne the reliable banner.

Thus Aomo too can enjoy its shade.

"But how about trying your place next time?"

A sentence suddenly popping out from the kitchen made Aomo's fork‑holding hand twitch.

"…You guys really don't stand on ceremony."

"What's there to be formal about? Everyone trusts you! Besides, aside from you, everyone there is female, right?"

"I'm worried you'll corrupt the other kids."

"Saying that in that voice is really weird, and you're only 19, right? Hmm? You're even two years younger than me."

That's a fact.

Aomo always forgets, without realizing it, that this bunch are already adults—in fact, they're all older than him.

After all, they all look young and petite; even Texas, the tallest at just about 170 cm, is still half a head shorter than Aomo.

All we can say is that appearance really affects perception—take a look at Penguin Logistics' boss, who's literally a monster‑head, which is why the early company was often laughed at—of course, that also had to do with the fact that the initial headcount was single‑digit and makeshift.

By comparison, Texas's ability to chat casually with the child‑like Aomo is also a talent.

Such composure and equal treatment suit applying for a counter job that requires serving multiple races.

But that is obviously another kind of waste.

"And how exactly am I corrupting the other kids?" The kitchen still had a head poking out, red hair swaying, "What's wrong with me?"

It seems not; upon reflection, maybe Suzi and Qian are corrupting them, or perhaps a strange chemical reaction resulted from a collision—or maybe such a collision is already happening.

Think about how this guy and Pulande were tailing her earlier—where did they get their information?

Qian, and possibly even Suzi personally involved, they must have been in contact.

So he fell silent for a moment, then slapped his forehead with one hand, feeling a headache.

But that little smack might have been a bit loud, causing the head that had just retracted to pop out again: "What sound was that?"

"Swatting a mosquito." The little boy said expressionlessly.

"Oh, there should be a bug zapper in the corner by the TV stand—go turn it on." The red‑haired girl accepted this explanation quite naturally, after all, even though technology and origin arts are highly developed in this world, there still isn't a righteous scientist who has eradicated mosquitoes with a weapon.

It's heartbreaking!

"No rush, I'll head to the restroom first."

"It's the room on the left."

Okay.

This time, Aomo really went to the bathroom, and began to ponder whether having someone send him home was a good idea.

Tonight's office only had Bopang, Xi, and Suzi, and he couldn't even confirm whether the former had also been kidnapped by the two jokesters.

Going home might also be a trap.

But staying over at Texas's place is a bit awkward.

Bang!

The sudden bang of the door interrupted his thoughtful sighing, and Aomo, slightly turning his ear, could hear the angel's greeting:

"Ah, you're back? Aomo went to the bathroom, I'm still baking apple pie, do you two want a slice later?"

"Apple pie? Sure," said Lapulande, who spoke first, but then in the next moment shifted the topic: "Leimule, do you know what kind of jobs Texas has taken on today?"

"Hauling cargo, all armed escorts, right? What's up? You wanna go too?"

"That sounds like it's not just once or twice; Lapulande seems to often interfere with the commissions Texas has taken on."

"This reaction…… Texas, you haven't even told Leimule about it, ~"

"What did you say?"

"……"

"In that moment of silence, Aomo, having washed his hands, flung the door open:"

"I want to go too."

"Facing the three people's astonished gazes, the young boy merely lowered his head to glance at his attire, then lifted his head again and spoke embarrassedly:"

"However, I still need a more suitable outfit."