Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [178]

While the Jarilo-VI star system was bustling with major events, the instigator behind the labor reform proposal was calmly seated at a dining table, eating heartily.

The table was loaded with spicy and flavorful dishes. Inside the restaurant, the warm air made him feel slightly stifled, prompting Chen Lin to tug at his collar and exhale. Occasionally, he would glance at his phone to reply to a few messages.

“It’s so hot eating this.”

Chen Lin couldn’t help but feel nostalgic. It was rare to find this much chili in Xianzhou cuisine, and it reminded him of home.

Qingque chuckled. “So, what do you think, Old Chen? Didn’t I pick a great spot? These little alleyway restaurants are where you find the most authentic Xianzhou delicacies!”

“Who would’ve thought this place was a restaurant…” Stelle muttered, her lips glistening with red chili oil as she puffed and gasped. “At first glance, I thought it was someone’s house.”

The clink of utensils filled the air as another serving of Chen Po Tofu found its way into everyone’s bowl.

March 7th’s pink eyes gleamed as she savored the dish. “This is so good! Everyone, eat up! Honestly, we should collect some Xianzhou recipes and bring them back to the train. I’m sure Pom-Pom could make them!”

“What about the ingredients?” Stelle asked curiously. Many of the ingredients here were unfamiliar to her, and substitutes might not replicate the flavors.

March 7th waved her hand dismissively. “No problem. Pom-Pom will figure it out! That little guy’s incredible.”

“Pom-Pom can figure this out?” Stelle was incredulous.

“Of course! Don’t underestimate the conductor.”

“But Pom-Pom is so cute…” Stelle couldn’t reconcile the adorable conductor with the idea of someone formidable.

March 7th’s expression turned serious. “When we’ve faced danger before, Pom-Pom has gotten really, really scary!”

Welt chimed in, “Indeed. On the train, never make Pom-Pom angry. He’s… powerful.”

Stelle covered her mouth in surprise. No one had ever mentioned this before, but Uncle Yang was reliable, so it had to be true.

“Haha, that’s why I said Pom-Pom is incredible. If there’s trouble, he’ll definitely come up with a solution.”

“Now I’m curious…”

“…”

As the two girls debated, Chen Lin’s weary voice finally cut through their chatter, breaking the argument.

“March, I recall your Hexafrost won’t melt on its own. Why not just adjust its temperature to preserve the ingredients without freezing them solid? You could store everything in the empty carriages at the back of the train.”

Sometimes, Chen Lin couldn’t understand why such simple problems were always left for Pom-Pom to solve. He’d been wanting to call out these two scatterbrained companions for a while.

After his reminder, March 7th slapped her forehead in realization. “Oh! That’s true!”

“Pfft…”

Qingque found the train’s crew incredibly entertaining. Or maybe it was simply because everyone had such endearing personalities.

Mr. Yang always seemed stern, exuding a paternal air, yet he was surprisingly open-minded. He understood jokes, made them himself, and never made anyone feel awkward, even around younger crew members.

March 7th and Stelle had their unique quirks, but both brought lively energy to the group, easily sparking conversations.

And Chen Lin…

Though he often appeared more laid-back than anyone else, there was an undeniable reliability to him when it came to serious matters—aside from his occasional bouts of dark humor that left everyone speechless.

Qingque had never met a young man with such keen attention to detail. He carried himself with a quiet confidence, as though every situation was firmly within his control.

And his looks? If you dressed him in elegant attire, he could pass for one of those wise strategists straight out of a Xianzhou novella.

“Here, it’s ready.”

Chen Lin handed Qingque a cup of baijiu he had just prepared.

This was his first time using psionics to refine a drink. By adjusting the properties of the baijiu to suit the drinker’s preferences, he amplified its strengths while masking its flaws, creating something uniquely tailored.

Qingque nodded and accepted the cup. “Thanks, Old Chen.”

She took a sip, and her half-tipsy gaze turned dreamy. The liquor was smooth and mellow, its rich aroma lingering as it warmed her chest. Though the alcohol content had been lowered significantly, it carried a rustic charm that evoked scenes of verdant mountains and flowing springs. The drink, though consumed in a crowded alley, felt like a stroll through serene wilderness.

Chen Lin had tried several iterations before, but Qingque decided that this version was perfect for her.

Fixating on the drink, Qingque exclaimed in delight, “Wow, Old Chen, this is amazing! It’s exactly the taste I wanted!”

Chen Lin memorized the adjustments he had made to the baijiu and nodded. “If you want another, just let me know.”

After savoring the drink, Qingque couldn’t help but feel that no other liquor could compare. Even the best wines would pale in comparison—it was as though this was crafted specifically for her.

If only the trade routes reopened sooner, Qingque thought, holding her cup. The aged yellow wine in the cellar back home would taste incredible if Old Chen worked his magic on it. Definitely better than this cheap baijiu that only costs 100 credits a bottle. Honestly, what’s the point of stockpiling so much wine in the cellar…?

She recalled her last visit to the family’s wine cellar, about a decade ago. The jar lids were so old and fragile that they crumbled at a touch.

Such a waste to store good wine like that!

With his first successful attempt at psionically altering alcohol, Chen Lin had grown more adept at the craft, wielding his newfound skill with increasing ease.

Dinner ended with everyone fully satisfied. Even Welt enjoyed a genuine Xianzhou dining experience. To everyone’s surprise, Qingque pulled out several packets of fruity mouthwash from her bag of tricks, insisting that proper dental care was crucial after a meal.

Xianzhou people care about dental hygiene?

Shouldn’t it be, if a tooth goes bad, just grow a new one?

As the group left the secluded alley, night had fully settled in. Streetlamps gradually brightened, illuminating the road and ensuring visibility at all times.

Qingque seemed preoccupied with planning the next time she’d invite Chen Lin out for drinks. Sidling closer to him, she motioned for him to lean in.

“Old Chen, come here. I’ve got something to tell you.”

“Hmm?”

Chen Lin instinctively crouched slightly, leaning his head toward her. Qingque moved closer, as if to whisper, but the moment she approached, a unique scent emanating from Chen Lin filled her senses.

Her heart skipped a beat, and it felt as though electric sparks coursed through her body. Her pulse quickened, and an inexplicable warmth surged through her, making her cheeks burn.

Under the streetlights, her previously pale earlobes flushed a soft pink, the color spreading to her face and down her neck in mere moments.

How can someone be so clean, handsome, steady, and amusing all at once?

Chen Lin waited for her to speak, but as the silence dragged on, he heard the faint sound of her swallowing.

Gulp.

“?!”

To Chen Lin, this sound was a terrible omen. The countless training sessions under March 7th and Stelle on the train had conditioned him to react instinctively.

For a moment, the air between them froze. Ahead, the others were chatting about buying tea, completely oblivious to the awkward tension behind them.

This blasted trait of mine… Chen Lin cursed inwardly. His psionic modifications had amplified his allure to the point that even his scent became an unwelcome distraction. Although no one had actually taken a bite out of him, the idea was unsettling enough.

When I ascend further, I’m getting rid of this nonsense.

Resolving to break the tension, Chen Lin spoke up.

“So, uh…”

He wanted to redirect Qingque’s focus, fearing that in her tipsy state, she might impulsively act on her sudden attraction. The thought of her biting him in public was ridiculous yet disturbingly plausible.

Meanwhile, passersby began to notice the unusual sight of a tall man and a petite woman standing motionless by the roadside. Curious glances were cast their way.

Qingque finally snapped out of her daze, realizing how fast her heart was pounding. She had only wanted to share a thought with a friend, but now it felt like she had been caught in some scandalous act.

“I’ll tell you tonight when we get back. We’re falling behind, so let’s catch up.”

Despite the blush still lingering on her cheeks, Qingque feigned composure. She tugged Chen Lin’s sleeve and hurried after the group.

Eventually, they reached the familiar Tianshui Pavilion teahouse they had passed earlier. While the staff had changed slightly, the fox-eared hostess from before was still there.

The teahouse wasn’t situated on the main street, but its clientele was steady, with men and women alike coming and going.

Spotting the group at the entrance, the hostess greeted them with a bright smile.

“Ah, welcome back, dear guests! Your reserved seats are ready. Please, come in.”

“I can’t wait!” Stelle clenched her fists in excitement. “I want to drink the most expensive tea! Let’s go to the top floor!”

The fox-eared hostess hesitated before responding, her tone polite but awkward. “My apologies, but the upper floors are exclusively serviced by female tea masters, and we don’t cater to female customers in those areas. Even if you don’t mind, our tea masters may not be equipped for such arrangements.”

Stelle pointed indignantly at a group of women ascending the stairs together. “What about them?!”

“They’ve brought their own tea masters,” the hostess replied with a subtle smile.

“Alright, alright, that’s enough,” Chen Lin interjected, pulling Stelle back. With a sheepish grin, he added, “Sorry about that. My friend got a bit carried away.”

Though often oblivious, Stelle wasn’t slow-witted. She quickly pieced things together and widened her eyes in realization.

“This place is actually…”

“It’s a teahouse, Tianshui Pavilion, where we sell a variety of teas,” the hostess cut in smoothly with a professional smile.

Under the hostess’s guidance, the group entered the teahouse’s main hall.

The interior featured bamboo pavilions of varying sizes, seating anywhere from two to six people. The decor was understated yet exuded a serene, vintage charm.

Gracefully dressed waitstaff moved between tables, carrying trays with steaming teapots. They greeted patrons softly as they passed.

So it’s a legitimate business after all!

Chen Lin felt a twinge of surprise. He had been ready to buy some tea and leave if things seemed off, but Tianshui Pavilion turned out to be impressively versatile, offering more than he had expected.

The group was soon seated in a bamboo pavilion on the first floor. Everyone ordered a pot of tea according to their preferences, eager to experience the refined culture of Xianzhou.

Welt, however, seemed deep in thought. After a long silence, he finally spoke. “Chen, do you know much about tea?”

Does Yang think I’m some kind of tea expert?

Chen Lin ignored the unintended double entendre in Welt’s words and replied with a shrug and a nod.

“Not really. Back in my hometown, drinking tea is just a habit, whether it’s for celebrations or discussions. You could say I’m familiar with it.”

“Perfect.” Welt nodded decisively. “I’ve heard of tea, but I’ve never really tried it. Himeko’s preference for coffee is… difficult to change. Stocking more tea on the train would give us all more options. Better than coffee all the time.”

March 7th stuck out her tongue playfully. “But Uncle Yang, aren’t you the one who drinks coffee all day?”

Welt sighed. “Which is why I’d like some alternatives.”

Coffee for breakfast, coffee for lunch, coffee for dinner—it was more than enough to test anyone’s endurance.

“In that case, I’ll leave the tea selection to you and Miss Qingque. You know tea, and she’s from Xianzhou, so you’re both more knowledgeable than the rest of us,” Welt concluded with a wry smile.

Qingque scratched her cheek awkwardly.

“Actually, Old Chen, you handle it. I don’t know much about tea either…”

Though a native of Xianzhou, Qingque rarely interacted with tea. To her, most high-end teas were just overpriced indulgences for the wealthy, bordering on foolish extravagance.

Drinking tea casually was fine, but expecting her to evaluate its nuances was asking too much. Most of her time was spent either working or playing cards, leaving no room to delve into tea culture.

“Alright, I’ll handle it,” Chen Lin said, rising to follow the fox-eared hostess.

As they approached the tea counter, a shadowed gaze from a corner of the teahouse lingered on Chen Lin’s back. It dissolved into a wisp of smoke and vanished into the ceiling above.

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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!