Chapter 563 - 582: The Meal Sharers

A large crowd of people sitting together was hard to miss.

This was especially true since the group was mostly composed of handsome men, several of whom were even rivals from the competition circuit who weren’t on the best of terms.

After glancing at the day’s lunch specials, Jiang Qiuqiu ordered some cucumber and corn and started eating from her tray.

The moment she ordered, the circle of people around her went to get the exact same meal.

"Ah! Today’s the day we get to have the same thing as Juju!"

"It’s clearly the same cucumber and rice, but looking at Juju’s, then at mine, it suddenly seems so much tastier!"

Everyone seemed to be feeling the simple, giddy joy of getting the same thing as their goddess.

Jiang Qiuqiu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at this fan-like behavior. She said, "You should all eat what you like; you don’t need to get the same thing as me. Also, please just call me Qiuqiu at school. Juju is my name for the food livestreams."

"You all should really try to keep them separate."

"Ju... Qiuqiu, we’re fine with anything. It all tastes the same, and besides, cucumber and corn are cheap." One of the guys chuckled. "We’re not eating *this* for the flavor anyway."

’?’ Jiang Qiuqiu didn’t quite understand what he meant by that.

And soon enough, she understood.

Once all dozen or so people at the opposite table had their food, a guy in the middle suddenly switched on his terminal. He then linked the terminals of everyone around him to his own and opened a livestreaming app.

He entered the Federation Livestream App’s data archive and called up a recording of the Eight-Treasure Duck that Jiang Qiuqiu had made during her New Year’s Eve dinner stream.

"..."

And just like that, a virtual Eight-Treasure Duck appeared before them.

Then came an even wilder maneuver.

Under the control of the data’s owner, the plate of virtual duck slowly panned from left to right. Everyone linked to the feed performed the exact same motion: with virtual chopsticks in their left hand, they’d pick up a piece of "duck," then quickly pop it into their mouth. The terminal’s sophisticated interface would then connect to their brains and stimulate their taste buds.

The delicacy triggered a pleasant dopamine rush. Immersed in its virtual aroma, they would unconsciously salivate, their bodies crying out with craving.

At that moment, they would take the spoons in their right hands, scoop up a large mouthful of rice, and put it in their mouths.

The real mixture of cucumber, corn, and rice, along with the virtual duck, entered their mouths simultaneously. They had the flavor, and they had the chewy texture. Although the mouthfeel didn’t quite match up, butwhocare~~~

They got to taste something delicious, and by the time they finished, they were full.

Jiang Qiuqiu, who had witnessed the entire spectacle—everyone ambidextrously managing real food and virtual food, essentially "glitching" their own brains to eat—was truly stunned.

"..."

’There was just so much to make fun of.’

’But she was too speechless to even begin.’

’It was hilarious.’

’But amid the hilarity, she also found it incredibly pitiful.’

And—

’Who on earth still had a saved recording of the Eight-Treasure Duck at this point?’

A glance around revealed it wasn’t just this group; others nearby were doing the exact same thing.

’She really had no idea... what kind of genius could have possibly come up with such a scheme.’

Amidst a flurry of complicated emotions, lunch finally ended. Everyone across from her, however, looked completely satisfied.

After disconnecting their terminals, they picked who would be the "host" for their next meal, and then began to brag to Jiang Qiuqiu—

"Heh heh."

"I bet you never thought of a trick like this, Qiuqiu? This way, all of us can eat our fill at lunchtime."

Jiang Qiuqiu blinked. "I certainly couldn’t have."

He puffed up with pride, but then she added, "That’s because I always get to eat it freshly made until I’m full~~"

"..."

An utterly unexpected flex. The envy was palpable.

Meanwhile, on the forums for Federation University’s Mecha Single Soldier System, a new post was rapidly going viral.