Seeing the two looking downcast, Himeko could only console them by saying they'd find Earth someday, then quickly changed the subject.
"So, Xing, Fu Zhu, have you two decided?"
Xing glanced at Fu Zhu, then nodded. "Alright, since Bro is joining, I'll join the Astral Express too."
Fu Zhu just shrugged. He had already said earlier that he preferred joining the Astral Express over staying at Herta Space Station.
Herta pouted slightly in disappointment.
Seeing everyone had finished their discussion, Asta clapped her hands cheerfully.
"Well then, everyone, please rest for a bit. I'll have someone send over some food shortly. Thank you all for your trouble this time, Nameless."
No one objected. Asta led them to the rest area for a short break. Himeko also took this opportunity to explain things about the Astral Express to Xing and Fu Zhu.
In the rest area, Fu Zhu and Xing listened to Himeko's explanation while accepting warm bento boxes from a delivery robot.
"Mr. Fu Zhu, here is your cutlery."
The delivery robot thoughtfully provided both a knife and fork set and disposable wooden chopsticks, in case Fu Zhu wasn't used to one or the other.
"Thank you."
Although the other party was just a robot, Fu Zhu still politely said thanks before accepting the cutlery.
[Dining Knife and Fork]
[Current Conversion Option: Iron Nugget]
[Disposable Wooden Chopsticks]
[Current Conversion Option: Stick]
[Napkin]
[Current Conversion Option: Paper]
Fu Zhu immediately sat up straight and reached out to stop the delivery robot, which was preparing to leave.
The delivery robot halted its movement and turned back to inquire, "Excuse me, Mr. Fu Zhu, is there anything else you need?"
Fu Zhu hesitated for a moment, thinking, asking for a bit more cutlery should be fine, right?
He did help resolve the Anti-Matter Legion invasion, after all. Herta and Asta probably wouldn't mind the loss of a little cutlery?
"One set of cutlery isn't enough. Could I have a few more sets?"
"No problem."
Click. The delivery robot dispensed another set of cutlery from its compartment. Fu Zhu accepted it smoothly.
Seeing Fu Zhu had taken it, the delivery robot turned to leave again, only to be stopped once more by Fu Zhu.
A large question mark popped up on the delivery robot's display screen.
Fu Zhu looked away, slightly embarrassed.
"Actually, two sets aren't enough either... Could I have 27 sets of cutlery?"
The delivery robot instantly froze. After a moment of unresponsiveness, it still agreed.
"Certainly, Mr. Fu Zhu. Mobilizing 27 sets of cutlery from the warehouse now. They will be delivered to you shortly."
"Thank you."
The delivery robot turned to retrieve the cutlery for Fu Zhu. After flying a short distance, it stopped, looked back at Fu Zhu to confirm he wasn't going to stop it again, and only then flew away reassured.
Watching the robot fly off, Fu Zhu suddenly slapped his forehead.
"Hiss, why did I ask for Iron Nuggets... I could have just asked Asta directly if there were any Iron Ingots."
Besides, even with enough Iron Ingots, he didn't have a Crafting Table right now; he couldn't even make an Iron Pickaxe.
He still needed to find a way to get Logs or Planks first.
Just as Fu Zhu was pondering where to obtain wood, he felt a tickling sensation in his left ear. Turning his head, he saw Xing tickling his ear with a single strand of her own hair.
Caught in her prank, Xing just giggled twice.
"Bro, are you gonna eat your bento?"
Fu Zhu glanced down at the bento in his hand, shoved it directly into her arms, and then snatched the strand of hair she was holding between her fingers to prevent further mischief.
"You eat it."
"Alright, thanks, Bro!"
Xing opened the bento and began digging in heartily.
Fu Zhu pinched the strand of hair, about to blow it away, when he noticed a system prompt.
[Xing's Hair]
[Current Conversion Option: String]
Fu Zhu whipped his head around, his gaze landing on Xing's head of grey hair.
String was a great item, far more useful than a Nether Star!
Looking at Xing, who was focused on her bento, Fu Zhu couldn't help but clear his throat lightly.
"Xing, what do you think of me?"
Xing looked up at Fu Zhu suspiciously.
"You're okay. What's up?"
Fu Zhu grinned and continued, "I want to borrow something from you. You wouldn't mind, right?"
Xing instantly sat up straight, fumbled in her pockets, then turned all her empty pockets inside out.
"No money!"
"Not money!"
Fu Zhu pointed at her hair, exasperated. "Borrow two strands of hair."
"Oh, that!"
Xing readily plucked two strands of hair from her head and handed them over.
"Here!"
"Thanks."
Fu Zhu took the hair, immediately converting all three strands into String. Later, once he had a Crafting Table, he could make a Fishing Rod.
A Fishing Rod was a treasure. Not only could it pull enemies, but it could also fish up various items from water, including precious Enchanted Books!
This was his only way to obtain enchantments without villagers or an enchanting table.
The best-case scenario would be fishing up a Mending book. The Godfall Sword he was currently using was just a broken blade. Although usable, holding it by the broken section was very inconvenient.
If he could enchant it with Mending, perhaps it could be restored to its original form.
Just a fragment of the blade already had the damage of a diamond sword. If fully repaired, it would be at least Netherite Sword level!
Just then, the delivery robot returned with a large pile of cutlery.
"Mr. Fu Zhu, here are the 27 sets of knives and forks and 27 pairs of disposable wooden chopsticks you requested. Please sign for them."
"Thanks."
Fu Zhu took them all, then converted everything into Sticks and Iron Nuggets.
March 7th and Xing looked astonished seeing Fu Zhu ask for so much cutlery.
"Fu Zhu, what do you need so much cutlery for?"
Xing glanced down at the bento in her lap, which was supposed to be Fu Zhu's, and suddenly felt overcome with sorrow.
"Bro, if you're hungry, just say so! I don't have to eat your portion! You don't have to resort to eating wood and iron!"
Fu Zhu flicked her forehead speechlessly. "No, I just have a use for these things. Don't let your imagination run wild."
"Oh."
The delivery robot waited for the three to finish talking before interjecting, "Mr. Fu Zhu, Lead Researcher Asta invites you to the command room to discuss the matter of the cutlery. Please proceed there."
Fu Zhu's expression turned a bit strange. Asta couldn't be that petty, could she?
"Alright, I'll head over now."
Fu Zhu stood up to leave. Xing and March 7th also got up, raising their hands.
"We want to go too!"
They were extremely curious about what Fu Zhu planned to do with so much cutlery!
Surely he wasn't actually hungry enough to eat tableware!