The sweet voice struck the soul, which strangely stirred a feeling in Li Xin's heart, all because of the unassuming David, making the Round Table Conference suddenly quiet.

Estella didn't feel much about it. In this regard, Mr. Gemini could definitely be called a teacher.

"May I ask a question?"

"Go ahead," Li Xin swallowed and forced a smile, wanting to say that he might not really know it either, just having a smidgen of knowledge, it's a misunderstanding.

"What is productivity?" Estella asked. "I don't quite understand why everyone is debating this. The power of production should seem quite evident."

"I don't really understand either," Li Xin thought for a moment, but fortunately, he had memorized this. "Generally, productivity refers to the ability of people to use their capabilities and skills along with the means of production to create goods and services. Productivity has three elements, which are its basic constituents: the laborer, the means of labor, and the object of labor."

There seemed to be much more, but he couldn't quite recall it.

Estella felt she understood every word, yet somehow didn't quite get it. It felt like there was something powerful inside, but it wasn't within her grasp to comprehend at her current stage.

"Sir... Teacher, can you repeat that? I'm afraid I might remember incorrectly."

Listening to that soft, gentle, slightly shy voice, Li Xin couldn't help but perk up and repeated it once more, even adding a few more fragments.

Estella was trying very hard to remember it. During this time, she was working on her own gift, and until it was done, she felt embarrassed to contact Mr. Gemini. However, the disputes among Vladimir and the Grand Scholars were intensifying. It was said they had brawled several times within a month, even lifting the ceiling of the Academic Hall. Who'd have thought those normally gentle Grand Scholars had such strong combat abilities.

Estella wasn't sure if she had memorized it well. As the dome began to sway, the brief gathering ended. Estella bowed; knowledge in Moncalleta was a very great thing and respecting knowledge required even more respect for the person imparting it.

Li Xin returned the gesture. Chatting with Miss Aries was always delightful.

That night, Li Xin finally enjoyed a peaceful sleep. After three days of fierce battles, the macho David finally realized the necessity of rest. Such a man would never worry about food and clothing, even if he weren't a mercenary.

In adversity, change is necessary, and change leads to success.

Li Xin naturally desired change. Hauling heavy loads was merely temporary. Things like playing musical instruments, singing, and such were out of the question. As for selling his art... looking at the painters, magicians, and fortune tellers, it seemed like getting involved in art didn't offer much of a future, so he figured he'd be more practical and become a cook.

When Li Xin shared his idea with Dragon Mother, she opened her massive mouth, "Young Li, it's good to have ambitions, but reality is harsh. You have other choices, you know."

"Dragon Mother, I'm still a kid!"

"Tch, come on then, whatever's left in the kitchen, see what you can make. Don't say I didn't give you an opportunity," Dragon Mother said with a smile, "Dalivin, where's your rent?"

"Dragon Mother, I have something good here, it feels worthy enough for three months of rent." The painter with a soft yet fawning gentleman manner, his face covered with stubble and complexion looking rough, artists seemed to lead stressed lives.

"Nonsense, your lousy painting isn't even good enough for toilet paper. Let me see, if it's no good, I'll show you what it means to cut someone with a small knife," Dragon Mother grabbed the painting and immediately went silent, eyes wide open, "One month."

Dalivin shook his head, "Dragon Mother, three months is already very generous. Not to mention its artistic content, once I become famous, this will be priceless. I think you should understand the artistic value within it."

Dragon Mother wiped her drool, "A month and a half. Try to bargain further, and I'll get angry."

Dalivin reluctantly agreed, "A month and a half it is. But my food conditions need to be better, my complexion is too poor, I can't fetch a good price for my paintings."

Dragon Mother thought it over, "Fine, since Young Li is showcasing his special skills, you can come along to taste the dishes." The diverse immigrants each brought their own special flavors, and it wasn't rare for something outstanding to emerge in Hedan. Here, unique skills were still highly valued.

"Dragon Mother, count me in too." The magician Mr. Kan's stomach growled, starving without any rich food for a long time.

"You, aren't you going out to earn your living yet!"

"Ahem, Dragon Mother, you wonder how Dalivin managed to paint something so artistically refined and realistic, it was naturally my magic tricks that did it, and this is only the first phase. Our collaboration, with more to come," Magician Kan smiled without getting upset.

Dragon Mother hesitantly looked at Dalivin, who nodded, "Kan can magnify the field of view with magic, which is why I can replicate it so realistically."

"You two come along then." Dragon Mother reluctantly nodded. She despised these freeloaders who could even drink her poor soup dry if given the chance, "Where's my David?"

"He's still sleeping," Dalivin replied.

The inn didn't allow guests to bring extra people, adding a person meant an extra charge, though exceptions existed, like David. Staying in a big room, generous with money and carefree in nature, handsome too, Dragon Mother just turned a blind eye. Of course, everyone knew Dragon Mother had always had her eyes set on David.

The kitchen had no lavish ingredients; the only meat was the cheapest chicken, Lirong Inn only had one chef—Ma Liu, whose face was somewhat marred by pockmarks, lean and wiry. It was said he was the sixth among siblings, so everyone called him Ma Liu. He took care of purchasing, cleaning, cooking, and most manual labor practically on his own.

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