*********
By lunchtime, Emily was exhausted and the story of her enthusiastic, slightly unhinged "assistant" had spread across campus.
They found a quiet spot on the lawn. Chai joined them, still amused by the morning's chaos.
"Li," Chai said, "you're supposed to be blending in. Being subtle. Not asking professors about smoke bombs and lock-melting acids."
"I was blending in!" Ming Li protested. "I was acting like a curious student! Students ask questions! I asked questions!"
"Normal students ask about exam material," Emily said. "Not tactical applications of chemistry."
"But those are the important applications!" Ming Li said. "Sister Emily, what if there's an emergency and I don't know which chemicals to use? I'll be unprepared! Commander Zhang always said preparation prevents problems!"
"Commander Zhang trained you for military operations," Emily pointed out. "Not university classes."
"Education is education!" Ming Li insisted. "I'm just approaching it tactically!"
