Ruan Mei observed Su Ran with great interest.
This man she had never met before— who managed to add so many features to the Simulated Universe— clearly possessed not only extensive data, but also remarkable technique.
Both Screwllum and Herta spoke highly of him.
Naturally, Ruan Mei's curiosity was piqued.
But because she lived far from the Herta Space Station, combined with her wariness toward external environments and her intense desire for control, she chose the safest option— meeting him inside the Simulated Universe using a virtual avatar.
After finishing his bickering with Herta, Su Ran finally looked toward Ruan Mei.
If she had shown up with her real appearance, maybe he would've been a bit nicer for beauty's sake.
But this floating fluffball virtual pet–looking thing?
Absolutely zero interest.
"Hello, Ruan—"
Ruan Mei blinked, then nodded politely.
"Hello, I'm Ruan Mei.
I don't mind being addressed informally, but I would prefer if you say my full name."
A moment of silence.
Long enough that even Ruan Mei wondered if she had somehow offended him.
She was just about to apologize when Su Ran finally spoke:
"…Mei."
Ruan Mei: "…"
So he did say the full name.
Just with a comically long pause in the middle.
"You… don't have to pause that long…"
"You sure have a lot of requests."
He looked at her with undisguised disgust.
They had only just met, yet she was already being disliked.
Ruan Mei felt strangely aggrieved.
"All right, speak.
If you've got something to say, say it.
If you've got gas to fart, then fart.
I don't have time to chat with someone like you.
You're not even giving me a nice pair of long white legs to look at— you're wasting my time."
Su Ran leaned lazily to the side.
Herta felt refreshed.
When Su Ran roasted her, it was a duel between two predators— neither willing to back down.
But Ruan Mei wasn't the type who could fight verbally.
She could only stand there and take the damage.
As for counterattacking?
Yeah… she wasn't built for this kind of warfare.
Herta admitted Ruan Mei was far more dangerous than herself— in research.
But when it came to banter?
There was no way she could beat Su Ran.
"You're a member of the Genius Society as well?"
Ruan Mei asked, ignoring his tone.
As for the "white legs" comment— yeah, she'd pretend she didn't hear that.
"What's it to you?
If I say yes, are you giving me a present?"
"If you want one, I could…"
Though she could already sense his hostility, she kept her manners.
"If you want a gift, I can—"
"The restricted section's breeding Emanator replica.
I want it."
Su Ran took the opening instantly.
Sure, he could steal it himself, but getting the owner to give it away made him look like a law-abiding citizen.
"What replica?"
Herta looked confused.
"What the— you built that thing in my space station?"
Su Ran explained calmly:
"A clone of the Propagation Emanator.
But since her technique wasn't great, it only survives for about a minute."
Herta stared at Ruan Mei with the expression:
'Seriously?'
Ruan Mei performing that kind of experiment in her space station?
"...Sorry."
Herta waved a hand. "Whatever.
I know what kind of person you are."
The apology might be sincere— but if Ruan Mei had to do it again, she absolutely would.
At least she apologized.
That was something.
But having a Propagation Emanator clone on her station was extremely dangerous.
Even if it only lasted a minute—
It was still an Emanator.
And Herta's real body wasn't on the station.
If something went wrong internally, she might not make it back in time.
"What do you want it for?"
Herta asked.
She knew geniuses were eccentric, so she didn't expect normal logic.
But she was curious about Su Ran's motive.
"I want a little brother.
A minion.
And I think a Propagation Emanator is pretty good.
With that thing, I basically get infinite soldiers."
Bug monsters were gross, sure— but they were powerful.
And they multiplied.
A built-in army.
"If you want it, I can give it to you,"
Ruan Mei said.
"But it can only be reproduced for a moment.
I don't think it'll be useful."
To her, it was a failed product anyway.
She would've disposed of it eventually.
Giving it away saved her the trouble.
She didn't understand why he wanted it— unless it was simple curiosity.
"That's because you can't.
In your hands, it lasts a minute.
But I'm different.
I'm confident I can turn it into a real Emanator."
He didn't need her opinion.
He only wanted her permission.
Herta felt ecstatic.
Earlier he roasted Ruan Mei.
Now he was straight-up belittling her.
Thinking back to how Su Ran had bullied her previously— and now seeing Ruan Mei get the same treatment— she felt comforted.
"…May I watch?"
Ruan Mei finally asked.
If he had such confidence, she wanted to see it with her own eyes.
"How?
You're not even at the Herta Space Station."
"I can depart now."
"And my time is very valuable.
Why should I wait for you to arrive?"
"…"
She was speechless.
This was normal between geniuses— everyone believed their own time was precious.
No reason to waste it for others.
Ruan Mei was the same way, so she couldn't even be angry.
"Herta," Ruan Mei said at last, "can you lend me one of your puppets?
I'll pay."
She had no choice but to ask Herta for help.
—------------------------------
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