...Could it be... Ruan Mei's pupils trembled slightly.
Was it because of these words that he returned to his old home after completing his studies and never left until the day he died?
This past, she only remembered it now... no... "recovered" would be a more appropriate term.
What made her feel even more conflicted was—
Until his death from old age, Qi Zhimu never forgot these words that she herself had long since forgotten.
After completing his studies, he returned to the world where his home was and stayed there for 111 years, never leaving.
Even when he died of old age, he left behind an automaton creation to keep the promise for him.
For a moment, Ruan Mei felt a tightness in her chest as an unknown emotion she had never felt before welled up in her heart.
It shouldn't be like this... it wasn't supposed to be like this... a student's love for a teacher shouldn't be like this... but why did he have to be this way?
Six months after moving.
"Teacher, plum blossoms can be used as ingredients for pastries, so can they be used to brew wine? Xiao Mu noticed you like to have a drink occasionally..."
"Brewing plum blossom wine requires higher quality ingredients, and I don't have the time for that."
"Anything Teacher doesn't have time for can be left to me. If I don't know how, I'll work hard to learn."
"Mhm."
She nodded casually, not taking it to heart.
But the youth learned a lot, and he learned quickly.
Gradually, besides her research, she no longer had to worry about any other trivial matters; her daily life was entirely taken care of by Qi Zhimu.
The pastries the youth made tasted better and better, and he could quickly absorb the knowledge she taught him.
During this time, he also learned many musical instruments, especially the ruan, which he practiced very hard.
Whenever he had free time, she could see the youth holding her instrument in his arms.
Gradually, the youth could keep up with her thoughts and they could play together.
She gave him a type of chinese lute, allowing him to officially have an instrument of his own.
The days were incredibly fulfilling; in just three years, Qi Zhimu completed an education equivalent to what an ordinary person would take from elementary school to university.
Of course, he didn't have a written diploma for the time being; if he wanted one, he would have to apply to a school and go through the process.
But he didn't care, saying that staying by his teacher's side didn't require a written diploma.
Qi Zhimu didn't mention graduation, and she temporarily cast those casually spoken words to the back of her mind.
When AMu was fifteen, she became acquainted with Member #55 of the Genius Society, Yu Qintu.
When the genius visited, the latter was quite cold toward her student, not even being particularly friendly.
Later, at some unknown point, Yu Qintu changed her attitude.
Ruan Mei carefully reviewed the past and found the truth behind many dusty, trivial matters she hadn't cared about back then.
It turned out... Yu Qintu had made a bet with AMu at the time.
To make a pastry that she would like?
To be honest, even the pastries she made herself would always have faults found by Yu Qintu.
That person's taste was too picky, even bordering on fastidious.
The result of the bet was currently unknown, but it likely wasn't something the Qi Zhimu of that time could have achieved.
A year later, Qi Zhimu was sixteen.
More than five years had passed since the day he became her student.
On the night of her birthday, the youth, whose height was now almost level with her own, appeared holding a jar of wine in his arms.
"Happy birthday, Teacher. Would you like some plum blossom brew? It's been aged for five years; the records say this is when the flavor is at its best."
She was somewhat surprised then, as her student's tender voice from years ago echoed in her ears.
It turned out that when he was young, he hadn't been joking at all; he would actually do what he said.
"Teacher?" Seeing her dazed, the youth tilted his head slightly.
"...Mhm, I thought you were just saying it casually."
"How could that be? Teacher taught me that if you say you'll do something, you must do it; otherwise, don't say it at all." The youth's smile was bright.
"...Xiao Mu is very good and has done very well. What reward do you want?"
"I want to develop a universal seasoning, but two of the materials... the IPC's listed price and delivery fees are very high..."
"Whatever you want, just log into this account and buy it. The cost doesn't matter."
To her, Credit Points were nothing more than a string of numbers. If she ever ran short, she could just sell some patents for her research projects.
"Thank you, Teacher! Xiao Mu will pour the plum blossom brew for you~~"
Having received what he wanted, the youth couldn't hide the joy on his face as he respectfully stepped forward to fill her wine cup.
Watching the Remembrance up to this point, Ruan Mei's eyes flickered.
She remembered that night.
The plum blossom brew made by the youth had left a remarkably deep impression on her.
It was also starting from that night that whenever her research faced difficulties or became unpleasant, she would have a small glass of plum blossom brew.
As long as she drank it, the frustration and unhappiness in her heart would completely vanish.
On rare occasions, it could even cause a surge of inspiration.
Ruan Mei continued watching.
Taking a small sip, she couldn't help but lose herself for a moment.
"How is it, Teacher? Is it to your taste?" The youth stood to the side, his expression looking a bit nervous.
"Not bad." She tilted her head back slightly and drained the wine in one gulp. "Pour me another cup."
One cup.
Two cups.
Three cups... Gradually, by the end of the birthday banquet, more than half of the jar of plum blossom wine had disappeared.
Qi Zhimu was still too young to drink, so it all went into Ruan Mei's stomach.
At this moment, her pretty face was flushed with an alluring redness. Seeming to feel a bit hot, she took off her coat.
"Xiao Mu, I want more..."
"...Teacher, you look a bit drunk. Let's stop here for tonight, okay?"
"I'm not drunk."
Qi Zhimu immediately deflated, looking helpless.
People who are drunk always say they aren't.
"..." Ruan Mei's brows furrowed slightly.
Why didn't she remember this scene?
Recalling carefully, she really didn't remember; there was actually a gap in her Remembrance.
She only remembered sleeping until the next day after the birthday banquet ended, waking up refreshed, and diving back into her research.
A few more cups went down.
"Teacher, you really can't drink anymore!"
"A drunk person wouldn't be able to speak clearly. Keep pouring."
"*Sigh*..."
Seeing the youth's helpless sigh, Ruan Mei's eyes were full of confusion.
It wasn't that she hadn't tried drinking a whole jar in a short time before, but she had never been drunk.
From childhood to adulthood, she had never had an experience of being intoxicated.
What exactly happened back then?
In the end, the entire jar of plum blossom brew was completely emptied, with not a single drop left.
At this very moment, Ruan Mei's snow-white neck was stained with a layer of rosy clouds; anyone could see she was completely intoxicated.
"Xiao Mu, help me to the bathroom."
"Teacher... bathing in this state isn't conveni... alright..."
Stared down by his teacher's half-lidded eyes, the youth could only choose to give in and help her into the bathroom.
He thoughtfully filled the bathtub with water before turning to leave.
Unexpectedly, just as he lifted his right foot, his arm was suddenly grabbed.
"Why are you leaving so fast? While I'm soaking later, help me massage my shoulders."
"Ah?"
Qi Zhimu instinctively shook his head in a panic.
"I can't, Teacher. There's a difference between teacher and student, and between man and woman. How can you let me—"
"Be good, be obedient. There will be a reward if you do it well."