Qi Zhimu's attention wasn't on that last line, but on the nature revealed by the experimental records themselves.
If he wasn't mistaken, Ruan Mei wasn't just creating new life; she was also trying to resurrect past geniuses.
Even more terrifying—reading between the lines, she seemed to have partially succeeded!
Qi Zhimu decisively closed the notebook, not daring to read further.
When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.
He didn't want to see frightening content that would cause mental derangement or lead to irreversible madness.
Only by respecting the unknown can one live a long life.
Continuing deeper into the Seclusion Zone, Qi Zhimu had grown wiser; he turned a blind eye to any new experimental notebooks he saw.
He also bypassed any unidentified experimental facilities emitting a strange aura.
Anyway, his mission was to survey the defense facilities; there was no need to go looking for trouble.
Progress on the third floor was extremely fast, and he subsequently reached the second floor to complete the data collection.
However, for the final floor, the access card in his hand was useless; the feedback indicated that only Ruan Mei could enter.
Qi Zhimu didn't think much of it and headed back.
"Welcome back. Perfect timing—would you like to try some coffee I just brewed?"
As soon as he stepped into the Parlor Car, Himeko offered an elegant smile.
"..." A layer of cold sweat faintly broke out on Qi Zhimu's forehead.
Coffee again?
Noticing his expression was slightly off, Himeko felt a secret helplessness but introduced it as usual.
"This coffee is very popular on the Astral Express. Even little March, who usually can't stand bitterness, won't refuse it."
"Then I'll trouble..."
Before Qi Zhimu could finish, a young girl's cheerful voice came from the stairs.
"It's teatime! Sister Himeko, what did you prepare today that's good... Oh, Lord Zhimu, you're back! Coming back early is better than coming back at the right time."
March 7th skipped down the stairs with her hands behind her back, her smile bright.
"Is the survey work done?"
"Pretty much. I'll work overtime tonight to draft the final plan, then I can send it to Asta to finish the job." Qi Zhimu nodded.
Recalling what he had said before, he pulled out a jar of wine out of thin air under their puzzled gazes.
"What's this?" March 7th leaned in to inspect it.
"A homemade... beverage."
Qi Zhimu originally wanted to say Plum Blossom Wine, but considering Himeko was there, it was better to avoid the word "wine" as much as possible.
Even adults need to drink in moderation to avoid major problems, let alone minors.
Even if March 7th herself didn't know how old she was...
"Last time I promised to give you something delicious. I've been so busy lately I almost forgot. Try it; I guarantee you won't find any fault with it."
Qi Zhimu confidently patted open the seal.
In an instant, a crisp and pure fragrance of plum blossoms wafted out, enticing Himeko and March 7th's sense of smell.
Smelling this unique fragrance, both of their throats instinctively moved.
"This is wine, isn't it?" Himeko said hesitantly.
She caught the scent that only alcohol has, though it was very faint.
"Strictly speaking, it isn't. Don't worry, even if March can get drunk on liquor-filled chocolates, she'll only feel refreshed after finishing a whole jar of this."
Qi Zhimu made the guarantee with conviction, quickly taking a cup and filling it.
At this time, Welt and Pom-Pom also happened to enter the car. Smelling the aroma, their eyes lit up.
"Conductor, Mr. Welt, you've come at the right time. You must try this."
"This is..."
"A homemade beverage. I'm not boasting, but if I were to bring this out in front of my colleagues, they might fight over it," Qi Zhimu joked.
"That much of an exaggeration?" Stelle's voice came from behind.
She had just finished testing the simulated universe and had come to visit the Astral Express at March 7th's invitation when she heard Qi Zhimu's suspicious words.
What kind of beverage could have such magic?
"Miss Stelle can try it and see for herself." Lord Zhimu smiled as he filled a cup for her.
Everyone picked up their cups with half-doubt and took a small sip.
The next second—
Not just Himeko and the others, but even Pom-Pom froze in place.
Then, as if by prior agreement, everyone tilted their heads back and drained the nectar in their cups.
"Wine doesn't intoxicate, but people intoxicate themselves. Good wine!" Welt praised without stint, a flash of surprise in his eyes.
"Truly good wine..." Himeko's eyes brightened slightly.
The crisp aftertaste was clearly layered; even a coffee enthusiast like her wanted another cup.
March 7th's small face flushed a faint red, her eyes curving into crescents.
"Mmm... so delicious! Lord Zhimu, you were hiding this way too well!"
Stelle was stunned for a few seconds, looked at her empty cup, then at Qi Zhimu, her eyes gradually becoming longing.
"Cough... Mr. Zhimu, is there any more?"
Pom-Pom held the cup. Although the conductor didn't speak, the frequency of those fluffy big ears twitching obviously quickened.
Seeing this, Qi Zhimu gracefully gripped the edge of the wine jar and filled everyone's cups again.
Within a few minutes, the bottom of the jar was empty.
"Oh, I just realized this was the last jar I had on me. Sorry for spoiling everyone's fun," Qi Zhimu said somewhat apologetically.
Although everyone was a bit disappointed, they all showed expressions of contentment.
"Lord Zhimu, I really don't want to let you get off and leave one day. If you leave, what will we drink?" March 7th said sincerely.
"Yeah, what will we drink?"
Stelle nodded in agreement, completely unaware that her words had already defaulted her as a member of the Astral Express.
"Hey, hey, little March, you can't just say things like that."
Qi Zhimu waved his hand, gesturing toward Himeko beside him.
March 7th stuck out her tongue. "...Sister Himeko's specialty coffee is also a masterpiece, of course, uh-haha..."
Himeko gave her a helpless look. Just as she was about to speak, March 7th suddenly slapped her thigh.
"Oh no! I was so busy enjoying myself that I forgot about Dan Heng!"
A brief silence fell over the car.
There was a strange sense of guilt, like having a secret meal behind a good brother's back...
Qi Zhimu chuckled. "Don't worry. When I have time later, I'll go to the storage area and get some more for everyone. It's just that the place is quite far, in some remote corner of the universe."
"Hooray~~"
The atmosphere in the car was harmonious, and they chatted happily.
Compared to the cold research environment of the Space Station, Stelle felt she already had her answer.
Boring research work and life were not what she wanted.
...
That night, system time 00:45.
Herta cut off the remote control of the Space Station puppet and walked into the bathroom. Under the service of the puppet, her clothes gradually came off.
A fair, supple, and soft body was briefly exposed to the air before being submerged in warm water.
While summarizing today's simulated universe operation data to prepare for distribution to other geniuses, she casually asked the puppet on standby beside her.
"Did that little Tail sneak into my Curio storage room today?"
"Reporting to Ms. Herta, no. But a strange man entered; he holds your highest authorization," the puppet replied.
"Hmm?"
Herta tilted her head.
Where did a strange man come from... Oh, probably that hitchhiker Himeko mentioned.
"I want to see what he's up to in there."
Herta connected her consciousness to the puppet in the storage room and pulled up the surveillance records.
The moment she saw that face clearly, her body instantly froze, and her charming purple eyes trembled violently.
Helplessness, confusion, shock...
Until she saw that familiar key at Qi Zhimu's waist, her breathing uncontrollably became heavy.
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