Since there would be plenty of opportunities anyway, Herta figured the time was about right and headed straight for the special platform.
This platform was located in an area where ordinary staff members were forbidden to enter, usually reserved for her own use or for distinguished guests visiting the Space Station.
Within two minutes of her arrival, a spaceship entered discreetly and docked steadily.
The hatch opened, the gangway extended, and a graceful, elegant figure stepped down slowly. Upon seeing Herta nearby, a hint of surprise flashed in her cool eyes.
"I didn't expect you to come in person."
Ruan Mei hadn't forgotten the conversation they had during their communication a few days ago.
She was supposed to find a puppet herself to get the phase flame, and the permissions for the Seclusion Zone had been left as they were.
"I just happened to be at the Space Station," Herta said with a shrug. "When Screwllum came, I just had Asta go and meet him."
In reality, that wasn't the case.
She wanted to find an opportunity to get some special medicine from Ruan Mei... or even a direct modification wouldn't be out of the question, which was why her true self had come in person.
Otherwise, she would rather stay at home and remotely control her puppets.
With a wave of Herta's hand, an anti-gravity carpet appeared.
"Get on."
It wasn't the first time Ruan Mei had seen this curio, and she stepped forward with a calm expression.
The carpet lifted into the air and flew at a steady speed toward the interior of the Space Station.
On the way, Herta occasionally glanced at the person beside her out of the corner of her eye, her expression somewhat strange.
In fact, Ruan Mei was also quietly sizing Herta up.
Today, Herta wasn't wearing the witch outfit she usually wore; she was just in a set of simple casual clothes.
Her skin was delicate and fair, plump and even, and at close range, it looked even more hydrated and translucent, with a healthy, natural glow from within.
Her eyes were different too; they were covered with a layer of shimmering light, and the sharp edge between her brows had faded considerably, replaced by an irrepressible charm and laziness.
She was like a purple lily that had been parched for a long time and had finally received the meticulous nourishment of morning dew.
"...You seem to have had quite a lot of sexual activity lately," Ruan Mei said bluntly.
"Mm, I'm very satisfied." The corners of Herta's mouth curled up as a figure emerged in her mind.
—The very capable Qi Zhimu.
As a top scientist in the field of life sciences, it was practically a professional instinct for Ruan Mei to notice subtle physiological changes in humans.
Just as Herta could observe all space-related changes at a glance in her own area of expertise.
For people of their status, discussing such a topic didn't feel awkward.
"Look at you, wearing a cold face day after day, year after year. When the right moment comes, you should give it a try. Finding someone who is compatible with you both physically and mentally is truly a great way to relieve stress and... find happiness."
"..." Ruan Mei fell silent, her gaze unconsciously dropping.
In that distant year, if she could have spared even a little energy from her cold experiments, perhaps she would have noticed that she had once had such an experience.
Even though the constitution of a Long-Life Species is naturally stronger, she would have definitely noticed it if she had paid just a little attention.
Then she would have looked for the reason, and if she had, A'Mu's ending might have been...
Thinking of the cruel words she had once said to Qi Zhimu, a habitual gloom and sorrow welled up in Ruan Mei's eyes.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Herta followed up casually.
"A long, long time ago... I personally destroyed the person who was compatible with me, body and soul."
"Huh? Why?"
"..."
"If you don't want to say, then forget it. It has nothing to do with me anyway. I was originally planning to introduce you to my man, but unfortunately, he happens to be busy with work."
Herta couldn't be bothered to dwell on Ruan Mei's private affairs; rather, she had never been interested in the affairs of outsiders.
"Last time you said you tried to invite Yu Qingtu, which means she's still alive. What's the follow-up?"
At the mention of Yu Qingtu, Herta's expression became somewhat sentimental.
Originally, she had been very keen on the matter of inviting a new genius to join the simulated universe,
But now that she had reunited with Qi Zhimu, she had become much more relaxed about it, feeling that it wouldn't matter if Yu Qingtu refused.
Missing one genius wouldn't affect the iterations of the simulated universe, and she had plenty of time now anyway.
Problems that could be solved with time weren't problems at all.
"She will come, but the time is yet to be determined," Ruan Mei replied.
"Alright then. Since you'll be staying at the Space Station for a while anyway, keep an eye on her schedule. Do you need a place to stay on the Azure Star?"
Resting on a planet was always more comfortable than on a Space Station, so Herta was being quite kind.
"It'll be convenient to have afternoon tea together when we're free. I'm not bragging, but my man can cook anything."
"No need." Ruan Mei shook her head slightly. "Aside from working on the simulated universe matters, I will be living in seclusion for the rest of the time."
"Another new project? Suit yourself." Herta shifted the topic nonchalantly. "Then shall I take you directly to the Seclusion Zone?"
"Mm." Ruan Mei nodded, but she was a bit puzzled in her heart.
Herta seemed overly enthusiastic today. 'Enthusiastic' wasn't quite the right word; to be more precise, she had taken on the air of a host.
It hadn't been like this before.
On her previous visits to the Space Station, Herta would at most activate the autonomous thinking mode of a puppet to have it receive her.
Her true body would stay nestled in her tower at the edge of the galaxy, never leaving her home.
Could it be... that the nourishment of love could cause such a massive change in a person?
Ruan Mei fell into a daze.
She could conquer countless obscure and difficult academic subjects given enough time, but she alone could not imagine what kind of changes would occur in herself if she had a partner to love.
For that ethereal future, she, Yu Qingtu, and even Black Swan had spent thousands of years, yet none had achieved their heart's desire.
She thought she had understood love early on, but because of that arrogance, she had personally destroyed the future that should have belonged to her.
How ironic...
It was just as Yu Qingtu said; she deserved to spend the rest of her life suffering in the bitter fruit of regret.
Unless A'Mu could return and forgive the teacher who had caused him so much pain.
But... that day was nowhere in sight.
Ruan Mei was lost in thought until Herta called out to her several times, finally snapping her back to reality.
"We're here. What were you thinking about so intently?"
"...Nothing."
"The phase flame you wanted—remember to return it to me when you're done."
"Mm."
Seeing Ruan Mei just give a hum, put away the curio, and start walking inside, Herta had to call her back.
"Is there something else?" Ruan Mei cast a questioning glance.
"I've helped you so much, I've even lent you my territory. Geniuses should also observe the rules of reciprocity, shouldn't they? Don't you have anything to offer in return?"
"What do you need from me?"
"I want breast enhancement, the kind without side effects. Don't you dare say you can't do it." Herta subconsciously crossed her arms over her chest and spoke with righteous confidence.
"..."
A very obvious look of astonishment flashed in Ruan Mei's eyes.
To be honest, even if she were told right now that the Space Station was about to explode, it probably wouldn't have as much impact as Herta's words.
She looked down, but couldn't see her toes, then raised her gaze and swept it over Herta's somewhat youthful curves.
"What are you looking at? For my man to eat better, I'm willing!" Herta couldn't quite stand Ruan Mei's gaze.
"...Give me a sample of your tissue, and the following materials."
Ruan Mei's face returned to its indifferent state as she sent the requirements to Herta, adding calmly,
"Once the materials are ready, give me ten minutes, and you'll have what you want."
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