A few days passed in a flash.
Herta ultimately didn't keep Qi Zhimu in bed for three days.
It wasn't that she didn't want to, but rather that she didn't have the time.
Ruan Mei and Screwllum were both at the Space Station, busy with the upgrades and iterations of the simulated universe.
During this time, the massive social-phobe #84 Stephen also arrived against all odds.
Based on the test data from a certain grey little raccoon last time, the four geniuses decided to collaborate on the first major update, and Stephen proposed opening a separate project branch.
Qi Zhimu heard from Herta that the project branch involved a significant period of cosmic history.
As for the specifics, they hadn't been mentioned yet.
He was working in the Medical Department of the Space Station's Base Zone, so he was also busy.
The Medical Department had separate cabins and boasted many medical facilities they were proud of, claiming that as long as a person still had a breath left, there was always a way to save them.
Most of the staff members' research involved unpredictable risks; thus, the medical cabins were overcrowded every day.
Fortunately, there were enough doctors on shift, so Qi Zhimu didn't need to live a life of double shifts.
Even so, Herta was still busier than him.
Every day when she got home, Herta would either lie on the sofa or hunker down in the research lab, multitasking by remotely controlling the Space Station's puppets to perform related work, often missing mealtimes.
Now, he would wait until she was almost finished before starting to cook.
But tonight, it was nearly 9:00 PM, and she still wasn't done.
Qi Zhimu had no choice but to make some simple nutritious porridge and bring it to the research lab.
"Remember to eat."
Qi Zhimu put down the tray and was about to turn and leave when Herta called out to him.
"Wait a moment, darling. I can't triple-task right now, and I'll be busy for at least another two hours. Feed me, or it'll get cold."
Herta was indeed swamped; while remotely controlling the puppets, her hands weren't idle either, dancing across the compilation area with its hundreds of keys without a moment's pause.
Qi Zhimu noticed that there were two other frequencies on the communication channel.
"Won't I be... interrupting your communication?"
"It's fine, they won't mind. The core technology won't be leaked anyway, so there's no need to be so indirect."
Herta didn't care at all and immediately urged someone on the frequency.
"What on earth has Ruan Mei been doing for the last ten-plus minutes? She's still not back, and the docking process on my end is almost ready."
Through the screen, Screwllum and Stephen seemed to be able to foresee the impatience on Herta's face.
Just as she finished speaking, Ruan Mei's frequency rejoined the communication channel.
"Don't worry, Herta. I've been keeping track of the time; there won't be any delay."
Ruan Mei's tone was flat, but her gaze froze slightly as it fell on the real-time screen.
Beside Herta was a man with half his body visible, wearing an apron.
Since Herta was sitting and the camera was aimed at her upper body, the man's features above his waist were invisible, but his figure appeared quite tall and upright.
It seemed this was Herta's lover.
Ruan Mei took a glance and then looked away, extinguishing the faint spark of curiosity in her heart.
"Then let's begin the project docking."
Having said this, Herta turned her head to speak to the person beside her.
Her tone softened considerably, a completely different attitude compared to when she was communicating with Ruan Mei.
"Darling~"
Qi Zhimu blew the porridge cool and fed it to Herta's lips.
The latter hadn't muted her mic, so her voice reached the ears of the other three geniuses.
Given their temperaments, an interaction of this level between the two shouldn't have been able to cause any impact at all.
Everyone thought so.
But an accident happened anyway.
The docking process was divided into thirteen steps, and just as they reached the fourth step, Herta noticed someone was spacing out.
"What are you dazing off for, Ruan Mei?"
"...It's nothing."
Ruan Mei snapped back to reality, her attention returning to the docking procedure.
Seeing that sturdy arm gently and patiently feeding Herta, she was moved by the scene...
Once, she had also enjoyed the same treatment.
When she was swamped in the laboratory, her student would always bring food in on time.
The difference was that A'Mu had been plagued by various viruses in his early years and was quite thin; his arms were as fair and slender as a woman's, unlike Herta's lover, who looked sturdy and strong at a glance.
"Focus!" Herta was quite speechless.
Qi Zhimu hadn't even spoken, precisely because he didn't want to disturb anyone.
Herta wondered to herself—she wasn't even making smacking noises while eating the porridge, so why on earth was Ruan Mei spacing out for no reason?
Being unfocused during project advancement was not at all like her past style.
It couldn't be that she had actually taken what Herta said a few days ago to heart and started thinking about men, could it?
If a casual remark could come true, that would be far too Elated; it might even lure Aha over for a look, even though she didn't want to provoke Aha, a god who easily made people boil with rage.
Fortunately, Ruan Mei concentrated and didn't make any more mistakes.
After Qi Zhimu finished feeding Herta the porridge, he left the research lab.
The subsequent progress was relatively smooth.
While he was bathing, Herta finished her work and pulled the door open, happening to catch Qi Zhimu lathering up his body wash.
"...Did you do that on purpose, or was it an accident?"
"Purposely accidental."
Herta stripped herself clean in no time and pressed close to Qi Zhimu, directly sharing the lather he had worked up.
"Finished with work?"
"How could it be that fast? I'll leave the rest for tomorrow. You've worked hard tonight; as a reward, I'll allow you to enjoy being passive."
"Oh? Then don't you go calling for me to move halfway through." Qi Zhimu raised an eyebrow.
"Don't worry. Once this new project for the simulated universe is settled, you can have a good three-day rest..."
Herta emphasized the words "three days," her intentions plain to see.
"I'm scared..." Qi Zhimu used his acting skills to feign a tremble in his face and swallowed hard.
"Have you forgotten I know magic? Don't be afraid. When you can't hold on anymore, just ask this genius for help, and I'll assist you, hehe..."
Herta's face was beaming with smiles, seemingly very satisfied with his reaction.
He could always cater to her, being either active or passive, knowing exactly what she wanted.
Ah~~
Brother Mu really is a match made in heaven for me.
He loves me so much.
And I love him even more!
Herta was just about to kiss Qi Zhimu's lips when she and the latter both froze, looking up toward the ceiling in unison.
Their gaze seemed to pierce through countless obstacles to see that stalwart figure.
"Qlipoth has struck the hammer?"
"Yes." Herta's eyes were full of surprise. "From this moment on, Amber Era 2157 has ended, and the chapter of Era 2158 has officially begun."
"If I remember correctly, it's only been 77 years since the last era. That's so short."
"Whatever, let's continue."
"Continue what?" Qi Zhimu asked instinctively.
"A new era, a new beginning. On such a good day, of course we have to do something happy and relaxing... my dear... Brother~ Mu~~"
With those words, Qi Zhimu's mouth was blocked, leaving him unable to speak.
In this regard, he didn't need to be active at all, or rather—
Having undergone a transformation, Herta not only said whatever was on her mind but also disdained beating around the bush when she wanted something.
Herta had also gradually figured out Qi Zhimu's temperament; he preferred to be passive.
It was just that while being passive, he might very well turn that passivity into activity.
Today was no exception.
Hot mist swirled, blurring the glass mirror.
Only the clear marks pressed onto it did not disappear for a long time...
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