Ruan Mei didn't answer Herta's question. She simply stepped into the elevator, and Herta quickly followed close behind.
The moment Ruan Mei set foot in the Sealed Compartment, the True Stings lurking in the shadows reacted as if facing a natural predator, scattering in droves—terrified that Ruan Mei might erase them with a single thought.
"Ruan Mei, these creatures are still so afraid of you! Has fear of you actually evolved into their genes by now?"
Ruan Mei walked forward slowly, eyes closed, her expression serene.
"The life that doesn't listen, that doesn't cooperate—has long since ceased to exist. Survival of the fittest. That is the essence of life."
They had just rounded a corner when—
"I... I'm not a creation Ruan Mei recognizes... Meow... Wuwuwu..."
Herta's brow furrowed. She looked down to see one of Ruan Mei's creations sobbing—in her own voice.
She quickly switched the synesthesia beacon's audio output to the Stellaron brat's voice instead.
When she heard Grey Bean Paste's voice transform into Stelle's, her furrowed brow gradually relaxed.
"Too much negative energy... Huh?! Ruan Mei!! Meow—it really is Ruan Mei!"
Herta assumed Ruan Mei would simply ignore the sniffling Grey Bean Paste. After all, Ruan Mei had come here specifically to find that one called Wisteria Cake.
Perhaps she had observed some data of research value in that particular creation.
But when Ruan Mei saw Grey Bean Paste looking up at her with tearful eyes, she gently stroked its head.
"Little one. What is your negative energy?"
"Longing. Missing. Yearning for Ruan Mei! But you never came to see me. So... I'm a failed creation, aren't I?"
Ruan Mei shook her head slightly, her expression uncharacteristically warm.
"Grey Bean Paste. You are a qualified creation."
Hearing Ruan Mei's answer, the low sobbing that had weighed down Grey Bean Paste vanished in an instant. In its place was an indescribable joy.
To encounter the Ruan Mei it had dreamed of day and night—and to receive confirmation that it was not a failure—was nothing short of salvation.
Herta spoke up first.
"These creations are so easily satisfied. Well then—Grey Bean Paste. Where is Wisteria Cake?"
Grey Bean Paste looked up at Herta.
"Huh? Your aura feels just like Wisteria Cake's! Meow—are you Wisteria Cake's family?"
Herta understood immediately. She gritted her teeth and looked at Ruan Mei.
"You used my data?"
Ruan Mei glanced away, her tone unhurried.
"Let's find Wisteria Cake first. We can talk later."
Herta gave a light snort but silently followed Ruan Mei, thoughts churning in her mind.
Why had Ruan Mei come all the way to the space station specifically to find a cat-cake connected to her?
Why had Ruan Mei's expression, her very bearing, changed so subtly lately? She seemed... more human.
Could it be the influence of that foxian girl, Tingyun? But she was still unconscious.
Question after question arose in Herta's mind—yet none yielded an answer.
For a genius, this was maddening. The harder it was to solve, the more Herta burned to know everything.
Along the path to find Wisteria Cake, cat-cakes had gathered behind Ruan Mei and Herta.
「It really is Madam Ruan Mei!! She didn't abandon us after all.」
「How long will she stay this time?」
「Meow—I hope she stays in the space station for a while.」
Meanwhile, Wisteria Cake sat alone in a corner, pondering why she was born, why she was here, why she could think at all. Suddenly, she sensed two familiar auras and turned around.
「Meow? Madam Ruan Mei? And Madam Herta?」
She leapt up in shock and began hopping toward them with all her might, even if she had to bounce every step of the way.
No—I mustn't be so undignified! I am Wisteria Cake!
In an instant, Wisteria Cake composed herself. She adjusted the purple magic hat she had found in some mysterious chest.
Then she stood at attention, awaiting the arrival of Ruan Mei and Herta.
Herta, however, was already dumbstruck at the sight of Wisteria Cake.
Looking like her was one thing—but wearing a purple magic hat on its head? How on earth had this creature found that hat?
Wisteria Cake squeezed her eyes shut, feigning calm with a little cough. With a face full of proud aloofness, she asked:
"Meow—two geniuses of the Genius Society. Why do you seek an audience with this meow?"
Her words, her phrasing—even her expression—were nearly indistinguishable from Herta's.
Herta's eyes went wide. She looked up at Ruan Mei.
"Ruan Mei! Why did you come to see this cat-cake when you already have me?"
Instantly, the chattering cat-cakes fell silent.
Under the overwhelming orange advantage, the very air grew heavy.
Herta realized she had greatly overreacted.
"I—I mean, you already have me as your Simulated Universe research partner!"
Ruan Mei rarely covered her face and smiled.
"Please don't envy Wisteria Cake, Madam Herta."
"I!! I'm not envious or jealous or anything! Hmph—I'm the all-powerful genius Herta."
"Why would I ever envy a cat-cake that bears a mere three-tenths resemblance to me?"
Having said this, Herta shot another sidelong glance at the magic hat atop Wisteria Cake's head.
She subconsciously reached up to touch her own head—only to realize there was no magic hat on this puppet at all.
I'll arrange it immediately! A custom magic hat for every single puppet!!
Herta's slightly indignant, envious expression was, in truth, perfectly human.
Ruan Mei turned back to Wisteria Cake.
"Do you have any wish you want fulfilled?"
Wisteria Cake blinked. She looked around—it wasn't just Herta who was jealous. Even the other cat-cakes were staring at her with something like envy and hostility.
Why did Ruan Mei come to see Wisteria Cake and not me?
Why did Ruan Mei ask about Wisteria Cake's wish?
The proud, aloof Wisteria Cake stared at Ruan Mei in shock.
"Me... my wish?"
"Mm."
Wisteria Cake used her tail to remove the magic hat from her head. All her fellow cat-cakes were eagerly awaiting her answer.
Perhaps, among all cat-cakes, her wish was far too extravagant.
Better to speak for everyone.
"Madam Ruan Mei... could you stay here in the space station and spend more time with us?"
"How long?"
Wisteria Cake stood frozen, stunned. She knew better than anyone how precious every minute, every second of Ruan Mei's time was.
Hope couldn't become greed. Too much, too greedy—and there would be nothing at all.
Wisteria Cake rummaged through a nearby storage box for paper and a pen. With her tail, she wrote the number "3."
Herta crossed her arms, proud and aloof.
"Three hours? Well—three hours of a genius's time is precious, but I suppose it's acceptable."
Wisteria Cake shook her head.
"Three months."
Herta stared daggers at Wisteria Cake.
"Three months?! You think Ruan Mei would agree to stay in this space station for three months?! That's delusional meow-speak."
But Ruan Mei smiled gently.
"This time, I will stay in the space station for three months."