The Astral Express smoothly glided out of the warp, leaving a trail of iridescent light to dissipate behind it.
Beyond the porthole, a vast and intricate construct, like a silver star, floated silently in the boundless ink-black universe.
The Herta Space Station.
As the airlock door opened noiselessly, Daziel strode into the docking corridor.
The anticipated silence was absent; instead, a slightly bustling sound of human voices, tinged with a curious vitality, rushed to meet him.
The interior of the space station was brilliantly lit, a unique mixed aroma permeating the air—a faint scent of disinfectant intertwined with the cold touch of Daziel of metal.
On the wide docking platform, quite a few researchers in uniform scientific attire had gathered. Someone in the crowd had even unfurled a slightly crude yet heartfelt welcome banner.
At the focal point of attention, two figures stood out, attracting Daziel's gaze.
One was a petite purple figure, one of the space station owner Herta's many puppets, identical to the one in Daziel's room, currently standing in a subtle posture.
Standing right next to the puppet was an energetic red-haired young woman, a faint smile on her face. It was the young mistress of the space station, Asta, with whom Daziel had shared a bed.
The moment Asta caught sight of Daziel, her eyes lit up. She almost trotted over, completely disregarding the astonished gazes from the surrounding researchers, and gave Daziel a warm and slightly ambiguous hug. The soft touch and the unique fragrance of a young woman were fleeting.
"Daziel! You're finally here! It feels like we haven't seen each other for centuries!"
Asta's voice was full of excitement.
All the researchers present, regardless of gender, were stunned by the station master's shocking hug, their jaws nearly dislocating. It was foreseeable that tonight, the various chat groups within the space station would be wildly spreading gossip about the station master and Daziel like a virus.
Daziel gently returned Asta's hug, his calm demeanor soothing the girl's excitement. His gaze quickly swept over the surroundings, a hint of appropriate surprise in his brow. "Well, this is quite the reception."
Daziel's tone was tinged with teasing.
Herta's puppet slowly walked over, her exquisite face showing no emotion, but her voice carried a barely perceptible hint of smugness.
"Naturally. This is a rare gathering of three members of the Genius Society. Such a grand occasion naturally deserves to be commemorated solemnly."
Daziel raised an eyebrow slightly, not intending to waste words, and directly stated his purpose.
"So... Ms. Ruan Mei, when is she expected to arrive?"
The air seemed to stagnate for a moment due to this question, the temperature even appearing to drop a few degrees.
The expression on Herta's puppet remained a smile, but her purple eyes suddenly flashed with a sharp, wary light, much like a cat whose beloved toy was being coveted. "What? Are you in such a hurry to see her?"
Herta's puppet's voice was deliberately steady. "Why not first ask when Screwllum is coming?"
Her tone was flat, yet her words concealed a sharp edge, the sour tang of jealousy almost solidifying, permeating the air.
Daziel almost immediately caught that subtle emotional fluctuation.
He chuckled inwardly but maintained a serious expression, even bowing slightly, his movements carrying a theatrical exaggeration.
"Ms. Herta, please rest assured, my loyalty to you is as clear as the sun and moon!"
Herta's puppet let out a light hmph, her lips curling almost imperceptibly, seemingly unimpressed by such cheap and flamboyant flattery, though the wariness in her eyes seemed to recede slightly.
"Enough of that."
Her tone suddenly changed, now laced with the mischievousness of someone who enjoys stirring up trouble.
"If you really have the ability to handle that Ruan Mei, who has her nose in the air, I have no objections."
After all, the entire universe knew that the genius in the field of life sciences, Ruan Mei, had a notoriously eccentric and unpredictable temperament.
Or more accurately, among this group of self-proclaimed geniuses, very few could be considered normal by common standards.
An existence as gentle and orderly as Screwllum was, in fact, an absolute anomaly in the Genius Society.
"She's already here," Herta's puppet added, her tone returning to a slight flatness. "Just go find her yourself. As soon as she arrived, she borrowed the Curio 'Phase Flame' from me, saying she needed to do some important life cultivation research. Then, she completely disappeared without even a greeting."
Daziel scanned his surroundings; the internal corridors of the space station were layered and intertwined.
"The space station is so big, where am I supposed to find her?"
Asta timely stepped forward again, a fittingly shy smile on her face, helping Daziel out.
"Daziel, Ms. Ruan Mei seems... um... not very attentive to everyday matters. According to the space station's visitor activity records, her general area of activity is concentrated around the Master Control Zone and the platform area of the Support Zone. Perhaps you could try your luck in those places first?"
She raised her hand, pointing to a floating holographic sign nearby, which clearly marked the various functional areas and routes of the space station.
Daziel followed the direction indicated by Asta's slender finger. The map on the azure light screen quickly formed a three-dimensional model in his eyes. He nodded thoughtfully.
"Understood, thank you for the information, Asta."
Daziel nodded his thanks to Asta, said no more, and turned decisively, walking with steady steps towards the Master Control Zone.
The welcoming crowd and the gradually fading noise were left behind him.
Master Control Zone, arrived.
In the central area of the space, there was an extremely complex multi-level operation platform. Several researchers were engrossed in their work terminals, their fingers flying across virtual keyboards.
Daziel's gaze quickly swept over every corner of the magnificent area.
The researchers were immersed in their work, their expressions focused and solemn. The air held only the low hum of instruments and the occasional sound of keyboard clicks.
He didn't find any special figure matching Ruan Mei's description.
Daziel slowly walked to the edge of the central operation platform. A young researcher wearing thick glasses, looking somewhat nerdy, noticed this uninvited guest.
"Hello, may I help you with anything?"
The researcher pushed up his glasses, his attitude polite, but his eyes held a natural aloofness towards strangers.
"I'm looking for Ms. Ruan Mei."
Daziel's voice was calm. "Is she here?"
The researcher was visibly stunned upon hearing this, seemingly reacting to the name, then quickly shook his head.
"Ms. Ruan Mei... she did come by this morning, extracted some basic data about the environmental simulation chambers, and then left. She didn't specify her exact destination."
Daziel's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
"When she left, which direction did she go?"
The researcher raised his hand, pointing to a wide corridor with a faint blue indicator light strip.
"It looked like... she was heading towards the Support Zone."
"Thank you."
Daziel said his thanks, turned, and unhesitatingly walked towards that corridor.
It seemed Asta's other suggestion—the platform area—was more probable.
After passing through several slightly narrow, dimly lit connecting corridors, flanked by cold alloy walls, accompanied only by the regular hum of pipelines, the view ahead suddenly opened up.
The platform area was not far ahead.
It was a huge, semi-open platform structure, offering a direct view of the more expansive docking area below.
Several small shuttles were quietly docked at their designated berths, their indicator lights blinking regularly.
The edge of the platform was enveloped by an almost transparent energy protection field, emitting an imperceptible low-frequency vibration, completely isolating the habitable environment within from the deadly vacuum of space outside.
Daziel deliberately slowed his pace, his gaze becoming sharper, carefully observing every figure moving on the platform.
Most were logistics personnel in different colored work clothes, hurrying about their maintenance or scheduling tasks.
Finally, Daziel's gaze passed through the crowd, precisely locking onto a relatively secluded corner at the edge of the platform, near the protection field.
An elegant figure stood quietly, like a solitary plum blossom on the edge of the platform, aloof from the world.
An exquisite qipao perfectly outlined her slender and well-proportioned, graceful curves. Her fair thighs swayed, making it hard to look away. Her raven hair, like a soft waterfall, was loosely tied up with only a simple hairpin.
She gazed at the boundless, deep, all-consuming sea of stars outside the porthole, an peculiar tranquility surrounding her, as if isolating her from the cold metal and bustling activity around.
Daziel deliberately slowed his steps; the mixed scent of disinfectant and cold metal in the air seemed to thin in her vicinity.
Without any need for confirmation, this transcendent and unique aura could belong to no one but the genius, Ruan Mei.
Just as Daziel was about to break the silence, she, as if having already sensed his presence, slowly turned around.
A pair of exceptionally clear eyes looked at Daziel, calm as autumn water, without the slightest ripple, yet so deep they seemed capable of discerning the secrets of one's soul.
That gaze carried undisguised scrutiny, and an almost childlike, pure curiosity, as if examining a rare, exquisitely structured artifact.
Before Daziel could make any sound, Ruan Mei had already taken light, lotus-like steps and arrived before him.
A cool, slender fingertip gently, incomparably gently, lifted Daziel's chin. The movement was devoid of any sensuality, only an almost dissecting focus.
Her other hand, as fair as jade, slowly slid along the firm line of his neck, carefully feeling the steady, powerful pulse and the life force hidden beneath the skin. This sudden, almost offensive intimacy made Daziel's body imperceptibly stiffen, as if touched by an invisible electric current.
Ruan Mei's gaze was too focused, focused to the point of being unsettling, like a top craftsman dismantling an incredibly precise instrument, exploring its internal structure and principles.
Daziel could even clearly see a tiny, almost unnoticeable crumb of pastry clinging to the corner of her slightly pursed lips, adding a subtle contradiction to her ethereal temperament.
"Hello, Daziel."
She finally withdrew her hand, her voice gentle and pleasant, clear yet seemingly tinged with the delicate fragrance of a newly bloomed plum blossom.
"We must have met many times in the Simulated Universe. I hope my actions just now did not truly disturb you."
Daziel's brow arched almost imperceptibly, a faint, unreadable smile playing on his lips. "Disturb? What do you think, Ms. Ruan Mei? Naturally, I was disturbed."
Ruan Mei seemed not to have heard the hidden meaning in his words, continuing to explain softly in her own way, her tone like that of someone stating an ordinary scientific principle.
"This is just a personal working method of mine. Through direct touch, I open my perception, allowing the most subtle information of a lifeform to flood into my senses like a tide."
"This method helps me understand your biological structural characteristics more intuitively, which is a foundational step for subsequent life deconstruction and perfect reshaping."
She once again scrutinized Daziel carefully, and in the depths of her calm eyes, an almost fanatical gleam of excitement flickered almost imperceptibly.
"Don't be nervous. Your body is very strong, far exceeding the limits of ordinary mortals. It seems to also hide certain... hmm, very special functions."
"You are a perfect experimental sample. And I have always cherished perfect samples."
A cold sneer flashed through Daziel's mind, but his face remained impassive.
"So, Ms. Ruan Mei, you don't intend to offer any apology for that rather impolite behavior just now?"
Ruan Mei tilted her head slightly, a hint of confusion in her exquisite brows, as if the concept of an "apology" was somewhat foreign and incomprehensible to her.
"An apology... If that is what you require, I can certainly provide it."
She gracefully turned, and from a small, floating table nearby, picked up a dish of extremely exquisite desserts.
Green lotus leaves were cleverly rolled into a tray, adorned with a few dried plum blossoms. Translucent glutinous rice balls glistened invitingly under the light, and the white frosting, like fresh snow, exuded a sweet and delicate fragrance.
"The taste of this dessert is quite palatable. I'll share half with you as my apology."
Daziel's gaze fell on the seemingly harmless dish of pastries, a faint light flashing in his deep eyes.
The scene from the original plot regarding these pastries clearly surfaced in his mind—these were no ordinary snacks.
Once eaten, one's words would escape their conscious control, leaving them entirely at Ruan Mei's mercy.
However, he naturally had a way to deal with such little tricks.
Daziel reached out, casually and naturally picking up one of the plum blossom pastries, and slowly put it into his mouth.
He even made a show of chewing, his expression vivid, as if truly savoring the sweetness.
In reality, however, the moment the pastry entered his mouth, he had, with lightning speed, silently transferred it to the special space within his Aether Coin.
"Is it delicious? If you like it, I can prepare more for you next time."
Ruan Mei watched him quietly, a faint, knowing smile on her lips, her eyes seeming to penetrate all pretense.
"Ten grams of precisely measured sugar, one specially air-dried salt-cured plum blossom. You know, the art of baking and cooking is no different from the principles of cultivating the entire universe; mastery of heat and devotion of thought are both indispensable. When encountering matters... one must remember not to panic."
Her tone suddenly shifted, her gaze becoming sharp again, firmly locked on Daziel's face.
"By the way, Daziel, do you still remember what my current research topic is?"
Daziel understood. This question was the key to testing the efficacy of her "special pastry."
According to her design, the person who ate the pastry would automatically answer this question with their subconscious, most genuine interest.
A fitting smile appeared on his face, tinged with a rakish amusement and an indescribable hint of teasing.
"Of course, I remember. If I had to say what interests me most, it would naturally be sticking close to Ms. Ruan Mei, and playing with your long, straight, perfectly curved, fair legs."
The surrounding air seemed to freeze, to solidify in that instant.
Ruan Mei's gentle, moving smile, like a crack appearing on exquisite porcelain, stiffened slightly. Her eyes instantly turned ice-cold.
"Truly... a vulgar interest."
Her voice lost its previous gentleness, revealing a chilling coldness, like an icicle in the dead of winter.
"I never imagined your mind would be filled with such filthy thoughts. You've suddenly become not cute at all."
She quickly reined in that fleeting emotional fluctuation, returning to her usual aloof, all-knowing scholarly demeanor, her tone even carrying a hint of condescending instruction.
"Well, let this be a small lesson for you. In the future, before you fully understand a situation, it's best to learn to hide your expressions and true intentions first."
"Otherwise, your entire being, like now, will be full of openings."
Daziel slowly lowered his eyelids, perfectly concealing the cold smile that flashed in the depths of his eyes.
Who was teaching whom a lesson? It was too early to say.
This woman, compared to her image in the game's plot, seemed even more annoying.
"Come, take a walk with me."
Ruan Mei turned first, the hem of her qipao tracing an elegant arc.
"Having just enjoyed a delicious snack, a leisurely stroll is the most appropriate pastime now."
Daziel's thoughts stirred: the platform area was too crowded and conspicuous, indeed unsuitable for a "deep exchange." A change of location suited him perfectly.
Ruan Mei led him through several relatively secluded, dimly lit internal corridors.
Finally, the two stopped before an alloy door with a "Staff Lounge" nameplate.
She took out a faintly glowing access card from her sleeve and swiped it lightly on the door's sensor.
"Beep." A crisp electronic sound rang out, and the door opened.
The room inside wasn't large, and the furnishings were extremely simple: only a comfortable-looking sofa set, a low table, and basic drinking water and food supply equipment.
Daziel entered the room with a calm expression.
Behind him, Ruan Mei gently closed the heavy alloy door and swiped her access card on the inside sensor again.
"Click." A barely audible yet exceptionally clear sound came as the door locked completely.
She turned around, that enigmatic smile, like a hunter locking onto prey, reappearing on her face.
"Alright, now, no one should come to disturb our 'exchange'."
Her gaze once again became aggressive, the kind of fervent desire a top researcher shows when facing an extremely rare sample they wish to thoroughly analyze.
"Let me... properly, carefully study your body."
Daziel calmly surveyed his surroundings, quickly confirming the absolute seclusion of this room.
The playful smile that had been faintly on his face slowly receded like a tide, replaced by an icy, deeply mocking expression.
"Ms. Ruan Mei, have you ever considered for a moment..."
"Perhaps, you yourself, are the one full of openings?"
Ruan Mei's smile, as if instantly frozen, solidified completely. An uncontrollable flurry of panic and shock uncontrollably surfaced in her eyes.
"You... what do you mean by that...? That pastry... you... you didn't eat it at all?!"
Her voice, due to disbelief, carried an almost imperceptible tremor. "This is impossible... How did you know..."
Daziel casually opened his right palm, his movements relaxed and elegant.
That plum blossom pastry, which he should have "eaten" and which should have taken "special effect," now lay intact, quietly in his palm.
His fingers moved slightly, and the exquisite pastry, like a lifeless butterfly, silently fell onto the mirror-smooth floor, making a dull, soft sound.
"Just as you 'taught' me earlier,"
Daziel's voice was terrifyingly calm, yet it carried an undeniable, substantial pressure that slowly spread.
"You must hide your true expressions and intentions. Regarding this, I think, I've learned quite well."
The color instantly drained from Ruan Mei's face. She completely lost her composure, her body subconsciously taking a small step back, her slender spine hitting the cold, hard door panel behind her.
For the first time, her eyes showed genuine, undisguised fear and panic.
Now, the roles of hunter and prey had completely reversed.
"You... what do you really want to do?"
Daziel's gaze, like the sharpest scalpel, fell inch by inch on her face, which was pale with panic, carrying scrutiny, assessment, and a touch of icy mockery.
"Do?"
He repeated these two words slowly, the corner of his mouth curling into an extremely cold arc, his eyes sharp as a hawk's.
"Naturally... to return the favor in full, to give you a lesson you'll never forget."
"To make you, this bad woman who likes to play with people's hearts and thinks she's so clever, thoroughly, deeply understand a principle—"
"Not everyone in this world can be arbitrarily manipulated and controlled by you."
Having spoken, Daziel flipped his left hand, and the fire poker instantly appeared, its blazing flames illuminating Ruan Mei's pale and panicked face.
___
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