Chapter 184: Ruan Mei panics; Is my secret of nurturing and breeding an Emanator about to be exposed?
Little Gui exclaimed with excitement, "I remember now!"
"I remember encountering an event called 'Ruan Mei' while I was grinding the Simulated Universe!"
"She said she was a micro-slice, and she gave me so many Blessings that I cleared that entire challenge without taking a single hit."
"So the genius who came to the Space Station is actually her!"
As she spoke, she teleported to the Supply Zone.
She began searching for Ruan Mei on the map.
By now, she had arrived near the Space Station's platform.
Staff members were bustling about, everyone focused intently on their own tasks.
Stelle walked against the flow of the crowd, heading toward the edge of the platform.
The onlookers suddenly let out a collective gasp of surprise!
"Even though it was just a brief shot, but… oh my god! That person just now was me!"
"Me too! Mom, I made it! I appeared in the [ Crown of the Mundane and Divine ] storyline!"
"I admit I was talking too loud before! Feathered Spirit actually put me in there!"
It was merely a fleeting shot of people getting off work.
Yet, it sparked immense joy among many of the staff.
For the players on the Space Station, this mission was pure gold!
Soon.
A woman's silhouette appeared before Stelle.
She was currently savoring a pastry in her hand. Sensing someone approaching from behind, the woman immediately turned around.
Her hands reached out, resting against Stelle's jawline.
Then, Ruan Mei cupped Stelle's chin and brushed her neck, observing her with meticulous care.
"RUAN MEI!!!"
"LADY RUAN MEI!!!"
"She's so beautiful!"
"Look, there are pastry crumbs near Ruan Mei's lips!"
"I can't believe it! Is this really the actual Lady Ruan Mei?"
"I finally get to see her in the flesh!"
"So she likes snacks too."
"It turns out she gets crumbs on her face just like I do when she eats!"
The staff members were all beside themselves with excitement.
A legendary figure from the textbooks had finally stepped out from the pages!
At this moment.
It felt like catching a glimpse into the private life of a titan from gossip and lore!
Then.
Ruan Mei explained, "Hello. I hope I didn't startle you."
"It's a professional habit of mine. Opening my perceptions through touch allows details about life to flood into my mind; it helps me understand your biological structure."
"This is the foundation of deconstruction and reconstruction. Don't be nervous, you are very healthy—a perfect experimental specimen. I like perfect experimental specimens."
[ You have some pastry crumbs on the corner of your mouth… ]
"Ah, really?"
"I was admiring the scenery and got a bit lost in it."
"I don't often visit the Space Station. I only discovered today that the view here is so vast and tranquil. It's well-suited for the fragrance of lotus leaves, plum blossoms, glutinous rice, and frosting."
"Come here, look. The blue planet is right beneath our feet, so full of vitality. This dessert is also quite delicious; I'll share half with you."
A female staff member in the crowd was so excited she nearly fainted.
Ruan Mei was the genius she most respected and admired!
In fact.
It was precisely because she wanted to follow in Ruan Mei's footsteps that she chose to study biology and eventually ended up in the Ecology Department of Herta Space Station.
One could say.
Ruan Mei was her idol, her faith!
She usually kept a close eye on any information related to Ruan Mei.
Unfortunately.
Even among geniuses, Ruan Mei was the solitary type.
Even after putting in so much effort, she could only gather bits of relatively insignificant information.
But now!
In this game's storyline!
Ruan Mei had actually appeared right before her eyes.
Every frown and smile felt so real.
This was exactly the Lady Ruan Mei she had envisioned!
Wiping her glasses, the female staff member couldn't help but sigh, "After seeing the game plot, I realize I was being such a poser before!"
A staff member next to her said dismissively, "I've seen plenty of people like you… Let me tell you, this is nothing!"
"According to Feathered Spirit's style, there's a high probability Ruan Mei will become a playable character."
"You might even get to see her elegance in combat!"
The female staff member was stunned.
What followed was a wave of pure ecstasy!
If Ruan Mei really entered the gacha pool…
Wouldn't she have to pull until she went broke?
She hurried to continue watching the story, terrified of missing a single moment of Ruan Mei's presence!
After eating the pastry.
Ruan Mei suddenly asked, "Do you still remember my research?"
[ Something about the cultivation of life… ]
However.
When the streamer chose this option, what the protagonist said was not what they intended!
Stelle: "I don't remember. I only like researching little stories about toilets."
Ruan Mei gave a soft laugh. "I see. Quite an adorable hobby."
"But remember, if you encounter something similar in the future, hide your expression before you figure out what's happening. Otherwise…"
"…You'll be full of openings."
At this point.
The streamer, Little Gui, also realized what was happening.
It was similar to when the protagonist was possessed by Cirrus.
What they wanted to say was different from what was actually spoken!
And the problem… [ For more exciting novels, visit Faloo Novel Network! ]
…must have come from the snack they just ate!
[ What did you feed me… ]
As soon as the words left her mouth, they turned into: "The snack was delicious. I'd like to have a bit more."
"What a gluttonous child. Very well, I'll give you the recipe."
Along the platform section, the two began to stroll, one behind the other.
Ruan Mei spoke to herself, "Once the crowds disperse, it becomes very peaceful here, much like the no-man's lands I've visited before."
"Can you imagine a world without life?"
"There, you can see the stars at the very edge of the horizon with a single glance."
"Massive blue-green stars move along their orbits. Under the radiant light, there is only a vast, white world."
"My mother and I sailed across calm glaciers, searching for traces of life within the world, encountering all sorts of bizarre phenomena."
"It's like searching for the one correct piece in a mountain of jigsaw puzzles. The process is strange and incredibly difficult, yet moving and fascinating."
"Since then, every time I encounter similar scenery, I can't help but stop and linger."
At this moment.
All the staff members were listening intently to Ruan Mei's monologue.
If it were anyone else, it would have been meaningless rambling.
But this was Ruan Mei speaking!
Ruan Mei must have some profound meaning!
Some staff members had even taken out their notebooks to record every single word.
When the time came, they would be the first to post on the forums and research networks.
——[ Internet First! Ruan Mei's Perspective on the World! ]
It would definitely go viral!
After walking for a distance.
Ruan Mei stopped.
With another apologetic smile, she said, "Sorry, I seem to have said something difficult to understand. Don't be nervous, I have no hostility. I haven't messed with your language center; that would be too impolite… I just added a little seasoning…"
"A few days ago, I hinted to Herta that I was interested in you. Because I wanted you to be my assistant, you're the right person for the job—I was certain of it after our few encounters in the Simulated Universe."
"But there are no secrets in this world. I find it difficult to trust anyone other than myself. If even one piece of data is wrong in meticulous research, problems will arise. I dislike uncontrolled problems."
"So, this pastry has anti-truth serum added to it. It's harmless to your body; it just prevents you from saying your true thoughts when answering questions related to me."
"Think of it as a layer of protection, protecting my research and your personal safety. Once those troubles are resolved, I'll give you the antidote."
"As a reward for being my assistant, I can give you a reward. Anything you want, I can fulfill."
The staff members were shocked once again!
They all sighed, "As expected of Ruan Mei, she's got the Gray-haired one completely under her thumb right from the start."
"Rigorous, too rigorous!"
"Anti-truth serum… It's actually that kind of thing."
"That's more like it! I was saying she was being too polite to me at first, it made me a bit unsure of myself."
"This is… too great! To have the honor of being Lady Ruan Mei's assistant! What reward would I even need!"
"She has this damnable politeness and intimacy, but not much. It always feels like there's a thin, ethereal veil between her and others… Is this how geniuses interact with the world?"
However.
What all the staff members didn't know.
At this moment.
Also inside the Space Station.
In Herta's office.
Three geniuses were watching this storyline together with them.
Herta, Screwllum, and Ruan Mei herself.
As fellow geniuses.
Herta and Screwllum expressed full approval of Ruan Mei's methods.
This was indeed the most efficient and rigorous way to handle things.
However.
Just as the three continued to watch the following plot.
Ruan Mei suddenly spoke up, "I just remembered something I need to take care of. You two, please excuse me."
"What could be so important that you need to handle it now? Your story has just begun," Herta teased.
Ruan Mei gave a slight smile. "Just a… small matter."
Under the inquisitive gazes of Herta and Screwllum.
Ruan Mei left the office.
Soon.
Her figure appeared in the Seclusion Zone.
Ruan Mei's eyes narrowed slightly.
She wore a troubled expression.
There was no other way!
She had already anticipated what the next plot point would be.
The "trouble" mentioned in the story.
There could only be this one.
——The Emanator of Propagation she had cultivated in the Seclusion Zone—the Star-Crusher Swarm King.
Feathered Spirit was about to expose her!
If she had stayed in Herta's office…
When the three of them watched this scene unfold in the story together.
Ruan Mei could even imagine the scene at that moment—
Herta's puppet would tilt its head and look at her.
"I lent you the Seclusion Zone for your research, and you cultivated an Emanator of Propagation in there?"
"You're really something, Ruan Mei!"
Given Herta's personality, this matter would definitely not be settled so easily.
The Star-Crusher Swarm King was easy enough to deal with.
But being caught red-handed by Herta… that would be the real trouble!