Listening to Tingyun's explanation, Ruan Mei finally understood everything.
"You've just recovered. I'll teach you a dance and a special pastry recipe—enough to help you become familiar with yourself again."
Tingyun nodded in agreement.
"Whatever you teach, benefactor, I will commit to heart."
"However, it would be best if you taught me an ancient Xianzhou dance involving a folding fan. Other dances may be difficult for me to learn at the moment."
Ruan Mei set down her lute, her expression calm.
"Tingyun. Your folding fan?"
Tingyun smiled bitterly, a hint of melancholy in her voice.
"Alas, benefactor. All I have left now is this Crescent Moon Fan."
Ruan Mei shook her head slightly.
"When you return to the Xianzhou, you will find your other fan. If I'm not mistaken, it is called Cloud-Gatherer?"
Hearing this, Tingyun's sorrow instantly turned to joy.
"How does benefactor know so much? Ah, look at my memory—I forgot you are a peerless genius."
Ruan Mei ignored the flattery. She closed her eyes, drawing upon her memories of five-star Tingyun's idle animations.
In an instant—a breathtaking dance, fan unfolding, body moving like lotus in water.
Tingyun gasped in admiration.
"Benefactor, are you a trained dancer? That was so beautiful! Truly worthy of you."
Ruan Mei showed no reaction to the praise. She simply returned the Crescent Moon Fan.
"Your turn."
Tingyun smiled weakly and shook her head.
"Benefactor, I've just woken up. I'm not coordinated enough."
"Sigh. Come here."
"Hmm?"
Before Tingyun could react, Ruan Mei guided her through the movements, making her dance along.
When they finished, Ruan Mei offered her a pastry.
Tingyun felt the power of Destruction within her grow strangely familiar. Her eyes widened in shock.
"Benefactor? What is this? It's no ordinary pastry."
Ruan Mei simply produced a pile of pastries and handed them over.
Tingyun blinked. A sense of foreboding crept over her.
"Benefactor... what is the meaning of this?!"
"The journey back to the Luofu will take some time. If you follow my teachings, by the time you arrive, you should have mastered eighty to ninety percent of Destruction's power."
Tingyun stared at her silently.
"Benefactor... am I that unlikeable?"
"No."
Tingyun pressed further.
"Benefactor... can't I stay here a little longer?"
Ruan Mei's expression didn't change. She refused directly.
"Tingyun. The Xianzhou Luofu. Yukong. Bailu. So many are waiting for your safe return."
Hearing this, Tingyun smiled.
"Ah, I see. And here I thought benefactor was tired of me."
"Then I shall prepare to depart for the Luofu."
Ruan Mei nodded. But Tingyun continued.
"Once I reach the Luofu and reassure my friends of my safety, I will return immediately. I will stay by your side, benefactor, and repay your kindness."
Ruan Mei's eyes flew open. Though her expression remained calm, a flicker of shock—imperceptible to most—crossed her gaze.
"You... what did you say?"
"Once I reach the Luofu and reassure my friends, I will return and stay by your side."
Ruan Mei pressed her forehead. This deviates from my memories. Why would Tingyun choose to return to me?
Was there something wrong with our conversation? Wait. I told her about Feixiao and Yukong.
Tingyun is clever. She must realize that staying on the Xianzhou could affect Feixiao and Yukong.
For Yukong's sake, she would compromise. Leave the Luofu.
So... the moment I chose to help Feixiao, Tingyun's fate was already changed?
[Hmm? Correct. Now Tingyun cannot return home, even if she has one.] ♪
[What to do? Shall we let this foxian girl wander the cosmos?] ♪
"Make her a Nameless."
[Sigh. Only you would suggest that. Unfortunately, it's not possible right now.] ♪
"Why?"
[Firefly, March 7th, Stelle—they're at a critical point. A delicate balance.]
[If Tingyun becomes a Nameless, March 7th's five-star form won't be far behind. And if she doesn't get it, she'll flip the table.] ♪
"Send her to a Xianzhou ship other than the Luofu or Yaoqing."
[Phantylia would find an opportunity. Erase her completely. You know the situation on each ship.] ♪
Jingliu, Hoolay... and this is just the Luofu. The other ships are even more unpredictable. (Xuling is excluded, But Tingyun can't go there either.)
Ruan Mei frowned. No answer. No solution.
Seeing this, Tingyun poured a cup of tea and offered it to her. She forced a smile.
"If you don't wish to see me, benefactor, I won't return."
Her tone shifted—melancholy, resigned.
"The cosmos is vast. Perhaps there is a place for me somewhere."
The flawless crystal glowed. Images of Tingyun's possible futures flashed through Ruan Mei's mind.
[Bidding farewell. Reuniting with the Luofu. Then, to avoid creating distance between Yukong and Feixiao, leaving alone.]
(Ending one: On the way to the Yuque, she meets Phantylia again. This time, her soul is completely erased.)
(Ending two: Hiding on a frontier planet, she encounters the Destruction of Blazeflame. She dies protecting mortals.)
(Ending three: At the IPC, she accidentally crosses paths with Iron Cavalry. Death.)
(Ending four: On the way to the Zhuming, she meets Star-Shatter. Death.)
...
Countless futures. All ending in tragedy.
A single choice can change a life.
Ruan Mei closed her eyes and pressed her forehead. Finally, she spoke softly.
"Tingyun. Go to Penacony first. Meet the Nameless on the Express. Talk to them about Phantylia's past."
"And remember: do not look at Stelle for too long. Then go directly to the Luofu. See Yukong and Feixiao in person."
"When it's over, do not hesitate. Return here immediately."
Two "immediately"s. The worry on Tingyun's face vanished. She nodded quickly.
"Thank you, benefactor, for taking me in. I will go to Penacony and reclaim all I have lost."
She turned and left. But her retreating figure was not like Ruan Mei's a month ago. There was hope in it. Anticipation.
Ruan Mei opened her phone. Herta's last message—still from a month ago.
How would Herta see Tingyun?
Probably compare her to Asta. She's likely still calculating Simulated Universe data.
---
At Herta Space Station, Herta finished the novel Wisteria Cake had recommended. She suddenly realized the gravity of the situation.
Her sixth sense told her: besides Yu Qingtu, there was also that foxian girl she'd saved. Tingyun.
A sense of crisis—unprecedented—gripped her. She gritted her teeth.
With a wave of her hand, tens of thousands of puppets appeared.
"All of you. Listen to my orders. We're making a cosmic-level pastry. To deliver to Ruan Mei. Personally."