Little Gui exclaimed excitedly, "I remember now!"
"Once, while playing the Simulated Universe, I encountered an event featuring Ruan Mei!"
"She said she was a micro-slice and gave me so many blessings that I cleared that challenge without taking any damage."
"So the genius who came to the space station is her!"
As she spoke, she teleported to the Supply Zone.
She searched the map for Ruan Mei.
By now, she had arrived near the Railway Platform of the space station.
There were many researchers coming and going, all focused on their tasks.
Stelle walked against the crowd toward the edge of the platform.
The onlookers let out a collective gasp!
"Though it was just a brief shot… oh my! That was me!"
"And me! Mom, I've made it! I appeared in the plot of [When Genius Stars Shine]!"
"I admit I spoke too loudly before! Yu Ling actually included me too!"
Just a brief shot of people leaving work.
Yet it thrilled so many researchers.
Because this mission was packed with significance for the space station players!
Soon.
A woman's figure appeared before Stelle.
She was enjoying a pastry in her hand. Sensing someone approaching from behind.
The woman immediately turned around.
Her hands reached up to Stelle's jawline.
Then, Ruan Mei cupped Stelle's chin and touched her neck, carefully examining her.
"Ruan Mei!!!"
"Ms. Ruan Mei!!!"
"She's so beautiful!"
"Ruan Mei has pastry crumbs on her lips!"
"I can't believe it! The real Ms. Ruan Mei?"
"Finally meeting her in person!"
"So she likes pastries too."
"So she gets food on her face just like me!"
All the researchers were ecstatic.
The legendary figure from the textbooks had finally stepped out of the pages!
At this moment.
It felt like uncovering the private life of a major figure from gossip!
Then.
Ruan Mei explained, "Hello, I hope I didn't startle you."
"This is my work habit. By touching, I open up perception, allowing details about life to flood my mind. This helps me understand your biological structure."
"It's the foundation of deconstruction and reconstruction. Don't be nervous, you're 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. Today I discovered this place—open and calming. Perfect with a hint of lotus leaves, plum blossoms, glutinous rice, and the fragrance of sugar frosting."
"Come here, look, the azure planet is right beneath our feet, so full of life. This dessert is also delicious, I'll share half with you."
The female staff member in the crowd was so excited she was about to faint.
Ruan Mei was the genius she admired and respected the most!
In fact.
It was precisely because she wanted to follow in Ruan Mei's footsteps!
That the female researcher chose to study biology and eventually joined the Species Division at Herta Space Station.
It could be said.
Ruan Mei was her idol, her faith!
She would usually pay close attention to any information related to Ruan Mei.
Unfortunately.
Ruan Mei was the type of genius who preferred to work alone.
Even after putting in a lot of effort, she could only gather some less significant information.
But now!
In this game's storyline!
Ruan Mei actually appeared right before her eyes.
Every smile and gesture felt so real.
This was exactly the Ms. Ruan Mei she remembered!
Wiping her glasses.
The female researcher couldn't help but exclaim, "After watching the game's storyline, I realize how pretentious I used to be!"
A colleague beside her scoffed, "I've seen plenty of people like you... Let me tell you, this is nothing!"
"Given Yu Ling's style, Ruan Mei will most likely become a playable character."
"You might even get to see her in action during battles!"
The female researcher was stunned.
Followed by an overwhelming sense of joy!
If Ruan Mei really joined the character pool...
Wouldn't she go all out to pull for her?
She quickly continued watching the storyline.
Afraid to miss even a single moment of Ruan Mei!
After eating the pastry.
Ruan Mei suddenly asked, "Do you remember my research?"
[It seems to be about life cultivation...]
However.
When the streamer chose this option, the protagonist didn't say what she had in mind!
Stelle: "I don't remember. I only like studying little stories about toilets."
Ruan Mei smiled gently, "Is that so? That's quite a cute hobby."
"But remember, when you encounter similar situations in the future, hide your expression until you figure out what's going on, otherwise..."
"...you'll be full of flaws."
At this moment.
The streamer, Little Gui, also realized what was happening.
It was similar to the situation when the protagonist was possessed by Cirrus before.
What she wanted to say and what she actually said were different!
And the problem.
Definitely lay in the pastry she had just eaten!
[What did you give me...]
As soon as the words came out, they turned into, "The pastry was delicious. I'd like to have some more."
"You're quite the glutton. Alright, I'll give you the recipe."
Walking along the Railway Platform's section.
The two of them began to stroll, one after the other.
Ruan Mei spoke to herself, "After the crowd disperses, this place becomes very peaceful, just like the uninhabited lands I've visited before."
"Can you imagine a world without life?"
"Where you can see the horizon's end with a single glance."
"Massive blue-green stars move along the star rail, and under their radiant light, there's only a vast expanse of white."
"My mother and I sailed across calm glaciers, searching for traces of life in the world, encountering all sorts of strange phenomena."
"It's like searching for the one correct piece in a mountain of puzzles. The process is bizarre, incredibly difficult, yet also moving and fascinating."
"Every time I encounter the same scenery afterward, I can't help but stop and linger."
At this moment.
All the researchers were completely engrossed in 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 had some profound meaning behind her words!
Some of the staff members had even taken out their little notebooks to jot down every word she said.
They planned to be the first to post on the forums and research networks.
――"Breaking News! Ruan Mei's Perspective on the World!"
It was bound to go viral!
After walking a short distance.
Ruan Mei stopped.
She smiled apologetically again: "Sorry, I must have said something quite perplexing. Don't be nervous, I mean no harm. I didn't tamper with your language center, that would be too rude… I just added a little something extra..."
"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 candidate ― I'm certain of this from our limited interactions in the Simulated Universe."
"But there are no walls that don't leak, and it's hard for me to trust anyone but myself. Any error in meticulous research can cause problems. I hate uncontrollable problems."
"So, I added a truth-suppressing agent to the pastry. It's harmless to your body, it just prevents you from speaking your true thoughts when answering questions related to me."
"Consider it a layer of protection, safeguarding my research and your personal safety. Once we've dealt with those troubles, I'll give you the antidote."
"As a reward for being my assistant, I can grant you anything you desire, anything at all."
The staff members were once again shocked!
They exclaimed in admiration: "As expected of Ruan Mei, she's got the gray-haired one completely under her thumb from the very first meeting."
"Precise, so precise!"
"A truth-suppressing agent… it's really something like that."
"That's more like it! I thought she was being too polite to us at first, it made me a bit insecure."
"This is… amazing! To have the honor of being Ruan Mei's assistant! What more reward could I ask for!"
"She has this damn politeness and warmth, but not too much, always feeling like there's a thin veil between her and others… Is this how geniuses interact with people?"
However.
What all the staff members didn't know was.
At this very moment.
Also within the space station.
In Herta's Office.
Three geniuses were watching this scene unfold alongside them.
Herta, Screwllum, and Ruan Mei herself.
As fellow geniuses.
Herta and Screwllum fully approved of Ruan Mei's methods.
This was indeed the most efficient and rigorous approach.
However.
Just as the three continued to watch the unfolding events.
Ruan Mei suddenly spoke up: "I just remembered something I need to take care of, excuse me, you two."
"What could possibly need handling right now? We're just getting to your part of the story?" Herta teased.
Ruan Mei smiled faintly: "Just… a small matter.Under the meaningful gazes of Herta and Screwllum.
Ruan Mei left the office.
Soon.
Her figure appeared in the sealed section.
Ruan Mei's eyes narrowed slightly.
A troubled expression crossed her face.
There was no other way!
She had already anticipated what was coming next in the story.
The "trouble" mentioned in the plot.
It could only be one thing.
――The Emanator of The Propagation she had been cultivating in the sealed section ― the Shattered Star King Insect.
Yu Ling was about to expose her!
If she stayed in Herta's office…
When the three of them watched this scene unfold together.
Ruan Mei could already imagine the scene that would follow ―
Herta's puppet tilted its head, staring at her.
"I lent you the Seclusion Zone for research, and you're cultivating an Emanator of The Propagation in there?"
"Quite the move, Ruan Mei!"
Given Herta's personality, this matter definitely wouldn't be resolved so easily.
The Shattered Star Insect was relatively simple to deal with.
But being caught red-handed by Herta? That was real trouble!