Being studied, remembered for hundreds of years, casually creating life...
Even Ruan Mei, was curious about this matter. She asked, "What exactly happened when you two first met?"
"If I were to explain it all, it would be too much. I won't say it. You just need to know..."
Herta pointed at Bai Luan and said, "This guy appeared in my home without warning over nine hundred years ago. To make him tell the truth about his origins, I scared him with the threat of being studied, and he's remembered it ever since."
It sounded like there were many stories, but Ruan Mei had no intention of exploring them.
From Herta's brief summary, she sorted out a lot of information.
Longevity, at least the ability to remain ageless across time, a very special origin and ability, values his life, and capable of infiltrating Herta's home, not simple.
Ruan Mei silently noted these down as criteria for scoring Bai Luan.
Of course, more than these, what Ruan Mei was most interested in was the paper crane that came to life against all logic.
"Can I see this little guy?"
"Yes, its name is Chizuru."
Herta heard this and said, "You even named it?"
"It's the first life form I created, of course I have to name it."
Chizuru flapped its wings and landed in Ruan Mei's palm.
Ruan Mei's gaze fell on Chizuru.
No matter how she looked at it, it resembled a paper crane made of paper. How did such a creature come to life?
A hint of curiosity surfaced in Ruan Mei's heart.
Ruan Mei reached out and gently poked Chizuru's little head.
Watching it lower its head under the touch like a small animal, and then subtly shake its head after her fingertip left its head.
If she could study this kind of creation, it would be a significant help to her own life engineering, wouldn't it?
She hadn't expected...
There were still things on this Space Station that could attract her.
Why hadn't she discovered them last time she came?
Was it because she was too rushed?
At this moment, Chizuru flapped its wings and flew towards Bai Luan, circling twice before landing on his shoulder.
Ruan Mei's gaze also followed and landed on Bai Luan.
"Can you create this kind of creature again?"
"I should be able to."
"I want one."
Ruan Mei's statement was direct and unadorned.
"You can state your conditions."
Bai Luan glanced at Ruan Mei, seeing that her expression was not a joke; she genuinely wanted one.
Facing her request, Bai Luan fell into contemplation. After some consideration, he spoke, "I can give you one, and I won't ask for anything in return, after all, it's just made of a few pieces of paper, but..."
Bai Luan's tone shifted, carrying a hint of seriousness, "No matter how cheap the materials used to make it, from the moment it gains life, it carries the weight of life."
"Alright, I understand."
"I'm not finished yet, don't agree so quickly."
Bai Luan did not relax because of her agreement; instead, his gaze became sharper.
"Please do not... excessively harm it."
His tone was almost a plea, yet it carried a stubborn insistence.
"Observation, scanning, X-ray... please try to use these research methods that do not harm the body.
Dissection... I will not allow."
...
Ruan Mei fell silent.
Evidently, what Bai Luan was referring to was on Ruan Mei's research list.
Seeing Ruan Mei's silence, Bai Luan's tone became a little firmer: "If you cannot agree, or if you agree and then break the agreement, then I have the right to refuse to provide you with paper cranes again—even though its cost is only a few pieces of low-value cardstock."
Ruan Mei listened intently.
Herta, on the other hand, was enjoying the scene.
Bai Luan was rarely so assertive, especially when facing a member of the Genius Society.
But as this genius's assistant...
He should be like this when it comes to what he wants to do, no matter who the other party is, he shouldn't give an inch.
Finally, Ruan Mei nodded and said, "I will strictly follow your request and accept the paper crane. However, I want to ask you a question."
"What question?"
"You yourself said that the cost of this paper crane is low, even negligible, yet you go to such lengths for it. Why?"
Offending a member of the Genius Society for a few pieces of cardstock—from an ordinary person's perspective, it's not worth it.
Facing Ruan Mei's question, Bai Luan fell silent.
He didn't want any life to be in a situation of bitter struggle, yet unable to see a glimmer of hope.
Bai Luan knew what that felt like.
"Because... I have witnessed life struggling to survive. From then on, I understood—the weight of life, it is truly not light."
Ruan Mei was thoughtful.
Although this differed from her viewpoint, it was enough to give her some insight.
At the same time, she also confirmed that Bai Luan possessed courage.
Finally, she nodded at Bai Luan and said, "I understand."
Seeing Ruan Mei nod in agreement, Bai Luan also felt relieved.
Surely a genius wouldn't lie to an ordinary person like him, would she?
Bai Luan found a laboratory, which was common on Herta Space Station, and then let Ruan Mei choose the color of cardstock she liked.
Ruan Mei chose cyan.
Then, under the watchful eyes of the two geniuses, Bai Luan began to fold a paper crane from that cardstock.
Before long, a perfectly folded paper crane was created by Bai Luan.
After folding the paper crane, Bai Luan did not stop but continued to make a bunch of small decorations with the cardstock—such as small plum blossom patterns and the like—and attached them to the paper crane.
Before long, a paper crane consistent with Ruan Mei's style was created by Bai Luan.
"Although it is indeed quite beautiful and delicate, are you sure..."
Herta looked at the newly created paper crane, her tone filled with doubt.
"This is enough?"
Ruan Mei said nothing, just stared at the paper crane.
Facing Herta's doubts, Bai Luan said no more. He gently lifted the paper crane, and as if performing magic, he closed his hands, blew on them, and then opened them.
The next moment, the paper crane, originally folded from paper, flew out of Bai Luan's hand, full of the vitality unique to living creatures, and began to circle in the air.
Ruan Mei's gaze followed the circling paper crane. She extended her hand, palm up, providing a landing platform for it.
She softly called, "Come."
The newborn paper crane answered the call, flapping its wings, and landed in Ruan Mei's hand. It then raised its small head and looked at Ruan Mei.
Ruan Mei looked at this little fellow. The small decorations, originally made from other cardstock, had actually become a part of its body at this moment.
Interesting...
Ruan Mei revealed a faint smile.
Although she didn't know how Bai Luan created life, inferring the process from the result was much easier than creating something from nothing.
While it certainly couldn't be directly copied, it would definitely be of great reference value for her own life engineering.
"From now on, you'll be called Qing."
With a name, it had weight. It seemed his creation wouldn't die easily.
It was good that they could accept this situation.
Regarding his ability as a creator of wondrous items, he really couldn't explain much more to them.
As Bai Luan was thinking this, his shoulder was patted. He turned around to find Herta.
For some reason, she was in a good mood, a satisfied smile on her face.
"Well done."
In contrast to Herta's satisfaction, Bai Luan was utterly confused.
What was well done?
He just folded a paper crane.
What was there to praise?
He thought and thought, but couldn't figure out anything, so Bai Luan simply chuckled and brushed it off.
Bai Luan couldn't guess Herta's thoughts.
Subsequently, the two geniuses asked no more questions and let Bai Luan go.
Although Bai Luan was somewhat surprised that they didn't press him, he was also relieved.
He survived another day.
However, in the laboratory, the discussion about Bai Luan had not ended.
Herta looked at Qing on Ruan Mei's body and asked, "What do you think about this matter?"
"He himself doesn't quite understand this situation. Rather than a controllable 'ability,' it's more like a... 'phenomenon.'
A phenomenon caused by a supernatural force that cannot be analyzed by the existing scientific framework."
Herta's eyes narrowed slightly, "Path?"
Ruan Mei shook her head, "It's somewhat similar, but it's not a Path. A Path at least requires a clear philosophical concept, which he lacks.
This is more like... magic."
"Magic?"
Herta snorted coldly, "I don't believe in magic. So-called magic is just science that cannot be explained by modern means."
"Aren't you a magician?"
Herta spread her hands, her gesture carrying the unique arrogance of a genius, looking down on all beings: "When I first revealed the results of rejuvenation, those mediocre people simply refused to believe.
Even now that I stand here, a living testament, there are still people who wish for my death day and night, so they can seal the coffin on their ignorance."
As she finished, a smile mixed with sarcasm and coldness appeared on her face.
"I had no choice but to indulge their foolishness and tell them: 'Yes, this is magic.'
And guess what? They immediately believed it, accepting this 'explanation' with peace of mind.
Well, it saves this genius from wasting more breath trying to convince a bunch of... rabble."
"You're still the same."
Ruan Mei's comment was neither praise nor criticism.
"Isn't rejuvenation precisely about 'not changing'?
Herta smoothly transitioned from the topic, her thoughts jumping back to Bai Luan.
"I suspect those pastries he makes also contain similar effects. Interested in... 'analyzing' them together?"
Ruan Mei pondered for a moment, then nodded.
"Good."