Herta gritted her teeth. Her amethyst eyes flickered with confusion, with doubt.
She kept questioning herself inwardly. Was she somehow similar to those True Stings? Or the Starcrusher Swarm King?
No. Absolutely impossible. How could she, the great genius Herta of the Genius Society, share any resemblance with those vermin?
Herta picked up the Simulated Universe data Ruan Mei had just observed, deliberately changing the subject.
"Ruan Mei. Is there something wrong with this Simulated Universe data?"
Ruan Mei took the research data from her. Her eyes, cool as plum blossoms, fixed on Herta.
"Leave the data aside for now. The topic should return to what I just said."
Herta crossed her arms, eyes shut tight, her face full of proud aloofness as she replied.
"Stop right there! Thanks to Yu Qingtu's introduction, we've known each other for several Amber Eras now.
We know everything there is to know about each other. What's there to study?"
"Besides, shouldn't we be discussing Yu Qingtu right now?"
Hearing this, Ruan Mei lowered her head in thought.
Influenced by that memory, perhaps she had been too fixated on completing the system's tasks.
She had completely pushed Yu Qingtu's matter aside. Ah, Yu Qingtu—forever elusive.
"Herta. Let's discuss Yu Qingtu in detail once Screwllum arrives at the space station. This research of mine—you'll support it, won't you?"
Herta blinked. She tugged at her sleeve, her tone unhurried.
"Fine! No more Yu Qingtu. But Madam Herta is not one of those True Stings, and I will not cooperate with your research!"
"Please do as you wish. I'm returning to the blue planet. If anything comes up, you can reach me through the Herta puppets anytime. Goodbye!"
Herta turned abruptly—but Ruan Mei caught her by the arm in an instant.
Herta slowly looked up. Wherever her gaze fell, it met only Ruan Mei's classical, flawless profile.
Herta stood frozen in place.
Ruan Mei removed the tall magic hat from Herta's head. She leaned in slightly, murmuring softly by Herta's ear.
"The lute's notes play on, round and round. That day will come at last."
"All-powerful and understanding Madam Herta. This time, please cooperate with my research. Alright?"
Herta's gaze remained fixed on Ruan Mei's cool profile.
By now, Herta had long since lost her composure. She did not refuse. She did not answer Ruan Mei.
But even in this state, Herta still caught those eight words: all-powerful and understanding.
She actually praised me directly? Was this still the Ruan Mei she knew?
This feeling—it surpassed even the day she discovered the secret to eternal youth, or the first time she had an audience with an Aeon.
Herta snatched back the magic hat and placed it firmly on her head. She turned her back to Ruan Mei, pride tinged with barely perceptible delight.
"Hmph! 'Understanding'? I, Herta, am not that kind of person! As for 'all-powerful'... ahem, well—I'm still a little short, but close enough."
"Tell me. How do you want to study me? How will this experiment work? I happen to have some free time lately. Reluctantly, I'll cooperate with you—just this once."
"Remember: reluctantly!!"
Herta emphasized this repeatedly, yet she had agreed to cooperate.
Ruan Mei smiled faintly. Herta's "reluctance" meant unconditional help.
"Wisteria Cake. Come out."
When Wisteria Cake hopped out from the corner of the laboratory, Herta noticed something: the cat-cake's eyes held a certain joy.
"Meow. Thank you, 'Father.' For making 'Mother' agree to all this."
When Herta heard Wisteria Cake's words through her synesthesia beacon, the faint glow of delight on her face instantly dimmed and cooled.
"Herta? Did Wisteria Cake say something wrong?"
Herta's eyes went wide. She pointed at Wisteria Cake, stammering, struggling to find words as she stared at Ruan Mei.
"You!! What does this cat-cake call me?!"
"Ruan Mei! What is the meaning of this?! Tell me—now, immediately, this instant! What exactly are your research and experiment about this time?!"
Ruan Mei did not reply. Calmly, unhurriedly, she walked to the table nearby, picked up a cup, poured tea, then offered both the tea and a plum cake to Herta.
"Herta. First, have some tea. Try a pastry. Calm yourself."
"I!! How can I calm down?! I've lived for so many Amber Eras, and now someone—no, some cat—is calling me by such a strange title!"
"And this creature is one of your creations. You, Ruan Mei, and your experiment's purpose—I need an explanation."
Ruan Mei offered a piece of pastry to Wisteria Cake. Wisteria Cake first closed her eyes and turned away with an air of proud aloofness—then snatched the pastry and devoured it in the blink of an eye.
Ruan Mei couldn't help but cover her smile.
"You were just like that last time, weren't you? Herta."
Herta gave a heavy snort. She gritted her teeth and turned away.
"Explanation. I need your explanation."
Ruan Mei gently placed Wisteria Cake before Herta.
"This child truly resembles you."
"And that's your explanation?"
Seeing Herta already flushed with embarrassment, on the verge of tears, Ruan Mei finally relented.
"This is a social experiment. On the existence of 'family.'"
Herta stared intently at Ruan Mei.
"A social experiment? 'Family'?"
"Ruan Mei. You think you're so great? You have nothing better to do. You're the first fool in the Fool's Club!"
When Ruan Mei's cold, detached gaze fell upon Herta once more, Herta suddenly came to her senses. She had gone too far. And this woman was more terrifying than she imagined.
Genius Society member #81. In the eyes of all geniuses, she was an absolute "mad scientist."
Herta took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.
"Ruan Mei. Instead of researching True Stings and the Simulated Universe, you're studying this so-called social experiment? You've got your priorities backwards."
Ruan Mei did not answer. She simply gazed at Herta, letting her reflection fall upon those cold eyes.
Herta pressed on.
"'Father.' 'Mother.' Family. You really think I have time for this? To play house with you here like a child?"
"Of course—geniuses have their whims. I can understand reminiscing about childhood, but I don't approve."
Ruan Mei's mind flashed back to her own childhood: the first time she encountered an ancient beast on a snowy plain. That was when her exploration of "life" began. (For details, see the PV.)
"Alright, Ruan Mei. Let's stop here for today. Goodbye. Good night. May your dreams be sweet."
Herta turned to leave—but Ruan Mei caught her sleeve again. Wisteria Cake followed suit, blocking Herta's path.
"This time, you accept my willfulness. Next time, I will unconditionally indulge your whims."