In a remote corner of the universe, on a planet without civilization.
The spacecraft hatch opened.
Yu Qingtu slowly walked down, her languid gaze casually sweeping before stopping on the figure at the manor’s entrance.
“I finally see you out of the lab.
Did you sense my arrival and come out specially to welcome me?” “Just getting some fresh air.” Ruan Mei’s expression was indifferent, her tone devoid of emotion.
“I am a member of the Genius Society #55, you know.
You’re making me lose face.” “The micro-expressions of your facial muscles tell me that you don’t care about so-called face.
Or perhaps ‘not caring about status’ would be a more fitting description?” “…” Yu Qingtu sighed helplessly and turned to business.
“Any research results yet?” That forbidden research that defied life.
People must hold some things in reverence.
Yu Qingtu herself had things she disagreed with, nor could she claim to hold life in particularly high regard.
But at least, she would not engage in such matters.
Of course, she would not interfere with others either.
“Not yet.” Ruan Mei said calmly.
“I’ve encountered a bottleneck.” “Say, do you intend to stand here and talk with me the whole time?” “Follow me.” Ruan Mei turned and walked into the manor, leading Yu Qingtu to the back courtyard.
Before Yu Qingtu could speak, she took off her white lab coat without preamble and swiftly removed the rest of her clothing.
“You’ve come at a good time.
Fresh pastries will be out in ten minutes.
Bathe and wash off the dust of your journey first.” Yu Qingtu shifted her gaze from the unfamiliar bath and onto the flawless, curved white back — not a thread on it.
“When I came last time, I don’t recall there being a bath here.” “I altered the geological structure and hydrological cycle of this continental plate.
Making a natural hot spring bath isn’t difficult.” Her delicate, fair foot lightly tapped the water’s surface.
Ruan Mei slowly stepped into the bath and sat down, hiding her alluring body beneath the warm water.
With a casual wave of her hand, large clusters of plum blossoms emerged from hidden openings along the edge of the hot spring, scattering across the water’s surface.
The refreshing fragrance of plum blossoms gradually permeated the space.
“Like master, like disciple.
That little one you taught does the same thing — always talking about ‘welcoming the traveler.'” “Did he also take you bathing?” Ruan Mei immediately lifted her gaze, a deep darkness surging in her eyes.
“What are you thinking?
That little one is so polite and proper it’s almost unbearable.
He would never do something like that.” Yu Qingtu chuckled, showing no restraint as she stepped directly into the bath.
The moment before the tips of her feet touched the water, her entire set of clothing vanished without a trace, as if its material had been disintegrated.
“Stubborn as anything.
Because of our relationship, all these years he’s never once called me Sister Qingtu.” “Always ‘senior this, senior that’ — full of distance.
Why didn’t he learn from you in this regard?” “You don’t treat me as some senior, so there’s no issue of a generational gap.
Would calling me ‘big sister’ really be such a grievance for him?” The darkness in Ruan Mei’s eyes faded, and she spoke flatly.
“Though a person is living, some rules must remain dead, or chaos will ensue.
I taught him that, and I punished him for it.
That’s why he won’t act out of line.” “…The culprit really is you.” Yu Qingtu’s gaze toward Ruan Mei became complicated.
“A teacher must lead by example.
Ah Ruan, how about calling me ‘senior’?” “Why would I call you that?
I’m not a member of the Genius Society.” Ruan Mei said matter-of-factly.
“Do you mean that if you become a member of the Genius Society in the future, you will?” “Although I have no interest in becoming a member of the Genius Society, if that day comes, I will say it once.” “Just once?” “Aside from senior and junior, you are still my friend.
Given our relationship, I believe the priority of friendship far exceeds that of seniority.” “You win.” Yu Qingtu chuckled lightly, her slender fingers picking up a petal, brushing it along with droplets of water across her jade-like arm.
As if thinking of something, she said: “If you truly reach the point where you can shake the cosmic order with your wisdom, whether you want to become a member of the Genius Society no longer matters, because the choice will be taken from you.” “The moment Nous casts Its gaze upon you, you lose any path of return.” “The current youngest member of the Genius Society is #77.
I have my eye on you.
Here——” As she spoke, a pink drink suddenly appeared in Yu Qingtu’s hand.
“What is this?” Ruan Mei reached out and took it.
A small, high-heeled glass was filled with a pink liquid.
Unidentifiable green herbs and something resembling an insect’s exoskeleton accompanied it as decorations in the glass.
An indescribable odor wafted toward the tip of her nose.
“I’ve named it ‘Pink Collision.’ You can drink it, or you can treat it as a research specimen.” “This insect is alive.” “Good eyesight.
You are a scientist in the field of life, aren’t you afraid?” “…” Under Yu Qingtu’s intrigued gaze, Ruan Mei pressed her lips to the glass and tasted it without changing her expression.
“‘Pink Collision’…
if I recall, it’s one of your favorite pieces from the Ancient Amber Era.” “Absolutely correct, my friend.
How does it taste?” “Passable.
The flavor is no worse than A Mu’s Plum Blossom Wine.” Ruan Mei gave her evaluation.
“That I won’t deny…” Yu Qingtu leaned back, draping her arms over the edge of the bath, and said with high approval: “How strange.
That little one’s Plum Blossom Dew the ingredients and method are clear at a single glance yet neither you nor I can replicate that flavor.
Has it become a Curio?” “Speaking of the little one, it’s been over a years hundred since you last saw him, hasn’t it?
Since you’re taking a break this time, don’t you plan to see him?” “Don’t let his permanent smile and carefree demeanor fool you.
He probably misses you quite a bit.” “I don’t plan to.” Ruan Mei answered without a moment’s hesitation.
“That’s your only student.
The only person you spent decades with day in and day out.
Do you really intend to go to your graves without contact?” Yu Qingtu was baffled.
“We’ll talk after I finish my research.” Ruan Mei remained unmoved.
“He is a short-lived species, unlike you.
If you bury yourself in research for another few decades or a century, he’ll have died of old age.” “He won’t.
I taught him no fewer than ten methods of extending lifespan without side effects.” “What if he doesn’t use them—…
tch.
Master and disciple are both stubborn as mules.” Halfway through her sentence, Yu Qingtu remembered that Qi Zhimu, as a short-lived species, had already lived over a hundred years.
He must have artificially extended his lifespan.
Never mind, then.
Come to think of it, aside from that little old man Elijah Saras, who would object to living a little longer?
Recalling the punishment Ruan Mei had mentioned earlier, and the question she had asked Qi Zhimu…
Yu Qingtu’s face flickered with curiosity.
She suddenly leaned her body forward toward Ruan Mei, ripples spreading across the water’s surface.
“Ah Ruan, that little one advised you not to continue that research — yes or no?” “Yes.” Yu Qingtu thought as much.
Her face flickered with disbelief.
“And you drove him away because of that?” Meeting the former’s gaze, Ruan Mei was silent for a moment, then spoke in acknowledgment.
“More or less.” “Was it worth it?!” “It was worth it.
A Mu denied my love for my family.”