["According to Herta, Ruan Mei has already arrived at the space station ahead of schedule. If you want to see her, you can first check at the platform."]
["Stelle arrives at the platform. The place is bustling with crowds, scholars coming and going in an endless stream. Stelle's gaze passes through the moving heads and locks onto that familiar figure at a glance—Ruan Mei is standing in front of a transparent window, holding a plate of exquisite pastries in her hand, her eyes quietly fixed on the azure planet outside the station."]
["Stelle nimbly weaves through the crowd. But just as she reaches Ruan Mei's side and before she can even raise her hand to greet her, Ruan Mei's finger has already lifted, carrying the faint sweet fragrance of pastry, and presses gently against the side of her neck."]
["Stelle's breathing slightly stalls. Ruan Mei's fingertip is cool as jade, lightly resting on her carotid artery. The surrounding noisy voices seem to instantly fade away, leaving only her focused gaze and delicate movements."]
["Stelle awkwardly points at the pastry crumb at the corner of her mouth. The other party, however, seems unconcerned and gives a faint smile: "Hello. I hope I didn't startle you.""]
[""This is my work habit. By touching, I open up perception and allow the details of life to flood into my mind. This helps me understand your biological structure.""]
[""This is the foundation of deconstruction and reshaping. Don't be nervous—you're very healthy. A perfect experimental subject. I like perfect experimental subjects.""]
—
Dragon Raja.
"Wait, experimental subject? Is she planning to experiment on Stelle?"
Caesar suddenly realizes—earlier Ruan Mei had been observing Stelle's battles in the Simulated Universe. Could her next experiment be planned right here at the space station? And Stelle's combat power is also an important part of her experimental data?
What kind of experiment requires combat?
Caesar suddenly recalls the Resident Evil movie he once watched with Nono. The protagonist had battles inside a laboratory. Could Ruan Mei, who looks so gentle and refined, actually be the evil scientist type from those kinds of films?
"Probably not. This is the space station, not Ruan Mei's private laboratory. Herta and Screwllum are here. With them around, even if Ruan Mei wants to borrow Stelle—this 'important Simulated Universe collaborator'—for experiments, the two of them must have known about it in advance," Chu Zihang says expressionlessly.
"That makes sense. But what's with that ability to give someone a full-body examination just by touching with a finger? Is that some kind of special ability she has as a genius?"
"Any genius favored by Nous more or less has traits vastly different from ordinary people, right?"
Chu Zihang's expression grows solemn: "Compared to Herta and Screwllum, Ruan Mei's personality actually fits my image of a true scholar more closely. It's just her tone of voice… it feels like she's indifferent to most people and things. Could it be because she's been isolated for so long?"
—
[""There's still some pastry crumb at the corner of your mouth…" Stelle reminds her again."]
[""Ah? Really?" Only then does Ruan Mei react belatedly. "I was admiring the scenery and got a little lost in it. I don't come to the space station often. I only discovered today that the view here is so open and calming. It's perfect paired with the subtle fragrance of lotus leaf, plum blossom, glutinous rice, and a touch of frosting.""]
["As she speaks, Ruan Mei divides the pastry she's holding and gives half to Stelle. The two of them quietly savor it together while gazing at the scenery outside the window."]
["She seems very interested in pastry baking and cooking, chatting with Stelle about many topics unrelated to research. But when it comes to the space station, Ruan Mei slightly furrows her delicate brows, saying the current noisy environment doesn't quite match the pastries."]
[""So… do you still remember my research?" Ruan Mei looks at Stelle seriously."]
[""It seems to be about life cultivation…" Stelle is just about to say this, but what comes out of her mouth is something completely unrelated: "I don't remember. I only like researching little stories about toilets.""]
["The corner of Ruan Mei's mouth lifts into an imperceptible faint smile."]
["???"]
["Stelle freezes."]
["(What's going on… what am I… saying?)"]
[""I see. What a cute hobby." Ruan Mei nods with a smile."]
[""But remember, in the future when something like this happens, before you figure out what's going on, you should first hide your expression. Otherwise…" Ruan Mei's expression suddenly turns a little more serious."]
[""…you'll be full of openings.""]
—
Gintama.
"Tch tch, tch tch tch…"
Gintoki lies sprawled on the sofa, watching Stelle being toyed with on the Celestial Screen, letting out regretful sighs.
"This teaches us a profound lesson—" Gintoki suddenly raises one finger, "—never casually eat something given to you by a strange woman! No matter how good-looking she is!"
Shinpachi pushes up his glasses and deadpans: "Gin-san, didn't you just roll around on the floor earlier going 'Ahh, I want to eat Ms. Ruan Mei's pastries too! Her desserts look so delicious!'? Now that you see Stelle got hit, why are you suddenly acting all cautious?!"
"Idiot! That's different! Mine is pure love for desserts! But that idiot Stelle was obviously bewitched by beauty! Besides, a mature man like me won't be so easily swayed by mere appearance."
Shinpachi sighs: "…Hearing that come out of your mouth has zero persuasiveness."
"Shut up! Anyway, if it were me, I absolutely wouldn't fall for it so easily." Gintoki crosses his arms and snorts coldly, then sneaks a glance at the remaining half piece of pastry Ruan Mei left on the Celestial Screen and mutters under his breath: "…But if she fed it to me with her own hand, getting tricked once in a while wouldn't be so bad…"
"You're totally smitten with Ms. Ruan Mei!!"
—
[""Shall we try again? Now, Stelle, is there anything else you want to ask?" The smile at the corner of Ruan Mei's mouth deepens."]
[""What did you feed me?" Just like the previous time, Stelle still fails to say what she intends. Her mouth once again speaks something completely unrelated: "The pastry was delicious. I want to eat a little more.""]
["(Why? Why can't I say what I want to say?)"]
[""Such a gluttonous child. Very well, I'll give you the recipe." Ruan Mei extends a hand toward Stelle in invitation: "Come, let's take a walk. After delicious pastries, a stroll is the most suitable pastime.""]
["Stelle follows Ruan Mei through the noisy crowd. Her back looks especially slender amid the bustling platform."]
["Finally, the two reach a quiet corridor. Once the surrounding clamor gradually fades away, she finally stops, turns around, and looks at Stelle: "Stelle, don't be nervous. I harbor no hostility. I didn't tamper with your language center—that would be too rude… I only added a little seasoning.""]
[""A few days ago, I hinted to Herta that I was interested in you. Because I want you to become my [assistant]. You are the most suitable candidate—after our limited interactions in the Simulated Universe, I am convinced of this.""]
["She lightly shakes her head again: "But there are no walls in the world that wind cannot pass through. It's hard for me to trust anyone besides myself. In meticulous research, even a single erroneous data point can cause problems. I hate problems that are out of control.""]
[""So, in this pastry, I added [anti-truth serum]. It is harmless to your body. It only prevents you from speaking your true thoughts when answering questions related to me.""]
[Hi everyone~ Just a quick note! I just graduated from college, to celebrate, I did a mass release on Patreon for all of my stories. Thank you so much for your support. I'll still be continuing the stories for the foreseeable future.]