In a remote corner of the universe, on a planet devoid of civilization.
The starship's hatch opened. Yu Qingtu descended leisurely, her languid gaze sweeping casually before settling on the figure at the manor's entrance ahead.
"Finally seeing you emerge from your laboratory, did you sense my visit and come specially to greet me?"
"Just getting some fresh air." Ruan Mei's expression was impassive, her tone lacking any fluctuation.
"I'm still Genius Society #55, you know. Treating me like this really doesn't give me any face."
"The micro-expressions in your facial muscles tell me you don't actually care about so-called face, or perhaps, it's more accurate to say you don't care about appearances?"
"..."
Yu Qingtu sighed helplessly and asked about the main topic.
"Any results from your research project?"
That forbidden research that blasphemed against life.
People should hold some things in reverence. Yu Qingtu herself had her share of questionable areas and couldn't claim much respect for life either.
But at least she wouldn't do something like this.
Of course, she wouldn't interfere with others either.
"Not yet." Ruan Mei said calmly. "Currently encountering a bottleneck."
"I say, do you plan to keep me standing here talking the whole time?"
"Follow me."
Ruan Mei turned and entered the manor, leading Yu Qingtu to the rear courtyard.
Before Yu Qingtu could speak, Ruan Mei removed her white coat on her own accord, quickly shedding the rest of her clothing.
"Your timing is fortunate. Fresh pastries will be ready in ten minutes. Bathe first to wash away the dust of travel."
Yu Qingtu's gaze shifted from the unfamiliar bath pool to settle on that perfect, snow-white figure now completely bare.
"Last time I visited, I don't recall there being a bath here."
"I altered this continent's geological structure and hydrological cycle. Creating a natural hot spring bath wasn't difficult."
Her elegant right foot lightly touched the water's surface as Ruan Mei slowly stepped into the pool and sat down, concealing that alluring form beneath the warm water.
With a casual gesture, plum blossoms drifted from a hidden opening at the spring's edge, scattering across the surface.
The refreshing fragrance of plum blossoms gradually permeated the space.
"Like teacher, like student. That little fellow you taught does the same thing, mentioning hospitality at every turn."
"Did he also invite you to bathe?" Ruan Mei immediately raised her eyes, depths surging within them.
"What are you thinking? That young man is polite and proper to an almost unbearable degree. He'd never do such a thing."
Yu Qingtu laughed, showing no restraint as she stepped directly into the bath.
The instant before her toes touched the water's surface, all the clothes on her body dissolved without trace, as if matter itself had decomposed.
"Stubborn as anything. Due to your relationship with me, he's never once called me Yu in all these years."
"It's always 'Senior this, Senior that', full of distance. Why didn't he learn from you in this aspect?"
"You never treated me as any kind of senior, so there's no issue of seniority differences. Would calling me Yu really bother him that much?"
The depths in Ruan Mei's eyes dispersed as she spoke flatly.
"People may be flexible, but certain rules must remain fixed, or chaos ensues. I taught him this and punished him for it, so he won't break those rules."
"...So you really are the culprit."
Yu Qingtu's look toward Ruan Mei became difficult to describe.
"Teachers need to lead by example. Aruan, why don't you call me 'Senior' and let me hear it?"
"I'm not a Genius Society member. Why should I?" Ruan Mei stated matter-of-factly.
"So you mean if you become a Genius Society member someday, you will?"
"Though I have no interest in becoming a Genius Society member, if that day comes, I'll say it once."
"Just once?"
"Beyond senior and junior, you're also my friend. Between us, I believe friendship takes far higher priority than seniority."
"You've defeated me."
Yu Qingtu chuckled softly, her slender fingers plucking up a petal and gently brushing it along her jade-like arm with water droplets.
As if remembering something, she said:
"If you truly reach the point where your wisdom can shake the universe's power structure, whether you want to become a Society member won't matter anymore, you'll have no choice."
"The moment Nous the Erudition casts their gaze upon you, you lose the path of retreat."
"Currently, the Genius Society's last seat is #77. I have faith in you. Here."
Saying this, a pink beverage suddenly appeared in Yu Qingtu's hand.
"What's this?" Ruan Mei reached out to accept it.
The small highball glass is filled with pink liquid, with unknown grass and insect-like objects serving as garnish within.
An indescribable scent wafted toward her nose.
"I named it Pink Collision. You can drink it or treat it as a research specimen."
"This insect is alive."
"Sharp eye. You're a life sciences researcher, surely you're not afraid?"
"..."
Under Yu Qingtu's interested gaze, Ruan Mei's expression remained unchanged as she brought it to her lips for a taste.
"Pink Collision... I recall that's one of your favorite songs from the ancient Amber Era."
"Completely correct, my friend. How's the taste?"
"Acceptable. The flavor isn't inferior to Vash's plum blossom wine." That was Ruan Mei's assessment. (Vash is her Nickname for Rrakavasha)
"I won't deny that..."
Yu Qingtu leaned back, arms draped along the pool's edge, giving high recognition to this:
"How strange. That young man's plum blossom wine, the ingredients and method are obvious at a glance, yet neither you nor I can replicate that flavor. Could it have become a Curio?"
"Speaking of the young man, you two haven't met in over a century, right? Coming out to rest this time, don't you plan to see him?"
"Don't let his constant smile and carefree demeanor fool you, he probably misses you quite a bit."
"I don't plan to." Ruan Mei's answer held not a trace of hesitation.
"He's your only student and one of the few people you've spent decades living alongside. Do you really plan to never see each other again until death?" Yu Qingtu couldn't understand.
"I'll consider it after the project ends." Ruan Mei remained unmoved.
"He's a short-lived species, unlike you. If you bury yourself in research for another few decades or centuries, he'll have died of old age."
"He won't. I taught him at least ten lifespan-extension methods without side effects."
"What if he doesn't use them... tsk, both, you and him are equally stubborn."
Halfway through speaking, Yu Qingtu remembered that Rrakavasha, despite being a short-lived species, had lived over a hundred years; he must have artificially extended his lifespan.
Then never mind.
Right, aside from that little old man Polka Kakamond, who would complain about living a bit longer?
Recalling the punishment Ruan Mei mentioned before, and that question she'd asked Rrakavasha...
Curiosity flashed across Yu Qingtu's face as her body suddenly leaned toward Ruan Mei, rippling the water's surface.
"Aruan, the young man advised you against continuing that research, didn't he?"
"Yes."
Yu Qingtu thought as much, incredulity crossing her face. "Just because of that, you drove him away?"
Meeting the former's gaze, Ruan Mei fell silent for a moment before admitting it.
"More or less."
"Was that really necessary?!"
"It was. He denied my love for my family."