Herta was startled by this revelation. She had never imagined that Asta would care about the cat-cakes' recreational reading.
She had to admit—Asta was the most attentive and wealthiest station master since Herta Space Station was established.
Wisteria Cake turned around and called over the Sunglasses Cake, who had been fighting with the Navigator Cake over the Trash Cake.
Sunglasses Cake: Meow? (What is it?)
Wisteria Cake: Meowmu. (Have you finished that book about the proud, aloof golden retriever losing heroine?)
Sunglasses Cake: Meow. (Finished. Here, return it. The good times are over. Let me see which cat-cake is hiding where?!)
The Sunglasses Cake leaped up and attacked the Navigator Cake again. The Trash Cake, meanwhile, stood to the side, eating chips and drinking cola, waiting to see who would emerge victorious.
Seeing two cat-cakes literally fighting, Herta was speechless.
"Uh... and these two are?"
"Nothing to worry about. Just a custody dispute over the Trash Cake. Happens all the time in cat-cake society."
Herta rubbed her forehead and sighed.
"Sigh. These cat-cakes inherit everyone's grudges and rivalries. By the way, is there a Silver Wolf Cake?"
Wisteria Cake replied proudly.
"That one gets bullied by me every day. Can't beat me at games, can't win arguments with me. Stormed out of the space station in a huff ages ago."
Herta gently stroked Wisteria Cake's head.
"Good. You didn't embarrass me."
Wisteria Cake replied with confident composure.
"Look who you're talking to!"
Wisteria Cake handed Herta the new book.
"Learn from this book. Know yourself and know your enemy. Understand?"
Herta took the book. After skimming through it, she couldn't help but pace back and forth, reflecting on why things had turned out this way.
No. I am NOT tsundere!! I'm just arrogant. My personality is a little difficult, that's all.
The great Madam Herta, Genius Society member #83—how could I possibly be tsundere? And become a losing heroine?!
I absolutely refuse to lose.
"Meow. How's this date on the Luofu going?"
"Relax. Everything's fine."
"Meowmu. Tell me about it."
Herta gave Wisteria Cake a general rundown of their time on the Luofu.
"That's it?"
"That's it."
Wisteria Cake stared intently at Herta.
"You're still going in circles?!"
Herta blinked.
"Going in circles? What makes you say that?"
Wisteria Cake gave a light snort.
"If you'd come back just a little later today, I would have had my happy ending right here."
"My fault?"
Wisteria Cake rolled her eyes at Herta.
"Fine, fine. Not your fault. It's not like any other cat-cake could stop me anyway."
Herta looked around. Several Qingque Cakes were playing jade tiles. A March 7th Cake was taking pictures...
Every cat-cake was pursuing their own interests. Before, they had all gathered around Ruan Mei Cake.
But since Ruan Mei's return—since she promised Wisteria Cake she would take care of them—the other cat-cakes had started living their own lives.
"Wait. Why isn't there an Asta Cake among you?"
Wisteria Cake smiled.
"Heard Asta took her away long ago. But an Asta Cake is no threat to me."
"The real threat is Yu Qingtu. If Yu Qingtu is found and a Yu Qingtu Cake appears, and I get overthrown—my mental state would crumble."
From start to finish, every word from Wisteria Cake hinted at the same thing: Yu Qingtu, Genius Society member #55, was Herta's true rival.
Herta hesitated, staring at Wisteria Cake.
Wisteria Cake stared back.
Both waited for the other to speak first—held back by that so-called pride.
[Got any advice for my (our) date with Ruan Mei (Ruan Mei Cake)?]
Herta glared at Wisteria Cake, her eyes screaming: Ask me!
Wisteria Cake glared back: Why don't YOU ask ME?
...
Over ten minutes later.
Ruan Mei emerged with Ruan Mei Cake. She found Herta and Wisteria Cake still locked in their standoff, neither willing to ask first.
"You two?"
Ruan Mei's voice snapped them both back to reality.
"Ahem. Ruan Mei. You're out?"
"Mm."
"Sigh. This Wisteria Cake is so immature. Ruan Mei, Ruan Mei Cake—don't take it personally. I've already punished her."
Wisteria Cake kept glaring at Herta.
"Enough, enough. Wisteria Cake. Go spend time with Ruan Mei Cake. Go for a walk outside."
"Hmph! Like I need you to tell me!"
Wisteria Cake hopped over to Ruan Mei Cake. Ruan Mei Cake looked up at Ruan Mei.
Ruan Mei nodded. Only then did she follow Wisteria Cake out of Changle.
"Come on, come on! I'll take you to find some Xianzhou delicacies!"
Bailu's voice preceded her appearance.
Herta looked around but didn't see her.
"Bailu? Where are you?"
"Here! By the elevator."
Herta called the elevator. When she found Bailu, she whispered in her ear,
"Stay here today and look after the cat-cakes. And Fu Xuan."
"Ah?! You're not taking me out for food? Is... is it because I eat too much?! I'll change! I promise I'll change!"
Bailu lowered her head, her voice tinged with regret.
Ruan Mei stepped forward and gently comforted her.
"It's alright, Bailu. We're not blaming you. You're still growing. It's not your fault."
Seeing Ruan Mei defend her, Bailu turned her gaze to Herta.
"Then... Madam Herta... I..."
Herta pulled Bailu aside.
"Let me be clear: Ruan Mei and I feel the same way. This trip to the Luofu is my date with Ruan Mei. But after these past few days, I've realized we need some time alone, just the two of us."
Bailu nodded, disappointed.
"Alright. I understand."
Herta took out her phone and ordered Bailu a mountain of takeout—snacks, Immortal's Delight, everything.
"That should be enough, right? The robotic birds will deliver it soon."
Bailu's face lit up instantly.
"Then I hope you and Madam Ruan Mei have a wonderful date."
"Mm."
"Oh, Madam Herta? What does 'date' mean? In all my centuries, no one's ever asked me on one."
Herta frowned, genuinely unsure how to explain it to Bailu.
After all, she herself had only learned about "dates" by searching her phone. Now she had to answer Bailu's question.
"Ahem. That's a very meaningful question. According to the Polvis Theory and Quantum Transformation Theory—"
Bailu's head immediately started spinning. She waved her hands frantically to stop Herta's scientific lecture.
"Stop!! Madam Herta! I'm not asking anymore! Just go find Madam Ruan Mei! I'll take care of the cat-cakes and the Grand Diviner!"
Herta casually smoothed her hair, her expression confident and composed.
"Fine. Ruan Mei and I will go out alone. Stay here. Your takeout will arrive soon."