Herta's gaze darted away. She instinctively pulled down her magic hat, feigned composure with a cough, and tried to keep her voice steady as she explained.
"There was... a small problem. Wisteria Cake, it went something like this..."
She recounted everything that happened between her and Ruan Mei on the Luofu. After hearing it all, Wisteria Cake could only sigh deeply.
"And you're not afraid of Yu Qingtu coming back? Acting so recklessly."
"If Ruan Mei Cake confessed to me, I'd accept in a heartbeat. No hesitation. No tsundere escape. No running away."
Herta conveniently ignored the second half of the sentence.
"Yu Qingtu is still missing. No news yet."
Wisteria Cake shook her head helplessly.
"Even if she's missing and hasn't come back, how are you supposed to face Ruan Mei?"
"Well... that's why I came to you. To figure things out. If I just go to her, I'm afraid she won't see me."
Wisteria Cake gave her a look. Even now, you can't be honest.
"Wait here. I remember Asta has this novel."
Herta nodded. Wisteria Cake contacted Asta.
"Wisteria Cake? You're back at the space station?"
"Yes. Just got back. Asta, I'd like to borrow a novel."
Asta smiled and nodded.
"No problem. I'll have Peppy bring it to you. What kind of novel are you looking for?"
Wisteria Cake thought for a moment.
"There's this one. The protagonist's surname is Jing and his given name is Chen. He's rejected every time he confesses, so he leaves the city in despair."
"Then, on a snowy plain, he encounters a divine spirit—sacred, but not exactly kind. She confesses to him. They get together. When they return, everyone regrets how they treated him."
Asta found the novel quickly.
"This one? The regret trope?"
"Yes."
"Alright. I'll have Peppy deliver it."
"Thanks."
When Peppy brought the novel, Wisteria Cake skimmed through it. Just as she remembered.
She turned to Herta.
Madam Herta, read it as soon as possible. And whatever you do, don't imitate anyone except the female lead."
Herta agreed, then asked,
"Besides regret, what else happens to these people?"
Wisteria Cake shot her a look.
"Just read it yourself. Honestly. Send me back to the Luofu now. I need to get back to Ruan Mei Cake."
"You!! Hmph. Fine. I won't stop you."
With a thought, Herta teleported Wisteria Cake back to the Luofu. Then she began reading.
"Jing Chen? That's a rare surname. Wait. Sounds like Jingliu—the one who wove that phoenix crown. Could there be a connection?"
"Never mind. First, let's see what happens to the people who rejected him. I need to learn from their mistakes."
---
In Ruan Mei's laboratory, a month had passed. But the image of Herta fleeing still lingered in her mind.
No rejection. No answer. Just flight.
That's not like you, Herta.
A foxian cry from the medical cabin snapped her back to reality. She looked up at Tingyun.
"Do you remember your name?"
"I am Tingyun. And you are?"
(A/N: Tingyun's self-address in-game can't be overused. Shenhe was terrifying enough. Forgive me.)
"Genius Society member #81. Ruan Mei."
Tingyun's eyes went wide in disbelief. They say Madam Ruan Mei's personality is as terrible as Madam Herta's.
But this woman—cold and distant, yes—shows no other flaws. Legends truly cannot be trusted.
Ruan Mei began recording Tingyun's recovery and self-awareness on her bamboo slips.
Tingyun studied her savior. Ancient charm, plum-blossom cold, elegant grace, snow-pure clarity, and eyes that gleam with wisdom.
Even traveling with the Resonant Noise merchant guild across countless worlds, I've rarely encountered anyone so ethereal.
"Did you save me, benefactor?"
"Yes. More precisely, I helped you rebuild your physical form while your spirit saved itself."
"But your spirit—your very soul—fought continuously. That's why you've finally awakened."
Tingyun smiled weakly, with a touch of self-deprecation.
"Is my spirit truly as strong as you say, benefactor?"
Ruan Mei projected her records into Tingyun's memory.
Throughout her coma, Tingyun had fought against Destruction.
Second by second. Day by day.
Until now—fully awake.
"Can you remove this power of Destruction, benefactor?"
Ruan Mei shook her head slightly.
"You must learn to wield it. Use it to avenge yourself and the Xianzhou against Phantylia."
Tingyun nodded, then pressed.
"Benefactor, while I've been unconscious, Helmsmaster Yukong must have worried terribly."
Ruan Mei produced the foxian jade abacus.
The moment Tingyun recognized it, she froze. Then tears of joy streamed down her face.
"Benefactor... does Yukong know I'm alive?"
"Yes."
Tingyun breathed a sigh of relief.
"Your kindness is too great to repay. In my next life, I will surely—"
Ruan Mei cut her off. The whole "hero saves beauty, beauty pledges herself" trope was far too cliché.
For a Genius Society member? Completely unnecessary.
"I don't need your next life. Nor do I need this one."
Tingyun's ears drooped. She predicted my every move.
Even the belongings I left on the Luofu wouldn't catch her eye. How can I ever repay her?
A pitiful expression crossed her face.
"Benefactor, you saved a foxian who cannot repay you."
"When I return to the Luofu, the other foxians will call me ungrateful. A borisin remnant. They'll shun me. I won't be able to live normally on the Xianzhou."
She covered her face and wept.
A phrase crossed Ruan Mei's mind: "No wonder King Zhou couldn't resist."
Anyone else would have comforted her. But Ruan Mei was not anyone else. Her expression remained cool, her tone calm.
"Tingyun. I have a grudge against Phantylia. If you avenge yourself against her, you will naturally be repaying me."
"If you delay too long, who knows what will happen between Yukong and Feixiao? You'll be left on the outside, watching, offering only your blessings."
Tingyun blinked. Then she smiled.
"You're right, benefactor. Avenging myself against Phantylia is repaying you."
"But as for Yukong and Feixiao... I have no objections."
Ruan Mei paused. Feixiao saw Tingyun as a rival. Yet Tingyun seemed utterly unconcerned.
"Yukong raised you. What you have is natural."
Tingyun nodded.
"A white-haired fox and a black-haired fox. That's all. And Feixiao, the Merlin's Claw General, is famous across the cosmos. She alone is worthy of Yukong."
"Yukong is advanced in years. If Feixiao can walk beside her in her final days, I would be glad to see it."