Outside the door, Herta Ninety-Nine and Peppy held their breath, afraid to miss a single word. Inside, Ruan Mei watched Asta as she struggled to find the right way to say what she wanted.
[Is she going to confess? Would you accept? This girl seems to admire both you and Madam Herta equally,] the voice mused. [She's not going to try for both, is she?!]
Ruan Mei's brow furrowed. Make no choice, take both? That would be true genius.
Finally, Asta spoke. "So I reached out to Robin. I asked her to compose a song for us. I'll invite her to the station. Please wait a moment."
Herta Ninety-Nine and Peppy exhaled in relief. If Asta had actually confessed to Ruan Mei, Madam Herta would have appeared in an instant, whisked her away to Herta City for eternity. And as for Asta... best not to think about it.
Ruan Mei's expression remained unchanged. "Robin?"
Asta nodded. "The troubles in Penacony have settled down. She has time to visit now."
"How do you know her?"
Asta scratched her head sheepishly. "I bought out an entire month's worth of her album releases. And I donated a week's allowance to the Interastral Disability Foundation."
Ruan Mei studied her for a moment. Of course. Most things can be solved with enough money.
...
A system hour later, a woman stepped off the starship wearing a starry gown, her face lightly made up, bearing an uncanny resemblance to Asta—about seven or eight parts alike.
Herta Ninety-Nine and Peppy exchanged stunned glances. "No way. Robin and Asta look that much alike?!"
"Woof." (Coincidence. Definitely coincidence. There's no way Aha is involved.)
Robin approached gracefully. "Station Master Asta. And this is?"
"This is Genius Society member #81—the creator of the Starcrusher Swarm King, the architect of stars... Madam Ruan Mei."
Robin inclined her head politely, but her thoughts were elsewhere. In all the universe, only Asta would pay such an astronomical sum for a song dedicated to Ruan Mei. And the theme she requested was not friendship between colleagues, not a celebration of genius. It was about stars. About cold plums. About longing. About the helplessness of reaching for something you can never hold.
"Where would you like me to perform the song, Station Master Asta?"
"Here is fine. You and Madam Ruan Mei are both too famous. If the researchers knew you were here, they'd swarm. Madam Ruan Mei prefers not to be bothered."
Robin nodded.
Before Ruan Mei, before Asta, before Herta Ninety-Nine and Peppy, she sang.
At first, Herta Ninety-Nine thought the song was a simple gesture of gratitude. But halfway through, she caught the meaning.
"Cold plum, snowy night, no stars in sight. A figure proud and dark who won't hold tight."
Cold plum—Ruan Mei. Stars—Asta. Snowy night, no stars—longing that could not be fulfilled. And the last line, a quiet accusation: the proud, aloof Madam Herta did not know how to treasure what was before her.
Herta Ninety-Nine's face went pale. Asta is bold. This isn't a confession, but it's a declaration—she won't back down. If Madam Herta hears this...
Peppy looked at her, confused. "What's wrong? You look terrible."
"You didn't catch the meaning?"
Peppy shook her head. "I just know Robin's voice is unlike anything else in the universe."
The song ended. Robin approached Ruan Mei.
"Madam Ruan Mei, your reputation precedes you throughout the cosmos."
Ruan Mei paused. Was she that famous? Perhaps. The Starcrusher Swarm King, the creation of stars—to ordinary people, such things must seem miraculous.
"You flatter me. I'm far less known than Madam Herta, the woman of this station."
Robin smiled faintly. Penacony was stable now. Her brother had moved on, and she had taken over his responsibilities. But after the Express left, some of the old powers still schemed. If Ruan Mei were even symbolically aligned with her, they would think twice.
But Ruan Mei's personality was legendary: unpredictable, aloof. This would take time.
"Madam Ruan Mei, may I have your contact information?"
Asta stepped forward, positioning herself between them. She had helped Madam Herta countless times before she finally got Ruan Mei's contact. And this woman wanted it after singing one song? Not a chance.
"Miss Robin, you're an interstellar celebrity. It's not safe to share your contact information casually. If it leaked, it could cause you serious trouble."
Robin shook her head lightly. "Station Master Asta, I can manage my own affairs."
Asta said nothing. She leaned close and whispered a few words. Robin's expression changed. The business card she had been about to offer vanished back into her sleeve.
"Madam Ruan Mei. Station Master Asta. I have matters to attend to in Penacony. I won't intrude further. Good day."
She smiled politely and left.
But then she turned back. Asta stiffened. This woman has nerve. Where does she get her courage?
"Station Master Asta. I'm not here to ask for Madam Ruan Mei's contact."
"Oh?"
"Do you have Madam Herta's contact information?"
Asta smiled, genuinely relieved. She gave it to her without hesitation.
"Thank you."
As Robin walked away, Asta watched her go. She knew Robin would never reach Madam Herta. Herta didn't add anyone. People added her.
Madam Herta. Madam Ruan Mei. She would make no choice between them.
Ruan Mei watched her from the corner of her eye. In Asta's gaze, she saw a galaxy of stars—and in their light, something that echoed the legacy of Elysium.
Asta turned, about to invite Ruan Mei to the blue planet for a film.
A [Mirror] opened behind them. Herta herself stepped out, yawning.
"Ruan Mei, you didn't tell me you were coming to the space station."
She looked around, feigning surprise. "Asta. Herta Ninety-Nine. Peppy. What are you all doing here?"
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Power Stone Progress: 321/325 (5 Chapters)
Review Progress: 3/5 (5 Chapters)