Chapter 9: Eating Soft Rice with Determination

Chapter 9: Eating Soft Rice with Determination

"Ms. Ruan Mei, please calm down, calm down." Seeing Ruan Mei approaching with a sword, White Heng felt a sense of impending doom.

"Call me A-Ruan," Ruan Mei corrected him once more.

"..." Stunned for a moment, White Heng quickly changed his address, "A-Ruan, let's talk things over. It's not fitting for old acquaintances to resort to violence."

Ruan Mei looked at him with a calm expression, still carrying a scholarly grace. "Oh, then please explain."

White Heng took a deep breath and replied, "I can't explain the exact reason, but in a sense, my memory related to you has just been restored. It's not that I've been deliberately avoiding you."

Ruan Mei scrutinized White Heng's delicate features and said, "That explanation will do."

She could read White Heng's micro-expressions, confirming that he wasn't lying. "But I have another question for you," Ruan Mei said, holding the sword with the grace of someone holding a cherished instrument, and asked, "What question?"

"You mentioned that you think my personality has changed. So, tell me, do you prefer the me from 600 years ago or the me now?" She asked with an air of casualness, as though it were a trivial matter.

White Heng realized this was a life-or-death question. If he said he preferred the cold, aloof A-Ruan from 600 years ago, it would mean he didn't like the present A-Ruan, who had become more down-to-earth. Conversely, if he preferred the current A-Ruan, it would mean he didn't like the former version. Either choice seemed likely to get him a sword thrust.

As Ruan Mei observed White Heng deep in thought, she said, "You should consider this question carefully. If you answer well, there will be a 'reward.'"

"Both," White Heng decided to exploit the loophole and answered immediately. 

However, to his surprise, Ruan Mei blinked once, then moved closer to him. She softly parted her lips and said, "Greedy child, you won't get the 'reward'."

"Huh?" White Heng was clearly bewildered.

In his mind, he only thought, "So this is how it's going to be. I can't avoid it today."

"Don't hit me..." Just as he was about to plead not to hit him, his words caught in his throat. He heard a soft whisper close to his ear.

"A bad child doesn't get the 'reward,' but today is an exception." Ruan Mei's sword, Nameless, collapsed back into a silver cube. She extended her arm, as delicate as snow lotus, and gently embraced White Heng, her soft, fragrant body nestled against him.

After a long silence, she whispered, "Long time no see, welcome back." Though she said it casually, who could understand the weight of 600 years carried in those words?

White Heng's eyelashes fluttered slightly. He wanted to reach out and hold her waist, but his hands remained suspended in the air. He maintained this stance, murmuring, "Long time no see... I'm back."

...

**In the Main Control Room of the Black Tower Space Station**

"Ms. Black Tower's account has been frozen. This is her bill from last month," Topa said, raising her hand to reveal a digital display.

The account balance for Black Tower showed an astonishingly high amount. Standing beside Topa were two people: the great Black Tower herself and Miss Esther, the station manager of the Black Tower space station.

Esther, a somewhat youthful-looking girl with strikingly clear blue eyes and a cute side ponytail of pink hair, stared at the high balance with wide eyes.

Black Tower, quick to react, turned sharply and made her way to the other side of the control room with light, quick steps, leaving a parting remark, "A few small sums, you handle it."

"Eh?!" Esther reached out toward Black Tower's departing figure, but Black Tower had already fled at an exaggeratedly high frequency.

Topa had anticipated this outcome, and with a polite smile, said, "Miss Esther, what do you think?"

Esther sighed, her face a mix of resignation and helplessness. She took out a limited edition black card from the Stellar Peace Company and said, "Swipe it yourself."

At that moment, two more individuals entered the main control room of the space station side by side. Topa glanced over and saw that they were Ruan Mei and White Heng.

As they approached, Topa returned the black card to Esther and asked, "Ms. Ruan Mei, White Heng, how did your discussion go?"

"Ms. Ruan Mei is willing to cooperate with us unilaterally. As for Mr. Sogum and Mr. Stephen, we still need to seek their opinions," White Heng replied.

In front of others, White Heng chose to address her as Ms. Ruan Mei. It seemed she cared about this title, as Ruan Mei gave White Heng a meaningful look but did not correct him. Instead, she fixed her calm gaze on Topa and said, "Miss Topa, my cooperation is only with the Astronomical Society and does not extend to other departments of the company."

"That's understood." Topa responded promptly. 

In fact, she had been quite pleased when she heard that Ruan Mei agreed to cooperate with the Astronomical Society. After all, they hadn't been very hopeful. Achieving results was primarily thanks to White Heng. 

Topa also sensed that there seemed to be an unspoken connection between the two. 

"However, I have one more request," Ruan Mei interrupted Topa's thoughts.

"Hmm... Ms. Ruan Mei, what is your request?" Not expecting this sudden turn, Topa's expression became more serious.

"For the work coordination, please do not assign anyone other than White Heng. Additionally, I would like White Heng to serve as my assistant and be involved in my research."

Ruan Mei's request was surprisingly simple. Esther, who had been listening silently and hadn't spoken, was also taken aback. She hadn't expected the Genius Club's Ruan Mei to agree to cooperate with the Astronomical Society just to request a person from the company.

Esther's curiosity was piqued. Her blue eyes sparkled with intrigue. As she speculated about their relationship, Esther was stunned when she considered one possibility.

"Of course, that's no problem." Concerned that Ruan Mei might change her mind, Topa immediately agreed.

Listening to their conversation, White Heng felt somewhat speechless. It seemed these two were completely disregarding his own opinions. He felt that even if Ruan Mei proposed he marry into her family, Topa might agree.

After all, it wasn't such a bad thing. But was White Heng the kind of person who would yield to beauty and wealth? 

Well, the answer was yes. But even if it was "soft rice," White Heng would still resist... at least make some symbolic resistance.