Chapter 122: Let's Take the Pet for a Walk

"Hmm..." Herta furrowed her brow as she carefully observed Ruan Mei.

Ruan Mei didn't dare move a muscle. 

After all, with the Simulated Universe project still ongoing, she would have to work with Herta for quite some time. If Herta found out that she had turned into a cat-cake, the teasing could last for years.

"I got it! This little creature looks just like Ruan Mei!" Herta clapped her hands together as she exclaimed.

Gu Tang calmly replied, "This is my newly bred pet, impressive, right?"

"Bred? You're still as carefree as ever..." Herta remarked, as she reached out to pet Ruan Mei. "Come on, let me hear you meow."

"Meow..." Ruan Mei reluctantly let out a soft sound.

"Good kitty," Herta smiled gleefully.

With great enthusiasm, Herta pulled out her phone, "Can I take a picture?"

Gu Tang nodded, "Of course, just make sure to capture her cuteness."

Herta immediately sat down beside Gu Tang, pressing her body against his and cradling Ruan Mei in her arms. Then she leaned her head on Gu Tang's shoulder, a blissful smile on her face.

*Click!* 

A perfect photo was taken.

Herta eagerly sent the picture to Stelle.

**[Herta: Look! A photo of me and Gu Tang together.]**

**[Herta: Picture047.jpg]**

**[Herta: Doesn't it look like we had a child, and this is a happy family photo of the three of us?]**

**[Stelle: Forget how a human and a puppet could have a cat-cake child.]**

**[Stelle: That "child" of yours looks way more like Ruan Mei.]**

**[Stelle: Are you sure someone didn't sneak into your place while you weren't looking, Mrs. Herta?]**

**[Herta: Oh, you...]**

Herta turned toward Gu Tang. "Where exactly did you breed these cat-cakes?"

"In the containment unit's life-baking chamber," Gu Tang answered truthfully.

Herta immediately ran off, determined to create her own Herta cat-cake.

"Phew, she's finally gone..." Ruan Mei let out a long sigh of relief, her body bouncing slightly.

"Alright, let's continue our walk," Gu Tang said, picking Ruan Mei up and leaving the area.

...

...

Gu Tang brought Ruan Mei to a large floor-to-ceiling window.

"This is my favorite spot on the entire space station," Gu Tang said to Ruan Mei.

Outside the window was a vast blue planet. From the station, they could see the white clouds drifting, and the intricate textures of the continental plates, like strokes in an abstract painting. 

In the far distance, stars dotted the dark sky, scattered like diamonds on black velvet.

The planet floated in space, lonely yet majestic, evoking thoughts of its beginning, its end, and the countless eons it had already witnessed. 

How much of this time was occupied by civilizations and intelligence?

"I never get tired of this view," Gu Tang murmured to himself.

Ruan Mei gazed at the blue planet, "Is it because... it reminds you of home?"

"Seems like Herta told you. Yes, I miss that ordinary planet where I grew up," Gu Tang nodded calmly.

No wonder Herta always wants to keep you in check, Ruan Mei thought with a sigh.

The two silently admired the view.

"It's so peaceful here, just like a place I once visited," Ruan Mei slowly spoke.

"What was it like?" Gu Tang asked, his gaze still fixed on the blue planet.

Ruan Mei closed her eyes and reminisced, "There, you could see the horizon at a glance. A massive blue-green star would follow its path, its light bathing everything in a white glow, and all you'd see was an endless white expanse."

"Sounds lonely," Gu Tang finally shifted his gaze from the planet to look at Ruan Mei.

"I wasn't alone then; my mother was with me," Ruan Mei spoke in a calm tone, hiding her emotions, "We sailed on quiet glaciers, searching the world for traces of life, encountering all sorts of strange phenomena."

Gu Tang remained silent, gently stroking Ruan Mei.

"It was like searching for the one perfect puzzle piece in a mountain of pieces. The process was bizarre and difficult, yet also deeply moving and fascinating," Ruan Mei said, closing her eyes as she enjoyed Gu Tang's gentle touch. "Since then, every time I see similar scenery, I can't help but stop and take it in."

"That sounds interesting. You should take me there next time," Gu Tang suggested.

Ruan Mei sighed, "If you go, that peaceful place will likely be ruined."

Gu Tang chuckled, "Looks like we're finally starting to understand each other, Ruan Mei."

"I'm not fond of understanding one another..." Ruan Mei frowned. "The ties between lives are too troublesome and too heavy for me. I'd rather devote all my time and energy to research..."

"You're right, but right now, you're just a cat-cake," Gu Tang reminded her with a wink.

"Yes... I'm just a cat-cake now..." Ruan Mei sighed deeply, her head drooping.

In her current form, she couldn't do any experiments or research.

"Alright, the walk is over. Let's head back to the containment unit," Gu Tang said, carrying Ruan Mei as he started walking away. "Maybe it's time to give you a bath."

Oh no, I've really become a pet, Ruan Mei thought, a bit helpless.

"By the way, I just remembered something," Ruan Mei said suddenly, "My biological recoveries... aren't complete yet. There are more, some stored in a closed chamber."

"Oh? Do you know the exact location? I can go retrieve them," Gu Tang said casually.

After all, they were just some cat-cakes, nothing dangerous. If anything, the real danger was the hungry lab assistants roaming the station, desperate for snacks.

"You should be careful... unlike the previous cat-cakes, there's a big problem with the ones in that closed chamber," Ruan Mei warned.

"Ha, what kind of trouble could a bun-master like you create?" Gu Tang scoffed, waving dismissively.

"Bun-master..." Ruan Mei hadn't expected to be given a nickname that sounded more like a chef.

"Since you're so sure, let's go have a look," Gu Tang said, striding forward, "Where is it?"

Ruan Mei thought for a moment, "I remember Herta used that place to host galactic guests or members of the Genius Society. But after the Legion's invasion, it was closed off."

"Oh, that place. Got it," Gu Tang nodded.

...

...

Gu Tang stood before a large metal door, frowning.

The door had been locked down by the station's system. Only Ruan Mei's fingerprint could unlock it, but with her tiny cat-cake hands, who knew if she even had fingerprints left?

"Why are you stopping? You could just punch the door down, couldn't you?" Ruan Mei asked, confused.

Gu Tang gave her a disdainful look. "You're quite the violent one. How could I just casually destroy station property?"

The person who sent me flying the first time we met... the one who smashed me through three walls... is calling *me* violent?

Ruan Mei took a deep breath and barely managed to calm down.

Gu Tang continued thinking.

Though he could use a penetration ring, if it blew the door off, it wouldn't be much different from just punching it. Looks like asking Herta might be the only option...

Wait...

Gu Tang looked down at the cat-cake in his arms.

He had an idea—a foolproof one.

"Let's go ask someone else for help," Gu Tang said, turning around and retreating with Ruan Mei in his arms.

"Ask someone? Who? Herta or Asta?" Ruan Mei asked curiously.

"Normally, I wouldn't be able to understand a cat-cake's language. But with you here, Ruan Mei, it's different," Gu Tang said, looking at her. "Let's go consult the wise cat-cake."