A chance encounter... No, not a chance encounter.
He encountered the incredibly powerful Ms. Herta, who was as strong as a monster. He tried his best but couldn't defeat her.
"Ms. Herta merely used a small trick and had Bai Luan wrapped around her finger!" the System's timely complaint echoed in his mind, with a hint of schadenfreude.
Bai Luan ignored the System's incessant chatter and focused all his efforts on "desensitizing" himself from the unsettling memory of that embrace, which kept replaying in his mind.
He tried several methods, attempting to cover or dilute the sensation and warmth with other thoughts, but found it utterly useless... Ms. Herta's image had already forcefully invaded and occupied his brain's cache, like the highest-grade virus.
It seemed this memory was destined to linger in his mind for a while.
He only hoped that during this period of "invasion," he wouldn't say anything foolish in front of anyone (especially Ms. Herta herself).
This was likely a period he had to go through: the stage where, after realizing the other person's affection for him had warmed, he couldn't help but blush upon seeing them.
Herta had almost turned him into a love-struck fool.
If only something could come along to keep him busy and distracted... Stelle: Uncle, are you done yet?
Stelle: I need your help with something.
Perfect, Stelle! As expected, I can always count on you in crucial moments.
Bai Luan: Coordinates. I'll be right there.
Soon, Bai Luan found Stelle.
She and March 7th were together, looking at two signal translators, one red and one blue, unsure of what to do.
When Bai Luan saw what Stelle was holding, he roughly understood why she had come to him.
It seemed that while he was away, Stelle was helping Staff Rocky investigate why Lesley hadn't responded for so long.
"To the Dim Stelle," that was a story that left a deep impression on Bai Luan.
He still remembered Staff Rocky's words to this day.
One could only say that Rocky was a true champion of pure love, daring to defy time and space as a mere mortal.
How could he help him?
But before helping him, he should first help the conflicted Stelle in front of him.
Stelle saw Bai Luan arrive and was about to explain everything, but Bai Luan spoke first:
"I pretty much understand why you called me here."
"?"
A clear look of confusion flashed across Stelle's face.
"But... I haven't said anything yet..."
"Sometimes, I just know things before they happen."
Bai Luan's tone was calm, and he even brought in a "witness."
"If you don't believe me, ask March 7th."
March 7th thought for a moment, then nodded affirmatively to Stelle:
"Mm! Bai Luan did say he had that ability!"
Seeing Stelle still looking a bit bewildered, as if asking, "Really?", Bai Luan said:
"Rocky, who stayed at the Space Station; Lesley, who went to the Abundance Stelle Zone; Lesley encountering a Stellar Quake causing a time difference between them; and—"
His gaze fell on the red and blue signal translators in Stelle's hand.
"—the choice you now face: whether or not to tell Rocky the truth."
Stelle was greatly shaken, seeing Bai Luan summarize her predicament in just a few words.
After the shock came a sense of relief.
She couldn't help but feel afraid when facing such a significant choice that could potentially determine the course of someone else's life.
Afraid that a single thought from her could push someone onto an unexpected path.
But with Uncle here... it seemed she didn't have to worry so much.
Stelle breathed a sigh of relief and exclaimed:
"Uncle, you're simply amazing."
At the same time, March 7th's astonished voice also came over:
"Wow! You really can predict the future!"
Stelle turned to her with a puzzled look:
"Didn't you already know that?"
"Knowing and seeing it with your own eyes are completely different feelings!" March 7th replied, justifiably.
This small interruption quickly passed, and the conversation returned to the main topic: whether or not to tell Rocky the truth.
"Since there are three of us now, we can definitely reach a decision. How about we vote?"
March 7th's eyes lit up:
"That's a great idea, let's do it."
"I agree too."
Seeing that Stelle and March 7th had no objections, Bai Luan nodded and said:
"Choose truth, raise your left hand. Choose to conceal, raise your right hand. 3, 2, 1."
Ultimately, all three simultaneously raised their left hands.
March 7th laughed when she saw this.
"If only we had known our opinions were so aligned, we wouldn't have had to agonize so much before.
In the end, it's still best to tell him the truth and let him decide what to do."
"It's just that this truth... is a bit cruel."
"Since you've made your choice, go and execute it. I'll go prepare some things."
Stelle asked with a hint of curiosity:
"What is Uncle going to prepare?"
"A farewell gift."
Bai Luan left a riddle and hurried away.
March 7th watched Bai Luan's retreating figure and couldn't help but comment:
"Do people who can predict the future all like to talk like that?"
"Since Uncle said so, there must be a reason. We just need to do what we're supposed to do."
Stelle put the blue signal translator into her pocket, gripped the red signal translator, and her face showed the determination of someone who had made a choice.
"Let's go."
Stelle found Staff Rocky in the office and told him the truth.
He finally understood everything.
Why Lesley's reply had been so long in coming after his confession that day.
The time difference between her and him was growing wider and wider.
One day, one month, one year... until finally, it would be a lifetime.
Rocky had thought of many, many obstacles that stood in the way of his love.
He had thought it was status, money, or talent; he was prepared to face all of those.
But he had never imagined that what stood before him... was time itself.
"To wait a lifetime for someone, enduring endless longing and loneliness..."
"Honestly, buddy, you don't think I'm that naive, do you?"
"Haha! Of course, I won't wait for her! I won't wait."
"I won't wait..."
"But I'm going to pursue her. I'm going to chase time!"
Upon hearing Rocky's words, Stelle and March 7th also understood at that moment what Bai Luan meant by a farewell gift.
The cabin door opened, and Bai Luan walked into the room, smiling at Rocky:
"Well said."
"Station Master? Why are you here?"
"To bring you a gift. Catch."
Bai Luan tossed a storage device to Rocky, who fumbled to catch it.
Then, he looked at Bai Luan, a puzzled expression on his face.
"Station Master, what is this?"
"Aren't you going to look for Lesley? Everything you need is in there. I've shown you a path."
Bai Luan explained with a smile:
"Perhaps you'll encounter unimaginable difficulties on this path, but please remember when facing all hardships and obstacles—"
He paused, his voice gentle yet full of power:
"—at the end of this path is the lover you are determined to chase for a lifetime."
"Station Master... Thank you, thank you for believing that I can catch up to her."
Bai Luan smiled at his words:
"Perhaps you might find it a bit naive, but I've always believed that love can conquer all."
He stepped forward and patted the pure love champion's shoulder, smiling as he blessed him:
"I hope and believe the story will have a good ending, after all, I also have someone I've fallen in love with."
Finally, Rocky left Herta Space Station.
If Rocky followed the path Bai Luan had shown him, he would eventually meet Lesley.
For two people moving towards each other, falling in love was only a matter of time; all problems standing between them would cease to be problems in the face of love.