Day One Without Ruan Mei.
Herta yawned and slowly rose. Herta #33 and Herta #99 immediately stepped forward to help her into her magic robe and hat.
She walked unhurriedly to the mirror and gazed at herself. A casual flick of her bangs. A confident smile.
"As expected of me—possessing both beauty and brilliance. Later, I'll discuss the new Simulated Universe developments with Ruan Mei."
"#99. Contact Ruan Mei."
Herta #99 tried repeatedly. The result was always the same: The person you are trying to reach is outside the cosmos service area.
Herta's brow furrowed. Then she remembered.
Ruan Mei confessed. I ran away.
"Never mind. We both need some space."
---
Day Two Without Ruan Mei.
Herta continued her Simulated Universe calculations alone. Instinctively, she turned to ask,
"Take a look at this experimental data."
No response. She spoke without thinking.
"Ruan Mei?!"
Only #99's cold, mechanical voice answered.
"Madam Herta. We still cannot reach Madam Ruan Mei. Her holographic projection will not appear in the Simulated Universe."
Herta frowned. She told herself: Maybe tomorrow. She'll come to the space station tomorrow.
And I'll explain everything properly. I'll have that cosmic-level celebrity hold a concert.
Then I'll execute my plan. My confession.
Yes. I am still so perfect. So great.
---
Day Three Without Ruan Mei.
Herta tried to focus on her research. But her eyes kept drifting to her chat log with Ruan Mei.
The last message—from a month ago—was hers.
"Ruan Mei, there's this girl on the Luofu named Bailu. Apparently, she's a professional guide to Xianzhou snacks and dessert shops."
Herta closed her eyes. Her mind screamed silently.
Can't you just send me one message? One greeting? Good morning, good afternoon, good night—anything!
One emoji! One symbol! One period! Why won't you answer me?!
Do I have to beg you?! Ruan Mei!!
---
One Week Without Ruan Mei.
Herta set down her research report. She looked around. Aside from her puppets, the room was empty.
Even that Stellaron brat hadn't visited the Simulated Universe in ages. Doesn't she need Stellar Jades anymore?!
She contacted Asta.
"Asta. Any news of Madam Ruan Mei?"
Asta blinked. If you don't know, how would I?!
Despite her frustration, she smiled.
"Madam Herta. I have no news of Madam Ruan Mei."
"Also, Miss Robin is still at the space station. Rumors are spreading that she's missing."
Herta replied calmly.
"Send her home. She can come back another time."
---
One Month Without Ruan Mei.
Herta didn't stay in her office. She returned home.
A few puppets crossed her path. Normally, she'd ignore them. Today, she glared.
"Aren't you supposed to be working?! Or would you rather stand on the platform and count stars?!"
The puppets fled.
Herta stood before her mirror. She stared at her reflection and muttered to herself.
Self: "Do you want to see Ruan Mei?"
Answer: "Hmph. Not really."
"So... ninety-nine percent want to see her?"
"Don't be ridiculous."
Again: "What if she never comes back?"
Confident answer: "She'll come back. The Simulated Universe is here. We both care about it."
Again: "What if Yu Qingtu found her that very night? Stood by her side when she was most lost, most in need?"
"What then?"
Herta froze. Unanswerable.
She remembered those novels Wisteria Cake had given her. The return of the white moonlight. The appearance of the golden-haired loser.
She gasped. Instinctively, she summoned her magic key and raised it high—ready to shatter the mirror.
Then she stopped. This was Ruan Mei's gift. Her first gift.
"Yu Qingtu didn't find her! She couldn't have!!"
"Everything is still within my calculations!"
"Ruan Mei... Ruan Mei is mine!!"
Within seconds, she regained her composure. She used her key to teleport Wisteria Cake back from the Luofu.
"Meowmu? Madam Herta? Is something wrong? Did something happen with you and Madam Ruan Mei?"
Herta crossed her arms and half-closed her eyes, feigning composure.
"Of course not. Ruan Mei and I are fine. I just wanted to know how you cat-cakes are doing on the Luofu."
Wisteria Cake saw right through her.
"Sigh. Just say what you mean. I can't sense Madam Ruan Mei's presence anywhere in the station."
Herta coughed lightly, embarrassed at being found out.
Still, she pressed on with characteristic pride.
"Actually... I wanted to ask about you and Ruan Mei Cake."
Wisteria Cake sighed.
"We're fine. Remember Silver Wolf Cake?"
"What about her?"
"She's always hovering around me and Ruan Mei Cake. Picking fights. Ruining my chances."
Herta lowered her key. At least Wisteria Cake isn't dealing with the real Silver Wolf. I can crush that one single-handedly.
"Can't you handle Silver Wolf Cake?"
"Difficult. Firefly Cake, Blade Cake, and Shaders Cake—all the Stellaron Hunter cakes are on her side. I've had to call in the Astral Express Cakes for backup. The others just watch."
Herta hadn't realized cat-cake society was so complicated.
Wisteria Cake cut to the chase.
"Enough about me. What's going on with you? Where's Madam Ruan Mei? Did you drive her away?!"
Herta removed her hat. A moment of honesty.
"There was... an incident."
Wisteria Cake stared at her.
"An incident? Are you sure it wasn't a disaster?!"
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TL Note
Bonus Chapter Progress: 67/75