The recollection of Herta Ninety-Nine's past came to an abrupt end. Asta hadn't expected that Herta #99's rise to Deputy Chief Ninety-Nine was entirely her own doing.
"Madam Herta. When will she wake up?"
Herta waved a hand and smoothed the hair at her temple.
"About one system hour. Oh, and this gold card—Herta Ninety-Nine kept it perfectly intact all this time. You gave it to her?"
Asta nodded.
Herta said nothing more. One purple card could be exchanged for ten thousand gold cards. Each gold card had a maximum limit of three hundred thousand credits.
And with that gold card, Herta Ninety-Nine could buy anything on the Interastral Peace Corporation's website.
Game consoles. Newly serialized novels. Phones and computers to binge-watch shows.
No wonder Herta Ninety-Nine was completely different from the other puppets.
"I'm going back to see Ruan Mei now."
Asta nodded slightly.
Herta summoned her magic key and opened a [Mirror]. Just as she was about to leave, she turned back.
Asta blinked and asked softly.
"Madam Herta, is there something else you wanted to say?!"
Herta crossed her arms and half-closed her eyes.
"Nothing much. Wait here for Herta Ninety-Nine to wake up. And keep an eye on this memory simulation."
"Oh, and Ruan Mei's been busy with research lately. Don't bother her unnecessarily."
Asta gently clutched her skirt, then released it. Finally, she nodded.
"I understand."
"Good. See you."
Herta turned and left.
After the [Mirror] completely disappeared, Peppy couldn't help but complain.
"Woof?!" (Madam Herta's personality is truly terrible. And she's so ridiculously mean!)
(You added Madam Ruan Mei as a contact—and she hasn't even replied. And now Madam Herta's warning you again?!)
Asta shook her head helplessly and sighed.
"Sigh. If only I were a genius. The distance between me and Madam Herta and Madam Ruan Mei is just too vast."
Peppy stepped forward and comforted her softly.
"Woof... woof." (You're not a genius. But you're one of the wealthiest heiresses in the entire universe!!)
(You're the one silently supporting Madam Herta's research. Even funding her audiences with Nous.)
Asta smiled faintly and murmured to herself.
"Madam Ruan Mei promised me a sleeve pendant. But when will she ever come back to the space station?"
---
The Xianzhou Luofu, Changle.
Tingyun and Yukong were watching fireworks with Bailu, buying mille-feuille rolls and Immortal's Delight.
"Grand Diviner, this bracelet seems to suit you."
"Oh? Vendor, give me a pair of these black-and-green jade bracelets. Matching ones."
Tingyun turned toward the voice. Qingque and Fu Xuan were not far away. Their proximity, their attitude toward each other—it already far exceeded that of Benefactor Ruan Mei and Madam Herta.
Mutual respect. Lifting the tray to eyebrow height. A beautiful orange scene unfolding.
Tingyun thought to herself.
No way. In the time I've been away from the Xianzhou, these two—once at odds—have actually gotten together?!
Especially Qingque. Her memory of Qingque was still of her slacking off at the parlor, playing jade tiles, only to be caught by the Grand Diviner.
Then she'd look pitiful, hang her head, and beg for mercy.
"Grand Diviner! Next time, I swear I won't slack off and play jade tiles during work hours! Please, have mercy, just this once!"
Fu Xuan's expression would darken as she dragged Qingque away.
"Next time? That's what you said last time you were caught slacking off. This time, I'm teaching you a lesson you won't forget."
"No!! Grand Diviner, I really won't do it again!!"
The memories of their past faded as Fu Xuan spoke softly to Qingque.
"Qingque, try it on."
"Yes!"
Tingyun hadn't expected the proud Grand Diviner to get together with Qingque so soon.
I have to ask her. Madam Herta is equally proud. I need to learn from their experience.
Tingyun quickly approached with Bailu and Yukong.
"Grand Diviner. Qingque. Long time no see."
Fu Xuan and Qingque turned simultaneously.
"Tingyun? Madam Ruan Mei really did save you?"
Tingyun nodded slightly, covering her smile with her Crescent Moon fan.
"Thanks to Benefactor Ruan Mei's rescue, I cheated death. Oh, Grand Diviner, Qingque... what are you two doing?"
Fu Xuan coughed, feigning pride.
"Ahem. Qingque, you explain."
"Oh."
Qingque stepped forward, scratching her head. A hopeful, expectant smile lit her face.
"Tingyun, you don't know. The Grand Diviner and I are choosing our three golds."
Tingyun's foxian ears tilted. A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes, then vanished.
I knew they were close. But this close already?
"Well... then... I wish you both a hundred years of happiness."
Qingque produced two invitations and handed them to Tingyun.
"Thank you. Oh, Tingyun, these are for you. Please deliver them to Madam Herta and Madam Ruan Mei."
"Without those two geniuses, I'd probably still be slacking off at the parlor, playing jade tiles, and getting caught by the Grand Diviner."
Fu Xuan half-closed her eyes and gave a light, proud snort.
"You're clearly brilliant—outstanding. A talent above the rest. Yet you chose to blend in with the average, to lose yourself in jade tiles."
"If it weren't for Madam Ruan Mei and Herta, were you planning to hide this from me forever?"
Qingque scratched her head, feigning cluelessness like March 7th.
"Ah!! Probably not?"
"Hmph. Probably?"