Chapter 302

"Memory... fading?" Star was momentarily unable to react.

"There are no walls that don't let wind through; because of some past I don't want to bring up, I find it hard to trust anyone besides myself. If you don't want a secret to leak, the most thorough way is to destroy it. The after‑taste of the anti‑truth serum will make you forget this short period we shared."

"It won't take effect instantly; it's a slow, hazy process—like the fresh scent of lotus leaves, plum blossoms, glutinous rice and powdered sugar."

"In that case, the bonds between lives will be erased. Friendship, secrets, entanglements, deception—all will vanish like smoke." Ruan Mei smiled faintly, "That will make us... more at ease."

"If you wish, I will."

"Hmm, I believe it." Ruan Mei looked at the deep‑blue planet outside the window. "Sometimes I think of #55 Yu Qingtu; whenever we part, she always makes me some tasty drinks. I hope we don't run into #4 Polka Kakam, or it could get troublesome."

"I don't know when the next genius gathering will be. Star, is there anything else you want to tell me?"

"Do you trust me now?"

Ruan Mei closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly shook her head: "... I find it hard to answer. Thank you, my assistant. But if there's a chance, if you're willing—once we meet again, we could go together to 'No Man's Land' and sail across the calm glaciers."

"But in that case, it wouldn't be 'No Man's Land' for either of us. What a dilemma."

The scene shifts; having left Star, Ruan Mei arrives alone at the laboratory below that handles containment.

Her fingertips brushed the cold paper of the experimental records; she held them, about to examine closely, when she suddenly felt a faint sensation at her ankle—

Looking down, Dou Sha Gray was rubbing against her fair ankle, Cheese Sweetheart blinked its round eyes, and the Burned Wheat‑like creature hopped energetically, clearly thrilled by her arrival.

Ruan Mei's lips lifted involuntarily.

She gently set the logbook down, turned her back, and elegantly crossed her hands behind her. No one saw the slight flick of the fingers hidden there, prompting the two little creatures to follow suit.

Cat Cake and Cheese Sweetheart hopped joyfully, leaving a trail on the lab floor, chasing that ever‑rational yet now soft silhouette, disappearing into the glow at the corner.

——

Dragon Clan.

"So, does this mean they're breaking up?" Chu Zihang asked.

"Your question assumes they had a romance." Caesar sighed, "—but clearly they didn't, and not only that, Miss Ruan Mei intends to make the other forget everything about her."

"But didn't Ruan Mei call her 'dear'? Whether now or in the film, that term is usually only used between couples. Could there be another meaning?"

"... There was no intention at all; Ruan Mei just said it offhand. See, when the collaboration ended, Star's title became 'assistant'."

Caesar began to feel it wasn't worth it for Star; to help her, he almost risked his life, yet ended up unable even to retain the memories of their time together—no matter how you look at it, it was a loss.

However, seeing that she ultimately took her creations with her, Caesar thought she wasn't as heartless or irresponsible as he imagined—perhaps she still doesn't understand what 'love' is, but when she saw the two little creatures nuzzle her, a corner of the iceberg in his heart should have melted.

——

Star arrived at Esda's place, about to tell her that Ruan Mei had left, when her phone rang. Opening it, she saw an anonymous chat group called 'Black Tower Patrol' flooding the channel.

The messages from the group were unusual, mainly involving a major incident that just occurred inside the space station, and many were clamoring for accountability.

A person named 'Bill Geva' posted a news briefing; without looking, Star opened it and was nearly scared enough to drop her phone.

"Black Tower Lady Exclusive News—Good evening, black fans! We're now inserting an urgent news flash."

"Recently, the great Genius Club #83's Black Tower Lady was attacked on the space station and has been missing ever since; so far, no organization has claimed responsibility."

On the screen, a man was furiously accusing a reporter, venting his anger.

"Massive black fans consequently issued strong protests and harsh condemnations over the management's negligence and inaction."

The group was boiling with chatter about Black Tower Lady's disappearance; it was clear the entire space station was in chaos because of the Black Tower incident.

——

Blade Fang.

"Black Tower Lady missing? Could she have been kidnapped?"

Lord Fire Sea widened his eyes; he couldn't imagine how many people in the universe would dare kidnap a 【Intellectual】 Envoy. It's like someone on Earth daring to kidnap Vanma Yūjirō—setting aside feasibility, the motive is a mystery.

Kidnap Black Tower—could it be to force the Envoy to take out the kidnappers in one go?

"Hahaha, I'd love to see who has the guts to challenge the Envoy." Vanma Yūjirō flashed a fang‑like grin, "Is that provocation? Given Black Tower's nature, she'll definitely accept."

"But only her doll was kidnapped, right? Not the real one; no one has seen what the real Black Tower looks like yet."

Miyamoto Musashi lowered his head, took a sip of tea, and said slowly, "I think this isn't an ordinary 'kidnapping'. If someone truly dared to act against Black Tower, her true self would immediately locate the doll's position and swiftly eliminate the threat... With her power, that shouldn't be hard."

"Indeed, I can't picture Black Tower Lady at a disadvantage," Hua Shan Xun suddenly said, "Everyone, could the kidnappers possibly not be human?"

Tokugawa said sternly, "Hua Shan, what basis do you have for saying that?"

"No basis." Hua Shan Xun shook his head honestly, "I just think normal humans wouldn't dare to provoke an Envoy like that. If the opponent truly has power comparable to Black Tower, why stealthily steal her doll?"

——

Star was about to head to Black Tower's office to check the situation when she suddenly blacked out, losing consciousness. When she opened her eyes again, Screw Goom and Esda seemed to be discussing something in front of her.

"Mr. Screw Goom, this is a premeditated attack..."

"Conclusion: the enemy's target is the space station. But the method... we still don't know."

Esda was about to continue speaking when a familiar male voice interrupted her.

"Exactly."

As the words fell, a tall, slender young man walked slowly forward; his golden pupils shimmered faintly in the gloom, like an unfading star in the night.

"That's also why we need her."