Chapter 84: Black Tower Lady!

Heimu walks to the center of the carriage, tone even: "I hear the voice; Reason String is still present."

She pauses, her gaze sweeping over A Xing who is slurping Bubble Noodles, and adds, "It's just… maybe we still need some time to ease off. After all, that thing is already in the stomach."

Xi Lian's mouth twitches, instantly understanding what Heimu meant, a hint of sympathy on her face, but mostly a sigh of relief: "Good that it's fine… that Reason String can recover is good."

Heimu nods slightly, eyes turning toward the Observation Window outside.

Outside the window is no longer the vast Star Sea, but a magnificent structure of metal and glass—the docking port of the Black Tower Space Station.

"Are we… back at the Black Tower Space Station?"

Heimu's eyebrows lift slightly, looking at the system.

The system doll immediately stands, reporting in its flat electronic voice: "Yes, Master. The Starry Sky Train completed its jump about one standard time unit ago and is now docked at the docking port of the Black Tower Space Station. According to intercepted public channel information, the train's purpose this trip is routine resupply, and… Miss Xing seems to have a 'special gift' to deliver personally to the Black Tower Lady."

Heimu hears this, a knowing, mischievous curve lifting the corner of his lips.

She walks to the window, gazing at the familiar scenery of the space station outside, a playful glint flashing in her violet‑black eyes.

"Understood."

She says softly, tone with a hint of expected interest, "It seems, Xing… really believed Black Tower's Sister's nonsense."

She can almost picture Xing at this moment, clutching that meticulously packaged Heimu doll, his mind full of moving stories about the Black Tower's "tragic childhood" and "lack of love essence," eagerly preparing to give the space station's master a "surprise" hug.

This improvised, lie‑filled, mischievous performance she directed is finally about to reach its most "spectacular" segment.

She wonders what "delighted" expression will appear on Black Tower's always impatient, delicate little face when she sees the doll and hears Xing recount the "deep sisterly bond" story.

Heimu gently swirls the cup of black tea that appeared in his hand at an unknown time, his eyes full of anticipation.

"Truly… a pleasant development."

Perspective shift.

Black Tower walks down the space station's mirror‑smooth corridor, her high heels striking the floor with a regular, crisp sound, mirroring her mood of regaining control.

Though she was inexplicably exiled and then inexplicably returned, being back on her own turf is undeniably comforting.

At that moment, a slightly hurried footstep sound comes from ahead.

She looks up and sees Station Chief Aisida jogging over, her cheeks flushed with an abnormal redness, her breathing a little rapid.

"Black Tower Lady!"

Aisida stops in front of her, her tone carrying a hint… of nervousness?

Black Tower furrows her brow slightly, just about to ask whether the space station has any new trouble, when Aisida jumps in: "Starry Sky Train! The Starry Sky Train Group has arrived, just docked at the platform!"

Starry Sky Train?

Black Tower's thoughts race at high speed.

She immediately recalls the doll photo she received from Xing Fa before being exiled—the doll that bears a striking resemblance to her.

She can almost be certain that her cross‑world "journey" is definitely linked to that doll.

And now, the Train Group happens to visit at this moment…

They, to prevent me from going to Beloberg personally to investigate the doll, spared no expense in exiling me.

Now that I've just returned, the Train Group follows immediately… coincidence? Or perhaps the Train Group suffered a major incident in Beloberg and is seeking aid?

Thinking this, Black Tower's expression grows a few degrees more serious.

Regardless of the truth, the Train Group's visit must be tied to the core event.

She looks at Aisida and asks directly, "Where are the people?"

"Just… just got off the train, should be at the platform leading to the Main Control Cabin Section."

Aisida answers, her gaze flickering, unwilling to meet Black Tower's eyes, her cheeks seeming even redder.

Black Tower keenly notices Aisida's oddity.

(What's wrong with this girl? Her face so red, is she ill?)

A flicker of doubt passes through her mind, but the Train Group matter is clearly more pressing now.

She casually says, "Alright, I understand."

Then she strides forward, intending to go to the platform.

After two steps she still feels Aisida's condition is off, turns back and adds, tone with a hint of un‑gentle concern: "If you're not feeling well, don't push yourself, go back and rest."

"No, I'm not uncomfortable!"

Aisida hurriedly shakes her head, voice a bit louder, "I'm fine! Black Tower Lady, you go on with your business!"

She even subconsciously presses her legs together, her hands nervously clasped in front of her.

(Strange…)

Black Tower glances at her, says nothing more, taking it as a youthful emotional swing, and turns to continue forward.

Yet subconsciously, she feels Aisida's gaze just now seemed unusually bright.

(Just an illusion, I guess.)

Not far, at a junction connecting corridors, Black Tower runs into two familiar figures—Xinghe and San Yue Qi.

"Black Tower Lady!"

San Yue Qi, sharp‑eyed, waves first, her face bearing her usual spirited smile.

But Xing's reaction leaves Black Tower even more baffled.

The gray‑haired girl's eyes flash bright the instant she sees her, that gaze… oddly similar to Aisida's just now?

A feeling… full of mission, compassion, and some "I've finally been waiting for you" excitement?

(What's up with these two today?)

Black Tower internally mutters, but outwardly maintains coolness, "Hmm, I heard you arrived. What's the matter?"

Xing takes a deep breath, steps forward, expression unusually serious and… solemn?

She looks at Black Tower, tone sincere: "Black Tower Lady, I have something extremely important, I must… must tell you alone."

She deliberately emphasized the word "alone".

(Alone?)

Black Tower's eyebrows lifted slightly.

She knew Star's mind was uniquely quirky, but this was the first time she formally requested a private conversation.

(Could it truly be something that concerns the Train Group's life and death, fearing there are ears through the wall?)

Star's heart was actually pounding.

(Black Tower's Sister said that Black Tower Lady is extremely, extremely shy, especially about the past! In a crowd she would definitely refuse outright, perhaps even become angry and embarrassed! A private moment must be created! Hmm! To fulfill Sister's request, to make up for Black Tower Lady's missing affection!)

Seeing Xing Na's solemn expression as if "this concerns universal peace," Black Tower found it baffling but still nodded.

She actually wanted to see what medicine was being sold in that Star Core Essence gourd.

"Alright, this way."

She motioned Star to follow, heading toward a relatively quiet corner on one side of the corridor.

San Yue Qi was left behind, standing on tiptoe and peering curiously.

At the corner, the light was a bit dim, only the bluish glow from the wall's indicator strip illuminating the area.

Black Tower habitually placed one hand on her hip, lifted her chin slightly, with a hint of impatience: "Fine, no one's here. What's the matter, all mysterious?"

Star didn't answer immediately, but first furtively glanced left and right, confirming there truly were no extra ears.

Then she leaned in a bit, lowered her voice, a mysterious "I get you" smile on her face, and said: "Black Tower Lady, lately… do you feel you're missing… that?"

Black Tower: "???"

(Missing what? Energy? Funding? Or perhaps… she discovered traces of a Space Station invasion?)

She couldn't keep up with Star's line of thought, so she instinctively retorted: "…are you mimicking those clumsy salesmen? Want to perform another talent for me?"

Star's attention was nowhere on the retort.

She saw Black Tower, turning her head to retort, reveal a gracefully contoured neck and a slightly slender profile.

(Ah! Right now! Sister said a hug must be unexpected to break through the heart's guard!)

Timing was perfect!

The moment Black Tower's words finished, Star's gaze hardened, like a Pioneer spotting the optimal strike moment, leapt forward in a single bound, flung her arms wide, with a speed faster than the ear could cover, solidly and forcefully—

embraced Black Tower!

It wasn't a friendly pat, nor a polite hug, but that kind of… a tight, almost suffocating bear‑hug full of sympathy, comfort, and the belief "I'm passing my warmth to you".

Black Tower: "!!!"

Time seemed to hit the pause button at that instant.

Black Tower's whole body froze completely.

She could feel Star's arms tightly encircling her shoulders and back, the gray head even tucked into the hollow of her neck.

Yet all those sensory inputs could not disperse the roar in her mind that sounded like a cosmic Big Bang—

…confusion.

Complete, head‑to‑toe confusion.

What… happened?

Why?