A Familiar Scent
"One of the company's management ranks," Dan Heng explained in a low voice. "Most department heads are at this level."
"But... I've never heard of any department head in Interastral Peace Corporation with that name." Dan Heng looked up at Jingxing.
"After all, the Interastral Peace Corporation hasn't made his affairs public much," the Herta Puppet interjected, arms crossed.
On March 7th, before she could ask another question, the brown-haired middle-aged man standing behind her gently placed his hand on her shoulder. He stepped forward, adjusted his glasses, shielded the two younger men behind him, and politely bowed to Jingxing Xing: "Welt Yang, a passenger on the Astral Express. Thank you for covering for us earlier, Mr. Jingxing."
"Just passing by, nothing special," Jingxing waved his hand. "Besides, the main effort was mainly put in by that Little Grey Hair behind you."
At the same time, he mentally reviewed the name "Astral Express" and suddenly remembered more than seven hundred old acquaintances from before the Amber Era.
"His followers?" Jingxing wondered.
Just then, the sound of calm high heels came from the other end of the corridor.
The newcomer had striking red hair, and a platinum-colored coat was casually draped over her shoulders. She carried a strong aroma of freshly ground coffee, which stood out against the burnt smell in the corridor. She first checked on the gray-haired girl being supported by Dan Heng before turning her gaze to Jingxing.
"This is Himeko, the navigator of the Astral Express," Welt introduced, stepping aside.
"Jingxing is an unemployed person who holds a nominal position at the company."
Jingxing extended his hand, and Himeko gently shook it. Her hand was warm, and her palm had a thin callus from years of holding something.
The moment they touched, Jingxing felt a slight pang in his eyes.
He had spent some time at Dual-Phase Paradise years ago, and now he smelled a very faint similar scent on Himeko.
Jingxing withdrew his hand, his expression unchanged, and casually asked, "Miss Himeko, have you been to Dual-Phase Paradise before?"
Himeko paused for a moment, then asked, "How did Mr. Jingxing figure that out?"
"I stayed at the Dual-Phase Paradise for a while two years ago," Jingxing said casually. "I also chatted with the principal of the World-Painting Academy, and he gave me a lot of advice."
The corridor fell silent.
Himeko's smile remained unchanged, but her hands clenched tightly.
Jingxing noticed her wariness, but stopped there and didn't ask any further questions.
Himeko remained silent for a moment, then asked in a very soft voice, "Father—is he... alright?"
"He seemed fine when I saw him," Jingxing smiled. "It's just that I always miss my wife and daughters."
Himeko lowered her eyes and gave a short, relieved laugh.
"Alright, let's save the reminiscing for later," the Herta Puppet interrupted them with interest. "Come with me, all of you."
The Herta's office is located on the top floor of the Master Control Zone. Upon entering, there is a whole wall of dynamic star charts, and several hastily written notes are pasted in the corner.
The gray-haired girl had fully recovered halfway through her journey. The Stellaron explosion had drained her strength, and upon entering the room, she first looked around blankly at everyone, her first words being, "Is it over?"
"It's already over!" March 7th said, hands on hips. "Are you alright?"
"Oh." The girl blinked and reached into her hand. "Where's my baseball bat?"
"Here, no one will take it from you." Dan Heng handed her the metal baseball bat with several white marks on it.
She took it and hugged it to her chest like a treasure before looking up to introduce herself, "My name is Xing."
"Jingxing." Remembering where she came from, Jingxing continued casually, "Long time no see."
"Hmm?" Everyone caught the implication in his words.
The Herta Puppet walked up to the star map and waved its hand. The star map spread out to both sides, revealing a miniature nebula suspended in mid-air, slowly rotating. Inside, stardust was layered upon layered, moving so slowly that the trajectory of each star's formation could be clearly seen.
"The Metaverse." The Herta Puppet raised its chin. "I gathered a few people from the Genius Society to work on it together."
Xing, holding his baseball bat, tilted his head and commented seriously, "Metaverse? That name sounds like it's just jumping on the bandwagon. Why not call it Simulated Universe?"
The doll turned its head and stared at her for a full three seconds. "... Then let's call her that."
She changed her mind so quickly that Xing was taken aback.
Herta ignored her, raised his hand and pointed to the edge of the nebula, a nearly transparent film lighting up. "Jingxing, this Simulated Universe was developed by you."
"Image of Ten Thousand Jun?" Jingxing immediately thought of the work he had given her.
"Yes," the Herta Puppet nodded, "With it here, the Aeon's logic inside can't escape, and those outside can't peek in by following the cause and effect. Security is greatly improved."
"It sounds like a cage," Jingxing remarked.
"Like insurance," Herta corrected him.
When I came out of the office, many of the corridor lights had already been repaired by the quick-witted staff.
The group from the Astral Express walked ahead. Dan Heng deliberately trailed at the back, his pace neither fast nor slow, but his position was always between Jingxing and Xing; Welt and Himeko whispered side by side; March 7th occasionally turned around and smiled at him; only Xing carried the baseball bat and walked at the very front, his steps confident and unhurried.
"Everyone," Jingxing suddenly spoke.
Several people stopped in their tracks at the same time.
"I know what you're guarding against." Jingxing put his hands in his pockets, deciding to be frank, "But I have no ill intentions towards you."
Himeko turned around and looked at him quietly.
"You are his followers." Jingxing pulled out his terminal and waved it. "I also want to make a good connection. If you ever go to Luofu, to Zhuming Xianzhou, or need to deal with the company someday, you can contact me. How about we leave your contact information?"
The tense atmosphere immediately relaxed. March 7th was the first to rush over and scan the QR code. "Great! Mr. Jingxing, you're welcome to visit the train anytime! I'll treat you to a coffee specially made by Himeko!"
"..." Dan Heng shook his head helplessly, and even Welt Yang's face darkened for a moment.
Dan Heng didn't say much, scanned the code, and nodded to him; Welt followed closely behind, saying gently, "Thank you."
Xing was the last to come over. She tucked the baseball bat under her arm, lowered her head to enter the numbers, then looked up at me earnestly and asked, "Do you know me from before?"
"Do I know them or not?" Jingxing smiled vaguely. "I only know where you came from; they really care about you."
"..." Xing turned and left, leaving behind a light, fleeting question, "Where did you come from?"
After the three young men had walked a distance away, Himeko approached Jingxing and said, "Mr. Jingxing, we can talk about the Dual-Phase Paradise another time."
"Okay, I'm always here."
Himeko gave him a deep look, then turned and led the Astral Express Crew away, seemingly preparing to have a good talk with Hoshi.