A Diplomatic Victory?

"Ah..." Seeing Liu Bai suddenly appear in front of her, Mei subconsciously pushed up her glasses, her expression slightly subtle. "Long time no see... Although according to my sense of time, Doctor, you have only been gone for less than a week."

What does "less than a week" mean?

Mei had just begun to recover from the sadness of parting, but she had not yet developed any hope for a future reunion. She was simply determined to do her best during this time so as not to disappoint Liu Bai.

... As a result, things are far from being done perfectly; they've only just begun, and Liu Bai has already reappeared.

So this made Mei feel a little complicated—although it didn't change the fact that this was a very happy thing.

"However, judging from your timeline, perhaps several decades or even a hundred years have passed?"

Mei smiled as she spoke. As the one who first proposed this hypothesis, Mei was clearly prepared for this unexpected situation.

"You're going to participate too? That's wonderful! You, Doctor, were the most suitable person to be in charge of this project."

Mei was convinced that Liu Bai was the most suitable person in charge for no other reason than that Liu Bai had the ability to possess others!

For example, during the experiment, the half-finished product of the God Key can be fine-tuned, or after the experiment is completed, all of which can rely on Liu Bai's possession to reduce the original cost.

"Hmm, leave it to me. I'll work with Vil-V on this—but speaking of which, Mei, why don't you take charge of this project directly?"

"Because I have no experience in related experiments."

Mei spoke with a hint of helplessness.

After all, this is a high-risk project, and although Mei has enough theoretical experience, she doesn't actually have much practical experience in the field of Honkai Energy. Mobius initially recruited her because he valued Mei's achievements in physics.

"So I wasn't approved to carry out this project. The higher-ups wanted to find someone with relevant experience to start the project. I initially wanted to find Mobius, but Mobius was busy researching Honkai Beast remains, so they recommended Dr. Vil-V to me."

When Mobius was mentioned, Mei's face showed a rather puzzling expression.

"I think Mobius is secretly preparing something big."

"Reason?"

"She doesn't even participate in projects like the God Key, so she must be researching some high-risk projects while hiding from higher-ups." Mei pushed up her glasses.

She wasn't sure before, since Mobius had been nitpicking at her while conducting experiments, which didn't seem like he was working on an important project. But this time, Mobius pushed back the God Key experiment, which made Mei completely certain that Mobius was up to something big.

Any top scientist can see the importance of the God Key, so how could you, a top-tier scientist, not see it?

Do you really think she needs a scientist who is proficient in both Honkai Energy and mechanics? With a top-notch Honkai biologist supervising her, Mei can solve most problems on her own, okay?

Liu Bai thought about how Elysia had given the remains of Shesha to Mobius before, and nodded. It seemed that Mobius's Fusion Warrior Project had probably already begun to be researched.

Hmm... maybe I can ask Mei for a mature Fusion Warrior Project from the future and give it to Mobius... but that's after Mobius has completed the initial phase of the technology—after all, Liu Bai is very cautious about technology in order to prevent the Honkai of the Previous Era from suddenly increasing in intensity.

However, the Divine Key Project doesn't need to worry too much about this aspect. After all, although the God Key has just been released, it is already mature enough under Mei's repeated optimizations, and there is no technological gap or leap.

Even those God Key from later generations that he considered flawed were only in his opinion.

Anyone else could be considered impeccable; the only optimizations Liu Bai could make were minor adjustments to the focus.

"You know too?" Mei asked softly, looking at Liu Bai's unsurprised attitude.

"Well, I might know more about this than you do—but don't worry about it, trust in Mobius's abilities."

"Certainly."

Mei nodded, then finally looked at Eden —the big star she remembered.

Facing Mei's gaze, Eden raised his eyebrows slightly. "I just happened to be passing by and came to take a look. I haven't learned much about science from Liu Bai."

"No, I'm just curious, Miss Eden, how long have you been with my doctor?"

"From the day I was born until now—my entire life."

Even someone as composed as Mei couldn't help but pause slightly upon hearing Eden's answer.

"My whole life"—is this a romantic answer simply a reference to time, or does it have a deeper meaning?

Well, there's no need to ask that question anymore—this guy is just like Mobius.

"That means twenty-eight years, right?"

Mei calmly pretended not to have noticed the other meaning in Eden's words.

Mei's feelings toward Eden are actually a bit complicated—not only in terms of her current and future rivals.

Rather, it's an impression that existed in the past.

Back in the day... well, actually it was only a year ago, before the Honkai began.

She attended an Eden concert with Kevin, Sue, and Liu Bai —she viewed the concert as a date with Liu Bai, and made a promise with Liu Bai at the end of the concert that they would come to listen to it again next time.

At least when the promise was made, Mei's heart was filled with the excitement and romance of a young girl.

However, now that the other person has become his "love rival," this agreement has become quite complicated...

No, perhaps we should be more concerned about Kevin and Sue? Those two might actually do something like "defecting to the enemy."

But speaking of Su...

Mei sighed softly.

It's really worrying that my junior brother is still missing.

"Ah, speaking of which, I remember you seemed to really like Eden's singing, Mei? I remember we even attended one of Eden's concerts back then, right?" Liu Bai remembered things he needed to avoid quite clearly.

"Did you say you wanted to hear it again?"

No, what I really mean is that I want to listen to it with you again—I think my teacher's memories have probably faded a bit due to the long "time travel".

... Fortunately, it was downplayed; otherwise, if my teacher had actually recounted what he said in full, I would have been inferior to Eden in the future.

However, to be fair, it's unbelievable that my teacher still remembers such trivial details after experiencing a long time travel—even though my teacher is indeed a ghost.

In a way, could this be considered a characteristic of elders? Always remembering the wishes casually expressed by younger generations... Ah, let's change that a bit.

"I see." Eden gave a gentle, non-threatening smile, unlike Mobius's. "In that case, Miss Mei, would you like to hear my new song in advance?"

Chapter 368 Diplomatic Victory?

Listening to music?

"If there is an opportunity."

Mei declined Eden's invitation.

Although she had to admit that Eden's singing was undoubtedly heavenly, well, as a rival in love, perhaps she should maintain a basic distance outside of work?

Mei was slightly unaccustomed to Eden's gentle style, which was quite different from Mobius's.

But let's assume it's a good thing for her future life?

After all, Eden looks like she's twenty years old, and the pressure from a world-class female singer is quite significant for Mei.

To put it in a bit of gaming jargon, her match with Mobius was a contest of charisma between two people with intellectual talents, while Eden... well, that guy is definitely charisma-based!

Only someone with a screw loose would actively declare war on Eden.

Eden didn't take Mei's polite refusal to heart at all, and simply smiled gently and kindly at her.

Mei instinctively shuddered.

Gentle and friendly? Is it simply being gentle and friendly?

Mei felt like she was very familiar with that smile—it seemed like a loving mother's smile!

Mei was feeling really down; she felt like she'd been outmaneuvered and defeated.

Eden didn't seem to notice much, and nodded slightly to Mei: "Alright, if Dr. Mei has time, you can come to the headquarters building to find me anytime. I won't disturb the three of you discussing important matters any longer."

A good conversation.

Eden concluded to himself, completely unaware of Mei's apprehension towards him.

In gaming terms, what are you doing right now?

It should be considered a diplomatic victory...

Eden felt he was better suited to trying to be compatible with others while applying pressure, rather than trying to be compatible with Elysia, like Elysia did.

So far, the results seem to be quite good.

"... Teacher, you always seem to attract dangerous women like this."

Mei watched Eden slowly leave, then reached up and wiped her forehead.

"It's only dangerous for you, isn't it?" Vil-V chimed in, "The word 'danger' has absolutely nothing to do with Eden."

Vil-V was very self-aware; if Eden were truly dangerous, all of them, these small fry, would be doomed—they were still able to survive here, and in a way, they had to thank Eden for his great kindness.

Vil-V didn't even dare to imagine what she would be like now if Eden had the personality of Mobius —perhaps the lover personality would never have been born, but only the mistress personality would have been born.

"Alright, let's put aside anything unrelated to business for now." Liu Bai stopped the two from bickering. "Vil-V, bring out the document. There are a few aspects in this document that need further discussion..."

Life goals:

Collect all coins: Complete

Collect all types of Canned Food fast food available on the market: Completed

Stealing Sakura's Pudding: Completed

Play a game of catching frisbees with the boss: Complete (cross out the entire item).

I want to raise a cat with the boss: Sakura won't allow it (cross out the whole thing).

Want to move the bed to the boss's office: Incomplete

Get a perfect score of 100 on Ling's old math test: Complete

Unraveling Sister Vil-V's magic trick: Incomplete

Collect all of Eden's gems: Incomplete

To live a life where you have plenty to eat and drink, and enjoy sunshine every day: (Completed)

Pardofelis lay listlessly on the bed, chewing on a pencil stub, looking at the life goals she had listed on the paper.

"Hmm... it feels like we should add something to it..."

Wearing Pardo, Paddy's long, smooth, and slender legs were exposed, swinging up and down as if they had nowhere to go.

Eden has so many gems that it seems impossible for her to collect them all—even if Eden takes her out to "purchase" gems and lets her take as many as she wants, she still can't take many.

As for figuring out Sister Vil-V's magic trick... no way, my brain can't handle it...

I really should consider how to move the bed to the boss's office.

I'll probably get beaten up...

Pardo is not someone who gets discouraged easily, but the remaining unfinished goals were simply too difficult for her.

"Hmm... how about my next life goal is to open a super-duper Canned Food factory? Or maybe a bank... no, no, no, I can't do that..."

Pardo pouted, completely caught in a dilemma.

Snap!

"Meow—?"

The sudden sound of the door opening startled Pardo, causing Pardo to jump onto the balcony. However, Pardo breathed a sigh of relief after seeing who it was.

"What? Isn't this Suzu? Is there... is there something you need?"

Pardo greeted the cherry-haired girl in front of her with lingering fear.

"Hmm~~ Sister Pardo's scream just now was much cuter than my sister's."

Ling, holding the notebook, looked at Pardo with a mocking expression.

At the same time, a piece of paper slowly floated down to Bell's feet.

"Um?"

With such a large piece of paper, Ling naturally wouldn't overlook it.

Ling picked up the paper, slightly dazed, and subconsciously read out its contents.

"What is this? Life goal... collecting coins... collecting Canned Food... stealing Sakura-nee's pudding—Waaaaah! Pardo, you're doomed! I'm reporting you to my sister right now!"

Ling revealed a serious expression.