Su's "I've heard a lot about you" was truly heartfelt.
The first time he heard Ai Yue's name was from his mentor, the head of the Fifth Science Department. His mentor had said that a new scholar had grown close to Mobius and was probably no good either.
The Fifth Science Department's main project was medicine, and most of its members were doctors. Its director, Spasi, was no exception. They all upheld the beliefs of physicians, so they were deeply at odds with Mobius, who repeatedly crossed the limits of human morality.
Su had only recently arrived and therefore did not hold much prejudice against Mobius or Ai Yue. However, because of Spasi, he had paid little attention to Ai Yue until a few days ago, when that mysterious formula suddenly appeared on every computer in the Fifth Science Department.
At first, Spasi thought some reckless fool had come to provoke the Moth to Fire again. But Dr. Mei soon came personally to the Fifth Science Department and explained what had happened. Only then did Spasi realize where the crux of the matter lay. Yet as the head of the Fifth Science Department, he naturally could not accept that someone had so easily developed a drug capable of resisting mental contamination.
However, the Fifth Science Department could not disobey Dr. Mei's orders. Under her coordination, they could only skip all the testing procedures and begin mass production directly. It was only then that Su became curious because of how much Dr. Mei trusted Ai Yue.
What astonishing achievements had a young scholar who had joined the Moth to Fire only a few months ago produced to make Dr. Mei bear all the possible consequences for him without hesitation?
The result proved that Dr. Mei and Ai Yue had been right. The formula's effects had even exceeded expectations. Not one of the soldiers who took the drug and joined the campaign to eradicate the Honkai Beasts showed any abnormal symptoms. By contrast, two-thirds of the local troops fell unconscious the moment they entered the battlefield.
That was why, when Kevin asked whether he wanted to attend the party, Su agreed almost without hesitation.
Only after arriving did he learn that Ai Yue had even developed a drug capable of temporarily controlling Kevin's body temperature, allowing lovers who should have been unable to touch each other to embrace.
That invention proved that Ai Yue's research into the Fusion Warrior Project had already surpassed that of its original creator.
A young scholar who had exceeded Dr. Mei and Dr. Mobius after joining the Moth to Fire for only a few months.
Genius was no longer enough to describe him. He was even a little frightening.
If such a person held even the slightest malice toward humanity, he could cause disastrous consequences.
So Su wanted to see with his own eyes what sort of person Doctor Ai Yue really was.
Compared with Su's complicated thoughts, Ai Yue's were much simpler. When he saw Su, his first thought was—Finally, I've made a connection. I won't have to worry about lacking an excuse to visit the Fifth Science Department anymore.
He had not forgotten that he still had a side quest to complete: "Reduce the Cost of the Honkai Sickness Vaccine."
"It was just part of my duty." Ai Yue shook Su's hand briefly, then said, "I've heard about the Fifth Science Department's achievements. I heard you've completed your research into curing Honkai Sickness?"
"We can't say it's complete yet." At the mention of this matter, Su's gaze dimmed slightly. "As for Honkai Sickness, we still have a long road ahead."
Could exchanging a thousand lives for one life really be considered a cure?
Su could not accept it. At least, he could not.
"I'm also rather curious about this project." Ai Yue followed the topic. "If Doctor Spasi doesn't mind, could I arrange a time to visit?"
"Of course! Teacher will definitely be delighted!" Su paused, then readily agreed. "Doctor Ai Yue must have considerable research in medicine as well. We could..."
"All right, all right. Can't you discuss work another time?" Kevin interrupted them, wearing an exasperated smile. "Even Mei wouldn't think about work at a time like this. You should enjoy this rare chance to relax and leave work for tomorrow."
Ai Yue and Su exchanged a glance, then traded contact information.
Dr. Mei was about to say something more when her gaze suddenly passed over Ai Yue and landed behind him. She smiled and said, "Then we won't disturb you any longer, Doctor Ai Yue. See you later."
Ai Yue turned around and saw Aponia approaching with Hua and Kalpas.
Chapter Five: Rejecting Flat Chests Starts with Me
"You're rather late."
When he saw the three of them approaching, Ai Yue waved. After nodding to Dr. Mei, he went to meet them. "It looks like you didn't dress up much either?"
"There isn't much in a nun's wardrobe for special occasions." Aponia was still dressed simply as a nun. She glanced to the side with a smile. "Most of the time was spent on something else."
Kalpas, who had been glanced at, folded his arms. The corners of his mask's mouth drooped, clearly identifying him as the one who had wasted the time. "Put plainly, what does this have to do with me?"
"The food is pretty good, so I called you here to try it." Ai Yue patted him on the shoulder. "Besides, the children aren't lacking toys anymore. You'd be better off learning to cook and showing them what you can do."
As Kalpas's half-guardian, Ai Yue knew exactly where most of the man's "salary" went.
Kalpas fell silent for a moment. In the end, he walked into the banquet hall and began sampling the desserts one by one.
"You really know how to handle him." Aponia glanced at the somewhat awkward Hua, then nodded at Ai Yue. "I'll go greet my friends first. See you later."
Friends? Other than Elysia?
That thought flashed through Ai Yue's mind, but he set it aside for the moment and turned to Hua. "Don't be nervous, Hua. Everyone here is easy to get along with."
"I'm not worried about that, Doctor Ai Yue." Hua pressed her lips together and looked past him toward the banquet hall. "I just feel that a gathering like this isn't suitable for me. Besides, I didn't really contribute anything to this operation. There was no need to invite me."
Even now, Hua still felt as though the events of the past few days had been a dream. Ai Yue had suddenly selected her as a member of the team and taken her on a mission. In reality, she had done nothing and merely followed them around before returning. Afterward, she had gone to the Fifth Academy of Sciences according to his arrangements. Once she had transported the mental-resistance medicine back, she had gone to the battlefield with the first batch of soldiers. Not long afterward, she heard that the Eighth Herrscher had died.
After that, she and a nun named Aponia had brought Kalpas, who had gone berserk on the battlefield, back to the Moth to Fire base. And then there was nothing more.
She had played no real part in any of it. Everything she had done could have been handled just as well by any ordinary soldier. Thus, she did not understand why Ai Yue had specifically invited her.
"Because you truly have great potential, Hua. You should be more confident." Ai Yue could not explain too much, so he patted her shoulder. "Besides, I've looked into your circumstances a little."
"You know?" Hua froze, then realized what he meant. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hide..."
Because she had survived alone under Himiko, the captain of the Fifth Squad who had become a Herrscher, the other soldiers regarded Hua as an unlucky presence. Some even secretly called her a witch and deliberately kept their distance.
Combined with Hua's inherently insecure personality, this made her increasingly question her own existence. That was why she had been so surprised when Ai Yue specifically requested that she join the mission.
"It's not a matter of whether you meant to or not. Besides, it wasn't your fault." Ai Yue waved his hand. "I just want to ask whether you're willing to come work for me."
"Eh?"
"My current plan is to update the equipment used by the Moth to Fire's soldiers. During the experimental phase, someone will need to test the new equipment." Ai Yue spoke seriously. "I may also occasionally go on field missions and will need an excellent warrior to protect me. So, are you willing to help?"
"I..." Hua hesitated briefly before nodding. "I am."
"Excellent." Ai Yue immediately produced a paper document from somewhere and placed it in front of her, then handed the girl a pen. "Sign your name here, then."
"Eh?" Hua's eyes widened again. "This, this soon?"
She had thought they would at least wait until the banquet ended, or perhaps sign the contract the next day. She had not expected Ai Yue to be so eager.
"That won't do. What if you toss and turn all night and then change your mind?" Ai Yue gave her an encouraging smile. "You're the best candidate I selected after careful consideration. Of course I can't let you get away."
Hua blinked. In the end, she obediently signed her name on the contract without even carefully reading it to check whether it contained any suspicious clauses.
Who had been the last person to encourage her and affirm her like this?
An elegant figure in a red-haired, black dress appeared in Hua's mind, only to be swallowed by flames.
"There's still a long road ahead. Don't let the past hold you back." Ai Yue seemed to have seen through her thoughts and patted her shoulder. "Come on. I'll introduce you to your future colleagues."
Hua stared blankly at Ai Yue's back for a moment before following him.
She would probably never forget that red figure. But Ai Yue was right: people could not live in the past forever.
I'll keep moving forward, Captain. You'll support me as you did before too, won't you?
Ai Yue quickly introduced Hua to everyone present. Unexpectedly, apart from a few people, most of them had some impression of her.
Although they were puzzled that an ordinary soldier had joined the New Poison Pupa, nearly everyone present had witnessed Ai Yue's abilities. Thus, no one objected to his judgment.
Of course, a small interlude occurred as well.
"You've taken a liking to her too?"
Mobius arrived a little later than Aponia. When she saw the gray-haired girl beside Ai Yue, her brows furrowed. She dragged Ai Yue aside and looked displeased. "I was here first!"
"What do you mean, you were here first?" Ai Yue looked at her in confusion. "You're not planning to use her for an experiment, are you?"
"Do you remember the first Hypervariable Factor formula you developed?" Mobius did not answer. Instead, she continued, "Hua is one of the people with the highest compatibility with Garuda's Hypervariable Factor."
"No. Absolutely not!" Ai Yue immediately understood what Mobius intended and flatly refused. "I'm giving you a serious warning, Mobius. For three years... no, five years, you are absolutely forbidden from performing the Fusion Warrior surgery on Hua!"
Are you kidding me? I went to all this trouble to build a good relationship with Hua precisely because I wanted to see whether the girl's future would really be bound by the Hypervariable Factor.
Chapter Six: How Dare You Assume My Gender?
Although Elysia's banquet mainly consisted of several scholars and the various Fused Warriors, it did not actually restrict them from inviting family or friends. That was why Hen had brought Blanca and Griseo, while Ai Yue could bring Kalpas and the others.
However, he still encountered someone unexpected.
"Mr. Ai Yue?"
A familiar voice called out to Ai Yue from the drinks area in the corner of the banquet hall. He turned around and saw Eden sitting on the nearby sofa, swirling the red wine in her glass. "Have you taken care of everything?"
Although Eden lived at the Moth to Fire headquarters, she was only there to receive psychological treatment and could not yet be considered a member of the Moth to Fire. Her understanding of its internal affairs was limited.
If Pardofelis had not brought Ai Yue's letter to her, she might never have known that something had happened to him.
"It's all taken care of. It was nothing serious." Ai Yue picked up a carbonated drink from the side and walked over. "Didn't I message you?"
After resolving the matter, Ai Yue had reported that he was safe to Eden. Pardofelis had still been with her at the time, after all, so he had to explain everything clearly.
"I meant Felis's matter." Eden smiled, her words carrying a teasing tone. "Making a young girl sad isn't something a gentleman should do, Mr. Ai Yue."
"Oh, that. I suppose it's taken care of too." Ai Yue smiled awkwardly, then quickly changed the subject. "Speaking of which, I haven't properly thanked you. Thank you for being willing to look after Pardofelis."
"It was only natural. I've received so many favors from you. Besides, protecting a child is a trivial matter." Eden took a sip of wine and let out a satisfied sigh. "Would you like a glass? This is a treasured vintage I specially sponsored for today's banquet."
"No, thank you. I don't drink." Ai Yue raised the drink in his hand. "If my thoughts can't be controlled, unpredictable things can easily happen."
The secrets Ai Yue carried were too heavy. He had to remain clear-headed at all times.
"What a pity. I thought we might share the same interests." Eden shook her head slightly but did not press him. "I suppose I can only hope that the lady Elysia mentioned shares my interests."
"The lady?" Ai Yue frowned, vaguely feeling that he had overlooked some detail.
"Yes. According to Elysia, she's a gentle and mysterious lady." As Eden spoke, she suddenly looked behind Ai Yue and raised her glass. "Oh, look. Here they come."
Ai Yue turned around and saw Elysia approaching with Aponia. Only then did he remember that, in the original storyline, the three of them had indeed been drinking companions.
It seemed that because he had changed the original storyline, they had met considerably earlier.
"What are you talking about?" Seeing that she had been discovered, Elysia simply hurried over and sat beside Eden. "Come to think of it, if Eden hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known you were also skilled in music, Ai Yue!"
"I wouldn't call it skill." Ai Yue felt a little awkward. "I just know a little."
He could confidently claim the system's products as the result of his own hard work and sweat, but he felt embarrassed taking credit for songs created by the legendary musicians of his previous life.
The system belonged to him, but the music did not.
"So you must be the new friend Elysia mentioned." Eden rose and extended her hand to Aponia. "Hello, I'm Eden."
"Just call me Aponia, Miss Eden." Aponia shook Eden's hand, then sat beside Ai Yue. "The children at the sanatorium all enjoy listening to your songs."
"Do they? It's wonderful that there are still children willing to appreciate music." Eden personally poured Aponia a glass of wine and pushed it toward her. "I think we should drink together and celebrate."
"This was brewed by Purple Helen?" Aponia brought the glass beneath her nose and sniffed lightly, then looked surprised. "I never thought I would truly get the chance to taste it."
"Yes, it's Purple Helen." Eden smiled happily. "It seems my wish has come true."
Ai Yue could not help giving the nun a strange look. Wait, you actually know how to taste wine?
"Before Twilight Street became Twilight Street, everyone could drink wine on prayer days." Aponia explained, "But I only knew that wine brewed by Purple Helen was more refined. This is the first time I've seen it in person."
"That makes three of us. Wonderful!" Elysia raised her glass. "Perhaps we could hold women's wine parties regularly in the future?"
"Are you trying to get rid of me?" Hearing the emphasis she placed on "women," Ai Yue sighed. "All right, all right. I'll make room for you."
He then rose amid their kind laughter, not forgetting to take his carbonated drink with him.
What's so good about wine? It's not as good as cola.
Come to think of it, where had Pardofelis gone?
Ai Yue searched for Pardofelis while sipping his drink.
Before he could find her, however, someone else came looking for him.
"Doctor Ai Yue."
The pink-haired, fox-eared girl had appeared silently behind him at some point. "Do you have a moment?"
Her expression was somewhat awkward, as if she had something to say.
"Sure." Seeing her expression, Ai Yue became more serious. "What's wrong? Is there a problem at home?"
Sakura was a very resilient person—so long as her weakness was not involved. That weakness was her younger sister, Rin.
Rin was Sakura's spiritual pillar. Whenever something involved Rin, Sakura became fragile.
"No, not for now." Sakura shook her head, looking worried. "But I don't know whether something might happen if this continues. After all, those people above..."
Sakura did not know that Ai Yue had used extremely overbearing methods to resolve his conflict with the Moth to Fire's higher-ups. She thought his safe return had been the result of some form of negotiation.
She only knew that the balance created by negotiations was temporary. Since she had chosen to stand on Ai Yue and the others' side, the conditions those people above had once promised her could be revoked at any time.
For her sister's sake, she had to ask Ai Yue for help.
"That matter has been resolved perfectly." Ai Yue gave a brief explanation, but he knew it was not enough to dispel Sakura's doubts. "Still, your concern isn't unfounded. I'll find a way to deal with it."
Before you continue