"Bestie, have even you been deceived by the illusion to this extent?"
Silvermane was heartbroken.
"I understand... I'll definitely save both you and all the victims here!"
Watching Silvermane hurry away, Ruan Mei asked Yan Huan,
"Is that your friend...?"
"Yes." Yan Huan said somewhat awkwardly,
"He might be a little too worked up. Ignore him; he'll calm down after a while."
Ruan Mei nodded slightly.
"A few days ago, I hinted to Herta that I was interested in you. That is why I wanted you to become my [assistant]. You are a suitable candidate."
"From our limited interactions in the Simulated Universe, I became certain of this."
"But there are no secrets that remain hidden forever, and I find it difficult to trust anyone but myself."
"If even one piece of data goes wrong in meticulous research, problems will arise. I dislike problems beyond my control."
"So... could you promise me that you will not tell anyone else about what I am about to do?"
"As compensation for being my assistant, I can give you a reward. I can satisfy anything you want."
"Really?" Yan Huan blinked.
"Any reward?"
Ruan Mei smiled and nodded.
"Of course. Anything, as long as I have it."
"Then can I have you?" Yan Huan swallowed.
"Me?" Ruan Mei seemed surprised.
"You mean... what of mine do you want?"
"I want you." Yan Huan said seriously.
"Can I?"
"Mm... let me think about it." Ruan Mei hesitated and asked uncertainly,
"Why do you want me?"
"Aren't you a genius?" Yan Huan said seriously.
"If you give yourself to me, wouldn't that mean you'd do whatever I wanted?"
"Wouldn't that be way better than any other reward?"
"..."
Faced with Yan Huan's logic, Ruan Mei said helplessly,
"Looks like... you're a somewhat greedy child."
"But