Bengtie: My death fueled their madness.

Just like with Yao Guang, Qi Zhimu exchanged a few simple pleasantries.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Ruan Mei. Are you in a good mood?"

"What a coincidence, I'm in a good mood too."

Ruan Mei deliberately suppressed the upward curve of her lips, avoiding being too enthusiastic and scaring away Qi Zhimu.

However, she couldn't completely hide the expectation in her tone.

"You sang and played a good song, the style is my type. I just happened to hear the melody. Mr. Zhi Mu, would you like to play a piece with me?"

The musical instrument in Amu's hand was the one she made and gave to her by hand all those years ago...

At the Black Tower Space Station, Amu would also use it... in battle.

I felt incredibly bad at the time, but after thinking it through, I didn't feel like it was anything special.

If it's meant for combat, then so be it. At least it has a function beyond playing music. The fact that Amu is reluctant to throw it away shows that it's handy.

Compared to small decorative items, having two functions is quite an advantage... probably.

Qi Zhimu found Ruan Mei's words strange.

…Does she…like this style?

If it were a student who had not yet recovered from their past and had completely forgotten their teacher, they would not have any doubts or overthinking.

But now he remembers...

This song is by Robin, and it's also the number one song on the global charts, the most popular song across all interstellar civilizations.

Yu Qingtu knew and had heard of it, but Ruan Mei's words... revealed a hint of unfamiliarity.

What does this mean?

This shows that she shares the same dislike for things as Black Tower—she has no interest in anything she doesn't like.

Ugh……

With a sigh, Qi Zhimu didn't intend to dampen the expectations in Ruan Mei's words.

It was just a duet.

In the first life, it was one of the shared interests between teacher and student.

"Can."

Two simple words easily dispelled the unease that lingered in Ruan Mei's heart.

That's great... Amu didn't refuse her.

Ruan Mei opened her slender palm, revealing a delicate and elegant small Ruan.

If you look closely and compare it with the zhongruan in Qi Zhimu's hand, you can find many corresponding design elements.

Ruan Mei felt both anticipation and conflicted unease.

I hope that Qi Zhimu will remember some things from the past because of the two Ruan, but I am also afraid that if he remembers them, there will be a situation where we cannot face each other.

—That is, to formally sever ties with her.

From a rational perspective, she shouldn't be flirting with danger.

But now, when she faces Qi Zhimu, her rationality can never suppress her emotions.

Emotions give rise to desires, desires give rise to impulses, and impulses trigger instincts.

Even the most resilient plant will eventually wither and die if it lacks water for too long.

Even with the risks involved, Ruan Mei's instincts would still compel her to overlook the potential consequences of obtaining the nectar from Qi Zhimu.

Qi Zhimu's Ruan was, strictly speaking, self-taught.

However, having been influenced by her in her first life, she could be considered to have been taught by Ruan Mei.

During his youth, the fourth generation learned various musical instruments, including the ruan.

During his performance with Ruan Mei, he did not deliberately avoid the minor habits from his first life.

Ruan Mei was highly sensitive to these little habits, and each time she saw them, her heart became more complicated.

Many things, subtly shaped by time, remain unchanged even after several lifetimes of Amu's life...

In her first life, Ruan Mei believed that she had missed out on the rest of Amu's life.

Later I realized that I had missed his second and third lives.

Now, finally, in the prime of his youth, I have reunited with him.

However, they tasted the price of their stubbornness and faced a different kind of missed opportunity where neither party owed the other anything.

Unable to suppress her sadness, Ruan Mei absentmindedly played two wrong notes.

Upon realizing this, Qi Zhimu suddenly changed the key and altered the melody, making the flawed tune fit the subsequent development and minimizing the impact of the error.

"..."

Ruan Mei's eyes held a complex expression.

Amu said nothing, continued playing and singing, as if the previous mistake and the proactive change in coordination were just an illusion.

"World so high, we'll show~~"

"and go beyond the horizon~"

"Side by side~~"

After singing the last line of lyrics, Qi Zhimu's fingers, which were hovering over the strings, gradually stopped moving.

Before he or Ruan Mei could speak, the space beside them suddenly distorted, and a beautiful figure stepped out from it.

"You sang beautifully, darling."

Black Tower clapped and praised.

"Being able to grace a formal occasion, cook in the kitchen, and work until the bed is worn out is already quite an achievement."

"To be able to sing the robin's song with such charm and soul is something that not every singer in the Milky Way can do."

"As expected of my dear Brother Mu, Xiao Ta admires you so much~ Can I sign an autograph for your most loyal fan?"

Uh……

Qi Zhimu looked at the Black Tower, then at Ruan Mei, who looked dazed.

In less than half a second, I could guess what Black Tower was planning to do.

She really does... never miss an opportunity to reasonably provoke Ruan Mei...

"Do you really want an autograph?"

"I want it~~"

Okay, Qi Zhimu casually picked up a pen.

Before I could even ask where I was going to sign, Black Tower grabbed my hand.

A fair face, exuding the fragrance of purple lilies, suddenly came close to my face.

"Use your mouth to smear me, um, smear my lips too, or..."

Hei Ta drew out the last syllable, his index finger tracing a path down Qi Zhimu's chest, stopping at his abdominal muscles.

If we go down a little further, the answer is self-evident.

"...Use it to sign inside..."

Looking at Heita's smiling face, Qi Zhimu suspected that if he hesitated for even half a second, Heita might do something even more provocative in front of Ruan Mei.

boo——

Qi Zhimu gave Hei Ta a hard peck on the corner of his mouth.

"Dear Ms. Black Tower, is it appropriate to sign here?"

"Hmm, it fits perfectly, I'm very satisfied."

Hei Ta seemed not to notice the fleeting shadow on Ruan Mei's face, and casually wrapped his arms around Qi Zhimu's neck.

"Darling, if I remember correctly, the robin liked you and even taught you this song, right?"

"..." Qi Zhimu suddenly had a bad feeling.

Of course, it's not that I'm worried about eating a machete.

If someone tries to grab food based on their own ability, he can't intervene; he can only choose to ignore it.

I finally understand how much impact Heita's words had on the future after our reunion.

Ruan Mei's mental fortitude is undeniable, but that's only in the eyes of outsiders.

What he said...

When Qi Zhimu thought of Ruan Mei's past, in which she witnessed his intimate relationship with Hei Ta and suffered so much that she harmed herself, he didn't know what to say.

From an objective perspective, what were his true thoughts during his first life, 111 years after completing his apprenticeship?

Without a doubt—

Silent waiting, a hope that will never disturb.

Wait for the teacher to turn around and look at him, wait for the teacher to change his mind.

In the end, he didn't get to see it.

"...The robin likes me and has taught me to sing, so what?" Qi Zhimu temporarily put aside his thoughts.

"It's nothing, I'm just a little jealous."

Black Tower pouted, his cheeks puffing out slightly.

"You took the initiative to sing her songs, which means you have feelings for her too, right? Admit it honestly, and I promise I won't be angry."

Is this a matter of being angry or not?

Even without looking, it's obvious that Ruan Mei's expression is probably not good.

……