I, on the Starry Sky Railway, change everything

The cat-shaped cake is crying, radiating a deep sadness.

"Meow. (Ms. Ruan Mei doesn't like me.)"

Hua Yi bent down and picked up the adorable little creature, knowing that his words of comfort would not be able to alleviate its confusion. He simply stroked the cat cake gently and continued watching the video footage, which recorded Ruan Mei's research ideas.

"There is another life form that I can acknowledge as elusive: the Commander. I do not fully understand what the Commander is; scholars regard it as an agent of the power of the Star God—so, when and at what point did it become closer to the Star God than any other life form?"

Da da da.

As the video footage was nearing its end, footsteps approached the office, growing clearer and clearer.

Ruan Mei came over and met up with Hua Yi.

After glancing at the retrieved experimental records, she spoke calmly in the same tone and speed as the video, the two voices perfectly overlapping.

“Taizyuros, I am trying to cultivate His Primarch in the simulated universe and seize the data of the Insect King, copy and cultivate it, hoping that what I create will bloom with unprecedented life.”

"That is, to produce offspring of the Star God Tayzyuros?"

"Yes."

Ruan Mei candidly shared her latest experimental progress with Hua Yi, her gaze lingering only briefly on the cat cake before shifting elsewhere.

"If you want to recreate a Commander as completely as possible, it is best to let it emerge from its cocoon on its own. However, if you want to reduce the risk and weaken it, you should accelerate its growth from the outside. Just like the process of a new life getting to know the world, the simulated insect king parent also needs time to become familiar with the path of reproduction."

"Now it's not me who has to make the choice, it's you."

Hua Yi put down the cat cake in his arms, letting the poor little thing run to Ruan Mei's feet, wanting to get closer but not daring to take another step forward.

"Do you plan to retrieve your creation first, or conduct experiments to breed Ohmu?"

"It sounds very different."

"If you choose the former, you can define the activity area of ​​Cat Cake and Shumai Dog and settle them down. If you choose the latter, the battle with the insects is already inevitable. I can't guarantee that when the things that are born are unleashed and destroy the confined compartments, they will be able to avoid your lost creations."

"..."

Behind the simple question lies a deeper exploration.

Should we pause our research and take responsibility for such a harmless creation as the cat cake, or continue pursuing the essence of life?

Cats and dogs are already great pets, not to mention that Nguyen Mui added her favorite pastry elements to the collection.

Her gaze returned to her feet, wanting to get closer, but she received no response from the Creator. Poor little cat.

After a long while, he raised his eyes and met Hua Yi's gaze.

The other party poses a question to test the mind of a genius.

In fact, Ruan Mei herself could not give a clear and concise answer.

Childhood memories have not completely disappeared, but those emotions have been piled up by the complex research conducted in the pursuit of truth, making them difficult to unravel.

But I don't need to figure it out now.

Ruan Mei suddenly smiled, a smile that was different from the polite one she had given on the platform; it held a deeper, more complex meaning.

Upon closer examination, its meaning bears some resemblance to the smile of the Black Tower.

“I plan to find my creation first. After all, you were just holding it and gave it nicknames like Cat Cake and Dumpling Dog, which at least shows that you don’t dislike these little guys.”

She doesn't need to delve into the deeper meaning behind the problem; she can easily simplify it.

Hua Yi offered two options but failed to specify the considerations for making the choice, which was his oversight. The brilliant genius immediately seized on this loophole.

"If I ignore this, it will inevitably affect your mood, and it will also interfere with your research on breeding colonies, won't it?"

"An interesting angle."

"Now, I will try my best to take your opinions into consideration. You should also cooperate with my research expectations in the future. Just like when I borrowed the phase fire of the Black Tower and then lost it, I immediately owed a favor. This is a conventional way of calculating when interacting with people."

"Ms. Ruan Mei".

"What, did I say something wrong?"

"Your smile now looks a bit like a cat that's stolen a treat; even though the curve is still shallow, it's more vibrant than before."

Chapter 119 Hua Yi can also solve problems simply.

Ruan Mei could no longer tell whether Hua Yi had genuinely overlooked something when he asked the question, or whether he was deliberately creating a loophole.

Only a smile that is not a product of social skills can tell a genius that their expression is genuine at this moment.

Talking to him was a very relaxing, even wonderful, experience.

The fact that he was a genius did not become a thick barrier between the two, but it was different from arrogance and rudeness, and it revealed the comfort of friends getting along.

"So, how do we find my creation? Should we create a route map covering the entire confined compartment and have each of us conduct a thorough search?"

"Xing thinks that the main characters in horror movies only encounter danger after they separate. You've once again prioritized efficiency and suggested that we act alone. Now I seem to be facing a choice."

"How do you plan to choose?"

"Of course I want them all—no, I choose the third option."

Hua Yi brought up the microphone in the laboratory and activated all the speakers, the sound resounding throughout the entire confinement section.

"Hello, hello, can you hear me? Cat Cake, Shaomai Dog, Ruan Mei is waiting in the office for her creations to return. Mature and sensible life forms should not cause trouble for their creators. As for the Phase Spirit Fire, which is the flame that suddenly disappeared earlier, I have found it and entrusted a kind-hearted person to retrieve it."

After repeating the notification several times, Hua Yi put down the microphone and looked at Ruan Mei, whose expression was inscrutable.

“A genius like you couldn’t possibly have overlooked this solution, but you haven’t shown any intention of trying it.”

"Ah."

"You're intentionally avoiding trusting others, not even your own creations. I don't have any grand theories to share, just stating the facts. Cat Cake and Dumpling Dog may have different personalities, but they still have something in common: they are both your creations, and..."

"Wang!"

Before Hua Yi could finish speaking, a shumai dog with dog ears ran into the office from outside. It was the same dog that had accidentally touched the control panel and released the Phase Flame.

Unlike the soft and cute cat cake, the shumai dog's facial features and expression should be much more arrogant. However, when he saw Ruan Mei, he looked like he had made a big mistake and was crying.

With her head bowed, her eyes blurry with tears, she huddled before the Creator, filled with remorse.

It knew it had caused trouble and tried its best to make amends.

Ruan Mei was unable to create beings born with geniuses and complete her research goals. However, upon closer examination of the length of time these creations took to be born and the wisdom they now exhibit, they are actually quite remarkable.

The shumai dogs, the cat cakes, and one after another, the creations heard the notice and ran to the office. The moment they saw the Creator, they showed obvious joy, and then sat in a row, restrained and timid.

"Woof. (Sorry.)"

"Meow? (Has the Phase Flame been found?)"

"Meow. (We'll be good, Ruan Mei.)"

There is no need to use synesthetic beacons; the creatures exhibit a wealth of emotions, and their attachment is strong enough to transcend the barriers of language.

Hua Yi hadn't finished speaking, but Ruan Mei already knew what came after "and".

Furthermore, they all harbor deep feelings for you.

She knew how to be polite and how to maintain a good atmosphere when talking to people, but she gradually became confused when faced with the genuine feelings of Maomao Gao and Shaomai Gou, who showed no pretense whatsoever.

Gentleness is just a facade; Ruan Mei can control her words and actions, but she cannot control her heart.

Amazing research results do not prevent geniuses from living a reclusive life. Social skills are knowledge that will not be forgotten, but emotions are not.

Fortunately, she didn't have to solve the problem alone.

"What to do next?"

When she asked the question, Ruan Mei felt that her tone was no different from usual, but Hua Yi noticed a faint glint in her eyes.

"Naturally, we should settle them down. What do you think of the Star Domain Species?"

"That place is more inclined to study strange life forms than to protect life. If people knew that the cat cake and the shumai dog were my creations, how many people could resist the urge to study the work of a genius?"

"I see. How about we just leave it in the office? Anyway, the confinement section is abandoned, and no one uses the equipment here except you. With a little modification, it can become a living area."

"Okay, just turn the machine off."

Scientific researchers often use questioning instead of simple yes or no answers, employing a process of elimination to find the correct answer—a very common way of thinking.

However, perhaps Ruan Mei herself did not realize that her words revealed her concern for creation, and that she was even preparing to stop using the office.

Hua Yicai wouldn't point it out, otherwise, if the genius reverted to her elegant yet indifferent state, Cat Cake and Shaomai Dog would think she was angry again.

"Let me make it clear beforehand that Xing and I have already put in a lot of effort to find the little guy you created. Now we can only assist you in building your living area."

Huh? I did a lot of work, didn't I? I just stood by and watched you use the loudspeaker to notify the Creator to come back?

Xing blinked her big eyes in confusion, then decisively gave up thinking about it.

He's right about everything.

Ruan Mei did not refute Hua Yi's remarks.

0 ...............

"Thank you. I've counted them, and they're all here. They can stay in the office for now. If you'd like to learn about the [breeding] research immediately, you can head to the deeper sections of the module now."

"What, even a genius can't handle the living quarters in such a short time?"

"If you need half a system, are you willing to wait?"

Hua Yi understood what half a system meant: the insect king's offspring, which was being nurtured, would become even more powerful.

However, even if it were allowed to emerge from its cocoon on its own, it would not be able to break through the combined defenses of Xing, Ruanmei, and the Black Tower. Commanders are not so easy to create; something nurtured in the deep zone can never become a true commander.

For this reason, compared to fulfilling Ruan Mei's original intention of exploring the essence of life, the worm could bring Hua Yi a greater gain.

"Please feel free to build the living area, Ms. Ruan Mei."

"Then you can sit down and rest."

The situation then became delicate.

The member of the Genius Club no longer used her nimble hands to operate various cutting-edge equipment and cultivate world-shaking achievements. Instead, she picked up extremely ordinary materials such as cotton and cloth, sewed them into cushions and pillows, and built small houses out of wood.

Hua Yi and Xing didn't need any help, because Cat Cake and Shaomai Dog took the initiative to participate after seeing the Creator building a home for them.

A group of small creatures, panting heavily, carried materials or finished products, busily transporting them. The office, filled with rationality and philosophical thought, had become a construction site.

A bustling, vibrant scene.

Chapter 120 Star-Breaking King Bug

With his genius, building shelters for small animals was naturally a piece of cake.

No need to say anything, just focus on building and get your hands dirty.

I thought this would make the atmosphere awkward, since I couldn't use any communication skills with the Creator.

They displayed intense emotions, and any response could escalate the situation, leaving Ruan Mei unable to handle this lingering affection with ease.

However, the cat cake and the shumai dog looked exceptionally happy and energetic, a stark contrast to their previous sadness and dejection.

Have I... already responded?

After a brief moment of distraction, the genius quickly grasped the essence of the situation.

Hua Yi's mention of the Star Domain Realm's species, and even his later decision to have himself build a living area for the creatures, was all intentional!

He was subtly questioning his own heart, and my refusal to let Jiezhongke take care of Maomaogao and Shaomaigou back then, and now the renovation of the office, had already provided the answer.

Being calculated.

Watching the little ones coming and going around her, and the miniature castle gradually taking shape, Ruan Mei felt as if she had returned to her childhood, playing house without a care in the world.

Her elegant and mature demeanor dissipated, her inner aloofness failed to emerge, and she was unable to smile calmly.

At this moment, the genius was exceptionally calm, gradually completing the construction of his home.

When it's halfway through the system, it's just right.

The plan was to focus solely on construction, but then Cat Cake and Shumai Dog came to help, making the finished product even more perfect.

She stood up and walked straight out of the office—no, it should now be called the home of Nguyen Mai's creations.