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Xing quickly put on a smile and assured her, "It's no trouble at all. Actually, I'd like to go back and visit you too."

Upon hearing this, Xiaoya's eyes shone with the pure light unique to children, and she smiled innocently, "Well, then I'll leave it to you, sister."

Xing casually asked, "What about plum blossom cake?"

Xiaoya smiled innocently as always: "Even if you don't say it, I still did what you did."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

A breakfast stall on a snack street in a certain cave in Xianzhou.

Nguyen May said softly in a calm tone, "Xiaoya said she wants to go back to Belleburg for a visit."

Bai Yan's lips curled slightly, a meaningful yet peaceful smile appearing on his face: "Why are you the one telling me this?"

Previously, Xiaoya would usually come and talk to him about this kind of thing herself. Ruan Mei would not interfere.

Nguyen Mai may have been aware of this change, but she neither resisted nor rejoiced: "I'm just relaying a message, is there anything wrong with that?"

"Did Xiaoya ask you to pass on her message?"

Ruan Mei smiled faintly at Bai Yan's smile: "Does not having something mean I can't do it? When did you ever want to deprive me of my right to think and act independently as a living being?"

Nguyen Mai wisely chose not to lie, because Bai Yan would see through her lie.

"up to you."

Bai Yan did not refute Ruan Mei. In his opinion, Ruan Mei, who could not lie and could only be stubborn, was undoubtedly more adorable.

Although the word "cute" is usually a compliment people give to young creatures and their behavior, or a sarcastic tone.

The simplest example is that both meanings are expressed when referring to March 7th.

Bai Yan casually changed the subject: "Have you prepared the gift for your father? Xiaoya is really looking forward to meeting her grandfather. Do you need me to provide some financial support?"

Ruan Mei put away her smile, her voice still gentle: "No need. I'm prepared to tell my father your identity. Even if he's open-minded, accepting your gift will make him panic."

"Aren't you usually pretty caring?"

Ruan Mei retorted softly, but her words betrayed no emotion: "When have you ever thought I was inconsiderate? Your dear assistant thoughtfully prepares pastries and tea for you every day."

Bai Yan still wore a meaningful smile on his face, and asked knowingly, "What's wrong with you today? You keep arguing with me. Even when Aha talks to me, he doesn't act like this."

Ruan Mei's tone remained calm and gentle: "Perhaps your body involuntarily generated a little extra emotion. Are you bothered by it?"

"So you care a lot?"

Bai Yan did not answer, but instead asked a question.

"I'm just a little interested." Ruan Mei didn't evade the question, nor was she foolish enough to lie to Bai Yan.

"Have you developed any feelings for Xiaoya that you think are unnecessary?"

This time, Nguyen Mai did not answer directly, but instead asked a question she knew she wouldn't get a real answer to: "Did you actually increase your affinity with that child?"

Bai Yan smiled and said, "You know I won't give you an answer, but you want to see my attitude again before you analyze it, right? My answer is still—guess."

It's clear that Ruan Mei previously thought he had gained more approachability, but after arriving at Xianzhou, this approachability wasn't as noticeable among strangers.

She was a little shaken.

Chapter 158 Shall we hold hands?

Nguyen Mai realized that trying to extract more details from Bai Yan's words was like throwing pearls into the sea, ultimately futile.

So she chose not to ask any more questions. The curiosity and doubt in her eyes gradually faded and were replaced by a steadfast indifference.

A moment later, breakfast time had passed.

Bai Yan extended his hand, inviting Ruan Mei: "Want to hold hands? We won't have this chance after we pick up Xiao Ya later."

Ruan Mei naturally reached out her hand, and like a willow leaf brushed by a gentle breeze, she lightly placed it on Bai Yan's outstretched palm.

Their fingers intertwined subtly, and she felt a warmth as her fingertips touched his palm.

The two strolled along the streets of Xianzhou, the sunlight illuminating their shoulders in the simulated ecosystem, adding a soft golden edge to the scene.

Each step she took was light and graceful, as Ruan Mei gently held Bai Yan's hand. Her gaze would sometimes fall on the various shops lining both sides of the street, and sometimes she would glance at Bai Yan's profile out of the corner of her eye.

A gentle and serene smile often graced his face.

"Is there something on my face?" Bai Yan suddenly asked. "I thought your attention would be on your hands."

Nguyen Mai's tone remained calm: "Isn't it also necessary to observe life up close?"

Bai Yan pulled Ruan Mei closer to him, his tone calm: "You're right. I look forward to your observations."

Ruan Mei did not resist, which made it easier for her to perceive Bai Yan's life.

The two continued strolling along the streets of Xianzhou. Just as Ruan Mei was feeling the rhythm of his life, Bai Yan suddenly spoke up: "I'm going to spend the night with Hei Ta."

"so what?"

"Let's take Xiaoya to Xing's or Sanyueqi's room tomorrow night. They shouldn't refuse."

"Ah."

Nguyen Mai nodded, without saying anything more.

Sending Xiaoya to Xing or March 7th for them to take care of is clearly to free up time for her and Baiyan.

After all, the rewards for assisted research and development of simulated life systems have not yet been paid out.

"Besides rewards, can't you think of anything else? We have a long journey ahead of us, and getting to know each other better will benefit our future cooperation, won't it?"

Nguyen Mai recalled a conversation Heta had with her: "So you want to see pictures of me wetting the bed when I was little? Just like you asked Heta before."

She had to admit that after spending a lot of time with Bai Yan, she would occasionally want to crack a joke.

"Really?"

Nguyen Mai's tone remained calm and gentle: "If there were such photos that could be exchanged for a reward, I wouldn't mind. It's a pity that your dear assistant didn't keep such photos."

"That's true. But your father should have many photos of you when you were little that I can look at. I believe he won't mind."

Other girls might have been a little shy, but Ruan Mei still said softly, "I don't mind."

Led by Bai Yan, the two slowly walked towards the direction where Xiao Ya and Xing were.

But before long, a familiar figure came into view, just as Bai Yan had expected.

The other party noticed him too.

A gaze, strangely penetrating the plaster hood, met Bai Yan's eyes.

A clear male voice came from the plaster head sculpture: "Let me see. The recluse, or rather, the ambitious one, seat 81 of the Genius Club, and a friend I haven't seen in a long time."

The hermit in the eighty-first seat of the Genius Club refers to Nguyen Mai.

The friend I haven't seen in a long time naturally refers to Bai Yan.

Before Bai Yan and Ruan Mei could speak, the voice continued from the plaster head sculpture: "If only one genius came over, I don't think I would need to greet him, and the genius wouldn't like my greeting anyway. But the person standing next to the genius is one of my few close friends. I think it's appropriate to maintain some politeness."

Immediately afterwards, the plaster head sculpture disappeared as if it had vanished into thin air.

A pair of deep red eyes beneath the blue hair met Bai Yan's gaze: "Of course, if I disturb you, you can simply pretend you didn't see me. I'm not really willing to take off my hood in this crowded place."

Hearing the familiar voice and feeling the familiar coordinates of life, Bai Yan knew very well that the scholar in front of him had interacted with him several times before.

Veritas Ladio, a frank and self-assured erudite scholar, often concealed his face with a strange plaster head sculpture.

Wearing a hood not only isolates him from his five senses to some extent, allowing him to think more calmly, but also, as he himself said, because he can't stand stupid people.

The 81st member of the Genius Club, along with his acknowledged friends, were naturally not among the fools.

Bai Yan didn't say much, but instead took Ruan Mei's hand and brushed past Ladio, leaving behind the words: "I have plans for the next two days. If you're still here the day after tomorrow, we can talk tonight."

He respected the other person's wish not to remove the hood in public, did not ignore the other person, and had a simple and effective exchange.

The plaster head sculpture on Ladio's head reappeared, accompanied by a rare sigh from the scholar: "It's a pity."

Then, wearing a plaster cast on his head, he spoke again to the company staff around him, in a completely different tone: "I'm here on behalf of the Erudite Society to connect with Luofu officials and try to obtain some information about the [Life] Star God. Don't be foolish enough to mistake a scholar connected to the company for your superior or assistant. If you encounter any problems—"

The company employee still had some expectations.

Ladio turned and left without hesitation, leaving him with the rest of the question and the rest of the answer: "Solve it yourself."

Chapter 159 Heading Towards the Other Shore of Dreams

After strolling through a street or two, Bai Yan and Ruan Mei picked up Xiao Ya.

The mourners also received their spaceship yesterday, along with a ship full of Tofet fire demons.

They found many traces related to the Fire Demon at the scene of the theft, but the Fire Demon refused to admit that they were the thief and instead pointed the finger at the Masked Fool.

The Mourning Playboy suspects that the Fire Demon of Dophas might also fall into pleasure, so he chooses not to believe either side. After teaching the Fire Demon a lesson, he prepares to teach the Masked Fool a lesson as well.

A masked fool who had infiltrated the Mourning Actors led them to the masked fool's tavern, only to be turned away.

By the time the grieving actor recovered, the undercover agent had vanished.

The mourner did not persist in this matter.

They had dealt with the masked fools often, and they knew very well that it was better to mourn the world than to play games with those fools who were indulging in pleasure, so they chose to stop.

When the Fire Demon of Tophit returned to the Eternal Fire Mansion, was it not just a coincidence, but also a cruel twist of fate?

A human who once fled a civilization ignited by the fire demon of Dophat, and now an enlightener embarking on a path of [hope].

This enlightener did not let this vicious and ruthless Extinction Gang go.

After annihilating all the Fire Demons of the Pathfinder, the Enlightened One proceeded to the Eternal Fire Mansion.

He was greeted not by the raging fire demon or the vicious Annihilation Gang at the Eternal Fire Mansion, but by the Masked Fool, who wore a mask, laughed, and offered him drinks.

The enlightened one did not accept the drink offered by the masked fool, and after this brief interlude, continued his journey in search of places where hope was needed.

Meanwhile, on the Luofu Immortal Ship, another Enlightened One, a female knight who originally only intended to stay for a short while, decided to stay longer.

Bai Yan and Ruan Mei sat down on a bench, and the hand that had been holding Xiao Ya's was now free.