Daylight transitioned to night; headlights cut through the dim roads. Ryan drove, glancing sideways.
Elysia, covered in dust, was stretching and yawning.
"That was exhausting. Thanks for your help; we wouldn't have finished the central area tonight without you."
"But we only rescued one person." Ryan shook his head, focusing on the road.
"Miracles are miracles because they're hard to replicate. Saving one person today is still good."
"But what if we hadn't saved anyone?"
Elysia didn't hesitate, taking his hand. "Then we'll save that regret for next time, look forward to the next surprise. Yes, the next surprise will come; I'm sure of it!"
Such optimism and charisma. No wonder those unusual Flame-Chasers adore you.
Ryan chuckled, casually asking, "Where to now?"
"Refugee Camp Three, how does that sound?"
"We're not going to help again; I want to take a shower."
"I'm always very measured in what I do. We'll seize an opportunity; you'll see when we get there."
Looking at Elysia's expectant face, Ryan remained silent, turning left. He agreed with her "measured" approach.
Elysia truly was measured; her enthusiasm was balanced; her kindness wasn't sainthood. Her jokes were never offensive; she had a perfect "degree" of everything.
Except for food.
Focusing on the road, Ryan felt a weight on his shoulder. He turned to see Elysia asleep.
Her entire body rested on his shoulder; her rosy lips slightly parted, emitting soft breaths. Looking closer, he could see her delicate collarbone and deep cleavage.
Her full chest strained against her dress, her pale legs crossed, the black garter subtly visible.
She fell asleep instantly.
Ryan instinctively glanced, his eyes filled with resignation and appreciation. Though the car's atmosphere was somewhat ambiguous, he didn't misinterpret.
Judging Elysia through the lens of human desire was too simplistic. She didn't care about others' thoughts or misunderstandings; she was true to herself, doing what she wanted.
Though full of love, that love wasn't focused on any individual. If your mind is filled only with peaches, you're obviously thinking about eating peaches.
Getting along with her was easy; trying to "conquer" her would be an infernal challenge.
Ryan wasn't trying to conquer anyone; he wasn't a lecherous businessman or a fumbling fool around beautiful girls. He simply slowed the car, took a jacket from the back seat, and draped it over Elysia.
Then he continued driving, gently easing the speed. Soothing music played on the radio, contrasting with the night outside, making Ryan comfortably close his eyes.
This quietude was pleasant.
...
"Where did that Ryan run off to?"
Aboard the treatment ship, Mobius had her legs crossed, propping her head up, her fingers trailing through her green hair.
She'd taken over this operating room; fresh Honkai Beast corpses floated in crystal containers. She'd found a plausible excuse to remain in Shanghai.
The third Honkai impact zone held Honkai Beasts with subtle variations, offering research value. Moreover, the higher-ups had rejected her request to study the Herrscher of Thunder but sent Moshang's remains.
"Doctor, that's the seventeenth time you've asked that question." Klein looked up from the electron microscope, dark circles under her eyes. "If you need Dr. Ryan, you should have contacted him directly."
"I need him? He promised to help me, then disappeared without a word. Such a liar!" Mobius stood abruptly, walking to Klein's side, casually correcting a few numbers. "Here, here, and here are wrong. Run ten more comparative experiments; I'll supervise you."
Klein glanced at the doctor's expression, unsure what to say. Dr. Ryan is so unfortunate; he's become a liar so quickly.
"I can do these experiments. Perhaps you should look for Dr. Ryan instead."
"Klein, don't look at me with such worldly eyes. Do you really think he's that important?" Mobius put down her pen, her index finger tapping back and forth. "I admit he's useful, but he's insignificant to science, especially with his suspicious nature; such people are annoying."
She recalled Hua's case. She'd wanted to use the highly Honkai-energy-resistant girl, but Ryan had refused; her interest in visiting him had waned.
Klein adopted a receptive expression; The doctor is indeed a professional, separating her work and personal life so cleanly.
At that moment, the phone on the desk dinged. Klein unlocked it instinctively.
"Klein, I expect you to focus on your research…"
"Security has located Dr. Ryan's whereabouts."
Mobius's voice faltered mid-sentence. Seeing Klein's apologetic expression, she cleared her throat. "Read the report to me."
"The research…"
"Following my orders is more important; read it."
Klein was obedient and didn't seize the chance to tease her; she didn't notice the contradiction in Mobius's words.
"After noon today, Dr. Ryan checked out of the hospital. He drove to Shanghai; his purpose is unknown."
"Hmph. Wasting his time. Is he seeking a sense of connection and suffering in the ruined city?" Mobius snorted softly, casually sketching with her pen. "What else? Did he chat with refugees or something?"
"No. Dr. Ryan met Miss Elysia and went with her to the impact zone for rescue efforts. They reportedly saved a survivor; it was quite miraculous."
Elysia? That woman… No, she wasn't ordinary; it was impossible.
Mobius dismissed her momentary misunderstanding, shaking her head. She wasn't stupid; she'd long since observed Elysia's nature. Elysia warmly loved everyone, but her actions were always measured; the nature of that "love" required deep philosophical analysis.
But whether Ryan harbored such intentions, she didn't know. Elysia's unusual behavior was certainly tempting, aside from being a bit chubby, she was beyond reproach in terms of appearance.
Perhaps Ryan truly believes he has a chance. Ha ha, if that's the case, I can tease him for a hundred years.
She almost chuckled, then remembered Fire Moth's peculiar stories. Many had pursued Elysia, from self-proclaimed extraordinary scientists to soldiers she'd saved; every one of them had received a genuine "Good Person" card.
The most frightening part was that everyone who received those cards accepted them naturally, without resentment or coercion, making Mobius wonder if she possessed some form of mind control.
"What next? Did he take Elysia on a date? Ha ha ha. I really want to see him receive his 'Good Person' card; that would be interesting."
"No. They went to Refugee Camp Three; it seems they had dinner together." Klein added calmly.
Mobius's smile froze, her confusion evident. Logic said it was impossible, yet her mind uncontrollably spun out numerous speculations.
"Doctor?"
"Ahem, Klein, it's late; you must be hungry." Mobius recovered.
"I just ate ramen…"
"No, you must be hungry." Mobius seemingly ignored her, putting on her white coat. "Let's go; I'll treat you to dinner. You've worked hard these past few days."
Klein was about to refuse, but seeing Mobius's gentle smile, she swallowed.
"I… I'll drive."
Mobius watched her assistant hurriedly leave, slightly puzzled by her own reaction. After a moment of contemplation, she unleashed her anger on Ryan.
I waited for him every day at the hospital, and the first thing he does after checking out is find Elysia for late-night dinner.
"Perhaps… No, impossible. Even if it were true, what business is it of mine?"
Mobius paced back and forth, wrestling with a difficult question.
"No, I need to increase my medication dosage???"