Tang Wen rolled his eyes dramatically. "I remember the content too."

Zi Ye glanced at the bookshelf, then back at him, and decisively didn't believe it. "You memorized it all in one go? You're not human, are you? You must be a god!"

Tang Wen retorted, "It's not my fault I have eidetic memory."

This...

Was that really true? Wasn't he just trying to make everyone jealous?

Zi Ye felt like hitting him. Forget about back then, even now, for exams, to learn more, she had to flip through a book at least three times. Even after that, there were still many parts she couldn't recall clearly, requiring her to go back and check later.

And he had perfect recall!

Comparing people always ended badly; one person's trash was another's treasure. This guy's existence was just fuel for envy and resentment!

The concept of reviewing old material to learn new things was completely inapplicable to him.

Zi Ye genuinely wanted to slice open his skull just to see if the composition of his brain was different from everyone else's.

—Then she’d have the pervert strip off a layer of his skin, [REDACTED] extract the active substances, and implant them into her own body.

Tang Wen blinked at her, not understanding why she was so angry.

Zi Ye flexed her fingers. Ever since meeting Tang Wen, her violent tendencies had only gotten worse. She needed to suppress them, or she’d end up beating this guy into a patty sooner or later.

She took a deep breath and walked down the stairs. "I'm thirsty. I'm going to get some water first."

A faint smile touched Tang Wen's lips, and he stood up. "I'm thirsty too. Let's go together."

They left the library. Tang Wen ascended to the second floor via the spiral staircase. Zi Ye, slightly surprised, followed him. He stopped at the third room on the left and pushed the door open.

Zi Ye peeked in and couldn't help but gasp.

What a beautiful, spacious terrace!

The floor was raw wood, surrounded by intricately carved, milky-white fluted troughs arranged in tiers. At the innermost level stood slender, tall bamboo, the guifei variety. The middle layer featured flowers of all colors, each more vibrant than the last, while the outermost layer bloomed with white flowers that complemented the carved troughs. A few trailing plants hung down from the edges of the troughs, bearing lantern-like blossoms, exquisitely elegant.

In the center of the terrace was a light-wood coffee table set with tea ware, surrounded by several deep-wood rattan chairs that looked incredibly comfortable. Little Sprout’s eyes lit up, and she zipped into the flower beds like a vibrant butterfly.

Ignoring the creature’s inherent desire to consume, Zi Ye said with envy, "Teacher, you’re loaded!"

Bu Lan pushed open the glass door and emerged. Hearing Zi Ye, he couldn't help but chuckle, murmuring softly, "Tang Wen isn't loaded; he's tall, rich, and handsome."

Zi Ye watched Tang Wen's retreating back and shook her head. "Not handsome; he's beautiful."

Tang Wen turned around, and Zi Ye immediately hushed, scurrying to a rattan chair and sitting down, smiling sweetly to mask her reaction. "Teacher, have some tea."

Tang Wen sat down in one of the chairs, expressing his displeasure. "You don't need to call me Teacher."

Zi Ye asked curiously, "If not Teacher, then what should I call you?"

Tang Wen’s thin lips parted slightly, and he softly uttered two syllables: "Tang Wen."

Zi Ye felt immense pressure from that form of address. She jumped up, made a funny face at him, and headed out onto the terrace, which overlooked a wide garden. Standing in the garden, she could see the swimming pool below, its water crystal clear and shimmering.

A natural breeze brushed her cheeks, carrying the heavy scent of spring.

She turned back and, on a sudden whim, said, "Let's go for a spring outing."

Tang Wen’s eyes instantly brightened.

But he hid it quickly, his expression immediately reverting to a composed coolness. With a touch of arrogance, he said, "Prepare the tea for me, and then I’ll go with you."

Zi Ye had never served anyone before, so naturally, she wouldn't serve him either. She shrugged. "If you don't want to go, fine. I’ll find a book to read; the scenery here is quite nice too."

—She absolutely wouldn't admit that a major reason for coming to his house was to look through his books.

With his collection, she wouldn't have to agonize over wanting to read books from Silver Crest Star but being depressed by the planet’s distance.

Tang Wen frowned in annoyance. Bu Lan, seated on the other side, smoothly fetched the tea leaves and began brewing, mediating the situation. "It’s rare to have free time, and the scenery outside is lovely. You can read anytime. Shall we go in a bit?"

Under Tang Wen’s [REDACTED] direction, Bu Lan had long since become an expert tea brewer. Soon, the fragrance of tea filled the terrace.

To convince him that she truly wasn't desperate to go on the outing, Zi Ye actually picked up a book and pretended to read it with exaggerated seriousness.

Tang Wen drank three cups of tea in one go, then pursed his lips contentedly and stood up to pull at Zi Ye. "Let's go, let's go. If we don't leave now, I won't let you into the library again..."

Zi Ye hadn't really been reading anyway, so she took the easy out he offered, casually setting the book on the chair. Seeing this, Tang Wen’s fussy nature resurfaced. He pointed at the book. "Take it back to the library and put it away properly. And don't put it in the wrong spot."

Zi Ye’s face darkened. She had just grabbed a random book; how could she possibly remember its exact location?

Her frustration was written all over her face. Tang Wen scoffed, "Shelf one, bottom row, seventh book from the left on the fourth-floor bookshelf."

Zi Ye shot him a resentful glance, placed the book in the designated spot, and strode forward.

She absolutely did not want to speak to this bastard right now!

It was clearly just a way to flaunt his memory.

They got ready and left.

Bu Lan piloted the airship while Tang Wen and Zi Ye relaxed in the seats behind, watching the scenery.

Little Sprout flew alongside them, flapping her small wings, occasionally chasing birds and sometimes dragonflies, clearly having a blast.

Bu Lan remarked, "Your doll’s performance is excellent."

Zi Ye said proudly, "Of course."

Tang Wen shot her a sidelong glance and added, "It's certainly much smarter than you."

Zi Ye was so used to his venomous remarks that she didn't even feel the urge to retort, turning to look at the scenery instead.

The airship moved very slowly, drifting gently. The protective shields were lowered, and Zi Ye leaned back in her seat, her mind completely clear, feeling as if both she and her spirit were floating in the sky.

Below them was a vast meadow covered in countless tiny wildflowers, spread like a velvet carpet over soft, undulating hills. A river, like a length of satin, quietly flowed, glittering with diamond-like specks under the light, possessing a unique serenity.

Having grown accustomed to space stations built of steel and the monotonous, deep void of space, breathing this natural air and seeing such tender flora was immensely comfortable.

A bird shot past the airship. Zi Ye turned to watch its agile form and suddenly asked, "Have you ever caught small birds?" As soon as the words left her mouth, Bu Lan gave her a look of disdain: "Catching small birds is illegal."

Kacher Planet was perfect for leisure and travel—beautifully developed, with all natural environments preserved in their original state, and excellent manufacturing capabilities.

Bu Lan, having a military background, held absolute respect for orders.

The rule forbidding the destruction of nature was deeply ingrained in his consciousness and unchangeable.

Zi Ye shrugged, unconcerned.

Silver Crest Star and Kacher were not on the same level. On Silver Crest Star, anything that flew overhead, walked on the ground, or swam in the water—if it was edible—would end up on the plate.

Anyone who stopped to consider whether a creature was rare before eating it would have been eliminated long ago.

Tang Wen, in a rare moment of high spirits, smiled faintly and said, "Never eaten one. Want to try catching a few later?"

Zi Ye clenched her fists excitedly. "Let's have a competition later—who can catch the most?"

Tang Wen countered, "Catching small birds? That’s nothing. If you have the guts, let’s go catch fish in the river!"

Bu Lan noticed that neither of them was paying attention to him and looked at Zi Ye with an expression of helplessness, conveying, 'Don't let him corrupt Tang Wen.'

Zi Ye pretended not to see. Could the great designer, Tang, really be led astray by a casual sentence from someone else?

Bu Lan was truly exasperated. He stopped the airship over a shallow stream where the bottom was clearly visible.

He genuinely dared not let these two—one big and one small—experiment with a proper river.

The stream was so clear that the fish could be seen darting around happily.

Zi Ye secretly glanced at Bu Lan. Seeing him moving slowly, she immediately jumped out of the airship, kicked off her shoes, rolled up her trousers, and leaped into the stream.

Splash—

A large spray of water soaked her clothes.

She didn't care. She stood quietly in the stream, waiting for the panicked fish to calm down, then suddenly lunged.

Zi Ye thought she had succeeded in one strike, but the fish was surprisingly slippery, instantly wriggling out of her grasp with a shhhk.

She bent down to try again, but still failed to catch it.

Tang Wen laughed heartily and mimicked her, clumsily taking off his shoes. Ignoring his trousers entirely, he jumped straight into the water. Bu Lan turned his face away in anguish; he had truly been led astray.

Bu Lan felt his own moral compass beginning to shift.

It had taken him four years to painstakingly mold Tang Wen into a perfect image beloved by all. Now, that image was shaky, no—it was collapsing.

While lamenting the ruin of his hard work, he simultaneously felt that this was the real Tang Wen. Tang Wen had suffered too much in his childhood; now that he had the time and opportunity, he should be allowed to enjoy himself properly.

Four years ago, when he became Tang Wen's assistant, people from the Tang Clan had found him.

Through that contact, he was shocked to discover that the renowned Tang Wen was actually the heir apparent of the reclusive Tang family!

He didn't know why Tang Wen had left the family to live alone, but he learned about Tang Wen's past.

Childhood Tang Wen knew nothing but study, study, study. The pressure from his family was so immense that he had no time of his own.

When other children were drawing flowers, he was drawing mechas.

When other children were building houses, he was assembling mechas.

When other children were starting kindergarten, he had finished the junior high curriculum.

When other children were in junior high, he had completed all university courses.

When other children were in high school, he was already a famous designer known throughout the world, drawing immense attention.

All his current achievements were gained at the sacrifice of his childhood.

Therefore, even though Bu Lan knew their casual fishing was illegal, he didn't stop them.

Tang Wen needed to live properly, to be himself.

If anything went wrong, Bu Lan would bear the responsibility.

Sometimes, Bu Lan felt he treated Tang Wen like his own child, desperately wanting to care for him and give him the best, even if it cost him his own life.

After the kidnapping incident, he suddenly realized he couldn't afford to have anything happen to him.

If he were gone, who would take care of Tang Wen?