Honkai Impact 3rd: Catching the Herrscher of Sentience at the Start

"Mei, you look even prettier now!"

Kiana pinched her chin and muttered, feeling that the Mei standing before her seemed different from before.

She wasn't shy anymore. Instead, she looked more confident and mature. Mei's aura had become colder, with a kind of "keep your distance" vibe, but at the same time, her mature charm made her even more dazzling.

"Hehe, Mei, I really like this version of you too!"

Kiana giggled, wiping away the drool at the corner of her mouth while exclaiming, totally enchanted by Mei's mature allure.

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Mei hesitated, "..." Is this hormone-driven single-celled creature really Kiana?

"Fu Lin seems to be calling us. Should we go help?"

Seeing Mei's cold expression, Kiana hesitated for a moment, scratched her head, looked toward Fu Lin who was surrounded by the crowd, and asked tentatively.

Upon hearing this, Mei looked up, her gaze falling on Fu Lin. She saw his mouth opening and closing as if saying something.

However, the surrounding students were crowding and noisy, completely drowning out Fu Lin's voice. Her expression turned cold as she left Kiana behind and quickly walked toward Fu Lin.

"I can see everyone's love for history, but it's most important to remember and consolidate what you've learned in this class. Overstudying will only backfire. Remember to balance work and rest."

Looking at the students packed layer upon layer, Fu Lin couldn't help but twitch the corners of his mouth, waving his hands as he spoke. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly—being too popular is indeed a kind of trouble.

"We'll follow the teacher's arrangements. Goodbye, Teacher Fu Lin~"

"...."

"Teacher Fu Lin, do you have time to go shopping together~"

"Let's go, don't disturb Teacher Fu Lin's rest."

Some students nodded, calculating in their minds what excuse to use next time as they turned and left.

But some still clung to a glimmer of hope and continued to invite him, only to be forcibly pulled away by friends nearby using the excuse of not disturbing the teacher—clearly showing, "If I can't, neither can you."

As the students dispersed, the view opened up. Fu Lin saw Mei walking toward him, exuding a cold aura like a chilling northern wind that made one feel an irresistible chill.

But those purple eyes full of complex emotions held a sense of familiarity that made a hint of surprise and doubt flash in Fu Lin's eyes. He stood there stunned, unmoving.

Seeing those Valkyries suddenly disappear, Mei stopped in her tracks, her heart skipping a beat. She didn't know if he had seen her, but she felt his gaze linger on her for a moment.

Mei got nervous, unsure how to face Fu Lin—especially after this morning's incident. She just felt her face burning.

She lowered her head, trying to avoid his gaze. Memories of her time with Fu Lin flooded back to her mind.

She suddenly realized—it had been a long time since she last saw Fu Lin. She didn't even know how he was doing now, or whether... he still remembered her.

However, as Fu Lin and Mei stood frozen, a pink crystal flower flew out of his chest pocket, flashing as it hovered in front of him as if trying to say something.

Then it flew behind Fu Lin, pressing against his back and forcing him to take steps forward, walking toward Mei one step at a time.

Mei hadn't seen what had just happened, but seeing Fu Lin getting closer and closer, she didn't know what to do. She could only stand there in a daze.

Finally, Fu Lin stood in front of her.

He scratched his cheek with one hand while the other hand, hidden behind his back, gently held the pink crystal flower. He looked at Mei with a smile and said,

"Mei, long time no see?"

Mei looked up at Fu Lin, trying to keep her voice calm, but it still trembled slightly as she said, "Yeah, long time no see."

Looking at Mei, Fu Lin let out a silent sigh, gently reaching out to stroke her head, a trace of tenderness flashing in his eyes, and said, "Are you doing okay?"

Mei lowered her head, hands tightly clenched at her sides. Tears welled in her eyes as she let Fu Lin stroke her head and said,

"Everyone in the Elysian Realm has been very kind to me. Seeing you again is all thanks to Mobius and Vill-V, as well as Su and Aponia."

Suddenly, Kiana jumped out from behind Mei, confusion and daze written all over her face.

"What are you talking about? Mo-what-bius? Nia-what? I don't understand a word—but Fu Lin, how could you make my Mei cry!"

But seeing Mei cry made her feel uncomfortable. She immediately smacked Fu Lin's hand off Mei's head and hugged Mei, angrily questioning him.

But before Fu Lin could reply, Mei's hand chopped down and knocked Kiana out.

She then picked Kiana up and laid her on a nearby bench, straightened her body, and let her head droop—not sure if she'd end up with a crick in her neck.

With red eyes, Mei looked at Fu Lin and said innocently, "Now no one will interrupt us. After all, I don't have much time."

"...Fair enough. It'd be bad if Kiana misunderstood—she'd probably think I was stealing her Mei."

Fu Lin glanced sympathetically at Kiana, then looked back at Mei. He reached out to wipe the tears from her eyes. The lingering tears on his fingertips felt like a burning brand.

"Wait, did you say you don't have much time? So this morning, that was you?"

Mei's words sparked doubt in Fu Lin's heart, and he asked in concern. After all, over their three years together, he had watched her grow up—there was no way he wouldn't worry.

"Mm. I'm currently projecting my consciousness into this world's Mei. I can't hold on for long before being rejected. This morning... ahem, my consciousness was a bit unstable and I was quickly forced out..."

Mei nodded lightly, her face flushing as she recalled the shirtless Fu Lin from that morning.

But seeing the deep concern in Fu Lin's eyes, she smiled sweetly and continued,

"Don't worry. Even if I get rejected, it won't have any impact on this world's Mei. I'll just return to my original body—it's not life-threatening."