Chapter 279:

“I wonder how Ailei and Krisha’s conversation went.”

“Hopefully, everything is fine…”

The world awakened to the warmth of the morning sunlight.

The display cabinet stood in the soft glow, casting faint shadows as its delicate patterns outlined the four cherished keepsakes inside.

A faint sigh echoed in the room.

Xu Xi rose from his bed and pulled back the curtains, allowing the golden morning light to flood every corner of the room.

He stood quietly, gazing at the courtyard outside.

The red and blue dragon blood grass swayed like waves, bending and rising in rhythm with the wind’s gentle touch.

As the breeze settled, the rippling grass calmed, its tender tips reaching toward the sky, with crystal-clear dewdrops sliding down the stems and leaves.

Xu Xi observed the tranquil scenery, his fingers absentmindedly tapping on the windowsill.

His thoughts drifted, worrying about the relationship between the machine servant and the others.

The events of last night had been far too strange. Ailei’s sudden descent, followed by the chaotic escape through the stars, had all far exceeded his expectations.

“She… was too worried about my safety. Concern led to irrational actions.”

Xu Xi sighed once more.

Reuniting with Ailei should have been a joyous occasion, but her unwavering loyalty had instead caused a conflict with Moli, Krisha, and Yingxue.

Last night, Xu Xi had gone to bed early—not only because he was exhausted, but because he wanted to give them enough space to resolve things among themselves.

He trusted that Moli and the others wouldn’t make things difficult for Ailei.

At the very least, it wouldn’t escalate into an all-out war that shattered the chaos and annihilated the heavens like in his dream.

“It was just a dream. It doesn’t mean anything.”

“Moli and the others are still well-behaved…”

His slender fingers tapped gently against the windowsill in a slow, rhythmic motion.

Tick.

Tock.

Time flowed steadily.

Xu Xi waited.

After about ten minutes, he heard a faint movement beside him. A familiar figure materialized, taking on a form he knew all too well.

“…Forgive me, Master.”

Silver-blue eyes lowered, unwilling to meet Xu Xi’s gaze.

Her voice carried deep regret.

Upon her return, the machine servant’s first action was to apologize, admitting that she had caused trouble for him.

Trouble? Indeed, it had been troublesome.

What should have been a warm and peaceful reunion had instead turned into conflict and confrontation due to her rash actions.

But how should he respond? What words should he use to reprimand and educate his machine servant?

Xu Xi did none of that.

“It’s been a long time, Ailei. I’m back.”

He turned toward her with a smile, bathed in the morning sunlight.

Not a simple ‘good morning.’

But a heartfelt ‘long time no see.’

Not a routine greeting.

But the recognition of a long-awaited reunion.

Yesterday’s hurried encounter hardly counted as a proper reunion. So now, Xu Xi sought to fulfill his promise—reassuring his loyal machine servant that she no longer needed to wait.

Ailei froze.

Her silver-blue eyes trembled, waves rippling through them as her emotions surged beyond her control. Finally, she managed to smile.

“Long time no see, Master…”

Her smile was beautiful.

A powerful, overwhelming surge of emotions spilled forth.

Radiant and explosive, reverberating through the silent air.

Before returning, the devoted machine servant had steeled herself for punishment, fully prepared to accept whatever consequences her actions warranted.

But as always, Master was just as perplexing as ever.

He didn’t blame her in the slightest.

Instead, he even apologized, saying he had returned too late and made her wait far too long—long enough for last night’s series of misunderstandings to unfold.

“…That’s not true, Master.”

“…I simply failed to do better.”

“…You are always right.”

What had once been a hollow mechanical heart had become a real, beating one.

And because of that…

The sorrow and emotions ran deeper than ever.

Ailei smiled, trying her best to smile—wanting to present her most beautiful self to Xu Xi.

Yet, despite her efforts, the tears wouldn’t stop. They spilled freely from her smiling eyes, cascading uncontrollably down her cheeks.

She smiled radiantly.

And wept just as brilliantly.

“I’m sorry, Ailei… for making you wait so long.”

Her flowing tears carried such sorrow that even an observer would be moved.

Xu Xi comforted her in a gentle voice, reaching out as he once had—to wipe the lens of a camera.

With a delicate and tender touch, he wiped her face clean.

From camera lenses.

To machine eyes.

And now, real human eyes.

The cold, mechanical being had become a true person.

As he wiped away her tears, Xu Xi bore witness to her growth—allowing her, with a cleaner face and a lighter heart, to walk forward into the future.

“Master… thank you…”

“Could you… not let go yet…”

Thank you for returning to my life.

And please—never leave again.

As Xu Xi finished wiping her tears and was about to withdraw his hand, Ailei grasped it gently.

Trembling, she guided his palm to the top of her head—seeking warmth once more, silently pleading for him to stay.

Autumn was merciless.

It stole away warmth with its howling winds and shifting seasons.

And so, the machine servant didn’t want that warmth to disappear—she longed for it to linger just a little longer.

“It’s okay, Ailei. I’m right here.”

Meeting her fragile silver-blue eyes, Xu Xi spoke softly.

His palm moved once more, stroking her silky golden hair—giving the machine servant’s soul a warmth that had long been absent, dispelling the cold emptiness within.

Only after a long while did the unease in her heart finally fade away.

It shouldn’t have been like this.

Long before this moment, Ailei had mentally prepared herself—determined to protect Xu Xi and never cause him trouble.

Yet, now that they had truly reunited, she found herself unable to suppress the flood of emotions.

“Forgive me, Master.”

“I still have many shortcomings…”

Having regained her composure, and rediscovered the purpose in her existence, the machine servant—once again bathed in light—earnestly reflected on her flaws.

She promised never to let Xu Xi worry again.

“It’s alright, Ailei.”

Xu Xi smiled, ruffling her hair.

He never cared whether she made mistakes. If anything, making mistakes was simply another part of what made her human.

Rather than dwelling on shortcomings…

Xu Xi was more concerned about something else.

“Ailei, while I was gone, how did things go between you, Moli, Krisha, and Yingxue?”

“Did you clear up the misunderstandings and get along?”

Facing Xu Xi’s concern, Ailei gave a small nod.

“Please rest assured. We have resolved all misunderstandings. There will never be another farce like last night.”

“I sincerely apologize for making you worry.”

Her voice was calm, yet filled with genuine remorse and guilt.

Ailei’s apology was sincere.

Xu Xi let out a sigh of relief. “It’s fine. As long as the misunderstandings are resolved, that’s all that matters.”

After all…

The so-called chaos-filled battle from his dream—

It was only a dream.

How could something so absurd happen in reality?

He chuckled.

The supreme beings in his life were all very well-behaved.

Feeling reassured, Xu Xi turned to his machine servant with a question.

“Ailei, after the fourth simulation ended… what exactly happened that led to you becoming a supreme being?”