Saint Freya, Valkyrie Dormitory.
After a busy day, Chen Ran was drying Wendy's hair.
The sound of the hairdryer buzzed; even in the technologically advanced world of Honkai, the noise of the motor was still a difficult problem to solve.
Due to her physical limitations, Wendy's washing was all done by Fu Hua.
However, the girl preferred Chen Ran to help dry her hair; the strong warm wind gradually dried the moisture, and the scent of shampoo filled the entire room, washing away all her worries.
She slightly tilted her head back, feeling the gentle massage from Chen Ran's hands.
Sometimes Wendy thought that she might be completely under this boy's spell; otherwise, how could she be so happy?
The sound of the hairdryer gradually stopped, and Chen Ran had unknowingly taken a hair tie.
"Do you want a braid today, or twin tails?"
"Neither."
Wendy pouted, "Braids are too troublesome; my hair isn't that long. Twin tails are too childish. Actually, I think it's fine to leave my hair down."
Wendy didn't have long hair but shoulder-length hair, so she didn't need a special hairstyle.
This was a hairstyle that most Valkyries would have; in fact, long hair like Kiana and Raiden Mei was rare among Valkyries, as long hair would greatly affect combat.
Chen Ran smiled and didn't insist.
He carried the girl to the sofa and quietly talked about what happened today.
The boy and girl were like newly embraced lovers, sharing their little moments.
Wendy felt that she might be infatuated with this feeling.
However, she also felt a bit dazed.
Just as she was about to immerse herself in it, Wendy suddenly recalled what Bronya had said before.
He is a fraud.
She shook her head vigorously and just happened to catch Chen Ran's gaze.
"What's wrong?" Chen Ran was peeling an apple for her.
"Nothing, just feels like this is all a dream."
Wendy still concealed what Bronya had said to her and changed the subject, "The apple in your hand is all bumpy now; it's better not to peel it, or there won't be any flesh left."
"Is it that serious?"
Chen Ran looked at the pitiful apple in his hand and the peels with flesh on the table, feeling a bit ashamed.
"Ah, I used to be used to eating it with the skin on. I just wanted to be a gentle, home-loving man, but it seems I've failed."
Peeling an apple is the fastest way to establish a persona.
But Chen Ran's persona isn't quite solid.
Wendy couldn't help but ask, "Why are you so nice to me?"
Logically speaking, although she is an A-rank Valkyrie, she is currently a disabled person with a Herrscher Core, a ticking time bomb.
And Chen Ran, being able to join Schicksal, is a genius in a certain field.
From this perspective, it shouldn't be difficult for Chen Ran to find a girlfriend. However, the interactions between him and Wendy are actually quite limited, and they are not familiar with each other's fields.
But...
Given Wendy's understanding of Chen Ran, it would be hard to get a serious answer from him.
"Because housing prices are too high, I can't afford a house, can't raise children, can't provide a bride price... It's hard to come across someone with a silly and cute IQ, so of course, I have to try my best to deceive."
Chen Ran handed the poorly peeled apple to Wendy.
Wendy didn't mind and took a bite.
It was sweet.
"I want to hear the truth."
The girl grabbed his palm with her other hand: "Some people say you're a liar, but I believe you're not."
"I think... you'll stand by my side, right?"
Her calm words revealed her anxiety; the more tenderness she experienced, the more she worried it was all a dream.
Chen Ran looked into her eyes, feeling a bit guilty.
He really is a liar.
But now is not the time to reveal it.
"Of course, I will stand by your side, after all..."
Before he could finish, Wendy interrupted him.
"Lean your head over."
"Come a little closer."
He obediently followed her instructions and then saw Wendy place her hand on his neck, her lips aimed at his.
The girl had done this before, but this time she was bolder, and Chen Ran could feel her soft tongue breaking through his boundaries.
The boy's eyes were a bit dazed; at such a moment, saying any extra words would feel insincere.
However, when he embraced Wendy in his arms, what he felt was not joy, but the girl's fear.
"This is all I can give you; I'm so scared you won't want me anymore."
If it weren't for the fear of loss, the girl wouldn't be so proactive.
Chen Ran patted her back, the emotion named sin spreading in his mind.
He internally convinced himself: this is something he must do.
"How could I not want you?"
Chen Ran tried hard not to let Wendy sense his emotions, whispering, "Actually, the one who should be scared is me."
"Why?"
"Look at you, so outstanding, so beautiful. Once your legs are healed, you'll definitely become a qualified or even excellent warrior, and many social elites will pursue you. And I am just..."
Before he could finish, he suddenly heard Theresa's voice from outside the door.
"Hey, Fu Hua, what are you doing standing at the door?"
Chen Ran & Wendy: "..."
...
...
In Europe, over the Mediterranean, on a floating island.
Amber expressionlessly handed the documents to the man named Otto at the desk.
"Lord Bishop, this is the information about the Eastern Branch that you asked me to pay special attention to; I've organized it all."
"Got it, Amber."
Amber stepped back.
Otto, however, was absent-mindedly flipping through the contents of the documents.
"K423 has arrived at Saint Freya as expected, and the Herrscher of Thunder is also on the list."
"This is quite a surprising twist; while Schicksal is conducting the Divine Authority Project, Anti-Entropy is also preparing a similar plan, even ahead of me."
"The success of the plan on the Herrscher of Thunder, along with the Divine Authority Project nearing success, is all for me to verify one thing."
"The Sirin Project will soon be on the right track."
If someone were to look through the documents in Otto's hands, they would be surprised to find that all of them were personal files.
Kiana, Raiden Mei, Bronya...
And Chen Ran and Wendy.
In fact, Otto would also fail and fear failure; otherwise, he wouldn't have sacrificed Cecilia from the Schariac family, who supported him the most, during the Second Honkai Eruption.
And the Sirin Project he was about to undertake was also a plan with a higher failure rate than success, because after reviewing all the data from the previous civilization era, he found that the Sirin Project itself had many flaws.
Using love to conquer Honkai... Otto wouldn't believe it until he had substantial successful samples.
But the situation is different now.
The appearance of Raiden Mei means that substantial samples have already succeeded.
And although the Divine Authority Project has encountered setbacks, it is still unfolding perfectly according to the script he conceived.
The Divine Authority Project itself is meant to provide examples and supplements for the Sirin Project.
Since the samples are already available.
Then next, he would be even more confident.
"Let me see what kind of surprise you will bring me, Chen Ran."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advanced chapters in patreon (45 blocked, 5 free)
https://www.pat reon.com/ThatGreatStuff