After asking Xie Yufei about the daily necessities she needed and their storage location, Wang Yan vanished in a flash.
Then, hiding atop a mountain not far away, he watched as Xie Yufei strolled around, playing with wildflowers and weaving flower crowns for half an hour.
From start to finish, Xie Yufei made no move to undress or enter the hot spring.
In this game of patience, Wang Yan was willing to admit defeat. He smiled and tore open a space portal, returning to Earth.
He knew that if he had waited, he might have seen what he was hoping for, but suddenly, he didn't want to wait anymore.
For a girl as sharp and strong-willed as Xie Yufei to endure half an hour in a hot spring without getting in the water, Wang Yan felt she deserved his respect.
So, after half an hour, Wang Yan did not reappear.
Xie Yufei waited patiently for another three minutes. After running through a few scenarios in her mind, she finally took off her hospital gown, slipped into the water, and bathed with abandon.
Her control over her own nature, as well as her ability to predict others' actions, had reached an impressive level.
In the hot spring, Xie Yufei admired her now-scar-free body, grateful for her luck. The thought of spending her life bedridden due to high paraplegia was something a proud person like her could never have endured.
Earth.
Wang Yan quickly gathered everything Xie Yufei had requested from her ward.
He then glanced briefly into the next room, where another patient—an elite of society—lay, and sighed before returning to his world.
Xie Yufei's sharp analysis had shaken him, especially her accurate guess about his relationship with his sister, Wang Lin. He dared not make any rash moves. It seemed more prudent to consult Xie Yufei's sharp mind for a strategy moving forward.
While packing Xie Yufei's belongings, although Wang Yan moved quickly, it still took five or six minutes.
And on Earth, five or six minutes translates to more than one hundred minutes in his world—nearly two hours...
Xie Yufei finished her bath in just over 20 minutes.
For the remaining hour and a half, she spent her time feeling utterly alone and frightened. Despite her high IQ, she was, after all, still a girl.
The unfamiliar environment, the towering mountains and dense forests, and the oppressive loneliness made her feel like she was the only person left on Earth. It drove her to the brink of madness.
Desperate for Wang Yan's return, she even discarded her bath towel and tried using seductive tactics.
Unfortunately, Wang Yan didn't appear.
At that moment, Xie Yufei finally realized that Wang Yan truly hadn't been spying on her. And yet, at that very moment, she wished more than anything that he hadn't been such a gentleman!
When Wang Yan finally returned, he found Xie Yufei huddled under a rock, shivering and wrapped in a bath towel.
The moment she saw him, she rushed into his arms and burst into tears. Despite her vulnerability, she clung to him like a child, completely unguarded.
"What's wrong?" Wang Yan was taken aback by the sudden flood of tears. "Did someone bully you?"
"Wasn't it supposed to be just half an hour? Why were you gone so long?" Xie Yufei sobbed. "Do you know how scared I was, waiting here all alone?"
"I forgot. The time difference between here and Earth is one to thirty. I'm so sorry; it won't happen again," Wang Yan quickly apologized, looking down at the tear-streaked Xie Yufei.
"One to thirty?" Xie Yufei blinked in surprise, releasing Wang Yan and looking at him warily. She sniffed, "Wang Yan, you... you sneak peeked, didn't you?"
Does this girl ever stop?
Is there no such thing as privacy?
Wang Yan was beyond embarrassed and stammered, "I didn't see anything! It's only natural, though. You're so beautiful, I couldn't help..."
Xie Yufei sighed, looking at him with exasperation. "You win."
Wang Yan blinked in confusion. "I win? Win what?"
"No matter the reason, you've won." Xie Yufei blushed and, in a voice as soft as a whisper, added, "From now on, whenever I take a bath, you should stay nearby. I don't care if you peek, as long as I don't see you. But don't leave me alone again, okay?"
What?!
Happiness hit Wang Yan like a tidal wave!
Unintentionally, he had achieved a dream!
He opened his mouth to respond, "Xie Yufei, this feels a bit like... cheating."
"If you figure it out, you're still a good friend." Xie Yufei glared at him. "Wang Yan, you're such a low EQ, low IQ idiot. No wonder you don't have a girlfriend."
Wang Yan scratched his head in confusion. Wasn't everything fine just a moment ago? Why was she scolding him again?
Xie Yufei emerged from behind the rock, now dressed in a loose-fitting tracksuit. She tossed the box containing her personal items to Wang Yan. "Aren't you going to show me around your planet? Let's go. I need to get a full understanding of things to figure out what I can do."
"Are you still angry?" Wang Yan asked, hesitant.
"I never mix personal emotions with work," Xie Yufei replied coldly.
Such logic! This was the mark of a true elite!
Wang Yan marveled at her professionalism. Compared to the likes of Liu Wanjun and Li Zhan, Xie Yufei was light-years ahead. They were nothing in comparison.
He smiled and said, "That's right. No emotions in business! Xie Yufei, I need someone smart like you to help me plan for the future. Honestly, the development of this planet is a mess. I don't know where to begin!"
"At least you're self-aware. You're not entirely stupid," Xie Yufei commented with a smirk.
"Didn't you say we wouldn't bring emotions into this?" Wang Yan retorted playfully. "Why does it sound like you're making fun of me again?"
Xie Yufei just stared at him coldly, saying nothing.
"Let's go!" Wang Yan gave a sheepish grin and took Xie Yufei's hand, beginning a whirlwind tour of the planet. Along the way, he shared everything he had done since arriving and all the changes he had brought about.
He didn't even hide the stories of Li Zhan and Liu Wanjun.
The only thing he kept secret was the connection between the World Tree and the development of civilization. That was his greatest secret, and he wasn't about to reveal it to anyone.
Xie Yufei occasionally interrupted to ask a question, but most of the time, she was in awe of the planet's breathtaking scenery and the surreal experience of instantaneous travel.
It was unlike anything she had ever experienced.
Moreover, as she learned more about Wang Yan's vision, Xie Yufei realized that her intelligence finally had a place where it could truly shine. Her future suddenly seemed much bigger, much more exciting.
Now, even if Wang Yan were to send her back to Earth, she wouldn't want to go!
How could she ever return to the confines of Earth after seeing the possibilities of this boundless world?
Finally, the two stopped on the mountaintop where Wang Yan had first realized his potential.
Staring out over the vast forest below, Wang Yan asked, "So, Xie Yufei, now that you've seen the planet and heard the whole story, do you have any ideas?"
"You're incredible," Xie Yufei replied, casting Wang Yan a thoughtful glance.
"Huh?"
"I said, you're incredible," she repeated, turning toward the breeze. "Wang Yan, as much as you can be a bit stupid, you've taken on the task of raising the level of civilization on an entire planet. Your heart truly fits the role of Planet Master."
"You're finally praising me?" Wang Yan was stunned. After being intellectually overpowered for so long, the sudden praise left him feeling awkward.
Xie Yufei blushed. Meeting his gaze, she extended her hand, her expression serious. "I, Xie Yufei, have decided to stay and help you!"
She held out her palm boldly and declared, "Wang Yan, let's work together to achieve this great dream in our lifetime."
Snap!
Wang Yan smiled and extended his hand, slapping her palm in a firm high five.