Generally speaking, damage sustained within one's consciousness wouldn't manifest in reality.
However, Kiana had gone too far this time, inflicting such severe harm that it affected her physical body in the real world nearly just as much.
Zeke carried Kiana back to the Lunar Base and removed her black armor, revealing pools of blood flooding the floor.
Bronya and Sin's expressions turned grave.
While Bronya remained composed, despite Sin's twisted personality, she still possessed a human heart at core. After all the quarrels and mutual hurt they'd endured over the years, their bond couldn't be easily dismissed.
"Who did this?" Sin followed closely behind Zeke, her eyes gleaming with menace, her expression distorted with anger.
Zeke placed Kiana inside the healing pod, then accepted a clean white cloth from Bronya. After wiping his bloody hands, he turned around, patted Sin's head gently, and said:
"She inflicted it upon herself. Don't worry; it's over now. Just wait until she wakes up."
Bronya and Sin exchanged glances, their expressions softening slightly.
Sin crossed her arms and scoffed disdainfully.
"Hmph! This idiot always acts recklessly; she might as well sleep for a few more years... It'd be best if she doesn't wake up until after Zeke and I get married, right, Zeke?" Her heterochromatic eyes sparkled with heart-shaped glimmers, exuding an enchanting allure.
Having received the information, Sin quickly shed her murderous intent and returned to her usual self. She clung affectionately to Zeke's arm, swaying coyly, her distinctive multicolored irises glowing with hearts.
In the past, Zeke dismissed Sin's sugary-sweet voice as mere playful teasing or flirtation. However, after Kiana's heartfelt confession, he found himself taking Sin's numerous declarations of love and marriage proposals more seriously.
He mentally compared Sin's height.
Standing at approximately 149 cm, with a youthful body yet to fully develop, just fourteen years old, and still carrying that innocent sweetness—some might consider this age the golden period, but Zeke wasn't one of them.
"You're not even an adult yet. Stop talking about such illegal matters."
"What does it matter? Whenever Zeke desires, Sin will always be ready..." Holding tightly onto Zeke's arm, Sin wrapped her legs around him, twisting playfully. As if struck by a thought, she giggled mischievously, her cheeks flushing abnormally red.
Then, under the synchronized deadpan stares of Zeke and Bronya, Sin nonchalantly added, "Who cares about laws? Anyone who dares to object will find themselves skewered!"
To be fair, she certainly had the capability for that.
"Thwack!"
"Ouch!"
Before Zeke could respond, Bronya delivered a heavy chop on Sin's head with her palm, eliciting a yelp from Sin as she was flung aside by her collar.
Bronya lifted her chin, gazing at the weary-looking Zeke and Fu Hua, whose smile seemed somewhat strained. With a stern expression, she said, "Both of you must be exhausted after being out there for so long. I've prepared your rooms; please go rest."
"Ah, you always know how to put my mind at ease." Zeke patted Bronya's head, sighing with both exasperation and deep satisfaction.
"Easeful," it was Zeke's most stringent requirement for his lifelong partner, something he consistently emphasized.
Hearing this appraisal, Bronya felt quite pleased, subtly lifting the corners of her lips.
Sin, rubbing her head where it hit the wall, puffed up her tender cheeks indignantly. If anyone else treated her like this, they'd likely end up torn limb from limb or turned into human kebabs right away. But since it was Bronya—what could Sin do but cast a pitiful, resentful glance with her sorrowful eyes?
"Chirp!"
In a meticulously designed room with simulated sunlight streaming through its windows, Zeke sat in the living area sipping on the black tea Bronya had brought him and let out a long sigh.
Kiana's emotional turmoil was resolved.
However, new issues arose—she seemed to crave her own body—
Cough! Although that wasn't exactly how she phrased it, the sentiment remained similar.
As scenes from their past flashed before his mind's eye, Zeke struggled to associate Kiana's childish demeanor with being a lifelong partner.
If he were to consider potential partners, several names came to mind: the caring and capable Bronya, the intelligent and well-matched Dr. Ein, the elegant and composed Fu Hua... Even Hera briefly flickered across his thoughts for a fleeting moment.
To be honest, if Hera weren't Otto, considering her intellect and appearance, she would genuinely make a suitable lifetime companion.
Regardless, Kiana didn't seem to fit the picture.
However, some say that true maturity in women emerges only after becoming a mother. Would having a child improve Kiana somehow?
A vision flashed through Zeke's mind: If he ended up with Kiana, years down the line, two balls of fluff—one big and one little—would excitedly pounce on him.
"Zeke, Zeke, I want cake~!"
"Daddy, Daddy, me too~!"
Then, like fools with snot dripping from their noses, mother and daughter would trip over their own feet simultaneously, tumbling at Zeke's feet as their nasal discharge smears onto his shoes and pant legs.
"Ugh..."
Zeke leaned back, feeling a dull pain in his trigeminal nerve.
Nope, absolutely not!
This future is utterly unacceptable!
Thinking calmly, Kiana's issue stemmed mainly from her excessive dependence on him, fearing abandonment. By finding ways to strengthen their bond, she could feel secure without needing a romantic relationship. In fact, there might be even stronger connections than those between lovers... There must be other means to provide her with sufficient reassurance.
"Knock! Knock!"
As Zeke pondered, he heard someone rapping at the door.
"Enter."
Zeke spoke, and the door automatically swung open to reveal a dispirited young man with dark circles under his eyes.
"What brings you here?"
"After all our time as teacher and student, can't I simply come to visit, Sir Zeke?" Chen Tianwu asked languidly, his deadpan gaze mirroring Zeke's, while scratching his hair.
Zeke nodded briefly.
"I've seen you now; you may leave."
"...I wanted to request some time off to visit my family."
"Your sister is attending Anti-Entropy High School No. 17, performing well, and diligently pursuing her studies. Your parents are in excellent health; their recent check-up showed outstanding results across all tests. They seem to be considering giving you another sibling—either a brother or sister. Focus on your work and don't disturb them."
Chen Tianwu fell silent, speechless.
Zeke lived up to his reputation, remaining cold and unyielding as always.
With a sigh, Chen Tianwu rubbed his chin thoughtfully and said, "If possible, I'd prefer a sister; a brother can pass."
"Preferring girls over boys?"
"No, think about it—having a lazy, idle brother like me wouldn't be appealing at all! But a sister would be different, sweet and adorable, always saying things like 'Big Brother is the best', 'I love Big Brother the most', 'When I grow up, I'll be Big Brother's bride'... Ahh, can't take it anymore, I need to video call Little Wen now."
As Chen Tianwu turned to leave, Zeke tossed him a small badge.
"What's this?"
"It's the Assistant Executive Badge."
"Considering my young age, might it not be appropriate?"
"As long as you have the capability and achievements, what does age matter?" Zeke replied matter-of-factly, then shifted a virtual screen aside, pulled up an appointment document, signed his name, and transmitted it to Chen Tianwu.
Of course, this wasn't some tactic of giving a carrot after wielding a stick. For someone as intelligent as Chen Tianwu, there was no need for such ploys; he had genuinely accumulated enough merits.