Compared to the blazing sun, Ailei preferred the hazy mist.
Compared to the hazy mist, Ailei preferred the vibrant flowers.
Compared to the vibrant flowers, Ailei preferred serving Xu Xi.
Therefore.
Every morning, when the ecological starship's climate cycle system activated, creating a dimly lit atmosphere in the residential area, Ailei would begin her work.
In her humanoid form, she stepped into the damp, chilly air.
Letting the faint mist seep through the gaps in her mechanical parts.
She walked.
She climbed the steps.
Entering Xu Xi's residence, she began diligently preparing breakfast and planning future actions.
Through long companionship, the mechanical servant gradually understood Xu Xi's habits.
She knew that the sense of cosmic desolation constantly haunted human senses, so Xu Xi would enter hibernation periodically.
This was to avoid the prolonged interstellar voyage.
"Master, the hibernation pod has been calibrated and is ready for use at any time."
After the starship wreckage recovery mission concluded.
Ailei thoughtfully pre-calibrated the hibernation pod's performance for Xu Xi's use.
But this time.
Xu Xi did not use the hibernation pod.
He remained silent for a moment, then gently stroked his mechanical servant's smooth hair with his broad hand: "Ailei, I won't hibernate anymore."
[Your remaining lifespan is 600 years]
[600 years is a long time, longer than the sum of your past life experiences]
[600 years is short, as civilizations and technology rarely undergo qualitative transformations in such a span]
[You cannot bear to leave your loyal mechanical servant alone after the simulation ends]
[To this end, you must execute the "Farewell, Cage" 2.0 plan]
[With all your might, you will ensure the success of this plan, freeing Ailei from the cosmic prison]
[You no longer hibernate]
[You no longer indulge in virtual games]
[You devote all your time to the resonance of machine souls and mechanical energy, tirelessly researching technology, especially in energy, materials, and propulsion]
[You clearly know that neither attack nor defense stands a chance against a neutron battle star]
[Only by developing a warp drive can there be a possibility of escaping the prison]
[Simulation Year 165, you are 184 years old, Ailei has accompanied you for 162 years]
[Ten years have passed without affecting you in the slightest; you remain as youthful as at the start of the simulation, and your loyal mechanical servant remains unchanged]
[You realize that the development of a warp drive cannot be rushed, so you choose to remain steady and focused, advancing technology step by step]
[Sub-light-speed ion engines become your primary research goal]
[In addition, the grand unified theory and antimatter applications also become top priorities]
"Ailei, increase the power output."
"Request denied. You need rest; prolonged mental exertion has already harmed your health."
"It's fine, Ailei. Listen to me, okay?"
In the laboratory.
Xu Xi operated the new particle collider, his appearance youthful and his body strong, but a trace of exhaustion was visible in his eyes.
Ailei wanted Xu Xi to rest more.
But Xu Xi refused.
"Let's continue," Xu Xi smiled warmly, yet Ailei inexplicably felt that the familiar warmth had become distant and elusive.
"...Understood."
She finally agreed.
Obeying her master was a must.
...
[The computational power and intuition of the mechanical servant are beyond your imagination]
[In the smallest details, she seems to have guessed something, silently cooperating with you in experiments, even activating special abilities multiple times, overdrawing her machine soul to assist you]
[Afterward, she lay weakly in your arms]
[Clutching your clothes, unwilling to let go for a long time]
[After the first phase of the experiment concluded, Ailei prepared a new soup for you, a super-nutritious tonic unlike anything before]
[You stared at the various ingredients floating on the surface, falling into a long silence]
"Ailei, will this really replenish my nutrients?"
"Yes, Master."
"Uh, are you sure it won't cause food poisoning?"
"It won't, Master."
Meeting her expectant silver-blue eyes.
Words of refusal simply wouldn't come out.
Finally.
Xu Xi hesitantly picked up the bowl, lightly sniffing, as a complex aroma filled his nose.
Taking a small sip, the texture was surprisingly rich, unexpectedly not bad.
"Master, do you like it?"
Her calm voice carried a subtle hint of nervousness and anticipation as she watched Xu Xi, waiting for his response.
"It's very delicious, Ailei."
Xu Xi's eyes lit up, praising her culinary skills with a smile.
It was miraculous.
Perhaps Ailei had truly researched the tonic, or maybe it was just a psychological effect.
After drinking the tonic, Xu Xi was surprised to find his body feeling warm and comfortable, with all the fatigue from before completely gone.
"Thank you for your praise. Ailei is happy to serve you."
The mechanical servant noted the changes in Xu Xi's body.
From then on.
She prepared a bowl of tonic for Xu Xi every day.
Xu Xi once curiously asked if this miraculous tonic had a name.
"Ailei's Tonic," Ailei replied.
...
[Ailei constantly monitors your health, worried about you, watching over you all day, and brewing special tonics for you]
[Thanks to Ailei's help, your fatigue has improved]
[Ding, the machine soul is delighted—]
[Your praise has increased Ailei's computational efficiency by 30%]
[Simulation Year 175, you are 194 years old, Ailei has accompanied you for 172 years]
[You and the mechanical servant continue to diligently research technology, gradually improving the speed of ion engines]
[You now possess a higher-output magnetic confinement plasma engine]
[At the same time, the fleet encounters a new civilized planet, and within the collected AI cores, you find some records of this civilization]
[This new civilization also discovered the cosmic blockade and attempted to escape and evade detection]
[But it failed; whether the warring factions or the survivalists, all turned to endless cosmic dust]
[Your mood grows heavier]
[Simulation Year 181, you are 200 years old, Ailei has accompanied you for 178 years]
[You continue to resonate with the machine soul, interacting with machinery through mechanical energy]
[The effects of the machine soul are chaotic and varied; sometimes it enhances you, sometimes it provides inspiration. You repeat the interactions, recording those rare sparks of inspiration]
[Prolonged resonance with the machine soul has made your manipulation of machinery more precise]
[You are satisfied with this]
[Looking at the numerous recorded inspirations, you feel a sense of accomplishment, thinking your daily resonance was worth it. Ailei timely brings you a golden, specially crafted tonic]