“Ailei, you are not something that can be casually discarded.”
“You are like me.”
“An independent life.”
His palm rested on the android's cheek, his thumb gently wiping across the synthetic skin.
This act of wiping.
Xu Xi used to do it often.
Back in the cramped, dim underground base, wiping the camera at Ailei's door.
After Ailei gained her own body, such actions were no longer necessary—until today, when the familiar motion once again soothed the restless machine spirit.
【In the cold, desolate depths of winter, you gaze at the snow controlled by the climate system and the dark expanse of space beyond the ship's bridge, lost in memories of the past】
【You think, perhaps this is the common ailment of those who have lived long】
【Though your body is full of vitality, at the age of three hundred, you still occasionally reminisce about the distant scenes of the early simulations】
【Recalling your former weakness, recalling the frantic escapes, recalling the activation of 9090, recalling those easily understood microexpressions】
【Recalling Ailei's smile, recalling Ailei's meals, recalling Ailei's worries, recalling Ailei's growth】
【The once household android, influenced by you, has long since transformed into a unique life form, a truly unprecedented existence】
【You feel a sense of pride in this】
【Witnessing the android's growth, an idea takes root in your mind】
【In time, perhaps Ailei could truly surpass all, even the shadowy manipulators behind the neutron warstars】
【Provided she can escape this cage, lest she be discovered and erased by those manipulators】
【As you ponder the future and finalize your next steps, you feel a weight settle in your arms】
“Master, Ailei is out of power.”
“Huh?”
The loyal android, at times, is not so loyal.
……
【Simulation year 330, you are 349 years old, and Ailei has been by your side for 327 years】
【The passage of such long years has dulled your sensitivity to the flow of time, and you have grown accustomed to the eternal silence of the universe】
【Your life is not without change】
【You have held the android's hand, traversing the glittering stars, witnessing the rotation of endless star rings】
【You have plucked shimmering stardust, presenting Ailei with a special gift—a dreamlike crystal resembling a gemstone】
【You have passed by civilizations, watching their development alongside Ailei, who comments that these new civilizations are not as clever as you】
【In the eyes of 9090, in the eyes of the android, in Ailei's eyes, only you are acknowledged】
【All else is heresy】
【Lost in thought, you reaffirm that you are not suited to teaching others】
【The universe is lonely, and encounters with new civilizations are rare. Most of the time, only Ailei accompanies you, along with the occasional appearance of interstellar insectoids】
【Your life follows a strict routine】
Researching technology.
Accompanying Ailei.
Blasting insectoid heads.
This is Xu Xi's new daily rhythm.
As the technological systems were perfected, the fleet's speed had long surpassed one-third the speed of light, venturing into even more distant reaches of space.
The current range is still within the confines of the manipulators' hunting grounds.
From time to time, the gravitational waves of neutron warstars can be detected.
But the most significant change is the endless waves of insectoids, emerging in droves, relentlessly assaulting the fleet.
Naturally.
They all end up as biomass for the fleet.
“Filthy bugs, I won’t allow you to get near my master,” Ailei says with a calm tone, laced with disdain.
Ailei's soft power continues to shine.
……
【Simulation year 355, you are 364 years old, and Ailei has been by your side for 342 years】
【The predicted time of attack arrives, but you wait in vain】
【Four years pass】
【Simulation year 359, you are 368 years old, and the strike from the neutron warstar finally comes】
【Your new experiment fails, and once again, you are precisely killed by the neutron warstar】
【You feel no regret, as this was expected, and you have not come away empty-handed】
【The two consecutive “delays” prove that the neutron warstar's attack timing is not exactly one hundred years as you had guessed, but has a margin of error】
【This is good news】
【It means your final death will be delayed a bit longer】
【After reviving, you appear before Ailei in perfect condition, and the sight of your unharmed form finally puts the worried android at ease】
【“Welcome home, Master.”】
【Ailei, with graceful poise, lightly lifts the hem of her maid dress to welcome your return】
【To celebrate your rebirth, Ailei prepares a lavish feast, with ingredients including the ancient leviathan of planet 4546B, the luminous mushrooms of planet M996, and the space behemoth of planet Golden Horn】
【You stare at the ingredients, each dozens of times larger than yourself, and remain silent for a long time】
【Your experiments continue】
【Prolonged resonance with the machine spirit and the overuse of mechanical energy have accelerated your technological advancements, but changes in your body have disrupted your plans】
Simulation year 377.
Xu Xi is 386 years old, and Ailei has been by his side for 364 years.
Everything is proceeding according to plan.
Progress has been made in the research of the grand unified theory, encompassing gravity, electromagnetism, strong nuclear force, and weak nuclear force.
Gravitational technology is the core of the curvature drive.
With sufficient energy, it may be possible to bend space, achieving faster-than-light propulsion.
All this time.
Xu Xi has yearned to perfect this research, to bring this miracle to life and lead Ailei out of this cosmic prison.
But now, Xu Xi notices something—he is becoming slower.
“When did it start?”
“Ten years ago…”
“Fifty years ago…”
“Or perhaps, from the moment I decided that I must develop the curvature drive.”
A thin mist blankets the sky above.
The orange sunlight, like the last flickering embers of a dying fire, casts a cold glow over Xu Xi's shoulders.
Illuminating half of his furrowed face.
Xu Xi is becoming slower—not in the sense of physical aging, but in a deeper, intangible way.
He can still feel the cold, still feel the heat.
His body is strong, his steps swift.
Yet, in the unnoticed details of daily life, Xu Xi gradually loses his emotional intensity.
That overly rational mind.
It’s almost—
“Like a cold machine,” Xu Xi mutters to himself.
Is it the result of a long lifespan, leading to a weariness that dulls emotional sensitivity?
Xu Xi doesn’t think so.
The signs of this slowness had appeared long ago, but back then, Xu Xi dismissed them as part of the stress.
“This familiar sense of slowness…”
“If it’s not a natural phenomenon…”
“Then it must be the result of frequent resonance with the machine spirit.”