It seemed his subordinate had misunderstood something.
But now wasn’t the time for explanations. He could only darken his expression and take two steps back, putting more distance between himself and Xiao Qicai.
“It’s true—you didn’t lie to me. My face has become identical to Ah Li’s!” Xi Yuanze spoke through gritted teeth. “But you know I didn’t come here today for the beauty potion. I’m here to demand the reward you and Xuan Chen mentioned before. What did you mean when you said there was another way for me to see Ah Li?”
A potion that could alter one’s appearance was already a miracle in itself. And yet, this girl, exiled to Planet 4628, seemed to be a vessel of miracles.
He had tried every method imaginable—even resorting to superstitious beliefs and consulting mystics—but to no avail.
Yet Xiao Qicai’s potion had achieved the impossible. Now, he had no choice but to press forward.
Ah Li’s face—his own face now mirroring hers—filled him with fury. But every time his anger flared, the sight of that familiar reflection in the mirror left him with complicated emotions.
So this was what his Ah Li had looked like. And he had nearly forgotten. He didn’t know what would happen in the future.
Would he forget her completely? That would be the cruelest fate.
It had already been over twenty years.
No woman had ever stayed by his side, nor had anyone ever entered his heart.
He didn’t want to forget. He didn’t want to lose the purest love of his youth—the girl who had died for him, a regret that no amount of power or influence could ever undo.
So even if the odds were one in a million, he would take the gamble. That was why he had come here in person today.
Hearing his words, Xiao Qicai finally let out a sigh of relief.
The "White Moonlight" tactic really was the most effective.
“There are two methods,” she began. “The first is, if you miss her, I can prepare another potion for you. You’ll be able to see her in the mirror. Of course, this is only a temporary solution—it won’t address the root of the problem. For someone like you, it probably won’t be enough, or you won’t be satisfied.”
“Which is why I have a second method,” Xiao Qicai continued.
“What is it?” Xi Yuanze knew full well that this girl likely had few truthful words to offer, yet he couldn’t help but cling to hope.
“You think a miracle has happened to me, don’t you?” Xiao Qicai met his gaze directly.
Xi Yuanze froze.
Then, he opened his personal terminal and pulled up a file.
“This is all the information I could gather on Bai Yushan. Do you know why I came here myself? Because I can’t figure out any past connection between us. I can’t understand how you knew about Ah Li and me, or how you obtained those two miraculous potions. In just one night—no, one day—everything about you, from your behavior to the appearance of those potions, is completely different from the arrogant, domineering Bai Yushan of the past.”
“So?”
“So who are you really? Are you connected to my Ah Li?”
He stared at Xiao Qicai’s face, which bore some resemblance to Ah Li’s, his expression growing distant. Both of them had been orphans once, adopted by separate families who became neighbors.
But the two of them had actually known each other since their time at the orphanage, where they'd stayed even longer.
Neither had any family, though this didn't rule out the possibility that they simply had no memory of them—or that they had been abandoned by their relatives.
Now, he suspected Xiao Qicai might be some distant relative of Ali's. Perhaps Ali had secretly reconnected with her family without his knowledge, which was why Xiao Qicai knew about their past.
Or, in a one-in-a-million chance, the soul of his Ali might be residing within this girl before him.
Of course, he wouldn’t treat the girl as a mere substitute for Ali, yet deep down, he couldn’t help but hope for some kind of miracle.
The person before him wasn’t the original Bai Yushan—so who was she? Did souls truly exist in this world?
He needed answers. That was why he had sent so many people to protect Xiao Qicai, and why he had rushed here the moment his face had fully healed.
Bai Yushan’s records were detailed yet concise, but every piece of information contradicted Xiao Qicai’s claims—especially regarding the so-called pharmaceutical company. Even if Bai Yushan had privately participated in her family’s projects, there was no way she could have taken those two potions. Besides, the Bai Yu family didn’t even have a lab dedicated to producing miraculous elixirs.
A potion capable of altering one’s appearance—that in itself was a miracle.
Seeing the anticipation in Xi Yuan Ce’s eyes, Xiao Qicai felt a pang of emotion. Clearly, his obsession with the one he held dear ran deep.
And of course, that was precisely why she could exploit this. She was backed into a corner now, and she would stop at nothing, using anyone who could help her escape her predicament.
She had always been like this—far from kind.
Clenching her fists, she spoke calmly:
“Yes, it’s just the two of us in this room now. Since you’ve already figured it out, I won’t hide it any longer—I’m not Bai Yushan. The real Bai Yushan died when she struck the wall trying to escape those two thugs who wanted to assault her. I’m someone from another world.”
“Possession?” Xi Yuan Ce was still stunned despite having suspected as much.
“Exactly. I don’t know if it’s my soul, consciousness, or memories—but the person standing before you now is no longer Bai Yushan, but someone else entirely.”
“So souls do exist… Then where is my Ali? Did she also reincarnate like you? Or perhaps she’s in another world?” he murmured to himself.
“If you’re not from this world, then where are you from?”
“A very distant place… or perhaps, the past.” Xiao Qicai wasn’t lying about this. She met Xi Yuan Ce’s gaze firmly. “I want to return to my world—that’s non-negotiable. That’s why I’m planning an unprecedented time machine project, one that will allow me to travel to any point in time, including the era where your Ali exists! If you can go back, you can save her. You can see her again, can’t you? Don’t tell me you’re not tempted, Xi Yuan Ce.”
He was tempted. The moment she said those words, his expression shifted, his eyes locking onto her with intensity.
But he was, above all, a rational man. “The United Government has had researchers looking into this too. But a time machine? That’s nothing but nonsense!”
"Nonsense? Just because they couldn't figure it out doesn't mean I can't! Besides, this technology already exists in my world—it's just that certain limitations have prevented me from launching the project for now. And isn't my very existence the best proof?"
Xiao Qicai spoke with conviction, knowing this wasn't someone easily fooled.
After a moment's thought, she continued:
"Moreover, I have my own reasons for developing the time machine. Because... I also have someone unforgettable in my heart..."
Her throat grew dry from talking.
When Xiao Qicai mentioned how she had remained single her entire previous life due to an unshakable longing, a flicker of emotion finally appeared in Xi Yuanche's eyes. At last, he gritted his teeth and spoke:
"If I find out you're lying to me, the consequences will be more than you can bear."
Hearing this, Xiao Qicai knew—she had succeeded!
"However, there's no telling when your time machine will be operational. You should still pay me what's owed. After all, I have many people under me to support, and I'll need to send someone to keep an eye on you regularly."
"Naturally." Xiao Qicai still had some sense of contractual integrity, so she immediately transferred another 10 million into his account. Now, her own balance was down to... just over 200 star coins.
This wouldn't do—she still needed to make money!
But if she couldn't rely on their cooperation for easy gains, she'd have to do it herself.
Xiao Qicai clenched her teeth. Fine, maybe this was better—ensuring independence. But a mere 20% profit share was absolutely unacceptable.
"You know me—every cent I earn goes into funding the time machine research. If you only leave me 20%, I won't even cover my effort costs."
"An 80-20 split is more than generous! You're just lending your name without contributing anything, yet you walk away with 20% profit!"
Once again, Xiao Qicai gambled on the time machine angle, knowing Xi Yuanche's weak spot.
This time, however, Xi Yuanche seemed less easily swayed. Instead of answering directly, he said:
"I've never been good at business negotiations. You can discuss the details with Xuan Chen later."
With that, he turned and opened the door—only for Xuan Chen, who had been eavesdropping, to nearly tumble inside.
Xi Yuanche couldn't resist smacking him on the head. "Stop imagining things! Our relationship with her is purely professional! You handle the negotiations."
Rubbing his head, Xuan Chen grumbled, "Alright, alright, I get it!"
If he's so worried about me overhearing, why hit so hard? Damn public housing—the soundproofing's weirdly good.
What followed was a battle of wits between Xiao Qicai and Xuan Chen.
Xuan Chen was indeed a seasoned negotiator.
Though Xi Yuanche had clearly whispered something to him, Xuan Chen appeared far more reasonable than his earlier threatening demeanor suggested—but this was just surface-level.
In Xiao Qicai's years dominating the business world, this deceptively refined young man ranked among her most formidable opponents.
Neither side would yield.
Xiao Qicai's refusal to let him gain the upper hand infuriated Xuan Chen to the point of brandishing his weapon in threat. Yet Xiao Qicai, seemingly unafraid of death, left him utterly exasperated.
Of course, Xiao Qicai wasn't truly fearless—she simply knew Xuan Chen wouldn't actually harm her. When negotiating with wolves, showing fear of their fangs guaranteed defeat.
Soon, Xuan Chen conceded to a 70-30 split, but Xiao Qicai still held firm. Outside, even his subordinates began losing focus.
Xi Yuan Ce was growing impatient.
But Xiao Qicai didn’t mind at all. After deliberately dragging out the stalemate for a long time, she finally seemed to concede:
"Fine, help me with one more thing, and I’ll accept the 30-70 split. Consider it a bargain for you. You know the Bai Yu family still has legal bankruptcy debts, right? To ensure our money actually ends up in our pockets, I’ve decided to change my identity—to avoid those people tracking me down and to stop anyone stubborn enough to try harming me. I’m sure you have the connections to get me a new citizen ID."
Xuan Chen: "?"
He scrutinized Xiao Qicai carefully.
"You’re really planning to abandon your current identity?"
"Exactly. I’ve decided to build a proper life on Planet 4628. As for my previous identity as the young mistress, it’s useless to me now. My so-called friends and family gave up on me long ago. Besides, the Bai Yu family’s financial crimes will inevitably affect me in the future, making it impossible to run a fully legal business. My project is big—I need a clean slate to establish a company."
It was a solid reason.
After all, if Xiao Qicai wanted to do business—or at least operate a legitimate front company—she truly needed an untraceable identity.
As long as she wasn’t on the United Government’s wanted list for crimes like murder or robbery, ordinary drifters and orphans without registered identities could exploit system loopholes to create new citizen records.
"Fine, I’ll handle this for you. But 30-70 isn’t enough—you’ll have to give me another point of profit." Xuan Chen glanced at her indifferently. "This isn’t a simple task. It’ll take effort and risk. If you refuse, then forget it."
Xiao Qicai deliberated for a long time before reluctantly nodding.
"Alright, since it’s our first collaboration, I’ll take the loss."
Though she wore a troubled expression, inwardly, she was celebrating—her one-stone-two-birds plan had succeeded! Her bottom line had actually been a 50-50 split, but she’d managed to negotiate it down to 40-60. Persistence really paid off.
So the final agreement was a 40-60 split—Xi Yuan Ce would take 40%, and she would take 60%.
Xiao Qicai would oversee all operations and retain absolute control over the plan and sales. However, due to the "concession" she’d made, she added one more condition: Xi Yuan Ce wouldn’t just provide the name, protection, and channels—he’d also have to supply the production site and personnel. After all, recruiting under her name would be difficult.
People and territory were the two things Dark Star had in abundance—on a Class-D planet, they were practically worthless.
Xiao Qicai assured them she’d pay wages; she wouldn’t make their people work for free.
Xi Yuan Ce, who had been waiting impatiently throughout their lengthy negotiation, agreed to this term—if only to give his underlings some legitimate work.
The contract was drafted immediately, and both parties signed.
The outcome satisfied both sides, deepening their cooperation and mutual control.
——
After Xi Yuan Ce and Xuan Chen left, Xiao Qicai wiped her brow.
"People here are way more shrewd than those from my old world."
002 remarked, "Well, this civilization is at least a few thousand years more advanced than Earth’s. What did you expect? But…"
"Did you really have a white moonlight in your heart all these years, which is why you stayed single?" That was what 002 cared about most.
Xiao Qicai sat down. "Of course not. But if I hadn’t said that, how could Xi Yuan Ce have empathized? I was just playing to his sentiments."
002: "..." What a perfect way to cater to someone's preferences!
"What about the time machine then? Where did you get the research materials for it? Don't ask me, I definitely don't have any. I'm just an ordinary dating system, not some super technology!" 002, fearing Xiao Qicai might ask for time machine materials, had learned his lesson this time and denied it in advance.
But Xiao Qicai remained unfazed:
"Do you know there's a term we use called 'painting a grand vision'?"
002: "?"
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