In the late hours of the night, Yu Xie returned to the dormitory, and Peruere and Clervie had naturally already gone back.

Sitting on the bed, Yu Xie was deep in thought.

Crucabena was playing a game of chess, and the Hearth Manor was her chessboard, with her believing that all the pieces were under her control.

In Yu Xie's view, the method to break this game was actually quite simple, but now was not the right time.

For now, he was still just a child; he needed time.

Although the time in this life was limited, lasting only eleven short years, it was still enough.

…

Two years later.

"I heard that 'Mother' has a distinguished guest today?"

"That's right. At this moment, that guest is in 'Mother's' office. It seems 'Mother' has dismissed everyone, and only the two of them are having a discussion."

"What kind of guest requires 'Mother' to send away her attendants?"

"Let's not speculate about these things."

In the courtyard of the Hearth Manor, some children were discussing the events of the day.

Yu Xie leaned against a pillar by the hallway, quietly listening to the others' conversations without speaking.

Two years had passed since he entered the Hearth Manor, and during this time, Yu Xie's reputation had gradually grown.

Many boys regarded Yu Xie as the "light of boys."

After all, before Yu Xie arrived, Peruere had outperformed all the boys in various training sessions.

What puzzled everyone was that, despite appearing to be rivals, Yu Xie and Peruere seemed to have an unusually good relationship.

As time slowly passed, afternoon arrived.

The children in the courtyard had all dispersed, leaving only Yu Xie still leaning against the pillar, as if waiting for someone.

It was unclear how long he had been waiting when he saw a man in a black cloak walking from a distance. Judging by his direction, he seemed to be leaving the Hearth Manor.

From a distance, Yu Xie caught a glimpse of the man's profile.

He wore a mask resembling an eagle's beak.

Seeing this, Yu Xie finally decided to leave.

In the park, Peruere stood under a corner apple tree, holding a few plump apples, while Clervie was up in the tree, stretching to reach the fruit hanging at the top.

When Peruere saw Yu Xie arrive, she didn't show much expression.

Meanwhile, Clervie on the tree smiled, but lost her balance and almost fell. She quickly grabbed the trunk, looked at Yu Xie and Peruere, and awkwardly scratched her head.

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Yu Xie approached the tree, looked around to make sure there was no one else nearby, and then spoke slowly:

"The distinguished guest who came today is another harbinger—'the Doctor.'"

This remark left Peruere and Clervie in a brief silence.

Clervie carefully climbed down from the tree.

"...I've heard that 'the Doctor' is involved in some secret research."

In the Hearth Manor, information was strictly controlled, and it wasn't easy to hear rumors about other harbinger. But perhaps because Clervie was Crucabena's biological daughter, she had more opportunities to hear such news.

So she could also sense that the beautiful dreams Crucabena wove for the children would not come true.

"Mother's cooperation with 'the Doctor' might not be a good thing..." Clervie continued softly.

At that moment, a figure approached from a distance—it was a masked fatui soldier.

"Yu Xie, Peruere, Clervie, Lord 'Knave' has summoned you to her office."

…

In the office, Crucabena sat behind her desk, her expression calm as if she were deep in thought.

Knock, knock, knock. Someone was knocking on the door.

"Lord 'Knave', the guests have arrived."

"Come in."

The door swung open, and Yu Xie, Peruere, and Clervie walked in together.

Crucabena immediately reflected a warm smile. As the three approached her, she spoke:

"Yu Xie, Peruere, Clervie, you are all children that make me proud."

"Did Mother call us here to assign us something to do?" Clervie asked.

"Ah, Clervie understands me well," Crucabena replied with a smile. "Yu Xie has been in the Hearth Manor for two years now, and Peruere and Clervie have been here even longer. I trust you, do you trust me?"

"What do you mean by that?" Yu Xie responded.

"I have something I'd like you to help me with," Crucabena said. "This afternoon, I need you to go to a place and retrieve a document for me."

"Where do we need to go?" Clervie asked.

"To Fontaine, to the home of a merchant who collaborates with the Hearth Manor."

"So, that means we can go outside?"

"That's right." Crucabena smiled gently at Clervie. "Go ahead, and return with the document before sunset."

…

It was spring, and the gentle sunlight bathed the bustling streets of Fontaine.

Clervie walked ahead of Yu Xie and Peruere, dazzled by the array of goods lining the street.

Opportunities like this to go out were rare, and each time she could come out, Clervie wore a joyful expression on her face.

She had always yearned for freedom and the outside world.

"Even though it's just one afternoon, I'm really happy," Clervie said, stopping to wait for Yu Xie and Peruere. "Peipei, is there anything you want to buy? How about you, Yu Xie?"

"I don't want anything," Peruere shook her head.

"Me neither," Yu Xie replied.

"Oh, I see..." Clervie thought for a moment. "Then I'll buy two for you both."

With that, she dashed over to a stall, quickly selected a few items, and bought three hairpins.

"Here, these are for you!"

They were beautiful hairpins adorned with intricate and lovely patterns, likely handmade.

Yu Xie and Peruere took the hairpins in their hands.

It was at this moment that Clervie realized something felt off.

"Ah! I'm sorry, I forgot—Yu Xie, you can't use hairpins!"

"It's okay. Since you gave them to me, I'll make sure to keep them safe," Yu Xie said with a smile.

"I'll take good care of mine too," Peruere added as she put away the hairpin.

"Yes!" Clervie's embarrassment faded away as she nodded happily.

Time passed quickly, and as the golden rays of sunset fell, Clervie realized it was time to head back.

The three of them had retrieved the document and were walking on the way back to the Hearth Manor.

Clervie held the document in her hands.

At that moment, a seemingly anxious man suddenly ran up from ahead.

Perhaps he was careless, as he bumped into Clervie.

It was just a slight collision, and Clervie was fine, but the document bag she was holding fell to the ground, the opening flapping open, and some of the documents spilled out.

The man who bumped into Clervie quickly stopped, looking apologetic.

"Are you okay, kid? I'm really sorry! I was in a hurry and accidentally bumped into you. Let me help you pick up your things!"

At that moment, Yu Xie caught a glimpse of some content on the document and stopped the man.

"It's okay, sir. Since you have something urgent, you can go ahead. You didn't do it on purpose, and my friend is fine."

"Well... then I'll be on my way. I'm really sorry, kid," the man replied.

"It's alright, sir." Clervie smiled at him.

The man turned and hurried away.

The three of them then looked down at the document lying on the ground.

On the paper that had slipped out of the bag, the title was clearly visible: Experiment Plan Phase Three: Human Brain Duplication Research.