The first hesitant rays of morning sunlight, like a few shy golden threads, tiptoed through the enormous glass curtain wall of the lab. The usually sterile and somewhat intimidating scientific equipment actually seemed a bit warmer bathed in this soft glow, as if they too were stretching and yawning, ready to tackle another day of… well, science-y stuff. When Song Yin entered the lab, her eyes, accustomed to scanning the inky blackness for cosmic dust, almost automatically started searching for the figure who had made such an impression the day before – Lu Zhe, or as Zhou Huai had introduced him with a slight regional twang, Loo Zhe.
Sure enough, there he was at the workstation by the window, a tall figure already fully immersed in his work. He wore a well-cut white lab coat, the sleeves pushed up just so, revealing a glimpse of a nicely defined forearm. His long fingers danced across the intricate controls of various sophisticated gadgets like notes on a piano keyboard, nimble and precise. His focused expression was so intense, he looked like a conductor leading a silent symphony of science. A pair of thin-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, and behind the lenses, his gaze was deep and concentrated, as if he were peering through those icy circles into the microscopic secrets the naked eye couldn't even dream of.
"That has to be Lu Zhe," Song Yin confirmed silently to herself. She softened her steps, moving with the stealth of a jungle cat (a very polite jungle cat, of course), careful not to disturb the Earthling genius's "performance." When she reached about six feet from his workstation, she noticed several familiar mineral samples laid out on the bench in front of him – the very same "silent witnesses" she'd seen in the specimen room yesterday. One in particular, a striking blue that looked like compressed starlight, sat nestled amongst a pile of duller rocks, demanding attention like a supermodel at a bingo night. Song Yin could clearly feel a unique energy signature emanating from this blue specimen, like picking up a faint but incredibly familiar signal across the vastness of space. It was remarkably similar to a rare mineral from her home planet, yet subtly, fundamentally different – like identical twins with completely different Netflix watchlists.
To break the slightly awkward silence that hung in the lab's air, and also to maybe, just maybe, get the attention of the intensely focused researcher, Song Yin cleared her throat softly. The sound wasn't loud, but in the quiet lab, it echoed with surprising clarity, like a tiny pebble plopping into a still pond, sending out invisible ripples.
Lu Zhe looked up at the sound, a hint of confusion behind his glasses, like a student deep in thought about a complex math problem suddenly being asked what they had for breakfast. But just as quickly, a warm smile spread across his face, chasing away the slightly severe expression he'd been sporting. The smile was like a sudden burst of winter sunshine, instantly making him seem less intimidating and more… approachable. He set down the delicate syringe he'd been holding and turned, extending his right hand to Song Yin. His palm was warm and dry, a surprising contrast to his otherwise cool demeanor. "Welcome aboard, Song Yin. I'm Lu Zhe. It's great to finally meet you." His voice was low and magnetic, a steady frequency that resonated gently in Song Yin's ears, causing a strange little hum in her far-flung "data core," like two planets with similar orbital patterns unexpectedly crossing paths in the vast cosmic ballet.
Song Yin reached out and shook his hand gently. His grip was warm and firm, possessing a surprising strength that didn't quite match his somewhat bookish appearance. This prompted a mental "eyebrow raise" from Song Yin – if she'd actually had eyebrows in this form. While her internal "biological database" diligently updated its information on this Earth male named Lu Zhe, she replied with a polite, slightly probing tone, "Dr. Zhou mentioned you yesterday. He said you have significant insights into energy mineral research. I look forward to learning from you." She wanted to see if he, too, had sensed that unusual energy in the specimen room yesterday.
Lu Zhe waved a dismissive hand, his warm smile still in place, though a hint of modesty flickered in his eyes. "Please, don't mention it. We're a team. Learning from each other is what it's all about." With that, he gestured for Song Yin to join him at his workstation, pointing to the various glowing mineral samples. "I'm currently analyzing this batch of newly collected ores. My initial assessment suggests they might contain some unique rare earth elements. See if anything catches your eye." His voice was filled with scientific enthusiasm, his focused eyes practically burning with the thrill of discovery.
He patiently walked Song Yin through his experiment, explaining the principles behind the various instruments he was using and the logic behind his current analysis. His explanations were clear, concise, and remarkably easy to follow, even for a "newbie" like Song Yin (who, you know, had only been observing human science for the past five centuries). Song Yin listened attentively on the surface, nodding occasionally to indicate understanding, but a part of her awareness was subtly monitoring Lu Zhe's energy field. She could clearly sense his brainwave activity, buzzing with the intensity of a high-speed computer processing a massive influx of data. What surprised her even more was the faint, almost imperceptible energy fluctuation surrounding his body, unlike anything she'd encountered in other ordinary Earthlings. Could he also possess some kind of special ability? The discovery sent a ripple of intrigue through Song Yin's mind, like a sudden breeze across a still lake.
"Are you particularly interested in this field?" Song Yin asked casually, seizing a brief pause in Lu Zhe's explanation. As she spoke, she mentally scrolled through her "social etiquette database," searching for the appropriate expression to convey the enthusiasm of a budding Earth female scientist.
A bright spark lit up Lu Zhe's eyes, as if Song Yin's question had fanned a hidden flame within him. "Absolutely! Exploring the unknown is an irresistible draw for me. That feeling when you verify a hypothesis through experimentation, or discover a new pattern… it's incredible. Like suddenly seeing a bright star in the darkness, guiding your way." His voice was filled with excitement, and the slight tiredness around his eyes seemed to vanish, replaced by a vibrant energy.
Song Yin nodded slightly. She understood the thirst for knowledge, but her own pursuit was weighed down by the fate of an entire planet. She noticed the faint redness in Lu Zhe's eyes, likely from late nights spent in the lab, yet he exuded an aura of mental sharpness and vitality. It made Song Yin quietly marvel at the sheer energy Earthlings could muster when passionate about something.
Over the next few hours, their conversation delved deeper. Song Yin subtly posed seemingly simple questions that often cut straight to the core of the matter, trying to gauge Lu Zhe's understanding of the fundamental nature of energy and his thoughts on some of the universe's unsolved mysteries. Lu Zhe's answers consistently hit the mark, sometimes even offering insights that surprised Song Yin, as if his intuition could bypass the limitations of current scientific theory and directly tap into some of the universe's most basic laws. This forced Song Yin to re-evaluate this seemingly ordinary Earth researcher. He was proving to be far more perceptive and intelligent than she had initially assumed.
In the afternoon, they moved to the small break area in the corner of the lab, sipping lukewarm coffee while continuing to discuss the morning's experimental data. Lu Zhe frowned slightly at the fluctuating graphs on the computer screen, looking like a student wrestling with a particularly nasty calculus problem. "This energy fluctuation… it's odd. It doesn't quite match any known element."
Song Yin's internal sensors perked up, but she feigned nonchalance. "Oh? How so?" she asked, subtly observing Lu Zhe's expression, trying to glean any valuable information.
Lu Zhe pointed to a sudden spike on the screen. "See this peak? There's no discernible pattern to its appearance, and the intensity fluctuates wildly, strong one moment, weak the next. It's almost… almost like something is resonating with it."
"Resonating?" A jolt went through Song Yin. The word instantly brought to mind the energy network of her home planet, which also relied on resonant frequencies for transmission. Had Lu Zhe inadvertently stumbled upon some deeper secret? The realization made Song Yin's internal clock tick a little faster, like a spy who'd just accidentally tripped over a hidden enemy tripwire.
Lu Zhe seemed to realize the significance of his word choice, offering a slightly sheepish smile. "Maybe it's just my intuition. Sometimes, when you're deep in research, you get a feeling that there's something more beneath the data. Like when you look at the night sky – you only see countless pinpricks of light, but you know, deep down, there's a whole universe of vastness and mystery out there."
Song Yin studied him intently. This man was proving to be more perceptive, and dare she think it, more… interesting than she'd anticipated. She smoothly changed the subject, adopting a lighter tone. "Perhaps we could try adjusting the experimental parameters? See if that yields any new insights?" While she spoke, she mentally reminded herself to tread carefully and not reveal her true purpose to anyone.
For the rest of the afternoon, they worked together at the lab bench, the atmosphere noticeably more relaxed than it had been that morning. Lu Zhe had shed some of his initial formality and reserve, engaging with Song Yin more naturally about his research ideas and findings. He even actively sought her input, genuinely listening to her opinions, which gave Song Yin a sense of long-forgotten equality and respect. The feeling was almost disorienting, as if she were truly just another Earth scientist.
As evening approached, the other researchers in the lab gradually trickled out, leaving only Song Yin and Lu Zhe still poring over the data on the computer screens. Lu Zhe stretched, letting out a contented sigh, then turned to Song Yin. "Wow, time flies when you're having fun, huh? How was your first day?"
Song Yin offered a genuine smile. "It was excellent, thank you for your guidance. I learned a great deal today." And she meant it. Not just about the science, but more importantly, about the Earth man named Lu Zhe who was steadily piquing her curiosity.
Lu Zhe chuckled, the sound like a gentle breeze rustling through leaves, warm and comforting. "Plenty more days to come. We'll take it one step at a time, and we'll figure things out together."
A subtle shift occurred within Song Yin. She looked into Lu Zhe's earnest eyes and silently echoed, "Yes, plenty more days…" She knew that the days ahead held more than just the search for the "element" to save her home; they might also hold the most complex and unforgettable journey of her five-hundred-year solitary existence.
As night fell, Song Yin packed her things, and as she left the lab, she couldn't help but glance back at the brightly lit windows, a strange feeling stirring within her. Perhaps Lu Zhe wasn't just a fellow researcher; maybe he was going to be something… more. A unique presence in her long, isolated life, someone who was making her re-evaluate herself and this strange, vibrant planet's… gravity.
Just as she was about to step out of the research facility's main doors, Lu Zhe suddenly called out, as if he'd just remembered something. "Oh, Song Yin!" He was hurrying towards her, holding a small, intricately carved wooden box.
Song Yin stopped, turning to look at him with a questioning gaze.
Lu Zhe reached her, a slightly mysterious smile playing on his lips as he held out the box. "I found this while I was out on a geological survey a while back. The energy signature is incredibly faint, but I've always felt there was something… different about it. Maybe you could take a look? Might be something interesting."
Song Yin took the box. It was surprisingly light and cool to the touch. She opened it curiously and found a single, strangely blue mineral nestled inside. Its surface seemed to shimmer with an internal light, like tiny stars twinkling in the night sky. The instant her fingers brushed against the mineral, a familiar yet intensely powerful energy surge, like a tidal wave, flooded her senses. Her brain felt like it had just been hit by a high-voltage power line. This… this was it. A variant of the crucial "element" she had been searching for, the key to saving her planet!
Her head snapped up, her eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at Lu Zhe. Her gaze was a mixture of shock and confusion. Lu Zhe's eyes, however, were calm and gentle, a hint of something that might have been… anticipation? – flickering at the corners of his mouth.
"This…" Song Yin's voice trembled slightly as she fought to maintain her composure, desperate not to betray any unusual reaction.
"What is it? Did you find something?" Lu Zhe asked, his gaze fixed on the blue mineral in Song Yin's hand, his curiosity palpable.
Song Yin took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm. She carefully closed the lid of the box, as if it contained a priceless treasure. "The energy structure of this mineral is… very unique. I'll need more time to analyze it." She struggled to keep her voice steady and professional.
"No problem at all. Take your time. Plenty of it," Lu Zhe replied with a smile, a knowing glint in his eyes that made Song Yin feel a prickle of unease. "Perhaps… perhaps we really can find what we're looking for here."
Song Yin clutched the box tightly, her knuckles turning slightly white. She looked at Lu Zhe's calm smile, her mind reeling. This couldn't be a coincidence. Lu Zhe knew something, or perhaps he was guiding her in some way. Was it unintentional, or did he already suspect her secret? How many more hidden layers did this seemingly ordinary Earth scientist possess? The answer, she suspected, would unfold in the days to come, radiating its unique light, much like the blue mineral in her hand, illuminating her journey into the unknown. And her story with Lu Zhe, she realized, had only just begun, like two distant stars drawn together by a silent, irresistible gravity, the sparks of their eventual collision yet to be seen.