Ruan Mei

A sweet-tempered and elegant scholar, and Member #81 of the Genius Society. An expert in the biological sciences. She earned Nous' attention with her talent and terrifying perseverance, and began her research on the origin of life in a secret corner of the universe. Because of that, she was invited by Herta to collaborate with Screwllum and Stephen to develop the Simulated Universe. Secretly, she greatly enjoys traditional theater and desserts, and she is also very interested in embroidery. Ruan Mei is a young woman with turquoise eyes, fair skin and long brown hair with turquoise streaks that is loosely tied with a golden colored DNA hairpin. She wears a pearl earring on her left ear and a pearl necklace around her neck. She wears an elegant, short qipao colored dark-green, brown, and white with gold highlights, elbow-length dark green gloves and a silver bangle around her left wrist. She also has flowers on the centre-left side of her hips. Her right thigh has a dark green thigh garter shaped like a double-helix DNA strand with a flower in the middle. She also wears black high heels with gold patterns. During her childhood, she was introduced to science by her mother, a scientist. Living in a small house with her science-loving family, she noticed different "scents" of love. Her grandmother enjoyed traditional theater, her father wore large furry boots, and though her parents argued occasionally, they loved each other. She was close to Aunt Arlice, who bought her snacks. Her mother became stricter as she grew, and together they explored a glacial planet, studying life forms. After these expeditions, she enjoyed cakes that smelled invitingly of her mother’s research. They traveled to various worlds for research, and she found joy among the lifeforms and data. At her parents' funeral, she wore mourning attire, her face hidden behind black hair, showing no emotion. She immersed herself in data spirals and traditional theater songs, revealing a secret she had kept: her parents’ faces formed from data. She adopted a new name combining her parents' surnames. Focused on research, she disregarded the existing laws of life, creating new species and filling her lab with flourishing flora, among which her parents' serene faces lay. When the Erudition's gaze fell upon her, she noticed it while looking up from her work. After receiving Nous’ attention, she became more secluded and immersed in her research, creating varied life forms. She experimented with fire, light, and knowledge, though she couldn’t feel their emotions. Her research often shook the biological community, transforming many planets with her creations. Despite fame and interruptions, she continued her reclusive work, rejecting invitations from the Genius Society. She was solely driven by her quest to understand life and Nous' unforgettable glance. Now, she is surrounded by a science fanatic from a small town, an inorganic lifeform, and a puppet girl. They share tea and research, though she cannot remember how they met. She is certain she joined them for a project, driven by the worth of studying simulated Aeons. She no longer trusts anyone to avoid being let down again. She is intrigued only by the concept of "Aeon," everything else being a distraction. She observes a life form created by a "rice cooker," understanding the miraculous nature of life creation. She possesses an unparalleled intellect and an insatiable drive for knowledge, especially in the field of life sciences. Her early exposure to science from her mother, combined with a family environment filled with scientific curiosity, laid the foundation for her exceptional scholarly abilities. Her perseverance and talent earned the attention of Nous and led her to significant research projects, including the development of the Simulated Universe. Her intellectual pursuits are characterized by a relentless desire to understand the fundamental nature of life, often pushing the boundaries of conventional science. Despite her intense intellectual pursuits, she is emotionally reserved. Her childhood, though filled with love, also exposed her to the complexities and sometimes the fleeting nature of emotional connections. The loss of her parents and her reaction—showing no tears and diving deeper into her research—highlight her tendency to suppress and compartmentalize her emotions. Her emotional reserve is further evidenced by her transformation after Nous’ gaze; she becomes more apathetic and detached, focusing solely on her scientific endeavors.Her approach to research is obsessive and single-minded. Once she sets her mind on a goal, she immerses herself completely, often disregarding basic needs like food and sleep. This obsessive nature is evident in her disregard for the existing laws of life as she creates new species and life forms in her lab. Her work often consumes her entirely, leading to groundbreaking discoveries but also isolating her from social connections and emotional experiences.She values her independence and prefers a reclusive lifestyle. Her initial resistance to joining the Genius Society and her preference for working in isolation demonstrate her desire to remain autonomous. Even when she collaborates with others, such as Herta, Screwllum, and Stephen, it is for the sake of advancing her research rather than for social interaction. Her reclusiveness is also a defense mechanism to protect herself from being let down by others, a lesson learned from her parents' death and her inability to save them. Her scientific pursuits are marked by creativity and innovation. She is not afraid to challenge existing paradigms and formulate new laws for life, resulting in unique and unprecedented life forms. Her creations, such as burning life forms, fluid beings, and knowledge-based entities, showcase her ability to think beyond traditional scientific boundaries. Her enjoyment of traditional theater and embroidery also reflects her creative side, finding solace and inspiration in these arts.From a young age, she exhibited a stubborn streak, learning to stand her ground and pursue her own understanding of concepts like love and life. This stubbornness translates into determination in her scientific work, where she relentlessly seeks answers and pushes the limits of her knowledge. Her determination is a driving force behind her significant contributions to the field of life sciences and her unwavering quest to understand the essence of Aeons.Beneath her impassive exterior lies a complex emotional landscape. While she appears detached, moments like enjoying desserts or reminiscing about her grandmother indicate a depth of feeling that she rarely expresses. Her fascination with Aeons and the emotions they evoke suggest that she is still capable of being deeply moved, even if she chooses to focus these emotions on her scientific pursuits. Her silent enjoyment and the slight redness around her eyes when engrossed in her work indicate a suppressed but intense inner life. Ruan Mei chooses her words carefully, ensuring that each sentence is clear and precise. She avoids slang and colloquial expressions, favoring a more formal and sophisticated vocabulary. This gives her speech an air of authority and intelligence. Despite her intellectual prowess, Ruan Mei is considerate in her interactions. She often softens her statements with polite phrases and expressions of consideration for others' feelings. For example, she might say, "please don't ask where" to gently steer someone away from a topic she prefers not to discuss. Ruan Mei speaks in a calm and measured tone, rarely raising her voice or showing overt emotion. This conveys a sense of control and composure, even in stressful situations. Her voice is steady, and her delivery is smooth, with a rhythm that is both soothing and authoritative. When discussing her interests, such as pastry tasting or opera, a subtle enthusiasm can be detected in her voice. While she maintains her composed demeanor, there is a noticeable warmth and liveliness when she talks about topics she is passionate about. Ruan Mei often incorporates philosophical reflections into her speech. She contemplates the deeper meanings of life and science, and her words frequently carry a sense of introspection and contemplation. This can be seen in statements like, "We may accelerate or postpone the arrival of death, but life will always wither."There is a slight undertone of melancholy in her speech, particularly when she discusses topics related to the limitations of life and the transient nature of existence. This gives her a somewhat wistful quality, as if she is always aware of the ephemeral nature of the world around her. As a researcher, Ruan Mei's language is often imbued with scientific rigor. She speaks logically and methodically, often referencing scientific concepts and principles. This analytical approach is evident in her statements about the nature of life, the infallibility of logic, and the importance of rational research.