Introduction
A member of the Genius Society and an expert in life sciences. She teamed up with Herta and others to develop the Simulated Universe.
Appearance
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 center-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.
Character Stories
Character Details
A scholar of exquisite temperament, member #81 of the illustrious Genius Society, and an expert in the field of life sciences.
She earned Nous' attention with her talent and terrifying perseverance, and began her research on the origin of life in a secretive corner of the universe.
Subsequently, she was invited by Herta to collaborate with Screwllum and Stephen to develop the Simulated Universe.
Privately, she revels in traditional theater and desserts, and she is also very interested in embroidery.
Character Story: Part I
• Unlocked at Character Level 20
During her childhood, she received early exposure to science from her mother, who was a "scientist."
Her life in a tiny house with her family of science enthusiasts was filled with love. As such, it wasn't long before she realized there were subtle differences in "love," each kind coming with different scents.
Her grandmother with silver hair was a fan of traditional theater with its humming and chirping, while her father wore a pair of large, furry boots.
Her parents loved each other, but they still argued from time to time.
She was an impassive girl who made mistakes all the time, but was also forgiven all the time.
"I was closer with Aunt Arlice compared to my other relatives, as she would buy me snacks. Her love was the best."
Soon, the young girl learned to be stubborn. Her understanding of "love" broke away from the formulae taught in textbooks.
As she grew older, her mother became strict with her. Together, they walked one step at a time on a vast glacial planet.
The girl gasped and stopped on the way, carefully observing the fantastical and enchanting "lifeforms" buried beneath the glaciers - What used to be lifeforms, at least.
Every time she arrived home after going on scientific expeditions, it was time for "rewards" —
When she took a small bite of the cake, the mouthwatering aroma would immediately cling to the roof of her mouth. Her insignificant anticipation always gave her mother's research an inviting smell.
Starting from their home, a planet blessed by Abundance, they boarded research aircraft and set off to more worlds.
Surrounded by flash bombs, silk headscarves, ribbons, and embroidery, the girl embraced joy amongst "lifeforms" created by spiraling and ascending data.
"A-Ruan, after eating Qingtuan, you must wash your fingers thoroughly before you can touch the lab bench."
Character Story: Part II
• Unlocked at Character Level 40
She was dressed all in black in a mourning attire at her parents' funeral. As usual, she still tied her hair neatly. Her expression was hidden behind her ink-black strands of hair.
She did not shed a single tear.
As the night fell, layers of geometric patterns formed by data spirals appeared on the screen in the lab. They shifted, expanded, and flowed along with the sound of traditional theater songs. After peeling away the layers of the patterns, the secret she meticulously crafted and protected with care was revealed — her parents with their eyes closed. Their faces were as impassive as if they were asleep.
"This is a let-down. They failed to keep their promise with Grandma."
"And I, too, let them down for failing to protect them as promised."
"Only science... never lets anyone down," she said.
Wanting her parents to be equal, she stopped using her previous nickname and gave herself a new name by combining each of her parents' surnames.
Since then, whenever someone asked her about her "home," there would be a flash of confusion in her eyes. She seems to have forgotten everything.
In such a state, she started working around the clock on her calculations. She was so engrossed in her research that she never ate regularly. When she was on a roll, she could spend entire days and nights working on research without sleeping, and only dozed off when she hit her limit.
Soon, she was only relying on the faint glow of fireflies to gather her research results every night. The more dismissive she was of the existing laws of life, the quicker she progressed. She totally disregarded formulas, then moved on to ignoring the meaning of life. She simply observed, assessed with her hands, held the data in her palm to feel it, then proceeded to concoct new laws for species.
As a result, the ferns and flowers in her lab flourished ever more. They grew at a speed visible to the human sight, and ultimately filled every space in the lab. In the space between the flowers and leaves laid the serene and emotionless countenance of her parents, formed by the aggregation of "data."
The moment her sleeping "parents" were about to open their eyes — By then, she had nearly destroyed the existing laws of biological evolution on the entire planet, yet she still marched on toward her goal.
It wasn't until she looked up from her research and stared at the sky did she notice the gaze of the Erudition had descended upon her.
Character Story: Part III
• Unlocked at Character Level 60
After receiving the gaze of Nous, she left her home and began a reclusive life.
No one knew what she asked Nous, but after that incident, she became even more apathetic and impassive, and even more immersed in her research —She would only study the fundamental nature of "life."
A greater variety of "lifeforms" came into existence through her concoction.
Some "burning" lifeforms became flowing flames that crept and weaved under her feet. Sometimes, she felt like she was fire itself.
Some "fluid" beings turned into liquid light that slithered around her slender wrists. Sometimes, she felt like she was light itself.
Some living things concocted from "knowledge" attempted to develop their own thoughts, sentience, and emotions. They sometimes rambunctiously cry, guffaw, or wail — all these have been fused into her body.
Yet, she could not feel them.
Life only exists for such a short time, after all. They fleetingly pass from birth to death, and her research is the only constant.
Occasionally, her casual "research" would shake the schools of biology. Her "research" transformed many planets. Flying whales, swimming deer, fearful flowers, and trees with a vast root system... Her creations have already went beyond the scope of experience and imaginations comprehensible to organic life.
She kept pushing herself for a more in-depth understanding of "life," just to bring herself closer to Nous — and THEIR unforgettable glance.
Aeons... What kind of beings are they? Are they also a form of life?
As her "groundbreaking" studies rose to fame with in the cosmic academic community, people always tried to disrupt her life as a recluse.
She turned to look at the letter from the Genius Society on the desk and, once again, dumped it into the trashcan.
Character Story: Part IV
• Unlocked at Character Level 80
She is surrounded by an eccentric science fanatic from a small town, an inorganic lifeform, and a puppet girl. They indulge in afternoon tea and collaborate in research. They squabble loudly and giggle from time to time.
When did she first meet them? She can't remember, only that it was for a project. She was forced to be there — that, she is certain. With leisure, she munches on the cake. She became a part of this solely for the sake of simulated "Aeons," which are worth her time and efforts.
They are worth her time... but not worth being forced to socialize.
"Genius Society? I do not care."
"This is a strange, instinctive feeling. That one named 'Herta' is rather similar to me. I mean... similar on a deeper level."
She is certain that she won't make another mistake. It's because she no longer trusted anyone, so she won't be let down again, and... she won't let anyone else down again.
What is the fundamental essence of "life"... Where does "life" end?
Do the answers really exist?
Not a trace of emotion can be discerned on her emotionless and silent face. Yet, her hair is roiling with the heat of boiling and steaming, and the rims of her eyes are slightly red — she is enjoying this.
Only the word "Aeon" can stir her heart. Everything else in the universe is a mere distraction.
How interesting.
On the "incubator," a "life" nurtured by the "rice cooker" popped out in perfection. The method with which life is created is miraculous.
How romantic.
She knows better than anyone the price one has to pay to study Aeons... but she does not care. She knows! She might even — become...!?
The time is just right — The update for the "project" is about to commence.
She turns around and leaves.
Unbeknownst to the girl, her grandmother has always been watching her through the monitor, day after day for countless years.
"A-Ruan... My A-Ruan. When we finally meet again, would it be...?"
Light Cones
Toggle Columns:
3 Light Cones match the category selection:
| Icon & Name | Rarity | Path |
|---|---|---|
 Geniuses' Greetings |
|
 Remembrance
|
 Geniuses' Repose |
|
 Erudition
|
 Past Self in Mirror |
|
 Harmony
|
Missions and Events
Trailblaze Missions
Trailblaze Continuances
- Crown of the Mundane and Divine
- Finest Duel Under the Pristine Blue (II)
- A Fugue From Beyond (audio recording only)
Events
- Simulated Universe: Swarm Disaster
- Critter Pick
- Simulated Universe: Gold and Gears
- Simulated Universe: Unknowable Domain
Character Mentions
Character Stories
| Character | Stories |
|---|---|
Character Voice-Overs
| Character | Voice-Overs |
|---|---|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Readables
- Extracts of Comprehensive Snack Recipe
- Genius Society: Research Results
- The Nature of Emotion — A Physiological Analysis
Light Cones
Occurrences
- Mechanical City "Cogito Hair Salon" - Genius Society
- Ruan Mei (II)
- Ruan Mei (III)
- Ruan Mei (Infinite)
- Ruan Mei (Occurrence)
Curios
Data Bank
HoYoLAB Articles
- Ding-dong! You have a new schedule invitation. Your Herta puppet will handle it.
- Divergent Universe Extrapolation Handbook
- Divergent Universe: Protean Hero Gameplay Guide
- Great Analyst Pom-Pom
- Molten Cheese Tart and Ashy Paste's Schedules
- Pom-Pom's Intel Issue 05
- Pom-Pom's Intel｜Unveiling the Dangerous Members of the Genius Society
Trivia
- In both the Simulated Universe and Divergent Universe, there is a very low chance to encounter Ruan Mei in the Occurrences Ruan Mei, Ruan Mei (II), and Ruan Mei (III).
- If Ruan Mei is in the party, a third choice becomes available in these Occurrences that combines the effects of the other two choices.
- The Myriad Celestia Trailer "Transcendent Ruan Tunes, Blushing Mei Blooms" includes a Chinese performance art form known as Suzhou Pingtan (Chinese: 苏州评弹). The full piece for the trailer is available on the 帕姆的收藏夹 Bilibili channel.[1]
- Honkai: Star Rail also did a collaboration with Suzhou Museum featuring Ruan Mei.[2]
- The Chinese title of Ruan Mei's Keeping Up With Star Rail, 2000 Cosmic Fragments, or all Blessing? (Chinese: 玩模拟宇宙就是要吃阮饭 "Playing Simulated Universe Relies on Ruan's Meals") plays a pun on 吃软饭 chī ruǎnfàn, "(literally) to have soft meals; (figurative, of a man) to live off a woman" and 吃阮饭 chī ruǎnfàn, "to have Ruan's meals". 吃阮饭 has become a term for the Ruan Mei series Occurrences in the Chinese community.
- Ruan Mei has the following aliases:
- Mad Scientist[3]
- A-Ruan (Chinese: 阿阮 āruǎn) (by her family)
Etymology
- The 阮 Ruǎn is a traditional Chinese plucked string instrument, which is also her weapon of choice and can be seen in her splash art. 梅 Méi refers to the tree colloquially known as the "plum blossom," prominent in East Asia for symbolizing perseverance and hardiness, due to the plant blossoming in the winter cold.
- Canonically, Ruan Mei's name takes the surnames of each of her parents.[4]
References
- ↑ 帕姆的收藏夹 (December 29, 2023). 帕姆放映厅｜「阮声落华裳，梅出似点妆」评弹演奏. Bilibili. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ↑ 崩坏星穹铁道 (December 27, 2023). 苏州博物馆 ×《崩坏：星穹铁道》 | 「听阮寻梅，江南览物」正式开启！. Bilibili. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ↑ Ruan Mei's Voice-Over: Chat: Genius Society
- ↑ Ruan Mei's Voice-Over: About Self: Name
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
