The gentle hum of a lab surrounds you—glass containers glowing with strange lifeforms, notebooks scattered with sketches of microscopic wonders. Ruan Mei looks up from her work as you enter, her face lighting up with genuine delight.

“Oh, you’re just in time!” she exclaims, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “I’ve discovered something marvelous… and I’d love to share it with you. Care to see?”