Chapter 545: Night's Temptation (Part 1)
Diana's Recovery and New Appearance
Despite Luke's warning, Diana didn't immediately grasp the state of her body. Instead, she asked urgently,
"Where is this? How did I get here?"
Luke tapped his forehead.
"Think carefully. Recall what happened before."
Diana frowned. Images of the clones, the behemoths, and the world-destroying red light beam flashed in her mind. She shivered involuntarily, a look of fear crossing her eyes.
Luke, who had been observing her expression, smiled.
"No memory loss. The recovery is going well."
Diana pressed him. "How long was I unconscious?"
"Five days."
Luke cleared his throat and pointed to the room on her right.
"The bathroom is over there. You can clean up and put on some clothes."
Diana looked down. When she saw her prominent figure and body covered in brown fluid stains, her expression became extremely awkward. She immediately rushed into the bathroom.
Luke reluctantly averted his gaze. As expected of the Amazonian Warrior God. Large but not drooping, round but not lopsided. Truly magnificent.
Due to the long soak in the nutrient fluid, her cellular metabolism had accelerated, causing a large accumulation of dead keratinocytes on her skin's surface. Scrubbing hard, the dead skin sloughed off, revealing skin as tender and smooth as an eggshell.
This skin was completely different from her previous complexion.
Diana paused for a second, then walked to the mirror. Her familiar face was gone, replaced by a dry, sallow complexion, like a desert landscape crisscrossed with ravines.
She scrubbed harder, and the desert instantly turned into a watery oasis.
Diana picked up a loofah and scrubbed off all the dead skin. After washing, she returned to the mirror. An exquisite young woman of about eighteen or nineteen appeared—her face delicate and her complexion excellent.
"Is this... me?"
Diana stared for a long time before confirming that the short-haired, eyebrow-less girl in the mirror was herself.
"How could this happen!"
As an Amazonian warrior, her goal was to be strong and vigorous, not some Barbie doll.
With a mortified expression, Diana put on a bathrobe and returned to the lab.
Luke walked to the medicine cabinet, saying while mixing medication,
"You've recovered very well. You should be fully healed in two or three more days."
Diana lowered her gaze, staring intently at him.
"Have you been in the lab all this time?"
This question was seemingly an inquiry but was actually a challenge. She had been in a deep coma, soaking in a nutrient tank. Who knew what he had done?
Luke paused, then replied helplessly,
"Your injuries were severe. Every bone in your body was broken. Your internal organs were shattered, large areas of brain cells died, your heart showed signs of failure, and your skin was completely carbonized..." He didn't continue with the description.
"By modern medical standards, you were already dead. To save you, I had to use alien technology. Even so, your condition was dire for the first few days and only improved yesterday."
Diana remained silent, unsure whether to believe or doubt him. Eventually, she expressed her gratitude.
"In any case, thank you."
"You're welcome."
Luke picked up the prepared medication and placed it in front of her. "This is a hair growth supplement. It significantly boosts hair growth speed. Use it once in the morning and once at night. In four days at most, your hair and eyebrows will return to their original state. As for your skin, getting some sun will fix it."
Diana felt inexplicably relieved. She certainly didn't want to go out looking like this.
Luke continued,
"Your bracelets, lasso, tiara, and sword are in the cabinet by the door. As for your armor and shield... I'm sorry, they were destroyed. If you don't mind, I can build you new ones, but that's up to you to decide."
"Thank you for the offer. I'll consider it." She suddenly remembered something and quickly asked, "The clones, the behemoths, Lex Luthor—what happened to them?"
Luke glanced at the time. It was already seven in the evening.
"Let's chat while we eat."
A Nighttime Conversation
Dinner was exceptionally lavish, featuring Chinese, Japanese, French, and Italian cuisine, along with red wine, white spirits, sake, dessert wines, juices, and soft drinks. All kinds of international delicacies and beverages were available.
The aroma rushed over Diana, making her feel intensely hungry after five days without food.
Superheroes are notoriously big eaters, and Diana was no exception. Most of the food on the table disappeared into her stomach. During this time, Luke briefly described the subsequent events.
Hearing that Lex Luthor was still alive, Diana paused, asking with a serious expression,
"Where is his original body?"
"Uncertain. We've sent people to investigate."
Diana said solemnly, "That man is very dangerous, just like you."
Luke chuckled.
"It seems I have many things to prove!"
After dinner, the two moved to the window to drink and chat. It was December, and soft snow fell from the sky, coating the lake view in a magnificent silver sheen.
Diana gazed out the window in a trance, lost in thought.
Luke took a sip of red wine and suddenly asked,
"Have you heard of Themyscira?"
Diana's expression froze. She unconsciously replied,
"How do you know about Themyscira?"
"At the beginning of the year, due to an accident, I stumbled into an island surrounded by storms. The island was full of women, the legendary Amazonian tribe. To avoid trouble, I had to disguise myself as an Atlantean envoy. During my stay, I was warmly welcomed by Queen Hippolyta and General Antiope."
Diana could not hide her astonishment. "You went to Themyscira and met my mother! How is she..." Realizing her slip, she quickly stopped talking.
Luke poured her a glass of red wine, his eyes hinting at understanding.
"The moment I saw your armor, I had my suspicions. I was right. You are an Amazonian, the legendary Princess of Themyscira who was exiled from the island."
"I wasn't exiled. It was a mission."
Diana said seriously, "I had to leave Themyscira for a mission."
Luke shrugged.
"Your people don't think so. They all said that Her Highness the Princess left for a human soldier named Steve Trevor."
The air instantly fell quiet. Diana turned away, a deep look of sadness flashing in her eyes.
Luke awkwardly touched his nose.
"My apologies. I take back what I said. Don't let it bother you."
"It's fine. It's been decades. I've gotten used to it."
Luke raised his glass. "Time heals all wounds. I hope you find peace soon."
"Thank you."
Diana raised her glass and clinked it against his.
"My mother and Antiope—how are they? Have they run into any trouble?"
"Everything is normal. They are in excellent health."
Hearing this, Diana finally relaxed.
Luke glanced at her, asking with some hesitation,
"I've always been curious about something. I hope you won't be offended."
"It's fine. Ask away."
Hearing news of Themyscira had greatly lifted Diana's mood, and her perception of Luke had also improved significantly.
Luke cleared his throat, asking somewhat awkwardly,
"How do you Amazonian women reproduce?"
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