If you've never seen the most sorrowful person in the world, then look at Bai Luan now.
Ever since he sent the Herta Space Station design blueprints to Herta last time, reigniting her interest in him, the various traps he had laid earlier began to detonate one after another.
Herta first discovered that the delicious meals she had enjoyed before were made by Bai Luan, and then she found that the coffee he brewed was also excellent.
After that, she discovered Bai Luan's three accounts.
With each discovery, Herta's interest in Bai Luan grew by another notch.
How could this person become more interesting the more she investigated him?
Evidently, as Herta's investigation progressed, the delicate balance Bai Luan had maintained—appearing talented enough not to be kicked out by Herta, yet not so talented as to be burdened with impossible tasks—was slowly being breached, now sliding towards the worst possible outcome.
If this continued, his perceived potential in Herta's eyes would constantly be raised. What would he do if, one day, Herta considered him a genius of her own caliber and casually assigned him incredibly difficult projects?
What if she truly believed he was a genius?
Bai Luan stayed up all night, hiding all the Curios in his room.
He absolutely couldn't let Herta discover them.
If Herta were to find out that he also had the ability to casually create Curios, he feared he would be living a life where Herta would utter a single word, and he would be running himself ragged.
He hoped Herta's interest in him would gradually fade with time until he could slip away to the Astral Express.
Bai Luan prayed this in his room.
Contrary to his wishes, Bai Luan's phone vibrated twice.
A bad premonition washed over him.
Herta: I've finished reviewing the blueprints.
Herta: While there are still many areas that need optimization, for an average person, it's quite good.
Herta: It seems I might have underestimated you before.
Herta: [Location]
Herta: Come here, I have new tasks for you.
Was it another troublesome job?
Bai Luan sighed, looking at the messages on his phone. For a moment, the thought of abandoning everything here and running away crossed his mind.
But then he reconsidered. If he ran away now, while Herta's interest in him was so strong, wouldn't he likely be caught and brought back before long?
It seemed he needed to be extra careful from now on.
Boarding the train would have to be a long-term plan.
Bai Luan: I'm on my way.
A short while later, Bai Luan arrived at the designated location.
"You're here?"
Bai Luan nodded.
"What do you need me for? Let me state beforehand, everything I'm capable of doing is pretty much on that blueprint. Anything else is beyond my scope."
"It seems my genius Ideas was correct; this indeed achieves twice the result with half the effort."
Facing Herta's words, Bai Luan offered a wry smile.
"Don't worry, this isn't a strenuous task. It's just to get you involved in this project. All you need to do is show up daily and make sure they don't stray from the path."
A supervisor?
This was indeed easier than designing; at least it wouldn't require too many brain cells.
However…
"Ms. Herta, is it really appropriate for you to parachute me in like this?"
"Your contribution alone is greater than all of theirs combined. What could they possibly object to?"
Bai Luan's mouth twitched.
This would only make him more easily ostracized!
It's not uncommon for illustrators and modelers to get into fights, let alone the much more complex construction of a Space Station.
"Ms. Herta, honestly, I've already written that blueprint in sufficient detail…"
When he completed the blueprint in the Little Black Room, Herta from the Little Black Room sharply commented that if one couldn't understand it even then, they should just find a block of tofu and bash their head in.
While a genius cannot be lumped in with ordinary people, it still held some reference value.
"They already have that blueprint. Even if I'm not there, they should be able to complete the work, right?"
"If I tell you to go, you go. My genius won't let you suffer."
"…I can go, but Ms. Herta needs to give me an authoritative identity. I must ensure my own safety."
"Alright. If anyone asks who you are, just say you're my assistant. No one will dare question you then."
Ms. Herta's assistant?
That was indeed quite authoritative.
"In that case, there are no more issues. Oh, right, Ms. Herta, what stage is the project at now?"
"It hasn't started yet."
So, besides the blueprint he made, nothing else had begun?
Bai Luan's eyes turned into dead fish eyes at that moment, and a strong aura of wanting to slack off emanated from him.
Creating a new folder, huh?
Funding, construction team, site selection…
None of these troublesome things have been done, have they?
If he had taken on a project like this in his previous life, he probably would have run off that same day.
But this time, his boss wasn't some unreliable amateur, but Herta, so Bai Luan wasn't panicking at all.
The reason he was exuding an aura of wanting to slack off now was mainly because he realized he hadn't needed to rush so much before.
Now that he had submitted the blueprint so early, all he got was Herta's renewed admiration, which might lead to his pleasant and comfortable life being tainted by the possibility of overtime and increased pressure, and nothing else.
Ah… thinking about it like this is so depressing…
Anyway, the invincible Ms. Herta would find a way to solve everything. He had already done his best, and he could at least get a gold medal for assistance on this project. If the project ran into problems, it wouldn't be his turn to take the blame.
"Is Ms. Herta planning to discuss cooperation with the Interstellar Peace Company?"
"That's right. Those guys have been bothering me for a long time. This is a good opportunity to get rid of them. Anyway, those suckers are willing to pay, and they have plenty of money."
Bai Luan remembered that the company originally wanted to use the Space Station as a good starting point to continue cooperating with Herta.
But unexpectedly, after the Space Station was built, Herta quickly lost interest in it and ran off after handing it over to Asta.
The company on their side didn't dare to say anything to Herta about it.
As a result, it was pretty much like getting a Space Station for free from Herta.
This kind of operation was too reliant on ability; if you weren't one of the only eighty-four geniuses in this universe, it wasn't recommended to imitate.
However, having these unfortunate souls made Bai Luan feel much better, and he couldn't help but show a hint of a smile.
Herta glanced at Bai Luan.
"In the future, what will be the outcome of this matter?"
"Everything will unfold exactly as you, Ms. Herta, have predicted. All I can say is, it's truly you, Ms. Herta."
"You've been talking in circles for ages, not a single useful word."
"You know, it's best to speak little of matters of fate.
However… there is one thing I can tell you: things will develop as you expect, but there will also be some unexpected gains."
After saying this, Bai Luan revealed a mysterious smile.
The unexpected gains Bai Luan mentioned naturally referred to Asta.
Of course, even a genius like Herta couldn't possibly understand the meaning of Bai Luan's riddle at this moment.
"Alright, stop showing off your ability in front of my genius self. If you can't speak clearly, it's better not to speak at all."
Bai Luan shrugged, no longer speaking in riddles.
"The project will officially begin in a few days. Get ready to head to the construction site at any time."
"Eh… do I have to go on a business trip? Can't I apply for online work? The Botanical Garden can't be without my care."
"Don't overestimate yourself. This place can operate normally without me, let alone you? I'll have the puppets take over your current work. Just prepare for the business trip."
It seemed this trip was unavoidable. His regular life, which he had maintained for three years, was about to see a change.
But it was fine; it was all temporary. Once the Herta Space Station launched into orbit, he could return to his routine.
"Oh, right, make me a cup of tea before you leave."
Bai Luan glanced at the tea set next to Herta.
Was it black tea this time?
Bai Luan picked up the tea set and skillfully brewed black tea, his movements practiced and elegant.
Before long, a fragrant cup of black tea was brewed. Bai Luan looked at his reflection in the cup.
His previous routine… he should be able to go back to it, right?
Bai Luan handed the cup of black tea to Herta, watching her drink it.
Hmm… probably.