Olivia felt that Lars had changed completely since he returned last time.
Before, although Lars was serious during assessments, he was keen on slacking off during non-assessment periods.
Only assessments could motivate him; in his usual daily work, he always looked lazy.
But ever since his last experience, where he tried his best within the time limit but still couldn't complete the project, and then went to talk with the Station Master and returned, he had completely changed.
It was as if he had found a goal to strive for, and he would even put in effort during his usual routine.
Olivia could clearly feel that with the Station Master's help, Lars was visibly becoming more outstanding.
As expected of the Station Master! To think that just one conversation could bring about such a huge change in a Staff Member who loved to slack off!
Lars's change also had a positive impact on Olivia, because she could consult him, which significantly improved her own abilities.
Of course, this wasn't free; it required compensation.
And the compensation Lars demanded was very peculiar: every time Olivia consulted him, the two of them had to slack off together once.
When Olivia heard Lars ask for this compensation, she felt completely relieved.
At that moment, Olivia had only one thought.
This is something he would do.
But besides all that, Olivia also felt a strange sense of reassurance.
Even if the other party became better and more outstanding, at his core, he was still the familiar Lars who loved to slack off, the familiar slacking data analyst.
Hmm... it seems there's nothing wrong with agreeing.
While things were steadily improving for Lars, Bai Luan was not having such a pleasant time.
Initially, Bai Luan took Lars in simply because he wanted a Staff Member to experience overtime with him.
But now... things were a bit off.
During his last conversation with Lars, Bai Luan said that if he didn't understand anything, he should come and ask him, and he would teach him.
Bai Luan did say that, yes.
But Bai Luan never expected that this kid would come so frequently.
Every day, he would consistently appear beside him with all sorts of different questions.
Asking questions was fine, actually, it was no big deal; none of them were difficult, and he solved them effortlessly.
But the problem was that while these questions weren't difficult for him, making Lars understand his explanations was a challenge.
Often, Bai Luan would ramble on, and as Lars listened, his eyes would gradually clear.
Then, after Bai Luan finished speaking and asked Lars if he understood, Lars would just give an embarrassed smile, like that internet celebrity scholar.
How can I teach him?
Bai Luan put on a mask of agony and frantically scratched his head.
Folks.
I've really been scammed.
This thick-browed, big-eyed Lars, who usually seemed to love slacking off so much, who would have thought he was actually a workaholic?
What's the difference between this and finding myself another job... Bai Luan didn't dislike teaching Lars, it's just that this kid came to ask too many times.
To figure out how to deal with Lars, Bai Luan decided to consult an experienced person.
He went to ask Herta in the Little Black Room.
After all, a long, long time ago, he, just like Lars was now asking him, used to pester Herta with questions.
He needed to ask her for advice on how she had taught him back then.
"Ms. Herta."
"What is it?"
"How did you teach me back then?"
"Why are you suddenly asking this?"
Bai Luan briefly explained to Herta.
Herta listened, then chuckled lightly, saying in a teasing tone:
"You always say you're busy, but then you look back and realize most of the work you do is self-imposed."
"..."
Bai Luan opened his mouth, wanting to retort, but on second thought, it seemed to be true.
This isn't what I want... "this genius's experience won't be useful for you; you're much smarter than him. If I were to handle it in this genius's style..."
Herta thought for a moment and said:
"I'd tell him that this genius is very busy and to go play somewhere else."
Alright, it seems in the end, I still have to figure it out myself.
However, what Herta said also sparked a bit of curiosity in Bai Luan.
"Why did Ms. Herta patiently teach me little by little back then?"
"Back then?"
Herta recalled briefly and said:
"Initially, this genius just felt that there were things here that interested her, and she would casually guide you a bit, and then watching you struggle to understand was quite entertaining."
Hmm... that's highly similar to his own reason for teaching Lars.
Now he knew who he was like.
"But later, the reason changed."
"Oh? What did it change to?"
"I discovered I liked you, so that became the reason I taught you later."
Bai Luan was stunned.
By the time he realized what Herta had said, it was too late.
He tried to keep a straight face, but found he couldn't.
His face flushed much faster than expected; he had no chance to keep it composed.
One sentence completely flustered him.
Bai Luan gave Herta a slightly displeased look, then rubbed his face with both hands, took a deep breath, and controlled his facial expression.
Then, with a hint of resentment, he looked at Herta and said:
"Ms. Herta, you can't always hide your ultimate moves in your basic attacks when you speak; I can't take it..."
If this continued, wouldn't he be super-broken by Ms. Herta every day?
"It's something we both know, yet you're still so easily embarrassed. When you declared to the entire universe, 'Everyone, I like Ms. Herta,' weren't you very..."
"Please, Ms. Herta, just for my sake..."
Bai Luan's voice carried a hint of pleading.
"Don't say any more, let me recover; I can't take it..."
"You haven't made much progress."
Damn it, can't refute that.
『This situation can be summed up in one sentence: Character: Bai Luan, Weakness: Herta. Who says Herta can't form a break team?』
Even team composition analysis is here.
Wait, don't tell me you're going to write this in your thesis too.
『Of course!』
You're really not afraid of delaying your graduation, kid.
『It's fine, my advisor loves to read it』
『She's counting on reading these to alleviate the pain of grading my thesis』
You should pay your advisor for emotional distress.
『→_→』
『She said that too』
Hearing this, Bai Luan showed a very scornful smile.
"..."
『What do you mean my graduation thesis is mocking myself for being garbage?』
This line from the system completely broke Bai Luan; he could already imagine the look of horror on the system advisor's face when she read the content of his thesis later.
"Speaking of which, how far have you and I progressed?"
"Uh..."
Herta asking about his and Herta's romantic progress felt a bit strange.
Bai Luan thought for a moment, then said:
"I guess you could say it's steadily improving."
"So, still the same old, same old?"
Bai Luan nodded.
Then he saw a hint of disdain in Herta's eyes.
Of course, this disdain wasn't directed at Bai Luan, but at the Herta in reality.
He's already confessed to the entire universe, and you still haven't shown any reaction?
You're taking advantage of being liked, aren't you?
His liking Herta was something I orchestrated; you wouldn't think you're still in control, would you?
Punishment must be given.
I'm going to strip Bai Luan out of his Innocence before you.
Herta looked at Bai Luan, her gaze a bit more aggressive than usual.
Bai Luan felt a sense of unease from her look.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I'm going to give you special training to help you improve your Herta resistance."
"Why?"
"Because if I don't do this, a certain someone outside won't know to hurry up."
After saying that,
Herta looked at Bai Luan again.
"But this genius also doesn't deny that she wants to do this anyway."
After the graduation thesis mocked the thesis author, now there's Herta sharply critiquing Herta.
This world is truly amazing.
"Alright, but improving Herta resistance... how do you plan to do that?"
"Very simple. From now on, you'll come to the Little Black Room every day, and then..."
Herta walked towards Bai Luan with a smile.
"Let's be affectionate like a normal couple~"
"Wait... you said to let me recover first?!"