[Check Out My P4treon For +30 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! And get chapters before publishing them here for free on my p4treon][https://p4treon.com/talkfictome]
===
The shrewd Wen Mingde immediately grasped Herta's hidden intent. This promotion was a strategic move to give Hiroshi a legitimate status on the Space Station, shielding him from further "accidents."
It was clear now that Hiroshi was anything but ordinary if he was being personally vouched for by Madam Herta. Wen Mingde wiped a bead of sweat from his brow, feeling a wave of relief. If Herta ever found out he was the one who had sent her favorite "little thing" into a containment bay with a shapeshifter, his career wouldn't just be over—it would be deleted.
"Madam Herta, you are absolutely right!" Wen Mingde announced, his voice booming with forced conviction. "Given Hiroshi's instrumental role in station safety today, appointing him as the Deputy Section Chief of the Department of Applications is the only logical path forward!"
Herta gave a sharp, satisfied nod, the matter settled.
The Reception Center Plaza
Word of Ruan Mei's arrival had turned the station into a beehive of activity. Staff from every department, including Asta and Herta herself, gathered at the plaza. They stood in rigid formations, adjusting their collars and smoothing their uniforms, terrified that even a minor lapse in etiquette might offend a genius of Ruan Mei's stature.
The massive main gates groaned open, revealing a figure of serene, detached elegance.
Ruan Mei walked with a quiet grace, her dark, silky hair pinned back with a few stray strands framing her porcelain face. Her eyes, cool and gem-like, held no trace of emotion as she scanned the room. Dressed in a dark green slit qipao that accentuated her poise, she moved with an ethereal charm that left the onlookers breathless.
"Welcome, Madam Ruan Mei!" the staff harmonized in a synchronized roar.
Ruan Mei didn't so much as glance at them; she had a natural distaste for noise. She walked straight through the crowd toward Herta, who stood waiting with one hand on her hip, leaning casually on her staff. A rare, charming smile touched Ruan Mei's lips—a warmth she reserved only for her peers.
"It has been too long, Herta," Ruan Mei whispered as she drew close, her voice a soft murmur against her friend's ear. "You look... different. Your biological markers have undergone a fascinating shift."
As an expert in life sciences, Ruan Mei didn't need a scanner to see the truth. She could sense the heightened vitality humming through Herta's form.
"Cough... I've simply made new progress with my rejuvenation techniques," Herta replied quickly, her eyes darting away. "More importantly, was your journey through the stars uneventful?"
Ruan Mei noted the deflection immediately. Normally, Herta would be gloating about such a breakthrough. To see her hide it was a massive red flag. She's hiding the source, Ruan Mei thought, her suspicion deepening.
"The journey was fine," Ruan Mei replied smoothly, following the change of subject.
Then, she felt it—a strange, magnetic pull. Her gaze drifted past Herta and locked onto a young man standing at the very back of the assembly. Even among the hundreds of staff members, Hiroshi was incredibly conspicuous. His perfect features and clear, watery eyes seemed to capture the very light in the room.
"Oh?" Ruan Mei murmured.
She began to walk toward him, her interest piqued. Just standing near him felt pleasant, a sensation that defied her usual clinical detachment. He was a mystery wrapped in a very handsome package—and to Ruan Mei, mysteries were meant to be dissected.
"Alright, Ruan Mei, let's get to the lab," Herta barked, stepping firmly into Ruan Mei's path. She used her own exquisite figure to shield Hiroshi, acting like a mother hen protecting a favorite chick.
Herta knew her friend's nature all too well. To Ruan Mei, life was a series of experiments, and she rarely cared for the welfare of the subject. If Hiroshi ended up on Ruan Mei's radar, his life would become a very organized nightmare.
"Hmm?" Ruan Mei paused, looking at Herta's defensive posture with an amused glint in her eyes.
The cold, arrogant Madam Herta was actually protecting a "little thing"? It was almost scandalous. So, he's your little secret, Ruan Mei thought. As expected of you, Herta.
"Very well," Ruan Mei said, her voice dripping with hidden amusement. "Let us go inside and have a long talk... about the 'universe'."
The Announcement
Once the two Geniuses had vanished into the inner sanctum, Wen Mingde stepped onto the podium, clearing his throat to address the lingering crowd.
"Attention, everyone! By order of Madam Herta, I am officially announcing a change in leadership. As of this moment, Hiroshi is the new Deputy Section Chief of the Department of Applications. Everyone, welcome him!"
The plaza erupted into a chaos of whispers and indignant shouts.
"What?! A janitor?" a senior staffer cried out, his face twisting in rage. "I've spent half my life in this department, and he gets a management seat for... what? Cleaning floors?"
"Quiet!" Wen Mingde snapped, slamming his hand on the lectern. "This was Madam Herta's personal directive. If any of you feel your 'qualifications' outweigh her judgment, feel free to file a formal complaint with her. Personally."
The room went cold. The protesters' faces contorted into a grotesque cocktail of envy and terror. No one argued with the puppet-master of the station.
"Why him?" one researcher hissed, his eyes burning with jealousy as he watched Hiroshi. "What does he have that we don't? There must be some... 'unspoken rules' involved."
"If that's what it takes to get promoted," another whispered, her gaze lingering on Hiroshi with a mix of resentment and attraction, "I'd drink the Madam's tea and her foot-water without a second thought. Why wasn't it me?"
Hiroshi stood in the center of the storm, realizing that while he was no longer a "serf," his new life in the management of the Herta Space Station was going to be anything but peaceful.
===
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 15 on my patreon, go check it out
exclusive 18+ character images, and early chapters, please visit my Patreon. Thanks for your support!
p4treon.com/talkfictome
if you want more updates == supports with power stones
Power Stones == Bonus Chapter
every three 5-star reviews == Bonus Chapter