The behavior of the people in the space station completely disrupted Asta's plan.
It wasn't their fault, though. After all, even though Asta was the station's director, she never acted like a spoiled child from a wealthy family. She managed the station efficiently while getting along well with everyone.
When she first became the director, the original staff had arranged a luxurious private room for her. However, the young lady refused to stay in it because she felt it was "too far from everyone else."
She was kind to everyone, and as Aran had mentioned earlier, she always felt happy after her video calls with Bai Yu and would reward everyone with bonuses. This made the staff understand her well.
Bai Yu's personal visit naturally caused a stir among the staff. Some were eager to please, while others wanted bonuses, leading to the commotion.
After finally sending the staff away, who were still shouting, "Be happy, Director!" as they left, Asta abandoned her plan to give Bai Yu a tour of the station.
"Darn it! I must have been too nice to them! I need to straighten out the atmosphere in the station!"
She stamped her feet in embarrassment, her face blushing. She tried to hide her shyness and awkwardness with a seemingly angry expression.
Gathering her courage, she looked back at Bai Yu, but then she heard him ask in a hushed voice, "You actually give them bonuses after every call with me?"
Oh no! He heard that!
Yes, Bai Ge was incredibly powerful; it was no surprise he heard Aran whispering to her earlier.
Asta sadly let out a cute whine, changing the subject. "That, Bai Ge, aren't you supposed to help Hei Ta test the simulated universe? Let's go!"
"So hasty? I was thinking about exploring your place, hoping you prepared some surprises for me."
Surprises...
Thinking about the gifts piling up in her bedroom, and the even more gifts being shipped by interstellar courier, Asta awkwardly pulled at her lips and chuckled. "There will be surprising gifts, but you can't have them now. I need to... yes, I need to prepare!"
At least she needed to tidy up her room!
Seeing that she was getting flustered, Bai Yu turned his head towards Hei Ta, who had been watching the drama unfold. He lifted his chin. "Let's go, Hei Ta. I can't wait to see the simulated universe."
The doll raised her head, her expressionless face spitting out a string of nonsensical words. "I believe this is unimportant. More importantly, I once said that I know you're in a hurry, but don't rush. Therefore, we need to carefully examine this issue: the so-called can't wait to see the simulated universe—"
"...When did you go offline and switch to auto-response mode?" Bai Yu asked with a black line on his forehead.
"Whew...!" Her slightly dull expression suddenly became lively. Hei Ta, whose consciousness had returned, patted her cheeks and snorted. "I transferred my consciousness to another doll's body to make final adjustments to the simulated universe. After all, I thought you would be dragged to your room by Asta—"
"Hei Ta!!! I won't pay your expenses for the next quarter! No, for the entire next Amber Era!"
The wallet issue was a big deal, so Hei Ta instantly changed her expression, using a robotic voice, as if she was trying to coax a child. "Oh, let's talk about the simulated universe, shall we?"
"I'm also interested in testing the simulated universe developed by the renowned Hei Ta. May I participate?"
Fu Xuan chimed in from the side.
She still wasn't comfortable with Bai Yu entering the simulated universe alone.
"No problem!" Hei Ta shrugged. "Asta, you take them."
"Huh? Isn't Hei Ta coming with us?" Su Shang looked confusedly at Hei Ta, who was staying put.
Hei Ta once again returned to her poker face. "I believe this is unimportant. More importantly, Zandal once said..."
"Don't look at her." Bai Yu beckoned Su Shang. "Hei Ta is in the station... or rather, she has dolls in many places. Now, her consciousness has switched to the place we're going. The Hei Ta in front of you is now in auto-response mode."
"Wow!"
Su Shang widened her clear, watery eyes and approached the Hei Ta doll, extending a finger.
Poke, poke.
Seeing Hei Ta's doll getting poked but showing no reaction, only staring blankly at Su Shang, Bai Yu stroked his chin and narrowed his eyes.
Perhaps... this doll... isn't bad... crap, I mean, it would be fun to tease her a little, wouldn't it?
Maybe I'll draw a sweating emoji as her profile picture?
Suddenly, Bai Yu felt a sharp gaze piercing his back. He turned his head and saw Fu Xuan staring at him.
"Xiao Bai, I suspect—"
"It's an illusion!"
"I haven't said anything yet!"
"No matter what you're going to say, A-Fu, it's an illusion!"
"Heh...!" Fu Xuan glared at Bai Yu and muttered to herself.
Bai Yu had managed to coax her, with sweet talk and deceit, into believing that her exquisitely trained, silky white legs and delicate feet were merely imagining her suspicion. This guy was definitely thinking something inappropriate!
Hei Ta's office wasn't far from the station's main control section, and the space inside was larger than imagined. However, the layout didn't exactly scream "office."
After all, what kind of office has no desks, chairs, or tables? There wasn't even a place to sit.
Bai Yu's complaint made Hei Ta, who had already transferred her consciousness to the doll here, click her tongue. "Dolls don't need those weird things."
"Those words coming from someone who installed taste buds into their own body don't hold much weight, do they?"
"Xiao Bai..." Hei Ta stared at Bai Yu with a straight gaze, muttering for a while. "You're a... a... a..."
"A what (annoyed)!?"
"A nuisance!"
"Indeed." Fu Xuan, with her arms crossed, nodded in agreement. "Xiao Bai often makes me grind my teeth in frustration."
"But I think Xiao Bai is great!" Su Shang argued for him.
This time, even Asta, with her tendency towards romantic ideas, looked at Su Shang with pity...
She could be easily manipulated into having a dozen children!