Upon learning that 882 was about to visit, Bai Luan felt a rare sense of relief.
This meant he had another excellent reason to temporarily extricate himself from the scalp-numbing academic exchanges with those geniuses.
After all, hosting friends who had traveled a long distance was the Station Master's inescapable responsibility.
Don't ask why Bai Luan suddenly valued the position of Station Master so much now.
882 arrived at the Space Station, and before Bai Luan could greet it, it was already surrounded by people.
Unsurprisingly, it was that group of mech enthusiasts again.
Of course, compared to their usual gawking at Xiu, the mech enthusiasts' behavior around 882 was a bit more gentlemanly.
They still had some sense of propriety.
The mech enthusiasts held 882 in very high regard.
After all, 882 almost perfectly matched all their fantasies for a significant other; it was practically a mechanical saintess designed specifically for mech enthusiasts.
Could such a perfect being truly exist in the world?
A body design that balanced aesthetics and practicality, a slender yet graceful figure… "If it really put power into that kick, I feel like it could send me straight to the medical department… So impressive…"
"This design… it's incredible! So powerful and robust!"
"Station Master! We support you, we revere you!"
Bai Luan saw the surrounded 882 from afar.
He waved at 882.
"882~"
882 heard Bai Luan's voice, stood on its tiptoes, and looked towards Bai Luan.
"I'm here! I'm here!"
It first politely nodded to the surrounding crowd, saying "Excuse me," then with just the right amount of force, skillfully parted the crowd and jogged towards Bai Luan.
Its alloy soles tapped on the Space Station's clean floor, making a crisp, rhythmic "tap-tap" sound, like a cheerful mechanical waltz.
In the blink of an eye, it stood steadily before Bai Luan.
"Long time no see!"
No sooner had it spoken than it tilted its head slightly, falling into a brief computational pause.
"In this kind of situation… what should I say…"
After a brief search, 882 looked up, and with an incredibly serious expression and clear diction, it said:
"Inspiration Shroom~"
Caught off guard, Bai Luan first couldn't help but laugh, then retorted:
"That doesn't sound like a greeting, does it?"
"Really?"
882's tone carried a hint of confusion.
"But I've observed that saying this to the Staff of the Space Station works very well; they all laugh when I say it… although on the flight here, when I said 'Inspiration Shroom,' they all looked very confused…"
"…"
How was he supposed to tell 882 that the reaction of the people on the flight was the normal reaction?
But 882 quickly found an explanation for this situation itself.
"I remember Xiu seemed to have mentioned this kind of situation… I think it's called…"
882 recalled for a moment then said:
"Cultural differences."
Bai Luan opened his mouth, his language system malfunctioning for a moment.
There were too many things to complain about; he didn't know where to start.
The most ironic part was that from 882's perspective, there was absolutely no problem at all.
"Do you say Inspiration Shroom to everyone you meet now?"
"Yes."
882 nodded.
After seeing 882 nod, Bai Luan confirmed one thing.
This world had begun to be gradually invaded by Inspiration Shroom.
One day, everyone would be obsessed with Inspiration Shroom.
Just then, 882 said in a cheerful tone:
"Now on Beta Star, whenever you don't know what to say, you can just say 'Inspiration Shroom,' it's very useful."
What was this?
Beta Star's version of "Holy crap"?
How did things develop to this point, step by step?
"What will Beta Star eventually become…"
"Speaking of that, Beta Star is much better now than before!"
"Really?"
882 nodded and said:
"This is thanks to the Interstellar Prospector project, which attracted many people to Beta Star to help us with work.
Although there were many problems at first, 756 and 343 were always complaining during that period."
882 began counting on its fingers, listing the various things 756 and 343 complained about as if they were precious possessions:
"Things like currency planning, establishing recycling stations, resolving tourist conflicts, maintaining order, establishing reasonable enforcement agencies… so many things, 756 often said its processor was about to burn out, but I think it was exaggerating; I only saw smoke coming out of its processor."
Smoking is also not good… "So, what happened in the end?"
"After a lot of effort, everything was resolved, and now it's on the right track, that's what they told me."
As it said this, 882 suddenly paused.
"No, no, Xiu told me not to talk about these things during vacation; let's stop this topic here. Most of what Xiu tells me is correct."
"So, Xiu is quite authoritative on Beta Star?"
"Yes, it knows so many things. Before I came, it told me that I would definitely be surrounded when I arrived at the Space Station."
882 switched back to a cheerful tone, sharing its observations.
"Before I set off, I was still a bit skeptical, but after I arrived, I really was surrounded by everyone. The people of the Space Station are truly passionate."
I wonder what kind of mood Xiu was in when it told 882 that it would definitely be surrounded by mech enthusiasts at the Space Station.
Hmm… but Bai Luan could also understand those mech enthusiasts. If it were his past self and he knew a living mech girl was coming, he would want to see her even if it killed him.
Furthermore, 882's appearance was personally designed by him, absolutely conforming to popular aesthetics.
On this point, Bai Luan was very confident.
"882, do you have any ideas about what you want to do at the Space Station?"
882 put its hands on its hips, saying with a strange sense of pride:
"I haven't thought about it at all!"
"Is that something to be happy about?"
"756 told me."
882 earnestly relayed its companion's "teachings."
"During vacation, you should clear your task queue and maintain this… hmm… 'empty-headed' standby state. Whatever you think of, you load and execute. It said this is called — 'freedom'."
882 paused slightly, seemingly savoring that state.
"Hmm… although I can't fully understand it, this feeling of 'freedom' is indeed quite nice."
Damn it, Bai Luan was a little envious.
Ever since the geniuses came to the Space Station, his study pressure had doubled.
Who understands the pain of studying intensely for two months in the Little Black Room just to understand one sentence from Ruan Mei, only to not understand Ruan Mei's very next sentence?
How nice, I also want to clear my mind and not think about anything… Oh, no, no, I can't bring the stress of work to 882, who is here to have fun.
Bai Luan shook his head, shaking off the negative thoughts in his mind.
Let me think, what's fun on the Space Station… Besides a bunch of strange artifacts, there really doesn't seem to be anything fun on the Space Station… What should I take 882 to do?
It didn't prepare any plans itself, so if he asked it what it wanted to do, he would probably only get a self-righteous "I don't know."
For a moment, Bai Luan felt a headache, then his gaze fell upon 882.
Its tall figure, like a ballet dancer, then Bai Luan looked at its slender legs.
Steel-like knees… He could have it perform some Russian tap dance for the Star Network audience.
Aha! I've got it!
Since taking Inspiration Shroom to Beta Star last time helped the sapient machines there unlock singing as entertainment, this time he would let 882 unlock dancing.
"882, are you interested in making videos?"
"Making videos? Is it fun?"
"It should be quite fun. Just a moment, 882, I'll upload some action modules for you…"
…