As the second miracle created by the Stellar Differential Engine, Zhenzhu's thought processes surpassed those of the vast majority of mechanical intelligences by far.
Even so, she still could not understand Jiang Ling's train of thought.
What did he mean, asking him to keep an eye on another project was the same thing as turning him into a corporate spy?
That mental leap was a little too wild, wasn't it?
It was true that the company had done similar things plenty of times before, but...
that genuinely was not what she meant here.
All she wanted was a portion of the Simulated Universe's data. On the one hand, it could be used to fill gaps in the company's database; on the other, it would help them assess the project's future investment value.
The Strategic Investment Department had paid a steep price to support Herta, so to the Ten Stonehearts, the project's returns and long-term value were extremely important.
But there was no way they could actually assign one of the Ten Stonehearts themselves to stay involved in such a long-term project. Every one of them had their own performance targets and responsibilities.
So after layer upon layer of selection and delegation, the task had naturally fallen to Jiang Ling, a promising young researcher who was both outstanding and hardworking.
At least, according to Zhenzhu's analysis, Jiang Ling was absolutely loyal to the company.
A talented researcher the company had invested in since childhood was far more reliable than those so-called "scholars" of the Intelligentsia Guild.
And since he already had a project requiring cooperation with Herta, earning her trust should not have been difficult.
Thinking of this, Zhenzhu gave a small nod. Her beautiful violet eyes refocused on Jiang Ling as she explained softly,
"I do not intend to turn you into a corporate spy. Rather, I hope that through this cooperation with Lady Herta, you can represent the company in establishing a deeper strategic partnership with her."
"The Strategic Investment Department has invested substantial resources into Lady Herta's Simulated Universe project. For various reasons, we cannot monitor its progress at all times, so..."
She paused slightly, a faint smile rising at the corners of her lips.
"...the Strategic Investment Department hopes you can shoulder that responsibility. And once the Simulated Universe project officially begins operating, you will receive a generous reward."
"A reward..."
Jiang Ling murmured the words under his breath. After a brief moment of consideration, he nodded solemnly.
"Please rest assured, Lady Zhenzhu. If all goes smoothly... I will do my utmost to accomplish the task you've entrusted to me."
"Good. Thank you for your hard work. Here is my contact information. If you need any assistance, just let me know."
Looking at the young man before her, so serious and earnest, Zhenzhu smiled and nodded. After exchanging contact information with Jiang Ling, she turned and left.
And yet...
At that moment, Zhenzhu could never have imagined that in the near future, this "absolutely loyal researcher" would one day say something so astonishing to her during a routine conversation that it would leave her speechless.
"Reporting in, Lady Zhenzhu: still no commercial oversight today. I remain hopelessly bewitched by Lady Herta and completely unable to find my bearings!"
Of course, for Jiang Ling as he was now, those things that would only happen after he jumped ship were not important. Neither was the task Zhenzhu had assigned him.
What mattered was figuring out one thing—
"I haven't even filed my business trip report yet, so why has my trip to the space station already been added to my to-do list?!"
Looking at the stream of message notifications popping up on his phone, Jiang Ling could not help twitching at the corner of his mouth.
He truly could not understand it. He was supposed to be the one pulling the "act first, report later" move—so why had it been done to him instead?
"Ugh, whatever. Maybe Lady Zhenzhu made the call on her own so she could come talk to me in person..."
Jiang Ling let out a silent sigh, then began packing at speed, preparing to board a ship for Herta Space Station.
Abrupt as it was, whether it was for his future or for the next stage of Persona Extraction, everything would only truly be decided once he arrived at Herta Space Station.
There was, however, one thing he had guessed wrong.
The "business trip report" arranging his departure was not Zhenzhu's doing.
It was his own.
...
With the help of the temporarily elevated authority granted by his P40 rank, Jiang Ling boarded the ship without difficulty and arrived at Herta Space Station at dawn.
He was now standing inside the elevator leading toward the Supply Zone, carefully reviewing everything that had happened during Persona Extraction and preparing for the negotiation to come.
Under normal circumstances, the first person he ought to see would be either Asta or a staff member assigned to receive guests, so there was no need to be overly nervous.
Besides...
he still had his Persona Card, his greatest cheat of all.
A fifty percent increase in negotiation success rate—so long as he did not follow that absurd route he had taken in Persona Extraction, he had every confidence he could persuade Herta and secure her cooperation.
Ding—
The instant that thought settled, a crisp tone rang out by Jiang Ling's ear, and the elevator, which had been rising rapidly, came to a smooth halt.
The heavy metal doors slid silently open to either side, and a perfectly polite professional smile appeared on Jiang Ling's face.
But the moment he saw the figure standing outside the elevator to greet him...
that smile froze completely.
Looking at the cool, beautiful woman before him—wearing an oversized witch's hat and dressed like some magical girl—Jiang Ling's brain shut down on the spot.
Why was the one here to receive him the real Herta herself???
This was completely different from what had been promised!
Could it be...
that Zhenzhu's meddling with his itinerary had caused this change?
After all, in Persona Extraction, he had submitted the request under his own name and come to the station specifically to meet Herta. The Strategic Investment Department had had nothing to do with it from beginning to end.
As for why Herta was here...
had she seen through the intentions of the Ten Stonehearts ahead of time, and decided to personally meet this man who was planning to become a "corporate spy"?
No!
If Herta really labeled him a corporate spy, not only would he fail to complete the task Zhenzhu had given him, he would probably also lose any chance of transferring to the space station.
He needed to think of something fast...
But Herta, of course, had no idea what was going through Jiang Ling's mind at that moment.
Seeing the dumbfounded look on his face, the corners of her lips curved upward slightly, as though she found his shock highly satisfying.
Before you saw me in person, I could overlook you calling me an "old woman pretending to be young."
But now that you've seen what I really look like, what ought you call me?
"Mommy..."
"?"
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