Topaz felt like she had almost been set up.
Jarilo had been out of contact with the universe for a long time, and the Company had thought that the civilization on it had already perished.
But now, Jarilo had re-established contact with the universe, and since the people were still alive, they had to repay their debts.
The task of assessing Jarilo's assets fell to her.
Topaz felt a pleasant surprise when she discovered that Jarilo possessed a resource like the subterranean vein.
She felt a bit of an unexpected surprise when she discovered the automated sentinels.
Then she discovered the technology Bai Luan had left for Svarog, and at this point, Topaz began to feel that something was slightly off.
Was this the kind of technology that should appear on a planet on the verge of extinction?
That didn't seem right, did it?
Topaz immediately became wary of this technology of unknown origin.
Although a colleague who had accompanied her suggested forcibly taking the technology, as it now seemed more valuable than all of Jarilo.
But Topaz did not succumb to the temptation; instead, she chose to consider carefully and began to investigate the source of this technology.
Actually, this wasn't difficult, because with Bronya's intentional publicity, almost everyone in Belobog knew that this technology was left behind by Bai Luan.
Then Topaz also found out that Bai Luan had repaired the engine of creation.
When she found the name Bai Luan, Topaz felt relieved.
Anyone with a certain standing in the Company knew this name; after all, he held three well-known accounts in the universe and was an incredibly important premium client of the Company.
Topaz secretly congratulated herself, glad that she hadn't tried to seize the technology left with Svarog.
And also glad that she hadn't reported it directly to the Company's higher-ups.
Otherwise, the Company's higher-ups would surely have made her go and seize it, and then if something went wrong, they would have shifted the blame onto her.
She really was almost set up.
Thankfully, she had been cautious, choosing to hold her ground first and thoroughly investigate the situation.
Otherwise, she would have been in big trouble.
However, discovering that Bai Luan was involved with Jarilo didn't bring only frights.
According to rumors the Company often spoke of, Bai Luan used to be very approachable a long time ago; a Company employee once acquired highly valuable technology from Bai Luan at a dirt-cheap price, thus rising to prominence overnight.
It was just a pity that later Bai Luan himself realized how valuable his technology was, and so he stopped selling it.
Although such rumors sounded like a power fantasy imagined by bored Company employees, and even many lower-level employees themselves believed this story was made up.
But Topaz, being in a high position, knew more than the lower-level employees.
She knew that this story of meeting a benefactor and then soaring to success... was true.
One has to admit, reality is sometimes more outlandish than fiction.
Aside from the fact that such an absurd thing was actually true, this rumor also proved one thing.
Bai Luan truly had opportunities around him.
And from his willingness to help the civilization on Jarilo, it seemed he was indeed very approachable.
The most dangerous part was over; now she just needed to see if Jarilo was Bai Luan's private property, or if he had merely passed by and lent a hand.
After all, he knew Stelle and could loosely be considered a Nameless; the latter was also possible.
Once the situation was clear, she would decide her next step.
If she could also make his acquaintance and expand her network while investigating, that would be even better.
With a hint of nervousness, Topaz met Bai Luan.
"Topaz, isn't it?"
Bai Luan smiled and extended his hand to Topaz.
"My name is Bai Luan. Stelle said you were looking for me?"
"Hello, Mr. Bai Luan."
Topaz politely shook Bai Luan's hand.
"Although I would very much like to interact with you as a friend, I am currently in a work state, and I hope you can understand."
"Understood."
Bai Luan was quite understanding about this.
After all, no one understood a working person better than him.
"Let's try to stick to work."
He was really very approachable.
Topaz secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"So, through our investigation, we've found that some of Jarilo's assets are under your name. May I ask what your relationship with Jarilo is?"
"I was just passing by."
Bai Luan spoke truthfully:
"I helped them out along the way, and as for the assets I acquired, that was an accident."
"So, Jarilo is not your private property?"
"It is not."
"Then regarding Jarilo's debt to us, you..."
"I will not interfere with this matter. After all, at that time, only the Company extended a helping hand to them, and this debt indeed helped them through their difficulties.
Debts must be repaid; it's only right. However, your interest rates should be normal. We are all respectable people; don't try to pull that kind of trick in front of me."
"Understood."
This sentence completely put Topaz at ease. Bai Luan not interfering directly was the best outcome, otherwise things would become troublesome.
If the Company didn't get what it wanted, it would always try to compensate from other places, but it was impossible to touch Ms. Herta, so, in the end, it would most likely come back to her.
"However..."
Bai Luan's next words made Topaz's heart race again.
"I personally am willing to vouch for the people of Jarilo as a member of the Genius Society #85, to prove that they have the ability to repay their debts."
"Eh?"
Topaz froze in place.
What had she just heard?
The Genius Society had a new member?
Bai Luan noticed Topaz's unusual reaction.
"What's wrong?"
Out of caution, Topaz spoke again to confirm:
"You are Genius Society #85?"
"What? Don't believe it? Should I have other members help me prove it?"
"You know other Genius Society members besides Ms. Herta?"
"Yes, I think we're... colleagues?"
Bai Luan's tone was a bit uncertain.
Was he being a bit too boastful by saying that?
If he had to say, it should be assistant.
Hmm... next time he introduced himself, he'd just say assistant.
"I understand."
Topaz took a deep breath, calming herself down.
The news that Bai Luan was a new member of the Genius Society, once reported back to the Company, would likely lead to her promotion.
As expected of the benefactor from the rumors.
This trip was truly worthwhile.
Topaz, full of Harvest, completely relaxed.
"Since that's the case, then I'm relieved. Regarding Jarilo's matters, I will handle them professionally.
Please rest assured, Jarilo's future decision-making power will ultimately remain in their own hands."
"That's good."
"One last question, can the Company purchase those technologies from them?"
"Of course, but you'll have to wait until they themselves master that technology.
The knowledge they learned from me no longer belongs to me, but is their own.
But before that, those are still my things; I just put them there."
Then Bai Luan looked at Topaz, revealing a meaningful smile:
"If you can't wait, you can also try to crack it."
Bai Luan was quite looking forward to seeing programmers get stuck by the firewall.
"No, thank you. The Company probably wouldn't have anyone crazy enough to challenge a genius's authority."
"What a pity."
Bai Luan felt a bit regretful, having no fun to watch, but he quickly put the matter aside.
"Is work done?"
"Hmm..."
Topaz thought for a moment and said:
"It's done."
"Then let's go off work."
Bai Luan stretched casually, his relaxed demeanor surprising Topaz.
If it weren't for Bai Luan's extremely special identity, she would have thought he was one of her colleagues who liked to slack off.
"I feel like you're very different from other geniuses."
"You've met other geniuses?"
"Not in person, but I've seen recordings. You seem very different from them."
"If you think I'm very different, then stop with the formalities. Why should a working person make things difficult for another working person?
A working person's life is rarely idle; when rest comes, it's already with the mountains.
Instead of wasting that time, let's complain about the client's left-brain attacking right-brain comments and relax."
As soon as Bai Luan spoke, Topaz couldn't help but relax; he was simply too friendly.
The pressure she had felt earlier when meeting a prominent figure also disappeared.
"I estimate this trip of mine will be in vain. Jarilo has a competent leader; they can forge their own future."
"I agree. I heard they even set up a museum. I'm planning to go see it in a bit."
"What a coincidence, I'm also planning to go see it in a bit, but after work is done."
"Well... see you later then."
Bai Luan stopped with the pleasantries, waved goodbye to Topaz, and prepared to go see how Stelle's museum was doing.