Don't panic, don't panic!
Although this curio is now in Herta's hands, she hasn't directly called me back to work, which means she hasn't found out yet.
At this point, I need to pretend nothing happened, then go back and figure out a way to get this curio into my own hands.
Bai Luan: Really? I'll go back and take a look.
Herta: Aren't you busy with something you're interested in at Penacony?
Herta: Not doing it anymore?
Bai Luan: Actually, this isn't very urgent.
Bai Luan: Anyway, with the Anywhere Door, it's just an open and close to get back.
Bai Luan: Wait for me a bit, I'll be there right away.
After typing out these replies at light speed, Bai Luan didn't even have time to explain, quickly detaching himself from the dream of Penacony, returning to the real world's Daydream Hotel, then pulling out the Anywhere Door and swiftly returning to the Space Station.
Opening the Anywhere Door, he returned to the Space Station, transforming into a flash of light, and swiftly ran to Herta's office.
Although he still didn't know why that curio was in Herta's hands, now was not the time to delve into it.
After he figured out a way to muddle through this trouble, he would then investigate what exactly happened.
He should have been calm and composed, but now he was in a frantic rush, scrambling and stumbling.
No! I just can't understand it!
It's gotten to this point!
And I almost got exposed!
It's absolutely, absolutely impossible that no one set me up!
Don't let me find out who you are!
Once I find you out, I'll make sure you experience what cruelty is!
Carrying his resentment towards the 'mastermind,' Bai Luan opened the door to Herta's office.
And that resentment was completely reined in by Bai Luan the moment he entered Herta's office.
An excellent employee would never carry his personal emotions to work.
Although he currently really wanted to directly strangle the mastermind who sent the curio to Herta.
The moment he entered the office, Bai Luan froze.
Because he found that Screwllum, Ruan Mei, and Herta were all there.
The moment he entered the door, the gazes of the three Geniuses converged on Bai Luan.
Bai Luan froze.
No, this isn't right!
Why are you all gathered together like you're about to make a simulated universe dlc!?
Herta hasn't discovered the gold and gears dlc hidden in the curio, has she?
Don't I still have a chance to salvage this?
If she had discovered that the gold and gears dlc was hidden in the curio... then Herta's reason for calling him back should be to come back and make the dlc, not to share that she found an interesting curio... Bai Luan's brain rapidly analyzed the situation, and he quickly clarified his thoughts.
How could Herta, who had instantly discovered he was secretly making a miniature simulated universe, not realize what was hidden in that curio after getting her hands on it?
That is to say... Herta had actually discovered that the dlc was hidden in that curio a long time ago, but after she discovered it, she didn't contact him immediately to call him back, but instead contacted the other two Geniuses.
After the other two Geniuses arrived, Herta shared the information with them, and after preparing for him to return and work overtime on the simulated universe dlc, she then contacted him.
Then she sent him a picture, deliberately giving the false impression that she hadn't discovered the secret of this curio yet.
This way, he would rush back from Penacony at the fastest speed to prevent the simulated universe dlc.
The reason Herta did this was because she knew that if she directly told Bai Luan that she had discovered the secret of this curio, Bai Luan would definitely try to delay his return to the Space Station.
In other words... Herta chose the most efficient strategy, calculating Bai Luan perfectly.
And Bai Luan himself, upon seeing the curio in Herta's hands, panicked and lost his wits, not thinking carefully, he quickly opened the Anywhere Door and rushed back.
『My god, a top-tier battle of wits, comparable to Dora looking for Swiper』
Bai Luan was not in the mood to deal with the system now.
He had now sorted out his thoughts, roughly reconstructed Herta's plan, and was very clear about how bad his current situation was.
He gave an awkward laugh.
"You're... all here?"
"Yes, everyone's here. Most of the simulated universe dlc has already been completed for this project."
Herta took out the curio Bai Luan had used to hide the gold and gears dlc.
"However, before that, we think we should first discuss why you kept it from us and secretly developed this simulated universe dlc."
Bai Luan sighed and looked at the three Geniuses.
Honestly, he was a bit tired of struggling.
So Bai Luan said:
"Why do you think I would secretly develop the simulated universe dlc?"
Screwllum was the first to speak.
"Question: Bai Luan, are you choosing to develop it alone because you feel that collaborating with us lowers development efficiency?"
As soon as Screwllum said this, Bai Luan was so anxious he almost rushed over to cover Screwllum's mouth!
Oh my god!
Who would dare say your development speed is slow!
Didn't I secretly work on the simulated universe dlc precisely because the three of you Geniuses were too fast, and it was hard for me to keep up!?
How did it turn into me disliking you now?
What's this about an eagle thinking the clumsy birds are too slow, so it takes off early?
Don't think that way!
"No, no, no, you absolutely must not think that!"
Herta glanced at Bai Luan with interest and said with a smile:
"Oh? So you're not thinking what Screwllum said, then?"
"Ms. Herta..."
Bai Luan looked at her helplessly, then at Screwllum.
"And Mr. Screwllum..."
Facing the two of them, Bai Luan retorted:
"Do I usually present myself with that kind of persona?"
"Now that you mention it... my conjecture does contradict Bai Luan's usual behavior."
Screwllum bowed slightly to Bai Luan.
"My apologies to you, Bai Luan."
Seeing that the explanation had passed, Bai Luan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"What a shame."
Herta's voice came.
Bai Luan looked at Herta with some confusion.
What are you regretting?
"I thought that your previous obedient demeanor was an act, and that in reality, you looked down on everyone. I even got a little excited because of it."
Bai Luan swallowed.
"Um... Ms. Herta, may I ask what you're excited about?"
Herta smiled at the question.
"Because I felt that such a you would be very fun to 'train'."
Bai Luan wiped his sweat.
"Good thing I wasn't thinking that."
"It's fine."
Herta smiled as she looked at Bai Luan.
"The current you is also fun to 'train'."
For some reason, Bai Luan had an urge to turn and run.
Unfortunately, there was a wall behind him, he couldn't escape.
At this moment, Ruan Mei, who had been silent, spoke.
"If Screwllum guessed wrong, then I think..."
Ruan Mei looked at Bai Luan and stated her guess.
"You must really like developing the Simulated Universe Project."
Bai Luan looked at Ruan Mei, he almost wanted to cry.
Why... why are all of you thinking along these lines?
"Ms. Ruan Mei, is there a possibility that I hate developing the simulated universe?"
"Is that so?"
Ruan Mei looked at Bai Luan somewhat strangely.
"But if you hated it, why would you secretly develop that dlc? And... the completion rate is already very high."
I can't let these Geniuses keep guessing!
Screwllum's and Ruan Mei's guesses were already so outrageous, Bai Luan didn't dare to imagine what Herta would guess about him.
He couldn't give Herta a chance to speak.
He had to find a way to give them a reason that fit their perception of him, and also lower their expectations... But the problem was... where would he find a perfect reason!
Move, dead brain, move!
When people face a desperate situation, they often unleash infinite potential.
And at this moment, a perfect explanation popped into Bai Luan's mind.
"Actually... I always felt that this dlc wasn't mature enough, not ready to be presented, so I just wanted to refine it further before telling you all, and it just dragged on to this current situation."
"I see."
Screwllum was the first to accept Bai Luan's explanation, and then, Screwllum made no secret of his admiration, saying:
"I sincerely admire your extreme demands for the quality of your work.
Working with such a rigorous partner, I too should hold myself to a higher standard."
Hearing Screwllum say that, Bai Luan smiled.
A smile,
Not because he was happy.
But because he had no moves left...