Compared to ordinary people, Chu Ze's income was already quite substantial.
A 15 million annual salary as the General Affairs Secretary of the Six Commissions + a 10 million annual salary from the Stellaron Hunters + various bonuses and commissions.
His annual income was about 30 to 40 million credits.
After deducting daily expenses, the cost of new fitness equipment, and the soon-to-be-paid-off annual mortgage payment, he could easily save 10 million credits a year.
But!
This was a full billion!
One billion credits could buy a standard small starship outright, or be used as a down payment for a medium-sized starship equipped with a warp drive!
[Chu Ze]: Wh-wh-why are you suddenly sending so much money? I-I-I won't be easily swayed, you know?
[Herta]: ...You're clearly swayed, you're even stuttering while typing.
[Chu Ze]: Damn it, are you trying to be my sugar mommy?
[Chu Ze]: Fine, send me your picture.
[Chu Ze]: If you're a sexy and mature older sister with long, beautiful legs + black pantyhose, then I might consider it...
Of course, Chu Ze was joking.
But he didn't expect the other party to actually send a picture.
And when he clicked on it, what appeared was indeed a mature older sister with long, beautiful legs + black pantyhose. Not only was her appearance stunning, but the time on the alarm clock next to her was also the current standard universal time.
Was it a fresh selfie?
Why go to such lengths?
[Herta]: Type 1 if I'm pretty, type out your eyeballs if I'm not.
[Chu Ze]: 111
[Herta]: You have good taste. Take the money.
[Chu Ze]: Oh...
[Chu Ze]: Wait, you haven't explained the reason yet. Do you really have a crush on me?
[Herta]: Yes, I have a crush on you. Take the money.
[Chu Ze]: ?
Who would believe such a reason!
An online acquaintance of less than two days, they hadn't even met, and she suddenly pulls out a billion to confess?
Even the light novels from Edo Star wouldn't dare to write something like this!
Something's fishy. Chu Ze's brain started to spin rapidly.
—Wisdom check, 1 point, critical failure!
Chu Ze had absolutely no clue!
So he had to ask Qingque next to him:
"Qingque, suppose one day, a handsome, rich, and intelligent Emanator suddenly transfers a billion to you and confesses his love. What would you do?"
Qingque thought seriously for a moment:
"I would change to a more comfortable position, then turn off the alarm clock, and try to make this dream last as long as possible."
"..."
Clearly, he couldn't count on her either.
Chu Ze shrank back into his seat, looked at his phone, and decided to be direct.
[Chu Ze]: Nothing falls from the sky for free. Besides family, no one would casually give out a billion credits.
[Herta]: So tell me your purpose... wait, family?
[Chu Ze]: You wouldn't happen to be my long-lost sister, would you? You accidentally found out about your true identity, and then you happened to meet me, so you tried every means to get close to me and make me fall in love with you, and then you'd reveal that we're actually siblings to deal me a heavy blow of emotional trauma so you can have our mom's love all to yourself...
[Herta]: ???
[Herta]: What is this nonsense.
[Herta]: Fine, I'll tell you the reason.
[Herta]: The accident you had as a child... was actually to save me.
[Chu Ze]: Save you?
[Herta]: Yes.
[Herta]: If it wasn't to save me, you wouldn't have been locked in a cryogenic pod and drifted in the universe, and you wouldn't have lost most of your childhood memories...
Herta, from her perspective, recounted an event that happened in their childhood.
It was an ordinary afternoon.
A young Chu Ze and a young Herta met at their secret base as usual.
One was exercising, the other was reading books. They didn't disturb each other, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.
But suddenly, a runaway cryogenic pod fell from the sky and landed right near them.
Out of curiosity, the two of them went together and found the cryogenic pod.
And the young Herta directly cracked the protection program, allowing them to enter.
But for some reason, either someone touched something, or the cryogenic pod itself malfunctioned.
The body of the machine suddenly roared, and the central control system began to issue warnings, about to activate the long-term cryogenic wandering function.
At the critical moment, Chu Ze kicked the dazed Herta out.
But he himself didn't have time to escape and was directly locked in the cryogenic pod, falling into a deep sleep with the extremely cold cryogenic fluid.
After that, the young Herta quickly activated the anti-aircraft cannon.
But the cryogenic pod had already carried Chu Ze away, flying into the distant depths of the universe...
[Herta]: That's what happened.
[Herta]: If it wasn't for that kick you gave me back then, there would be no Emanator of Erudition Herta today.
[Herta]: So you can take this money with a clear conscience.
So that's what it was.
Although there were still some details he didn't understand, such as why he was with the young Herta, and what the secret base they went to was.
But Chu Ze had a general idea of what had happened.
[Chu Ze]: So, we're really childhood friends?
[Herta]: That's right.
[Chu Ze]: And now that we've met again, it's kind of like a heavenly childhood friend attribute?
[Herta]: That's right.
[Chu Ze]: And you're really like the picture, a mature and sexy older sister who likes to wear black pantyhose?
[Herta]: That's right... are you going to confess to me?
[Chu Ze]: I wouldn't say confess, but in terms of appearance, I do find you quite attractive.
[Herta]: You're very honest.
[Chu Ze]: Yes, I don't like to beat around the bush with people. So, do you want to try dating?
[Chu Ze]: Although my dream is to have a harem, I will definitely treat all my women equally and be responsible to the end.
Perhaps Chu Ze's words were too direct.
So much so that even Herta was stunned for a moment.
But as expected of a similar personality, Herta also directly refused:
[Herta]: If I were my younger self, I might have agreed in the heat of the moment.
[Herta]: But unfortunately, the weak little Herta is dead. The one talking to you now is the great Herta who is not interested in romance.
[Herta]: So you should use your harem plan on other women.
[Chu Ze]: A pity... it seems my mom's blind date arrangement failed.
[Herta]: It's not a complete failure. After all, I found my childhood playmate.
[Herta]: Although I'm not interested in romance, reuniting with an old friend is a small pleasure in life.
[Herta]: Oh right, you can come to the Azure Star to play when you have time. For the sake of saving my life, I will personally welcome you... provided I'm not busy.
[Chu Ze]: ok.
Thinking of the script Elio had given him.
The plan to board the Astral Express and establish a bond with the Nameless.
If he remembered correctly, the Astral Express was docked at the Herta Space Station on the Azure Star, and the original protagonist of the game, "Stelle," also began her journey there?
In that case, he might really have to go to the Azure Star for a visit later.
Locking his phone, Chu Ze looked up.
And he immediately saw Qingque's curious gaze:
"Brother Chu Ze, who are you chatting with? You seem so happy."
Chu Ze shook his phone:
"Oh, a rich, beautiful, and intelligent Emanator suddenly transferred a billion to me and confessed her love."
Qingque immediately showed a look of pity:
"Brother Chu Ze, have you trained your muscles so much that you've gone silly? You can't even tell the difference between reality and dreams?"
"Here, here's a bottle of almost-expired Melatonin. Drink it quickly to replenish your brain."
"...You should keep this for yourself."
Chu Ze didn't explain further, but looked at the documents in Qingque's hand:
"Is this the work for the afternoon?"
Qingque sighed helplessly:
"That's right, it's time for work."
"Although I really don't want to work, Lady Fu Xuan gave a strict order that I must teach you completely..."
"So, come on, buddy, it's time to start a new round of business."