“If the space station were in its initial stages, or if it suddenly encountered a calamity and struggled to sustain itself, there would be no issue with the Station Master saving the day.
But the station has been established for many years now.
If it can’t even achieve a balance between income and expenditure, it only proves that there’s a problem with its operational model.” At this point, it was hard to tell who was the Station Master and who was the rookie.
In any case, Asta had become the one listening to her “senior” share management experience.
“From the perspective of the station itself, if the researchers here consume far more funds than the academic results they ultimately produce, they will lose their competitiveness.
Strip away the glamorous title of the Herta Space Station, and these people are nothing more than fledgling eagles being protected in a haven, never having truly spread their wings to fly.
And for you, Station Master, even if your wallet is deep enough, the moment you fall ill, take a vacation, or are temporarily unable to focus on your managerial duties, the station’s cash flow will become extremely fragile.” “Is it…
that serious?” “Of course, the above is an extreme way of putting it.” Hua Yi changed the subject, operating his terminal for a moment and using his Level IV Researcher authority to pull up the financial records of the Department of Universal Things.
“The former Head of the Department of Universal Things, Wen Huairen, has a sharp eye.
He has a crystal-clear account of the origin and destination of every single Credit.
He must have discovered that the Station Master was paying out-of-pocket to support the station’s construction.
That’s why he didn’t simply increase research investment just because the department’s funds were growing.
Although his personal disposition is also a factor, in this way, a balance was formed between the generous young lady and the shrewd department head.” But this artificially maintained balance was not healthy, and it was quite fragile.
Even though Hua Yi said things hadn’t yet become too extreme, the reminder was enough for Asta to see the problem.
If she were to take a few days of vacation, travel on a starship, and be unable to monitor the station’s status in real-time, the equipment she had long been replacing and replenishing would be left unmanaged, and the research in the relevant departments would be affected.
And that was just a vacation.
On Wen Huairen’s side, if he were to let his son, Wen Mingde, manage the Department of Universal Things and the department’s style were to change, the current Head, who didn’t know the inside story, might create a superficial balance of income and expenditure, and the situation would become even more severe.
“But looking at it from another angle, Station Master Asta’s importance has also been elevated by a level due to her status as an angel investor.
A little publicity could significantly strengthen your personal prestige.
Appropriately mentioning this to Lady Herta would solidify your position as Station Master.
Even if Lady Herta’s attention to the station is very limited now, she won’t forget your contribution if she thinks of it in the future.” “I never thought about any of that.
Using my allowance to buy equipment was, essentially, just a hope to help the station develop better.” Asta quickly waved her hands to stop him.
She suspected that if she let Hua Yi continue, the topic would become very dangerous.
She was afraid it would extend to proving to the station’s experts and scholars just who was shouldering the burden of the five research departments and four support departments, who was Lady Herta’s true representative, and who was the patron of scientific research, the very pillar holding up the station.
Vaguely, an opportunity to wield immense power was within arm’s reach.
The young woman was dumbfounded, but her heart was not moved.
It wasn’t just out of gratitude for Lady Herta for taking her away from her family, and her desire to help manage the station well without any thought of seizing more power or benefits.
It was also that what Hua Yi was proposing had gradually escalated to another level.
Greater power meant greater responsibility.
Asta didn’t think she could carry out drastic reforms and set a new direction for the entire space station.
Her role was more that of a maintainer, not a pioneer.
“Lady Herta’s judgment is truly at a genius level.
Miss Asta is also the most suitable person on the entire station to be its master.” Hua Yi’s way of addressing her had changed several times, from “Station Master,” to “little rich girl,” to “generous young lady.” Thinking about it carefully, his tone just now didn’t sound like an ambitious young man inciting his superior to seize greater power for his own benefit.
Instead, it was tinged with a sense of teasing.
Hua Yi had guessed the choice she would make from the very beginning.
Such behavior was highly suspect of a subordinate teasing his superior!
Having figured it all out, Asta spoke, half-jokingly and half-seriously.
“The process of me becoming Station Master was actually quite simple.
To be able to create a High-rank Mystery related to Erudition, captivate the five major departments in such a short time, and say what you just said—words that could move the entire space station for your sake…
perhaps you are the more suitable person.” “I believe the Station Master simply isn’t greedy for fame and fortune, which is why you never considered how to consolidate your personal prestige.
As for me being more suitable—the most suitable person to be the Station Master of this entire station is you, Miss Asta.
I’m not lying.” “Why?” “Because the Herta Space Station maintains neutrality in all actions involving the Aeons.” It was an unexpected answer, but the quick-witted Asta almost immediately understood his meaning from his reply.
This brilliant new researcher, bright as the morning sun, held a different view of the station’s principles.
Or rather, when Hua Yi himself was involved in events concerning the Aeons, he would not remain neutral and be a mere spectator.
As the Station Master, the young woman was supposed to sternly emphasize the absolute nature of the station’s rules and uphold Lady Herta’s will.
However, recalling the times when some station researchers had encountered the Antimatter Legion on their way home, some even having their home planets destroyed by the Legion, while the station could only stand by and watch, unable to forcibly interfere with a faction related to the Aeon of [Destruction], Asta found that she could completely understand Hua Yi’s way of thinking.
Their eyes met, gazes locking, and Miss Station Master became even more certain of this.
A kind young woman, she could sense his kindness.
Asta’s expression unconsciously softened, and Hua Yi handed her a napkin.
“You have a smudge of grease on this side of your cheek.
You must have gotten it when you scratched your cheek with your fingers after picking up the bread.” “Ah?
Oh…
thank you.” So, I’ve had the image of a little kitten with a dirty face this whole time, while having such a serious conversation with him?
Recalling her earnest and sometimes solemn mood during their dialogue, and the corresponding expressions she must have made, Asta nearly wanted to find a hole to crawl into.
“You—” Why didn’t you tell me sooner?
What was wrong with the dignified Station Master getting a little angry at her subordinate out of shame and annoyance?
Even an ordinary girl scolding a mischievous boy for watching her make a fool of herself for so long, all while deliberately controlling his expression to show no cracks, would be perfectly normal.
However, Asta was different.
“Alright, you can go back for now.
There should be many people waiting for news from you.
As for this procurement list you completed as extra work, I will also give you a bonus.” “From your own pocket again?” “Right now, you are not to question the Station Master’s decision!” —o—