Meaty Thighs Are a Treasure of Humanity

That's right. This person is the kind of person who can say things like, "Money is a means, not an end. Work is what makes people happy... This is a very basic principle."

Liu Bai agreed with the first part of the statement, but as for whether work makes people happy, well...

It's too much to ask a workaholic to understand matters of the heart.

"... You'll understand when you grow up, Topaz."

"..."

This time, Topaz didn't become angry; instead, her eyes turned displeased.

One or two people are saying the same thing... Has this kind of talk become a formulaic, perfunctory response?

I'm so unwilling to accept this.

She's the Topaz the Debt Collector from the Ten Stonehearts!

She's not some kid who just graduated from kindergarten, don't act like she hasn't grown up at all!

The more she heard this, the more she wanted to know what it meant to "understand when you grow up".

"By the way, Topaz, is there anything else we need to prepare? Come with me to the Wangshang Funeral Parlor in a bit."

"The Wangshang Funeral Parlor, the department in charge of ceremonies?" Topaz's Remembrance for work was clearly excellent. "Outside of rest time, I'm always on the go."

The implication is that there is nothing extra to prepare.

"But what is the purpose of this early visit?"

"See if there's anything we can help with, since there aren't many people at the Wangshang Funeral Parlor who can do the work."

"...free?"

Topaz seemed to have thought of something and looked puzzled.

"More or less—well, you don't think it's good?" Bai also sensed that Topaz was hesitant to speak.

"Well... after all, the company isn't a charity."

Topaz felt embarrassed that his thoughts had been guessed.

"Plus, I am..."

She was in Topaz the Debt Collector; in other words, she was responsible for debt collection.

The Special Debt Investigation Team is not an office department, but a department that can actually carry out violent debt collection.

Although debt collection is a job,... in some cases it is truly pitiful, and in a way that is pitiful without being hateful at all.

In some places... it might even be the company itself that's acting inhumanely first.

Even high-level loan sharks have no taboos when it comes to Jade, let alone the lower- and middle-level loan sharks. Their mortgages are not as fancy as Jade's, but they are more likely to drive people to the brink of despair.

In the world of Jade lending, if you don't have money, you can use other things as collateral. For example, emotions, Remembrance, or even lifespan—if you're willing to give them up, there's a high probability that the debt can be settled.

But lending money to those below is very simple. Money is money. Planets or forces will decide based on the situation. It's the so-called bullying the weak and fearing the strong. If an individual can't repay, they'll be sent to a mining planet to mine. And in addition to repaying the money, they also have to pay heavy taxes on the mined minerals.

Guinaifen's family migrated to the mining planet as wanderers to make a living. They were considered free citizens, but after paying taxes, they could barely survive. Eventually, they were driven to the brink of starvation and forced to become pirates, not to mention criminals and debtors.

Of course, these people are under stricter control, and they most likely wouldn't even have the chance to become pirates.

Topaz mainly deals with these kinds of direct transactions.

In short, the work Topaz did was quite morally reprehensible.

The only good thing is that there aren't actually that many of these pitiful people.

After all, unless the lender is targeting planetary resources or special populations, the aforementioned situations would essentially constitute "failed lending."

The moral standards of the Honkai: Star Rail are not high enough to allow the packaging of indigenous people into cans and then selling the Canned Food to recoup their costs.

Most of the time, the above situations occur because of a real loss, forcing one to cut losses—of course, occasionally, people might try to make a quick buck by dealing with old, bad debts.

"I understand, I understand, it's because of your profession, right?"

Liu Bai nodded. Although this kind of work might suit Topaz's talents, it was indeed not very suitable for Topaz's personality.

"However, you are not required to fulfill your duty as Topaz the Debt Collector now."

"That's true~"

Topaz scratched his head somewhat awkwardly.

"Hmm, so that means I've been reassigned, right?"

"Just realized that?"

"Ahem... I just didn't think it through for a moment. You don't have to be profit-driven in everything... It feels kind of strange."

Topaz is starting to look forward to her new job.

"Could I also have the opportunity to open a [Ciyu XX] shop? Like the Jade Pawnshop of the Jade senior?"

"Selling magnets?"

"It's the 'compassion' in 'mercy'... By the way, how old are you this year, Boss?"

"What are you doing?"

"Let me calculate how long it will take me to climb to your position."

"My location? Do you know what my location is?" Bai asked curiously.

"The Ten Stonehearts in our Strategic Investment Department are responsible to you, so..."

Huh? Wait a minute?

The company is headed by Chairman Amber King and is divided into seven departments, one of which is the Strategic Investment Department.

The head of the Strategic Investment Department is [Diamond].

The Ten Stonehearts are responsible to Liu Bai, which means that Liu Bai's status is above that of the department head and board member candidate, [Diamond], and he cannot be the founder, Louis Fleming.

That...?

Chapter 286 Fleshy Legs are a Human Treasure

"Why have you stopped?"

Liu Bai looked at Topaz, who had suddenly stopped, with some confusion.

"... I'm wondering if it's too late to take back what I just said."

Topaz looked at Liu Bai with a hint of awe.

—If Liu Bai's status is really equivalent to that of a lifetime director of the board, how many years would it take her to climb to Liu Bai's position!

After all, normally, she would only ever reach the position of head of the Strategic Investment Department —which is essentially a diamond-level position—plus a board member.

Upwards?

Sorry, it seems there aren't any higher up...

To be more realistic, this "diamond" department head position is likely to remain in that position indefinitely; if she wants to become a department head, she'll have to go to another department.

Of course, being a department head isn't a bad position either. After all, the company only has seven departments, with Amber King above them. Although the board of directors changes frequently, the value of the board members is still very high—Diamond is currently just a candidate for board member.

Therefore, this logic is so logical that it couldn't be more logical.

She might never even get a glimpse of Liu Bai's true status in her lifetime...

"What?"

"Um... um, boss, what do you do for a living?"

Topaz, unable to hide his curiosity, asked.

She only knew that the Ten Stonehearts were fully responsible to Liu Bai, but she knew very little about Liu Bai, the parachuted-in superior.

... At the same time, this departure was also somewhat unexpected.

After the initial frustration, Topaz felt a surge of excitement – after all, being able to make contact meant it wasn't entirely out of reach.

No, in fact, the current environment presents her with the best opportunity for promotion.

Everyone needs to have dreams.

"... Do you think I look like someone with a stable job?" Liu Bai really couldn't answer this question, so he could only reply in a different way.

"Ah...that's true." Topaz paused for a moment, then nodded.

Liu Bai was completely different from these "working folks".

—Although Topaz still finds his work quite enjoyable.

Banishing the random thoughts in her mind, Topaz caught up with Liu Bai in a few quick steps.

Soon after, Liu Bai and Topaz arrived at the Wangshang Funeral Parlor.

There were many more people in the Wangshang Funeral Parlor today, but it wasn't lively; instead, it had a somber and solemn atmosphere.

Topaz adjusted his collar somewhat awkwardly.

Discussing business in this environment would put her in a bad mood... Fortunately, this time it wasn't about business.

"Sir, who are you...?"

An employee dressed in black stopped Liu Bai and sized him up.

As an employee of the Wangshang Funeral Parlor, it was immediately clear that Liu Bai was not there to discuss funeral matters.

But upon being looked at, the employee's gaze immediately shifted from wariness to respect.

"... Liu Bai? What brings you here?"

The employees tried their best to suppress their voices.

"I'm here to see your head of the household. Is she here?"

"Yes, the head of the hall has been in the Wangshang Funeral Parlor these past few days. I will inform him now. Please come with me."

The employee respectfully led Liu Bai and Topaz to a lounge, then walked a short distance away, took out his phone, and whispered a few words.

"The master will be here shortly. Would you two like something to drink?"

"No need to trouble yourself," Bai waved to the employee.

"Clear."

The employee bowed slightly and then left.

A short while later, Hu Tao arrived.

Hu Tao didn't look as energetic as usual today; the thick bags under her eyes showed that Hu Tao hadn't slept well for the past few days.

"Ha... Good afternoon, great hero~"

The first thing he does is yawn.

"Very busy?"

"Yeah, I've been very busy, working non-stop for several days." Hu Tao couldn't stop yawning, and the black nail polish on her hands was fading a bit. "Ningguang also entrusted me with the ceremony—although our Wangshang Funeral Parlor has an inescapable responsibility for this matter."

Today, Hu Tao was completely different from her usual lively self; her fatigue subtly revealed a serious demeanor.

"We still need to take time to rest..." Bai glanced around. "Is Zhongli busy too?"

"Yes, that guy is rushing to train the staff. This ceremony... is probably among the top five in scale among all the ceremonies that the Wangshang Funeral Parlor has hosted, so they have to hire a lot of temporary workers."

As she spoke, Hu Tao yawned again.

"So, great hero, is there something you need...?"

"I'm here to help." Bai looked at Hu Tao was slumped on the table, looking drowsy, with a hint of helplessness. "Why don't you take a nap first?"

"Mmm~~"

Ah, she's already asleep.

"Ugh~~ Ha~~"

Hu Tao rubbed her eyes and yawned cutely as she got up from the table.

I fell asleep again.