"Are workplace relationships really this tense?" Aha frowned.
Herta Space Station.
The scene here was utterly chaotic.
It was no longer a simple voting event.
"What the hell is your problem? Are you really that jealous that Young Master Huan might become an Emanator? I've truly seen it all."
"Heh, Wen Shiling, don't think I won't curse you just because you're younger. How much better are you? Aren't you just waiting to cling to Master Yan Huan's thigh once he really becomes an Emanator? Don't tell me you people are clean either. Just look at how many people in the Department of Material Studies are surnamed Wen!"
"Exactly. You've brought The Family's monopoly tactics right into the workplace. Tsk, tsk, tsk."
"Don't you start yelling at me either. Out of the entire Space Station, you're the biggest slacker. Trash like you is the scum of society!"
The situation was extremely chaotic.
Even the people aboard the Star Rail Express were at a loss.
"The resentment here is way too heavy." March 7th retreated to a corner and whispered to Dan Heng.
"The system here does leave much to be desired," Dan Heng said flatly.
No one had expected that a vote started on the Aeon of Joy's whim would cause such a conflict among the Space Station's staff.
"It's not that I don't support Brother Huan, but that guy just said he'd buy me milk tea if I chose B. Whether Brother Huan becomes an Emanator doesn't really do us much good, but that milk tea is the real deal!"
"Damn it, who's buying votes with milk tea over there? Is that really necessary?"
"They're just jealous. Anyway, where do we collect the milk tea?"
"..."
Aha's eye twitched incessantly on the screen.
Well, damn. Someone was actually buying votes.
He looked at Yan Huan, who was sitting nearby picking at his toes, and asked in confusion, "So these are your wage slaves? They really are interesting."
Yan Huan also glanced outside and said helplessly:
"Eh, whatever. Didn't you say the people's eyes are discerning? What, are you regretting it now?"
Aha covered his forehead, nearly laughing in anger.
"Hehahaha... Kid! I believe justice lies in the hearts of the people. Black will never become white! I want to see just how much they can betray their consciences!"
"Now, I'm extending the show!" Aha's gaze grew increasingly profound.
Two days later.
Herta Space Station.
This was a massive stage.
Dazzling lights shone on Yan Huan's face, making him feel somewhat uncomfortable.
The stage was divided into three sections.
At the very top, Herta sat there with her cheek propped on one hand, looking utterly helpless.
"You people are seriously so boring." Herta curled her lip and complained helplessly toward the guest seats on the left.
In the center of the stage, Asta held a microphone and gave an enthusiastic introduction:
"Ladies and gentlemen, hello! Welcome to Herta Space Station's annual selection event. I'm Station Master Asta."
"This program has been sponsored by our special guest, Aha, the Aeon of Joy. Please give him a warm welcome--!!"
Thunderous applause erupted throughout the venue.
"Clap clap clap clap clap--!!"
All the staff seated in the Audience Gallery were incredibly excited. This was a genuine Aeon, after all.
The lights shone on the guest seats to the left. Aha stood up and confidently waved in every direction.
"Thank you~ Thank you all for your love!"
Asta walked over to Aha, handed him the microphone, and blinked her bright, watery eyes.
"Hello, Mr. Aha. Is there anything you'd like to say to the audience?"
"Hmph." Aha glanced at the staff seated in the Audience Gallery, braced both hands on the table, and cursed angrily:
"I believe justice lies in the hearts of the people, but I never expected things to develop to this point. That brat Yan Huan is obviously a lunatic. What is there to argue about? Sometimes I truly don't understand you humans. Today, I want to see just how low your bottom line can go!"
The staff below looked at one another. Some loudly voiced their support, some were indifferent, and some dug at their ears as if they had heard nothing.
At that moment, Yan Huan looked over.
Asta hurriedly handed him the microphone.
"Hello, Mr. Yan Huan. As the person involved in this incident, is there anything you'd like to say to the audience?"
Faced with such a grand occasion, Yan Huan seemed a little reserved. He stood up blankly, gave everyone the middle finger, and said shyly:
"Everyone, I believe you all already understand what kind of person I, Yan, am. If you ask me, I absolutely cannot have any mental problems! All related claims are slander and rumors. Please do not believe them!"
"Eww~~~~" Aha, seated beside him, could not help raising his middle finger in mockery.
An even more fervent wave of boos erupted from the Audience Gallery below.
"It seems everyone agrees with me, so I won't say any more. The people's eyes are discerning. Let's wait and see!" With that, Yan Huan sat back down.
Asta said excitedly:
"Alright, we've heard the views of both guests. Next, let's hear what our panel of judges has to say."
She happily ran over to the right side.
Sitting there were none other than the Express Crew.
"Hello, Himeko. May I ask what you think about this incident?" Asta asked with a polite smile.
"Eh, what do I think?" Himeko slowly stood up and smiled gently.
"I think this matter is difficult to judge. As for Yan Huan's mental state, everyone has their own view. A thousand people have a thousand Hamlets, don't they? There isn't much point in discussing it now. Let the final voting results present the answer to us directly."
Asta nodded and said happily:
"Himeko's opinion is very fair. Let's thank big sister Himeko for her remarks!"
As she spoke, she took the lead in applauding.
Applause from the Audience Gallery below quickly followed.
"Clap clap clap clap clap--!!"
Thunderous applause filled the venue.
It had to be said that both Yan Huan and the Aeon of Joy's earlier speeches had been highly subjective.
Himeko's words, on the other hand, were indeed more objective and fair.
"Alright, next is our next judge."
Asta handed the microphone to March 7th and said excitedly:
"Hello, Little March. Could you tell us what you think about this incident?"
It was March 7th's first time attending such a huge event. When the lights suddenly shone on her face, she looked a little nervous.
"Ah, ah, my thoughts... Oh, right, my thoughts." She smacked her forehead and immediately said loudly:
"Yan Huan's mental state is obviously abnormal! I voted A before, anyway. I really don't know what people who chose B or C were thinking!"
"Whoosh!" Upon hearing March 7th's words, Aha immediately sprang to his feet in excitement and applauded repeatedly.
"That's exactly right, little girl! There really aren't many normal people like you left... As for certain people here besides you, all of you should consider following the Path of Elation. Stop putting on an act, damn it. I can't stand watching you pretend to be gentlemen."
The Audience Gallery below fell silent.
Did this count as receiving the Aeon of Joy's approval? Should they be happy or upset?
"C-Can I join?" Down below, a staff member actually raised his hand. He stood up with a bashful look on his face.
The entire venue went quiet for several seconds.
Aha cursed, "You actually asked politely? Then you definitely won't do! If you stay so normal, how can you ever accomplish some grand undertaking?"
Then he looked at Yan Huan again.
"Little Liang, put on a show for him!"
"Got it!"
At those words, Yan Huan leaped up and jumped straight onto Herta's podium at the very top.
Herta: "..."
He performed a high backflip, then landed firmly on the podium with a bang.
Herta's hair swayed along with the impact.
Herta: "..."
Aha raised his brows, pointed at Yan Huan, and excitedly called out to the Audience Gallery:
"See that? Now that's a real seeded contestant! Everyone, vote A, got it?!"
Before you continue