Damn it, something's wrong with the gacha I got.

At this moment, Chen Bai took a step closer.

He had wanted to complain ever since Bellberg first made this white-haired little girl.

Why is this little girl able to walk barefoot in such a freezing environment?

Aren't you cold?

Or has Schwarzro fallen so low that he can't even afford to buy Clara shoes?

It's unbelievable!

“Oh right! I noticed that this time!” March 7th was clearly a step behind.

"Clara, you'll easily get arthritis if you keep doing this!"

Xing also felt a little sorry for them. She should have just bought a pair of shoes in Luofu and brought them over.

"The children are suffering terribly! No, I'm going to report Schwarzman for child abuse to Bronya!"

Qiong also joined in the fun.

Chapter 113 A True Cosmic Vampire

"No, please don't misunderstand... this really wasn't Mr. Schwarz's fault!"

Clara quickly raised her head, her little face flushed red.

She twisted her fingers, her voice soft, yet remarkably earnest:

"Clara has gotten used to it... so please don't blame Mr. Schwarz."

Seeing her eagerness to explain, Chen Bai couldn't help but soften his tone.

“Don’t worry, Clara,” he said gently. “Qiong was just joking. She’s not really blaming anyone.”

"Really?"

Clara blinked, her expression relaxing slightly, and the blush on her cheeks faded a bit.

She let out a soft breath, then, as if remembering something, asked in a low voice:

"Brother Chen Bai, what brings you here today?"

“Yes, we were just about to talk to Swaro about something.” Chen Bai nodded. “It should be in the settlement now, right?”

“Yes!” Clara nodded immediately, her expression brightening. “Mr. Schwarz is inside… Clara, shall we take you there?”

"That would be perfect, thank you for your help."

Clara then turned around and walked briskly ahead to lead the way.

The faint hum of gears grinding against metal could be heard from the mechanical settlement, where various mechanical devices moved quietly on their tracks, creating an atmosphere of orderly efficiency.

Not long after, on a wide open platform, they saw the tall mechanical figure.

Swallow stood silently in the center of the settlement, like a silent guardian.

Clara jogged a few steps forward, her voice soft yet clear:

"Mr. Schwarz, Brother Chen Bai and the others are here to see you."

"Identity confirmed: Nameless passenger on the Starry Sky Train".

Schwarzlo's deep, steady electronic voice echoed through the empty settlement, and a red optical lens flickered slightly, scanning the visitors in front of him one by one.

"Please state the purpose of your visit."

"Long time no see, Schwarzlo."

Chen Bai stepped forward, looked up and stared directly into the pair of red mechanical eyes. "We've come here to ask you to help us retrieve a historical record—about the debt transactions between Belloberg and Star Peace Corporation about seven hundred years ago. If possible, we hope to find communication records, video data, or any detailed evidence from that time."

His tone was clear and direct, standing out sharply against the quiet, mechanical whirring.

Schwarz was silent for a moment, a faint sound of data flowing through his body emanating from within, and the red light in his eyes flickered rhythmically.

"Retrieving databases..." After a brief wait, its flat electronic voice sounded again, "Keyword matching: Star Peace Corporation, Belloberg, Builders, Debt Agreement... Retrieval complete. Three related records, all marked as historical protocol backups."

It slightly turned its heavy head, and the red light steadily shone on Chen Bai:

"View now?"

"Check it now!"

After Chen Bai responded, the red light in Schwarz's eyes flowed steadily, and three clear data files were projected in front of him.

The first document is the original debt contract signed between Belloberg and Star Peace seven hundred years ago, with lengthy and strict terms.

In addition to the agreed principal and interest, several supplementary agreements are attached, which clearly list the scope of application of "force majeure"—in the event of large-scale natural disasters, geological changes, etc., interest may be waived, and the debtor only needs to repay the principal.

However, below the article is an inconspicuous yet striking footnote: "The force majeure referred to in this article does not include attacks by man-made hostile forces such as anti-material legions."

The second record is a list of supplies purchased, detailing the various resources that the builders obtained with loans: engineering machinery, cold-resistant crop seeds, energy cores, basic medical equipment, etc.

Chen Bai quickly scanned it; although the content was specific, there were not many surprises.

The third record made Chen Bai's gaze sharpen—it was a preserved video, but the image quality was rough, only 720p, and there was slight noise interference at the edges.

"I never imagined that there would still be visual records from that era."

He stretched out his finger and gently tapped the air.

The screen started moving.

The scene resembles a simple office, and a middle-aged man in a company uniform with a sharp expression appears on the screen, seemingly a project manager.

At this moment, the manager was talking to a young assistant beside him.

Supervisor: "The evacuation plan has been approved. Notify all staff to complete all final tasks within two days and prepare to leave Yalilo-VI."

Assistant: (Slightly hesitant) "Manager, if we just withdraw like this, won't all our initial investment become bad debt?"

Supervisor: (scoffs) "You're too optimistic. If this planet is going to be swallowed up by a cold wave, how many of these natives will survive? It'll be easier for us to take them over once they're all frozen to the past."

Assistant: (Seemingly understanding) "But... there's star core contamination here. Even if we take it, its value will be greatly reduced, right?"

Supervisor: (Glancing sideways at his assistant, his tone instructional) "Since the company dares to invest, it naturally has the means to deal with the star core. The bad debts are only temporary. Once the planet is cleaned up and transformed, it will become a new business."

Assistant: (After thinking for a moment, then lowering her voice) "What if... someone survives the cold wave?"

Supervisor: (A cold smile plays on his lips) "Wouldn't that be even better? The debt contracts didn't disappear because of the cold wave. By then, they'll still be alive, and their planets will still exist. The company can legally pursue their debts, use the debts as equity, and take them all in, land and all. These people are burdened with heavy debts; where else can they go but work for the company to pay off their debts?"

Supervisor: "If anyone tries to renege on their debts... the company has plenty of ways to make them face reality."

Assistant: (Nodding quickly) "Understood, the supervisor is very thoughtful."

Supervisor: "Alright, get on with it. We don't need to worry about the lives of these natives."

The video ends abruptly there.

Chen Bai watched the screen go dark quietly, remaining silent for a long time.

The only sounds in the settlement were the faint creaking of machines, which accentuated the cold silence.

He finally let out a soft breath, as if he had expected it.

"Just as I thought..."

Then he let out a sarcastic remark:

"The Star Peace Corporation's scheme has been utterly treacherous from beginning to end; they've never treated the people here like human beings. They truly are cosmic vampires!"

Even if capital monopoly is scaled up to this interstellar world, its essence remains unchanged.

Investment and debt are merely tools for them; greed and profit are their ultimate goals.

"This is outrageous! This is practically robbery!" March 7th said indignantly.

“March is all about grabbing deals,” Xing commented.

"Yeah, but the way they robbed it was a bit disgusting," Qiong chimed in.

—Author's Note—

P.S.: I've caught a cold again recently, my head feels swollen, and I'm not feeling well, so I might update later.

Chapter 114 Star: At worst, I'll let my mom and Uncle Ren visit the company headquarters.

Chen Bai stared at the records in front of him and slowly said, "With these records, we finally have something more to offer at the negotiating table."

He turned to March 7th and Qiong, "It's time to go back and find Bronya."

After speaking, he looked up at Schwarz, who stood silently to the side, and asked, "May I make copies of these three records and take them with me?"

The red light in Schwarz's eyes flowed smoothly, and a mechanically synthesized voice rang out in the empty space: "Requesting reception. Please state the purpose of copying and the logic for subsequent use."

Chen Bai pondered for a moment, then his tone became serious:

"You should also be able to deduce that, given Bellberg's current situation, he is simply incapable of repaying this debt that spans seven hundred years. If the company really does forcibly acquire it based on its claims, the planet's autonomous future may cease to exist."

He took half a step forward and continued to explain:

“Our Star Train is willing to help Belloberg bring in other reliable forces to create a check and balance in the negotiations. This historical evidence is key to preventing the entire city from falling into unilateral exploitation. From a risk control perspective, this can significantly reduce the probability of Belloberg being forced to sign unequal agreements.”

Schwarzlo remained silent for a few seconds, during which the faint sound of data flowing could be heard from within.

"Analysis complete. Conclusion: Your risk assessment and response strategy are logically sound. Copying is permitted."

Thank you.

Chen Bai said no more and efficiently imported the three records into his personal device.

"Let's go."

He nodded to his companions, then said goodbye to Clara Win, who was standing quietly to the side, before turning and leaving with the three of them.

Schwarzko's red eyes followed their retreating figures slowly until they disappeared into the corner of the metal structure after passing through the winding passages of the mechanical settlement.

Chen Bai also used the Anywhere Door to lead March 7 and the others away from the lower area at the corner.

Cripperburg

"You're back?"

When Bronya saw Chen Bai and the others return, she warmly greeted them.

"We're back! Great harvest, Bronya!" March 7's lively voice rang out.

"Put that aside for now, Bronya, did you get any useful information from your mother?"

Chen Bai asked.

"I'm sorry, I have very few clues from them so far. I've only confirmed that the debt does exist, but I haven't found any other useful information yet."

Bronya shook her head, the worry on her face hard to dispel.

Seeing this, Chen Bai comforted her, saying, "Don't worry, we've gained quite a bit. Perhaps this gain can reduce your stress a lot."

"So what information did you get?" Bronya asked curiously.

"Take a look at these two records first."

Chen Bai handed the document recording "force majeure" and the video file to Bronya.

"This is..."

After reading it, Bronya's face grew increasingly pale, turning as black as the bottom of a pot.

She never imagined that the Star Peace Corporation seven hundred years ago had such a plan!

Treating the people of Beloborg as commodities to be traded is utterly disgusting!

“Hoo—” Bronya took a deep breath, then bowed deeply to Chen Bai and the others: “Thank you. With this record, Berloberg’s debt crisis may be able to get through safely.”

She was genuinely grateful to these anonymous customers; without them, she might have actually agreed to the company's acquisition offer.

If he were to actually do that, Berloberg's future would be completely ruined.