The Seventh Base

Xu Mo received some good news.

Ye Qingdie informed him that Blue Star Energy Technology Group had managed to recruit a leading figure in the scientific community. It was said that this heavyweight was dissatisfied with the excessive interference from the Federation Government in scientific research and thus planned to retire.

Upon learning this, Professor Luke personally went to invite him out of retirement. To show enough sincerity, Professor Luke approached Elizabeth, who was very cooperative and went with him to personally extend the invitation. Perhaps moved by their sincerity, this esteemed senior visited Blue Star Energy Technology Group and afterward, became very interested in their research.

Consequently, this significant figure contacted friends and students to join the research at Blue Star Energy Technology Group.

This was of great importance to the development of Blue Star Energy Technology Group; they were most in need of top-tier personalities, and Professor Luke's investment reaped an unexpected surprise.

Of course, Elizabeth also played a role.

Professor Luke must have been grateful for what Elizabeth had done for him, thus he fulfilled his duties diligently.

In light of this, Xu Mo asked Ye Qingdie to provide the highest level of treatment to the new team members. If successful results came from their research, they could even consider offering a certain proportion of shares.

Of course, shares couldn't be given out as much as ten percent in the future; first, they couldn't afford to, and second, as Blue Star Energy Technology Group grew, even one percent of the shares would represent a huge amount.

External estimates suggested that the market value of Blue Star Energy Technology Group had already exceeded ten trillion, and that was with production not yet up to speed and bases on various planets just starting and not yet fully operational.

Once production caught up and bases were functioning, opening up markets on other planets, this figure would continue to climb. As long as they developed smoothly, reaching one hundred trillion was just a matter of time.

After all, the population and economic scale of the Star System Alliance were far beyond what could have been imagined in the previous life.

With one hundred trillion, one percent of the shares at that time would be at the trillion level, which one can imagine is a terrifying number. Even a share of 0.1 percent would be considered immense in value.

For an individual, once it reaches the hundreds of billions, money is just a number.

However, Xu Mo was not presently considering these long-term prospects, as he had current matters to attend to.

If he didn't bring down Douglas, it would be an injustice to those who had died on the spacecraft.

A few days later, Avril visited the Library to return some books.

This time, she took the initiative to find Xu Mo and said, "These two books were quite helpful to me, thank you."

"It's no bother, just a simple gesture," Xu Mo replied with a smile. "Miss Avril, do you like music?"

"Yes," Avril nodded. "Do you have any recommendations?"

Xu Mo smiled and said, "A friend of mine is good at music. She played a few pieces that are pretty good. I can send them to you to listen to. Would it be convenient to exchange contact information?"

"Of course." Avril nodded, and they exchanged contact details.

Xu Mo sent a few pieces of music played by Mia to Avril and offered, "Shall I go find a few more books for you to read?"

"Sure," Avril nodded. Xu Mo left the desk and Avril put on her headphones, listening quietly to the music Xu Mo had sent her, immediately becoming engrossed in the mood.

Seemingly giving her time on purpose, Avril immersed herself in the soothing music, slowly closing her eyes with a trace of a smile on her face, feeling warmed.

It felt like a long time had passed when Avril opened her eyes and saw Xu Mo sitting opposite her.

Avril showed a brilliant smile and told Xu Mo, "Thank you, Xu Mo. The music is very nice."

She hadn't felt this warm in a long time. She hadn't heard these pieces of music before, but they were all incredibly beautiful, as if they could touch the soul.

"It's no issue," Xu Mo said as he handed the books to Avril. "Miss Avril, are you encountering any difficulties? Sharing can also be comforting."

On hearing Xu Mo's words, Avril's eyes grew dimmer, the light in them scattering gradually, her mood seeming to sink once again. She dared not meet Xu Mo's gaze; his eyes seemed to hold light, able to see through her soul, to see her sullied side.

In that moment, Xu Mo glimpsed quite a lot: violence, abuse, humiliation—the feelings of humiliation and inferiority occupied Avril's mind, as if she had fallen into self-doubt and self-denial.

This surprised Xu Mo. Avril, whether by birth or personal qualities, was considered quite perfect. Although not from great riches, she was of noble descent and studying at the top institution, Lucas University, with remarkable beauty.

A woman like this should have been the object of envy, yet she was profoundly insecure.

Indeed, insecurity and confidence aren't absolutely related to one's conditions. When a person is under long-term oppression, their confidence can be worn away, replaced by feelings of inferiority. Children often feel more inferior in families where parents suppress them strongly.

However, Avril's issue clearly wasn't related to her family, but rather to a romantic relationship.

She had been manipulated and gaslighted by Douglas.

Carter had remarked that Douglas gave the impression of a proud noble son with extraordinary origins and talents, impeccable in his outward demeanor, but probably hiding his inner beast.

Especially over the past year, Douglas had been very unlucky, and Avril, quite likely, had become the target for Douglas's venting.