In order to conceal the Time Crystal and still "reasonably" present traded items, Shen Shi has been racking his brain recently.
Luckily, he runs a murder mystery script shop.
He's encountered all sorts of bizarre scenarios.
Thus, a fictitious "Star Sea Corporation" was born.
So, Shen Shi's "background" has gradually become clearer.
He's a lucky individual from Blue Star, who by chance was absorbed by such an interstellar power. In a few short years, he became the captain of a warship. Upon learning Blue Star was targeted, he returned to help his Mother Star and his species.
As long as this identity, this background, becomes ingrained in people's minds, Shen Shi will possess a transcendent status.
Even if the crisis three years from now is successfully overcome, this status can still be maintained.
He doesn't plan to get involved in political administration.
But he also doesn't want to lose the initiative someday.
He desires a brilliant future of his own.
And as he presented this "scenario," Tao De and others finally saw hope and dawn.
Tao De couldn't help but ask, "Do we need to pay a price to help us?"
Since it's a corporation, profits come first! So, this is easy to think about.
But Shen Shi shook his head.
He directly said, "The corporation knows very little about the other party, and vice versa. This is a stage that must be extremely cautious. Moreover, humanity is too weak, weak to the point where even offering everything might not be enough to move the corporation."
Tao De and Villard's expressions stiffened.
They opened their mouths but were deflated to find they had no grounds for rebuttal.
After all, everything about that corporate interstellar society comes from Shen Shi.
Even though Shen Shi told them much today, they know too little about the Cosmos and these extraterrestrial powers far stronger than humans.
The only thing they understand is their own weakness.
Humanity is too weak!
At this moment, Shen Shi's calm voice came again.
"Humanity is too weak, lacking the interests that would compel the corporation to intervene, but I have applied for a loan from the corporation in the name of creating a branch."
He needs a phrasing that doesn't seem effortless, to explain the items acquired through future transactions, to avoid too high expectations and limitless requests.
Since it's a corporation, a loan is a good pretext.
Upon hearing this, Tao De and others widened their eyes slightly.
Some people who were still sitting jumped up.
Among the crowd, suppressed and tumultuous voices appeared.
Some who didn't understand hurriedly asked those Eastern Country People around them, wanting to know what the mysterious man before them had said.
When they understood, their eyes towards Shen Shi also became excited.
So, this is the "chance for victory" the other party mentioned initially!
They thought it was assistance from other powers, but unexpectedly, it was a loan?
But... will this work?
Isn't it said that humanity doesn't have the interests to compel the corporation to intervene?
Villard even impatiently asked his most pressing concern.
"Sir, loans in interstellar space should also need auditing, right?"
This is simple to conceive.
Whether it's a loan or high-interest loan, the greatest, even the sole profit, can only be obtained after the "recovery" process.
If there's any situation where recovery becomes impossible, it's not profit, but a loss!
Thus, as long as the goal is profit, reviewing recovery risk is inevitable!
And given Blue Star's current situation...
Although they don't know the audit standards of that corporate civilization Shen Shi mentioned, Villard and others clearly see it as highly risky.
A loan under such circumstances...
However——
Shen Shi glanced at him with indifference, calmly saying, "The initial audit has already ended."
"Ended?" Villard couldn't help but exclaim.
Then he realized something, his face showing enlightenment.
Clearly, if the review failed, today's meeting might not have happened!
"The review's target isn't you, but me," Shen Shi calmly explained, "Assessing how much chance I have to escape this crisis, or whether I intend to perish with my race. As long as it's confirmed I can ensure safety, then the 'collateral' for this loan will be my future."
With this explanation, everyone immediately understood.
Contrary to their assumptions, this turned out to be a personal loan!
They looked at Shen Shi, their gaze changing once again.
All of humanity combined couldn't receive any support, yet this man before them, with his own future, could secure a loan potentially allowing humanity to triumph!
Such weight...!
Although they don't know why this man has such weight, at this moment, countless people are grateful in their hearts.
Thankfully, he appeared!
"Sir's action..."
Even Tao De clenched his fists, breathing to adjust his emotions.
He's someone who remains calm during a crisis.
But today's impact is just too much and too significant!
Alien spaceship appearing before them! Eastern Country People returning from distant Star Sea! News of extraterrestrial invaders about to attack Blue Star! And that bloodthirsty Cosmos they've glimpsed the tip of!
All of this has torn apart his, and everyone's, past experiences, perceptions, and common knowledge!
Replacing it with enormous fear for the future!
And now.
Hope and dawn are already before them!
His lips trembled slightly as if trying to utter words of gratitude, but ultimately, he stood up and deeply bowed to Shen Shi.
Nonetheless, this was insufficient to express his gratitude at this moment!
Though the other's expression was mostly indifferent and his words weren't particularly warm, ultimately, it was this man, this Eastern Country person, who tore open a rift in the abyss of despair, letting a ray of light shine through.
For this alone.
He's deserving of any human's gratitude!
At this moment, it wasn't only Tao De.
Everyone else also gradually quieted down.
Then, from Villard to Chief Engineer Lu, to everyone else, they deeply bowed to Shen Shi.
This was their collective expression of gratitude.
Perhaps it also represents humanity's gratitude!
And Shen Shi, silently, bore this bow!
His expression still didn't change much, but observant people would notice that Shen Shi's back had straightened a bit for some time.
This gratitude lasted for a while. When the crowd sat down, they felt the atmosphere with Shen Shi had lightened considerably.
Yet Shen Shi's expression at this time showed noticeable change for the first time, becoming extremely serious.
"Having decided to help humanity, help my Mother Star, I will not hesitate," Shen Shi's gaze sharpened, tightly fixing on everyone, especially Tao De and Villard, emphasizing, "But this crisis cannot be resolved by me alone. I hope all humanity will fully coordinate for their destiny, their future, all they have! Otherwise, when it's time to abandon, I won't hesitate either!"