On StarNet, those dusty old matters of Ming Ruan’s were dug up again by who-knows-who, and a batch of “victims” appeared out of nowhere, tearfully recounting their miserable pasts.
Those shots that livestream viewers had once innocently shipped were also maliciously edited out, paired with obscene vocabulary and filthy speculations, spreading wildly across StarNet.
With shocking, attention-grabbing headlines, soaring popularity, and comment sections being gradually led astray, even Shi Huai, long seasoned by the storms of the entertainment world, broke out in a cold sweat.
He could guess who did this with his tail.
“You politicians play dirty.” Shi Huai took a moment, then couldn’t help but vent his anger at Xie Gewen beside him.
Xie Gewen remained silent, as if he had only come to confirm Shi Huai hadn’t turned traitor, and turned to leave as soon as his goal was achieved.
No one saw the icy coldness in the gray wolf’s slightly dimmed eyes—they wouldn’t be jumping around for much longer.
Meanwhile, the white tiger, after entering behind the curtain in the inner room, transformed into human form in a single turn, and, without a ripple of emotion, signaled to Shi Huai just as usual, “Please accompany me, Mr. Shi Huai.”
With that, he also took the lead and left the room.
Shi Huai gritted his teeth and followed.
What did these people mean?! Clearly seeing Ming Ruan being bullied, yet showing no reaction at all! Ming Ruan was truly too good to them!
By the time the furious Shi Huai entered the reception room, several researchers were already inside, none of them looking young. They were gesticulating with excitement, faces glowing, speaking passionately about something.
Seeing Shi Huai enter, one handed him a new device.
Shi Huai stepped forward to look.
A new Light Brain?
“Yes, this is the latest achievement from our Beastman Research Institute. Although this Light Brain doesn’t have all its functions yet, experiments have confirmed it won’t trigger a beastman’s rampage. This is absolutely a leap forward since the era of beastification descended!”
The gray-haired project lead’s eyes glistened with emotion. He almost couldn’t help but grasp Su Yuyun’s hand. “Lord Adjudicator, please, please be sure to give Mr. Ming Ruan the commendation he deserves! Without his appearance, we would never have obtained samples of a beastman’s mental state recovering. Who knows when this research could have progressed!”
“Once the new Light Brain is fully developed, Mr. Ming’s name will definitely be in the acknowledgments. If Mr. Ming needs it, our Beastman Research Institute can even provide relevant materials at any time to help him secure a star-system-level honorary title!”
Beside the lead, a younger researcher glanced at the Light Brain and chimed in meaningfully, “If Mr. Ming doesn’t plan to continue his Executor duties from now on, the Research Institute will certainly hire him to assist with research. Please convey this on our behalf, Lord Adjudicator!”
This was clearly a show of support for Ming Ruan, in light of the recent StarNet uproar.
Shi Huai didn’t have time to experience the so-called new Light Brain; his eyes were bright. No matter how Ming Ruan got involved with research, if the Beastman Research Institute was backing him, then those nobles manipulating public opinion were just paper tigers, easily dealt with by PR!
Just as Shi Huai was thinking this, Su Yuyun said coldly, “Regarding Ming Ruan’s contribution to the new Light Brain, please, Institute, do not disclose it for now.”
What?
Shi Huai doubted his ears. He stared blankly at Su Yuyun, forgetting even protocol.
As dusk fell, Ming Ruan finally saw the three fluffballs he hadn’t seen all day.
He went up to hug each one, rubbed their heads and ears, and brought out the fancy side dishes he’d prepared.
After setting out the meal, Ming Ruan held his face in his hands and watched the three fluffballs eat, occasionally mischievously reaching out to rub the fur at the tip of the gray wolf’s ear, stroke the white tiger’s cheek, or pick up a small freeze-dried berry to feed the little fox. Today, the three fluffballs were all very well-behaved, even gentle. Ming Ruan was so playful, but they didn’t resist.
After obediently finishing his food, the fox even licked Ming Ruan’s fingertips with its thin, soft, pink tongue.
Beside him, a black-and-white striped tail swept over and landed in Ming Ruan’s palm, stopping his restless little movements, then patted gently, rhythmically, as if soothing him.
Pinching the tail and stroking it, watching it stiffen, he turned his head and found himself being watched by the gray wolf’s calm, gentle blue eyes.
Ah, how, how are you all so sweet today?
Was it because they were apart for half a day and missed him especially?
Ming Ruan, pampered into a daze by the fluffballs, sat on his bed to do one last check of his Executor probation points, calculated the countdown to his official confirmation, then hugged his pillow and cheerfully bid each fluffball goodnight, sinking into a carefree slumber.
He had no idea that the moment he fell asleep…
Three pairs of beastly eyes in the room shot open simultaneously.
Gone was the docility the gray wolf and fox showed Ming Ruan during the day. They let their chilling, frigid auras run rampant. The wolf and fox exited the small house one after the other, standing far apart, each activating their new Light Brains.
Xie Gewen called a familiar number. It was answered within a second.
“Lord Council Speaker! How, how can you—!” The voice on the other end was choked with excitement.
“Forgive the intrusion, Xiao Shuang. The secret files of those nobles in the Star Sea Archive. Could you help me retrieve them? — I should still have clearance.” The Star Sea Archive was the Council’s highest archive, and “secret files” was the elegant term for documents recording sordid deeds.
“Of course, Lord Speaker!” The voice on the comm trembled, nearly breaking down. “We are still waiting for you, the Council, and the people of Alpha Galaxy, we are still waiting for you—”
Thinking of his increasingly relaxed and stable state since meeting Ming Ruan, Xie Gewen tightened his fist. He didn’t repeat that they shouldn’t wait for him. He only said, “Thank you. Goodbye.”
On the other side.
Shi Huai suppressed the indescribable tension and fear in his heart and, almost gritting his teeth, called his agent. The moment it connected, he didn’t give the other party a chance to speak, launching into a rapid-fire speech.
“My contract with you guys isn’t up yet, my PR team can still be used, right? You should know about StarNet today. Get them to make a plan for me. Can we reverse the trend on this Ming Ruan thing within three days? I’ll cooperate! Hey! Are you there?!”
Having said all that, there was no movement from the other end. Just as Shi Huai’s humiliation and frustration began to rise, he heard the agent’s somewhat distracted “uh-huh, ah-huh” sounds, followed by a hesitant question, “So, um, what’s your situation like? Can you come out for work? There’s a pretty good gig here, they want your beast form to appear on camera.”
“You and Ming Ruan… ah, never mind, I won’t ask. I see he really likes petting you…” The agent’s voice continued bashfully, lowering. “Are you very soft to pet? Could I pet you sometime later? I’ve never, never petted a beastman before!”
Shi Huai: “?”
Shi Huai’s indignation instantly transformed into utter embarrassment. Knowing the room was soundproof, he practically screamed as he hung up!
What do you mean very soft?! And pet!
In Shi Huai’s mortification, the estrangements brought about by beastification with his friends, family, and colleagues quietly, silently melted away like spring snow.
He suddenly thought of the messages he had cleared away. He had a new Light Brain now, so maybe he could try contacting them later and see.
In the night sky, thick clouds were pushed apart by the wind. Clear moonlight poured down, spreading across the land, shining upon everyone, whether human or fluffball.
Perhaps, perhaps, beastmen didn’t only face separation from friends and family and societal rejection, right? Maybe their beast forms weren’t that detestable? Ming Ruan certainly loved them!
Inside the room, the white tiger sat up, its massive form blocking the disturbing moonlight from the window, pulling Ming Ruan into a peaceful shadow.
The white tiger just quietly watched Ming Ruan like this until the gray wolf and fox returned, then lay back down.
A tranquil night passed. On this ordinary morning commute, people were enjoying Ming Ruan’s new gossip on their Light Brains.
Suddenly, a Star News headline descended upon the trending charts! Like a heavy explosive dropped into already troubled water, it sent up even greater waves!
Countless gossip-eaters slacking off in meetings couldn’t help but scream!
[OH MY GOD, FAMILY! SHI HUAI POSTED ON STARBLOG!!!!]
