Chapter 31: 031 You’re Really Crying? Part 1

Su Yuyun stated, “Outworlder investigations fall under the Adjudicator’s purview. I will handle this personally.”

“This…” The Mecha Soldiers looked at each other, speechless.

……

Under the warm, amber glow of the evening light, Ming Ruan, who had been sleeping soundly slumped over, was gently awakened.

Ming Ruan looked at his Boss, who had suddenly appeared before him in the middle of the night, a little dazed.

Still sleepy, he heard his Boss say, “We need to leave the Sanatorium Zone for a while. Do you want to come with me?”

Ah, leave the Sanatorium Zone? Was it for fieldwork? Of course, it would be more convenient to go together.

Ming Ruan blearily placed his hand into Su Yuyun’s palm and nodded.

So, late at night, a topic quietly surfaced on StarNet:

【I heard Ming Ruan was taken into custody】

The news appeared suddenly and bizarrely, but detailed video definitely leaked out. Ming Ruan was escorted onto an official Flying Sedan by the Adjudicator, and the Mecha Soldiers deployed behind him were on the highest alert level.

【…Wait, what happened now?? Ah? Why is he suddenly in custody?】

The towering reputation he had built seemed to suddenly show a crack.

【What’s so strange? He should have been dealt with long ago. All those people praising him the last two days were the real joke.】

【The wind was too strong the past two days, no one dared speak up. Let me remind everyone, don’t try to whitewash Ming Ruan’s past deeds.】

【Great, is it finally my turn as a Ming Ruan anti-fan? Here’s the compilation link, I’ll point the way. Anyway, my morals can’t forgive him.】

【Even if he’s capable, his character flaws can’t be hidden. I just hope everyone can judge him rationally.】

【I was scolded for educating people two days ago, people said I was always holding onto the past…】

The stronger the wind, the greater the doubt.

For a moment, that ‘Indictment Document’ went viral online once again.

The casual fans who had just fallen head over heels for Ming Ruan felt as if they’d been doused with a bucket of cold water. After their passion was extinguished, an explosion of doubt towards Ming Ruan swiftly swelled.

Did someone who had done those things really deserve so much adoration?

Just as public opinion was about to rapidly slide towards another uncontrollable extreme:

【Breaking!! Holy crap, go check the official announcement!! It’s insane, everyone, stop fighting!! It’s not the same person at all!!】

【It suddenly hit me, over a decade has passed, it really is time for a new Outworlder to arrive.】

【What, what!!】

【Saw it, this man surprises me anew every day.】

【Laughing so hard, no ill intent, but the people who were just using past deeds to scold the current Ming Ruan seem to have unexpectedly been slapped in the face.】

【Me?? Huh?? Outworlder?? Huh??】

Frozen. A single announcement successfully froze the skyrocketing buzz.

Those frenziedly spreading the Indictment Document choked. Both sides frantically debating whether ‘a person’s past should be forgiven’ fell silent. The Ming Ruan anti-fans who had been dominating just moments ago drew their swords, looking around in dazed confusion.

Tonight’s StarNet was eerily silent for several minutes.

Then, a new surge of traffic exploded!

【So absurd, yet it feels like the most logical explanation [Likes: 1,562,458,745]】

【Too logical, now that I think about it, he was full of holes, not even trying to hide it, damn it, my dumb wife.】

【…Fine, so, even if Ming Ruan’s previous terrible deeds have nothing to do with this Outworlder, an Outworlder isn’t necessarily a good person, right?】

【Ming Ruan needs to be tested now, right? I think there’s no need to scold him beforehand, let’s wait for the test results.】

In the Alpha Galaxy, although Outworlders are heavily monitored and subjected to certain controls, as long as it’s confirmed they aren’t malicious intruders, they can return to a normal life after a certain observation period.

【But, I remember, Outworlders aren’t allowed to know any information about the Alpha Galaxy before the testing and observation period is over, right? He probably doesn’t even know he’s been discovered.】

【Putting myself in his shoes, it feels awful. Being inexplicably and suddenly taken to a research facility full of brain specimens in jars and various memory monitors… hiss.】

Thinking of this, the anxious onlookers couldn’t help but feel a surge of pity for Ming Ruan.

Ming Ruan was indeed in a miserable situation right now!

He was struggling mightily to extricate himself from the bed!

This bed was huge, thick, and soft, covered with a quilt as light and fluffy as could be. So comfortable. It was practically the bed of his dreams!

He lazed in it until noon.

But he wasn’t here on vacation, he really couldn’t keep sleeping!

Ming Ruan sat up, a messy mop of golden hair on his head, starting to recall events.

Last night, his Boss had scooped him out of the Sanatorium Zone and settled him here.

But his Boss only mentioned cooperating with a physical examination for a couple of days, then hurriedly left.

Could it be this wasn’t fieldwork, but an onboarding physical?

Oh, his Boss seemed to have stroked his head again at the end.

Ming Ruan unconsciously placed his hand on his own head and pressed down.

Outside the door, a sweet mechanical voice sounded, “Ding, Little Master, it’s mealtime! Based on your preferences, today’s lunch has been prepared…”

Next, a short, chubby robot slid in with a gurgle, stopping by Ming Ruan’s bed. It tilted its head, its display screen looking up at Ming Ruan. Upon detecting his gaze, a cute OVO appeared on the screen.

Wow!

Ming Ruan’s train of thought was interrupted. He got out of bed, his bare feet stepping onto the thick, soft carpet on the floor.

In a mere thought from him, light emerged from unknown sources in the dim room, gradually brightening the entire space.

He followed the scent of food to the dining room, where several small robots were busily bustling around a beautiful table and chairs. Seeing Ming Ruan appear, some little robots held up dishes to show him, others wheeled over to greet him with praise, some pulled out a chair, prepared the cutlery, and eagerly awaited Ming Ruan to take his seat.

Ming Ruan’s heart melted from the cuteness, but his stomach timely let out a ‘growl’.

The table was set with many small plates – meat, vegetables, soup, rice, dessert, and drinks, all present in just the right portions without being wasteful.

Ming Ruan: “Thank you all, it smells amazing!”

The little robots’ screens displayed various cute emoticons as they chorused, “The Little Master’s praise is our greatest affirmation!” “The Little Master is just too wonderful! Serving the Little Master, S21-3 seems to understand what humans call joy!”

The meal concluded amidst a chorus of flattery from the little robots, who then bustled about, clearing the remnants before clustering back to cheer him up.

Ming Ruan was charmed senseless, remembering nothing else, just giggling foolishly.

It wasn’t until he had digested his meal somewhat that one of the little robots stopped its playful antics and said, very gently, “Little Master, it’s time to prepare for your physical exam.”

In an instant, it felt like Ming Ruan was pushed from a fairy-tale world back into reality.

Almost as soon as the robot finished speaking, there was a knock on the door.

Ming Ruan opened the door. Outside stood a Light Mech Soldier, who showed him the relevant credentials. With his Boss’s prior instructions, Ming Ruan cooperated very readily.

It was only upon opening the door that Ming Ruan realized today was a stormy day.

The sky was dark and gloomy, fierce winds howling intermittently. The torrential rain blurred the world into an indistinguishable haze; he could only hear the deafening roar of the rain and smell the damp scent of petrichor.

“It’s actually raining so heavily.” Ming Ruan murmured in shock. Inside the house, he hadn’t felt a thing, thinking it was a fine, sunny day.

“Yes, sir.” The Mecha Soldier’s barely audible voice was suppressing a complex mix of emotions.

Outside, a raging storm, yet someone could keep the young man’s world forever peaceful and warm.

Just what kind of Outworlder deserved to be treasured so carefully?

A spark of curiosity couldn’t help but rise within the Mecha Soldier.

After the Flying Sedan carrying Ming Ruan departed, hundreds of Light Mechs hidden nearby silently emerged and followed behind it.

……

Interstellar physical exams were very different from those on Earth; the entire process was fully automated!

After Ming Ruan entered the medical examination facility, the broadcast constantly guided his movements. He went deeper layer by layer, finally arriving at his destination.

It was a small, high-tech, heavily reinforced room containing a small space like an elevator. From above, numerous circular suction cups connected by wires dangled down.

“Now, please enter the Medical Examination Pod. Following the animated demonstration, attach the suction cup in your right hand to the designated area…”

The broadcast gave Ming Ruan no time to hesitate or think; each instruction left him only able to comply subconsciously.

Just as Ming Ruan attached the last patch and the ‘elevator door’ before him slowly closed, he suddenly recalled – why did this medical facility seem to have no other visitors? Could it be because of the heavy rain—

Ming Ruan’s consciousness blanked out.

At the same moment, the “elevator pod” rapidly filled with a liquid, completely submerging Ming Ruan. Inside the Outsider Control Center, hundreds of screens lit up simultaneously, displaying a dazzling array of data.

The instruments were operating normally.

A good start. Based on experience, a preliminary judgment could be made: this Outworlder’s danger level wasn’t high.

The Chief Administrator of the Outsider Control Center ordered, “Begin the examination.”

All the Researchers sprang into action, dividing into groups to begin calculating their assigned data sets.

Arrival time confirmed.

Divisive infectivity confirmed.

Original species confirmed.

Attempting to trace origin…

Suddenly, one group of Researchers stopped, hesitant over a segment of data, even breaking into a minor dispute.

“An anomaly?” The Chief Administrator strode over quickly.

“Reporting.” The team member’s voice trembled slightly. “There’s a portion of data here.”

The entire room held its breath.

The Mecha Soldiers on high alert outside silently tightened their grips on their weapons.

“Please look at this data segment. I believe everyone will find it somewhat familiar. If the test results are correct, this means…”

—

Like the weather on the Main Star today, the Outsider Control Center was also engulfed in a persistent storm caused by Ming Ruan’s situation.

The debate never ceased.

This directly resulted in the examination report, which should have been announced within a single day, remaining unconfirmed even after five full days.

As the whistleblower, after hearing the day’s summary of phased results, the Lion boarded his Flying Sedan, intending to visit Ming Ruan’s current residence.