Chapter 51: Breaking Their Own Rules Part 1

The Fluffballs halted in their tracks. They looked at Ming Ruan, then at that eyesore of a snow leopard tail, grinding their teeth. But no one wanted to be the first bird shot down by starting a fight in front of Ming Ruan.

The gray wolf sat quietly on his haunches where he was. The lion flicked his tail and turned away. The fox let out wronged, whimpering little yips… Everyone had their own ways of tugging at Ming Ruan’s heartstrings.

Ming Ruan’s heart was quivering from the sheer cuteness. He hated that he couldn’t split himself into multiple pieces. He just wanted to give every single Fluffball happiness!

If the previous rivalry among them was somewhat subdued, still carrying a trace of hesitation and restraint, then the snow leopard was like a catfish dropped into their pond, stirring everyone into a whirlwind of competition.

Before Ming Ruan could decide which one to soothe first, and before the live stream chat could even organize their words in the face of such a thrilling scene, another communication request came through on Ming Ruan’s light brain.

“It’s an official communication.” Ming Ruan explained to the live stream room, then picked it up. Fearing he might be breaking some rule by live streaming, the first thing he asked after connecting was: “Hello, I have my Inspector Livestream on right now. Do I need to turn it off?”

The person on the other end wasn’t the liaison Ming Ruan was familiar with. Startled by Ming Ruan’s politeness and courtesy, he hurriedly said, “No need… you’re far too polite, esteemed Executor of District 12.” After the courtesies, he continued: “The purpose of this call, first, is for the sanatorium and Research Institute to present a general summary of the avalanche and disconnection incident you encountered…”

Ming Ruan nodded obediently, listening carefully to what the other party said.

His attitude threw the caller off balance. The researcher responsible for this briefing wasn’t often on StarNet. He only knew the relevant information about Ming Ruan but had never actually watched his personal live streams.

He had assumed that someone treasured by the entire galaxy, no matter how good their nature, would at least have some temper. As the representative chosen to offer the apology this time, the researcher had prepared several contingency plans, terrified that the Executor’s emotions might flare up and he’d demand a full investigation.

He never expected that the young man before him now was even more obedient than the students he supervised himself. His eyes were filled with earnest attention. He kept making eye contact with him, nodding and smiling from time to time to show he understood.

The researcher finally realized why a few of his colleagues had worn such strange expressions when they saw him drafting contingency plans.

His goodwill toward Ming Ruan surged dramatically. His voice gentled even more, and he explained in much greater detail. He also decided that when he had the chance, he would definitely catch up on Ming Ruan’s inspector live streams.

It was only while listening to his explanation that Ming Ruan learned he had actually encountered an avalanche back then. And that transparent bubble was a protective device equipped for every person in the interstellar era at birth. This lent a fantastical tint to his memories of those few days.

“…Once again, we extend our sincere apologies. In our future work, we will be even more meticulous to prevent incidents like loss of contact from occurring again. To ensure the Executor’s safety… among this, your contribution to the mission of rescuing the snow leopard and the compensation for this incident will all be calculated and issued as merit points… Next, the Research Institute will brief you on the specifics of the snow leopard’s situation…”

Ming Ruan, quick-eyed and quick-handed, covered the snow leopard’s ears. His thumbs pressed down on those round ears, successfully transforming the snow leopard into a ‘sea leopard.’

The snow leopard rumbled, rubbed against Ming Ruan, and didn’t resist.

Only then did Ming Ruan nod, indicating the researcher could continue.

Researcher: “…”

The researcher tried his best not to fixate on the sight of the financial titan being kneaded and squished by Ming Ruan, and carried on.

The situation was just as Ming Ruan had guessed. The snow leopard’s issues were likely psychological, leading to food refusal. It could be said there was a certain degree of self-destructive tendency. Fortunately, the situation wasn’t severe. His condition had visibly improved a lot during these past two days of Ming Ruan’s interaction with him.

It was very similar to the reaction some animals had after suddenly leaving their owners. But with the snow leopard still right beside him, Ming Ruan couldn’t ask too many questions. He just resolved to accompany the snow leopard well from now on.

The researcher finished laying out all the information. Seeing Ming Ruan, who had been listening so obediently just moments ago, now spacing out briefly, the researcher felt his professional habit kick in. He suddenly added an extra question: “Does the Lord Executor have any other questions?”

“I do.” Ming Ruan snapped back. He asked a question completely out of left field: “If I don’t have any missions coming up, can I use my merit points to take leave like normal? And how would these animals be arranged then?”

The researcher was stunned, thinking the implication was that Ming Ruan wanted to take these Beastmen out with him. He replied cautiously: “Only after passing an assessment.”

In fact, it was a new policy, introduced only after Ming Ruan’s appearance had somewhat elevated the social status of Beastmen.

Before, though there was no explicit law, no one would ever bring a Beastman out onto the streets—anyone could imagine the massive commotion it would cause.

Now, the public’s acceptance of Beastmen had greatly increased. Along with it, many voices and organizations advocating for Beastmen had appeared in society. Under such circumstances, as long as they passed the Beastman Research Institute’s evaluation and wore proper protective gear, Beastmen could also be registered and allowed on the streets.

“Ah?” Ming Ruan hadn’t even thought there was a possibility of taking the animals out.

Reality aside, leading a pack of wild beasts through the streets, a green dragon on the left, a white tiger on the right—how utterly awe-inspiring! And he wouldn’t have to worry about these Fluffballs in the sanatorium zone not adjusting well! There was actually such a perfect solution in the world!

The snow leopard beside him, whose ears he’d covered pretending not to hear, couldn’t keep up the act for a moment. He raised his eyes, looking at Ming Ruan. The others also showed surprise and excitement at this news.

Don’t worry—Ming Ruan shot the Fluffballs a confident look—he would definitely find a way to take them out. He then inquired: “How exactly does one pass this evaluation?”

Unexpectedly, the researcher on the other end was even more surprised than he was. “The assessment means reaching a composite data A-level stability standard. As for how to reach that A-level stability standard… haven’t you been the one teaching us all along?”

Ming Ruan: ?

The two exchanged a round of pointless dialogue and stared at each other for a long while. The topic finally ended with some awkward yet polite formalities.

In the final summary, the researcher spoke meaningfully: “Your contributions to the sanatorium zone are exceptionally outstanding. These contributions will not only factor into the Executor Ranking Election but will also have significant impacts on other aspects of your life.”

Netizens who had been listening in on the Inspector Livestream Room for ages helpfully spelled it out for the researcher:

“Is that significant impact referring to the rule that Outworlders who make outstanding contributions to the galaxy can reduce their Information Shackle time?”

“Pity that contributions only start counting from the moment your Outworlder identity is confirmed.”

“Is dropping hints like this even allowed? Another one charmed by my wife.”

Ming Ruan only marveled that there was such a thing as an Executor Ranking Election, completely failing to catch the hint within.

For now, he was still hoping to wait until the Fluffballs passed their evaluations so everyone could go out and have fun together. Speaking of passing evaluations, Ming Ruan had to revisit a question he’d pondered long ago to no avail: Why exactly was he so immensely helpful to interstellar Fluffballs?

He actually thought, aside from some techniques for getting along with Fluffballs, the bigger factor was emotional. If even a potted plant cursed at every day couldn’t survive, how could one expect a small animal who was neither expected nor loved to grow up well?

Ming Ruan’s gaze swept over the wild beasts around him, whose eyes now held a spark of light. They were vastly different from when he’d first met them. If things were as he thought, then one day, all the Fluffballs here would easily pass their evaluations.

They exchanged a few more pleasantries. At the very end of the call, Ming Ruan had even said his goodbyes, but was suddenly stopped by the researcher again.

He thought there was still something left to discuss regarding sanatorium zone matters. But then he heard the researcher ask, with a perfectly serious expression: “Lord Executor, would you be interested in hosting another interactive live stream?”

Hearing the researcher finally ask that question, the frenzied comments flooding the Inspector Livestream Room finally eased, satisfied:

“Alright, alright, the Sanatorium Administration is very humane after all.”

“I’ve got my gifts all ready! Can’t wait to give Ruanruan a surprise!!”

“I can talk to my wife again aaaaaaah!”

Ming Ruan blinked, confused. “Of course, no problem.” If the sanatorium side agreed, he liked those adorable netizens very much too.

Ming Ruan just assumed the netizens had encountered more problems in the process of raising their pets and were hoping to seek his experience again.

So the next day, he went out early for forest patrol.

With the Fluffballs increasing in number daily, he could no longer bring them all along for forest patrol.

The Fluffballs were also well aware of this. After learning about the evaluation matter yesterday, passing the assessment as soon as possible so they could go out with Ming Ruan had now become everyone’s goal. As for how to strive to pass the evaluation, these Beastmen had actually already had their own thoughts for a while.

When heading out this morning, just as everyone was in a standoff, refusing to yield over who would accompany him and who would stay, the snow leopard seized the chaos to grab Ming Ruan by the collar and run. But halfway there, Ming Ruan was snatched away by the gray wolf, then blocked by the lion, only for White Tiger to leap out and stop them from fighting… Ultimately, all that was left was the little fox, who couldn’t outrun anyone, wailing yip yip yip from behind.

Ming Ruan, fought over and tossed around like a rubber ball: …

He was physically in the Outdoor Zone now, but the flying vehicle he used for forest patrol was still parked back at his doorstep!

Ming Ruan had no choice but to deliver a flick to each animal’s head, shooing them back into the house. He then went off alone and efficiently completed his tasks.

By the time Ming Ruan returned, it wasn’t even noon. He had set aside the entire afternoon for the interactive live stream.

He first mentally rehearsed a few questions the netizens might ask. Once prepared, he opened the live stream.

“We’re here!!!”

For this second interactive live stream, not only was Ming Ruan visibly more at ease, but the netizens were also even more practiced.

Before Ming Ruan’s stream had even opened, the amount of gifts received had already been climbing steadily.

The moment the stream went live, the entire room shot to the top of every leaderboard across the site. All other currently broadcasting rooms were bumped down one rank!

From Ming Ruan’s perspective, he could also see that this stream’s popularity had skyrocketed compared to the last one.

“Hello, everyone!”

Ming Ruan had only just said a single sentence when a full animation effect exploded across his screen: two strings of firecrackers hanging on the left and right, crackling and popping off. Then, fireworks burst all over the screen. A red background frame materialized, upon which golden calligraphy swept out in bold strokes: Happy Spring Festival!

Simultaneously, the live stream chat flooded:

“Happy Spring Festival!!”

“Happy Spring Festival!”

“Happy Spring Festival, Ruanruan!”

“Wife, I prepared gifts for you aaah!!”

What, Spring Festival?

Ming Ruan was caught completely off guard by this. He couldn’t help but lean in close to the live stream camera to look.