With no one from the Clarence Family supervising today, Ming Ruan no longer needed to maintain any particular propriety or etiquette. He plunged into the pile of Fluffballs, playing his way from indoors to outdoors. Now, he was seated on the fine white gravel ground, giving the Fluffballs a show with his simple drawings.
The Fluffballs seemed to sense Ming Ruan’s uninhibited spirit too, each one acting more spoiled and clingy than usual.
The moment Ming Ruan sat cross-legged on the ground, the larger dogs like the German Shepherd and Samoyed immediately posted themselves around him, encircling him entirely.
The various Cat Forms and the red panda squeezed through the outer blockade, burrowing headfirst into Ming Ruan’s embrace.
A brown tabby Maine Coon cat trod over the dogs’ heads and squeezed right in, instantly filling the empty space in Ming Ruan’s arms and claiming it fully. The late-arriving red panda could only cling to Ming Ruan’s neck aggrievedly, draping itself across his chest.
The red panda’s thick, triangular ears just so happened to press against Ming Ruan’s cheeks, the gap between them perfectly fitting his chin.
Ming Ruan drew a couple of strokes, then bowed his head to smooch the red panda’s thick, soft head.
Heaven!
Other, more agile little creatures simply grabbed onto his clothes and scampered up onto his shoulders, forearms, and even his head, occasionally swatting at each other over the prime spots.
Ming Ruan looked like he was wearing a coat of small animals, heavily struggling to draw on the ground.
A stroke or two, a little cat.
Another couple of strokes, a little bird…
Soon, the originally elegant, minimalist white sandy ground was covered in cute little animal drawings.
Every animal that got drawn was particularly excited, leading to even more enthusiastic attempts to parkour across Ming Ruan. Long fur, down fluff, feather dust, and feathers flew everywhere.
After sneezing four or five times in a row, shaking off several hamsters, chinchillas, and fancy mice that were clinging to him, Ming Ruan finally struggled to his feet, overwhelmed: “Wait a moment, wait a moment, overloaded, babies!”
It was at this exact moment that the group of state dignitaries arrived.
The Fluffballs were still enjoying their fierce competition, but amidst the chaos, Ming Ruan glanced up and spotted the group of people standing motionless not far away.
Static. Frozen. Like a set of statues that had always been there.
The crowd: “…”
Ming Ruan: “…”
Silence, silence was the scene tonight.
Ming Ruan struggled to stand up: “H-Hello, everyone!”
With the motion, a Cat Form tumbled out of his arms. Tilting sideways, a Snow Ferret slid off his neck.
“Mr. Butler, you’ve returned—baby, don’t hug my leg, you might get kicked.” Ming Ruan peeled a little koala firmly latched onto his leg off.
“Sorry, I made a mess of this place—ah, don’t cover my eyes.” Ming Ruan managed a single step before a flying squirrel descended from some unknown tree and plastered itself across his face.
He peeled the flying squirrel off like a rice cake stuck to a pan, “Sorry, sorry—be good, be good.”
Fuxi: “…”
Although Fuxi had deliberately only chosen underage cubs when recruiting the Beastmen, seeing these beasts cling onto Ming Ruan so unrestrainedly, making him flail left and right—Fuxi’s last nerve, already frayed to a breaking point, simply snapped.
“ROAR!!”
Insolence!
The colossal lion’s roar echoed to the highest heavens.
In one second, Ming Ruan was clean as a whistle.
The Butler hurried forward, directing the small animals to be taken away.
The wind blew, and Ming Ruan shivered. Suddenly not being clung to, it was actually a little cold.
Lion. Ferocious.
Fuxi restrained himself, strode over to Ming Ruan, and gave him a short, soft roar: Not you.
The emotion in that sound was too obvious. Ming Ruan felt comforted and immediately relaxed.
Behind Fuxi, Su Yuyun and the others also approached.
“Bo—” Ming Ruan started in pleasant surprise, but for some unknown reason, the memory of his recent escapade with the Fluffballs surfaced, and he inexplicably felt a flicker of guilt. Thus, the latter half of the word came out markedly less confident. “…Boss.”
Su Yuyun looked at Ming Ruan. Before he could say anything, someone beside him suddenly had a flash of realization and began reproaching Clarence. “You Clarence family, this! Ah! Although Mr. Ming Ruan’s abilities are strong, this sort of thing is still a bit… unkind!”
This statement triggered a chain reaction of sudden understanding among the others. It must be that the Clarence Family knew of Ming Ruan’s ability for Reverse Therianthropy and, taking advantage of this chaotic window, was exploiting Ming Ruan to win people over!
Everyone chimed in with condemnation.
Huh?
Ming Ruan didn’t quite grasp the insinuation, but instinctively defended himself: “No, no, I really enjoy spending time with small animals! Small animals are very cute, and the Clarence Family took great care of me!”
Huh?
The crowd’s condemnation stuttered to a halt.
But, but this must be because.
Because Mr. Ming Ruan, who came from Ancient Earth, was truly too kind!
To treat Beastmen so gently, to patiently interact with them, even to sincerely praise them!
Truly moving!
To the side, hearing Ming Ruan’s defense, the Lion’s tail tip curled slightly, his chin lifting even higher. He tried to look down his nose at everyone.
Unreasonable lot. Do you see this?
This is the good ally the Clarence Family has recognized—sincere and kind-hearted.
The crowd interpreted Fuxi’s pride and then looked again at Ming Ruan’s excellent condition and the smile still lingering on his lips.
Belatedly, complete comprehension dawned.
They had always thought the nobles’ provocation, followed by Fuxi’s reporting of Ming Ruan, culminating in the Clarence Family’s actions, was perhaps a multi-layered scheme: slap the nobility, suppress the Adjudicator, and use Ming Ruan to reap benefits.
But now, looking at it,
You Clarence Family, you specifically headhunted Ming Ruan, housed him in luxury, catered to his every whim with careful attention.
So you’d been sucking up from the very beginning!
Truly, the ways of the world are degenerating, and people’s hearts are not what they were!
The crowd shook their heads heavily.
Such foresight was truly lamentable! Why couldn’t they have secretly tipped the rest of them off!
Although pained at not being able to curry favor earlier, the crowd quickly reconsidered—realizing that the ones who should be most anxious right now were definitely not them.
In unspoken agreement, everyone’s gaze swiveled simultaneously towards the Adjudicator, unable to mask their schadenfreude.
What now, Adjudicator? Someone’s openly poaching your subordinate right under your nose.
Su Yuyun seemed surrounded by an energy barrier, insulating him from meaningless people and stares. He merely fixed his golden eyes on Ming Ruan, deeply, intently: “My apologies. My earlier, unannounced departure was due to being held up by some urgent matters. I am late.”
To be honest, Ming Ruan had been having such a good time these past two days he thought those emotions had long since scattered.
But he admitted, upon spotting Su Yuyun from afar, the memories of that confusion, anxiety, and frustration had bubbled up from the depths of his heart like little bubbles.
But!
Since his Boss was making such a solemn apology!
Those little bubbles carrying negative emotions all popped and vanished.
Ming Ruan, playing a little coy: “Oh, it’s fine.”
Su Yuyun missed none of Ming Ruan’s subtle expressions.
Su Yuyun’s face remained calm, but inwardly he mused: If Ming Ruan were wearing the Beastman simulation mecha parts right now, his tail would definitely be wagging.
Although there was no pressing matter, no one was willing to leave. The Butler and Fuxi stood beside Ming Ruan. Su Yuyun, with Shi Huai, Xie Gewen, and the rest stood opposite him.
They all knew it was time to make a choice.
“Ming Ruan.”
“Mm!”
“Your Trial Executor period has ended. Due to my oversight, your regularization process can still be carried out in the coming days.”
“Do you choose to proceed with the regularization process?”
Su Yuyun asked.
Return to the secluded Sanatorium Zone.
Or remain with the wealthy and prestigious Clarence Family.
“Of course!” Ming Ruan answered without a moment’s hesitation.
The Lion’s slightly raised tail tip drooped.
From the side, the Butler spoke up: “Mr. Ming Ruan, perhaps you might consider continuing your employment with the Clarence Family. We would offer you the very best terms.”
Hearing this, Ming Ruan also turned solemnly to face the Butler and the Lion.
He beamed a wide, bright smile in thanks. “Thank you, Mr. Butler! And to the Head of the Clarence Family!”
Ming Ruan: “Thank you for the hospitality these past few days! But I can’t keep imposing on your goodwill like this.”
He actually knew, deep down.
He hadn’t really helped at all.
The hardest work a Keeper should do, he hadn’t been allowed to do any of it.
It wasn’t so much him accompanying the Clarence Family’s small animals, as it was the Clarence Family finding these little animals to keep him company and cheer him up.
Even though he didn’t know why. But!
Ming Ruan: “If there’s ever anything you need my help with in the future, please definitely come find me. I’ll do my absolute best to help!”
Ming Ruan made this promise.
And the place that needed him most—Ming Ruan recalled the state Gray Wolf and Fox had been in when he first met them—he thought—the place that needed him most was still the Sanatorium Zone.
In just a few sentences, the future path became clear.
Fuxi shifted his gaze from Ming Ruan, looking instead at Su Yuyun.
Yet Su Yuyun did not meet his eyes, only watched the young man who seemed to glow.
Fuxi had seen Ming Ruan’s value and predicted that Su Yuyun would be placed under observation for vouching for him, thus giving the Clarence Family an opportunity to slip in.
And Su Yuyun had also anticipated from the start: Ming Ruan would definitely choose the Sanatorium Zone.
A nearly fortnight-long confrontation thus came to an end.
The bystanders inexplicably began clapping, making Ming Ruan somewhat embarrassed.
Because of the Information Shackle during Ming Ruan’s observation period, they could not speak to him about Reverse Therianthropy or Ancient Earth. So they could only offer empty, generic praise. After truly failing to find any more reason to stay, they reluctantly said their goodbyes.
Well, if he wasn’t continuing at the Clarence Family, did that mean he had to go back to the Sanatorium Zone with his Boss right now?
Ming Ruan’s hand, which happened to be dangling right beside the Lion’s head, moved slightly. His fingertips gently scratched the top of its head.
“Ah, if I recall correctly, Mr. Ming Ruan still has a presentation to give next. The Clarence Family just so happens to have a suitable venue.” Seeing Ming Ruan’s small gesture and reluctant expression, the Old Butler understood perfectly and made this suggestion. “Why don’t we invite everyone to rest here for a couple of days? If Mr. Ming Ruan gives his presentation in a familiar place, his performance might be better.”
This proposal was accepted by both Ming Ruan and Su Yuyun.
While the Butler went to make arrangements, Ming Ruan noticed that two people behind Su Yuyun still hadn’t left.
One of them was that Fox-eared Youth from before.
“Mr. Shi! Hello!” Ming Ruan looked at the youth’s bare head, and his prior doubts almost completely vanished now.
To avoid being caught in a contradiction, Shi Huai had to painfully endure his urges and greet Ming Ruan with restraint.
Damn it, he also wanted to turn into his beast form and have his head petted!
Next, Ming Ruan also greeted the other man.
The man introduced himself as Mr. Xie, Gray Wolf’s master.
Ming Ruan was surprised that Gray Wolf’s master was different from what he’d imagined. For some reason, an image of this gentleman with wolf ears popped into his head.
If Mr. Xie also wore ears when entering the Sanatorium Zone, he would surely look very fitting and handsome too!
Afterwards, the group dispersed.
Just as Ming Ruan was about to head back to his room to tidy up, Su Yuyun suddenly sidestepped Shi Huai and Xie Gewen, falling half a step behind to walk alongside him.
The golden epaulets and chains shimmered right by Ming Ruan’s eyes.
Su Yuyun leaned in slightly, the brim of his cap shading his eyes. His thin lips moved, whispering a few words into Ming Ruan’s ear.
Ming Ruan’s eyes instantly flew wide open.
